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Across the Map: Arts and Migration
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JUNE 2018 • Volume 11, Number 6
AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
COPAA celebrates 120th Philippine Independence Day
Alberta celebrates first Philippine Heritage Month
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Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sarah Hoffman joined by colleagues and Filipino community leaders to celebrate Alberta’s first ever provincewide leadership summit.
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COPAA president Jun Angeles welcomes members and guests during the Congress of Philippine Associations (COPAA) in Alberta-organized 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration, June 2, 2018 at the Four Points Sheraton in Edmonton.
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BUSINESS
JUNE 2018
COMMUNITY | BUSINESS
JUNE 2018
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COPAA president, QSC co-founder praise Kababayans’ work on Heritage Month declaration in Alberta Province By Moses Billacura
Photo by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal
COPAA president Jun Angeles and Quality Sleep Care Group of Companies co-founder Kris Salumbides jointly lauded the efforts of the Filipino community for the work they did that led to the declaration of June as “Philippine Heritage Month” in Alberta Province. “It is through their initiative that we now have Philippine Heritage
Month in Alberta,” said Angeles, who for years has been establishing Filipino organizations and handing it over to young leaders to continue their volunteer work for the community. Salumbides said that proclamation is historical for Filipino-Albertans who have contributed to the development of the province for generations.
Salumbides used to work for Alberta Health Services and decided to go into business with his partners by establishing Quality Sleep Care and Alberta Medical Supplies in 2015, which started with just three employees and now employs around 50 Albertans at their Edmonton and Calgary branches. In 2017, Salumbides and his partners established the first Filipino medical clinic, Medicus Family Health Clinic and Pharmacy in Edmonton. Filipino organizations petitioned the Alberta government in February to recognize June as “Heritage Month” for Filipinos and after undergoing the usual process, Premier Rachel Notley and Lt. Governor Lois Mitchell signed the proclamation which was announced by their representatives at Filipino events in Edmonton and Calgary to the cheers of FilipinoAlbertans. “Alberta is the proud home to the second-largest Filipino population in the country. For decades, Filipinos have enriched our province with their culture, their languages and their skills. I wish all people of Filipino descent a joyous Philippine Heritage Month, and I hope all Albertans share
in the festivities,” said Premier Rachel Notley in a statement. Statistics Canada stated that Alberta is home to 175,130 Filipinos with Calgary as home to the fourth
largest Pinoy community in Canada and Edmonton has a growing population of 64,275. Tagalog is the second-most spoken non-official language in the province.
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COMMUNITY | BUSINESS
JUNE 2018
Alberta celebrates first Philippine Heritage Month Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sarah Hoffman proclaimed June as Philippine Heritage Month in Alberta.
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he Government of Alberta is proud to recognize and celebrate the tremendous contributions of generations of Filipinos to the province’s faith, civic and cultural communities by designating June of each year as Philippine Heritage Month in Alberta.
Filipinos run hundreds of groups, societies and organizations that reach out to Albertans of all ages and backgrounds. Many are guided by values like bayanihan (being a hero to others) and malasakit (empathy and solidarity).
“Alberta is the proud home to the second-largest Filipino population in the country. For decades, Filipinos have enriched our province with their culture, their languages and their skills. I wish all people of Filipino descent a joyous Philippine Heritage Month, and I hope all Albertans share in the festivities.” - Rachel Notley, Premier
Quick facts According to Statistics Canada, Alberta is home to 175,130 Filipinos, making up 4.3 per cent of its population. Calgary is home to the fourth largest Filipino community in Canada, and Edmonton has a growing population of 64,275 Filipinos. Tagalog is the second-most spoken nonofficial language in Alberta. The first recorded Filipino immigrants arrived in Canada in 1931. Early immigrants included nurses, teachers, doctors and other professionals. Filipinos in Alberta and around the world will celebrate the 120th Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2018.
“Filipinos make this province a brighter, caring and more vibrant place. We’re lucky that so many call Alberta home. Alberta’s economy, public services like health care, and communities are all made stronger thanks to their hard work, talent and enduring spirit of volunteerism and generosity.” - Sarah Hoffman, Deputy Premier, Minister of Health
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EDUCATION
JUNE 2018
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
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How Your Bachelor’s Degree Earned in the Philippines Affects Your Application for APEGA Professional License? FROM DREAM INTO BEAM
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MERVIN MENDOZA CERENO mmcereno@gmail.com
Mervin Cereno is a Filipino Engineer, Academician and Entrepreneur who choose to migrate in Canada. He got his Provisional License* as Professional Engineer from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientist of Alberta (APEGA) only after 8 months from the time he landed to Canada in March 2016. Presently, he is pursuing Master’s Degree at the University of Alberta. For pieces of advice and queries on licensing procedure in Alberta you can contact him through email at cereno@ualberta.ca. *Provisional License are granted after satisfying all the requirements of the APEGA Board of Directors except the One Year Canadian Experience in the field of engineering.
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or the past several months of writing in the Alberta Filipino Journal, I already communicated to some Filipino Engineers who have landed in Alberta and some are planning to land in Alberta. They sent me questions and some personal experiences they encounter during their journey towards the licensing process to APEGA. The most common issues they hurdle are the crediting of their Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering earned back home. Take note that the total number of years of study from Grade 1 up to their earned their Engineering degree is 15 years. That is before the implementation of the K-12 programs in the Philippines. APEGA uses the World Education Services (WES) – a third party
educational credential evaluation provider base in Toronto, Canada to initially evaluate the educational credential of the APEGA applicant and make further recommendation of the credential equivalency of the education gained in the Philippines based from the applicant’s submitted document to WES. Several Filipino Engineers who graduated from different University and Institution have already contacted me in the past and share their experiences with the result of their WES Evaluation. These Filipino Engineers who graduated with the same degree, the same number of years of study and the same approved curriculum of the Commission of Higher Education of the Philippines has arrived at
different Equivalency in Canada. WES make recommendation to APEGA whether the study completed by the applicant in the Philippines is an Engineering Degree which is
equivalent to Engineering Degree in Canada. If the applicant resulted to a “Bachelor Degree of Equivalent to 4 years”, he/she can proceed further to the application process. But, if the
equivalency resulted to “Completion of Community College Diploma” – the applicant need to take further study (of at least one year) or take continued on page 27 ►
RELIGION | ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL STAFF
Nature Perishes: Grace Is Eternal. Luke 4:40, 42 KJV
From a Vantage Point
OUR TEXT 40 "Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them." 42 "And when it was day, He departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought Him, and came unto Him, and stayed Him, that He should not depart from them." Now when the sun was setting,-When the sun set another sun arose. The eventide of nature brought the morning of restoration. Come to the Lord Jesus Christ when you can--early in the day, or in the shades of evening--He is
TITO S.VENIDA
Tito S. Venida is a product of the University of the Philippines. He used to be a studentleader during his college days. Became one of the founders of the Tau Gamna Phi, one of the world leading Philippine-produced Fraternities. His immensurable love to human race has brought him to the conviction of translating his mission from fraternity into Divinity--from a mere brotherhood into a sainthood. Authored a book entitled Quocunque Jeceris Stabit, which means, wherever you throw, it will stand.
patiently waiting. In Luke 4:42 mark an attempt to localize the Lord Jesus Christ. This is often done even now. But He is not to be parochially or congregationally shut in. He is the light of every life. He must gather
Published by Angeles Publishing Company Inc. 246 Lindsay Crescent, Edmonton, Alberta T6R 2T2 Jose L. Angeles Publisher / Chief Operating Officer Sales & Advertising CP: 780-916-7677 Landline: 780-988-8889 Fax: 780-988-2221 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com Lito Mendoza Velasco Editor-in-Chief / Associate Publisher 780-655-5126 editor@albertafilipinojournal.com Melanie Rose Atizado Angeles Administrator / Office Manager Sales & Advertising 780-993-5503 mangeles@albertafilipinojournal.com Mark Destacamento Promotions, Sales & Advertising Lianne Angeles Proofreader Melanie C. Gomez Website / Graphic Designer Photographers/Videographer: Moses Billacura, Noli Granado, Dario Juanillo Columnists: Marjorie Carmona-Newman, Tito S. Venida Ida Beltran-Lucila, Katrina Marielle U. Cereno Kristian Cereno, Marco Luciano, Moses Billacura Mervin Mendoza Cereno, Nicky Gocuan Giselle General, Rosalyn Estoque, Perry Diaz Contributing Writers: Julia Isabel San Agustin, Januel Cedrick Ibasco Fr. Nilo Belvis Macapinlac, Riana Torrejon, Fr. Jhack Diaz, Mylene Samonte, Christine Cayabyab Angeli Sta. Maria Escano, Elaine Tan The Alberta Filipino Journal is dedicated in memory of Rosalinda Linsangan Natividad-Cantiveros of Winnipeg as she engaged her entire life servicing the Filipino Community. We welcome submissions-news, articles, pictures and letters. Letters must include signature and phone number; names can be withheld upon request. We reserve the right to edit for length and content. All submissions, unless arrangements are made, become the property of the publisher. Reproduction of contents, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission from the Publisher/Editor. Opinions by columnist, writers, and readers do not in any way reflect those of the Publisher/Editor.
His sheep from every hill and call His own from unexpected places. The Miracles of Healing at Capernaum These words form a very vivid contrast with what is recorded in the former part of this chapter. In Nazareth He did no mighty works. Could not, nor would not. It was not because the people there didn’t want help. It was as bad to be sick up there as it is in Capernaum. But it was because of their lack of belief. Then in wonderful contrast comes this story of Capernaum. That contrast we can still make. We may have this Nazareth, the Lord Jesus Christ in ourmidst with all His healing power, and yet our hearts unblessed; or it may be to us Capernaum, and Jesus moving amongst us, laying His hands on every one of us and making us whole. The Scene Here Pictured. The sun was setting; the mountains were lifting their heads tothe golden crimson, and the lake was bathed in the sunset hues. Across the rocky paths came wearied ones with withered limbs from the inland villages; blind men groping their way and asking piteously if they were right; deaf men trying to read the signs of His coming in everybody’s face; and, across the lake, boat-loads of sick ones, the glassy surface of the lake just broken by the ripple of the oar; and thus they came, until what a sight it was about the gate of the city! Follow theGreat Physician Through the Wards Of His Hospital. NOW, the whisper runs through the crowd, "He comes. He comes-those eyes of His all filled with compassion; and moving about amongst them," He laid His hands on every one of them." No poor woman was thrust away outside; no poor little child was forgotten. 1. Notice that the power of the Lord is a healing power--"not to condemn the world." 2. See how the Lord uses this power-with what gentleness. 3. Notice how the Lord deals with men in their individuality--"every one of them."
