Alberta Filipino Journal - April 2019 Issue

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UNIQUENESS IS EVERYONE’S GREATNESS!

MARGARET AMANGYEN Kaya Ko; Kaya Mo! P15

APRIL 2019 • Volume 12, Number 04

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SELECTIONS FOR 2019 PROVINCIAL ELECTION

Rachel

NOTLEY

Jason

KENNEY

Stephen

MANDEL

David

KHAN

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BUSINESS

APRIL 2019

THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA

APRIL 2019

COMMUNITY | TABLE OF CONTENTS | BUSINESS

`Tahanan ni Benjie' hosts Alberta Filipino Journal

By Moses Billacura

"Tahanan ni Benjie" hosted the Alberta Filipino Journal (AFJ) staff meeting, April 4, at 9876 33 Avenue NW in Edmonton.

AFJ publisher Jun Angeles, editor Lito Velasco, advertising manager Melanie Angeles and some staff were able to check on the "Tahanan" which has started to become a host to small Filipino group gatherings.

The "Tahanan" is the venue of the Benjie Lindo Live Updates that promotes various Pinoy events and other activities. “Napag isipan naming magkaroon ng isang maliit na gathering place para sa ating mga kababayan, at libre po ang venue na to para sa kanila,” said Lindo.

Angeles thanked Lindo and his corporate backer, the Quality Care Group of Companies, for hosting the Journal meeting and for promoting the Alberta-based Filipino newspaper which is publishing on its 11th year.

The Quality Care Group of Companies, that also runs the first Filipino co-owned health clinic Medicus Family Health Clinic and Pharmacy, is also supporting the AFJ as one of its advertisers.

Quality Care Group co-founders Kris Salumbides and Jacob Christian were also on hand to personally welcome the AFJ staff, share a meal and discuss various news events in the province.

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WHAT's Inside: A reader's guide

Photos by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal

Editor’s Corner Sports Journal Artospective Just Listen Migrant's Voices Make Our Daily Gospel Reading Trending Hindi Dapat Pagtakhan Radyo Sa Dyaryo Kaya Ko; Kaya Mo! Byahe ni Kat From Migration to Immigration From A Vantage Point Publisher's Note General Point of View Through a Teenager’s Eyes From A Dream Into A Beam Filipinavigation Jan The Man’s Note

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AFJ STAFF | EDITOR'S CORNER | BUSINESS

APRIL 2019

Uniqueness is Everyone’s Greatness

EDITOR’S CORNER Lito Mendoza Velasco

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 Lianne Angeles Proofreader l Contributing Writer 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, Perry Diaz, Hermo Pagtakhan Contributing Writers: Januel Cedrick Ibasco, Fr. Nilo Belvis Macapinlac, Riana Torrejon, Fr. Jhack Diaz, Salve Asis The Alberta Filipino Journal is dedicated in memory of Rosalinda Linsangan Natividad-Cantiveros of Winnipeg as she engaged her entire life in service to 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.

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best but refuses to accept his weaknesses and dependence upon others, then, everyone might be also worst. Thereby, religious, academicians, businessmen, and politicians are not exemptions. I would rather say: “Everybody needs everybody—everyone has to acknowledge one’s uniqueness as the pre-requisite for the attainment of greatness. oooOooo

here’s no monopoly of opinions or ideas. Seeing someone prospering is not something that subtracts from his credibility, but rather, a priceless compliments and performance enhancer.

In religious parlance: Every congregation has the best word to say for the salvation of mankind. Each pastor has to be acting as Christ-like or a disciple in the modern times. Trying to convince the faithful that the best way to holiness or salvation is through his teachings. For instance, the Catholic Church urges its faithful to commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ during Lenten Season.

Telling people to believe that fast and abstinence should be observed as the expression of repentance in order to be forgiven.

In education: All academic institutions have to make students believe that the transmission of knowledge can be achieved through their Courses offered and the Syllabi they have prepared for those who are goal-oriented individuals as well as those who wanted to become professionals. Each of them has the best to offer.

In business: No businessman is trying to dismay his potential customers by discrediting the quality of his own products and services. Each one of them has the slogan that is best portraying the nature of the business. Regardless of the Promotional Battlecry being displayed on the billboards, newspapers, and in social media, there is one effective and domineering cardinal principle of advertising, that is: “What is unknown is not desired.”

In the realm of politics, every Party has something best to offer for the welfare of the community. Each political aspirant has to make the potential voters believe and adhere on his platform.

To sum up, all of them have the “best” standard, strategy, technique, method, approach, and principle to promote, propagate, and transmit in order to be known. Nevertheless, if all of them are “best in their own right,” then, who is not?

The tendency: He who seeks grandiosity or greatness forgets his uniqueness. The fallacy: When uniqueness is set aside, jealousy is on the side.

In this case, no one wants to meet someone who is better than himself.

The moment he does, then, negative crab mentality takes place. Intrusion of false accusations comes in. The “Nobody wants everybody phenomenon” reigns.

The problem regarding the nonrecognition of defeat and failure may be outlined depending upon the area of discipline. I suppose, if everyone is the

ELECTION: Your Choice is our Voice Every Country needs to select a Leader who is capable of Elevating the life of his/her Constituents in a very Timely manner Innovating and Invigorating Opportunities and Nationalism Alberta Filipino Journal encourages every Filipino-Canadian Citizen to go out and vote!

April 16, 2019 – For Provincial Election here in Alberta May 13, 2019 – Philippine Election for Absentee Voters After Election, never complain if you abstained!

Moving Forward Together Edmonton - The Philippine Arts Council, Congress of the Philippine Associations of Alberta, Migrante Alberta, Council of Edmonton Filipino Associations, Saranay Association, Representatives from the Office of Hon. Amarjeet Sohi, meet with Bin Lau-The Office of the Mayor’s Strategic Advisor discussing about the city’s role and opportunities around a future community centre.

THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA

SPORTS | BUSINESS

APRIL 2019

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.

Notley’s, Kenney’s, Khan’s or Mandel’s sports development plan for Albertans?; Exciting volleyball events coming to Alberta

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t's election time in Alberta Province and if you would like to know more about it, read the columns of Marco Luciano and Nicky Gocuan of this paper to know more.

With regards to members of the sports community, I've been hearing their preferences in a chit-chat but as to the question of what the platform of government for a sports development plan for Albertans is, we have not heard any so far from either Premier Notley of the New Democratic Party, United Conservative Party's Kenney, Liberal's Khan or Alberta Party's Mandel.

I wonder if a Sports Development Plan for Albertans is even part of their platform of government. Or have they even thought about it. I wonder. *** Talking about sports community members, I am particularly impressed with the Filipino-Canadian Volleyball Club (FCVC).

FCVC’s Francis Mark Lagos informed me about their men’s and women’s volleyball tournament in October.

What impressed me is that the participants will not be only from Alberta Province.

There will be teams from California, New York and Seattle! Wow! They will be playing against squads from Winnipeg, Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto and of course, Calgary and Edmonton.

The Calgary-based Lagos, Jimmy Calonge along with other volunteers from another organization, the Edmonton-based Alberta Filipino Volleyball Club have been drawing up plans to make sure their event will be successful this coming October.

Keep up the good work FCVC! *** This coming August 3 to 4, a Pinoy Super Liga

Tournament is set at the Red River College. I don’t have details yet but we will soon write about it once we have it.

So far, this is the second tournament I know after the Edson Filipino Volleyball League on June 8-9 where AMD Financial, Red Deer Warriors, Edson, AFVC Crosstown Auto, Alpha Q, GPeks, Raven, Hinton

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are entered. These are squads formed

by Louella Buan, Cito Gansan, Kristine Schalm, Oliver dela Paz, Louie Macapagal, Abby PullonSantiago and others who love the sport and who decided to organize so that they can enjoy the sport better and enjoy the fellowship as Filipinos in Canada.

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Mabuhay kayo mga balebolistang Pinoy! *** To all members of the sports community, we encourage you to let us know of your events.

Please email mocolumnist@ albertafilipinojournal.com or call us at (780)807-4743.

Salamat po!

SEA Games 2019: All systems go!

Eight months to the 30th Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) presented its status of Games readiness with Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano declaring that all preparations are on time and on track for SEAG 2019.

In a press briefing with the sports media, Cayetano, along with PHISGOC COO Tats Suzara, Executive Director Tom Carrasco, Deputy Director General for Operations Cito Dayrit and other senior management officials, gave a comprehensive update on preparations after the PHISGOC’s three-day detailed preparation workshop held in Taguig.

Suzara reported that “we are on track with preparations.

In venues for example we have reached 97% in identifying venues for all sports and functional areas.”

An estimated 17,000 athletes, coaches, spectators officials and media personnel are expected to visit the country for the games

Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano.(pr photo)

scheduled November 30 to December 11 in Subic, Clark, Manila and Cavite.

“The government is throwing its full support for the Games. The Department of Tourism for example is helping us promote the Games since they also recognize its benefit for tourism,” explained Cayetano. The country’s sports agency, Philippine Sports Commission is part of the organizing committee and is set to rehabilitate their sports facilities

like the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for the Games.

The Department of Public Works and Highways have also pledged to refurbishing three venues in Cavite, 13 in Subic and four in Clark.

Cayetano further emphasized the positive impact of sports in nation building stating that “we are not just investing in infrastructure or tourism. Ask anybody from the opposite sides of the political spectrum and they will say that sports is the best way to get rid of drugs.”

As of this writing, there are 523 events in the 30th SEAG calendar with the final roster of sports expected to be approved by the Southeast Asian Games Federation in their EXECOM and Broadcast Meeting this coming April 22.

The Games’ volunteer program, set to be launched in April 12, shall also tap 12,000 people as volunteers for the operations and venues of the 30th SEA Games.(pr)

Bembot Musa (with ball) of the Vikings eludes a defender on his way for a jumper in the 2019 Philippine Sports Association-Crosstown Auto Centre Spring Basketball League, March 24, at the Trinity High School Gym. The Ernie Buton-mentored Vikings won over The Blitz, 105-76.

Photo by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal All photos and articles available online. Follow us

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ARTS | BUSINESS

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Artospective - an artist’s point of view IDA BELTRAN-LUCILA ida_b_lucila@yahoo.com

Cherry Samuya Veric:

More than just Glitz and Glam

APRIL 2019

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Filipino designer has been showcasing his collections for three consecutive years at Western Canada Fashion Week (WCFW), the longest running event of its kind in Alberta, and the second largest in Canada. Cherry Samuya Veric, known for his classic silhouettes and stunning detailed work, has been showcased in the International Collections segment of the fashion event, even featured as a closer for the night.

In his WCFW debut in 2017, Cherry brought his 26-piece collection of evening wear “Viva,” his favourite collection to date. This was the same collection presented when he was chosen to close the 20th anniversary of Philippine Fashion Week, known as the Olympics of Philippine fashion, and a career highlight for Cherry. Viva is his tribute to the Ati-Atihan Festival and the Sto. Niño, as he hails from Aklan and is a Sto. Niño devotee.

This collection was described as “a breathtaking collection...on the continued on page 10 ►

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THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA

OPINION | ELECTIONS ALBERTA

APRIL 2019

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NOTLEY, KENNEY OR MANDEL? Who is the Right Premier for Alberta?

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n about a week, Albertans will troop to polling stations to cast their vote and decide who will lead this once very strong Province in the next four years. Since 2014, the Alberta economy has taken a downturn. Because of this, a lot of Filipino-Canadians lost their job and many of them are still trying to find a job. This is why I encourage all Filipino-Canadians living in Alberta to go out and Vote in this coming Provincial Election. Let your voice be heard. 175,000 is not a small number. If you find Filipino candidates, please do support them. I know Marjorie Newman is running in Edmonton-Glenora and Cesar Cala in Calgary East. As a Proud Filipino Canadian, I would like to see the Filipinos represented properly.

Wouldn’t it be nice if our voices are heard properly? Honestly, Filipinos are known to be some of the nicest people on planet earth. Not only do they carry a very high intellect, they also work hard.

