YEAR 11, No.

3 SEPTEMBER 2007 Home Paper of the 1999 Canadian Ethnic Journalists’ and Writers’ Club Winner for Best Editorial Toronto, Ontario

INSIDE
Ooops & Bloops
Growing Filipino community in Canada
?
(page 11)

Among HTAs, is diaspora philanthropy

INCIDENTAL?
-7

Congress in
RP history - 24, 25
By ACE ALVAREZ and
BUTCH DG. GALICIA
“Helping their towns of origin in the Philippines
Banig
is only incidental to the formation of hometown
ng
associations (HTA).”
Samar
Thus, believes Manila Media Monitor reader Joe
- 26
Rivera, who says he has retired from legal practice
but teaches part-time.
In an e-mailed submission to the editor of this
paper, Rivera insists that “the primary reason for
(the HTAS’) existence is the need (of Filipino im-
Dancing To Be A Star migrants in Canada) for fellowship and support,
- 33 which most oftentimes are very difficult to get
Easing forex even from established Filipino associations in our
woes - 31 community.”
(To page 4)
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (left)
meets with Australian Prime Minister John Howard,
THROUGHOUT ONTARIO who hosts the APEC Leaders Meeting. OPS Photo

Election, referendum on Oct. 10 APEC leaders: Let’s get the

Qualified voters in 107 electoral districts are
expected to find their way to nearly 22,800 poll-
ing places across the province of Ontario come
Oct. 10.
But the voters will be asked to do more then
just choose a candidate to represent them as a
Member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) in
the unicameral legislature that conducts business
at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
Voters will also need to decide in a referen-
dum whether they want to stick to or change the
current method with which MPPs are elected to
Queen’s Park, according to digitaljournal.
The current electoral system, called first-
past-the-post, allows the candidate with the larg-
est amount of votes to win the seat. The party
with the largest amount of elected candidates
becomes the governing party.
The alternative system, proposed by the On-
tario Citizens’ Assembly for Electoral Reform, is
(To page 6)
REFERENDUM QUESTION: Which electoral
system should Ontario use to elect members to
the provincial legislature?
1- The existing electoral system (First-Past-
the-Post), or
2- The alternative electoral system proposed
by the Citizens’ Assembly (Mixed Member Pro-
portional)
WTO Doha Round going
SYDNEY - Pacific Rim leaders on Sept. 9 resolved to reopen
the stalled Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
talks and bring the negotiations to an early and successful end.
In a final declaration wrapping up the two-day 15th Asia-Pa-
cific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the heads of state of
APEC’s 21 member economies vowed to strengthen regional eco-
nomic ties and continue to work on a regional free trade pact.
“The Doha Round of WTO negotiations is at a critical junc-
ture. Open markets generate prosperity and development. Expan-
sion of trading opportunities contributes to economic growth and
higher living standards. APEC economies account for almost
fifty percent of world trade, and, we are, therefore, all major
stakeholders in a strong, expanding rules-based multilateral trade
system,” the declaration stated.
The final declaration also covered a wide range of leading
regional concerns such as terrorism, pandemics, contaminated
(To page 31)
2 Manila Media Monitor SEPTEMBER 2007
SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor 3
CALENDAR
Manila Media Monitor
public service feature
SEPT. 15: 34th Feast of Our Lady of Peñafran-
cia, Mass at Our Lady Annunciation Church,
7 p.m.

SEPT. 22: Filipino Association of Richmond

Hill Casino Rama Fundraising.

SEPT. 22: Kapisanan Filipino Centre’s Intro to

Comedic Improvement Workshop, for eight
Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m.

SEPT. 29: Iligan San Miguel Fiesta, Golden

Valley.

SEPT. 29: Tanza Cavite Association Casino

Rama Fundraising.

SEPT. 29: Featinians Association of Toronto

Induction of Officers, Garnett Williams Com-
munity Centre, Vaughn, 6:30 p.m.

OCT. 3: Filipino Centre Toronto Annual Gen-

eral Meeting, Rizal Hall, 6:30 p.m.

OCT, 4 to 13: Zamboanga Hermosa Canada

Novena for the Nuestra Señpra La Virgen del
Pilar.

OCT. 6: Zamboanga Hermosa Canada 21st

Anniversary Celebration, Larry Taylor Audi-
torium, 6 p.m.

OCT. 27: Filipino Association of Richmond

Hill Halloween Dance, Bayview Hill Commu-
nity Centre.