Look atThe Sick Ones. First, here is a heathen woman. There also stands a sturdy Roman soldier who has been maimed in some fight, and many more. In the Great Physician's hospital every case is peculiar. God’s Kingdom. There is another kingdom, the Kingdom of His grace, the kingdom in the hearts of men, called the kingdom of God in the Scriptures. Let's compare the Kingdom of God to the kingdoms of the world: I. This Kingdom ofGod Is One. The Kingdoms ofThe World Are Many. The Kingdom of God does not resemble any of these. It is a spiritual kingdom. II. The Kingdoms ofThis World Are Not Happy, The Kingdom of Grace Is. III. The Kingdoms ofThe World Are Maintained by Violent Force, The Throne ofGod’s Kingdom Is Established in The Affections Of Its Subjects. IV. The Kingdoms ofThe World Decay, The Kingdom of God Never Shall. Here are some Practical Questions: 1. Are we members of this kingdom? 2. If not, are we willing to become members? The Laying of Hands This rite is a symbol of any kind of transmission, whether of a gift or an office (Moses and Joshua, Deuteronomy 34:9), or of a blessing (the patriarchal blessings), or of a duty (the transfer to the Levites of the natural functions of the eldest son in every family), or of guilt (the guilty Israelite laying his hands on the head of the victim), or of the sound, vital strength enjoyed by the person who imparts it (cures). It is not certain that Jesus could not have worked a cure by His mere word, or even by a simple act of volition. But, in the first place, there is something profoundly human in this act of laying the hand on the head of any one whom one desires to benefit. It is a gesture of tenderness, a sign of beneficial communication such as the heart craves. Then this symbol might be morally necessary. Whenever the Lord Jesus Christ avails Himself of any material means to work a cure--whether it be the sound of His voice, or clay made of His spittle--His aim is to establish in the form best adapted to thatparticular case and forges a personal tie between the sick person and Himself. The Lord Jesus Christ desires not only to heal, but to affect a restoration to God, by creating in the consciousness of the sick a sense of union with Himself, the organ of Divine grace in the midst of mankind. This moral aim explains the variety of the means employed. Had they been curative means (of the nature of magnetic passes, for example) they could not have varied so much. But as they were addressed to the sick person’s soul, the Lord Jesus Christ chose them in such a
JUNE 2018
way that His action was adapted to its character or position. In the case of a deaf mute, He puts His fingers into his ears; He anointed the eyes of a blind man with His spittle, and many more. Thus, their healing appeared as an emanation from His person, and attached them to Him by an indissoluble tie. Their restored life was felt to be dependent on His. The Great Physician We have here a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Great Physician of soul and body, the Divine restorer of health to both body and mind. It is never to be forgotten how He thus met the sufferings of humanity and brought effective deliverance as none other ever could or ever will bring, to a world ever groaning and travailing in pain. And what He did then, He is doing still. We cannot now see His earthly form, nor do we look for miracles to be wrought upon us; but each of us has his own peculiar care or trouble and needs the Divine Physician to relieve his distress. 1. True, there is earthly relief, and it is our duty to make proper use of them; but they are all more or less temporary and fleeting. 2. True also, that if present relief is not to be had, we may still be buoyed by earthly hope. But alas! How often is this but "hope deferred," which "makes the heart sick"; and how often is the miserable and weary sufferer brought to such a state that the only earthly hope left him is the hope that he may soon be done with earth altogether, and his poor pained body be laid to rest in the grave! Oh, how vain are all earthly hopes, and how doomed to disappointment are those who trust in them. But, thank God! Our Christian principle is not so cold. We have more than this. A Present Help. We have learned that present, earthly, personal comfort is not such a grand object after all; that there are higher things, and better things, within our reach. What are these? Growing better, being sanctified, making this life not an end but a beginning and preparation for a higher and better life. Not only so, but we can go to Jesus as truly as could the friends at Capernaum and help to take our sufferers there. Nor have we far to go. He is always at hand, and always accessible. Moreover, He is unchangeable; not like earthly friends and comforts, but always the same; the truest help in any and every kind of suffering-whether of mind, body, or estate, as many a soul has proved, in sickness, poverty, anxiety, loneliness. A Future Hope. If, in spite of every aid, the burdens of life press heavily on us, we have more than the silence of the grave to look for. We know that while our body sleeps, our soul is with the Lord Jesus Christ in paradise, and that one day there will be a happy reunion. continued on page 10 ►
JUNE 2018
POINTS OF VIEW | SPORTS | JOB OPPORTUNITIES
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
A new Philippine future besides the Exodus? by Jeremaiah M. Opiniano
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VERY seventh of June, a Southeast Asian archipelago commemorates the "heroism" of compatriots who have been a visible reason for the steady growth of their motherland's economy. The celebration is National Migrant Workers Day, and the date's historicity is brought about by the passage of a law to protect the rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos and their families. That law, currently coded as Republic Act 10022 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, revised twice), spells out regulations for labour migration and lays out the bureaucratic structure —found at home and abroad— that ensures safe and orderly overseas migration. The original law, RA 8042, was a result of the execution of a domestic worker in Singapore, Ms. Flor Contemplacion, in March 1995. That episode created diplomatic tension between the two countries, as well as national shame for a country that then had no enabling law for migrant workers' protection. The said law helped the Philippines lay out a program on labour export that (explicitly) facilitates Filipino workers' overseas placement in destination countries requiring certain skills. Decades hence, to include the hard lessons learned since Contemplacion's execution, the Philippines has now "excelled" in migration management. Filipinos are now in over200 countries and territories, in all sorts of occupations, with their migration status either legal or irregular. Filipinos have contributed to countries' economic growth, especially countries facing demographic shortfalls and labour shortages. The estimated 10.3 million overseas Filipinos have (unfortunately) become the Philippines' top export. Their overseas migration is a response to the search for more gainful opportunities, what with the country's agriculture and manufacturing sectors still struggling and services being the top draw for homeland employment for nearly two decades. Remittances have been the reason for overseas Filipinos' symbolic tag as heroes since a formal labour export program (given the passage
of a Philippine labour code) began in 1974. Form the 1970s to the mid-2000s, remittances have helped shore up the homeland economy's fiscal issues, mitigated the impacts of domestic unemployment, and somewhat help buoy the Philippines' gross national product. That period, spanning just over three decades, saw the Philippines' macro-economic growth performance as "boom and bust" —like a roller coaster, going up and down. Meanwhile, there is rising overseas migration (including that for overseas permanent residency, depending on the migration pathways countries offer to foreigners) and a concomitant rise of labour, welfare, human rights and criminal / civil cases affecting Filipinos in various hostlands. So, with rising migration and remittances is a perceived growing number of problems facing Filipinos abroad, and the corollary family-level social costs. However, there is a change in the plot: since the 2008 global economic crisis, the Philippine economy is now one of the top economic performers in the world. Sustained gross domestic product growth, with an annual average of some 6 percent, these past ten years is slowly buoying the Philippine economy. Coinciding with what some demographers perceive to be a demographic transition, where old and young dependents are less than the working force which is bulging in numbers. That situation gives the Philippines a chance —a 30-year window, says some demographic projections— to drum up as many savings and investments and have these parked at home. Overseas migration and remittances have been contributing their share to this ongoing demographic transition, currently through buoying local consumption. Yet one wonders why the stories are still the same sordid ones? The recent episode the Philippines faced was a diplomatic standoff with Kuwait, with the former demanding certain protections and employment regulations for Filipina domestic workers. This four-month saga started off with the discovered massacre —body chopped into pieces, placed in a refrigerator
for a year— of Joanna Demafelis, angering the tough President Rodrigo Duterte. After a deployment ban and Kuwait's own issues with Philippine diplomatic authorities, a memorandum of agreement on hiring domestic workers was signed just last month and diplomatic relations have been restored. Implementation by Kuwaiti authorities is another matter. For decades now, Filipinos abroad are still seen as those women who have found dates online and migrated for economic security; of women as "lowly" domestic workers or as abused spouses even after they got permanent residency; of men who are trafficked into occupations different from what was initially in their work contracts. Filipinos have also been seen as the bearers of the Christian faith; the workers with a more caring attitude; the workforce who can endure tough work conditions just to earn more and please employers; as the behaved foreigners in certain host country societies. Yet what is baffling is that the storylines of the Filipino migration saga are still perceived to be the same even in the age of social media. Filipinos abroad being lured by Philippine real property companies is so 2000s. The sending of boxes with souvenir items (called balikbayan boxes [balikbayan is "returning home" in Filipino]) is already a generation old. Some Filipinos abroad continue to display pity fortheir compatriots who are in less-skilled occupations in certain host countries, with pity masqueraded as empathy. Filipinos' overseas migration has already brought about socio-cultural, economic and institutional changes in Philippine society, sociologist and historian Filomeno Aguilar, Jr. writes in his anthology The Migration Revolution (2014). Class structures have been reconfigured. That is the current scene of the Filipino migration phenomenon. Given the current era of a Philippine economy that's in a demographic transition which runs side-by-side with overseas migration, what can be the new Philippine future besides the Exodus? Can new stories about Filipinos abroad be told instead
The World Will Be Watching: Pacquiao vs Matthysse, July 15 COVERAGE to the "Fight of Champions" mega-showdown between belt holder Lucas Matthysse and challenger Manny Pacquiao is already pegged at 170 countries and is fast shaping to become a blockbuster of an event dubbed as the World Cup of Boxing. From Asia to South America, to Europe and Africa, to the Middle East, Asia Pacifica, Oceania and the Far East and the Caribbean, fans all over the world will be treated to a whole day of sports festivities on July 15 starting in the morning and throughout the afternoon. The Pacquiao Vs Matthysse event will be beamed live at 12 noon from the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur (around 8 PM, July 14 in
the US and Mexico) via satellite. With World Cup fever undeniably in the minds of many, boxing also has its version of the World Cup, with the Philippines and Argentina vying for the World Boxing Association welterweight belt in the main event featuring the legendary Pacquiao and Matthysse. Other championship bouts presented by promoter Manny Pacquiao of MP Promotions include the WBA world title matches between Venezuela and China, (Carlos Canizales Vs Lu Bin for the WBA light flyweight belt), as well as South Africa (Moruti Mthalane) against Pakistan (Muhammad Waseem) for the International Boxing Federation flyweight crown.
In the main supporting bout, it will be Mexico against the Philippines as the WBA, through president Gilberto Mendoza Jr. and ratings chairman Jose Oliver, has just sanctioned the fight between Mexican Edivaldo Ortega (26-1-1) and Jhack Tepora (21-0, 16 KOs) of the Philippines for the WBA featherweight title. Host Malaysia will feature its best fighters Muhammad Farkhan, Theena Thayalan and Alman Abu Baker battling fighters from Thailand and 2 Indian boxers, respectively, in the undercards stacked deep by the organizers, who are trying to impress a worldwide audience. Other countries represented in the event include Australia and Japan. (pr)
of sticking to usual tales? Will Filipino food, for example, be mainstreamed in host societies and capture the imagination of nostalgic and curious foreign taste buds? Will there be more of a new breed of Filipino migrant entrepreneurs braving the riskier agricultural sector back home, while Filipino banks are averse in handing out credit to that sector? With social media easily bridging transnational Filipino families, what kinds of family rearing tales have we not heard from those who endured parental separation and found success? In some Filipino rural communities, kinship and community embeddedness mitigate the risks of migration's family-level social costs. With Japan having a long history of Filipinas going there as entertainers in night clubs, and that migration pathway stopped over a decade ago, dothe Japanese of today lookat Filipinos differently? How many more Filipinos will become elected leaders in countries that realized these first elected migrant leaders, like the United States, New Zealand, Korea or Canada? Have you heard of a full-blooded Australian being deeply affected by the ongoing Philippine war on drugs and helping resolve a Filipino relative's drug-related woes? Or what about some Filipinas, already permanent residents and naturalized citizens in a destination country, dating
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compatriot seafarers docking on some ports? There can be a myriad of good and bad tales about the overseas Filipino. People aspire for more pleasant stories, especially since Filipinos are known for extending their personal boundaries and fits of empathy. Filipinos also aspire for less of the tear-jerking stories —from abused domestic workers to Filipino permanent residents who are duping compatriots on temporary work visas. With Filipinos abroad now an influential force for their motherland, and them being exposed to better systems abroad, how can gruesome migration tales be changed for the better? The homeland and its institutions, especially the Philippine government, have their work cut out to fulfill ambitions of comfortable living for Filipinos but so do Filipinos abroad: they can chart newer tales and bringdown ageing stereotypes of themselves. This will happen through the love they usually show to their families, through better remittance management, through improved and sustained relations with locals in host countries, and through a renewed sense of Filipino citizenship even while they're away. Mr. JeremaiahOpiniano is a doctoral student (geography) at The University of Adelaide in Australia. He also handles a nonprofit research group on migration and development issues in the Philippines: the Institute for Migration and Development Issues (IMDI). Correspondence: ofw_ philanthropy@yahoo.com.