To make it easy for everyone who does not follow politics to understand the importance of this election, I have prepared 3 major questions that hopefully can help shape your decision on who to vote as the next Premier of Alberta.

On the Economy and Jobs Rachel Notley of the NDP promises to continue to diversify the economy.

& 3. Both projects will be about $30 billion without costing the Government money. We give them the bitumen and we get it back as a partnership. There are too many obstacles in building the pipeline going to British Columbia.

NICKY GOCUAN, PMAA ngocuan@yahoo.com

As a journalist with over 14 years of experience, I have covered different events from rallies on the street, entertainment and international sports events like the Asian Games. My favorite pastime is singing. I have always believed that life would be boring without music.

Her Made in Alberta Petro Chemical and upgrading facilities has attracted billions of dollars in investment and creating about 90,000 new jobs mostly in the Public Sector. She will not stop until pipelines are built. She will also get Oil moving today not years from now through her rail deal. Notley says they will balance the budget in 2024.

Jason Kenney of the United Conservatives promises to introduce an Open for Business Act that will reverse the massive cost on businesses that has forced the employers to lay-off people. The Canadian Association of Petroleum producers estimates that getting a well licensed in Saskatchewan and Texas is about 140 to 190 days faster than Alberta. Kenney says he will get Alberta books out of the red and will have a surplus of $714 Million in 2023.

Stephen Mandel of the Alberta Party is putting in a broad base vision to diversify the economy like investing in forestry, and plans to double the number of employment from 16,000 to 32,000 jobs in that industry. Mandel says Rural Alberta is getting hurt the most. He shares the same view on diversifying through Petro Chemicals through natural gas but does not believe in the annual program. He says Companies don’t make billiondollar decisions annually. He will make it a 10-year program but will not give a grant but a Gas Royalty in Kind that they pay back when they earn money. As for the rail, he believes the best route is from Fort McMurray to Alaska, which will help the communities in Northern Alberta and will open up more opportunities as well as the Redwater Upgrader 2

On Healthcare Rachel Notley promises a strong and stable public healthcare system. She cancelled plan to bring back healthcare Premiums. Due to the increase in population, she added 1,200 more doctors and 1,200 more nurses and resisted calls for major cutbacks and hospital closures. She has moved on projects like Calgary Cancer Centre, The South Edmonton Hospital. Dialysis units in Lac La Biche, Whitecourt, Edson & Hinton. She froze wages to make sure services are maintained.

Jason Kenney has said he wants to Privatize Healthcare. He recently signed “Public Health Guarantee” promising to maintain health spending but clarifies that what he wants to do is open up more opportunities for Private Sector to bid on the Public Healthcare system. He says there will be only one healthcare system it will still be public but allowing private Doctors to bid for surgery or other services which will drive the cost down for Government and improve wait times.

Stephen Mandel says he wants to expand healthcare, which is currently called the Alberta medical trust Fund

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and was formed by Lougheed in 1975 or 76 which the current contenders have no interest in keeping alive.

This is where most doctor get their funds to do their research and brings people from all over the world here.

On Foreign Credentials Notley has made a lot of headway in helping immigrants through the Alberta Immigration Nominee program.

It is not clear though as to what her stand is on the Foreign Credentials Accreditation as of Presstime.

Kenney wants to implement a Fairness for Newcomers Action Plan which will help ensure that regulated professions and Individuals are transparent, objective, impartial and fair. The office will work with trade and professional licensing bodies to streamline, simplify and accelerate foreign credential recognition with a goal of giving applicants for licensure a clear answer in 6 months or less. The office will also publicly identify and hold the regulatory bodies accountable for unreasonable barriers.

Mandel says it is important that everyone is given an equal opportunity provided the standards are upheld. He is open to the idea of having foreign credentials accredited from the country of origin through the help of educational institutions like University of Alberta, MacEwan University and NAIT. With today’s technology, this can be done through online courses which would not cost the government any money. When people arrive here, they are ready to work in their field of expertise thus helping the province reach its potential.

How to Vote in the Provincial Election Election Day is Tuesday, April 16 9:00 am to 8:00 pm To vote, you must: • be a Canadian citizen • reside in Alberta • be at least 18 years of age on Election Day If you vote on Election Day, you must vote at the polling place assigned to you.

All polling locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If you cannot vote on Election Day, you can vote at any advance poll location in Alberta from Tuesday, April 9 to Saturday, April 13.

To find your polling location, go to www.elections.ab.ca, see the “Where to Vote” card that was mailed to you, or call 1.877.422.8683 toll-free.

You do not need to be fluent in English to vote — our polls offer information translated into 13 languages. You may also bring someone to translate for you.

For more information, go to www.elections.ab.ca

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POINTS OF VIEW | PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT | COMMUNITY

Why we vote the way we do 2019 is an election extravaganza.

The Alberta Provincial election is happening on April 16th; the Philippine mid-term election is on the 13thof May and of course the Federal election in Canada will be this fall. Filipinos have been engaged in the discussions among themselves about the elections in their communities, at gatherings and on social media.

In the Philippines, the kid gloves have been off for quite some time now. President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters have been bashing the “yellowtard”. While the Liberals have their own criticism of the “Dutertards”. It's very explicit exchange of un-pleasant words against each other. The Philippine diaspora also participates in the Canadian elections, Filipinos that have been in Canada for a while

traditionally vote for either the Conservative or the Liberal Parties.

However, a growing number of second-generation Filipinos has been drawn to the NDP or the Green Party. They are more open to new ideas as well.

According to Statistics Canada, there are more than 851,000

Filipinos that live in Canada and more than 175,000 in Alberta. But despite making up 2.3 percent of the Canadian population, the community’s representation in Canadian politics has been sparse.

Historically, only one Filipino was elected in Parliament in the last 20 years. A Winnipeg based Filipino

doctor Rey Pagtakhan became a Member of Parliament under Prime Minister Jean Chrétienin 1998 and Prime Minister Paul Martin before his defeat in the 2004 election.

There hasn't been a Federal MP since. In the coming Provincial elections in Alberta, there are Filipinos vying for positions as Minsters of the Legislative Assembly. One is Marjorie Carmona Newman, who is an immigration consultant running under the United Conservative Party in Edmonton-Glenora and the other is community worker Cesar Cala,who is running for the New Democratic Party in Calgary East. The first Filipino in the Alberta Legislature was the disgraced Conservative Party member and former immigration consultant Carl Benito in 2008. Benito served only one term (2008-2012) and did not win a nomination for a second term for Edmonton-Mill Woods. He is now facing charges of immigration fraud and the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) suspended his licence to practice.

The Philippine political culture.

Patronage politics is alive and well among our kababayans, in the Philippines or here in Canada.

David Timberman, author of “A Changeless Land: Continuity and Change in Philippine Politics” divides it in four categories:

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APRIL 2019

1. The Primacy of Kinship Ties – According to Timberman, in the context of Philippine society, the family could serve as a bridge to getting “power”. For Filipinos, families extend to both the father’s and the mother’s side. Unrelated families of equal socio-economic status bond together through ritual kinship (godfathers and godmothers), which further broadens the scope of “relatives”. “Palakasan” or “access,” is, if you are a direct relative of someone in power it’s more likely that you’ll get a chance of attaining a position of power than if you’re not “connected.” That’s why it’s no wonder that political dynasties are prevalent in our country. Some people want godfathers or godmothers who hold positions of authority, so that they could use this “connection” to get what they want politically and somehow get even a little chunk of that power their “Kompadre or Komare” has. All these results from closeness with “family,” little trust with “non-family”.

2. “Pakikisama” - It’s when we give in to what others want, so that we won’t be ‘out.’ We don’t say anything against anyone to have that smooth relationship. It’s being less confrontational in order to avoid conflict. How does this appear in our political culture? Since more importance is placed on maintaining continued on page 9 ►

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RELIGION | PARA-LEGAL SERVICES | BUSINESS

APRIL 2019

Make Our Daily Gospel Reading Trending

Like it and share it!

FR. JHACK DIAZ Rev. Fr. Raldy "jhack" Diaz is the first Filipino priest ordained in the Diocese of St. Paul Alberta. He is currently the Pastor of St. Jean de Brebeuf Parish, Mallaig, Alberta.

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Care is a Cure!

y dear kababayans, there are three points I would like to share with you today. First, Jesus saw the man who had been ill for thirty-eight years lying in wait at the pool. For 38 years no one took the initiative to help him. Can you imagine yourself living in a public area for 38 years? Our Gospel reading is reminding us that burdens continue to oppress us if no one dares to care. There are so many faces of suffering everywhere because we think only of ourselves. There is hunger all around because we do not care for others. Friends, I would like you to take note of this: care is a cure. If we care we can cure. If we care, nobody will be sick. If we care, nobody will be addicted or depressed. If we care like Jesus, many will be cured. Care is the right medicine in order to cure.

Second, the Pharisee thought that keeping the law is more important than helping someone in need. They thought that following the rules are far better than providing assistance to someone suffering. Suffice it to say, the Pharisees were law abiders but charity breakers.

They are faithful to the laws but do not have love for the needy. Are we this

kind of person? Jesus in today's gospel is reminding us that a person is more important than the law. The Gospel for today reveals to us the truth about our God. Friends, we have a God whose priority is our wellness. We have a savior whose desire is to set us free from any oppressive burdens and sufferings. We have a God who cares.

Finally, the man in the Gospel was ill for 38 years. His sickness serves as an example of a life of sin. Today, we are reminded to stay away from this virus called sin. Friends, do not sin any more or else something worse may happen to us. Folks, God is warning us: whatever wicked things we are into now, stop it. Do not do it again. Refrain from repeating the same mistakes. Stay away from sin because if we keep repeating it, this may lead us to our own destruction.

Go and sin no more. Friends, as Easter approaches, let us humbly recognize our sinfulness and seek God’s healing grace in the sacrament of reconciliation for we have a God who cares.

Blessings, Fr. Jhack

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from page 8

Why we vote the way we do a good relationship with people, when it comes to discussing political issues, they turn to euphemisms and “parinig” just to be on the safe side.

3. “Utang na Loob” - This is another one of those ‘classic Filipino characteristics.’ Utang na loob is indebtedness to someone who has done you a favor. This obligation to repay would continue to be inside us unless we do make up for it.

If you don’t do so, you’d appear ‘bastos’ or better yet, ‘makapal ang mukha,’ something that we all hate to be tagged as. The social elite particularly loves this. The people are obliged to give back the good deed in any way they can, obviously, usually not through money, but through votes. Votes for the givers when they run for office, votes for those they favor, or votes for those they are related with. David Timberman, gave a classic example: the Marcos loyalists.

4. Personalistic Politics - A common thing about painted walls, restored roads, waiting sheds or health access cards in the Philippines are the words “A Project of…” or “Priority project of…” This is what you call personalism. Timberman said that personalism appears in

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Philippine politics when certain actions undertaken are directly connected to particular individuals instead of the institutions or the system itself, but money given to politicians are from the people’s taxes, not from their pockets. Why, then, is all the credit given to them when a road is fixed, or a waiting shed is constructed? Problem is, Filipinos connect certain decisions that shape our lives to one or two individuals instead of the impersonal government or system. They don’t really know if funds came from the government or from the official’s own pocket, yet the thanks are all given to the individual.

These political traits create Bureaucracy, nepotism, massive graft and corruption in the government.

Candidates practice excessive and lavish spending during elections.

Black propaganda, mud-slinging and other dirty tactics to discredit political opponents are very common and lastly, politics are focused on personalities and not on genuine platforms of government. These practices were brought by the Filipino diaspora in Canada.

As anywhere else candidates come knocking on our doors only during elections and even then, for our community, candidates that have the most selfies with the community gets our vote regardless of their political stand on issues.

The Filipinos abroad care more about the culture of personalities over issues. As Former Philippine

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National Police chief-turnedsenatorial candidate Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said in one of his sorties “Mag-prangkahan tayo. 'Yung mga tao na 'yan, pupunta diyan purposely ba para lang makinig ng issues? I don't think so. Ang mga tao na 'yan pumupunta diyan para sumaya. Kung mapatawa 'yung tao diyan, gagaan na 'yung loob sa'yo, (Let’s be frank. Those people, would they purposely go just to listen to issues? I don't think so.