READ ONLINE
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monitor.com

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 Varied reactions
Following Rivera’s
premises, the Manila Media
Monitor has sought for an-
swers, in an e-mail survey
and personal interviews, to
three questions:
► Do you think that
HELPING the people in
their towns of origin in the
Philippines is only INCI-
DENTAL to the organiza-
tion of Filipino HTAs in
Canada? Why?
► Do you think the pri-
mary reason for the HTAS’
existence is to satisfy the
need of Filipino immigrants
in Canada for fellowship
and support? Why?
► Don’t Filipino immi-
grants get this kind of fel-
lowship and support from
established community as-
sociations? Why?
The survey has met the
silent and noncommital
treatment from some com-
munity leaders asked. But it
has likewise generated intel-
ligent insights from a num-
ber of respondents.
Relatedly, this paper’s
main story on studies on
diaspora philanthropy in its
August 2007 has received
reactions from concerned
readers, like Rivera’s.
(Those who would like
to answer the survey ques-
tions may send their views
to mediamonitor@rogers.
com for publication in the
October issue. Editor)
Not incidental
Philippine Times edi-
tor Paul dela Cruz, who has
served and is serving as of-
Take a bow, PIDC
The curtains fell on this
year’s Mabuhay Festival to
lusty shouts of mabuhay.
And quite appropriately so.
After all, by any yardstick,
the Philippine Indepen-
dence Day Council (PIDC)
may have broken its own
record in terms of the over-
all successful conclusion of
the annual festival which
has now become a fixture in
Toronto’s summer festival
scene.
I went to the festival
rather early, just in time for
me to join my friends Loida
and Elena (who manned
the Kababayan Community
Centre booth) for lunch. We
ordered favorite Pinoy dish-
es from the different con-
cessionaires. I had initially
complained of my ukoy. It
was tasty but for the miss-
ing baby shrimps (or was I
served vegetarian ukoy?).
Then there was the problem
of the table arrangement
that made passage in be-
tween tables extremely dif-
ficult. Earlier, I anticipated
the embarrassment of my
press ID not being honored
for admission (although I
was in possession of the
blue ticket that would open
the gates of the festival to
ficer of a couple of commu-
nity groups, is one of those
who disagree that diaspora
philanthropy is only inci-
dental to HTAs.
“No, I believe most of
them are sincere in their
intention. It springs from
helping one’s own family;
an extension of that type of
generosity by remembering
those who are left behind
through sharing the ‘boun-
ty’,” Dela Cruz quips.
“Most of the HTAs are
social in nature,” Dela Cruz
says, adding that it has been
natural for a Filipino immi-
grant to have “the tendency
to go back to the tribe where
one belongs and be most
comfortable with.”
“Iba kasi yung pareho
ang inyong background at
interest, mas comfortable
ka,” he concludes.
Experience tells
Aida D’Orazio, past
president of Zamboanga
Hermosa Canada (ZHC),
takes note of the associa-
tion’s experience.
D’Orazio says ZHC, for
instance, has been formed
primarily to unite Zambo-
angueños and Basileños in
Toronto and other parts of
Canada, not only for social
purposes but also to keep
hometown customs and tra-
ditions alive, like celebrat-
ing the annual Fiesta Pilar.
“Having been around for
20 years, ZHC’s member-
ship has expanded. There
are enough funds for a proj-
ect to help out some bright
students who are too poor to
By RICARDO J. S. CALUEN
CULTURE PHILIPPINES-ONTARIO’s regal Yakan Suite. All photos in this
page at Filipinos.ca
me). But, yes, overzealous
volunteers followed the
festival policy to the letter-
- that everyone who entered
had to have a ticket and
his wrist stamped. Later, I
learned that even Maricel
Perez, director of the Salin-
Lahi portion of the program,
had difficulty getting in!
The “admission policy
and procedures” needs re-
visiting and I have regis-
tered my observations on
the conduct of the festival
to management as soon
as “issues” arose. I have
received assurances that
observations such as mine
are welcome and given
due consideration in future
4 NEWS
Among HTAs, is diaspora philanthropy
INCIDENTAL?
go to college. For the past
18 years, ZHC has support-
ed seven college scholars
in Zamboanga and Basilan
cities. It has contributed to
a disaster fund drive. It sup-
ports the annual Knights of
Columbus Christmas fund
drive. Periodically, ZHC
conducts medical missions
and has donated $500,000
worth of hospital equipment
and supplies to the Zam-
boanga General Hospital
in 1997. A team, with the
Health Partners International
of Canada and Rotary Club,
has recently delivered and
helped distribute medicines
worth $20,000 to the poor in
four barrios in Zamboanga
City,” D’Orazio expounds.
She thinks HTAs, ini-
tially, want compatriots to
feel there is a home away
from home in Canada where
kabayans speak their own
language and provide ad-
vice and help when needed.
But over the years, members
gradually realize there is
also a need to extend a help-
ing hand in the hometown.
Community asset
But D’Orazio takes ex-
planning for the festival. I
guess I am nitpicking at this
point. After all, in the over-
all scheme of things, the
Mabuhay Festival was an
unqualified success. And I
am glad of this outcome be-
cause having met the expec-
tations of paying patrons is
no small consolation to the
organizers, all volunteers
in this not-for-profit endea-
vour. Sulit - as one regular
festival visitor was heard
saying.
I had a sense things
were proceeding very well
because as early as 2 p.m.
capacity was approximately
90 percent met. Such was
the mood of the event in
Manila Media Monitor
(From page 1)
ception to the notion that
immigrants get little fellow-
ship and support from estab-
lished associations.
“An established Filipino
association or a Filipino
center can offer the immi-
grants the kind of support
they need to live in a new
country. Newcomers partic-
ularly will need assistance
to adapt and assimilate into
the mainstream of Canadian
society,” she says.
“While awaiting their
OHIP, the center can offer
them free medical consulta-
tion and medicine. They are
informed of state benefits for
children and adults. Health
seminars are offered to raise
awareness of certain health
issues and how to deal with
them. To better understand
the school system, an out-
reach program is set up for
them. A homework club is
organized to help the stu-
dents who have difficulty in
school. Free Filipino classes
are offered. There are sports
activities organized for the
young, also social activities
for the seniors. Thus, having
established Filipino associa-
that instance, giving Minda
Neri, festival chair, a chance
to join me for a quick-fix of
caffeine downstairs. Later,
Jun Enverga, PIDC prexy,
would heap copious praises
upon Ms. Neri who is large-
ly credited for the over-all
success in the conduct of the
festival. Minda has earned
her spurs. A latecomer in
the thankless job of com-
munity involvement, she
has become a poster lady
for the newly-retired with
a sense of purpose, giving
much of her time volunteer-
ing for PIDC where she is
currently vice-president.
As a self-declared cul-
ture vulture and music lov-
SEPTEMBER 2007
tions or centers with com-
mitments to serve its people
is a big asset in the commu-
nity,” D’Orazio adds.
Common bonds
Reader Rivera writes: It
is easier for newcomers in
Canada to embrace some-
one from their hometown
or province. It is like meet-
ing a long-lost relative like
a distant cousin or forgotten
aunt or uncle, especially in a
foreign and strange land.
HTAs organize them-
selves based on a com-
mon dialect, the same high
schools or churches where
their members attended, or
familial ties and relation-
ships that could link them as
possible relatives.
Common roots, ancestry
and language, are very im-
portant elements of kinship.
Natural disasters that
visit their towns of origins
usually gather these HTAs
together for purposes of
sending relief either in goods
or money to those affected.
It is understandable that
their organizational exis-
tence and purposes are paro-
chial in nature, for what else
MARTHA JOY LIM
er, I was naturally interested
in the artistic portion of the
festival. Artistic Director
Deo Moreno deserves all the
kudos he has been getting
for a job-well done in stage
management and the cre-
ative design of the cultural
program that had a smooth
run from start to finish (save
for the few technical glitch-
es that could happen in any
stage events). Deo himself
was masterful as emcee dur-
ing the in-between portions,
losing perhaps only to the
handsome and young Scott
Brown because of age. The
latter, Mr. PIDC 2007, was
in his element, announcing
the sequences of the fashion
show with great flair as if
a seasoned TV host. (An-
other very young lad stood
out during the fashion show
- Gino Gardiola - not only
because he is also a looker
but because he was the only
male model, excepting the
little boys who escorted the
could spur efforts to help but
disasters that have wrought
havoc to their hometowns,
or perhaps a dire need to re-
pair or replace the crumbling
roof of their town church, or
maybe the need for some
books for the town’s ele-
mentary or high school.
Surely, they will not di-
rectly impact on the macro
goals of socio-economic de-
velopment of their towns,
but to belittle their efforts is
not necessarily the way to
strengthen civic involvement.
No tragedy, no giving?
Outspoken journalist Ra-
mon Datol, publisher of the
Philippine Courier and an
active leader of the Filipino
Association of Richmond
Hill, sees the act of HTAs
to extend financial, mate-
rial and other levels of help
to town or provincemates
in the Philippines as “only
a minor facet to the main
objective” of some Filipino-
Canadian associations.
Datol says a few HTAs,
however, arguably consider
its “lofty standing in the
community, followed by its
(To page 5)
MARICEL PEREZ
JASMINE RAGUAL
Little Miss PIDC winners
who sashayed down the
stage.)
As to the dance and mu-
sical numbers itself, there
was something to cater to
everyone’s varied taste.
I was very impressed with
the performance by Culture
Philippines-Ontario as it
premiered its Yakan (Mind-
anao) dance suite. Later
(To page 34)
SEPTEMBER 2007
Is diaspora philanthropy incidental?
(From page 4)
promises of camaraderie
and support to its members”
as its prime goals.
“Unfortunately, some
officers work to solidify a
hold of the association so as
to use it to jumpstart person-
al ambitions, and for other
goals privy to them. Why
then are these officers do-
ing everything just to cling
on to their posts, when the
organization is not giving
them any remuneration?”
Community standings and
personal aggrandizement!
That’s why,” Datol opines.
On diaspora philan-
thropy, Datol regrets that “it
is only during calamitous
events in the Philippines –
earthquake, floods, volcanic
eruptions, landslides, etc
– would these HTAs pool
their resources, hold fund
raising and send whatever
they received from their
members and other HTAs to
the victims back home.”
“Initiatives to do it with-
out calamities in the Philip-
pines are remote among
these HTAs,” he notes.
Crab mentality
Datol continues: “There
are a few HTAs which offer
Filipino immigrants fellow-
ship and other support they
need to acclimatize with
the Canadian way of life
Manila Media Monitor
and these few associations,
which receive thousands of
dollars from the Canadian
government in grants for
their programs, are doing
their chores.”
“But some still lack
the moral suasion to at-
tract more Fil-Cans to join
them and enjoy the benefits
from the programs they are
propagating as internal and
external political bickering
continue to haunt the leader-
ship of these few established
organizations. As long as
the ‘crab mentality’ is still
embedded in the Filipinos’
mind, achieving total unity
among Filipinos anywhere
in the world would only be
a figment of our imagina-
tion,” Datol stresses.
Philanthropy
Presenting a history of
philanthropy, Rivera cites:
Philanthropy is ‘not a mod-
ern invention,’ says War-
ren Weaver, director of the
Rockefeller Foundation.
Giving for community
purposes was not uncom-
mon in the past. Greek phi-
losopher Plato donated pro-
ductive acres of land for his
academy.
In the early Christian
era, gifts of property were
very common and were
used to build monasteries,
churches, hospitals, col-
leges and other semi-public
institutions.
Industrialization during
the 19th century gave birth
to social problems that be-
came the focus of gift-giv-
ing. Voluntarism grew and
civic involvement covered
many areas that were for-
merly the concerns of the
Church.
Foundations were put up
by the rich and big business
corporations to help those
in need, and also to pro-
mote education and medi-
cal science. Today, even
governments are involved
in philanthropic activities
and have earmarked in their
budgets certain sums of
money for international aid
to less developed countries.
Impact
Rivera goes on: How
could anyone then measure
the impact of HTAs in the
same breadth as the bigger
and richer foundations and
other philanthropic organi-
zations? Filipino HTAs are
hardly a pie in the sky.
(Researchers Jon) Silva
and (Shawn) Powers could
have better spent their social
investigations on problems
that continuously plague
Filipino organizations in
Canada or in other countries
NEWS 5
SUPPOSING THAT .....
Let us suppose an association raises $3,000 in a fund-
raiser officers say proceeds will go to, say, a scholarship
program for needy but able students in the Philippines.
The officers then send $500, which translates to about
P20,000 that can send one or two beneficiaries to school for
a year. The good deed is done, the aim achieved.
But what happens to the remaining $2,500 the associa-
tion has in its coffers? Without proper, timely and public ac-
countability of the association’s finances, doubts teem.
Association members and supporters then feel short-
changed, and rebukes further fund raisers. What occurs
next is anyone’s rightful guess. No association will want to
deal with fund raising failures. -- Paraphrased from an opin-
ion made by community civic leader and leading accountant
Carlos Padilla over Front Page Philippines aired on Sept. 9
over OMNI 2 TV, Channel 69-Toronto (Cable 14 in Toronto).
and their seeming inability these HTAs have not put a “But, alas! Has diaspora
to coalesce into much big- dent in the social and eco- philanthropy become a mis-
ger and stronger alliances. nomic development of their nomer for a popularity con-
With a sample of five re- intended beneficiaries? Big test some so-called leaders
spondent-organizations out deal! have decidedly or inadver-
of so many, Silva’s study Political leverage? tently gotten themselves
could hardly qualify as ob- Manila Media Moni- into, and could no longer
jective research. A study of tor reader Merceditas Bi- get out of, for the love of
HTAs is time misspent, and brante notes that besides the self-gratification and, in a
effort wasted. thought of being contributo- few but odd and rare cases,
The Silva and Powers ry agents of socio-economic self-enrichment?” Bibrante
studies, though with some change in their hometowns, boldly asks.
academic value for pure HTAs can - if they pool their “Sayang! The same
research purposes, have wits and riches together and community cohesiveness,
nothing significant to add in act as a cohesive unit - be taking into account the
strengthening Filipino asso- influential agents of socio- numbers, may be translated
ciations in Canada as levers economic change for the into political influence in
of political power. less-fortunate in any part of the Canadian landscape,”
So what if the efforts of the Philippines. she adds.
6 NEWS
FCT sets Oct. 3 AGM
The Filipino Centre To-
ronto (FCT) is set to conduct
its Annual General Meeting
at the Rizal Hall on Oct. 3.
FCT publicist Aida
D’Orazio said letters have
been mailed to members
to inform them of and get
them to attend the AGM.
D’Orazio, in a press re-
lease, said only registered
(paid) members have been
invited to attend, but they
have to present photo iden-
tification cards at the door
before admission.
Student Awards
Meanwhile, D’Orazio
PPCO backyard gathering
said five high school and
two elementary school
graduates have applied for
the 2007 FCT Outstanding
Student Awards.
The applicants are high
school graduates Charisse
de Castro, Jennifer Hileman,
Kimberly Milanes, Ralph
Fabico and Timothy Paray-
no and elementary school
graduates Fayanne Dixie
Huang and Mae Janelle
Berte.
The candidates, highly
recommended by their
teachers, have excelled in
academic, extra-curricular
Manila Media Monitor SEPTEMBER 2007
(Left photo) Half of the big group of Philippine Press
Club-Ontario (PPCO) members and partners could not
wait to sink their teeth into the delicious lechon being
roasted at the backyard of Dolping Tigley’s home during
the PPCO gathering on Sept. 8. The other half were ei-
ther taking the picture or getting their plates ready for the
‘kill.’ (Photo below) Highlights of the annual gathering
included the recognition of the invaluable contributions
press photographers have rendered to the community.
Photojournalists (from right) Larry Torres, Paul Esguerra,
Ariel Ramos and Noel Perada received the plaque of rec-
ognition from president Tenny Soriano and vice president
Rose Tijam. Soriano also acknowledged the great job Fili-
pino-Canadian media practitioners have been doing to re-
port timely and truthful news and information relevant to
community life. PPCO immediate past president Paul dela
Cruz facilitated the event. Soriano and Dela Cruz thanked
the Tigleys for hosting the event, those who contributed in
cash and in kind, and those who continued to give moral
support to the PPCO. Photos: MIKE CADUCIO, Philip-
pine Courier columnist and lensman
and volunteer acrivities.
D’Orazio said only one
from each caregory would
win the top awards and cash
prizes.
FCT services
In other developments,
the FCT has opened its in-
premises free clinic, which
would continue every sec-
ond Saturday of the month.
During opening day on
Sept. 8, coinciding with the
Cabbagetown Festival, FCT
official Dr. Mario Andres,
assisted by his wife Perla,
worked attended to more
(To page 14)
SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor
Ace Alvarez
Does a ? end a question?
In connection with the annual wrote, I believed that the gath-
gathering of the Philippine Press ering really became a “rare
Club-Ontario (PPC-O) members opportunity to re-connect with
on September 8, my good friend each other.”
- broadcaster Jess M. Carlos e- ***
mailed fellow members: “Greet- Member Deo Moreno wrote,
ings! I will try my best to attend “I am confirmed. Since I have
our gathering and meeting. Just dietary restrictions, I will bring
in case hindi ako makapunta, I ‘isang sakong corn on the cob’
will donate $50 for our gather- and salad trays.”
ing.” Coordinator Paul responded,
Maraming salamat, Jess. But “Wow, Deo, those are very appro-
please remember, the policy is “no priate contribution to bring! What
return, no exchange.” with all the ‘fats’ around.”
*** Unto Paul I say, “Oops … da-
Former PPC-O President han-dahan at baka mapa-away
Paul de la Cruz - who coordi- ka!”
nated the event e-mailed mem- ***
bers: “I am tasked to coordinate PPC-O President Tenny
this event which will give us this Soriano addressed everybody:
rare opportunity to re-connect “Dear All, Mr. Ricky Caluen has
with each other … Those who donated three bottles of wine for
like to play tennis, please bring our Sept. 8 meeting and gather-
your own rackets and balls; ing,” to which Coordinator Paul
there is also a field/forest (as I responded, “Thank you, Ricky.
understand) for those who like We’ll include your name in the
to do some hiking, or jogging next weekly update.”
….” To those “in the know”, I
Paul, since you coordinat- sigh, “Ahhhh, that was sweet of
ed the event, I hope you had a you, Paul.”
change of heart on the activi- ***
ties. Had you retained what you One column in the July 2007
issue in one publication: “The
community is being served al-
ready by a lot of community news-
papers, which overall, effectively
provide the community with a
balanced news reporting of Phil-
ippine events and local communi-
ty news. While most concentrate
on general information reporting,
some deal with issues highlight-
ing advocacy while some concen-
trate on Philippine entertainment.
Obviously, this approach works
as most of them have been in
the business for at least 18 years.
There may be one or two newspa-
pers, I noticed, to have a tendency
to create sensationalism by com-
ing up with controversial head-
lines normally ending with a ques-
tion mark; done at the expense of
some individuals or groups. This
reminds me of Philippine style of
journalism; especially the tabloid
type. A thorough reading of this
kind of article would almost al-
ways invariably show that there
is actually no controversy. Maybe
old habits just die hard.”
Butch to Ace: Why did the ar-
ticle not identify those two news-
papers?
VIEWS
Ace: I don’t know, the colum-
nist might be running a guessing
contest; winner to win two en-
trance tickets in next year’s “Mak-
ing Waves Festival”.
Butch: The article mentioned
something like 18 years?
Ace: I can’t wait until ours is
18; We’re only 11; and the article
where the column appeared has 17
years and 9 months more to go.
Butch: The column mentioned
something like “sensationalism
by coming up with controversial
headlines normally ending with a
question mark”?
Ace: Can you change the rules
of punctuation marks, Butch?
Butch: The columnist men-
tioned something like reminds him
of Philippine-style of journalism?
Ace: So what do you care?
Yours was not only basic jour-
nalism, but advanced journalism
from Germany.
Butch: The columnist wrote
that “A thorough reading of this
kind of article would almost al-
ways (underscoring mine) invari-
ably show that there is actually no
controversy.”
Ace: No controversy? So, why
such fuss in that writing? Magtra-
baho na nga tayo. Did that report
of the president of the Leyteño
Association of Ontario which he
promised to furnish the President
of the Philippine Press Club-On-
tario, Tenny Soriano, come in
yet?
Butch: Teka, hindi ba ikaw
ang nag-refer doon sa mga report-
ers ng Globe and Mail, Global TV,
CBC, Toronto Star, Toronto Sun
7
and City TV when they started
phoning you on what the commu-
nity is doing for the victims of the
Guinsaugon, Leyte mudslide, and
you phoned the President of the
Leytenos Association in Ontario
to go to that community center on
Warden Avenue?
Ace: Tanong ka naman ng
tanong, Butch, e. You remind me
of some accountants practicing
like Philippine-style of account-
ing. Actually, I was requested also
to write a press release on that, but
because I was so busy, I request-
ed you to write the press release
- which incidentally continues
to hover in the world wide web.
Mabuti na la’ng hindi mo nilag-
yan ng question mark ang head-
line ng press release na iyon.
Butch: I cannot change the
rules of punctuation marks, Ace.
***
Back to the PPC-O gather-
ing of Sept. 8 …
Coordinator Paul further
e-mailed members: “For those
who are contributing money
to the PPC-O event on Sept.
8, please write your cheque to
Philippine Press Club-Ontario
and memo: PPC-O September
8, 2007. Send your cheque to our
treasurer Mogi Mogado.”
… to which I say, mabuti
na ang maliwanag, otherwise
people might end up reading a
headline with a question mark
at the end.
Butch: I told you, I cannot
change the rules of punctuation
marks.
(To page 14)
8 VIEWS
Of sabotaging and
taxing newspapers
Ontario Ministry of Finance
needs help: What is a newspaper
vs. magazine?
Several publications in other
communities are being audited by
the Ontario Ministry of Finance as
it wanted to collect the Provincial
Sales Tax (PST) from the opera-
tions of those publications for the
last five years.
A friend of mine who runs a
Vietnamese publication is seeking
the assistance of the ethnic media
community on his - and other pub-
lications’ plight.
According to this publisher,
the levy is being based by the pro-
vincial government from an old
law that the Ontario province has.
Under such law, the Ontario
provincial government has dif-
ferentiated collection and remit-
tance of PST if a publication is
a magazine, but need not collect
and remit PST if a publication is
a newspaper. For the latter, only
GST is collected and remitted - to
the federal government though.
A question now arises as to the
classification of the publications
so far being audited.
In February 1990, the Philip-
pine Star released the results of a
casual survey that asked a hand-
ful of media respondents who the
most admired Filipinas on televi-
sion were. Cheche Lazaro figured
in the top three, chiefly because
she epitomized responsibility in
broadcast journalism, a rare com-
modity then.
She was at the crest of a TV
career with Probe, which, to this
day, cannot be dissociated with
her. It was Lazaro who noticed
what was missing on local televi-
sion and valiantly went on to fill
the chasm.
News programs were dishing
out news in a capsule, abbreviat-
ing all sides of an issue in forty-
five seconds.
Probe’s first challenge was
to put a magnifying glass on the
business of elections and politics
and milk the attendant issues for
the viewer, a tradition it has up-
held through the years, even as it
moved from one station to another
under a variety of show titles.
For years, Lazaro’s program
was so ahead of its time that it was
always being nominated in awards
races but consistently losing.
“We were being fielded in the
The Ontario Ministry of Fi-
nance, however, said that my
friend’s is not a newspaper, but a
magazine in that he publishes only
twice a week and that the pages
of his publication are stapled to-
gether.
My friend argued that his is
a newspaper in that he publishes
news from current events hap-
pening in his native Vietnam and
those happening in his commu-
nity, and that the only reason why
his pages are stapled together is to
hold them together, considering
the number of pages that his pub-
lication has per issue.
Ben Viccari, President of the
Canadian Ethnic Media Associa-
tion (CEMA), wrote a letter to the
Ministry of Finance arguing in de-
fense of the publications affected,
some of whom are members of
CEMA. Ben said it is incompre-
hensible why magazines must col-
lect PST and GST from advertis-
ers, and remit the same, and pay
likewise PST for their printing,
and only GST for newspapers.
I myself do not understand.
The Ontario Community
Probing
Cheche Lazaro
TV magazine program category
where we did not rightfully be-
long”, Lazaro explains.
Philippine broadcast history
will prove that it was Probe that
introduced the nation to the inves-
tigative news genre such that when
it was finally included in derbies,
Lazaro was proudly ascending the
awards stage with her group every
season.
Her success proved that the
Filipino was ready for investiga-
tive journalism that employed the
mini-max approach made famous
by American TV: minimal words
with a maximum of videos and
pictures to better illustrate the
point.
At the helm of her own Probe
Productions, Lazaro stresses that
her team always assumes that “the
televiewers are more intelligent
than us.” In a television industry
gone awry, Lazaro’s Probe Team
is an emerald in a trash heap, con-
fronting issues head-on, beholden
to no one.
“It is Probe’s editorial policy
not to take an advocacy stand. The
people involved speak on the is-
sues. We do not say what is right
or wrong. We do not pontificate.
The viewers decide for us,” ex-
Newspapers Association (OCNA)
is also working with the Ministry
of Finance on this matter, as well
as publishers from various com-
munities.
When brought recently before
the attention of Greg Sorbara,
Ontario Minister of Finance, in
an audience during his campaign
trail, ethnic publishers were told
that he could not attend to it at the
moment because of the forthcom-
ing election.
It will not be long that the On-
tario Ministry of Finance will run
after all Filipino publishers, say-
ing that we publish either once, or
twice a month only, hence, ours are
magazines, and not newspapers.
There are of course publications
in our community that outright, one
would classify them as magazines;
and one need not be a rocket scien-
tist to know the distinction between
the two publications!
But how come the Ontario
Ministry of Finance does not
know the difference? Probably,
their own PR people could help
them - having backgrounds in
journalism and other studies in the
plains Lazaro, who to this day
writes her own script, puts on her
own makeup, reports and conducts
the interview on camera wearing
off the rack clothes.
She even squeezes in time to
help in editing chores within her
punishing 17-hour workday.
It was this no-nonsense ap-
proach to television reportage that
caught the attention of respected
Philippine entertainment critic
Nestor Torre, once her college
mentor. Watching Cheche’s work,
“the viewer gets the feeling that
the program is being produced
for his benefit, informing him
about the different ramifications
of the subject at hand, but his fi-
nal stance is left up to him. This is
mature TV for thinking viewers,”
says the proud critic.
While Lazaro allows her team
to occasionally produce light fea-
tures, such forays rule out flip-
pancy.
“Our bedrock philosophy is
to aim for integrity, not fame.”
They would therefore steer clear
of touristy stories and showbiz
glamor vignettes.
Instead, Probe would look
into migrant workers in Rome in
one episode, the plight of lepers in
Manila Media Monitor SEPTEMBER 2007
area of communications..
***
Still in the newspaper business
…
A fellow publisher for this
community told me recently that
at least three of his last issues were
sabotaged by another publisher.
The story had it that some of
his pick-up outlets complained
that for the last three months, they
have not received copies of his
newspaper; that when the people
delivering the paper for the cul-
prit-publisher come to outlets,
they picked up all the copies of
the victim-publisher and threw
them away.
Unknown to the publisher
who masterminded this, the vic-
tim-publisher has set out, and pre-
pared for the situation. The victim
is now in possession of evidence,
and is gathering his witnesses.
Hhhmm, looks like the sabo-
taging, unfair competitor’s days
are numbered. Oh my, this culprit
never learns his lesson after figur-
ing out in past misdemeanors.
Abangan ang susunod na ka-
banata.
To the “suspect” (as used
within its legal meaning), I re-
mind him that he does not even
have to resort to such dirty tactic,
since all publications in his mar-
ket have their own target readers
and following.
***
Judging from the e-mails my
inbox receives on an hourly basis,
indeed, it is election time.
At Manila Media Monitor, we
(To page 28)
Tala in the next, seriously inves-
tigate the Tasaday hoax or probe
pedophilia in Pagsanjan and then
discuss coconuts, guns and chefs
in another.
In every piece of work, bal-
ance is the hallmark. “Balance
is not taking sides; if one side is
unwilling to talk, we refuse to do
the story.”
Every single tape in Lazaro’s
vast videographic library bears
the stamp of what she started in
Philippine television: painstaking,
sharp and fast-paced editing; var-
ied, well angled and intelligently
chosen locations as well as scripts
that show respect to the kind of
audience that appreciates a com-
prehensive discussion of issues
without being lectured to.
The result is a program that
makes full use of television as a
medium, not a mere radio show
on TV.
Lazaro’s biggest secret weap-
on, she boasts, “is husband Del
who never once posed a single
roadblock even when the demands
were heavy, the schedules erratic
and the pressures even greater.”
With children Liza and Char-
lie, businessman and former gov-
ernment executive Delfin com-
pletes the Cheche Lazaro cheering
squad. It is also this tightly-knit
family that was in every inspired
step of her eventful life as family
woman, broadcaster and educator.
She recalls with fondness the
critical decision to give up a bud-
ding Manila career to accompany
husband in America in his pursuit
of higher studies.
She went through the rigma-
(To page 38)
SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor VIEWS 9

Letters & Voices Ethnic celebrations

Informative Kalibongan item promote understanding
Dear Editor:
I would like to congratulate you for the story, “Kalibongan: Re-
tracing a people’s cultural roots”, in the August, 2007 issue of your It has become something of a So let those who hurl accusa- people, plus free concerts at the
publication. The story is very informative, especially for readers, habit these days to poo-poo ethnic tions of “ghettoization” at Cana- Four Seasons Centre’s Richard
such as myself, who hail from Luzon, and who do not know much celebrations such as concerts and dian multiculturalism think again. Bradshaw auditorium.
about festivals in the southern island of Mindanao in the Philip- street festivals as not portraying *** While his determination and
pines. The descriptive story (by Mr. Butch Galicia) is of National the reality of multicultualism. Stephen Harper’s recent ho- skill at negotiating brought an op-
Geographic Magazine quality. More power to your publication. Vic- Yet while not the be-all and hum cabinet shuffle did little to era house to the people, Bradshaw
tor Andrade, Toronto, ON end-all of Canadian multicultur- excite public interest and drew the had long created justification for
(Thank you very much, Mr. Andrade. The Manila Media Mon- alism, they still play an important stinging criticism of Multicultual- the Four Seasons Centre by bring-
itor will always aspire to give its valued readers quality news, in- part in bringing people together in ism critic Colleen Maurier Liberal ing the people to the opera.
formation, features and views in all timely and relevant aspects of a common enjoyment. MP for Brampton West. These words are from the con-
community and Philippine life. The Editor) It is a matter of record that the “Prime Minister Stephen clusion of And the Music Plays
recent South Asian Festival in To- Harper’s latest Cabinet shuffle On, my still uncompleted novel.
Thank you note from PCCT ronto’s Little India attracted visi- demonstrates his government’s As the central character, a writ-
tors from diverse origins in addi- complete disregard for Canadian er in his 80s ponders his eventual
Dear PCCT Media Partners,
tion to the celebrants from India, diversity,” she said. departure, he closes the story with
On behalf of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto, I
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka “It is significant that Mr. Harp- these words: “It means everything
would like express our sincere gratitude for being our partners dur-
and other south Asian countries. er is unwilling or unable to bring to me to know the music that has
ing the Trade Show 2007 last August 18, 2007 at the Toronto Metro
Let us not forget that even be- competent, culturally diverse in- sustained me often, tortured me
Convention Centre. Your cooperation and support to the Chamber
fore “multicuturalism” became a dividuals into his cabinet,” said sometimes, caused me to shout for
was very much appreciated. The publicity that was brought forth by
new word for a new Canadian pol- Beaumier. joy, brought tears to my eyes and
your publications played a great rule on the success of the PCCT
icy, the late 60s saw the advent of “Either that says something a song to my lips will survive me
Trade Show 2007. Again, it just validated the relationship between
Toronto Caravan which pioneered about Mr. Harper’s attitude to di- and go on and on.”
PCCT and the Media and the battle cry “ together we can make it “.
visits to ethnic community centers versity, or it says something about I tremble to invade another’s
Indeed we did. Congratulations to us all and more power to our busi-
and at its height featured as many his estimation of the quality of his thoughts, but I feel no single per-
nesses. God bless us all !!! Paeng Nebres, PCCT President
as 40 pavilions. own caucus members. Either way, son did more to give meaning to
(Thank you very much for the acknowledgment, Mr. Nebres.
While Caravan outlived its it’s bad news for all Canadians that sentiment than Maestro Brad-
Rest assured Manila Media Monitor and Front Page Philippines
significance to Toronto and was who recognize the value of diver- shaw.
will always support and stand by those who do good for the com-
replaced by such large-scale fes- sity.” ***
munity and the Filipino people. The Publisher and Editors)
tivals as Taste of the Danforth “Canadians shouldn’t forget Peter Raymont, whose Shake
LETTERS, COMMENTS, REACTIONS may be and Taste of Little Italy, it is still that Mr. Harper’s current Interna- Hands With the Devil shocked
emulated in communities across tional Trade Minister, David Em- and stunned us at TIFF three years
sent to mediamonitor@rogers.com. All communica-
Canada, reminding citizens of this erson, previously panned Harper ago, documenting General Romeo
tions will be edited. country’s diversity. as ‘intolerant of ethnic minorities Dallaire’s return to the scene of
and his Minister for Public Safety, the Rwanda genocide, has record-
Stockwell Day, at one time even ed another journey which again
accused the Prime Minister of at- reminds of how man’s inhuman-
tacking ethnic and religious mi- ity to man can leave scars on a
norities. person’s psyche.
“Furthermore, Michael Chong, Author /playwright Ariel Dor-
who was appointed as Minister fman won international fame with