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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
From page 8
Nature Perishes... Conclusion: Let us first find the way ourselves to this present help and future hope, and then we shall be able to point our friends to it and to the Lord Jesus Christ who is indeed our only help and our only hope. And then, one word more for our comfort. You will remember that our blessed Lord was not done with the sufferers when He laid His hands upon them and conferred present relief in trouble. They might go home with glad hearts, and enjoy the blessing of God, but a time would come when they might again suffer in body or in mind, and when they would at last have to give up all hope of earthly remedy. But the Lord Jesus Christ did not forget them. Tired and wearied as He was, He rose up a great while before day, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. He was blessing them even more in His absence than while with them in bodily presence. Even so is it still with the sufferers and with the healed. The Lord Jesus Christ is not only ever blessing us with divine comfort and strength, but He is pleading for us with the Father. He knows the pain of each heart, and He will bless us and it for our good if we will but go to Him. AMEN.
BUSINESS
THE FLIGHT THAT WAS MIGHT By Lito Mendoza Velasco
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HE TRIO’S TRIUMPHS: A sign of hope and success can be traced through the footsteps of those who have traveled in life ahead of us—way ahead of us. And yet, they still have the time to wait for us, show us the way they have gone through, and lead us towards directions they have been aiming for. With due respect, let me mention and vouch for the key persons behind my fruitful trip to the Philippines. They have been instrumental in my life by disposing their different capacities:
Resty Sta. Maria Reyes, Owner and President of Fly Friendly Travel and Tours
* Resty Sta. Maria Reyes, Owner and President of the Fly Friendly Travel and Tours. The person who says what he means and means what he says. The anchor between his office and all the rests of the contact persons from the day of my departure to the Philippines up to my arrival here in Edmonton. He and his office staff at Fly Friendly Travels won’t leave you wandering whenever you’re lost. He truly cares about his friends. He opts not to call his customers clients, but friends! That is why he named his company FLY FRIENDLY!
Jun Angeles, Publisher / Chief Operating Officer of Alberta Filipino Journal
* Jun Angeles, Head Publisher of Alberta Filipino Journal. The means to an end. I wouldn’t have been known to and trusted by the next two guys if he had not exposed me as the editor-in-chief of his 10 year old paper in the Province of Alberta.
Mr. Benjamin Li, General Manager of Hong Kong Airlines in Vancouver.
Philippine Bayanihan Association In Alberta Legacy Of Achievements
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his year 2018, the Philippine Bayanihan Association in Alberta is celebrating a historic milestone, its 50th year’s golden anniversary and legacy of achievements. In 1965, a small group of these Filipinos organized an association initially named the Filipino Association in Alberta. The main purpose of the group was to hold social functions to lessen their loneliness caused by their separation from their family and friends in the Philippines. During the Alberta Teacher’s Convention in December 1966, several Filipinos discussed the possibility of a Filipino organization with legal personality. Subsequently, while attending a summer session at the University of Alberta, they agreed to get together to discuss this matter more extensively. The group met at Garneau Tower and decided to retain the existing organization but changed the name to Philippine Bayanihan Association in Alberta. A committee was formed to draft the Constitution and By-Laws of the association. The drafted PBAA Constitution and By-Laws were officially approved and registered with Alberta Consumer and Corporate Affairs on February 15, 1968. By 1969 the booming years of Alberta began, and more Filipinos immigrated to Canada. Some of these newcomers came from different provinces in Canada or from the Philippines. They were independent business people, other professional or relatives of the Filipinos already established in Edmonton. The rank and file of the Philippine Bayanihan Association in Alberta grew, and the activities of the association were no longer limited to social gatherings. Through the years, the Philippine Bayanihan Association in Alberta had many achievements. Among its accomplishments are the following: • Purchasing, owning and managing the Filipino Canadian Community Centre. • Publishing the Bayanihan News • Organizing different sport activities and tournament (basketball, bowling, golf, pingpong, chess and fishing derbies) • Holding the Annual Lenten Pabasa • Organizing children’s and formal Christmas Parties • Celebrating Annual Independence Day • Organizing Annual Family Camping Trips and Picnics
JUNE 2018
• Providing sports and Appreciation Awards • Sponsoring the: a. PBAA Choral Group b. PBAA Youth Club c. PBAA Retired and Semi-Retired d. Alberta Domestic Worker’s Association (ADWA) 1. Hoisting the Philippine Flag for the first time in 1977 at City Hall during the observance of Philippine Independence Day and the proclamation of the Philippine Week, during the time Terry Cavanaugh was the Mayor of Edmonton. 2. Sponsoring and supporting the Survivors Toastmaster Club, which held regular meetings and public speaking tournaments for Filipinos at the PBAA Filipino Community Centre. 3. Aiding typhoon, earthquake and famine victims 4. Undertaking fundraising activities such as: a. Van Rafles b. Chocolate Fund Drive c. Casinos d. Bingos 1. Extending monetary assistance to: a. Bereaved families b. Northern Alberta Children’s Hospital c. Cancer Society and Heart Fund d. Edmonton Food Bank e. Edmonton Christmas Bureau f. Terry Fox Marathon of Hope g. Rick Hansen Man in Motion 1. Presenting Cultural and Theatre Art Productions: a. “Our Town” Youth Group stage play at Edmonton Centennial Library b. “Sariling Atin” musical extravaganza at the Provincial Museum c. Tom Tanada, world renown pianist, in concert at the Filipino Community Centre d. Maranaw Dance Group and Fashion Show performed by Miss Asia International, Miss Philippines and other models from the Philippines at the Jubilee Auditorium 1. Exhibiting Arts and Crafts and participating in the Klondike Parade and showcasing an award-winning Philippine float “Pearl of the Orient”. 2. Member: a. Edmonton Multicultural Society b. Edmonton Heritage Festival c. Edmonton Folk Arts council d. Council of Edmonton Filipino Association (CEFA) 1. Sent delegates to Calgary and to the National
Council of Canadian Filipino Association’s Seminar and Convention in Ontario and Quebec. 2. In August 1990, PBAA sponsored the year’s Heritage Festival Princess, Sharlynn Grace Briones and the Philippine Pavilion received the 2nd prize award 3. In 2017, during the National Philanthropy Day, Royal Alexandria Hospital Foundation nominated Philippine Bayanihan Association in Alberta, Philanthropist “2017 Health Award” In 1984, PBAA came to own the Filipino Canadian Community Centre. The building was located at 12520 – 135th Avenue, Edmonton and stood on ¾ acres of prime land. It became the first Filipino community-owned building and envy of the different Filipino associations in Canada. However, the high cost of maintaining the building gave the association no choice but to sell in 1995. This did not deter the group from continually pursuing the dream of having another Filipino community hall. PBAA started fundraising through bingos and casinos and created a Building Fund. As time passed, the current value of real estate continued to increase. Thus, executives and general membership decided to convert the Building Fund to a durable and lasting Legacy Fund. The purpose of the Legacy Fund is to donate and support health institutions and other eligible charitable groups for research, innovative and launch initiative programs. These donations will be a beacon of hope to many people of Edmonton, Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and International patients. On January 30, 2012, PBAA donated the first $100,000 to Royal Alexandria Hospital Foundation, CK. Hui Heart Centre in order: a. To support research, education and innovation in Cardiology b. To provide Cardiologists long-term sustainable funding to help and develop innovative therapies, launch-clinical trials and improve patient outcomes. In recognition of this donation, a waiting area was named in honor of PBAA On November 13, 2013, $10,000 was donated to the Red Cross, to support victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines. This donation was matched by the Province of Alberta and the Government of Canada, to a total of $30,000. On November 10, 2014, PBAA donated $100,000 to Cross Cancer Institute Foundation in order to:
* Benjamin Li, General Manager of Hong Kong Airlines in Vancouver, British Columbia. A very accommodating, kind, generous, and down-to-earth person. That, despite holding one of the most prestigious positions in a huge company such as Hong Kong Airlines; he can still manage to offer and engage to meet me in person. I had one request of him and all the rest of his staff: “That is, to treat not only the VIPs with dignity, but all passengers as well, equally.” He complied and this was testified by his office assistant. THE IDEAL TRUTH: Man is a homoviator or a Traveler in Life. The paradox: “Not everybody loves to travel.” This is especially so when there are unexpected obstacles along the way. But, with these kinds of service-oriented professionals, traveling can become both a comfort and luxury. THE TRAVELLING EXPERIENCES: Meet and greet with the General Manager and his team in Vancouver. I am proudly announcing that Hong Kong Airlines is dignified by having Benjamin Li, General Manager at HK Airlines-Vancouver. Benjamin gave me the Lounge Invitations packages and upgraded my seats from Economy to Business Class. His amazing power in this Airline Company also ventilated me with the air of more privileges as he re-
arranged my flight back to Edmonton when I missed my scheduled flight. INVITATIONS TO HONG KONG AIRLINES’ LOUNGE IN VANCOUVER AND HONG KONG: It was an abundance of good food, wine and liquor. The customer service was also beyond expectations. You will be served and can self-serve until you’re satiated. THE HK AIRLINES’ CONNECTING FLIGHTS: A few steps away from your original flight. You don’t have to take bus or train to catch the next plane going to your desired destination. So accessible. Of course, FLY FRIENDLY hasn’t committed mistakes by sending me to my destinations boarding HK Airlines via Hong Kong. PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE WITH THE HK AIRLINES’ CREW AND STAFF - THE QUALITY SERVICES and the RIGHT MISTAKE: THE RESCUERS AT THE NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: Yes, I am not ashamed to reveal my idiocy when I missed my flight last June 16, 2018, 6:55 AM at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. There was a greater purpose. I had the chance to meet and acquainted with Hong Kong Airlines’ officers like Rameses “Kisses” Angara Padernos and Francisco Seguera Sales of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. To these people, I give a grand salute for
a. support research to find a cure for cancer b. renovate a family quiet room which provides respite for loved ones to gather and grieve during family members and friends end of life journey. In recognition of this donation, the family quiet room was named in honor of PBAA and was officially opened last September 2016. On May 11, 2016, during the Fort McMurray fire, PBAA donated $10,000 to the Red Cross to support victims affected by the fire. This was matched by the Federal and Provincial government to make a total of $30,000. On August 29, 2016, $100,000 was donated to Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation to support the acquisition of highly technical equipment, specifically the Medfusion 4000 Pumps. These pumps are the most up to date syringe infusion pumps and have several features: a. It supports medication safety and safe administration of prescribed medication b. It is electronic so that they accurately deliver minute quantities of medication c. It possesses an on-board drug library which ensures all dosages and calculations are correct for the age, size and weight of the child receiving the medication. In September 2016 PBAA donated $5,000 to the Kids with Cancer Society to help cover expenses of families with children, with cancer while they are under treatment. On October 11, 2016, a donation of $50,000 was made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada Northern Alberta/Territories to support 3 areas: a. Immediate support services for local kidney patients and their families b. Kidney health awareness and screening, and c. Campaigns towards organ donations. On October 13, 2016, PBAA, $50,000 was donated to the Children Autism Services of Edmonton towards a new autism centre in the Southside. The building would be able to accommodate more children who are diagnosed with autism. Executive Director, Terri Duncan was surprised by the donation and characterized it a “Gift from an Angel” which was published in the Edmonton Journal. In recognition of this donation, a room will be named in honor of PBAA. On October 27, 2016, a donation of $150,000 was made to the Royal Alexandria Hospital Foundation to support the renovation of the Eye Services Centre and Knee and Hip Services Centre, where a reception area will be named in honor of PBAA. On November 1, 2016, $100,000 was donated to the Covenant Foundation-Grey
Nuns Community Hospital to support the Northern Alberta Vascular Centre (NAVC). This initiative will provide vascular care for those in need across Northern Alberta, Northwest Territories, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, a population of more than 2 million people. On November 3, 2016, PBAA donated $100,000 to the Mazankowski Heart Centre. This donation will go towards the purchase of Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS). It is a bedside heart and lung support system for patients with severe respiratory or cardiac conditions, who are awaiting a transplant and cannot rely on their own heart or lungs to survive. The remaining Legacy Funds were donated to the following: a. Catholic Social Services b. Marian Centre Edmonton c. Carmelite Sisters Monastery in Devon d. Edmonton Food Bank e. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Edmonton and f. Hope Mission Then and now, the PBAA would not thrive and members would not enjoy the camaraderie without the deep and enduring commitments of so many loyal volunteers, supporters and contributors of time, talent and money. The list of these people is endless and to name just a few would not do justice to the membership in general and in particular, to people whose names may be missed. Like everyone else, Filipinos have varied and diverse interests. The dialects are numerous and they come from different regions of the Philippines. It is therefore not surprising that as more Filipinos arrived, the number of various Filipino association, increased. However, the Philippine Bayanihan Association in Alberta endured and has become one of the most respected Filipino organizations in the community. It has matured, remained vibrant and has continued to become part of the multicultural mosaic in the city of Edmonton. Research conducted and compiled by: Winnie de Castro, PBAA past Secretary
continued on page 11 ►
Tony M. Briones, PBAA current President
The Alberta Filipino Journal has published this article upon the request of Mr. Antonio Briones. Should there be any conflicting historical accounts based on the knowledge of other Filipino pioneers,the author of this historical exposition will be held accountable for the information provided and is responsible for responding to those queries. The Alberta Filipino Journal is not responsible for any controversy that arises as a result of this article.