Those people go there to be happy.

If you make people there laugh, they'd be more at ease with you.)"

Dela Rosa told CNN Philippines.

Similarly, Filipinos would likely vote for a popular celebrity as their government official.

Here in Canada, Filipinos asked about the elections, some would quickly say “pagkaka-perahan bayan (will I make money out of that)?” Or they would vote for a Filipino just because they are Filipino regardless of their political stance.

If Filipinos, in the Philippines or here in Canada are serious about their aspiration to become a truly modern and intelligent democracy or be taken seriously as a political power in Alberta or in Canada, then we should see to it that serious measures are put in place to make sure that progressive ideas rather than individuals are the primary strength in the nation’s political discourse. Until then, the Philippines will be no more than an embarrassing caricature of democracy.

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OPINION | BUSINESS | ARTS

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

APRIL 2019

TODAY’S TOPIC: “LET’S PROTECT OUR INVESTMENT” HINDI DAPAT PAGTAKHAN

(DISCLAIMER: The views and ppinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect, in any way, shape or form, represent nor reflect the official policy or position of Alberta Filipino Journal)

****************************** "RUNNING a Government is no different from running a business.

Both have to be run and managed efficiently. The success or failure of both depends largely on the kind of leadership they each have” “THE FACTS Folks. Just the FACTS! Without data, you are just another person with an opinion”

I

n this month’s issue, in view of the upcoming Alberta Provincial Elections on April 16, 2019, I decided to digress from writing about my favorite topics about life and inspiring stories and instead delve into the importance to us Albertans of the upcoming elections.

Let’s imagine for a moment that you are an investor and you own shares in a company. It so happens, the company will be holding an election to fill the position of President or CEO, as well as, the Board of Directors.

There are 3 candidates vying for the position of CEO for the Company.

-Candidate No. 1 is a lawyer with NO business background nor experience.

-Candidate No. 2 is a lifelong bureaucrat with NO business background nor experience.

-Candidate No. 3 is an astute and successful businessman with a wealth of experience in running a business and making it very profitable.

-Now, of the three, WHO would you CHOOSE to head and run the company of which you are an investor/shareholder? Of course, candidate No. 3! It’s a

HERMO TORIBIO REYES PAGTAKHAN hermopagtakhanlaw@hotmail.com Cell: (780) 905-9288

(Hermo Toribio Reyes Pagtakhan of Edmonton, Alberta is a lawyer who practised for more than 25 years in the Philippines and in Alberta and was an Index Options Trader on Wall Street. He is currently a Family Counselor with Arbor Memorial Gardens whom he joined in 2013. In 2005, he had his epiphany and metamorphosed into a servant-leader and has since been sharing his insight and experiences for the benefit of those who may need it and whomever may find it useful).

NO-BRAINER, right?

In choosing which candidate to vote for, you would want to consider who CAN BEST PROTECT your investment in the company.

Each one of us has our own reasons for investing: -Some of you do it in order to manage, grow and protect your proverbial “Retirement Nest Egg”, -Some invest expecting it to grow and thus be able to fund their children’s education.

RUNNING a Government is no different from running a business.

Both have to be run and managed efficiently. The success or failure of both depends largely on the kind of leadership they each have.

We have to choose very carefully who to vote for from among the pool of candidates. Three candidates representing the three major political parties are currently vying for the position of premier of the province.

-Candidate No. 1 Rachel Notley (NDP) is a lawyer by profession and has NO business background nor experience.

-Candidate No. 2 Jason Kenney (UCP) is a lifelong bureaucrat with NO business background

nor experience.

-Candidate No. 3 Stephen Mandel (ALBERTA PARTY) is an astute and successful businessman with a wealth of experience in running a business and making it very profitable and was a past City Mayor for three consecutive terms.

During his term as Edmonton Mayor he has accomplished a lot of good things for the city and made Edmonton great again.

We --- Yes! We, you, and I are just like the shareholders of the company I was referring to in my example earlier.

We have to PROTECT our investment.

We have to ELECT the RIGHT from page 6

Cherry Samuya Veric... story of West meeting East through a fusion of indigenous patterns and modern forms. The lean lines and stunning visuals emphasized the alluring stylishness of ethnic patterns, and by mixing native designs with modern cosmopolitan trends. Veric proved that native design can be very appealing on a global scale.”

This collection featured a staggering amount of sequins to form the ethnic patterns. Needless to say, this was a great hit in his debut appearance in Edmonton. He would later on bring this collection to Fashion Weeks in Paris, and New York.

In 2018, with the WCFW theme on Diversity, Cherry drew inspiration from Game of Thrones, and translated it into daily and evening wear. And in 2019, he brought his “Homage” collection, inspired by church frescoes, with fabrics that looked like paintings, paying homage to the romance and art of the Old Masters. Cherry is honoured and humbled to be presented for consecutive years by the Western Canada Fashion Week. His participation is a great platform for international exposure for him, but is a source of pride for the Filipino community here. I’m not sure he realizes enough the impact of his presence in this event.

The love for design was evident as a young child. Cherry remembers dressing up his sister’s Barbie dolls with different fabrics, yarn and lace from their family’s store.

leader for our province – Someone who will PROTECT our investment and patrimony, someone who can transform our province, LEAD us to PROSPERITY and MAKE ALBERTA GREAT again!

More importantly, CHOOSE someone who is more of a statesman than a politician.

STATESMAN VS. POLITICIAN "A politician thinks about the next election. The statesman thinks about the next generation.”

—James Freeman Clarke (19th century author)

Statesmen are a big cut above politicians who seek office for power or opportunity. While no one is perfect, a statesman rises above circumstance and his objectives are often bigger than himself. What matters to him are his accomplishments, not platitudes. His principles will not allow him to put himself first and above the public. They seek truth and are steadfast in their stand.

They are the ones we need; sadly, there are only a few of them left.

The 4 Qualities of a True Statesman A politician and a statesman are not the same thing. A statesman, is not a tyrant; he is the free leader of a free people and he must possess four critical qualities:

As an undergraduate, he was an abstract painter, joining visual arts competitions organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. This is why I believe his designs show fluidity in its lines and detailing, has drama, and has an affinity to works of art, particularly of the Renaissance period.

Right after graduating with a Fine Arts degree with a major in Advertising at the Far Eastern University, he landed a contract in Saudi Arabia by accident. He was accompanying a friend to the interview and ended up being offered the job. After his 2-year stint there, he went to Guangzhou, then Dubai. In between, he joined Season 2 of Project Runway Philippines, ending as one of the last 2 finalists.

He recalls rushing from the airport and straight to the auditions, where he was the last applicant. This is where Cherry met Tessa Prieto, who was one of the judges and has since become his muse.

A Cherry Samuya Veric design is known as a work of classicism, alluring silhouette, and true workmanship of intricate patterns and hand sewn details.

They are haute couture luxurious, glamorous, bold, personalized yet wearable, taking months to create.

He has been honoured as Top Haute Couture Designer of the Year 2016 during the Fashion Asia Awards in Chongquing, China. His works have been favoured by: beauty queens Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss

The 4 Qualities of a True Statesman 1. A bedrock of principles 2. A moral compass 3. A vision 4. The ability to build a consensus to achieve that vision My Dear Friends and Fellow Albertans: Albertans are now becoming aware they have ANOTHER OPTION (in fact a much BETTER Option) other than the two parties (NDP and UCP) who just keep on ranting and raving and squabbling with one another but offer NO true solution to Alberta’s current problems (by the way, anyone who complains about a problem WITHOUT offering real, beneficial and cost effective solutions is just a WHINER pure and simple) Now we have a real choice. A real and viable alternative to Make ALBERTA Great Again! A True Party who will put ALBERTA First led by a true leader and veteran statesman with Fresh Ideas - Stephen Mandel.

ONE LAST REMINDER: No matter which party or candidate you are supporting, the important and the best thing you can do not only for yourself but also for future Generations is to GO out and EXERCISE your RIGHT TO VOTE. God bless all!

International 2016 Kyle Versoza, Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup-Lee; actresses Marian Rivera, Anne Curtis, Bea Alonzo.

I met up with Cherry along with his good friend Edge Gabrador, who is in charge of the Asian Division for Western Canada Fashion Week and responsible for bringing Cherry Veric for 3 years along with Julius Tarog in 2018. The person I met is a reticent guy, confident in his capabilities and achievements but not overbearing. Evidently a smart and astute guy in the way he approaches life, faces challenges, intuitively designs and brings out a facet of a client, and conveys a point through his designs. Our conversations reveal a person who is grounded, who dreams but at the same time is aware of the pitfalls of the industry that has a very thin boundary line between glamour and superficiality. And yet, seeing him groove while taking a smoke break with his headphones, he is capable of enjoying the moment and just going with the flow. I guess this is why big things happen for him, even when not highly sought. I shared some planned and dream projects for the Philippine Arts Council, and he totally got it. It is an exciting moment when people connect this way. Here’s hoping that Cherry Samuya Veric returns to our part of town once again and soon and this time, on a more extended and synergetic enterprise.

To comment on this article, go to https://www.philippineartscouncil. com/blog.

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APRIL 2019

ENTERTAINMENT | ANNOUNCEMENTS

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

Public Notice

11

Public Notice

Development Permit Notices are Moving Online Development Permit Notices will no longer be published in the newspaper after May 16, 2019.

Visit calgary.ca/publicnotices to see detailed information on development activity in your neighbourhood.

19-00218353

Seniors know a lot, but there’s always more to learn.

Ensure your later years are safe and secure.

Learn about programs and services for seniors, like how the Canada Pension Plan can work better for you, increases to the Guaranteed Income Supplement, fraud prevention information, and more.

Visit Canada.ca/seniors or call 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232)

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www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com 2019-04-03 2:25 PM

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

SPORTS | COMMUNITY| BUSINESS

APRIL 2019

Quickly Bubble Tea Callingwood-Fly Friendly Travel score come-from-behind victory

By Moses Billacura

Quickly Premium Bubble Tea Callingwood-Fly Friendly Travel and Tours continued its winning run by edging Renerey, 97-96 in the 2019 Philippine Sports Association (PSA) Spring Basketball League, April 6, at the Fr.Michael Troy gym.

Harold de Leon scored the winning basket, thanks to an assist by Alwin Espiritu to secure the victory with seconds to go in the final quarter.

Quickly-Fly Friendly trailed from the start and started to inch closer in the last canto.

“Wala talaga from first quarter, swerte sa fourth quarter. That was our only lead and victory

pa!,” Magar Lucenara, one of the players, told the Alberta Filipino Journal.

The team, managed by Ches Tiongson of Quickly Premium Bubble Tea-Callingwood and Resty Reyes of Fly Friendly Travel, came from a one-point victory against the Force before the April 6 game.

“Swerte talaga,” added Lucenera.

The team improved to four wins against one loss in the tournament organized by the PSA headed by Gary Perpetua and backed by Crosstown Auto Centre through dealer-principal Joe Medina.

Coach Ches Tiongson of Quickly Premium Bubble Tea-Callingwood (2nd from right) with his squad that combined forces with Fly Friendly Travel and Tours.(contributed photo)

COPAA in Action: Philanthropy Edmonton - The Congress of the Philippine Associations of Alberta has extended its kindness and generosity to both Reyu Pa ralysis Recovery Centre and Going Farther.

Vahen King of Going Farther as well as Bean Gill of RPRC both received the cheques being raised from the Zumbathon Project.

The reasonable amounts were awarded by Mr. Jun Aller, and Mr. Jun Angeles, the Treasurer and President respectively.

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THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA

APRIL 2019

UNITED CULTURES OF CANADA | BUSINESS

SARILING KULTURA SARILING WIKA Ang impormasyon na ito ay binuo bilang bahagi ng isang mas malawak na inisyatiba na isinagawa ng United Cultures of Canada Association na pinamagatang Sariling Kultura, Sariling Wika: OH & S Resource Information for Ethnocultural Communities with Hospitality, Healthcare and Construction.