There’s no place
of Intergovernmental Affairs re- his play and film Death and the
signed from his position after Mr. Maiden, questioning the depth of

There’s no place like home.
Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz was
right.
At least for me, there is no
place like home. It’s where my
friends and family are. Home
is where good memories come
alive.
Of course, today, home is
in Toronto. For many of us, our
homes change accordingly as we
live out our lives.
But there is something to be
said for “back home” - the place
where I grew up and where my
traditions were born.
And even though I’ve been in
Toronto for over 15 years, back
home still has a special place in
my heart. That special home is
Isabela.
Such will be different, of
course, for each of us. But we all
share a common culture, a shared
heritage that, as much as our fea-
tures and language, makes us
uniquely Filipino.
I was reminded of my roots
this summer when I spent three
incredible days camping with the
Isabela Cultural Organization of
Ontario.
like home
Wow. What a group and what
fun we had. This organization
understood the concept of home
and under the leadership of Cathy
Gumara, the outing and the com-
pany really made each of us feel
at home.
First, let me say that I’ve never
been to camping before. So when
I agreed to go it was with reser-
vation and more than a little ner-
vousness.
I almost backed out several
times. I was glad I didn’t.
So, with my daughter in tow, I
packed my camping gear into my
trusty green car and headed off to
the campsite on that Saturday af-
ternoon.
I figured it can’t be all that bad.
Worse case, I’d spend a nice warm
time at the campsite and then head
home that same evening.
But the Isabela group was
ready for us.
The warmth the Isabelans
exuded as they greeted us to the
camp made me recall what it was
like to be “back home” and feel
the magic of belonging, even for
a little while.
I should admit that I was so
homesick when things were not
going well or going too slowly for
me when I was new to Canada and
had little time to find friends.
The Isabela community, in
that instant, cured that longing for
“back home.”
They welcomed each and ev-
eryone that weekend like long lost
family. It didn’t matter if one was
from Isabela or not.
We laughed, we sang and we
told stories. We played parlor
games and shrieked with joy. And
of course, we gossiped.
I thought my daughter would
get bored and would want to go
home. But I was wrong.
She had the time of her life.
By the end of the weekend, I had
to literally drag her away from all
her new friends.
The members of the Isabela
group understood what it meant to
be homesick.
They went out of their way to
make sure everyone felt being part
of the family, no matter where one
was rooted.
What I learned was that one
could choose to be either exclu-
(To page 18)
Harper failed to consult with him
on a pivotal decision involving his
department.”
“As the leader of the Canadian
Alliance, Mr. Harper reaffirmed
his goal of eliminating all federal
funding in support of Canada’s
Multiculturalism policy,” said
Beaumier. “This latest shuffle is
proof of the Conservative Party’s
indifference towards multicultur-
alism and diversity.”
***
For years, I’ve had commer-
cial messages thrust upon me
which, to satisfy their own egos,
the advertisers insist on perform-
ing themselves.
Most of them are colossal
bores from a jeweller who loves
dressing up to a furniture importer
who sprouts a patriarchal beard
and rides elephants.
The exception proved the rule
with Richard Bradshaw’s enthusi-
astic radio commercials promot-
ing Canadian Opera Company
(COC) productions.
In a few words he brought
grand opera into the 21st century
but not only did he bring opera to
the people — he brought the peo-
ple to opera.
COC announcements promot-
ed come-as-you-wish dress codes
and low-cost seating for young
retribution that should be exacted
from a war criminal.
In Raymont’s new film shown
at the 2007 Toronto International
Film Festival, A Promise to the
Dead – the Exile Journey of Ariel
Dorfman, the question is pursued
further.
The Argentine-born writer
who moved to Chile became an
ardent supporter of, and cultural
advisor to the democratically-
elected socialist President Salva-
dor Allende.
On-screen narration by Dorf-
man is interspersed with newsreel
shots of the coup which killed
Allende and won Chile for the
cold-blooded General Pinochet;
they illustrate the fate that awaited
Dorfman had he not been fortunate
enough to escape to Argentina and
eventually to the United States,
where he now teaches at Durham
University in North Carolina.
The film records Dorfman’s
return to Chile and his reunion
with two friends from the Allende
days.
They campaigned to have the
now-disgraced Pinochet tried as a
war criminal, only to see the one-
time dictator die of a heart attack
before the tardy Chilean govern-
ment takes meaningful action.
(To page 37)
10
Huli kaw! Wadapak?! I have
seen, read, heard of and had a quite
long experience of ‘it; before.
I thought that ‘it’ was a thing
of the past, a sordid memory of
how brave and principled men and
women fought and died so that
their children and their children’s
children would live to enjoy ba-
sic freedoms in the comfortable
dimensions of their innate tradi-
tions and rich cultural heritage,
anywhere in the world.
I also thought that ‘it’ had been
practically wiped out, as a thriv-
ing capitalist 24/7 Western media
had continually boasted of a ris-
ing global democracy following
the fall of communist regimes, the
dismantling of dictatorships and
military rules, and the seemingly
protracted but triumphant war
against extremism and terrorism.
I could not believe that ‘it’ -
the calculated genocide of an im-
migrant’s affiliation to his land of
birth to make him a blind and obe-
dient follower of the greater ma-
jority - was seeping into Ontario’s
political innards until I personally
smelled the stench of its haunting
ghost.
VIEWS
OMERTA
Huli kaw! Wadapak?!
SAVE THE PRESS
So, what better way for Ontar-
io’s high and mighty to ‘ghetto-ize’
its minorities than to cut the um-
bilical cord that has been linking
the homeland to immigrants who
struggle to preserve their cultural
roots while ekking it out under an
Ontario government whose only
sterling achievement has been to
heap lots of snow and taxes on its
multicultural mosaic?
The umbilical cord I refer to
is Ontario’s ethnic media, particu-
larly the community newspapers,
which latelty have been the subject
of ‘legal’ harrassment provided
under an antiquated Queen’s Park
act that the province’s finance
ministry suddenly untombed and
seems just too glad to carry out.
*****
I can’t help scream ‘Huli
kaw! Wadapak?!” when I heard
from Canadian Ethnic Media As-
sociation (CEMA) Secretary and
Manila Media Monitor publisher
Ace Alvarez that finance ministry
people have been running after a
number of ethnic media newspa-
per publishers whose only incon-
solable crime was not (I repeat,
not) circulating their newspapers
Butch DG. Galicia
on a daily basis.
Correct me if I am wrong.
Most ethnic newspapers are cir-
culated twice a month or monthly.
Some newspapers have made it to
the twice-a-week phase.
But, alas! Ace tells me that
Ontario’s finance ministry has
contended that a publication can
only be classified as a newspaper
if it publishes daily - in the likes of
the self-proclaimed mainstream,
as opposed to ethnic, newspapers
that each day add to the tons of
garbage the government has to
spend money on to bring to the
dumps, or recycled to go through
the same cycle and recycling again
and again; read, reread or unread.
Any non-daily publication -
even if it is a newspaper as strictly
defined in journalism parlance - is
considered a magazine.
Huli kaw! Wadapak?! This is
ridiculous, simply stupid, moronic
and idiotic.
Why not? Ace explains: Un-
der the Queen’s Park archaic law,
magazine publishers should remit
and the province could collect the
provincial sales tax (PST), which
a newspaper publisher is exempt
Manila Media Monitor
from or the province need not deal
with. Newspaper publishers, how-
ever, have to remit the goods and
services tax (GST) to the federal
government.
Ace adds that the number of
non-daily ethnic newspapers the
finance ministry has reclassified
as magazines and has been audit-
ing for failure to remit the PST is
growing. And the audit is for the
last five years of the non-daily
ethnic newspapers operation!
That’s a lot of collectible cash,
eh. Sometimes I wished I were a
handsomely-paid politician up for
election in the coming Ontario
Oct. 10 polls. But right now, I am
happy to be just a poor journalist
who can intelligently discern a
newspaper from a magazine.
*****
Enough of daydreaming. Back
to the topic at hand.
The finance ministry’s ac-
tion and the sheer disregard of
minister Greg Sorbara (MPP
Vaughan-King-Aurora) to quickly
address the issue before Queen’s
Park went on vacation cannot be
brushed aside.
Its implications are staggering,
if not frightening.
The PST roundup will eventu-
ally drive non-daily ethnic news-
papers out of business ... kaput!
Consequently, ethnic commu-
nities will lose the only credible
bridge that links them to their cul-
tural historicity. As often said: You
can take a man out of his country,
but not his country out of a man.
The rippling effects - nay, the
shockwaves - might be far from
SEPTEMBER 2007
being one that Sorbara and his
ministry may be able to handle.
Such a situation will also put
to naught the noble intentions of
the Canadian people at-large to
promote unity in diversity, which
some politicians call multicultur-
alism in their campaign speeches
but will later make a travesty of.
One or two padlocked eth-
nic newspaper offices in Ontario
may not hog the limelight. But
when an expected big number
of PST-slapped ethnic newspaper
offices are closed, debates would
surely fly on whether democratic
Canada’s most populous province
is governed by a totalitarian or
a freedom-loving and rights-re-
specting regime.
Where goes the people’s rights
to freely but responsibly express
themselves? Should blood money
be a stark leverage to enjoy free-
dom of the press in Ontario?
*****
Besides being an acceptable
medium between immigrants and
their homeland, the ethnic media
have been helping shape and mold
the much-avowed Canadian mul-
ticulturalism.
The ethnic media have also
been aiding the government “sen-
sitize Canadian society about eth-
nic culture and their importance in
a pluralistic society,” according to
the National Ethnic Press and Me-
dia Council of Canada.
Is this how Premier Dalton
McGuinty, Sorbara and the finance
ministry intend to reward non-dai-
ly ethnic newspaper publishers?
butchgalicia@yahoo.com
SEPTEMBER 2007
Filipinos in Canada
A growing community
In 2001, the Filipino
community was the third
largest non-European eth-
nic group in the country,
after the Chinese and East
Indian communities.
That same year, almost
328,000 people of Filipino
origin lived in Canada,
about 1.1 percent of the Ca-
nadian population.
But the community was
growing considerably faster
than the overall population.
Between 1996 and 2001,
the number of those of Fili-
pino origin rose by 35 per-
cent. Canada’s population
grew by only four percent.
Community profile
Eighty-one percent of
them said they had only
Filipino roots, while 19 per-
cent said they had other eth-
nic origins.
In contrast, almost 40
percent of Canadians had
multiple ethnic roots.
In 2001, over 70 percent
of Filipino Canadians said
they were born outside Can-
ada - almost all born in the
Philippines, compared with
18 percent of the populace.
Most Filipino immi-
grants arrived in the past
Manila Media Monitor FEATURE 11
Fifteen percent were
aged 15 to 24; about 35 per-
cent from 25 to 44, and 21
percent from 45 to 64.
Filipino origin can converse
in one of Canada’s official
languages.
In 2001, some 99 per-
In contrast, seniors made cent said they could carry
up only six percent of the on a conversation in one
community, compared to 12 or both official languages,
percent of all Canadians. while only one percent said
More women than men they could speak neither
twenty years. (EDITOR’S NOTE: The Manila MEDIA MONITOR Women, most of them in English nor French.
In 2001, 53 percent of culled this article from the Statistics Canada report ‘The their prime working years, Most, some 93 percent,
Filipino immigrants came Filipino Ethnic Community in Canada.’ The report, re- made up a particularly large could carry on a conversa-
in the previous decade; 24 leased in July 2007, provided basic insights into one of part of the community. tion in English only, while
percent, between 1981 and the fastest growing major ethnic groups in the country.) In 2001, females com- six percent could converse
1990; four percent, in the posed 57 percent of the in both English and French
1960s; and less community. and less than one percent
than one per- They con- spoke only French.
cent, before sisted 62 per- About 60 percent, how-
1961. cent of those ever, still converese in their
Most of aged 25 to 44; mother tongue, Tagalog.
them, or 72 about 63 per- But 56 percent said they
percent, settled cent of those most often spoke English
in either Ontar- between 45 and at home; 14 percent spoke
io and British 64; and 65 per- English in combination with
Columbia. cent of the se- a non-official language; and
Ontario niors. 30 percent spoke a non-of-
was home to Mostly ficial language most often
165,000 Fili- Catholics in their home.
pinos (50 per- Almost all Only one percent of em-
cent), 69,000 Filipino-Cana- ployed Filipino Canadians
(21 percent) dians belonged spoke a language other than
lived in Brit- The Filipino community came out in droves to witness another edition of the an- to a Christian English or French most of-
ish Columbia, nual Mabuhay Philippines! Toronto Summer Festival on Aug. 18. (Photo cour- faith. ten at work. The others said
36,000 (11 per- tesy of Jun Enverga through Filipinos.ca)nos.ca) In 2001, they spoke an official lan-
cent) in Alber- some 81 per- guage on the job.
ta, 32,000 (ten percent) in ronto (140,000) or Vancou- their prime working years, cent said they were Catho- Family status
Manitoba, and 20,000 (six ver (62,000), accounting for while they were somewhat lic, while 15 percent be- Filipino-Canadians were
percent) in Quebec. three percent of the each less likely to be approach- longed to either a mainline about as likely as other Ca-
Canadians of Filipino city’s overall population. ing retirement age or to be Protestant denomination or nadians to be married.
origin also made up around A young community seniors. another Christian grouping. In 2001, a little more
one percent of the popula- Filipino-Canadians of In 2001, children under At least three percent than half of community
tions of the Northwest Ter- Filipino origin were some- the age of 15 represented 24 said they had no religious adults were married. The
ritories and the Yukon. what more likely than the percent of the Filipino com- affiliation. figure was 50 percent
In 2001, 62 percent of overall population to be munity, versus 19 percent Language adept among Canadian adults.
the community lived in To- children or young adults in of the overall population. Almost all Canadians of (To page 12)
12
Filipinos in Canada ...
(From page 11)
On the other hand, Fili-
pino-rooted adults were less
likely than other Canadian
adults to live in a common-
law relationship.
In 2001, just four per-
cent were living common-
law, compared with ten per-
cent of all Canadian adults.
Filipino-Canadians
were about as likely as the
rest of the population to be
lone parents.
In 2001, six percent
of Filipino adults, most of
them women, aged 15 and
over were lone parents, the
same proportion as for Ca-
nadian adults.
FEATURE
Canadian adults of Fili-
pino origin were also much
less likely than other adults
to live alone.
In 2001, only five per-
cent of the community aged
15 and over lived alone,
compared with 13 percent
of all adult Canadians.
Filipino seniors were
especially unlikely to live
alone. In 2001, only seven
percent of them lived alone,
compared with 29% of all
seniors in Canada.
In contrast, Filipino
seniors were much more
likely than other seniors to
live with members of their
extended family.
In 2001, 26 percent of
Filipino-Canadian seniors
lived with relatives such
as the family of a son or
daughter, whereas this was
the case for only five per-
cent of Canadian seniors.
Better educated
Filipino-Canadian adults
were much more likely than
the rest of the population to
have a university degree.
In 2001, some 31 per-
cent of the community aged
15 and over had either a
bachelor’s or post-graduate
degree, more than double
the figure for the overall
adult population, only 15
percent of whom had a de-
gree.
Manila Media Monitor
Filipinos with post-sec-
ondary qualifications were
more likely to hold degrees
in highly technical fields.
In 2001, they made up
about two percent of all uni-
versity graduates in Canada,
representing three percent
of those with degrees in
engineering or applied sci-
ence, and another three per-
cent of those with degrees
in health-related professions
and technologies.
Unlike the overall popu-
lation, Filipino-Canadian
women had somewhat more
education than their male
counterparts.
In 2001, 33 percent of
women of Filipino origin
had a university degree,
compared to 27 percent of
the males. In comparison,
in the overall population,
only 16 percent of men and
15 percent of women had a
university degree.
Young people of Filipino
origin were about as likely
as other young Canadians to
be attending school.
In 2001, 57 percent of
Filipino-Canadians aged 15
to 24 were enrolled in a full-
time academic program, the
same proportion as in the
overall population.
However, as with the
overall population, young
Filipino women (58 per-
cent) were more likely than
their male counterparts (56
percent) to be attending
school.
Employment trends
Filipino-Canadians
were generally more likely
to be employed than other
Canadians.
In 2001, 72 percent of
Filipino labor force partici-
pants had jobs, compared
with a national figure of 62
percent.
The men (73 percent)
were more likely than wom-
en )70 percent) to be work-
ing outside the home and be
part of the paid workforce.
Filipino-Canadians
made up a high proportion
of all those employed in
health occupations and in
manufacturing.
In 2001, Filipinos made
up about one percent of all
workers, but represented
two percent of people em-
ployed in health occupa-
tions and in manufacturing.
In contrast, their rep-
resentation was dispropor-
tionately low among those
holding management po-
sitions, as well as among
those employed in educa-
tion, government and the
social sciences.
Filipino-Canadians were
considerably less likely than
those in the overall work-
force to be self-employed.
In 2001, only four per-
cent in the community
worked for themselves,
compared with 12 percent of
the Canadian labor force.
Unemployment
Statistics showed they
SEPTEMBER 2007
were generally less likely to
be unemployed.
In 2001, just 5.7 percent
had no jobs, compared with
a national 7.4 percent.
As the others, young
Filipino-Canadians were
more likely to be unem-
ployed than older adults.
But the unemployment
rate of young Filipinos was
below that of young people
overall.
In 2001, ten percent of
all Filipino labor force par-
ticipants aged 15 to 24 were
unemployed, compared to
14 percent of their counter-
parts in the population.
Incomes
Filipino-Canadians gen-
erally had lower incomes
than the national average.
In 2000, the average in-
come from all sources for
Filipino-Canadians aged
15 and over was $24,600,
compared with an average
of almost $30,000 for all
Canadian adults.
The average income
for Filipino women was
$22,500, several hundreds
of dollars less than that of
Filipino men.
Filipino-Canadian se-
niors also had relatively low
incomes.
In 2000, their average
income from all sources
stood at about $16,800, al-
most $8,000 less than the
income for all seniors.
The average income for
(To page 13)
SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor FEATURE 13
Filipinos in Canada, a growing ... nadians had experienced discrimination or