BUSINESS
JUNE 2018
The Flight That...
Once again, thanks to the Alberta Filipino Journal and Fly Friendly Travel and Tours taking care of me when I missed my original flight schedule. for giving me the chance to avail of a FREE By then, I felt comfortable dealing with them. We treated round-trip to the Philippines! one another as if we’d known each other for so long. Truly, A GRAND SALUTE TO ALL OF YOU GUYS! there are no strangers; only persons we haven’t met yet and now that I’ve gotten to know them, I can say with surety that they will surely render to all, the kind of redemptive services they extended to me when I was lost. AT THE GATE: Hong Kong Airlines bringing people to New Horizons. July Ann L. Candelario and Mark Joseph Goo, the Passenger Service Agents, made sure that Hong Kong Airline passengers are at the right entrance. THE REASONS: They made me believe I can fly. From page 10
Rameses “Kisses” Angara Padiernos, Aiport Services Officer, Hong Kong Airlines, Manila Station; Francisco Seguera Sales, Airport Services Officer, Hong Kong Airlines, Manila Station; Lito Mendoza Velasco, Editor-inChief, Alberta Filipino Journal
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The Fly Friendly Family
Mrs. Teresa Reyes, CEO and Mr. Resty Reyes, President.
Mr. Benjamin Li, General Manager of Hong Kong Airlines in Vancouver. With his assistant.
July Ann L. Candelario, Mark Joeph Goo, Passenger Service agents, Hong Kong Airlines, Manila Station
TRES MARIAS who keep FLY FRIENDLY excelling with Flying Colors.
Receptionists at HK Airlines’ Lounge in Hong Kong
Robby, Manager at Hukad Restaurant, McKinley Hills, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, near Venice Grand Canal
HK Airlines’ Plaza Premium Lounge in Vancouver with the two customer service crews at the food counter
Alma De Guzman FFT-Director and Accounts Manager
Shangrila Plaza Hotel Night Shift Team Photos by Lito Velasco | Alberta Filipino Journal
Mahyie Tandog, Day Shift Duty Manager, Shangrila Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
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Joanne Acosta Perpetua Senior Agent
Marlita Manaois Sales Agent
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COMMUNITY | BUSINESS
JUNE 2018
COPAA Independence Day celebration starts with a big bang as DP Hoffman announces declaration of `Philippine Heritage Month’ By Moses Billacura
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he Congress of Philippine Associations (COPAA) in Alberta successfully hosted the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration, June 2, 2018 at the Four Points Sheraton. The event was highlighted by the Alberta Government's proclamation that the month of June will now be known as “Philippine Heritage Month” . Deputy premier and minister of health Sarah Hoffman announced to the guests that premier Rachel Notley and Lt. Governor Lois Mitchell had signed the proclamation marking June of every year as “Philippine Heritage Month” for the 175,000 Albertans of Filipino descent. The announcement was received warmly with a standing ovation by Filipino association leaders and members and their guests who attended the event. “Filipinos make this province a brighter, caring and more vibrant place. We’re lucky that so many call Alberta home. Alberta’s economy, public services like health care, and communities are all made stronger thanks to their hard work, talent and enduring spirit of volunteerism and generosity,” said Hoffman in a statement. In a press statement, Migrante Alberta said a group of individuals approached MLA Rodrigo Loyola to make June Heritage Month to coincide with the annual celebrations of Philippine Independence Day across Canada. “A small hurdle delayed the
process. A group in Calgary had petitioned for similar intentions but for the month of September”, Migrante Alberta said. September coincides with the Filipino Fiesta event in Calgary and the Edmonton group has informed MLA Loyola that the month of September was marked by the infamous Martial Law declaration by Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. “This was resolved when Deputy Premier Hoffman’s office received a letter from the proponents of the September petition, informing her of the group’s support for June to be declared as Heritage Month,” Migrante added. COPAA president Jun Angeles, a long-time Alberta resident himself, personally thanked deputy premier Hoffman for the provincial government’s recognition of the contributions made by the Filipino community. Among the personalities who attended the event were Minister Christina Gray, Councilor Mike Nickel, MLA Rod Loyola, MLA Lorne Dach, MLA Jon Carson and Payman Parseyan of the UCP. MLA Jason Kenny and Minister Amarjeet Sohi were also invited but they could not come. The Saranay Rondalla, Karilagan Dance Society, Filipino-Canadian Saranay Dance Troupe and casts of Emma “The Musical” provided entertainment to the guests. World FM 101.7 FM’s Himig Pinoy hosts Jo-Ann Aguilar and Rolan Latorre served as emcees.
MLA Rod Loyola. From Left: Lito M. Velasco, PRO; Paul Briones, Vice President; Rolan Latorre, New Member; Mark Destacamento, Business Manager; Lulu Bernal, Secretary; Jun Angeles, President; Christina Camarce, New Member; Jo-Ann Aguilar, New Member
Councilor Mike Nickel.
Deputy premier Sarah Hoffmann with fellow MLAs announced the proclamation of June as "Philippine Heritage Month" during the during the Congress of Philippine Associations (COPAA) in Alberta-organized 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration, June 2, 2018 at the Four Points Sheraton in Edmonton.
Payman Parseyan of the United Conservative Party.
Minister of Health Sarah Hoffmann (2nd from right) joins Quality Sleep Care and Alberta Medical Supplies co-founder Kris Salumbides (2nd from left) and COPAA president Jun Angeles (extreme right) in greeting guests during the Congress of Philippine Associations (COPAA) in Alberta-organized 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration, June 2, 2018 at the Four Points Sheraton in Edmonton. Photos by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal
Letty Tria, COPAA auditor
JUNE 2018
COMMUNITY | BUSINESS
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Photos by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal
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SPORTS | BUSINESS
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
JUNE 2018
Good luck Aylah, Isla prepares, UFC Gym Red Deer’s 1st anniversary, Gracepoint Church basketball playoffs
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efore I start, allow me first to congratulate diver Aylah Angeles of Sports for Every Child-Excell Diving Club under coach Heb Fleming for qualifying to the Nationals in Toronto, representing Alberta in the 10-year-old D1 group. A Misette Lahey Award winner, Aylah has qualified on all three boards, the 1M, 3M and Platform events which is very impressive! And in case you are wondering, this future diving star is the granddaughter of our publisher Kuya Jun Angeles. *** Talking about 10-year-olds, I am reminded of Brazilian jiu jitsu champion and anti-bullying advocate Isla Diesmos who is currently preparing for tournaments in the province, including one in Edmonton in October. This 10-year-old used to be bullied and took up the sport. Now that they know she is a champion, featured by CTV News, the bullying has stopped and Isla has taken every opportunity to talk about bullying in the sporting arena. Keep up the good work Isla! *** I could not just believe my eyes seeing master Steve Grandeza as one of the instructors at the UFC Gym Red Deer. When news broke out in the Filipino community that he has arrived, I told myself, I have to see him. Lo and behold, the many-time Philippine martial arts titlist and world kickboxing champion is alive and kicking, teaching Gan Soo Do to Canadians! Gan Soo Do, a martial art designed by his grandfather and
SPORTS JOURNAL MOSES BILLACURA mo.sports@gmail.com
Moses Billacura was a sports correspondent for national newspapers in the Philippines since 1992 and served as sports editor and columnist for a community paper before moving to Canada in 2010. He loves photography, manages pinoyedmontonnews.com and cheers for the Edmonton Oilers.
grandmaster Casimiro “Chingi” Grandeza, is now in Canada and UFC Gym will soon be spreading it to other UFC/Motion Fitness gyms in the province. It is a little bit special for master Steve because he was able to celebrate the first anniversary of UFC Gym last June 2 with the other instructors and gym members. Roman Cuison, a long-time student of master Steve in the Philippines, came ahead to Canada, teaching at the Motion Fitness in Saskatoon and joined his teacher in Red Deer to conduct the first Gan Soo Do examination on Matthew Lambert, who after hurdling the exam, was promoted from white to green belt. What a memorable first year anniversary at UFC Gym Red Deer! Happy anniversary to UFC Gym and thank you for supporting master Steve and Gan Soo Do! *** The 2018 Gracepoint Church Basketball League playoffs are starting this month, according to tournament committee member Paul Roque. The top four squads advancing
to the next round are the Red, Black, Yellow and White teams. Kuya Paul said the games are played every Monday night at the Gracepoint Church on 66th Street and Ellerslie Road. What makes this tournament unique ladies and gentlemen is that there is a sharing of the word of God in between the games. And hearing the words are very soothing. I’ll probably encourage our editor Lito Velasco and DJ Rolan Latorre of Himig Pinoy, both pioneering officers of the Philippine Media Association of Alberta, to join the tournament next time. And that would probably inspire Kuya Paul Briones to play again. What can you say Kuya Paul Roque? *** Again, we are encouraging our Kababayans to inform us of their sports events in Alberta Province. Please email mocolumnist@ albertafilipinojournal.com and we will be happy to include the news in our next issue.