(Hanapin ang Kumpletong Impormasyon dito: http://www.ucca.ca/wordpress/#).

Ang layunin ng Information Sheet na ito ay ang pagbubuod ng mga pangunahing aspeto na may malawakang inisyatiba na naglalayong mapahusay ang kaalaman tungkol sa kultura ng kaligtasan(Safety Culture) ng Canada at tumutukoy sa

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

Mga Mapagkukunan ng Impormasyon sa OH&S o Kalusugan at Kaligtasan sa Trabaho para Ibat-ibang Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Kultura sa loob ng Hospitalidad, Pangangalaga sa Kalusugan, at Konstruksyon.

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Naisakatuparan sa Tulong ng: Ministry of Labor, Innovation and Engagement Grants Program

Isang proyekto ng United Cultures of Canada Association

mga manggagawa na ang unang wika ay hindi Ingles. Ito’s naglalayong tumulong na makapagbigay ng empowerment o kapangyarihan sa indibidual at mamamayan upang mapataas ang kamalayan at pakikilahok, naglalaan ng kumplikadong material, mga legal na termino, mga ideya at sistemang teknikal upang mapadali ang pag-iintindi habang tinatanggal ang 'kultura ng katahimikan o “culture of silence”, ang hindi pag-imik dahil sa ibat-ibang kadahilanan at pangyayari.

Ito ay mapagkukunan ng pangunahing impormasyon na maaaring gamitin at ibahagi sa inyong pamilya, mga kaibigan, katrabaho, may-ari ng kumpanya o

employer at mga empleyado, at binuo para sa mga indibidual o mamamayan na kung saan ang unang wika ay hindi Ingles at kinabibilangan ng mga: • Manggagawang madaling maapektuhan o Vulnerable workers • Baguhang manggagawa • Bata o may-edad na manggagawa • Kababaihan • Baguhan sa industriya • Baguhan sa Bansang-Canada • Manggagawang umuwi o umalis ng bansa at muling nagbalik-trabaho saa Canada

Ang mga isyung-personal at isyu sa trabaho ay nagiging sanhi sa maraming isyung gaya ng problema sa kalusugan at trabaho na sa huli ay nakakaapekto sa kakayahang maghanap-buhay o mamuhay nang mabuti.

Samakatuwid, napakahalaga na kilalanin, maunawaan at malaman kung ano ang gagawin kapag marinig, makita at masubukan ang mga isyung OH & S sa personal na buhay sa mga lugar na pinagtatrabahuan.

Ang OH & S ay responsibilidad ng lahat – ng bawat empleyado at may-ari.

Ang bawat manggagawa ay may sariling karapatan at responsibilidad.

Mga Paghamong Hinaharap ng mga Katutubong Kultura’t Komunidad o Ethno-Cultural Communities Ang kalakhan ng mga hamon na hinaharap ng mga baguhang manggagawa na nalulupon sa mga imigrante ay napakalawak, kadalasang naitatago at hindi nabibigyang pansin at may malawakang epekto sa pisikal, mental o pag-iisip at psycho-social na kagalingan ng mga komunidad - na humahantong sa mga mahinang kalusugan, pinsala at pagkamatay sa lugar ng trabaho.

Ang mga manggagawang migrante at imigrante ay napapabilang sa malaking bahagi ng mga “front-line”, “high-risk” o mapanganib at mataas na panganib o mahirap na trabaho. Ang mga manggagawang ito ay nahahanay sa mga may mapanganib na gawain at kadalasang walang sapat

na pagsasanay at proteksyon. Sila din ay bulnerable o hindi napoprotektahan dahil sa mga sumusunod na dahilan ngunit hindi limitado sa: -Hindi sapat na kaalaman sa wikang Ingles -Pagkakaiba sa kultura -Kulang sa kakayahan upang masanay sa sistema -Kawalang-kakayahan upang makakuha ng impormasyon o suporta -Kakulangan ng kaalaman sa Lehislatura at Pagtalima o Compliance -Kakulangan ng kaalaman sa Occupational Health and Safety (OH & S)

-Kawalan ng kakayahan na maunawaan, magsanay o ipatupad ang Safe Work Practices at Safe Work Procedures -Mga kapansanan sa isip (halimbawa: depression, pagkabalisa) -Matinding pagtitiwala sa employer dahil nakasalalay ang immigration status o katayuan sa imigrasyon -Dokumentasyon / Residency Status -Dala-dalang nakasanayang kaugalian sa Safety (safety culture norms) mula sa pinanggalingang bansa -Problemang pinansyal o suliranin sa pera -Bullying o Harrassment o Panliligalig sa lugar ng trabaho.

Bakit mahalaga ang Kultura sa Kaligtasan ng Canada o Canadian Safety Culture para sa mga katutubong manggagawa na napapabilang sa Hospitality, Healthcare at Construction?

Ang mga trabahong “entry-level” o “frontline” sa tatlong pangunahing industriya ay kadalasang kinakatawan ng mga babae at lalaki, mga manggagawang ethno-kultural na ang unang wika ay hindi Ingles, mga “immigrant, bagongdating na manggagawa, mga bata at matatandang manggagawa ay napapaloob sa industriyang ito.

Ang mga industriyang ito ay Konstruksiyon (na kung saan napapabilang ang mga “immigrant” o bagong-dating na kalalakihan), Healthcare o Pangangalagang Pangkalusugan/Continuing Care(karamihan ay kababaihan) at Hospitality (kapwa kababaihan at kalalakihan).

Ang mga manggagawa sa mga

industriyang ito ay halu-halo o magkakaiba at nagmula sa ibatibang bahagi ng mundo at mga bansang kabilang ang: Africa, Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Asia, Philippines, Middle East o Gitnang-Silangan, India, Europa, atbp. Ang kanilang mga sariling wika, gaya nila ay magkakaiba din: Wikang-Africa, Espanyol, Pranses, Mandarin, Arabic, Filipino/Tagalog, Punjabi, Vietnamese at marami pang iba.

• Ang mga manggagawa mula sa mga bansa at kulturang binanggit kalimitan ay walang matibay na “safety legislations” at mahinang “safety culture” o kulturan pang-kaligtasan.

• Kalimitan, ang mga manggagawang ito

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ay pawang may pangamba na mawalan ng trabaho o hanapbuhay kung sakaling hindi man sila sumang-ayon sa kanilang superbisor o amo.

• Sila ay natatakot magsalita at tumanggap ng mga direksyon mula sa mga amo • Dahil sa takot, ang mga taong nagmula sa mga bansa o kulturang nabanggit ay kalimitang inililihim na lamang ang saloobin imbes na magsalita, “hindi kamagtatanong at wala kang sasabihin”.

• Mas nanaisin pa nila na komunsulta at sumangguni sa mga katrabaho tungkol sa partikular na suliranin sa tao o trabaho, ngunit hindi makikipagusap sa amo, superbisor o sa labas ng kanilang grupo o mga pinagkakatiwalaang kaibigan.

Canadian Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S): The Act, Regulation and Code Tayo ay mapalad na manirahan at maghanapbuhay sa Canada na kung saan ang Canadian Federal, Provincial at Territorial Governments ay lumikha at nagpatupad ng Safety Act, Regulation at Code upang pangalagaan ang lahat ng manggagawa anuman ang “immigration status” at industriya.

- Ang “ACT” o BATAS: Ang Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act ay nagtatakda ng minimum na pamantayan para sa malusog at ligtas na mga gawi o “safe practices” sa mga lugar ng trabaho ng Alberta. Ang mga batas na ito ay ipinatutupad sa pamamagitan ng mga inspeksyon, mga pagsisiyasat o imbestigasyon, mga order, mga parusang administratibo, mga multa at paguusig o prosekusyon.

- Ang “REGULATION” o REGULASYON: Ang mga batas sa kalusugan at kaligtasan ng trabaho (OHS) ay inaasahan o kinakailangan na ang mga may-ari o “employer” at lahat ng iba pang mga partido sa lugar ng trabaho na kumonsulta at makipagtulungan sa pamamahala ng “workplace risks” upang mapangalagaan ang kalusugan at kaligtasan ng mga

manggagawa na maaaring mailagay sa panganib o “risks”.

- Ang “CODE” o KODIGO: Ang Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) ng Alberta ay responsable sa pagpapatupad ng mga batas ng OHS sa pamamagitan ng mga inspeksyon (Inspection), pagsisiyasat(Investigation) at pag-uusig(Prosecution). Ang batas ay nagtatatag ng minimum o pinakamababang pamantayan para sa mga ligtas at mabuting gawi sa mga lugar ng trabaho ng Alberta. Kabilang dito ang: OHS Act, Regulation at Code.

Mayroong labing-apat (14) na hurisdiksyon sa Canada, isang pederal (Federal), sampung panlalawigan (Provincial) at tatlong teritoryo (Territories). Ang bawat isa ay may sariling “Occupational Health & Safety Legislation” na nagbabalangkas sa mga karapatan at mga responsibilidad ng mga Employer o May-ari, Management o Namamahala, Superbisor at Manggagawa.

Sumangguni sa Lehislasyon na nauukol sa iyong Lungsod, Lalawigan o Teritoryo kung saan ka nagtatrabaho at naninirahan.

Additional Resources

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

MEDIA PARTNERS | GREETINGS

APRIL 2019

RADYO SA DYARYO: Magkatulong Sa Pamamahayag At Pag-Aliw Sa Lipunang Pilipino Sinasaliwan ng musikang sariling atin ang pagtatagni-tagni ng mga balitang pang-masa, pagbalangkas sa mga makabuluhang dagdag kaalaman, at makatarungang pagpuna sa mga kamalian.

Samantala, naabot na rin ng Alberta Filipino Journal ang 94.7 FM-Tala luv’z Radio sa Calgary upang makatuwang na rin sa magkaparehong adhikain. Mapapakinggan tuwing Huwebes sa ganap na ika-pito hanggang ika-walo ng gabi.

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INSPIRATION | BUSINESS

APRIL 2019

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

15

Filipinos Success' Stories:

Kaya Ko; Kaya Mo! If I can; You surely can!

By Marianne Rosal

MARGARET AMANGYEN:

Molded by her courage and humbled by her achievements.

Margaret feels accomplished when she sees a Filipino family finally getting their own home. “I find that the finance industry, especially mortgages, is too complicated and as an immigrant, it is something I need to fully understand for me to serve my community in a better way,” she states. To Margaret, looking at their happy faces and receiving unending words of gratitude gives her the motivation. She has been awarded the Top Broker Awardee with Mortgage Alliance in 2018.

L

ife takes different twists and turns. For Margaret Amangyen, this was definitely the case. Margaret came to Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker program as a worker in the food industry back in 2009. Her experience included working for Tim Hortons, KFC, Arby’s, and Taco Bell.

Like many kababayans who move to Canada for better opportunities, Margaret took these positions to get a foot in the Canadian door.

In the Philippines, she was holding a position as Pharmacist in one of the Philippines’ largest pharmacy chains, Mercury Drug. She had been hoping to start Medicine School and fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a doctor.

The hardest part of moving to Canada was not only adjusting to a different field of work, but also getting accustomed to an entirely different system. But determined to make the most of it, she says, “As soon as I made a decision to come to Canada, I had to embrace the challenge that comes with it.”

She finally received her permanent residency status in 2014 and her life took a new turn when she took her Mortgage Associate Licensure Exam right after obtaining her PR status.

When asked if finance was always what she wanted to do growing up, Margaret says no. “My interest diverted to finance as I see more people getting more challenges managing their own personal and business finances and that’s risking their health at some point,” she states. After becoming involved with personal development seminars and self-learning, she found that her passion truly lied in finance instead of medicine.

Now, Margaret is the only Filipino-Tagalog and Ilokanospeaking BMO Mortgage Specialist all throughout Edmonton. She took in various job offers from reputable banks in Edmonton due to the rising population of Filipinos and the need for accessible mortgage specialists in this growing community.