ADVERTISE WITH
unfair treatment based on their ethnicity,
(From page 12) race, religion, language or accent in the past
women seniors was $15,400, compared ticipated in an organization such as a sports five years, or since they arrived in Canada.
with $19,400 for senior men. team or community association in the 12 A majority or 64 percent, said they felt
In 2000, Filipino-Canadians aged 15 months preceding the survey. it was based on their race or skin color.
and over said 88 percent of their income Discrimination About 69 percent said the discrimina-
came from earnings, while the figure for all
Canadian adults was 77 percent.
The census also showed that at least
over one-third (37 percent) of Filipino-Ca-
tion had occurred in the workplace or when
applying for a job. CALL 416-285-8583
In contrast, they got much less of their
income from government transfer payments
than other Canadians.
Low-income cut-off
Filipino-Canadians were about as likely
as the rest of the population to have in-
comes that fall below Statistics Canada’s
Low-income Cut-offs.
In 2000, the incomes of 16 percent in
the community were below the Low-in-
come Cut-offs.
Filipino-Canadian children (18 percent)
were about as likely as other children (19
percent) to live in a low-income family.
Unattached Filipino-Canadian adults
were somewhat more likely than other un-
attached adults to have low incomes.
In 2000, about 48 percent of unattached
adults of Filipino origin had low incomes,
compared with 38 percent of their counter-
parts in the population.
Filipino unattached seniors were also
particularly likely to have low incomes.
I am Canadian, eh
According to the Ethnic Diversity Sur-
vey, 78 percent of Filipino-Canadians felt a
strong sense of belonging to Canada.
But at the same time, 89 percent admit-
ted they had a strong sense of belonging to
their ethnic or cultural group.
In 2002, about 73 percent of those eli-
gible to vote reported doing so in the 2000
federal election, while 74 percent said they
voted in the provincial election.
At least 41 percent said they had par-
14 FEATURE Manila Media Monitor SEPTEMBER 2007

Kindergarten: School and Home Learning 101

Starting school is an exciting
time of many firsts for a child.
In the Toronto District School
Board (TDSB), teachers work
with every child to ensure they are
successful at school.
There are also many things
parents can do at home to help
make starting school a positive
and rewarding experience for
their child.
By encouraging a child to try
new activities and experiences,
by talking about these, and asking
and answering questions, parents
help build a foundation for suc-
cess at school.
Here are some tips the TDSB
has provided for a complementing
learning experience for the kin-
dergarten child:
► At school, children will
encounter new people and situ-
ations. At home, parents can in-
volve their child in new situations
where the latter will meet new
people (e.g., going to the library
for storytime).
► At school, children will
communicate needs to other chil-
dren and adults. At home, parents
can encourage the child to use
language to make his/her needs
known (e.g., going to the wash-
room, getting a drink) and to solve
problems (e.g., when sharing with
others).
► At school, children will
dress themselves to play outside
Parents can point things out (e.g.,
changes in the weather, the sea-
sons, construction, etc.).
► At school, children will
learn about numbers, shapes, pat-
terns, estimating, and measuring.
They will talk about their ideas
and what they are learning. At
home, parents can talk about num-
bers, shapes, and patterns at home
and outside. Parents and child can
play games together (matching
and counting, cards, simple board
games). When cooking, parents
can let the child help with measur-
ing ingredients. Parents can also
involve the child in sorting (e.g.
Children emote a deep sense of achievement and self-confidence after showing off their toys, clothes, putting away gro-
talents in the recent Toronto Catholic District School Board-initiated Filipino International ceries).
Language festival. Such self-confidence and achievement may be developed with compe- ► At school, children will
mentary learning in school and at home, with everyone doing their part to keep children create art, explore and use art ma-
mentally fit and morally strong. terials, build structures, take part
in music, drama, and movement
and to go home. At home, parents ► At school, children will lis- ers, and pencils for drawing and activities. At home, parents can
can encourage the child to put on ten to stories, poems, and informa- writing their own ideas. At home, encourage the child’s imagination
jacket, boots, snowpants, etc. in- tion. They will look at, talk about, parents can involve the child in and creativity through drawing,
dependently. and read books on their own and drawing and writing in everyday building, singing, moving to mu-
► At school, children will with others. At home, parents can activities at home (e.g., making sic, and acting out stories.
make choices (e.g., activities in tell stories, say poems, and sing cards, signing own name, draw- ► At school, children will use
the class, materials to use). At songs in their own language. ing pictures). Parents can praise a variety of materials and equip-
home, parents can help the child Parents can read to the child and the child’s attempts to draw and ment to develop large and small
make choices (e.g., which clothes talk about the pictures, ideas, and write. They can also talk about the muscles. At home, parents can
to wear, activities to do). words. They can point out signs, child’s name and the letters in it. provide opportunities for the child
► At school, children will words, and numbers in the home ► At school, children will ex- to exercise and use large muscles
share materials and spaces with and community. plore nature in the world around (e.g., running, climbing, playing
other children. At home, parents ► At school, children will see them and talk about what they see with a ball) and small muscles
can give the child opportunities to adults and other children write for and learn. At home, parents can (e.g., using crayons or markers,
be with other children, share, and different purposes. They will use talk to the child about the things playdough, puzzles or toys with
take turns. materials such as crayons, mark- that can be seen and heard outside. pieces that fit together).

Does a ? ...
(From page 7)
Manila Times story on
Sept. 8: “In an effort to rec-
oncile, Pres. Arroyo grants
amnesty to communist reb-
els.”
Ayos, matapos ang
araw-araw na palitan ng
putukan, sa simbahan din
ang tuloy, wika nga.
***
Canada News Wire
feed, Sept. 8: “Parents
and children encouraged
to pick up a book on In-
ternational Literacy Day”
O, ‘yong mga Playboy
diyan. Ang sabi, “to pick
up a book”, and not the
usual ones you pick up.
***
Broadcast of Talakayan
radio program, produced by
my good friend Jess Cabrias
over Fairchild Radio, 1430
AM, Saturday, Aug. 18:
Co-host May Cabrias:
“Diyan kami mananangha-
lian sa Earl Bales, Myrna.
Darating kami diyan.”
Unto May, I say: “May
naman, ginawa mo nang
telepono ang microphone
mo sa radio.”
***
E-mail received from
the Canadian National Ex-
hibition, Aug. 29: “Young
and Restless Stars” Meet
Fans at CNE.
E-mail I received from
PPC-O president Tenny
Soriano on Aug. 27, “Can
you please remind me (tu-
FCT sets ... FCT, community glitter in Cabbagetown Festival
(From page 6)
than 20 patients.
FCT would also conduct
on Sept. 30 a diabetes semi-
nar, kicking off the season’s
series of free health lectures
every last Sunday of the
month, except in summer.
D’Orazio said a new line
dancing group called Kool-
boots has been making the
rounds in community events
in and around Toronto. FCT KOOLBOOTS goes street line dancing.
Koolboots is composed
of habitues of FCT’s regular
line dancing sessions con-
ducted every Tuesday eve-
ning at the Rizal Hall under
dance instructor Odie Arena VINCENT and VANESSA sing to an SRO crowd
for $5.00 a session.
The FCT Koolboots con-
quered downtown Toronto
streets with a fine display
of line dancing during the FCT, led by president Lynda Javier, joins parade.
Sept. 8 and 9 Cabbagetown
Festival, D’Orazio said. FCT officers Nen-
The center is also set ette de Villa (left)
to start in the first week of and Vicky Santiago
October its free Homework (right) show support
Club and Filipino classes to one of Toronto’s
for students and adults. old traditions, the
The Homework Club annual Cabbag-
and Filipino classes would The Filipino community’s Santacruzan is a spec- etown Festival.
come one after another on tacle in the Cabbagetown Festival parade.
Saturdays; whi9le the adult
class are scheduled on Tues-
day evenings.
matanda na kasi) …”.
E-mail received from
Butch Galicia, Aug. 30:
Gawa tayo ng bagong soap
opera, “The Old and The
Rested”.
 WHO? WHAT? 15 SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor

PCCT TRADE SHOW

Exhibitor sales, exposure double

Exhibitors at
the Aug. 18 Phil-
ippine Chamber
of Commerce
(PCCT) Trade
Show 2007 at the
Metro Toronto
Convention Cen-
tre expressed joy
on the doubled ex-
posure and sales
they had - com-
pared with previ-
ous years, with
some 9,000 people
at the event.
PCCT presi-
dent Rafael Ne-
bres and trade
show chair Os-
wald Tugadi cited
the exhibitors and
called on busi-
nessmen to sign
up early for future
trade shows.
Nebres said
the PCCT trade
show was undeni-
ably the biggest,
cheapest and best AT THE TRADE SHOW. (From left) PCCT President
event for expo- Paeng Nebres, PCCT VP Oswald Tugadi and Slyvia Ne-
sure of products bres join artist Stephanie Reese and boyfriend Niño in
and services in the a poser.
community.
Since 2004, the PCCT has partnered with the Philippine Independence Day Coun-
cil in conducting trade shows during the annual PIDC Mabuhay Philippines! Toronto
Summer Festival. Nebres and Tugadi also thanked all those who participated and
helped in making the trade show a hit. PR

FREIGHT
Door To Door Parcel Service & Money Remittance
To The Philippines
Servicing Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao
KUNG ANG HANAP AY SERBISYONG MAAASAHAN,
GOLDEN ISLAND FREIGHT ANG TAWAGAN.
METRO MANILA
LUZON PROV. - I $ 65 $ 55 LUZON PROV.- III $ 75
Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan & Covers all other areas in Luzon
(Includes Angono, Antipolo, Binangonan & Taytay) not mentioned in I & II
other parts of Rizal Province

VISAYAS LUZON PROV. - I $ 65 MINDANAO

Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bataan & Zambales
$ 85 $ 90
Head Office / Warehouse
FOR PICK-UP SERVICE, CALL: Manila Office
3181 Wolfodale Road Unit 10
Mississauga, Ontario
(905) 615 0209 or (416) 994 3608 # 1 Diamond St., Ciudad Grande
Executive Village, Taytay, Rizal
Tel. (905) 615 0209 & (416) 994 3808 Office / Warehouse: (632) 451 1371
16 WHO? WHAT? Manila Media Monitor SEPTEMBER 2007

G
Aiden
Raphael
Gaborno
andang
TONNIE FURTO
Aiden Raphael
(inset, right pho-
to) is the first-
born of Randolph
and Anne Sunga
Gaborno. Born on
Aug. 16 at 2:42
p.m. at the St. Mi-
chael’s Hospital,
he weighed 8.2
pounds and mea-
sured 21 cms. AG

Jalen Angco
Born on Aug. 15 at 7.6 pounds, Jalen
(left photo) joins parents Sen and
Vanessa and siblings Trey and Taryn
bring joy to the Angco family. Jalen’s
grandparents are Tony and Paulette
Angco and Joe and Pina Morale. CP

Davis
Whiting
Loving parents Geoff
and Jacinda Figueroa-
Whiting presents Baby
Davis (all seated, center)
during Davis’ christen-
ing reception on Sept. 9.
Joining them are (seat-
ed, from left) godpar-
ents Kevin Whiting and

Cell No. 647-868-5935

Laurian Huigens and
(standing, from left)
grandparents Dave and
Sandy Whiting and Judy
and Leigh Mackey. CP
Hair and make-up by TONNIE FURTO
Debutante Lou-Anne San Juan UPAA donation for calamity-hit Bicol areas

Lou-Anne San Juan (left) celebrates her debut with (from 2nd left) father Antonio,
brother Raphael, mother Maria Teresa and sister Lilia-Anne in a party tendered by
family and friends on Aug. 10. Lou-Anne, an Ontario scholar and Jean Vanier CSS
Honors With Distinction graduate, is a Sociology and English honor student at the
University of Toronto. PR
The University of the Philip-
Debutante Nikky Cajucom pines Alumni Association (UPAA)
Toronto has reported the comple-
tion of its donation of 11 boxes
of books and hospital supplies to
identified recipients in Legazpi
City and other Typhoon Reming-
hit areas in Bicol, the Philippines.
UPAA’s Mila Magno said the
donation was sent to St. Agnes
Academy (SAA) and received on
Aug. 25 by Aquinas University
(AU) President Fr. Ramonclaro
Mendez OP, SAA Principal Sr.
Bernardita Bernas and Fr. Joseph
Raquid OP. (See photo above)
AU Hospital’s charity ward
would get seven of the boxes con-
taining hospital and medical sup-
plies.
SAA would receive four boxes
Debutante Nikky Cajucom poses with escort and the rest of the entourage who joined her in the Cotillion de Honor during her debut party full of encyclopedias, reference
on July 21. Nikky’s parents are Alex and Helen Cajucom. Leonie and Joe Manzanares cheoreographed and directed the cotillion. PR books and other school literature.
SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor WHO? WHAT? 17
BIRTHDAYS Barangay Picnickers led by “Barangay Capitan” Nani Isip pose for posterity during their annual
trek to Tobermory, a scenic lakeport resort south of Toronto. Among those in right photo
Tobermory are Rolando “Lala“ Felix and wife Carmelita, son Christian and daughter Charmaine and
Jazmyn Calnek close friends. AS

Jazmyn Punsalan Calnek celebrates

her birth anniversary with family and
friends at the
Golden Valley
Banquet Hall
on Sept. 8.
The daughter
of Jennifer
Punsalan and
Sheldon Cal-
nek, Jazmyn
turned
13 on
Sept.
6. CP

ROLOVES AND
JACQUELINE
MANGANTE
concelebrated their birth
anniversaries (Sept. 1 and
11, respectively) in a party
tendered by Papa Rolly,
Mama Nieves and brother
Reymond at Prestige on
Sept. 9.

PPCO
B-Guys
Philippine Press
Club Ontario (PPCO) TIJAM
vice president Rose
Tijam, director Mon
Datol and member
Mike Caducio get
greetings from col-
leagues, led by pres-
ident Tenny Soriano,
during the PPCO an-
nual summer gath- CADUCIO
ering at the Tigley
residence on Sept.
8. Tijam had her
birth anniversary on
Aug. 28, Caducio on
Sept. 1 and Datol on
Sept. 13.
DATOL

ZHC skeds Fiesta

Pilar, 21st year fete
Zamboanga Hermosa Canada is all set
to celebrate the Fiesta Pilar (Feast of Our
Lady of the Pillar), patroness of Zambo-
anga City, and its 21st anniversary.
The anniversary celebration will take
place at the Larry Taylor Auditorium on
Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.
Formal attire is requested for the dinner
dance.
The Fiesta Pilar celebration will start
with a nine-day novena in honor of the
Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, begin-
ning Oct. 4.
It will take place at different homes
where her image will be brought to.
A special mass in her honor will be cel-
ebrated at the Sts. Peter and Paul Church in
Mississauga on Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. After the
Mass, a potluck luncheon will be served in
the church social hall.
All Zamboangueños are invited to at-
tend with their families and friends. AIDA
D’ ORAZIO
18 WHO? WHAT? Manila Media Monitor SEPTEMBER 2007

BCI founder’s visit

Bicol Canada Inc. (BCI) founder Cynthia Mirasol (2nd from left) joins (from
left) Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto president Paeng Nebres;
Carol Martin and BCI former president Jess Cabrias during a recent visit to
Toronto. Photo: Talakayan Radio News

Home Karaoke 17th anniversary serves Rey leads TAFAT officers in induction
venue to fight stage fright: karaoke fan Incoming president Oli-
ver Rey will lead other offi-
cers of the Featineans Asso-
ciation of Toronto (TAFAT)
when they are inducted into
office at the Garnett Wil-
liams Community Centre in
Vaughn on Sept. 29.
Thornhill MPP Mario
Racco is guest speaker and
inducting officer. He served
as Vaughn councillor.
Besides Rey, to be in-
ducted are Max Recaido,
first vice president; Florie
Silang, second vice presi-
dent; Rez Paje, secretary;
Luz Pajarillo-Sider, as-
sistant secretary; Nenita
Recaido, treasurer; Norma
Guanzon, assistant treasur-
er; Samuel Mata, business
manager; Rudy Olay, audi-
tor; and Tony A. San Juan,
PRO. REY
Also to be sworn in are TAFAT banner projects
directors Cesar Banda, Tir- and programs include schol-
so Balitian, Dr. Fe Quiran- arship grants at Feati Uni-
te-Flora; Tom Flores; Car- versity and relief support
men Jayme, Arthur Lasam, and aid, through the Phil-
Oscar Lei, Julio Permejo, ippine Consulate General’s
Eric Serapio, Glen Tagui- Office, to calamity-hit com-
cana, Violy Vilan and Jun patriots in the Philippines.
Viterbo. JOJO TADURAN

There’s no place ...

(From page 9)

Home Karaoke Ltd. President Andrew Cheng (5th from left) led employees
and some customers in organizing the production of a show marking his
company’s 17th anniversary celebration in Scarborough, Sept. 8. Home
Karaoke, located on Sheppard Avenue East in Scarborough, is a designer,
importer, distributor, wholesaler-retailer of all kinds of karaoke products, in-
cluding mini DVD, DVD, VCD and CDC karaoke machines, mixers, wireless
and magic microphones. (Home Karaoke Photo)
“One thing good with customers to likewise sing as a launching pad of Home
this event is that it helps in public: Noel and Gemma Karaoke’s new product, the
people like us to fight our Lalicon, Joyce Manong- “Bullet & Scissor” - a por-
fear of the stage,” Erdie song, Jay Sese, Nicole Lee table wireless microphone
Ibanez told Manila Media Pack, Aron John Isip, Char- system that would fit into Endless fun and camaraderie mark the camping event of the Isabela Cultural
Monitor during a conversa- lie Bella, Maria Theresa wired microphones, con- Organization of Ontario.
tion at the 17th anniversary Panaligan, Emile Salomon, verting the same into wire-
of Home Karaoke in Scar- David Cheung, Roger Chan, less system.
borough, Ontario, Sept. 8. Camille Mendoza, the twins Home Karaoke is a de-
Ibanez, who never had Nicole and Danielle Caru- signer, importer, distributor,
been on a stage before and so, Vincent Sean Villanueva wholesaler-retailer of all
faced the public to speak, and Danny Mak. kinds of karaoke products,
much more to sing, ren- The performers may be including mini DVD, DVD,
dered a song for everyone. amateurs, but their partici- VCD and CDC karaoke ma-
True to his word that pation augmented master chines, mixers, wireless and
his company makes ama- showman Andrew Cheng’s magic microphones.
teurs as professionals, An- celebration as profession- For more information on
drew Cheng, president of ally done - complete with the company and its various
Home Karaoke, was able script and everything. products, please visit www.
to convince several other The occasion also served homekaraoke.com.