Master Steve Grandeza (center) and instructor Roman Cuison conduct the examination of their first Gan Soo Do student in Canada, Matthew Lambert, June 2, at the UFC Gym in Red Deer. Photo by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal
Villamor leads Changes for Hope to victory in Crosstown Auto-PSA finals By Moses Billacura
Milo Villamor waxed hot in the final quarter to lead Changes for Hope in outgunning Amirax, 97-87 in the open division 2A finals of the recently-concluded 2018 Crosstown Auto Centre-Philippine Sports Association Spring/Summer Basketball Championship at the Archbishop Romero gym. Villamor, who top scored with 31 points, buried two triples to keep Amirax at bay, 72-60 and with teammates CJ Liwanag and Brian Leyte delivering the goods in the final minutes, their rivals could no longer catch up. The win also
gave former PBA player and now coach Merwin Castelo the best coach trophy which was awarded by Crosstown Auto Centre dealer-principal Joe Medina. In the other division final games, the Flying Eagles shaded the Gems, 9055 (open division 1), Hanjan Restaurant stopped R. Paluca Mortgage, 67-57 (open division 2B), Traxx defeated Bolero, 75-68 (open division 2C), AMS Homes beat H&B, 93-80 (master division 1), Barako bested Gallery Dental, 78-70 (master division 2). continued on page 19 ►
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Crosstown Auto Centre dealer-principal Joe Medina (extreme left) with former PBA player and best coach awardee Merwin Castelo of Changes for Hope (2nd from left) with the mythical five members (right to left) Milo Villamor, Lem Baui of Amirax, Brian Leyte, CJ Liwanag and Sam King of Genesis during the 2018 Crosstown Auto Centre-Philippine Sports Association Spring/Summer Championship, May 20, at the Archbishop Romero gym.
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Pao Kintanar of R.Paluca Mortgage finds himself tightly guarded by two Hanjan Restaurant guards in the 2018 Crosstown Auto Centre-Philippine Sports Association Spring/Summer Championship, May 20, at the Archbishop Romero gym. Hanjan won, 67-57. Photos by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal
JUNE 2018
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT | IMMIGRATION SERVICES
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
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ShowOff at Palabok House on May 30 featuring Patricia Enriquez and Cheenee Morales
Photos by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal From page 18
Villamor leads Changes... Medina together with PSA president Gary Perpetua awarded the trophies and medals to the winners of the tournament also supported by Quickly Premium Bubble Tea and La Bello Aesthetics. “Pagkatapos nito ay konting pahinga muna, tapos we’ll prepare for the Fall/Winter league,” said Perpetua. Villamor was voted final’s MVP while Liwanag took the season MVP award. They both joined as members of the mythical five along with Brian Leyte, Lemuel Baui of Amirax, and Sam King of Genesis. Clinton Richardson of the Flying Eagles won the season MVP award while Red Nacianceno was voted final’s MVP in the open division 1. Tim San Pedro emerged as best coach. The members of the mythical five are RJ Librea of Crooks, Virson Orquez of Knights, Paul Marqueses of Gems and Cyril Ashworth of X-Men. David Navalta of Hanjan Restaurant and John Rigaton took the season and final’s MVP titles, respectively and joining the open division 2B mythical five were AJ Mapa and Pao Kintanar of R.Paluca Mortgage, Josh Parcasio of Hanjan and Jerwin Valina of Barako. Kenjie and Kennth Espeleta were voted final’s and season MVPs, respectively in open division 2C with Nick Aboud of Quickly Premium Bubble Tea, Jordan Javier of Bolero, Andre Magtortol of Rapbeh Boyz entering the mythical five selection. Mark Dorado of AMS Homes was voted season and final’s MVP and joining him in the mythical five honors were Floyd Eyao of Crosstown Auto, Jojo Malagum and Harold de Leon of H&B and JR Eje of Prestige Vision in the master division 1. Jeff Corpus clinched the season MVP honors and teammate Reiner Ando of Barako bagged the final’s MVP title. SBP’s Sunday Oriaku, Gallery Dental’s Michael Gonzales and Jay Andrada joined the mythical five. And in the super master, season MVP award went to John Hufana of Buddha and final’s MVP was teammate Arturo Seril. Jojo Capistrano of Buddha, Erdz Orquez of Crosstown Auto and Quidayan of Beterano made it to the mythical five. Medina, who spoke on behalf of the Crosstown Auto Centre, thanked the 60 teams that joined the tournament and congratulated the PSA officers and members for the successful tournament.
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SPORTS | BUSINESS
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
JUNE 2018
Aylah Diving M
y name is Aylah Angeles. This is my 4th year diving with Sports for Every Child - Excell Diving Club and this will be my 1st year qualifying and going to Nationals. I had 1 goal in mind at the beginning of the year and that was to qualify and participate in the Junior Development in Toronto. With the guidance of my coach Herb Fleming, I managed to qualify on all 3 boards
(1M, 3M, and Platform) and get to represent the 10 year old D1 group in Toronto. During the Summer Provincials in Edmonton, I surprisingly received the Misette Lahey Award! This award goes to a first-time National Diver with the highest average in two boards in the province of AB. I was so happy I got this trophy and took it to school and to my favorite store, Ivivva.
"To me, diving is not just a sport. It is also a foundation for building lasting friendships and memories! Good luck to all my teammates and competitors!" Aylah
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y name is Syla Celeste. This is my 4th year diving with Edmonton kinsmen diving club and this will also be my 2nd year qualifying and going to Nationals. Last year, I placed 14th on the 1 meter springboard and 7th place on the 3 meter springboard
in Canada. Diving has helped me create lasting friendships with other divers throughout Canada. I hope to continue to grow and become stronger mentally and physically and to carry the lessons that I have
learnt in diving into all areas of my life. I love the sport and it has become my passion. I look forward to representing the 12 year old C1 group at nationals in July. Wish me luck!
Syla Diving
JUNE 2018
ARTS AND CULTURE | COMMUNITY | BUSINESS
Across the Map: Arts and Migration
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igrante Alberta celebrated the launching of its comic book “Bridging the Gap: A Short History of Migration to Canada” last May 31, 2018 at Panciteria de Manila. Written by Marco Luciano, with illustrations by Mark Suva, the continued on page 23 ►
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
Artospective - an artist’s point of view IDA BELTRAN-LUCILA ida_b_lucila@yahoo.com
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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
COMMUNITY | RELIGIOUS | GOVERNMENT UPDATES
JUNE 2018
The 15th Year Charter Anniversary for St. Michael Assembly No.2795
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aturday, June 2nd, 2018 marked the 15th Year Charter anniversary celebration for the St. Michael Assembly No. 2795 of the Knights of Columbus, however the exact date of the Assembly’s anniversary was May 21st, 2018. This was a momentous occasion as it was about celebrating and recognizing certain individuals, but more importantly to commend the great work this assembly has done for the last decade and a half. The astounding Sir Knights that make up this great assembly come from many different backgrounds, professions, and interests, however it is the core values of the St. Michael Assembly that keep each member wanting to meet on a regular basis and to serve the Lord. The core values of this assembly include patriotism, in serving and respecting this great country they call home, service to the Lord and local communities, and lastly the core value of charity. On Saturday, there were three parts to this special celebration held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Parish.
JAN THE MAN’S NOTE JANUEL CEDRICK IBASCO Januel Cedrick Ibasco is a proud Filipino-Canadian. A current student at the University of Alberta studying a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation. Sportsmanship is the big slice of his cake. Highly-spirited when playing golf, volleyball, and basketball. He loves reading, writing, volunteering at church. Looking forward to take up law after his undergraduate degree.
Part 1 included the installation of officers for the Columbian year 2018-2019 part 2 was the mass portion of the celebration which solidified the special day through prayer with God, and part three which was the banquet dinner and dance. Throughout the night there were many powerful speeches made by several people. Furthermore, there were individuals who were recognized and given a number of
Former Master of the Fourth Degree SK Julito Reyes presents the gavel to Faithful Navigator SK Manuel Ibasco as State Deputy SK Ronald Schuster and VSM SK Albert West look on.
awards which I would personally like to recognize. The 5 recipients of the ‘Sir Knight of the Year Award’ award is awarded to those in recognition of their outstanding dedication and contributions to Knights of Columbus St. Michael Assembly NO. 2795. Congratulations to the following recipients: continued on page 29 ►
St. Michael Assembly No. 2795 Officers for the CY 2018-2019.
State Chaplain Reverend Father Jim Corrigan blesses the jewels of office.
Trans Mountain Pipeline means more money for what matters most. Roads, schools & hospitals.
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Head Table Guests: Former Master of the Fourth Degree SK Julito Reyes dismissal of the St. Michael Assembly No. 2795 Honor Guards led by Commander SK Alex Ibasco.
JUNE 2018
GOVERNMENT UPDATES | SPORTS
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Trans Mountain Pipeline keeps Canada working Billboards are now on display across British Columbia as the Government of Alberta launches a nationwide campaign to highlight the economic, social and environmental benefits of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.
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he “Keep Canada Working” campaign will inform Canadians about the benefits of market access and counter the misinformation, harassment and obstruction that the project has faced. The campaign’s goal is to speed up market access for Alberta’s energy products by increasing awareness of the benefits of an expanded pipeline and - as a result - increasing support for its speedy construction. “It is important that Canadians understand what’s at stake when we talk about the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion. A lack of market access is costing Canadians good jobs. It is putting the national climate plan at risk. And it is costing Canada billions every year – money that could be paying for things like roads, schools and hospitals from coast to coast to coast.” Premier Rachel Notley The lack of access to international markets is costing the Canadian economy up to $15 billion annually, or approximately $40 million per day. The cost to Alberta government revenue alone represents about $2.3 billion per year, or $6.5 million every day. The “Keep Canada Working” message will be shared via billboards, television, radio, search engine marketing, online display and social media. Billboards and digital advertisements have been running since April 30. Television and radio advertisements are in production. The ads will direct people to KeepCanadaWorking.ca, where they can find more information on how the pipeline expansion will directly benefit Canadians and how they can get involved. Advertisements at launch include the following messages: · Trans Mountain Pipeline means more money for roads, schools and hospitals. From page 21
Across the Map... book is a Canada150 Project, which “provides a lens on the hardships of settlement and getting accepted in their new home”. Bridging the Gap starts with a newly arrived Filipino student meeting his high school Jamaican teacher. On his first day of school, he is introduced to school staff and learns more about their respective backgrounds, thus providing the reader with a bird’s eye view of the history of migration to Canada. A 48-page book, it is envisioned to be just the beginning of a series of books on migration stories. The book launch, hosted by generous couple Bayani and Lorena Alcantara, was a night of story sharing by Clarizze Truscott, Ida
· Trans Mountain Pipeline moves Canada’s economy forward – creating economic activity from coast to coast. · Trans Mountain Pipeline puts Canada first – making us less reliant on American markets. · Trans Mountain Pipeline is critical to Canada’s climate plan – revenue generated will fund greener energy sources and innovation. Background: · To date, Alberta has spent $1.29 million on this nationwide advertising campaign. · About $700,000 has been dedicated to advertising in British Columbia, including digital board locations in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops and the west Kootenays, Abbotsford international and Nanaimo regional airports. · The campaign is scheduled to run from April 30 until the pipeline is in operation. · Scotiabank estimates that the discount on Canadian oil caused by pipeline bottlenecks costs producers and the Canadian economy as much as $40 million per day. · A Conference Board of Canada report has determined that the combined government revenue impact for construction and the first 20 years of expanded operations is $46.7 billion, including federal and provincial taxes that can be used for public services such as health care and education. ► British Columbia receives $5.7 billion ► Alberta receives $19.4 billion ► The rest of Canada shares $21.6 billion ► Municipal tax payments (not adjusted for inflation) total $922 million to B.C .and $124 million to Alberta over the first 20 years of expanded pipeline operations.