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COMMUNTY | BUSINESS

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

APRIL 2019

Alberta Filipino Journal Reaching-Out to the Community One of the Alberta Filipino Journal’s advocacies is to bring people to the limelight. It always aims to become as one of the prime movers of radical change in the community. From this month’s issue, the Alberta Filipino Journal Team will be publishing at least ten (10) photos being captured while in the presence of either its publisher, editor, or any columnists. So, be captured and recognized. However, your privacy will be respected if you don’t want to be exposed on our paper. Just refuse politely. Thank you very much po!

Alberta Filipino Journal Editor at Max’s Restaurant during DIVAS Meet and Greet.

Alberta Filipino Journal Publisher with the Columnists at Tim Hortons Louise Farms.

Alberta Filipino Journal Publisher with the Staff.

Alberta Filipino Journal Editor at A4 Oriental Alberta Filipino Journal Editor with Eloisa and Ron Lau, Store.

Nezel, Lydia - owner of Palabok House, and DJ Rolan.

Alberta Filipino Journal Publisher with AFJ Team and Alberta Filipino Journal Publisher shares lunch with Friends over cups of coffee at Tim Hortons Mayfield. the DIVAS at Mervin Cereno’s Residence.

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Alberta Filipino Journal Editor during the Migrante Gala Night.

Alberta Filipino Journal Team and Himig Pinoy DJ Rolan Latorre during the Migrante Gala Night.

Alberta Filipino Journal Team Listens to Alberta Party’s Leader Stephen Mandel in his Office.

Alberta Filipino Journal Publisher dine-in with HIS staff at the Yang Ming Buffet.

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POLITICS

APRIL 2019

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

17

VOTE

Advance Polls: Tue. April 9 to Sat. April 13 Election Day: Tue. April 16, 9am – 8pm

“

A practical and positive future for Albertan families Learn more at

Alberta Party Leader

AlbertaParty.ca

Authorized by the Alberta Party. AlbertaParty.ca All photos and articles available online. Follow us

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

COMMUNITY | ANNOUNCEMENT

APRIL 2019

Duterte volunteers celebrate PRRD’s 74th in Edmonton

By Moses Billacura

Duterte Volunteers Alberta Canada(DVAC) members celebrated the 74th birthday of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, March 30 at the Mabuhay Motors lounge in Edmonton.

The volunteers, who heavily campaigned for then Davao City mayor Duterte in 2016, took a

break from their work to honor the first president from the Island of Mindanao to be elected leader of the more than 100 million Filipinos.

DVAC chairman Benjie Lindo thanked Mabuhay Motors and Quality Care Group of Companies for the logistics of the one-night event.

Pinoy Roots Rondalla performed a birthday song for Duterte and then

the volunteers enjoyed a “salo-salo” with singing and dancing to wind up the celebration.

“Alam mo naman dito sa Canada, puro lang tayo trabaho. Natuwa din kami, kahit papaano, nakapag celebrate tayo ng birthday ni Tatay Digong,” said Lindo.

When Duterte eventually decided to run for President, volunteer groups, specially the Overseas Filipino Workers, started setting up groups, linking with the Digong Duterte Supporters Global (DDS) which has key volunteer leaders all over the world.

DVAC was also immediately formed, then they kicked off with a big gathering in Sylvan Lake.

Mayor Duterte, in a phone patch, addressed the volunteers at the Sejong Hall in Edmonton.

“We wish President Duterte good health so he can serve our fellow Pinoys in the next three years of his term to the best of the best of his ability. Mahal namin si Tatay Digong,” said Rommel Duco, one of the founders of DVAC. In video messages, retired PNP chief Bato dela Rosa, Dong

Mangudadatu, Koko Pimentel, Francis Tolentino, former SAP Bong Go, known allies of the president congratulated the DVAC members and thanked them for taking the initiative in celebrating the birthday of the Philippine leader in Alberta Province.

Palace not surprised by ex-SAP Go’s surge in top 3

Bong Go greets fellow Davaoenos in this photo taken last September 23,2018 by Alberta Filipino Journal photographer Moses Billacura during the opening of a Malasakit Center.

Go, at that time, has not even thought of running for Senator. When asked, he jokingly responded by saying "Janitor lang ako".

MANILA (Philippines News Agency) -- Malacañang said it is not surprised that former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go climbed to third spot in the latest Pulse Asia senatorial survey.

"Given the fact that he is very visible, I am not surprised why he is within the top 3. He’s very visible and as we know in this election and for that matter, previous elections, awareness is number one consideration," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a recent briefing.

Panelo cited the importance of visibility for a candidate’s winning chances.

"He may be very good, but if the people are not aware of your name my goodness, wala rin (it will turn out as nothing)," he said.

Panelo also attributed President

Rodrigo R. Duterte's endorsement to Go’s surge from 6th to 12th in January to 3rd to 4th place in the Pulse Asia survey conducted on Feb. 24-28 but was released only last March 13.

"Very strong ang endorsement niya (President Duterte's endorsement is very strong). Apart from that, you must remember that for the last three years Bong Go has been very, very visible, print, media, television.

You always see him when you see the President he is there, either he is beside him, he is talking to him or at the background. In all events he is always there. So the awareness is, very high," he said.

Panelo, also Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, believed that Go is compliant with election laws.

"I don’t think Bong Go will be violating any election offense," he said. continued on page 19 ►

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THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA

APRIL 2019 from page 18

Palace not surprised by ex-SAP Go’s surge...

Panelo said those who accused Go of vote buying when he allegedly distributed cash assistance to victims of a certain fire incident last week should just file a case.

"Why don’t they file if that is what they believe in? You know I looked at the provision, baka mahirapan eh (they might have a hard time proving their case). Kasi (Because) what it says there is ‘that will induce the voter to be influenced by what he give.’ Eh mukhang iba ang situation dito kay (The situation is different here with) Bong Go sapagka’t (because) these are donations and they are fire victims.

Pangalawa (Second), I read also na (that) it was not even him who gave the so-called ‘cash donation'," he said.

With 53 percent, Go is tied with reelectionist Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, who earned 52.2 percent for the 3rd to 5th spot.

Pulse Asia's survey showed that Go is on a definite upward trajectory, less than two months before the May 13 mid-term elections. (PNA)

COMMUNITY | VOLUNTEERISM | BUSINESS

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

19

CIWA helps Pinoys integrate to Canadian society

By Maria Chelo Galay

The Filipino Community Development Program (FCDP) of the Calgary Immigrant Women Association (CIWA) helps members of the Filipino community integrate into Canadian Society regardless of their immigration status. This program works in partnership with the Calgary Catholic School District and it is funded by Family Community Support Services (FCSS).

One of the primary supports offered by FCDP is a regular oneday reunification workshop at St. John Reception Center where newly reunited parents and their children are invited to attend. Most of the parents came to Canada under the work permit or the live-in caregivers programs. Other services are provided such as parenting workshops, resource referrals, one-on-one counselling, in-home support, youth engagement activities, social events, volunteer and civic engagement opportunities and employment skill enhancement.

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For more information about CIWA programs, please visit our website at https://www.ciwa-online.com or you can contact FCDP Coordinator, Maria CheloGalay at 403-263-4414 ext.140 or email: mariag@ ciwa-online.com.

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

COMMUNITY | GREETINGS | BUSINESS

APRIL 2019

Fly Friendly Travel and Tours: Fully Supporting the Music and Ice Concert!

Happy 4th Birthday Shiloh!

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA

TRAVEL | BUSINESS

APRIL 2019

Misibis Bay is Not Just a Resort

Byahe ni Kat KATRINA MARIELLE U. CERENO Katrina is a senior high student at St. Francis Xavier High School. She is fond of the beauty of art and creativity. At her young age, she wants to share her experience in travelling with other people.

M

isibis Bay makes you feel like you are in a different country resort. Its ambiance and accommodation will make you feel luxurious and fresh. Well yes, it is quite pricey but I bet that your stay will be worth it. You will get a chance to witness how the place will

give you endless opportunities to enjoy the beauty of nature. One thing that I was really impressed with is the fact that there is a bar in a middle of the pool. An actual bar. Really. The pools are very relaxing because you will be able to see the beachfront, and experience the beautiful sunsets.

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This is the perfect place for you to let off some steam. Fresh air gives you chills down to your spine, I swear.

During the night, there are a lot more twists and surprises that await your stay in the resort. You will be given a chance to have a romantic dinner in the middle of the white sand beach.

The lanterns around you makes you feel like you are a princess in a Disney movie. You could also create a bonfire and spend time with your friends or your family. You could even have a small music jamming session with them as if it were a typical barkada night.

Speaking of dinner, their food is the best. You will be able to have a buffet with a variety of choices. Oh I miss it very much and I want to go back there soon. You could also have recreational experiences like billiards, volleyball, basketball, etc. Even video games. Oh, before any of that, you

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL will be able to stay in a small villa with a natural view because the resort is surrounded by a natural forest and a beach. One thing that will excite you about the resort is the journey to the place because you will be able to see how the Philippines is very pure and natural. You will be able to see the famous Mayon Volcano, huge mountains and a wide range water

21

forms. It will be an endless adventure and a vacation that you will never forget. Misibis Bay Resort is located in Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay.

It is an hour and a half drive from Legazpi city. I will really recommend this place to everyone who wants to visit Albay especially the balikbayan(s) around the world. I promise you, it will be worth it.

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

IMMIGRATION CONSULTANCY SERVICES | POLITICS

APRIL 2019

ELIGIBILITY FOR CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP

A

kababayan, who is a Permanent Citizen,recently came to see me. With him, he brought all the documents required to apply for Canadian citizenship. While filling up the application form for Canadian citizenship he got stuck with the question: “Are you now charged with, on trial for, or subject to or party to an appeal relating to an offence under the Citizenship Act or an indictable office in Canada?

An offence outside Canada?”

He recalled that a year ago he was charged with assault, nevertheless the charges were dropped. His question was if he is he eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship and if the charges would affect his application.

Let us review the Citizenship Act s.22 which deals with the prohibitions on receiving a grant of citizenship.

22 (1) Despite anything in this Act, a person shall not be granted citizenship under subsection 5(1), (2) or (4) or 11(1) or take the oath of citizenship (a) while the person, under any enactment in force in Canada,

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.

(i) is under a probation order, (ii) is a paroled inmate, or (iii) is serving a term of imprisonment; (b) while the person is charged with, on trial for, subject to or a party to an appeal relating to an offence under subsection 21.1(1) or 29.2(1) or (2), or an indictable offence under subsection 29(2) or (3) or any other Act of Parliament, other than an offence that is designated as a contravention under the Contraventions Act;

Marjorie Newman in Politics Who is Marjorie Newman?

Marjorie Newman is a mother, wife, volunteer and a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.

For seven years, she has practiced and assisted many Filipinos and people from other cultures reunite with their families and establish themselves in Canada. She is actively involved in her community, and in

particular, in the Filipino associations in Edmonton.

She graduated with a major in Mass Communications in the Philippines and obtained a masters in Public Administration, which she used to serve as a Councillor for 9 years and a Provincial Board Member for 3 years before moving to Canada.

In Canada, she ended her career

(2) Despite anything in this Act, but subject to the Criminal Records Act, a person shall not be granted citizenship under subsection 5(1), (2) or (4) or 11(1) or take the oath of citizenship if the person has been convicted of an offence under subsection 21.1(1) or 29.2(1) or (2), or an indictable offence under subsection 29(2) or (3) or any other Act of Parliament, other than an offence that is designated as a contravention under the Contraventions Act, of working for a corporation to pursue her passion to help immigrants like herself by establishing her own business as an immigration consultant.

Since then, she has been involved in a many organizations, including the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), where she served as Prairie Chapter Representative in Education and Governance and Nominations Committee, UCP Glenora Board, the Council of Edmonton Filipino Associations and the Philippine Business Society of Alberta.