Varona named Marshall McLuhan Fellow

Veteran journalist Inday Espina-Varona (center sive or inclusive. youth. I felt like a teenager we are constituted the sum
in photo) was named the Marshall McLuhan Fel- That weekend, we cel- again because I was sur- of all the moments of our
low, during the recent awarding ceremonies of the ebrated what it meant to be rounded by the tastes and lives, including the place of
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility-or- a Filipino. We celebrated a smells of my childhood. our birth.
ganized Jaime V. Ongpin Awards for Excellence in shared culture. For a brief time, my It was an amazing week-
Journalism. Awarding Espina-Varona were Steven The food, the talk, the cares and worries slipped end. I didn’t realize how
Rheault Kihara (left), Political and Economic Re- games (both adult and away. All of this because much I missed my “back
lations Counsellor of the Canadian Embassy, and children’s) - all were as a group of dedicated and home” until the Isabela
Rizalina Mantaring, executive vice-president of important to the Isabelans, committed people, the Isa- group of incredible, warm
Sunlife Financial Corp, major sponsor of the prize as it should be to the com- bela group, went out of their and wonderful people took
Espina-Varona topped investigative reporting munity. way to create a moment of the time to remind me.
in the non-daily division for her article “Leyte sea For a brief time, I was shared culture and memo- There is no place like
roils from rape of WW2 ships” published in the Philippine Graphic in October 2006. PR transported back to my ries, to remind us that what home. Really, there isn’t.
SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor
ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
Startec Global (2)
Goldentuller & Associates (3)
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Dr. Evangeline M. Bernabe &
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Dr. Albine A. Miciano
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Ellesmere-Kennedy Dental
Centre (10)
Kaakbay Financial Services
(11)
New Conservatory of Music
(12)
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Golden Mile Motors Ltd. (13)
Mortgage Intelligence (13)
Golden Island Freight (15)
musicpad.com (15)
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Dr. Bernarda Rosales
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Laguna Jewellers (28)
Liland Insurance Inc. (29)
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Lovely Travel & Tours
Int’l, Inc. (30)
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Roadsport Honda (32)
OCDC Parcel Services (33)
Russell International (34)
Superb Travel (36)
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Yellow Bird Driver’s Training
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T.H.D. Consultants (37)
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SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor 21
 (ALFPAGE#??X?PDF0-

22 Manila Media Monitor SEPTEMBER 2007

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 The PHILIPPINES SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor 23

ERAP GUILTY
MANILA - The Sandi-
ganbayan or the Philippine
anti-graft court on Sept. 12
found former President Jo-
seph ‘Erap’ Estrada guilty
of plunder, and sentenced
him to a maximum 40-year
jail term. The court, acquit-
ted Estrada of perjury.
Estrada described the
Sandiganbayan as a ‘kan-
garoo court’, saying “this is
a special division created to
convict me.”
Estrada told journal-
ists as he was led out of the
courtroom: “Mas mainam
pa na ma-convict ako ng
tao kaysa sa isang kanga-
roo court. (I’d be happy if
my sentence was made by
the Filipino people than by
a kangaroo court.)”
Properties seized
Two other co-accused,
one of them his son, Sen.
Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and
lawyer Edward Serapio,
were acquitted of the plun-
der case.
In sentencing the former
ESTRADA
President, the court also
ordered the forfeiture in fa-
vor of the government the
amount of P542 million de-
posited in the Erap Muslim
Youth Foundation, another
P189 million in the so-
called Jose Velarde account
and real property known
as the Boracay mansion in
New Manila, Quezon City.
Following the promul-
gation, Presiding Justice
Teresita Leonardo de Cas-
tro ordered the continuous
detention of Estrada at his
private rest house in Tanay,
Rizal.
Warned by gambled
Estrada said he submit-
ted himself to the rule of
law despite warnings from
lawyers.
“My lawyers have al-
ready warned me but this
is the forum where I can
tell the Filipino people of
my innocence so I took the
gamble and this is what I
got. This is really a kanga-
roo court,” he said.
Estrada lawyers are
studying options to either
file a motion for reconsid-
eration or elevate the case
to the Supreme Court.
Sad episode
Meanwhile, Press Sec-
retary Ignacio Bunye called
on the Filipino people to re-
spect the Sandiganbayan’s
decision, as the rule of law
has prevailed.
“We have a country to
run, an economy to grow,
and a peace to win. We
hope that this sad episode in
our history will not perma-
nently distract us from these
goals,” Bunye said.

Bush cites RP drive vs local terror cells

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd from right) is all smiles as she

poses with United States President George W. Bush (3rd from left) and six
other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) after a
luncheon meeting hosted for them by President Bush on Sept. 7 at the Inter-
continental Sydney in Sydney, Australia. During the meeting, Bush cited the
fight against terrorism being waged by the Philippine government. (Photo:
Rolando Mailo/OPS-NIB)

House activates committees to study GMA amnesty proclamation

MANILA - The Philippine
House of Representatives on Sept.
7 activated its committees on na-
tional defense, public order and
security , and peace, reconcili-
ation and unity to look into and,
perhaps concur with, President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Proc-
lamation 1377 granting amnesty
to communist rebels.
The proclamation, which
Arroyo signed before flying to
Sydney for the 15th Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation Leaders
Meeting, came less than a month
after Speaker Jose de Venecia pro-
posed an all-encompassing am-
nesty program to further enhance
prospects for national reconcilia-
tion and unity.
De Venecia said the procla-
mation was a “sig- or City Peace and for ransom, use and trafficking of and Arturo Tabara,” the Dutch na-
nificant first step in Order Council Am- illegal drugs and other crimes for tional prosecutor’s office said in a
our collective search nesty Centers within personal ends and violations of in- statement.
for peaceful means six months from ef- ternational law or convention and Kintanar and Tabara led a CPP
to end the four-de- fectivity of the proc- protocols, even if alleged to have faction that broke away from the
cades-old Commu- lamation. been committed in pursuit of po- party in the early 1990s.
nist insurgency, the Section 2 of the litical beliefs.” PNA, OPS They were said to have been
longest running in proclamation pro- Jose Maria Sison assassinated by the New People’s
Asia.” vided that the am- Relatedly, communist rebel Army, the CPP’s armed wing.
Under the proc- nesty “shall cover groups have started studying the Philippine government and
lamation, amnesty the crime of rebel- implications of the proclamation NDF officials have been trying
would be granted JOSE MA. SISON lion and all other to the Aug. 28 arrest and contin- to broker a peaceful settlement of
to members of the crimes included ued detention of CPP founder and the insurgency but the talks were
Communist Party of the Philip- therein or incident thereto in pur- NDF consultant Jose Maria Sison stalled in the last three years af-
pines (CPP), its armed group New suit of political belief as defined in the Netherlands where he has ter the CPP, NPA and Sison were
People’s Army and political unit by jurisprudence, whether pun- been living in exile since 1987. included in the terror watchlists
National Democratic Front (NDF) ishable under the Revised Penal “The communist leader was of the United States, European
and other communist rebel groups Code or special laws.” suspected of giving orders, from Union and other countries.
who would apply under oath with Not covered by the proposed the Netherlands, to murder his The Philippines and the Neth-
the National Committee on So- amnesty were “crimes against former political associates in the erlands have no extradition treaty.
cial Integration and the Provincial chastity, rape, torture, kidnapping Philippines, Romulo Kintanar Web sources
24 PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Sept. 15, 1898: Revolutionary Congress convoked
In accordance with the
decrees of June 18 and 23,
1898, Philippine Revolu-
tionary President General
Emilio Aguinaldo convoked
the Revolutionary Congress
at Barasoain, Malolos.
The events that un-
folded during the convoca-
tion of Congress were best
described in History of the
Filipino People by Teodoro
A. Agoncillo and History
of Bulacan by Francisco
Calalang.
The delegates to the
Congress constituted the
cream of the country’s pro-
fessionals and intellectuals.
An official directory of
the Malolos Assembly of
Representatives listed 201
members who served the
body at one time or another.
Most historians, however,
have placed the Assembly
membership at only 130.
In the morning of Sept.
15, the basilica at Barasoain
was filled with delegates
and spectators. Outside, the
Banda Pasig played the Na-
tional Anthem.
With President Agui-
naldo seated inside the hall,
the secretary read the names
of the delegates, after which
Aguinaldo was introduced.
Cries of “Viva!” re-
verberated. Aguinaldo ac-
Members of the Philippine Revolutionary Congress convene for their first
session in the historic Barasoain Church on Sept. 15, 1898. They elected
Pedro Paterno as Congress President..
knowledged the applause.
Then, he stood up and read
his message - written by Fe-
lipe Buencamino - first in
Tagalog, then in Spanish.
He then announced that
the ceremonies were over
and that Congress was to
convene after electing its
officers.
In the afternoon, the
Congress elected Pedro A.
Paterno as President; Beni-
to Legarda, Vice-President;
Gregorio Araneta, First Sec-
retary; and Pablo Ocampo,
Second Secretary.
The Congress’ first sig-
nificant act was the Sept. 29
ratification of the indepen-
dence proclaimed at Kawit,
Cavite on June 12, 1898.
Aguinaldo, whose office
and official residence were
located at the convent of
Malolos Church, arrived at
Barasoain, where Congress
was holding its sessions on
Sept. 29.
The ceremonies began at
10:30 a.m. and Aguinaldo,
after congratulating Pater-
Manila Media Monitor
no, partly said in Tagalog:
“now we witness the truth
of what the famous Presi-
dent Monroe said to the ef-
fect that the United States
was for the Americans; now
I say that the Philippines is
for the Filipinos.”
A committee to draft
the constitution was created
with Felipe G. Calderon as
its most prominent member.
Having set Apolinario
Mabini’s Constitutional
Program aside, the commit-
tee. under the influence of
SEPTEMBER 2007
Excerpts from the Malolos Constitution
Article 3. Sovereignty resides exclusively in the
people.
Article 5. The State recognizes the freedom and
equality of all religions, as well as the separation of
Church and State.
Article 19. No Filipino in the full enjoyment of his
civil and political rights shall be hindered in the free
exercise of the same.
Article 20.1. Neither shall any Filipino be deprived
of: The right of expressing freely his ideas and opin-
ions either by word or by writing, availing himself of the
press or any other similar means.
Article 20.2. Neither shall any Filipino be deprived
of: The right of joining any association for all the ob-
jects of human life which may not be contrary to public
morals.
Article 23. Any Filipino can found and maintain
establishments of instruction or of education, in ac-
cordance with the regulations that may be established.
Popular education shall be obligatory and gratuitous in
the schools of the nation.
Calderon, also set aside, but draft of the constitution and
subtly, Paterno’s constitu- sent it to Aguinaldo for ap-
tional plan, which smelled proval.
strongly of the Spanish Owing to Mabini’s ob-
Constitution of 1869. jections to some provisions
With the advise of Cay- in the Constitution, Agui-
etano Arellano, a brilliant naldo did not immediately
but unreconstructed mes- promulgate it. The leaders
tizo, Calderon drew up his of Congress compromised
plans for a constitution, by inserting some amend-
deriving inspiration from ments.
the constitutions of Mexico, After the promulgation
Belgium, Guatemala, Costa of the Malolos Constitution
Rica, Brazil and France. on Jan. 21, 1899, the first
In the Oct. 8 session, Philippine Republic was in-
Calderon presented the augurated on Jan. 23, 1899.
SEPTEMBER 2007
Sept. 21, 1972: Democratic Congress revoked
On Sept. 21, 1972, Phil-
ippine President from 1966
to 1986 Ferdinand E. Mar-
cos went public and issued
Proclamation 1081 placing
the entire archipelago under
martial rule.
With the stroke of a pen,
Marcos clamped the powers
of the Philippine Congress
and assumed its legislative
responsibilities.
During the 1972 to 1981
martial law era, Marcos
wrote and issued a heap of
orders, decrees, general or-
ders, letters of instruction
and other self-styled laws
he said was intended to spur
a Democratic Revolution
(as opposed to an emerging
Red Tide) and build a New
Society that would make the
Philippines “great again.”
Was the absolute re-
vocation of power to pass
laws vested upon Congress
by the Constitution merited
at that time?
The debate on the mat-
ter is as lengthy as eternity,
and the varied reactions to
the legislature’s shutdown
as varied as the colors of the
rainbow.
A good reading of Presi-
dential Proclamation 1081,
perhaps, would present an
intelligent yet academic
understanding of the condi-
Manila Media Monitor PHILIPPINE HISTORY 25
PROCLAMATION No. 1081
PROCLAIMING A STATE OF MARTIAL LAW IN THE PHILIPPINES
... NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Phil-
ippines, by virtue of the powers vested upon me by Article VII, Section 10,
Paragraph (‘2) of the Constitution, do hereby place the entire Philippines as
defined in Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution under martial law and, in
my capacity as their commander-in-chief, do hereby command the armed
forces of the Philippines, to maintain law and order throughout the Philip-
pines, prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence as well as any act
of insurrection or rebellion and to enforce obedience to all the laws and
decrees, orders and regulations promulgated by me personally or upon
One of the major acts of (left) former Philippine President Ferdi- my direction ... (Bold ours. This phrase is the only reference that can be
nand E. Marcos (born on Sept. 11, 1917 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte and attributed to the revocation of Congress. The Editor)
died on Sept. 28, 1989 in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.)
when he signed Presidential Proclamation 1081,
that declared martial law throughout the entire
Philippines, was to assume absolute legislative
powers, thereby closing down (right) a duly-con-
stituted Congress.
tions then prevailing and, convening of the Regular
perhaps too, show the real Batasang Pambansa (Na-
intent of Marcos to do away tional Assembly) in 1984.
with Congress. The other was the In-
However, four years lat- terim Batasang Pambansa
er to the date, on Sept. 21, convened in 1978.
1976, Marcos created the On Oct. 16 to 17, 1976
Batasang Bayan (People’s most village voters in so-
Congress) through Presi- called Citizen Assemblies
dential Decree 995. approved that martial law
The Batasang Bayan should go on, as they rati-
was a 128-member legisla- fied amendments to a Mar-
ture that advised the Presi- cos-proposed Constitution.
dent on important legisla- The amendments were:
ture measures. the institution of an Interim
The Batasang Bayan Batasang Pambansa, the
was one of two temporary assignation of the President
legislative bodies before the (To page 26)
26 Philippine TOURISM Manila Media Monitor SEPTEMBER 2007