Micos Liquor Warriors top PRSAA basketball tourney By Moses Billacura
LEDUC, Alberta --- Micos Liquor Store-Leduc Warriors waxed hot building an 18-0 lead at the start of the canto then slowed down in the next three quarters that made the game more exciting for the fans and players but pulled away to beat the Good Squad, 96-86 in the 2018 PRSAA Basketball Finals, recently, here. Season MVP Ian Gonzales powered Micos with 33 points, that included seven three-pointers, to keep Good Squad at bay. Micos Warriors defeated Adessa in the semifinal game in the morning and despite the fatigue, the squad of team captain Alexis Dimaculangan fought off a younger and faster Good Squad later in the afternoon. "We have been playing together for the last five seasons and we found the chemistry after all those years," said Dimaculangan. Taking advantage of playing for a good number of years and with the coming in of veteran center Warren Guillen this season, Micos Warriors took charge of the game despite the relentless attack by the Good Squad. Named to the mythical five were Gonzales and Guillen, Chris Antonio and Rio Hernandez of Goon Squad, Slim Montero of Adessa. John Israel of Micos was named final game MVP. Photo by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal
Beltran-Lucila, Avnish Nanda, PoushaliMitra, “Lynn” and Vicky Venancio. Rod Loyola, MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie, and Jon Carson, MLA for Edmonton-Meadowlark, delivered messages on behalf of the provincial government. Stirring performances were provided by Lyla Luciano, and Julius Ylagan and Danielle Yu of Emma the Musical. The presentations touched on varying migrant issues: refugee experience, challenges for temporary foreign workers, the Komagata Maru, health care for Canadian children of non-status parents, and for my own part, the value of arts and culture in an immigrant society. Sharing my own immigration story, I related how I anticipated my life in Canada as a regular 9-5 employee and completely giving up my persona as an artist. However,
through time, I found myself revisiting my passion, i.e. dance, arts and culture, for the story of migration is a story of reconstructing one’s identity. When one uproots oneself from his/her home country, there is a sense of loss of social status, and of family and social networks. And this is where the points of art, culture, and migration converged in my life. Art, culture and migration are rich with stories of aspirations, love, struggles, sacrifices, perseverance and success. Art provides a safe and personal space for self-expression and inclusion. Cultural activities foster a sense of community and belonging, and subsequently, mutual understanding. Furthermore, art provides a platform to reflect, to question, and to inform, thereby being an effective channel for social
change. This is why art and culture play a crucial role in reclaiming our identity. And so in my journey, the role of art and culture has gone beyond my personal realm and has extended to benefit the greater community. Our community is so diverse. It is said that diversity makes a society stronger. I believe this is true, but so long as the people are empowered with their cultural identity as well. This is the belief behind the Philippine Arts Council. The Philippine Arts Council and Migrante Alberta have collaborated in different initiatives, most recent of which was the June Philippine Heritage Month Proclamation by the Government of Alberta. Two distinct organizations whose objectives share a cross-point. I am delighted with the launch of
“Bridging the Gap: A Short History of Migration to Canada” and in the decision to release it in comic book format. The message and the format, important as it is, also renders it accessible to all ages and deserves tobe disseminated as widely as possible. During the book launch, MLA Rod Loyola and MLA Jon Carson pledged to provide all schools within their respective riding with a copy of the book. Mabuhay ang Migrante Alberta and more power to you! To obtain copies of “Bridging the Gap: A Short History of Migration to Canada”, email migrantealberta@gmail.com. To comment on this article, go to https://www.philippineartscouncil. com/blog
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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
COMMUNITY | BUSINESS | POINTS OF VIEW
JUNE 2018
1st Annual Filipino Heritage Month Comes to a Close Community event reflects on Edmonton’s multicultural food, culture & arts WHO: Philippine Arts Council, Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op & Seconds, Please! WHAT: Premiere screening of Seconds, Please! Episode 2 & community panel discussion about the immigrant experience & multiculturalism in Edmonton WHERE: 9538 107 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5H 0T7 WHEN: June 29, 2018 @ 6:00-8:00 PM WHY: Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sarah Hoffman official proclaimed June as Philippine Heritage Month in Alberta on June 3, 2018. The end of the month is a great time to reflect on the first Filipino Heritage Month. With a long history in Alberta, and home to 175,130 Filipinos,
Tagalog is the second-most spoken non-official language in Alberta. In its second independent short film, Seconds, Please! discusses one Filipino family’s immigration experience over the dinner table while making a traditional dish. The event will celebrate Filipino Heritage Month through the arts and encourages the community to participate in the reflective discussion following the film. The event is free and open to the public. 6:00 PM - Event Start | Mixer with live music; showcase of Filipino food & cultural handicrafts 6:30 PM - Official Program | Introduction
6:45 PM - Film Premiere | Seconds, Please! Episode 2 features aFilipino father-daughter duo discussing their immigration experience in Edmonton, while cooking Kare-Kare. 7:00 PM - Panel Discussion | Moderated by Ida BeltranLucila, Executive Director, Philippine Arts Council. Commentary from Pol & Kat from the film, and leaders of the Filipino community (TBC). Ida Beltran-Lucila and Kat Wi are available for interview following the panel discussion 7:45 PM - Networking | Community to interact and discuss the film. About Philippines Arts Council Established in March 2016,
the Philippine Arts Council aims toestablish a network of artists who are Filipino or of Filipino-descent, in the fields of dance, music, theatre, literature, film, visual arts, digital arts, design, cuisine, crafts and Filipino martial arts. About Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op began 24 years ago to support Edmonton’s newcomers. The goal was to enhance the health and wellbeing of families, and foster their efforts at building community so they could thrive, and actively contribute to society. Our cultural brokers are from immigrant communities, and know first hand the social, economic, and language difficulties that immigrants and refugees face.
This places us in a unique position to bridge the gap between newcomer families and Canadian society. About Seconds, Please! Seconds, Please! (www.secondspleasetv. ca) is Edmonton’s first online video series dedicated to food, culture and multiculturalism. The new Edmonton indie-based video series captures stories and traditional food recipes from Canadian immigrant families. Each episode showcases one family whereby the elder generation teaches a family recipe from their homeland to a younger generation, usually Canadian-born. Seconds, Please! focuses on the importance and variety of international foods in the city as a way to experience and celebrate diversity. (pr)
Hong Kong Airlines to sponsor Hong Kong Race at 2018 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival Local districts race for Hong Kong Airlines – Hong Kong Trophy and flight tickets [Hong Kong ▪13 June 2018] Hong Kong Airlines is proud to be the sponsor of the Hong Kong Race at the upcoming 2018 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival. The threeday event takes place from Hong Kong’s iconic Central Harbour front from 22 to 24 June 2018 and will see thousands of the world’s top dragon boat athletes compete in several heart-pounding races. This year’s race for the Hong Kong Airlines -Hong Kong Trophy will see teams from all districts in Hong Kong compete in this exciting event. In addition to the coveted trophy, each participant of the winning team will be awarded with a free round-trip ticket to any long-haul destination in Hong Kong Airlines’ growing network, including Auckland, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver. The first and second runner up teams will also win tickets for short-haul flights to popular Asian destinations, including Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok and Manila, which launched just earlier this month. Like previous years, the 2018
From page 12
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival is poised to be a popular event for locals and overseas visitors. This year’s party promises to be livelier and more colourful with great fun, food and entertainment planned for everyone. To ensure our overseas passengers get some party action, Hong Kong Airlines is delighted to partner with Hong Kong Tourism Board to give away food and beer coupons for visitors to redeem at the Carnival. In the days leading up to the event, passengers who hold a foreign travel document checking in for a Hong Kong Airlines flight to Hong Kong will be presented with the voucher on a first-come-first-serve basis at the Vancouver International Airport Hong Kong Airlines check in counters. To redeem the free beer and food, visitors simply need to present their travel document and coupon to the designated Tourist Counter at the event venue during the carnival weekend from 22 to 24 June 2018. Hong Kong Airlines Chief Marketing Officer Mr George Liu
said: “Hong Kong Airlines is proud to call Hong Kong our home, and we are extremely pleased to sponsor the Hong Kong Race this year. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival is
a truly Hong Kong yet global event, aligning with Hong Kong Airline’s DNA. The stage has been set for the world’s top dragon boat athletes to come together and compete in
three days of competitive races that promises to thrill, entertain and wow visitors and audiences alike. We can’t wait to have fun with everyone.” (pr)
artist in the Works Art and Design Festival, Tingzon won 2nd Place in a “Paint onthe Spot Competition” in Manila where he produced a painting depicting the stricken city of Marawi, created in 4 hours. His Curator Gordon is also a Canadian artist who was born in Edmonton and trained at the Alberta College of Art in Calgary. This is the first time that the curator has collaborated with an emerging artist and he says, “I have never been more excited.”
21-year-old Tingzon finished highschool with 91% average. With the support of Snyder, starting in August of this year, Rommel is headingto Far Eastern University to take up Fine Arts - Studio art program. All the proceeds of Tingzon’s exhibit in Edmonton will fund his Education. “I am paintingthe story of my life experiences.” -Rommel Tingzon “My life as an artist is just beginning and my vision is still evolving. My work is realism in a classical sense and in the hope that
viewers can understand our culture and way of life in the Philippines.” The young Filipino artist started drawing when he was a child, tracing from books and this progressed into drawing cartoons and anime. He competed in school activities such as poster-making, creating collages and editorial cartoons.It was also in high school that he started on charcoal portraits. His work will be on display at Manulife Place fromJune 21 to July 3, 2018.