(a) during the four-year period immediately before the date of the person’s application; or (b) during the period beginning on the date of the person’s application and ending on the date on which the person would otherwise be granted citizenship or take the oath of citizenship Based on the above provisions a person cannot apply or be granted citizenship if they: -Are on probation -Are an inmate on parole -Are serving a term of imprisonment -Are charged with, on trial for, or appealing an indictable offence OR During the four years before applying or during the period of applying for citizenship they were convicted of an indictable offence under any Act of Parliament.

Our kababayan was charged previously but the charges were dropped. He has had no convictions in the past four years, is currently

Asked what her three greatest achievements are, she answered:

1. Having raised a strong, humble, responsible and most of all, Godfearing daughter.

2. Having the opportunity to assist people achieve their dreams of reuniting with their families and establishing themselves in Canada.

3. Being able to serve / volunteer in my community because I have always believed that volunteerism is an important way to keep our communities strong. I always

NOT on probation, on parole, in jail or has been charged with anything.

So in answer to his question: Yes, he is eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship and none of the provisions above apply to him.

If you have questions regarding the above article you may contact Marjorie at info@mcncanadaimmigration.com Source: Citizenship Act A word of caution: You should not act or rely on the information provided in this column. It is not a legal advice.

To ensure your interests are protected, retain or formally seek advice from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing of ICCRC. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RCIC’s. teach my daughter and other young Albertans/kababayans the importance of community service because it teaches them compassion and understanding and allows them to leave their mark on their communities.

Marjorie has been nominated for the 2019 ATB Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Awards. She has also received 3 years consecutive Service Awards from the Canadian Association of Professional continued on page 23 ►

Paid by the United Conservative Party

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THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA

RELIGION | PUBLISHER'S NOTE | HEALTH

APRIL 2019

CONFRONTING OUR SINFULNESS (Part 3) OUR TEXT "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"

Romans 7:24 KJV THE APOSTLE PAUL: THE DESPICABLE MAN Not only is the man who makes this confession a regenerate and a powerless man, but he is also a despicable man. He is utterly unhappy and miserable; and what is it that makes him so utterly despicable?

It is because God has given him a nature that yearns to love God. He is utterly despicable because he feels that he is not obeying God. He says, with brokenness of heart: "It is not I that do it, but I am under the awful power of sin, which is holding me down. It is I, and yet not I; alas! alas! it is me; so closely am I bound up with it, and so closely it is intertwined with my very nature."

Blessed be God when a man learns to say:

From a Vantage Point 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 and became one of the founders of the Tau Gamna Phi, one of the world leading Philippine-produced fraternities. His immensurable love for the human race has brought him to the conviction of translating his mission from fraternity into Divinity-from a mere brotherhood into sainthood. Tito authored a book entitled Quocunque Jeceris Stabit, which means, wherever you throw, it will stand.

"O wretched man that I am!" from the depth of his heart. He is now on the way to the 8th chapter of Romans.

There are many who make this confession a pillow for sin.

from page 22

Marjorie Newman in Politics Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), which is an award given to immigration consultants to acknowledge and honor their dedication to their occupation and service to the association. She received the Excellence in Community Service for Edmonton award given by the Filipino Champions of Canada for her contribution and service to the Filipino community.

If elected what are the five things that you plan to do.

Marjorie will support a United Conservative government: 1. Job Creation Plan - enact a Job Creation Tax Cut that reduces the tax on job creators by 1/3 from 12% to 8% over four years and creates at least 55,000 new full-time jobs.

2. Repeal the Carbon Tax- Bill 1 of a United Conservative government will be the Carbon Tax Repeal Act. 3. Stand Up for Alberta against Trudeau and foreign funded special interests that are trying to land lock our interests.

4. Get our Fiscal House in Order 5. Protect Quality Health Care and Education

How Can Filipinos in Alberta benefit if she wins?

She aims to help reignite the Albertan economy, to be a voice to her fellow Edmonton-Glenora residents and also, to represent her cultural community, the Filipinos. Being an immigrant herself, she faced many struggles when moving to Canada, starting from very humble beginnings to seek a land of opportunity. Like many kababayans, the allure of Alberta’s once booming industry was a promise for her to better her family’s quality of life.

In running for office, her motivation lies with the people she hopes to serve. As a representative of the Filipino community, she wishes to honor her

They say that Paul had to confess his weakness and powerlessness in this way. What are they that they should try to do better?

So the call to holiness is quietly set aside. Would God that every

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL one of us had learned to say these words in the very spirit in which they are written here?

When we hear sin spoken of as the abominable thing that God hates, do not many of us wince before the word? And would that all Christians who go on sinning and sinning would take this verse to heart?

If ever you utter a sharp word say: "O wretched man that I am!" And every time you lose your temper kneel down and understand that it never was meant by God that this was to be the state in which His child should remain.

Would God that we would take this word into our daily life, and say it every time we are touched about our own honor, and every time we say sharp words, and every time we sin against the Lord God, and against the Lord Jesus Christ in His humility, and in His obedience, and in His self-sacrifice?

Would to God you could forget everything else, and cry out: "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of

23

this death?" Why should you say this whenever you commit sin? It is because when a man is brought to this confession that deliverance is at hand.

And remember it was not only the sense of being powerless and taken captive that made the apostle Paul despicable, but it was above all the sense of sinning against his God. The law was doing its work, making sin exceeding sinful in his sight. The thought of continually grieving God became utterly unbearable—it was this that brought forth this piercing cry: "O wretched man that I am!"

As long as we talk and rationalize about our powerlessness and our failures, and only try to find out what Romans chapter 7 means, it will profit us but little; but when once every sin gives new intensity to the sense of despicableness, and we feel our whole state as one of not only powerlessness, but actual exceeding sinfulness, we shall be pressed not only to ask” "Who shall deliver us?" but cry: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

From the desk of the Publisher

fellow kababayans by giving them a voice. To Marjorie, her campaign is not about ambition. Rather, she is moved and influenced about the stories of the people she meets, people who she hopes to help and people whose lives she can help.

JOSE L. ANGELES

Why did she choose to join the United Conservative Party?

albertafilipinojournal2016@gmail.com

Marjorie chose the United Conservative Party for how closely the Party’s vision aligns with hers. At the time she migrated to Canada, she saw Alberta as a land of opportunity. She aims to help re-ignite Alberta’s economy and in doing so help Albertans establish a better quality of life.

She shares the vision of the United Conservative Party to make Alberta a province that encourages everyone to succeed and to create opportunities for others.

Alberta Filipino Journal is inviting everyone from all walks of life to advertise any information which are vital to the community.

Whether social, political, business, educational, religious, recreational, and other forms of endeavour.

How do you see yourself in 4 years?

I will continue to volunteer but will focus on nonprofit agencies like Hope Mission, Edmonton Meals on Wheels, Mustard Seed, etc.

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Please Come in to Apply today or you can email us for further information!

Tel: 587-499-4010 Fax: 587-400-9367 Email: Curehealthcl@gmail.com All photos and articles available online. Follow us

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24

POINTS OF VIEW

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

I Like Being a “Real Adult”

L

ast February, I went to a conference in the United States.

For dinner, the conference host, the owner of the software which was the focus of the conference, and I, went to a Cajun restaurant and talked about our personal lives.

Eventually, our conversation shifted to our family members. One of them came from a family of two sons, and he talked about how his brother is unmotivated and refused totake responsibility for his actions.

In contrast to himself, his life is pretty okay, with a software that pays enough for his living needs, having an extensive career in the military and technology fields, and content with his home that he shares with his cat and dog.

“Responsibility is empowering” he said. “The more you take responsibility for your actions, the more you have control and agency towards what happens to you in life”.

This statement resonated with me very much!

Perhaps this is why in recent months and years, there is pleasure and satisfaction about getting chores done that I started to embrace.

Maybe that is why when people

GENERAL POINT OF VIEW GISELLE GENERAL

gqgeneral@gmail.com

Giselle General came from the cold, mountainous region on the Benguet province, and immigrated to Canada as a teenager in 2007. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta, she now dedicates her business training to the nonprofit sector, both in employed and volunteer capacities. She works at the Edmonton Community Legal Centre, which provides free legal help to low-income Edmontonians. She channels her creativity by writing in her personal blog, General Point of View, and has recently published a book of her poems and artwork titled The Humanity of Me.

complain with genuine dread and displeasure about doing chores and errands, I feel confused.

As a millennial, I still make jokes about how “adulting” is difficult.

Might as well own it, since it is my generation who turned the word adult into a verb. Just a quick search on social media and the memes, jokes, posts and videos on the topic are everywhere.

It is likely that part of my perspective came from unfortunate

Chapter 18: Coincidence I do not know how to start my new chapter. A new chapter of my life where it seems too empty yet full of new things. A life full of new dreams, new hopes, new promises and new people. New factors in my life that would affect my life and how I would live. As I walk through the crowd, deep in the blues, I bumped into a woman. A woman that seemed familiar. A familiar face that I think I have seen before. Right! She was the girl that was at the bar. The bartender that helped when I blacked out.

The woman that gave me coffee to drink and a place to stay. The woman that made me feel different.

Is this coincidence? Or is this fate?

But wait, no, I am not ready yet. I am not ready to love again. I do not want to get hurt. But 3 years have already passed. Maybe I am ready. Maybe I am ready to love again. To let a stranger become a part of my life and my dreams. I do not know anymore. Maybe she is the one. Is she the one? Is this really coincidence? Or did fate just find a way to make us meet?

Magbilang Tayo, Tayo’y Maglaro (Tagalog) Hindi ko alam kung bakit sa dinamidami ng tao sa mundo, ikaw pa ang nasumpungan ko. Marahil, naaninag ko iyong kagandahan, ang ganda mong nakakasilaw. Wari ko ba’y isang bituin na sa kalangita’y nagniningning. Hindi ko maiwasang www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

circumstances in my youth that practically ‘forced’ me to think and act like an adult too soon. It is not easy for someone between the age of 8 – 16, to give up playing with friends and being carefree, and to instead worry about making a living, thinking about legal paperwork, and being concerned about the wellbeing of a younger sibling who depends on you.

For a long time, I had to think and act like an adult without looking

Through a Teenager’s Eyes KRISTIAN CERENO Kristian Cereno is a Grade 9 Student of St. Mark’s Catholic School in Edmonton. His hobbies include writing poems, composing songs, and playing volleyball. In the long run, he hopes to learn to play hockey the Canadian way.

pansinin lalo na kapag ako’y nagiisa’t nasa dilim.

Langit, na wari ko ba’y nasa itaas ka at ako ang nasa iyong paanan. Marahil nga ay di ka lamang may kagandahan, sa aking paningin ay konkretong larawan ka ng may isang pusong busilak at may kabaitan—kabaitan na nagsilbing bato-balani na sa puso ko ay humila papalapit sa’yo upang tuluyan madikit o mapatali.

Dahil sa puso mong kay tamis, pakiwari ko’y nagmistula akong langgam na sa piling mo ay di na makaalis. Lumisan man ako’y panandalian lamang; dahil walang dahilang upang hindi ka balik balikan.

Ngiti mo pa lamang ay may kalakip ng mebsahe at pagbati, mga labi mong hugis puso, na nay kinang na para bagang dyamante at perlas; nagsasabing kailangang ibigin ng wagas.

Titigan ka’y walang nasasayang na oras; dahil kamay ng orasan ay humihinto kapag ikaw ang kaharap.

Sa iyong mga mata, lubos akong nahalina; wari ko ba ay bintana ng malinis na katauhan na kay sarap pakisamahan hanggang sa dulo ng walang hanggan. Nakakaakit sa ganda. Sa iyo namang buhok: Ang haba nito ay isang sagisag ng panahon—Kasing-haba rin ng pagmamahal kong sa’yo ay aking

iaalay o iaalok.

Subalit, ngayo’y nasaan ka aking sinta? Lahat ng nakita ko’y tila baga naglaho na. Ako ba ang may sala?

Mahal, paumanhin. Pasensiya na dahil nasaktan kita. Pasensya na dahil ang tanga-tanga ko. Pasensya dahil sa nagawa kong panloloko.