THIS SEPTEMBER IN BASEY, SAMAR

The Samar mat
The Samar mat
could indisputably
claim to be the most
Kawayan-Banigan Festival
extensively used in As in past years, people
the Philippines. of the ancient agricultural
The Samar mat town of Basey in Western
could be found Samar, the Philippines will
in the markets of relive this September their
Luzon and Min- pride of having weaved the
danao, and in the world’s longest mat, un-
Visayas islands. folded in 2000.
This popularity While the 17th century
stems from its old church of Basey will
attractive colors be the focal point of all cel-
and affordable ebrations in honor of the
prices. town’s patron Saint Michael
The center of mat making in Samar is Basey town, across the San Juanico Bridge the Archangel, the streets of
from Tacloban. Basey will once more glitter
The raw material is the tikog (Fimbristylis milliacea, belonging to the family Cu- with the vast array of tapes-
peraceae), a grass that has solid, jointless and usually triangular stems and grows try color as Basey natives
profusely in swampy places. go out to publicly weave the BASEY CHURCH was built in 1864
The Basey mat maker basically has a famous Basey mat, in between a wide range of typical traditional and contemporary fiesta
border design and a central motif, often activities.
a stylized rendition of flowers such as A regular event is the annual Kawayan-Banigan Festival highlighted with a parade of
sampaguita, gumamela, rose, or some pageantry and colorful mats, winding through the town’s key streets, reliving the two main
orchid. Most of the time, the motif is sources of livelihood of Basaynons – bamboo and mat weaving.
done in contrasting color or just plain Then, Basaynons go into a frenzy of music, dance and drama, while the women of
natural tikog color. Basey weave a variety of intricately designed mats from sedge grass locally known as tik-
The more complicated ones come og. Mat weaving has been a tradition handed down from many generations up to this day.
in multicolored tones and would cost The Kawayan-Banigan festival became famous when hundreds of Basey folk pa-
more. raded a one-meter
Once in a while, a mat showing the wide and more than
excellent likeness of a major and highly a kilometer long
recognizable public figure, whether lo- mat, claimed as the
cal or foreign, would appear. A particu- world’s longest mat.
lar practitioner do this “portrait mat” - a The mat was woven
highly specialized artistic skill difficult for several weeks
to pass on down the younger genera- by groups of people
tion. from the different
The technique for creating the Basey barangays of Basey.
mat design could be termed as embroi- While the mat was
dery since the design is inserted after the not submitted as an
basic plain background mat has been fully woven. The design is superficial to the entry to the Guin-
basic mat, just an overlay of contrasting color. ness Book of World
While the designing on the Basey mat is generally conventional and one comes Records, then Basey
across a design repeatedly, one particular household in Basey has ventured into new Mayor Wilfredo Es-
design concepts inspired by suggestions made by outsiders. torninos described
Although imitative and derivative in nature, it is a sign of a growing awareness the feat as a source
of a more open approach in designing but still using the same technique as they have of pride for all Ba-
always done traditionally. (National Commission on Culture and Arts) saynons.
MAT WEAVING runs in the family
Mt. Everest team
Sept. 21 ...
(From page 25)
2 tourist sites in Caraga declared protected areas inspires students
as also the Prime Minister DUMAGUETE CITY
by ROBERT E. ROPEROS
and he would continue to - The Philippines’ Mt. Ever-
exercise legislative pow- BUTUAN CITY - The with an extensive system of est Team has inspired a lot
ers until martial law should Department of Environ- old-growth mangrove forest of students in Negros Ori-
have been lifted. ment and Natural Resources and rich marine reserves.” ental to aspire for the best
The Sixth Amendment (DENR) and the Non-Gov- On the other hand, the and to reach the top of their
further authorized the Presi- ernment Organizations for Agusan Marsh was declared dreams and aspirations.
dent to legislate whenever Integrated Protected Areas protected because it served The team - Heradio Ora-
in his judgment “there ex- (NIPA) have declared two as a sanctuary for wildlife. cion, Fred Jamili, Noelle
ists a grave emergency or a tourist destinations in the Agusan Marsh is the Wenceslao, Janet Sardena
threat or imminence there- Caraga Region as protected most biologically diverse and Carina Dayondon -
of, or whenever the Interim areas. marshland in the country, shared their experiences
Batasang Pambansa or the Declared protected were where more than 200 spe- with students from different
regular National Assembly the Sohoton Cove in Socor- cies of birds from neigh- schools here.
fails or is unable to act ad- ro, Bucas Grande Islands. boring countries like Japan In their talks, team mem-
equately on any matter for Surigao del Norte and the and China, and even as far bers cited the importance of
any reason that in his judg- Agusan Marsh in Agusan as Russia migrate to during confidence in hurdling “the
ment requires immediate del Sur. winter, Ajoc added. Mt. Everest we all have to
action.” Sohoton Cove toursim Other protected areas climb in our lives.”
The President “may, in coordinator Miro Ajoc said in the country included the Reaching the world’s
order to meet the exigency, the cove “is one of the hid- Batanes Protected Land- highest peak proved that
issue the necessary decrees, den treasures of Caraga scapes and Seascapes, Filipinos valued teamwork,
orders or letters of instruc- Region” and was declared Northern Sierra Madre hard work, patience, perse-
tions, which shall form part protected because of “its Natural Park, Subic-Bataan verance, and discipline.
of the law of the land.” uniqueness, having rare Natural Park, Apo Reef Oracion et. al. reached
From 1972 until the con- species of flora and fauna” Natural Park, Mount Kan- the peak of Mt. Everest on
vening of the Interim Bata- besides its flourishing ma- laon Natural Park, Mount May 17, 2006. A year after,
sang Pambansa in 1978, rine life. Kitanglad Range Natural on May 16, 2007, three Fili-
Marcos exercised absolute Ajoc said the cove’s Park, Mount Apo Natural pino women also climbed to
legislative power. (Web land and seascape “is con- SOHOTON COVE, a paradise in Caraga Region Park, and Turtle Islands the top of the world’s tallest
sources, other literature) sidered a surfer’s paradise (Photo: Melo Villareal, web) Wildlife Sanctuary. PIA mountain. PNA
SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor The PHILIPPINES 27
News Roundup
POEA acts vs online recruitment scams
DAVAO CITY - The Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POEA) has
limited to licensed agencies and their legitimate representatives the online posting of job
vacancies and recruitment for Filipino workers looking for overseas jobs. POEA said this
would thwart malpractices in internet recruitment by fake recruitment agencies. POEA
also cautioned workers looking for overseas jobs over cyberspace to check if the vacancies
were complemented with appropriate job orders from abroad. Fraudulent recruitment over
the internet usually required workers to deposit money to some unknown accounts to cover
processing and other fees. PNA

WHO cites smoke-free Iloilo City

ILOILO CITY - The World Health Organization-Asia Pacific has lauded this city for its
comprehensive smoke-free program, as the Department of Health offered to provide tech-
nical assistance to the local government to further strengthen the implementation of the
anti-smoking program. In the past, WHO gave the same recognition to the cities of Davao,
Legazpi, Makati, Silang, Cavite and Quezon. PNA

Aklan lifts Boracay environmental fee

AKLAN - Effective Sept. 1, tourists visiting Boracay Island passing through the Caticlan
Jetty Port are no longer required to pay the P50 environmental fee. Aklan governor Carlito
Marquez, in a letter to Caticlan mayor Ciceron Cawaling, said the collection of the fee
should be lifted following complaints from several sectors about its usage. The environ-
mental fee was supposedly intended to fund projects related to environmental protection in PEOPLE ENJOY a leisurely walk along Dumaguete Boulevard.

PAL to resume Dumaguete flights

resort island, in particular. Since last year, some P16 million was collected from thousands
of tourists who visited the island. PNA

167 of 175 Ifugao villages energized DUMAGUETE CITY officials to discuss opera- to Manila, said Chuang.
LAGAWE, Ifugao - At least 167 of 175 villages in Ifugao province have been energized, - After almost a decade of tional issues, said local Air Two other carriers then
through the Ifugao Electric Cooperative (IFELCO) and with the financial support of the absence from Dumaguete Transportation Office man- started servicing the Duma-
Department of Energy. IFELCO officer-in-charge Jovita Allaga said the latest to get cheap- skies, flag carrier Philippine ager Veronica Chuang. guete airport – Cebu Pacific
er power were residents of Barangay Dalligan in Kiangan town, on Sept. 1. Last August, Airlines (PAL) will soon PAL used to service and Air Philippines.
lights were switched on for 166 households in Barangay Itab in Aguinaldo town. Some resume its flight services Dumaguete single-handedly Chuang said PAL’s re-
100 families in Barangay Langayan in Mayoyao town would soon have power. PIA in this fast-growing Central for many years until it de- entry to the Dumaguete air
Visayas city. cided to stop its daily flights transport service would be a
Raise Dagupan roads by 50 to 80 cm PAL officials have con- to and from Manila in June welcome activity, consider-
ducted an ocular inspection 1998. For about six months, ing the increasing volume of
DAGUPAN CITY - Assistant city engineer Marcelo Prado has suggested that city roads of the Sibulan-Dumaguete commuters here had to ei- passengers and cargo traffic
be elevated by 50 to 80 centimeters to prevent these from being flooded during prolonged airport and its facilities and ther go to Cebu or Bacolod coming in and going out of
rains. Prado said the city sank by a few centimeters in the wake of the 7.6 magnitude tem- are set to meet with airport to take the nearest flight out Negros Oriental. PNA
blor that rocked Dagupan City on July 16, 1990. Floods here have become frequent after
the earthquake. About 80 percent of the city have been prone to floods during prolonged
rains, timed in with high tide and the flow of rainwater from the upland. Even before the
1990 earthquake, Dagupan - the biggest trade and commercial center in Northern Luzon
- was one meter below sea level. PNA

Violence averted in N. Vizcaya mining row

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya - Diocese of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino Bishop Ramon
Villena said bloodshed was avoided following Malacañang’s move to temporarily suspend
mining exploration activities of the Australian Oxiana Philippines, Inc.(OPI) in the vil-
lages of Pao, Kakiduguen, Pacquet, Dine and Catarawan in Kasibu town. An inevitable
confrontation between anti and pro mining groups was prevented. Villena said villagers
blocked the entry of OPI’s equipment in Pao. He said the mining firm should exhaust the
benefits of a dialogue that should respect the wishes of the affected communities under the
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act. PIA

Cebu Pacific increases Mla-Lgp service

MANILA - JG Summit Holdings’ Cebu Pacific (CEB) has opened more frequent and
cheaper Manila-Legaspi and vice versa flights for tourists, travellers and businessmen. Be-
sides the daily service, another flight aboard the airline’s 150-seater A319 will be added for
the route every Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting Sept. 21. The flight leaves Manila
at 7:10 a.m. and lands in Legaspi at 8:05 a.m. The return flight leaves Legaspi at 8:35 a.m.
and arrives in Manila at 9:30 a.m. PNA

Ethnic tunes only in new Davao park

DAVAO CITY - Only ethnic tunes would be played through piped-in music in the P120-
million still unnamed park City Hall would open in December on the 7.2-hectare former
PTA sports complex here. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said music aired in the park should be
non-sectarian and non-religious. Davao’s tribal songs - nurtured for ages by tribes of the
Bagobos, Obos, Matigsalog and Guiangan - could be better appreciated as these rerpresent
the rich cultural heritage of Davaoeños. The former sports complex had been transformed
into a lush greenery of tropical trees around ethnic sculptures depicting the durian, the
Philippine Eagle and the orchid waling-waling, the city’s main symbols. PNA

Spanish radio show launched in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Asociacion de la Prensa de Cadiz of Spain, with the state-
run Bureau of Broadcast (BoB), launched on Sept. 7 the radio program Filipinas Ahora
Mismo over dxMR-Radyo ng Bayan here. Running Monday to Friday from 7 to 8 p.m., the
program could be heard over BoB stations in Laoag, Manila, Naga and Iloilo, and world-
wide through www.prensacadiz.org. Spanish TV newscaster Begoña Lucena said Filipinas
Ahora Mismo could be the only cultural magazine on Filipino culture produced by Fili-
pinos broadcast in Spanish over Philippine airwaves. The program would have segments
on movies, literature, Phil-Hispanic history, geography, cuisine, health, women’s issues,
Spanish language, sports, trivia, folk wisdom and music in Spanish. PNA
28 The PHILIPPINES Manila Media Monitor SEPTEMBER 2007

GMA orders SSS to extend housing loan condonation for 6 months more
President Gloria Maca-
pagal-Arroyo has directed
the Social Security System
(SSS) to extend its housing
loan condonation program
by another six months, as
she sought for the inclusion
of overseas Filipino work-
ers (OFWs) in the roster of
SSS’ more than 27 million
POEA offers program to
foil illegal recruitment
The Department of La-
bor and Employment has
moved to help persons who
would actively cooperate
in the prosecution of those
engaged in illegal recruit-
ment.
Labor and Employment
Secretary Arturo Brion said
the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administra-
tion (POEA) Governing
Board has approved the
provision of financial aid to
victims and witnesses of il-
legal recruitment.
Brion said POEA would
pay for the victims’ or wit-
nesses’ docket and other
court or legal fees.
members.
The President issued the
directive during the 50th
anniversary celebration of
the agency on Sept. 3.
The President said the
condonation of penalties
and restructuring of housing
loans have benefited more
than 6,000 SSS members.
Brion said many illegal
recruitment cases had been
dismissed due to the inabil-
ity of complainants to pay
the required docket fees in
court.
In some instances, vic-
tims ceased to participate in
proceedings after filing their
cases and would instead opt
to accept a measly sum of
settlement money.
Brion said the law man-
dated POEA to provide free
legal aid to victims of ille-
gal recruitment and other
related administrative or
criminal cases.
He said the program, in
a way, would address the
“This is social payback,” ship to include the manda- and formulas, among other which created a lot of jobs.
the President told SSS pres- tory coverage of OFWs, proposals. The President congratu-
ident Corazon dela Paz and especially seafarers, to go She said the SSS pro- late Cora de la Paz for being
the SSS Board led by board on with the plan to amend vided the P1 billion special the first Asian elected presi-
chair Thelmo Cunanan. its Charter, and institution- window for micro, small dent of the International So-
The SSS and other gov- alize actuarial standards and medium enterprises, cial Security System OPS
ernment revenue agencies
have been implementing re- Forum on RP Medical Tourism
forms that resulted in higher
collections, with the SSS
providing more benefits and
making sound investments.
About six years ago, the
SSS faced an impending fi-
nancial collapse with its ac-
tuarial life forecast at 2015.
But the agency rebound-
ed, its assets ballooned to
P248 billion and its invest-
ment income in the last
six months alone reached
P15.58 billion.
“New revenues, includ-
ing increases in contribu-
tions for SSS, better col-
lection and a crackdown
on remittance cheats along
with fiscal discipline have
put the SSS and the Philip- Alfredo R.A Bengzon (right), Medical City president and CEO, cites medical
pines on a path to perma- tourism as an effective program to promote the Philippines as a destination
nent, sustainable economic for medical procedures such as organ transplant and surgery, cancer treat-
growth and stability,” Ma- ment, lasik, dental work and cosmetic surgery, among others, in a recent
capagal-Arroyo said. forum in Toronto. Also on hand to expound on medical tourism are (from
The SSS has raised its left) entrepreneurs Evelyn Pagkalinawan and Cora dela Cruz of the Philip-
members’ pensions twice in pine Chamber of Commerce Toronto. (Photo: Jojo Taduran)

14 Cebuanos get papal awards

POEA board Resolution
05 also provided that vic-
tims and witnesses availing
themselves of the program
would also be given priority
for overseas jobs.
difficulties experienced by
complainants in attending
preliminary investigations
or court proceedings owing
to employment restrictions
or financial constraints.
the last 12 months, ten per-
cent in September last year
and another ten percent last
month.
The President urged the
SSS to expand its member-
CEBU CITY – Cebu
Archbishop Ricardo Car-
dinal Vidal has conferred
on Sept. 6 papal awards on
14 Cebuanos, in ceremo-
nies at the Metropolitan
Cathedral.
On behalf of Pope Bene-
dict XVI, Vidal conferred
the title of Dame of St. Syl-
vester to Josefina ‘Madam”
Matheu, and Norma Liu and
the title of Knight of St. Syl-
vester to Ernesto Aboitiz.
The titles of Dame and
Knight of St. Sylvester are
the second highest papal
awards bestowed on Church
lay leaders worldwide.
Vidal said the award
conferred to Madam Matheu
was “for her lifetime com-
mitment to the pastoral or-
ganization of the Archdio-
cese of Cebu.”
The title was Madam
Matheu’s second papal
award, the first being the
Cross Pro Ecclesia et Ponti-
fice or “For Church and for
Pontificate.”
Vidal cited Liu “for her
silent but consistent support
of the Archdiocese’s many
endeavors.”
Aboitiz was honored “in
recognition of his commit-
ment to various advocacies
through the Bishops-Busi-
nessmen’s Conference,”
which he served as past
president.
The Cross Pro Ecclesia
et Pontifice was bestowed
on Engelberto Alba, Eriber-
to Caballero, Ver dela Cer-
na, Socorro Gonzales, Elena
Jarantilla, Melva Java, No-
nito Limchua, Julius Neri
and Montano Saniel.
Rene Josef Bullecer
was given the Meritorious
Medal “for his advocacy for
human life.”
Hilario Davide, Jr., for-
mer Supreme Court Chief
Justice and now Philippines
permanent representative to
the New York-based United
Nations, failed to attend the
ceremonies.
Vidal said a separate
ceremony would be con-
ducted early next year for
Davide, who would receive
the Cross of the Order of the
Knights of St. Sylvester, the
highest title for lay leaders,
PNA

Of sabotaging and taxing newspapers

(From page 8)
get all e-mails of all sorts
from various candidates
from many ridings from all
parties. The issues being
raised in the “releases” are
the promises of the candi-
dates vying for the various
positions versus the broken
promises of the party in in-
cumbency.
***
Singer-songwriter Marc
Ballesteros is asking sup-
port from his beloved com-
munity.
Marc said that on June
21-22, 2008, he will be par-
ticipating in a 2-day major
cycling event called “The
Ride to Conquer Cancer”
for the benefit of the Prin-
cess Margaret Hospital--
Canada’s leading compre-
hensive institution devoted
to cancer research and care.
Marc will trek 200 ki-
lometers from Toronto to
Niagara Falls, and said he
is riding for his wife, Elsa,
who is a four-time breast
cancer survivor!
Marc is a witness that
when cancer strikes some-
one as happened to his wife,
one’s whole world stops.
He wrote, “We thought
she was cleared after five
years but it came back in
October 2002; then again
in September 2005. It was
just three months later in
December, that it was back
again.
“Through her many sur-
geries, my wife remained to
be a real fighter and I’m so
very proud of her! We have
been fighting this together
and we hope to see the end
of this life altering disease
in our lifetime.
“My effort to ride for
cancer is only a small frac-
tion compared to the chal-
lenges my wife had already
endured over the years which
affected her, both physically
and emotionally.”
Marc’s goal is to raise
$5,000 and hopes that with
the help of the community,
he will get there.
More information at
Marc’s personal homepage
at www.marcb.net, and help
him reach his goal.
SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor 29