A Promising Filipino...
help his father, he moved to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines to further pursue his love for art as a realist painter. Inspired by Philippine National Artists Fernando Amorsolo and Juan Luna and in collaboration with his Curator Gordon Snyder, he became interested in the rapid and extreme cultural changes brought on by the increased tourism in the area.There, he witnessed the paradigm shift of the culture and now as his world has expanded withthe birth internet and
the inventionof the mobile phone. This was a huge transition for the artist and allowed him to express these realities in his work. It was in Palawan where the Tingzon met his Curator. Snyder, a Canadian living in the Philippines, visited Rommel’s studio several times and was impressed with his work and decided to collaborate and produce an exhibition of his paintings to illustrate how his realist images mirror his culture and itshistory.Prior to being a feature
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JUNE 2018
POINTS OF VIEW | EDITOR’S CORNER | BUSINESS
Filipinavigation RIANA TORREJON torrejonriana@gmail.com Riana Torrejon is a twelfth-grade student who is a passionate advocate for human rights. In her spare time, she loves to write and sing. She also runs her school’s Student Council, chairs for ECSD’s Student Senate, and is an actress for Emma the Musical. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of her greatest inspirations.
Identity Tug of War There is a silent battle that is fought by many young immigrants.
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grew up in the Philippines, then immigrated with my family to Canada when I was almost eleven. At first glance, the new country appeared utopian as the streets were clean, the buildings were free of vandalism, the people were quite friendly, and I wore a smile every night before bed. That smile lasted until I began school in the fall. During my first two years of school in Canada, I was bullied. Kids first pointed at my long black hair and claimed that I was a witch. Not long after, they drew comics featuring my hair and other foreign features and passed it around the school—always ensuring that I was the last to see them. To make matters worse, Filipino dishes often call for ingredients like onions, garlic, and fish, the scent of which clung to my clothes. The aroma reminded me of my grandmother’s home in the Philippines, but my classmates considered it a stench. I distinctly entering the classroom on morning to be met by the crinkling of noses followed by the backs of chairs at each table forming impenetrable walls. It was only when the bell rang, and the teacher appeared that eventually, I was able to take advantage of their distracted states and force myself through a crack that revealed itself in their ranks.
The bullying stopped when I transitioned into junior high school and the rise in immigration soon brought in familiar faces that looked like my own; students with skin just like mine, hair just as black, and the familiar smell of fish that used to greet me at my grandmother’s. During the first year in junior high school, I was less afraid of the walls as I now had more people in the trenches with me. In our huddle as a minority, we could ignore our harsh reality by only facing each other. However, I still snuck occasional peeks of the outside world and strayed from the huddle every now and then. With all my observations, one day, I narrowed down that there were two different types of Filipinos in Canada: the “whitewashed” and those “fresh off the boat,” or FOB for short. The whitewashed Filipinos resembled the kids on the other side of the wall as they had no traces of the Filipino culture that gave them away, other than the colour of their skin. Devoid of an accent, the scent of garlic and onions, and hold on to the Filipino heritage, these whitewashed Filipinos did not appear to have to endure the bullying I had experienced. After this epiphany, I found myself slowly singing more English songs, adopting the Canadian accent, and as I kept
inching in this direction, I woke up one day to find that I no longer had to look for cracks to enter through the wall, but was now on the other side of it, viewing my peers still in the trenches through these cracks. In an insidious manner, fear had crept up on me as the years of persecution culminated. I needed so badly to belong and remain within the safe perimeters of being whitewashed, that I feared embracing the heritage my ancestors so proudly passed down to me. It wasn’t until high school that I fully understood this because of a phone call with my grandmother. We struggled to communicate as our language, Bisaya, no longer felt natural on my tongue. I examined myself in the mirror for what felt like ages after that phone call. Before me stood a girl who easily passed for a native-born Canadian. Everything my family had passed down onto me was hidden away deep within my heart for I became too hindered to fully embrace myself and bear semblance to my past self, the FOB, the immigrant that was ostracized for being different. Now, I’ve made the effort to reconnect with my roots by reading about Filipino history, speaking Tagalog and Bisaya with family and friends who know the dialects, and attending Filipino events. Fortunately, my heritage didn’t fully leave me, and I’m now unafraid of embracing it, regardless of how others feel. My story’s not uncommon as many young immigrants also feel the tug of war between their identities. Let’s ensure we treat one another with open minds and with a willingness to understand before we judge. This will change our actions for the better. It will also allow for many, such young immigrants, the space they need to let their two identities co-exist and happily get along. It should not be a tug of war in Canada, the mosaic.
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EDITOR’S CORNER Lito Mendoza Velasco
Ang Ibang Tao Ang ibang tao, kapag hindi nagustuhan ang isang parte ng buhay mo; kaagadagad na pagsasabihan ka o ipagsasabi sa iba na ikaw ay masamang tao o gago. Buong buhay at pagkatao mo, nais nilang sa karimlan o kawalang-hanggan sa putikan ay ibato. Samantalang isa o kapirasong bahagi lamang naman ng sarili mo ang sa panlasa nila ay hindi umeksakto. Para sa ganyang mga tao, ang buong pagkatao mo ay huhusgahang ipako sa krus o ipaghampasan sa matigas na bato. Ganyan ang ibang tao. oooOOOooo
GINTONG PAMANA: The Philippine Heritage Month “We did not inherit this society from our ancestors; we just borrowed it from our children.” Time and again, I have been using this statement in order remind us of our inherent obligations toward our fellow human being in the community. Luckily, the concerted efforts by the group of Filipinos have tremendously garnered its favourable decision from the Government of Alberta to proclaim June as the Philippine Heritage Month.
Yours truly had also witnessed how hard it was to lobby and convince our fellow kababayans (fellow Filipinos) to bring one good intention into the nucleus when different groups aimed to claim ownership of ideas or monopoly of opinions. Obviously, the pioneermania has long been one of the social epidemics that intrinsically contaminates the Filipino Minds. But now, through the indefatigable zeal and effort of the new dynamic leaders, the culturally conditioned pioneers are tending to get out of their shells. While it is true that the youth of today is the future’s hope, Jose Rizal said. It is also true that these today’s youths may not become the future’s hope if they have not been well-oriented and prepared by the elders—elders who should set as good leaders—leaders who can produce reliable leaders— leaders who can contribute and continue translating mere ideas into reality—leaders who can keep on transferring the good values and legacy. Not only during the month of June, but the whole calendar year. Promoting co-operation with the Filipino people in the Philippines and in the whole world. Celebrating the Philippine Heritage Month that only starts from its proclamation up to its radical actualization. Rooted from the love of our Country, the Philippines as well as of our adopting Nation—Canada.
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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
POINTS OF VIEW | RECOGNITION | ARTS
JUNE 2018
“Alberta gets an equity in pipeline” says Premier Rachel Notley By: Nicky Gocuan
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overnment Building, Edmonton, Alberta. The Alberta Filipino Journal was recently invited to a Round Table briefing with Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Minister of Labor Christina Gray. In the said Media briefing, Premier Notley talked about the controversial TransCanada Mountain Pipeline. As we all know, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and British Columbia Premier John Horgan have been at odds on the topic of the Trans Canada Mountain Pipeline. The Federal Government recently decided to buy the pipeline to get it built. This move renders the protest of British Columbia mute and academic because of the immunity of the Federal Government. Premier Notley made sure that From page 14
LETICIA SARMIENTO... active in our community in Vancouver. With permission, I’m sharing the reflections of Beth Dollaga, her fellow Migrante BC member. A Face with a Name: Leticia "Letty" Sarmiento March 17, 1973 - June 5, 2018 Margaret Atwood, a celebrated Canadian author once wrote: “You don’t tell a story only to yourself. There is always someone else. A story is like a letter...Dear YOU, I’ll say. Just YOU, without a name. Attaching a name attaches you to the world of
if Alberta will be investing $2 Billion into the project, three conditions had to be met. Namely, that construction of the pipeline will continue, that certainty is provided on schedule of the construction and that Alberta gets equity. The federal government acknowledged all these terms. This is not the first time that the government has taken this type of initiative. They have completed several successful projects which the private sector later invested upon. On questions about when the controversial Carbon Tax is going away, the Premier explains that this move is a must since Alberta is the only Province without an energy efficiency program. “60% of Alberta families get a rebate and if you look closely at it they will still come out ahead,” adds Notley.
The Premier also mentioned that we do not realize that we are more urbanized than any other province. This means that more people are living in the city. We are way behind in investing in public transportation and we need to do this now if we are to attract future investment. So, is the carbon tax going away? The answer is “no”. The Alberta Government is currently focusing on continuing its support for the natural oil and gas industry while building the Alternative Energy sector. The government recently did an auction to find out what they would need to do to support said industry and is happy to report that it would cost much less than what they initially expected. “We are now the No.1 destination for Green Energy investors,” says Premier Notley.
The Alberta government has created a good system that makes sense which will allow investors to have a good return. The Notley government wants to ensure that there is stability in the renewable energy program and programs for partial upgrading, sending more products to more places in less time. They are also finding more refineries to take our product. They understand that energy diversification is important. The government also introduced Bill 2, which is the Growth & Diversification Act. This will help stimulate growth across sectors to create more jobs, more economic diversification and create programs for high-tech training to support the transition of the knowledgeable energy sector workforce.
Included in the Bill is the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit, the Alberta Investor Tax Credit and the Capital Investment Tax Credit. The Premier adds that energy exports are up $20 Billion in 2017. Exports are up by 8%, wages are up 2.6%,retail is up 7.5%, wholesale is up,housing construction is up and building permits are up. In line with the progress of the Notley government, Labor Minister Christina Gray also announced they have made changes to the Alberta Workplace standards which have not been updated in 30 years. They have done this to ensure jobs are protected, sick days are paid, and employees get stat holiday pays,making sure that Alberta is up to minimum standards
facts, which is riskier, more hazardous. Who knows what the chances are out there, of survival, YOURS? I will say YOU, YOU like a new story, an old story. YOU can mean more than one. YOU can mean thousands.” In August 2010, in one of Migrante BC’s community outreach, I met a stranger who would laterbecome a friend. I am attaching a name to my story: Leticia Sarmiento or Letty to many of her friends. She was a daughter, a sister and, at the time of our meeting, was a youngbride whosoon found herself fighting to escape from an abusive relationship. She was a mother, a worker, a woman of courage and a friend. Letty is one of the 1.5 million
Filipinos found in over 230 countries in the world. Massive unemployment, landlessness, poverty and globalization have been forcing Filipino people to migrate. In 2000, Letty left her three young children in the care of her mother to work as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia. She worked there for four years and moved to Lebanon in 2004. In 2006, she had to flee Lebanon on foot along with other nationalities, trekking inthe dessert for safety. She and other compatriots felt they were neglected by the Philippine government at a time they were fleeing the war. They were at the mercy of the Italian government service for rescue. Letty says she was lucky to make it home. Unfortunately, though
she madeit home alive, escaping from bombs and bullets, she wasfaced with unemployment and economic hardship. Again, Letty had to muster the courage to leave the country and endure the emotional tragedy of separation from her family to provide for their basic needs. She left for Hong Kong in 2006 as a domestic worker and was brought to Canada by her employer in 2008. Leticia was a victim of human trafficking from Hong Kong to Canada, and her case led to the first conviction under Canadian law for such. Her trafficker eventually had the two serious convictions overturned at appeal. Migrante BC helped her resettle into Vancouver where eventually, her two young-adult children Mika and Mark
were reunited with their mother. It is not enough to tell stories. It is not enough to know someone else’s story. The story must weave intothe stories of struggles of the people around the world. In the midst of these stories, there are people who know what it means to love and to care, to dare to take a step in an organized action, and fulfill the promise of a better tomorrow for everyone. Letty, kabsat, sister, thank you for the opportunity to know you and to learn from you. Thank you for being part of my personal journey. REST IN POWER and in PEACE! *Letty passed away at 5:40pm(PST) at St. Michael's Hospice in Burnaby, BC.