Pasensya ka na dahil ginawa ko lahat ng ayaw mo. Pasensiya ka na dahil sa akin ikaw ay namighati at nagdusa.

Magbilang kaya tayo: Muling maglaro at balikan ang alaala ng ating kabataan. Ako ang taya. Magtago ka at hahanapin kita! Tumakbo ka at hahabulin kita!

Isa, ako’y pagod na. Ako’y pagod na upang habulin ka. Nakakapagod din nga pala ang paghahabol sa mga gusto at ayaw mo. Ako’y pagod na sa bawat pagtutulak mo at patukoy mong pagtakbo. Naguluhan tuloy ako: Di ko na alam kung mahal mo pa ba ako o minahal mo nga lang ako.

Pangalawa, tayo’y magtaguan, pero sandali. Ako ba ang taya o ang nawawala? Dahil sa mga panahong ito, di ko na alam kung sino ang taya at kung sino ang nawawala.

Di ko na alam kung ako pa ba ang magtatago o ako ba ang maghahanap sayo. Dahil kung ako ang nawawala, ako’y kaagad mong mahahanap. Dahil

the part, and that was frustrating and limiting. Now that I’m actually am one, with both the mindset, the resources and also the right age to be one, it’s a relief. It’s feels right.

It wouldn’t be too surprising if some people who had to act mature in their childhood years, end up being “childlike” in their adult years. Missing out on opportunities to receive affection, support and stability can make someone want to take these from anyone. Having to always give for so long had become too tiresome, so this time, its their turn to just take. I was afraid that this will happen to me, but I remember reading somewhere this profound statement: “It’s okay to parent yourself and do things that you would have wanted a loving parent do to you”.

The recent explosion in awareness and promotion about self care also shifted my perspective about adult responsibilities. Self-care is more than just spa and hair appointments or getting the latest gadgets. The daily grind of household chores that need to be done in a timely manner, which is a huge part of adult life, results to a lot of positive things that the occasional luxury brings as well.

Peace of mind can come from a clean bathroom, a completely

hanggang ngayon di ko pa din alam kung saan ako magtatago, sa ilalim ba ng mga puno o sa kaibuturan ng iyong puso. At kung ako ang taya, ako’y talo na. Dahil aabutin ako ng gabi para hanapin ka. Pero sandali, sa larong ito ka lang ba nawawala o ika’y tuluyan ng nawala. Nawala dahil nagbago ka o nawala dahil may mahal ka ng iba?

Pangatlo, tayo’y magtumbang preso. Sandali, kukunin ko lang ang aking tsinelas upang maipambato ko sa latang iyong binabantayan.

Na tila’y ayaw mong matalo sa larong ito. Di ba malinaw sa’yo, na sa anumang laro ay may talo at panalo?

Pang-apat, tara, mag patintero tayo. Sige ako na muna yung taya at ikaw muna ang dadaan. Sige na dumaan ka na. Ang hirap mo palang hulihin dahil kala ko mahuhuli na kita pero di pala. Akala ko sakin ka na pero di pala. Akala ko iyun na, pero di pala. At akala ko ikaw na… pero hindi pala. Isang linya lang ang aking pwedeng madaanan dahil ang dami kong limitasyon pagdating sayo. Mahal, pasensya dahil di ko na alam kung ano yung gagawin ko.

Panglima, tara tayo’y mag langit-lupa. Tayo’y maglangit-lupa kung saan ikaw ang langit at ako ang lupa. Sa bagay, lagi naman akong nasa ibaba. Nasa ibaba dahil mas nakatataas ka sakin. Dahil ikaw na, mayroon ka na ng lahat, ng mga bagay na inaasam ng bawat tao sa mundo. At ako na ang lupa.

Ang lupa na tinatapak - tapakan ng bawat tao sa mundo. Masakit pero kakayanin ko. Mahirap pero hindi muna susuko.

Pang-anim, tayo’y mag hariharian at tayo’y magreyna-reynahan, kung saan, ako ang hari at ikaw ang reyna, ikaw ang bibihag sa

APRIL 2019

paid off credit card, and a freshly cut lawn. Empowerment can come from learning how to cook one’s childhood favourite meal just the way you remember it and not overeat to keep up with one’s health goals.

Optimism can come from a prepared personal budget, understanding one’s psychological triggers, and actually finishing hobbies.

Since we are only getting older and time travel is still hard, from now and into the future I will be an adult forever, just different types I suppose. I look forward to being this for the rest of my life, and I hope that everyone ends up feeling the same.

puso ko at sasabihing, “mahal kita”, sa pamamagitan ng iyong labi.

Ng iyong labi na napakatamis at napakakintab. Ang labi mong malambot at kailanma’y aking hahalikhalikan. Pangako, pangako na ikaw lang ang aking reyna kailanman.

Pangako na ikaw lang ang susuot ng koronang nagsasabi na akin ka lang at ako’y sa’yo lamang. Pero bakit ikaw mismo ang lumayo? Ayaw mo na ba sa ating mga pangako? Di mo na ba mapanindigan ang mga pangako o nawala na ang pagibig na ating diniligan.

Pampito, tayo ay magpiko.

Heto na ako, ibabato ko na ang aking pamato, di ko alam kung saan ito pupunta at babagsak.

Inilaan ko ang puso’t isip ko para sa larong ito. At ilalaan ko na din para sayo. Kung saan hindi na ako sigurado kung mahal mo pa ba ako o minahal mo na lang ako?

Ako pa ba ang nagpapatibok ng iyong puso? Heto na, babagsak na ang bato, kagaya ng mga oras na nahuhulog ako sayo, at iyon ay araw-araw. Wala na, bumagsak na ang aking pamato. Sige nga. Sabihin mo sa akin. San ba ako bumagsak?

Sa puso mo o sa kawalan kung saan di mo ako sinalo?

Pangwalo, tara, tayo’y magbahay-bahayan. Kung saan tayo’y mangangarap at magkukunwaring nabubuhay ng tayo’y magkasama.

Nagmamahal kung saan gusto nating maging totoo pero hindi pala. Gusto nating maging totoo ngunit hindi pala. Di ko alam kung sumuko ka na ba o patuloy na lalaban pa? Matutupad pa ba ang ating mga pangarap na inaasamasam. Ngayon sabihin mo, iyon pa din ba ang pangarap mo o nasira na ang pangako mo?

Pang-siyam, ano pa ba ang continued on page 25 ►

THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA

EDUCATION | CONTINUATIONS

APRIL 2019

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

Academic and Experience Requirements for your APEGA License Application

O

ver the past few months, I received several inquiries on how and where Filipino Migrant Engineers need to start their application process to go back to their Profession. It’s a good thing that the Alberta Filipino Journal has online portals that can retrieve the previous issues where I wrote those articles tackling the step by step process. The online portal really helps because it lets the Alberta Filipino Journal reach Filipinos who are not only already here in Canada as immigrants but those who are also planning to migrate.

In this month’s issue, I will be summarizing the two most important things that they (Applicant) need to accomplish.

Academic Requirement The APEGA outlined a process on how to submit your academic documentation requirements to the World Education Services (WES).

All applicants will be evaluated against the APEGA syllabus in engineering and geoscience.

Applicants who do not meet academic requirements could be refused, prescribed examinations to make up for perceived deficiencies or asked to write confirmatory examinations to confirm the quality, depth and breadth of their education.

Basic guidelines were published in the APEGA website to wit the courses taken in the Philippines will be compared to the acceptable course equivalent and syllabi. The course lists are available at the APEGA website and is available at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary that match APEGA's course equivalents. The syllabi and exams explain what the course and technical exams will cover. Engineering applicants must complete the requirements listed under Preliminary and Basic Studies and Complementary Studies, as well as the requirements specified for their specific discipline.

The final review of academic documents is done by APEGA's Board of Examiners (BOE), and it is the BOE that ultimately determines their depth, breadth, and acceptability.

World Education Services (WES) from page 24

Tayo, Tayo’y Maglaro gusto mong laruin? Lahat na ng laro, nalaro na natin. Pati na ang puso’t-isip ko, iyong pinaglaruan na din. Na tila’y gulong-gulo at nararamdamang niloloko, pero eto ako… nananatili at nariyan lang sa tabi mo. Na kahit puso ko na lang ang mapunit, wag lang ang puso mo na tila’y ang iba kanilang minamaliit. Ay sige, maglaro tayo.

Maglaro tayo ng Lawin at Sisiw, kung saan may mga ibang tao na

FROM A DREAM INTO A BEAM MERVIN MENDOZA CERENO mmcereno@gmail.com

Mervin Cereno is a Filipino Engineer, Academician and Entrepreneur who chose to migrate to Canada. He is working on his research to complete his Master’s Degree from the University of Alberta. Presently, he is working on his Canadian Professional Experience to eventually earn his Professional Engineering Status in the Province of Alberta soon.

For more advice on a specific case in pursuing your application – please contact me at cereno@ ualberta.ca or mmcereno@gmail.com.

is an academic-assessment agency designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to provide educational credential assessments for degrees earned outside of Canada.

WES is the only academic-assessment agency recognized by APEGA, and only International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) reports are accepted.

A WES assessment that states you have a "4-year undergraduate degree" is only the first step in the academic assessment process.

APEGA's Board of Examiners must also conduct a full review of your academic credentials.

WES ICAP Report: • Verifies the authenticity of your academic documents.

• Establishes the equivalent level of your academic credentials compared with the Canadian university system.

APEGA's Board of Examiners: • Reviews your degree to ensure it is a degree in engineering or geoscience.

• Confirms the acceptability of the course content and performance of your degree.

• Ensures that your degree meets the legal requirements for licensure.

WES Report.

• Follow the instructions to continue to the WES website for the next step of the application process.

• Follow the instructions provided

by WES. If you already have an evaluation report from WES, you may need to upgrade that report to an International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP).

• WES will send the completed evaluation report to APEGA digitally.

Physical copies will not be accepted.

What you need to do: You must have an APEGA ID number before you begin a WES application.

Follow the steps below to complete your WES application: • Select Canada for your evaluation.

• Select WES Standard Application.

• Add Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) as a recipient.

• Select WES ICAP Course-byCourse as the evaluation type (required by APEGA).

• Official Transcript of Record.

• Copy of Your Diploma.

• Course-by course description of the subjects you took from your First Year College until your Graduation in your Engineering Degree. This will give the evaluator a clearer picture of the topics and subjects you took from Philippines’ Tertiary Institution and compare those to Canadian Matrix of courses.

• Certificate from your School that “English is the Medium of Instructions”.

Please take note – that the documents mentioned above must be sent directly to WES by the School. Alternatively, you can place all of those documents in a sealed envelope and send it to WES through FEDEX, DHL or UPS. The roadblock for most Filipino Engineers in continuing this application process is when they got a credential evaluation that states “3-year diploma” wherein the only option left is to take the Technical Exams which entails a lot of preparation and cost. And at the end of the day, it is still your decision whether you are going to pursue your professional status as Engineer or re-direct your path towards becoming a Technologist.

Pursuing your path toward a Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) is governed by The Association of Science & Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET).

The process is different as well as the requirements. I will continue to write about the requirements for ASET in the next issue of the AFJ.

How to Obtain a World Education Services ICAP Report • Register for APEGA's Member Self-Service Centre and receive your ID number. This ID number will be required to order your

If you already have a WES application, it must be upgraded to a WES ICAP Course-by-Course evaluation.

Follow the country-specific document requirements and arrange for your documents to be delivered to WES. It is important to submit all your academic documents to WES which include but not limited to the following:

Experience Requirement Recently, the APEGA defines new procedure in documenting and submitting your Experience Record as form part of your application package. If you started your application before May 2, 2018 – the applicant is not covered of these changes.

The information provided in this article are lifted from the APEGA website (www.apega.ca) and for those Internationally Educated Engineers that wish to apply must follow these new procedures.

pilit kang inaagaw, habang eto ako,sinisikap kang protektahan at pilit nilalayo sa panganib. Pero wala eh, nahuli ka nila. Kaya mahal, ako’y iyong patawarin dahil hindi pala sapat ang proteksyon na sayo ay aking iginawad.