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30 MONEY
6.1 - 6.7% GDP for ‘07 tenable
MANILA - The Philip-
pine government’s forecast
of a 6.1 to 6.7 percent gross
domestic product (GDP)
for 2007 could be achieved.
Economic planners ex-
pressed optimism after the
country’s GDP grew 7.3
percent in the first semester
(January to June).
The GDP, which mea-
sures the size of an econo-
my, is the market value of
all final goods and services
produced in a country in a
given period of time.
In the second quarter
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inspects the state-
of-the art facilities of the Advanced Contact Solutions
Inc. call center at the SM Mall in Lipa City. With her
in photo are Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila
and ACS officials. (Rey Baniquet-OPS/NIB Photo)
Manila Media Monitor
by LESLIE D. VENZON
(April to June), the econ-
omy grew by 7.5 percent,
spurred by the robust per-
formance of industry and
services at 8.0 percent and
8.4 percent, respectively.
Agriculture rose moderately
at 3.9 percent.
Socio-Economic Plan-
ning Secretary Augusto
Santos said “the upturn is
a telling sign for us that
the full-year official target
of 6.1 to 6.7 percent GDP
growth is quite attainable,
notwithstanding some un-
certainties.”
SEPTEMBER 2007 GOT A FOREX DEAL?
Check out if you got your peso’s worth
for the dollars you have had exchanged
since August 15, courtesy of Manila Media
Economic and Development
(Money) Monitor.
Authority chief, said the US$ Cdn$
government should push for Sept. 12 46.94000 45.04370
policies to sustain macro- Sept. 11 47.00998 45.19899
economic stability, modern- Sept. 10 46.71209 44.48559
ize agriculture, strengthen Sept. 07 46.50138 44.11665
small enterprises, expand Sept. 06 46.48407 44.14240
export markets and realign Sept. 05 46.57999 44.36004
the national budget to spend
more on social services.
Sept. 04 46.83827 44.64746
National statistics Aug. 31 46.47825 44.01145
showed the services sector Aug. 30 46.80116 44.31710
remained the key player in Aug. 29 46.72464 44.11960
SANTOS
the economy, sharing 4.1 Aug. 28 46.72233 44.03314
Santos referred to risks percent in the 7.5-percent Aug. 27 46.65218 44.38630
posed on the local economy second-quarter GDP, fol- Aug. 24 46.67219 44.36254
by the continued weakness lowed by industry at 2.7
Aug. 23 46.66005 44.18339
of the US economy and vol- percent and agriculture, 0.7
atile oil prices, and possible percent. Aug. 22 46.50405 43.78710
effects of the prolonged dry Drivers of growth in Aug. 21 46.86727 44.21228
spell on farm output in the services during the period Aug. 20 45.74315 44.17862
second half of the year. were transport, communica- Aug. 17 46.85310 44.07418
However, the steady tions and storage subsector; Aug. 16 46.34000 43.10405
economic expansion in trade; finance and private Aug. 15 46.20107 43.01579
Europe and Japan and the services. PNA
fairly strong performance
of other Asian economies
would augur well for the
RP owes P3.782T as of 1st sem
Philippine economy. MANILA - The further In May, foreign debt lion, from local sources.
Santos cited the need appreciation of the peso was at P1.671 trillion while The peso touched the 45
for the country to continue brought down the National domestic debt was at P2.148 level against the American
implementing measures to government’s outstanding trillion. greenbuck in July due to the
sustain economic growth so debt to P3.782 trillion as of The government’s con- surge of inflows from the
that gains would increas- end-June, from the previous tingent obligations, com- local stock market as cor-
ingly benefit the people. month’s P3.819 trillion. posed mainly of guarantees, porations continued to issue
“We need to speed up Of the total debt, P1.663 amounted to P527 billion in initial stock offerings.
the pace of implementing trillion was owed to foreign end-June, from the previous It attained its new sev-
key reforms to ensure in- creditors while P2.118 tril- month’s P530 billion. en-year high in July 19 at
creasing growth over the lion was owned to domestic Of the amount, P455 45 flat against the US dol-
medium-term,” he said. creditors, data from the Bu- billion was from foreign lar, its highest since August
Santos, also the National reau of Treasury showed. sources while P71.99 bil- 2000. PNA
SEPTEMBER 2007
Central bank sees yearend BOP at $6.3B De Castro vows action to
By JOANN SANTIAGO, PNA
MANILA - The Philip-
pines’ Balance of Payment
(BOP) position could reach
$6.3 billion by year end,
more than twice the $2.9
billion third revised projec-
tion of the Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas (BSP).
BSP Governor Amando
Tetangco Jr. said the fore-
cast upgrade came in the
wake of a continuous surge
of remittances from Filipi-
nos abroad and the influx of
portfolio investments.
APEC leaders: Let’s get the WTO Doha Round going
(From page 1)
food, energy security and
natural disasters.
Noting the critical value
of the WTO Doha Rouind
to regional economic well-
being, the leaders issued a
separate statement on the
issue and said: “We, the
leaders of the APEC Fo-
rum, whose economies ac-
count for nearly 50 percent
of world trade, underline
the crucial importance of
the WTO rules-based, glob-
al trading system and our
determination to bring the
Doha Round to an early and
successful conclusion.”
The leaders asked all
countries involved in the
Doha process to urgently
renew efforts to get the
Manila Media Monitor
Tetangco said the latest
revision came after the Jan-
uary to July BOP amounted
to $4.5 billion.
The BOP is the sum of
economic transactions of
an economy’s residents. It
is mainly composed of the
country’s current account
or the aggregate balance of
goods, services, and trans-
fers; and capital and finan-
cial accounts.
Central bank officials
have foreseen the current
talks going positively, em-
phasizing that agriculture
and industrial products are
the two priority areas.
“We insist that consen-
sus will only be possible on
the basis of an ambitious,
balanced result that delivers
real and substantial market
access improvements for
agricultural and industrial
goods and for services and
real and substantial reduc-
tions in trade-distorting
agricultural subsidies,” the
statement said.
It added: “This would
deliver new trade flows for
the benefit of all, including
developing economies.”
The leaders expressed
optimism that the “remain-
account to reach $6.3 billion
this year, up from an earlier
projection of $6 billion.
Remittances are eyed to
hit $14.7 billion, from last
year’s $12.9 billion.
Portfolio investments
are also seen to go up to
$3.7 billion from an earlier
forecast of $ 3.2 billion.
Projection for the coun-
try’s gross international re-
serves was raised to $30 bil-
lion from $26.6 billion.
Projections for foreign
ing differences can be suc-
cessfully bridged” as real
progress has been made in
on-going talks in Geneva
on agricultural and non-ag-
ricultural market access.
They looked forward to
a finalized Doha Round pact
by the end of the year.
The WTO Doha Devel-
opment Round, launched in
the Qatari capital in 2001,
was aimed at cutting subsi-
dies and import duties pri-
marily to help developing
nations take advantage of
expanding global trade.
But the talks foundered
when WTO members took
issue over the extent of new
cuts in barriers to trade in
agriculture, industrial goods
MONEY
direct investments and ex-
ports were revised down-
wards, the former seen to
reach $1.08 billion from
$1.5 billion while exports
by eight percent from an
earlier 11 percent forecast.
“We’re also looking at
a lower import growth of
seven percent from 10 per-
cent,” Tetangco said.
The lower trade figures
were due a slowdown in the
US economy, the country’s
biggest export market.
and services amid cross-cut-
ting disagreements between
rich and poor countries over
concessions, like subsidies,
they needed to make.
The leaders also en-
dorsed an APEC ministers
report on ways to promote
further economic integra-
tion in the Asia-Pacific.
They agreed to push
the removal of barriers to
trade and investments and
regional trading arrange-
ments, improve economic
efficiency and the regional
business environment in-
cluding capital markets;
and facilitate integration in
such sectors as transporta-
tion, telecommunications,
mining and energy. PNA
31
ease OFW forex woes
Philippine Vice President Manu-
el Leuterio ‘Noli’ De Castro, Jr. has
promised overseas Filipino workers
(OFW) groups that he would look
into the latter’s twin proposals that
would help OFWs survive the lashing
effects of an appreciating peso versus
the US dollar and other currencies.
In a press release, the Office of the
Vice President in Manila said De Cas- DE CASTRO
tro also vowed to endorse to President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the proposals seeking for a ‘spe-
cial exchange rate’ for OFWs.
The twin proposals called:
► For the government to put up a stabilization fund to
address exchange rate fluctuation; and
► For the OFW group to enter into a collective Forward
Contract or Currency Options with financial institutions.
On Sept. 3, officers of the Center for Migrants Advo-
cacy and the V-Team–Advocacy and Community Service
handed over to De Castro a letter-proposal addressed to
President Arroyo seeking for a fixed 10 percent premium
above the exchange rate prevailing in the market or a flat
rate of P50 to US$1 to be given to legitimate OFWs.
Attached to the letter-proposal were some 15,000 sig-
natures from OFWs around the world, signifying support.
Group senior action officer, Ronnie Abeto said the
OFW group would cooperate with the technical committee
to study the proposals.
De Castro said the viability of the proposal with finan-
cial institutions would depend on the transaction volume
and the OFWs’ ability to organize themselves.
The Vice President, also presidential adviser on OFWs,
had been pushing for plans to alleviate the plight of OFWs
by urging the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to lower bank
charges on OFW remittances.
He said the government should reciprocate OFWs sac-
rifices with more incentives and protection.
32 CYBERSPACE
Facebook Anonymous?
by LENNART LEIGH ALVAREZ-MAHONEY
In the morning, the first thing
to do besides the obvious is drink
a cup of coffee.
In the evening, before going to
bed, there is only one thing on our
minds, and it definitely is not be-
ing infront of a computer.
After lunch break, we usually
take a nap, or attend to the work
that we have been neglecting.
But these days there is a thing
that we are so anxious to do. And
it’s not attending to the work that
has to be done or running to the
coffee maker.
It’s surprise .. surprise …
checking our messages on our,
and I say “our” facebook.
E-gadgets and society
Facebook, for those who have
never heard of it, is the website
www.facebook.com, where we
can post blogs such as current
status and where we can vent our
thoughts, share our emotions,
share what we are doing, upload
photos, send and receive mes-
sages from persons in our contact
list who are also subscribed to
the site, send and receive e-gifts,
join e-groups, send out invitations
to events, have fun with various
applications, etc. etc. etc., and I
mean etc. etc. because there is so
much more to do in the website.
While users enjoy their leisure
time sharing a little bit of them-
selves to others, we all know that
we are in fact just wasting our
time.
We know that there are more
productive things waiting for our
attention.
As if it wasn’t bad enough that
we have drivers endlessly chatting
on their cell phone while they are
trying to beat the afternoon rush
hour (“Scary, I know”), or we
have subway riders who commute
to and from work whose previous
hobby was the simple art of read-
ing a book or current events, now
turned into zombies fiddling with
their cell
phones,
black
b e r r y,
i-pods,
talking
on msn
m e s -
senger
while us-
ing their
laptop;
or what-
ever cool
electronic gadget they have.
Now, we have zombies walk-
ing around constantly updating
their status on their facebook
profile, while risking their jobs,
safety, and overall well-being just
to network.
Is this the kind of society that
we’ve really turned into?
Getting hooked
I can’t say that I can really
blame these people for getting
hooked, and facebook does get
people hooked to it.
Everything started after months
of receiving various e-mails from
friends and acquaintances about
joining facebook.
Unaware of what facebook was
really all about, a friend thought it
was just another hifive, a similar
website with different features (I
also did believe the facebook idea
was an improvement of such site),
or something like ICQ.
N o t
knowing
what she
was walk-
ing into, she
basically
signed her
name on,
mostly out
of curiosity
and within
a matter of
two min-
utes, no kid-
ding, she already had two people
signed onto her friends’ list, and
the rest is history from thereon.
Picture this scenario and let
me know if this sounds familiar.
Try not being able to log into
facebook for a while, and see if
nothing is more frustrating than
trying to log onto an internet site
that continues to say “server not
found.”
Manila Media Monitor
“Ugggh!” you’ll probably end
up clenching your own fist, try
technical support, and if they can’t
help you immediately, and you get
a little too upset, you know you’re
addicted.
Facebook craze?
With three million Toronto-
nians out of 4.5 million signed
up for membership; what makes
facebook a phenomenon?
There are many reasons why.
For most people, facebook
gives them instant gratification,
depending if those on one’s face-
book contact list are major users
too. Receiving messages on an
ongoing basis especially if one
is generally very social or just
in need of some social activity,
makes people feel important.
This ties into “networking,”
the professionals’ major advice on
how to start off on the right foot
for your career. One can continue
to advertise that he or she is on a
lookout for a job, post a resume,
and chat with others who may
know of job openings.
Other reasons include con-
venience. It is rather convenient
especially when most people do
have internet access at home and/
or at work. Facebook offers an in-
stant form of communication.
At times, it is easier to use
facebook than to phone someone,
in a sense, when one doesn’t have
to muster up the courage to say
what he or she has to say.
Through it, a person can leave
out certain emotions that he or she
wants guarded (much like elec-
tronic mail). A person can also
avoid small talk and get right to
SEPTEMBER 2007
the point.
Illusion
Since we are human, we are
social creatures and facebook
gives us the illusion of a social
life.
But we have to be careful, be-
cause some things do get too per-
sonal.
Hurt feelings occur, people
sometimes feel left out especially
if they don’t get the response that
they had hoped for.
Looking at it from a big pic-
ture, facebook should only be a
tool of entertainment.
However, to many, facebook
has become so much more, an
on-line community at your conve-
nience.
An advice: Just watch out, be-
cause you may be the next victim!
So the next time you’re logged on
to or if you have children and you
see them getting hooked, put a cap
on it!
Need I say more?
SEPTEMBER 2007
Canadian teams rule in NABA caging
MISSISSAUGA
Bragging rights belonged to
-
Canada after three Canadian
cities notched seven of nine
division championships in
the North American Basket-
ball Association (NABA)
2007 Labor Day Madness
basketball tournament here
on Sept. 1 and 2.
Toronto led the trium-
phant pack, bagging the
gold in the Peewee, Bantam,
Ladies and Open divisions.
It placed second in the Ju-
venile and Girls divisions.
Scarborough reigned in
the Tykes and Junior divi-
sions while Vaughan cap-
tured the Seniors division.
Three other Canadian
cities saw action in the fi-
nals: rookie Newmarket,
North York and Durham
that placed second in the
Tykes, Bantam and Peewee
divisions, respectively.
The US cities of Glen-
dale Heights and Staten
Island prevented a Cana-
dian sweep by topping the
Juvenile and Girls division
golds, respectively.
Detroit placed runner-
up in the Ladies, Open and
Seniors divisions; while
Staten Island came second
in the Junior division.
New York Bantam as-
Manila Media Monitor
By REY CAROLINO
Durham opens tourney with twin victories
PAULINA ANNA MARIA
CHAN, Durham’s Muse,
is crowned Miss NABA
2007. Civic leader Dr.
Solon de Guzman an-
nounced her victory.
sistant coach Robby Pen-
alosa had only praises for
the near Canadian sweep
in this year’s NABA cag-
ing edition: ““In a country
(Canada) where hockey is a
dominant sport, basketball
has become a serious way
of life for Filipino-Canadi-
ans and they are very well
trained. I realize now how
the older Canadian teams
fare so well against New
York and other American cit-
ies. The referees LET YOU
PLAY. The fouls called in
SPORTS 33
The CKATT Toronto Peewee team, after rising from
the cellars, claims top spot following an impres-
sive bashing of Durham 61-36 in the finals at the
Huron Park Community Centre in Mississauga.
Manila Media Monitor publisher and Front Page
Philippines TV producer ACE ALVAREZ (left) and
NABA Deputy Commissioner FRANK PENDON
(right) award Durham the Best Uniform honors.
Canada are much different open the tournament. FINALS ACTION IN THE JUNIOR DIVISION
from how they are called in Toronto Police Commu-
the United States and I think nity Mobilization Unit head NABA 2007 tourna- the 2007 NABA tournament
that’s very good training for Constable Philip Mendoza ment was managed and co- in stages: from planning,
the younger ballers to play was guest speaker. ordinated by volunteer in- preparation, execution and
hard and play against tough A total of 84 teams from dividuals from Dolce - led to its successful conclusion,
defense.” 17 cities in Canada and the by deputy commissioner I can truly say that it was
NABA’s 20th Intercity US joined this year. for Canada, Frank Pendon, achieved with such a hefty
tournament opened with In the closing ceremo- and Toronto City Director, price: the tremendous man-
a blast at the Delta Mead- nies, NABA Deputy Com- Miste Cruz - and CKATT power and leadership from
owvale Resort and Con- missioner Dr. Paul Albano, Basketball with the help of all of you, our hard-work-
ference Center here, with Jr., announced Detroit the Warriors and Brampton ing volunteers. Without
thousands of Filipino hoop- would host the 2008 NABA Rebels organizations. you, this event would not
sters and fans saw NABA tournament. The 2009 CKATT President Ron- have been a success. Thank
Commissioner Ron Damas- games would return to Can- ald Baello said: “Having you for being part of NABA
co welcome the teams and ada, Scarborough hosting. witnessed the progress of 2007.”
34 ENTERTAINMENT
Take a bow, PIDC
(From page 4)
FIESTA FILIPINA DANCE TROUPE (Filipinos.ca)
in the day, the veteran Fi-
esta Filipina Dance Troupe
opened its segment with the
dance of the Igorot, thus,
completing the south-north
breadth of the country.
Being partial to jazz and
Broadway, I much appreci-
ated the duets of Lilac Cana
and Emil Zarris. Maricel
Perez’ opening number with
the QP8 Band was a segue
of sorts to Ms. Louie Reyes’
inimitable style and voice.
Possessing elements of the
style Chakka Khan and
Aretha Franklin, Ms. Reyes
might as well be dubbed
the Philippines’ Queen of
Jazz, as she has not yet been
crowned with that title.
The QP8 Band got the
house dancing with their
funk and rock n’ roll. Why,
even Mila Garcia and fel-
low members of CASJ mo-
mentarily set aside the seri-
ous task of campaigning for
social justice to go with the
flow and dance to the mu-
sic. Jun Enverga and fellow
PIDC officers, obviously
in a celebratory mood, also
danced with the crowd un-
abashedly.
Morale among PIDC
members was very high that
night for they knew early on
THE PILLARS at Mabuhay Parade
that all their efforts paid off.
Even volunteers expressed
their elation over their in-
volvement in Mabuhay Fes-
tival.
This can be gleaned
from the email of Bernie
Sychangco, head of the
corps of volunteers, to PIDC
where he mentions the vol-
unteers’ desire to work again
at next year’s festival. Story
has it that the adrenaline
level of the erstwhile presi-
dent of the Ateneo Alumni
Association was so pumped
up during the festival that he
momentarily forgot his wife
was in labor.
I guess it was this same
sense of commitment and
fulfillment that made Ben
Ferrer, a senior, man the
gates for hours propped up
by a cane.
Perhaps these excerpts
from a letter of a first-time
Mabuhay participant best
exemplify the kind of com-
Manila Media Monitor SEPTEMBER 2007
Blast off for
munity support PIDC is
getting these days. And I
quote:
Fil-Can performers
“The Pillars feel spe-
cially pleased to have par-
ticipated because this is the
first year that we have been
involved with PIDC. In fact,
with too much excitement
and delight, we blasted our
energies and resources to
showcase the ‘Red, White
and Blue Pista Ng Pillars
float’ at the Mabuhay Parade.
Just the sight of the people
signalling thumbs up at us as
we danced on the float and
waived at the crowd made us
so happy, that’s for sure. We
really had so much fun and
we really enjoyed it. The
Mabuhay Parade showed
the widespread support for
the Philippines through the
many spectators, it showed
how valuable our unity and CHITO SARABIA ZENA ZAGALA
tradition is, it showed the
Filipino spirit at its finest, Toronto and Edmonton
and having said that, the pa- folksingers Chito Sarabia
rade is something wonder- and Amado Mamaril, re-
ful to look forward to every spectively, and Elvis trib-
year. Hats off to you Suzy ute artist Zena Zagala heat
Llanera! (Signed by Rheza up the stage as they wow
Evangelista, Secretary-PRO, their audience with their
The ‘Original’ Pillars)” own brand of music, guitar
For now the din of a antics and showmanship.
Filipino fiesta has ebbed, the Sarabia, Mamaril and Za-
banderitas stowed away. Jun gala were front acts in the
and Minda and everyone Making Waves Festival on
else in PIDC - just sit back Aug. 17. Sarabia also per-
and relax for a much-needed formed at the PIDC Mabu-
rest. But before you do, take hay Philippines! Toronto
a bow for a well-deserved summer festival on Aug.
applause from the commu- 18. (Photos by Chuchi
nity. AMADO MAMARIL Punsalan)
SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor Arts & Entertainment 35
Camille is 4 months preggy Pinoy Judy Ann:
Mommy Alma Prats
is excited, and for a good
reason. Her daughter Ca- SHOW Musika ng
BUZZ
mille, former child star who
gained fame for her role in
the television series Sarah,
Buhay Ko
Ang Munting Prinsesa, is
four months pregnant and is
carrying her grandchild, ac-
cording to Philippine Enter-
tainment Portal (PEP).
Mommy Alma told PEP
that Camille, 22, who is
Wendy Valdez
carrying the child of non-
a.k.a. Wen-
showbiz boyfriend Anthony,
Wendy Valdez
would be staying in the fam- en an evicted
dz may have be
ily home in Los Angeles, ABS-CBN’s
housemate in
CA where she planned to
rother Season Singer-actress Judy ann
give birth. Camille will also Pinoy Big B
-year old lass Santos is set to wax for Star
pursue further studies in the 2. But this 24
82 in Manila) Records another album, her
US. Anthony Linsagan, Ca- (born June 2, 19
ntion to be a
third, titled Judy Ann: Musi-
mille’s kababata and long- has every inte ka ng Buhay Ko, which fea-
way. Makulit,
time family friend, would
star in her own tures her favorite songs..
soon join Camille. CAMILLE PRATS in, madaldal
masayahin, iyak endz is a According to Philip-
e, W
Pacman signs boob tube deal at hindi maart pine Entertainment Portal,
queen who has Judy Ann gets to sing a Both
former beauty
Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is the commercials Sides Now duet with Filipino
done a couple of
newest GMA TV Network Kapuso star, ly modeled for Megastar Sharon Cuneta.
and has recent
showbiz talk show Startalk reported on ines magazine. Acclaimed singers Gary
Maxim Philipp
ily’s breadwin-
Sept. 8. Pacquiao signed an exclusive Valenciano, Martin Nievera,
contract with GMA ranking officials Fe- She is her fam Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ogie Alca-
anything she
lipe Gozon and Gilberto Duavit Jr. ner and will do sid and Regine Velasquez
lp her family
“Kapuso na ako, masaya na ako has to do to he will also grace the album.
Margarita, an
at kasama na ako sa Kapuso at dito out. She stars in Martin will render Kahit
rye.
ABS-CBN telese
rin ipapalabas yung fight ko (against Isang Saglit; Zsa Zsa with
PACQUIAO Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera in The Way You Look Tonight;
a rematch at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Gary, Destiny; Ogie, the Ta-
Vegas) sa Oct. 6. Masayang masaya ako sa mainit na pag- galog version of Grow Old
tanggap sa akin ng Kapuso. Maraming-maraming salamat With You; and Regine, Ikaw
at sana matagal pa tayong magkasama” Pacquiao told Lamang, the theme song of
Startalk’s Joey de Leon and Butch Francisco. a teleserye starred by Judy
Ann and Piolo Pascual.
Jennica G.: Okey na sa Judy Ann will do the solo
akin ‘yung artista ako for Ikaw Lang made popular
by Chad Borja; Thank You
Jennica Garcia, daughter of ac- and the theme song of Ysa-
tress Jean Garcia, does not dream of bella originally sang by Aiza
becoming a beauty queen, much more Seguerra.
do sexy scenes on the big screen. Judy Ann had released
“Okey na sa akin `yung artista two albums in the past: Judy
ako. At gusto ko pong tapusin ang Ann Santos in 1999 and
pag-aaral ko,” she said during the Bida Ng Buhay Ko in 2001.
presscon of Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig. in Both albums gained plati-
which she stars with Mart Escudero. num awards.
“Hindi ko kayang maglakad Meanwhile, Judy Ann
na naka-bathing suit sa harap ng and boyfriend Ryan Agon-
maraming tao. Mas gusto ko ang cillo will leave for the US
maging pulis,” the shy Jennica on Oct. 3 for the 2nd Love
quipped, adding she liked to play Speak US Tour, then proceed
the role of an officer. JENNICA GARCIA to Spain for a film shoot.