A Decade of Community Service Alberta Filipino Journal received a congratulatory message from Alberta Premier Rachel Notley on the occasion of its 10th Year Anniversary of its publication.
Americans For The Arts Recognizes Outstanding Public Art Projects Resonant Progression by Royden Mills Honored Today at Americans for the Arts Annual Convention in Denver, Colorado
(Image shows the sculptures Potential (left) and Resonant Point (right) ~ photo, Royden Mills)
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Edmonton – Americans for the Arts today honored 49 outstanding public arts projects created in 2017 through the Public Art Network Year in Review program, the only national program that specifically recognizes the most compelling public art. Chosen by public art experts, the roster of selected projects was unveiled this morning at Americans for the Arts’ Annual Convention in Denver. This is the 17th year that Americans for the Arts has recognized public art works. Resonant Progression, created by Edmonton sculptor Royden Mills, consists of three sculptures placed in conceptually linked sites throughout Terwillegar Park. The sculptural components link the viewer with the site’s history and the sounds of nature, while offering an invitation to slow down and immerse in time and nature’s tempo.
“The sculptures, Potential, Resonant Point, and Beyond Listening, each offer a figurative and literal connection to a ‘resonant progression’,” explains Mills. “My intent was to metaphorically respond to the site, and through the inclusion of acoustic properties within each, construct a literal resonance. The sculptures are low-tech and rugged, marrying hand-welded steel with granite boulders I hand-selected from the Edmonton area. I envision it as a place where families may joyfully play for generations”. “The best of public art can challenge, delight, educate, and illuminate. Most of all, public art creates a sense of civic vitality in the cities, towns, and communities we inhabit and visit,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “As these Public Art Network Year in Review
selections illustrate, public art has the power to enhance our lives on a scale that little else can. I congratulate the artists and commissioning groups for these community treasures, and I look forward to honoring more great works in the years to come.” The projects selected for Year in Review can be viewed on this page and are on display throughout the Annual Convention. Three independent public art experts—Bryan Lee, Jr., director of design at Colloquate Design in New Orleans; Karen Mack, executive director of LA Commons in Los Angeles; and Denver artist Patrick Marold—discussed the trends they uncovered while examining hundreds of submissions in selecting this year’s choices for the most exemplary, innovative permanent or temporary public art works created or debuted in 2017. The complete presentation, which includes photos and descriptions of all 49 projects, will be available for purchase through Americans for the Arts’ store. Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City, it has a record of more than 55 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org. (pr)
JUNE 2018
IMMIGRATION SERVICES | COMMUNITY | CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
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Philippines Did Not Make It To The Top Ten Countries Of Express Entry Candidates With Invitations To Apply (Ita's) In 2017 From Migration to Immigration MARJORIE CARMONA NEWMAN info@mcncanadaimmigration.com 780-758-2045
Marjorie Carmona Newman is a REGULATED CANADIAN IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT based in Edmonton, Alberta. She previously served as Prairie Chapter representative for the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) in the Governance and Nomination Committee and Education Director. Marjorie is a three-year recipient of CAPIC's Service Award.
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n its recent Express Entry economic immigration category report, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showed that candidates from India and China led their fellow Express Entry candidates in invitations to apply for permanent residence to Canada in 2017. Just to give you some background,
Express Entry is Canada's flagship management system for key economic immigration programs. These programs are the following: Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program. Applicants or prospective
Book launching of Alberta Filipino Journal columnist Marco Luciano on May 31 at Panciteria de Manila
candidates express their interest in immigrating to Canada by first completing an online profile. The applicant's profile is electronically screened to determine if they meet the criteria of at least 1 of the 3 federal immigration programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades Canadian Experience Class and PNP). Candidates are given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and are then placed in the Express Entry pool and ranked relative to each other based on their CRS scores. The Express Entry pool is changing, and a candidate's rank can change as other candidates join and leave the pool, or when the ranking criteria is adjusted according to ministerial instructions.
CRS scores can also change as a candidate's circumstances change. (For example, if a candidate gains more work experience or is nominated by a provinces or territory). Only those who obtained high scores, or top-ranked candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence. The top three occupations invited last year were all in the Information and Technology sector, a sector that has long tapped highly skilled workers from India. Included in the list of the top occupations were Information Systems Analysts and Consultants, Software Engineers and Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers. ALBERTA IS ONE OF THE TOP THREE DESTINATION PROVINCES
IN CANADA FOR PERMANENT RESIDENTS On the same report, it recorded the number of permanent resident admissions by province. Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta led once again as the top three destination provinces for permanent residents in 2017. If you have questions regarding the above article you may contact Marjorie at info@mcncanadaimmigration.com Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
ThePHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES was top three countries in in thethe 2016 Express Entry ITAsITAs butdid The wasone oneofthe of the top three countries 2016 Express Entry butnot dideven not even appearasasone oneofofthe topten tenin in2017. 2017.Please Pleasesee thetable below for comparison: appear the top see the table below comparison: Country of Citizenship India China Philippines United Kingdom United States Ireland, Republic of Nigeria Pakistan Australia France Other
Express Entry ITA's 2016 11,037 33% 2,741 8% 1,736 5% 1,544 5% 1,319 4% 1,227 4% 1,041 3% 949 3% 849 2% 830 2% 10,509 31% 33,782 100%
Country of Citizenship India China Nigeria Pakistan United Kingdom United States Brazil Iran Ireland, Republic of Australia Other
Express Entry ITA's 2017 36,310 42% 7,466 9% 5,130 6% 3,339 4% 2,652 3% 2,030 2% 1,672 2% 1,382 2% 1,274 1% 1,264 1% 23,503 27% 86,022 100%
The topthree occupations invited last year were all in the Information and Technology sector, a sector that has long tapped highly skilled workers from India. Included in the list of the top occupations were Information Systems Analysts and Consultants, Software Engineers and Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers. ALBERTA IS ONE OF THE TOP THREE DESTINATION PROVINCES IN CANADA FOR PERMANENT RESIDENTS Photo by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal From page 7
How Your Bachelor’s... the technical exams to be conducted by APEGA. Academic credential evaluation is the biggest roadblock of most Filipino Engineers who are hoping to join the Engineering Workforce of Canada. I did some research and the result is not favorable to Engineers who graduated from “not so popular” University in the Philippines. Below is the WES Degree Evaluation Tool that can be found in the WES Canada Website. The first is the result of equivalency of the same 5-year degree Civil Engineering program in a University in Manila. The Degree Equivalency of Civil Engineering is “Bachelor’s Degree (4 years). The second is the result of equivalency of the same 5-year degree Civil Engineering program in a Technical School in Manila. The Degree Equivalency of Civil Engineering is “Bachelor’s Degree (3 years). The third is the result of equivalency of the same 5-year degree Civil Engineering program in a State University in Manila. The Degree Equivalency of Civil Engineering
is “Completion of Secondary school education and Community College Diploma (2 years)”. And, the fourth is the result of equivalency of the same 5-year degree Civil Engineering program in a Prime State University in the Visayas. The Degree Equivalency of Civil Engineering is “Completion of Secondary school education and Community College Diploma (2 years)”. I attached the screenshot of the result of the equivalency tool which is accessible to everyone to try the degree equivalent of your degree in Canada. Although WES did some disclaimer that the result is not final and conclusive, but the school where you graduated has something to do with your academic evaluation. I intentionally did not put the “school or institution” not to degrade it “further”. The purpose of this article is to equipped our Filipino Engineers with information on how to overcome this obstacle. If the evaluation is not favorable to you – you have still the option of pursuing further studies or challenging the technical exams. By then, the school you graduated – does not matter at all because you become a globally competitive engineer.
On the same report, it recorded the number of permanent resident admissions by province. Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta led once again as the top three destination provinces for permanent residents in 2017. If you have questions regarding the above article you may contact Marjorie at info@mcncanadaimmigration.com Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
PROMOTION
JUNE 2018
COMMUNITY | BUSINESS
JUNE 2018 From page 26
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“Alberta gets an equity in...
Deputy Premier Sarah Hoffman with Alberta Filipino Journal Publisher Jun Angeles and Columnist Nicky Gocuan
and in line with rest of the provinces. Occupational Health & Safety has not been updated in four years. Now, employees have the right to know of workplace hazards. They also have the right to participate in the Health & Safety Committee. From page 22
The 15th Year Charter ... -SK Enrique G. Cornel: Faithful Outer Sentinel -SK Juanito B. Serrano: Welfare Committee -SK Oscar V. Mejilla: Faithful Purser -SK Rafael F. Ison: Faithful Comptroller -SK Restitito D. Cabalo: Faithful Captain The 5 recipients of the ‘Shining Sir Knights Award’ is presented to those in recognition of their consistent contributions and dedication in representing the color corps of the Knights of Columbus St. Michael Assembly No. 2795. Congratulations to the following recipients: -SK Abel F. Cereno -SK Albert B. Pinson -SK Alexander E. Ibasco -SK Cesar J. Manuntag -SK Edwin C. Torres The most prestigious award of the night was given to recognize an individual’s lifetime service and dedication to the Knights of Columbus, in addition to being the founder and charter faithful navigator of the St. Michael Assembly during CY 2003-2004. This award is called the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ and is presented to: SK Julito R. Reyes. Mr. Reyes was a past grand knight, past faithful navigator, former district deputy and former master of the fourth degree. Congratulations! Finally, there were many who took part in this event and helped make it a prestigious one, and with that I would like to list the head table guests who were in attendance during the installation of the Sir Knights, the mass, and the banquet. Those guests were: 1. Past State Deputy and Former Master of the Fourth Degree SK Julito R. Reyes and Lady Julia Reyes 2. Past State Deputy and Vice Supreme Master SK Albert West and Lady Judy West 3. State Deputy SK Ron Schuster and Lady Kathy Schuster 4. Rev. Fr. Patrick Baska – Pastor St. Theresa Catholic Parish 5. Rev. Fr. Joby Augustin – St. Michael Assembly No. 2795 Faithful Friar and Pastor Twin Parishes of ST. Anthony and St. Agnes
Because of too many incidents of gas theft, some resulting in loss of life, Minister Gray started working on the pre-payment of gas in the province,which was supported by the Chief of Police. The move has minimized gas theft in Alberta, which
Alberta Premier Notely with Alberta Filipino Journal Columnist Gocuan 1
is welcome to our police force, which spent thousands of hours on responding to reports of gas theft,resulting in a waste of resources. Edmonton police says that this year, there has been 400 gas thefts and this number is down by 26% compared
Alberta Filipino Journal Publisher Angeles with Alberta Premier Notely
to last year before pre-payment was introduced. In coordination with the police, the Minister was also able to help with plans and policies for convenience stores, focusing on policies for employees working alone, cash visibility, and practicing preventative measures such as there being no high
value items in convenience stores after certain hours of the night,to ensure the safety of workers and thus making the Alberta work places after. The good news is that the Alberta Government’s earlier projection that the economy will start picking up in late 2019 is happening sooner.
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BUSINESS - HEALTH
JUNE 2018
JUNE 2018
BUSINESS - HEALTH
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GREETINGS FROM THE ALBERTA PREMIER
JUNE 2018