Virna Lisa on Magkaisa By BEN CAL

she was spotted by Tito Sot-
to who was fascinated by her
sweet voice. “My discovery
“That’s one of the rea-
sons why I did not stay
in the business because I
VIRGINIA, U.S.A. and chose to become a so- Snowden Mananzan, a Fili- egant residence of Ms. Em- by Sotto was by chance.” didn’t understand it well,”
-The song, not the singer. cial worker where her heart pino banker who is the vice ily Dearing, a Filipino nurse Without much ado, Sotto she quips.
This fits Ms. Virna Lisa, belonged. president of United Com- living in Virginia. asked her to sing a newly- “I don’t think I will do
the Filipino-American By all probability, not mercial Bank in New York. The interview was ar- composed song entitled well in it, and you know,
singer who popularized the too many Filipinos - young They got married in Califor- ranged by Jun Pedery, a for- Magkaisa, composed by maybe, my heart is in the
song Magkaisa (Be One) and old - could make an in- nia in 1990 and have three mer US Navy serviceman Sotto, Ernie dela Pena and social work that is why I
during the 1986 EDSA stant recall of Virna Lisa, children, Jaco, 15; Toby, 13; and retired employee of Boe- Homer Flores. stay in the social work,”
people-power revolt. the name of the then 20-year and only girl Frankie, 8. ing Corporation, the world’s Sotto then invited Virna Virna Lisa adds.
Many do not know that old, 21 years after she sang Virna Lisa finished her largest aircraft maker based Lisa to sing in the daily noon Had she pursued a
Virna Lisa Loberiza is an Magkaisa. The song became studies in the Philippines at in Washington, DC. show Eat Bulaga, where she singing career, would she
American citizen although a gold record. St. Paul’s College, Adam- Now, 41, but still pos- sang on television for the attain fame in the likes of
her parents are both Fili- Many would ask: where son University and later at sesses that stunning Filipino first time. When asked to Lea Salonga and other top
pinos. Virna acquired her is that singer Virna Lisa? the University of Sto. Tomas beauty, Virna Lisa recalls sing Magkaisa, she was only Filipino singers?
U.S. citizenship, having Well, she works as con- where she took up architec- how her singing talent was given a few hours to practice Lisa humbly says: “I
been born in New York. sultant for social security for ture but never graduated, as discovered by actor-comedi- the song. don’t know but maybe
Her song Magkaisa the Commonwealth of Vir- she was a Green Card holder. an-composer Tito Sotto after A few hours later, “I God has other plans for
has captivated millions ginia in the United States, Lisa’s father, Joey Lober- the historic people-power found myself inside the stu- me.”
of freedom-loving Filipi- caring for the disabled. iza, was formerly connected uprising that toppled the 20- dio for the formal recording. In 1994, Lisa was in-
nos in the Philippines and She says she loves her with Toyota Tamaraw, and year Marcos regime. I did not sign any contract. I vited by then President
abroad, a condition that work, being a social worker her mother is the former “Everything happened just sang,” Lisa adds, noting Fidel V. Ramos to sing
could have catapulted her the past 12 years. “I’ve al- movie actress Aura Aurea. so fast,” Liza says. that she did not get paid for during the 8th anniver-
to stardom. ways been a social worker The Philippines News She was singing Bridges singing and recording Mag- sary celebration of EDSA
But she prefered to ever since,” she adds. Agency had an exclusive in- during an event in Adamson kaisa, though it earned lots People-Power where she
remain in the background She is married to terview with Virna at the el- University in Manila when of money. again sang Magkaisa.
36 TRIVIA Manila Media Monitor SEPTEMBER 2007

Philippine World Records

Reg. # 4533253

(From Good News Pilipinas! PART 1)

The Philippines may be just a dot in the global map. But it has continued to awe
919 Ellesmere Road the world with what its people could do and what its resources could provide. Take a
Suite 107, Scarborough good read at the following:
Ontario M1P 2W7
The Leaf Musician: Filipino National Artist Levi Celerio be-
came globally famous for his distinct talent. The Guinness Book of
World Records recognized Celerio as the only man who could play
beautiful music with a leaf. Celerio appeared in That’s Incredible
and the Mel Griffin Show where he did his leaf tunes. A composer
and lyricist, Celerio wrote more than 4,000 songs.
World’s Largest Golf Event: The Guinness Book of World Re-
cords cited the annual amateur golf tournament in Baguio City as the largest in the world.
Since 1949, the 72-hole Fil-Am Golf Championship has attracted close to 1,000 amateur
golfers from all over the Philippines. The sites of the prestigious event included the chal-
lenging par-69, 5,001-yard Camp John Hay golf course and the par-61, 4,038-yard Baguio
Country Club.
World’s Largest Shoes: In Dec. 2002, the Guin-
ness Book of World Records recognized Marikina City
MANILA - TORONTO - USA - EUROPE for crafting the world’s largest pair of shoes - each
OR ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD measuring 18.2 feet long, 7.4 feet wide and six feet
high. The materials used for the P1.2 million pair of
shoes could produce 250 pairs of regular shoes.
World’s Largest Synchronized Aerobics Ex-
ercises: On Feb. 16, 2003, some 107,000 Filipinos
joined a 30-minute aerobics exercise supervised by
the Department of Health at Rizal Park in Manila, which could be the largest synchronized
exercise in the world. Thousands of people also gathered at different venues in Cebu City
and Davao City to participate in the exercise simultaneous with the Manila event. The new
record broke the previous Guinness Book of World Records set at a park in Guadalajara,
Mexico by some 38,633 people who joined the massive aero-
“Super baba bics exercises in June 1998.
and halaga ... World’s Largest Lantern: On Dec. 24, 2002, officials
in San Fernando City in Pampanga switched on the world’s
Super below largest Christmas lantern - a P5-million structure 26.8 meters
fare talaga.” in diameter.
World’s Fastest Reader: As a student at the Northwest-
“Handang Maglingkod Sa Ating Kababayan” ern University in Chicago, Illinois, Maria Teresa Calderon
became the world’s fastest reader. She set the record of hav-
Tel (416) 751-9588 Fax (416) 751-9133 ing read 80,000 words per hour.
(To be continued next issue)

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SEPTEMBER 2007
Patac-PNJP concert on Sept. 22
Local singers and tal-
ents will take centerstage
in a concert dubbed An Eve-
ning of Peace and Music
at the OPSEU Union Hall,
downtown Toronto on Sept.
22 at 6 p.m.
Patac officer Joyce Cor-
puz says a photo exhibit and
video presentation preced-
ing the concert will focus
Manila Media Monitor
on the martial law years
in the Philippines, starting
with the declaration of mili-
tary rule in the land on Sept.
21, 1972.
Corpuz adds that the
mini-concert will support
the work of the Philippine
Advocacy Through Arts
– Canada (Patac) and the
Philippine Network for Jus-
Entertainment 37
tice and Peace (PNJP).
Patac was formed in
May this year by a group of
artists and concerned citi-
zens who share a common
interest in promoting and
advancing the rights, wel-
fare and well-being of Fili-
pinos and people of Filipi-
no-descent through the use
of various art media. PR

Josie de
Leon in
CPO’s
Fil Day
show
Guest singer
Josie de Leon
belts out a tune
for a fan during
Culture Philip-
pines Ontario’s
Filipino Day in
Wonderland on
Sept. 1.

The band @ the PPCO gathering

Former Manila’s Business Day writer turned Toronto singer-concert artist

Manny Bade (center) croons with members of the band Dolping and Leto
Tigley contracted to provide music during the Philippine Press Club-Ontario
gathering at the Tigley residence on Sept. 8. Photo: LARRY TORRES

Ethnic celebrations promote understanding

(From page 9)
Dorfman emphasizes that
he was motivated not so
much out of a desire for re-
venge as to see Chile stand
up for human rights.
The film also reminds us
of the roles Richard Nixon,
Henry Kissinger and the
CIA played in labeling Al-
lende a communist to the
encouragement of the back-
ers of Pinochet and his sub-
sequent regime of mass ex-
ecutions and unaccountable
disappearances.
A Promise to the Dead is
a moving addition to films
on the championship of hu-
man values against the sup-
port of bloody dictatorships.
(Used with permis-
sion. Ben Viccari is the
President of the Canadian
Ethnic Media Associa-
tion [CEMA] and makes
frequent appearances on
OMNI TV Commentary.
Some of his commentar-
ies are republished in this
publication and slightly ex-
panded in some cases from
their 70-second broadcast
originals. For more of his
work, please visit Ben’s
website at: http://canscene.
ripple.ca)

MORE EXPOSURE, LESSER COSTS

for your advertising?
GRAB THE DEAL, CALL 416-285-8583
Simply Manila Media Monitor: Where your AD stands out!

See your ads online @

manilamediamonitor.com
38 Arts & Entertainment
Himig ng Pasko choral competitions set
Russell International,
in cooperation with Front
Page Philippines and Ma-
nila Media Monitor, is set
to stage the first-ever cho-
reographed choral competi-
tions of Christmas airs.
The competitions will
be conducted at the Stephen
Leacock Hall on the first
week of December.
Himig ng Pasko com-
peting choirs - of 15 to 25
members excluding the
conductor and piano ac-
companist - shall represent
a school, a congregation, or
an association and have not
performed as a professional
group.
A participating choir
shall be registered with the
Himig ng Pasko organizing
group by its representation
head -- either the princi-
pal or music teacher (for
schools); a priest, pastor,
minister, etc. (for congrega-
tions); or the president (for
associations).
Each competing choir
shall pay a registration fee
of $100. Deadline for regis-
tration is on Oct. 30.
The choir may either
be all male, all female or a
mix.
There shall be no age
limit and a multi-cultural
variation in the membership
of a choir is most welcome.
Under competition
rules, participating choirs
will sing, in at least four
voices, two Christmas tunes
while simultaneously ren-
dering aesthetic meaning to
their vocal performance in
choreographed fashion.
The first rendition, a
popular Christmas carol of
the choir’s choice, will be
with piano accompaniment.
The second rendition,
Manila Media Monitor
the contest piece, is a med-
ley of Filipino Christmas
songs Noche Buena and
Pasko Na Naman to be sung
a capella.
Both renditions must
be performed within eight
minutes.
The performance shall
be clocked and overtime
shall be penalized with a
three-point deduction in the
overall performance rating
(OPR).
Both performances will
each be judged according
to:
► Vocal arrangement
and quality - 50 percent;
► Choreography - 25
percent;
► Costume - 15 per-
cent; and
► Stage presence - 10
percent.
In the OPR, the first
Probing Cheche Lazaro
(From page 8)
role of a typical homemak-
er, keeping house tidy, rais-
ing kids and attending PTA
meetings.
It was a far cry from
her frenetic juvenile years
growing up at San Lorenzo
Village where she was the
community whirlwind, al-
ready impatient and full of
high expectations.
As a child, she pro-
duced backyard shows. She
particularly recalls herding
her biking group into the
garage, donning costumes
stitched by the maids and
presenting, for 20 centa-
vos per reluctant or willing
entrant, Snow White and
the Seven Dwarves in their
makeshift theater.
Those were light years
from halcyon days at the UP
College of Arts and Scienc-
es, where she ran and won
as councilor on the strength
of her uncompromising
stand on principles which
many people mistook as be-
ing unyielding.
A long shot even from
her postgraduate days at
the University of Michigan
where she took up Radio
and Television, an exposure
she put to good use when
in 1972, with martial law
reigning in the motherland
song carries 30 percent; and
the contest piece, 70 per-
cent. The OPR reached by
the panel of judges shall be
final.
Musical and vocal ar-
rangement, choreography
and costumes shall be borne
by the chorale representa-
tion and contestants.
Two copies of the mu-
sical and vocal arrange-
ments of both songs shall
be submitted to the Himig
ng Pasko organizing group
at least three weeks before
the competitions.
Prizes that await win-
ners include:
First prize, $1,000 ($500
for the representation, $500
for the choir); second prize,
$600 ($300 for the represen-
tation, $300 for the choir);
and third prize, $400 ($200
for the representation, $200
and jobs difficult to come
by, she managed to land a
teaching post at UP.
Lazaro firmly believed
that “anyone who taught but
didn’t practice the precepts
is not worth her salt; it is
like a doctor who has never
used a scalpel on anyone but
teaches how to operate.”
Not content at mere
classroom work therefore,
Lazaro resolutely wrestled
even modest jobs in broad-
casting where she ascended
from wings to behind cam-
era work, ultimately becom-
ing one of the most revered
TV personalities.
On the side, she was
fashioning her UP class-
room into laboratory stu-
dios, transforming students
into ardent broadcasters.
She was eventually ap-
pointed chair of the Depart-
ment of Broadcast.
Lazaro, the college pro-
fessor and fledgling TV
personality, found out to her
delight that at forty, when
her peers’ careers were be-
ginning to decline, hers was
actually revving up.
The following decade
and a half, as they say, is
now broadcast history.
Still driven but less im-
patient, the former Baya-
SEPTEMBER 2007
for the choir).
Winners will also re-
ceive trophies, and all com-
peting choirs will be award-
ed plaques.
The choreographed
choral competitions will be
featured in the Kapaskuhan
episodes of Front Page
Philippines over OMNI 2
TV, Channel 69-Toronto
(Cable 14 in Toronto) on
Dec. 23 and 30.
Participating chorales
will likewise be profiled in
the Manila Media Monitor
prior to the event.
For registration and in-
quiries, get in touch with
RUSSELL INTERNA-
TIONAL, 98 Comrie Ter-
race, Scarborough, ON
M1M 3T2, Tel. No.: 416-
285-8583, Fax No.: 416-
285-6862, E-mail: russell.
international@rogers.com.
Cheche Laz-
aro (left) of the
Probe Team TV
show, interview-
ing Diana Limjo-
co regarding the
photos she owns
of the jewels of
Imelda Marcos.
Photo at djl.net.
nihan dance enthusiast,
regards these dream inter-
views of people in the past
as her “unfulfilled frustra-
tions”, because she will not
be able to realize them even
in eight lifetimes.
She fantasizes inter-
viewing Adolf Hitler to
find out how he convinced
people about the superior-
ity of the Aryans; Mahatma
Gandhi to find out how a
self-effacing man was able
to influence the world about
achieving peace and Helen
Keller, to personally probe
how she became one of the
most eloquent people in his-
tory despite her disability.
Today, in her fifties,
Lazaro muses: “In my ear-
lier days, I was very deter-
mined and anxious that I do
not lose my value system.
Thankfully, those qualities
remain, in a mellow kind
of way. Not anymore do or
die, now I see things with a
wider perspective. I still be-
lieve in equity and integrity.
But somehow, I have begun
to understand the pull and
push of things.”
Cheche Lazaro, the
broadcaster’s broadcaster,
has achieved so much more
than what she bargained for
nineteen years ago.
SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor 39
40 SEPTEMBER 2007 Manila Media Monitor

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