At pangsampu, ako’y pagod na. Pagod na akong maglaro ng iyong mga laro na tila ako ang iyong laruan at patuloy mong pinaglalaruan. Pagod na pagod na ako na gawin mong saling pusa sa buhay mo. Na pakiwari ko’y may kalaro ka ng iba. Na tila’y minsan hindi mo na ako sineseryoso sa laro

natin ng moro-moro. Na tila’y ako ay minsan mong binuburo. Kaya mahal ako’y pagod na. Pagod na akong isipin na may pake ka pa.

Pagod na akong maglaro ng iyong mga laro na wala na ring silbi sa buhay ko dahil nandito ka nga, pero wala naman ang puso’t kaluluwa mo sa akin. Mahal, ayoko na. Kaya sa oras na ito, ako’y hihiga at luluha.

Sa bawat patak ng luha ko, iyun ang bilang ng mga oras na tinanong ko sa sarili ko ang mga katagang, “Mahal mo pa ba ako?” Dahil ngayon ang isa sa mga oras na yun. Hindi ko alam kung ako ba talaga ang

nagkulang o ikaw. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang sumuko o ikaw.

Kaya sa oras na ito. Ako na lang ay magbibilang at iisipin ang mga laro na tila’y hinatulad ko sayo-satin. Yung mga oras na tayo ay tila masaya pa, na naglalaro na parang mga bata. Pero ang mga laro na yan ang naging dahilan ng aking pagluha.

Ang mga laro na iyan ang nagsilbing mga simbolo ng mga problema nating hinarap, hinaharap at haharapin. Sandali. Hindi na pala natin haharapin dahil ayaw ko ng makipaglaro.

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The Work Experience Requirement for registration in the Province of Alberta as Professional Engineer is very crucial in the approval of your license. The Applicant must complete two forms to confirm their work experience: the Work Record Validator List (WRVL) and the Competency-Based Assessment Tool (CBAT). The WRVL measures the duration of an applicant's experience, while the CBAT captures the content.

The WRVL is used to confirm that you have obtained at least 48 months of professional-level engineering experience and the WRVL may be referenced by a manager, Human Resources staff, or other person who can confirm your work chronology. This reference does not need to have in-depth technical knowledge of the work that you performed.

The CBAT is used to confirm that you have achieved proficiency in the 22 competencies and indicators required for registration as a Professional Engineer. You can provide multiple indicators to support each competency. Each competency must also be validated by a professional member or senior practitioner who took technical responsibility for your work and witnessed you perform the specified indicators.

Competency-Based Assessment Tool (CBAT) When completing your CBAT - each page of the form, you will provide: • at least one situation in which you proved competency • several actions you took within the situation that support your competency • the outcome of your actions. This should include a basic summary of the solution, product, process, or other outcome of the situation and your actions APEGA's Board of Examiners will assess your competence on the information you and your validators provide—and nothing else. In writing your CBAT, you should write it in first person (“I” not “We”) to show that you really take the ownership of your statements in the CBAT. A detailed example of writing your experience record will be my topic in next month’s issue. So please keep a copy of Alberta Filipino Journal and I will give a step by step approach in writing your work experience record.

Ngayon ako’y magbibilang na. Isa… Dalawa… Tatlo… Apat…

Lima --- Sandali ayoko pa. Sandali, pakiusap manatili ka. Sandali.

HINDI! HINDI! HINDI! Parang mali na. Ako’y nasasaktan na. MAHAL, MAHAL NA MAHAL KITA. Anim…

Pito… Walo… Siyam… Mahal, ngayon ako’y patapos na. Sana ikaw ay maging masaya na. Ako ay kalimutan mo na. Tanggalin mo na ako sa iyong isipan. Paalam Mahal…

Sampu… Mahal na mahal kita!

Bakit ka seryoso? Eh, laro lamang ito!

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

Filipinavigation RIANA TORREJON torrejonriana@gmail.com Riana Torrejon is an undergraduate student at the University of Alberta who is a passionate advocate for human rights. In her spare time, she loves to write and sing. She is also the Fundraising and Events Director for the Child Advocacy Society of University of Alberta and a writer for Happy Columns. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of her greatest inspirations.

T

More Than

wo years ago, I was a speaker for the TEDxYouth conference, and I wrote and gave a TED Talk entitled "We are more than Numbers.”

I shared of my family's and my immigration story in hopes of awakening people's hearts to become more open and mindful in their interactions with newcomers to the country, and those they perceive to be different. I wanted to remind them of the humans behind the stereotypes, statistics, and news stories. I believe this speech is still relevant today and I would like to share an excerpt from it with you this month: “11,138 kilometers is a very large distance to be apart from someone.

Growing up in the Philippines, I had a pretty nice childhood. My family wasn't rich, but we made ends meet. However, my mom and dad worried about my brother's future and my own. Good jobs were scarce in the Philippines and depended on going to good schools which cost my parents the equivalent of their COMBINED ANNUAL incomes each year. We couldn’t afford it in the long run and they knew that it wasn’t practical for us to stay.

So, my mom made the tough decision to work abroad. She quit her full-time teaching job to get training for a new career in Canada and a year later, found a job in Edmonton.

We were all so happy for her but, my

OPINION | GOVERNMENT OF CANADA six-year old mind didn’t yet grasp how far away Canada was and how long we would be apart.

Reality only hit me on the night I saw the bags she had packed for her flight the next morning. They were large and bulky, and they terrified me.

“Are you never coming back?” I started sobbing as I ran over to her. I wouldn’t let go of my mom’s leg and she started crying as well.

What could she do? Like any good mother, she started unpacking in front of me to calm me. I remember her singing me a lullaby until I fell asleep.

When I awoke, she was gone.

For the next four years we skyped and emailed endlessly. She gave up sleep most nights to make sure she could call, regardless of the 14-hour difference. When my brother and I were finished school, it was 5 PM for us, but 3 AM for her.

That never stopped her from staying awake and listening to me complain about fractions, even after a hard day at work.

Not once did my mom allow the distance to make us feel like she forgot about us. Whenever I sniffled on the phone, she’d tell me that it would be worth it. And it ultimately was, but I just couldn’t fathom how I was going to survive without my mom for so long.

I’m eternally grateful for my dad’s presence throughout those four years. He was an architect, but

Budget 2019: Investing in the Middle Class to Grow Canada’s Economy March 19, 2019 Ottawa, Ontario Kagawaran ng Pananalapi ng Canada Noong 2015, ang mga masisipag na Canadians ay nagpatunay na pag gusto nating lumakas ang ekonomiya, ang unang dapat gawin ay palakasin natin ang middle class.

Ang mga kababayan natin ay pinili ang gobyerno na ito upang bigyang-puhunan ang mga middle class at sa mga nagsusumikap na makasali dito.

Kapag namumuhunan sa middle class, namumuhunan tayo sa mga kababayan natin at maaaring bigyan tulong ang mga kababayan na nangangailangan. Ang pag-invest sa ating bansang Canada ay upang maging mas malakas, at mas gumanda ang kapalaran ng ating bansa para sa ngayon at para sa darating na panahon.

Upang mapatuloy pa ang magagandang gawain ng Gobyerno natin, ang Ministro ng Pananalapi Bill Morneau ay isinalang ang Budget 2019 – Investing in the Middle Class Ang Budget 2019 ay ang susunod na hakbang para sa plano ng ating Gobyerno upang lumago ang ekonomiya at patuloy na ibaba ang pederal debt to GDP (gross domestic product) ratio.

Sa Budget 2019, iminungkahi ng Gobyerno na: • Gawin ang pagbili ng mga bahay na mas abot-kaya para sa first time home buyer: ipapatupad ang ‘First Time Home Buyer Incentive.’ Ito ay ang shared equity mortgage program na puwedeng magpababa ng bayad sa mortgage pag gusto ng ating mga kababayan na bumili ng bahay nila sa unang pagkakataon. Itataas rin nang Gobyerno ang access sa ‘Registered Retirement Savings Plan’ para sa www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

gustong bumili ng bahay.

• Tulong para sa mga manggagawa na may gustong mag-aral. Ang bagong “Canada Training Benefit,” upang suportahan ang mga kababayan na gustong mag aral upang mapasama sila sa middle class. Magbibigay suporta sa kanilang kita kung nais nilang mag-aral ng bagong kakayahan sa kanilang mga trabaho.

Ang ating Pederal na Gobyerno at ang ating probinsyal na Gobyerno ay mag sasanib pwersa para sa mga manggagawa upang meron silang kaligtasan sa trabaho pag wala silang kita.

• Ihanda ang ating mga kabataan para sa magandang trabaho. Importante sa atin ang edukasyon kaya ang ating Gobyerno ay binaba ang interest rates nang ‘Canada Student Loans’, pinahabaan ng Gobyerno ang grace period. Ngayon, anim na buwan na ang walang interest sa utang pagtapos ng eskuwela, at ang Gobyerno ay maglilikha ng 84,000 na mga bagong magagandang trabaho para sa mga estudyante kada taon hanggang sa 2023-24.

• Tulungan ang mga Canadians para sa kailangan nilang gamut: Nagpasimula na ng plano ang ating Gobyerno para sa “National Pharmacare Plan” gagawin nila ang bagong “Canada Drug Agency” na magpapababa ng gastos sa gamot para sa mga kababayan ng halos $3 bilyon kada taon.

• Suportahan ang mga matatanda na pumiling magpatuloy na mag trabaho at merong mababang kita.

Ang Gobyerno ay magbibigay suporta sa pamamagitan ng “Guaranteed Income Supplement” exemption upang mas makapag-ipon ang ating mga matatandang kababayan.

• Suportahan ang mga proyekto ng ating mga munisipalidad. Ang panukala ng Gobyerno na “one-time top-up” na nagkakahalaga ng $2.2 bilyon sa pamamagitan ng pederal gas tax fund, itong pondo na ito ay magiging doble mula sa pangako ng Gobyerno para sa ating mga municipalities noong 2018-2019.

• Bibigyan ang lahat na mga Canadians ng akses sa mabilis na internet para lahat ng mga bahay at negosyo ng ating mga kababayan, upang mapabilis at umabot sa 50 Mpbs high-speed ang kanilang internet kahit saan sila naninirahan.

• Bawasan ang gastos sa enerhiya sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtuwang kasama ang Federation of Canadian Muncipilaties upang madagdagan ang kahusayan ng enerhiya sa mga tirahan, komersyal at sa mga gusali, at sa pamamagitan ng pagpapasok ng isang bagong insentibo para sa pagbili ng bateryang elektriko o gamit ang hydrogen fuel cell vehicles na nagkakahalagang $45,000 ayon sa maypabrika.

• Lalong pagsulong ng kasunduan kasama ang mga Katutubo sa pamamagitan ng bagong panukala upang mas lalong pabutihin ang kalidad ng buhay para sa First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples sa Canada at pag suporta ng selfdetermination sa pamamagitan ng pag-invest sa pag papaayos ng kalidad ng tubig; pagaalaga, pagbubuhay, at pag tataguyod ng mga wikang katutubo; lalong pagbubutihin ang kalidad ng edukasyon at ng pangangalaga sa kalusugan para sa mga batang katutubo na naaayon sa kanilang kultura; at pag susuporta sa pag tatag ng mga negosyong pagmamay-ari ng mga katutubo. Sa

APRIL 2019

turned down work to make sure he could eat breakfast with us,come to our soccer games, and hear about our days. He even learned how to do my hair and ended up with a collection of combs to make braids and ponytails.

Fast forward four years and we’re finally on a plane to Canada, soon to be reunited. I can still remember the velvet cushioned seats, the murmur above the engine noise of English being spoken around me, and my dad squeezing my hand. It was a thirteen-hour flight, but I couldn’t sleep at all and kept checking the windows trying to catch a glimpse of the maple syrup land we were headed to.

When we finally arrived, I ran out of the plane and excitedly searched for my mom. As my eyes darted to the left and right, they stopped and focused on someone with familiar black hair and a humble height like mine. “MOM!” I ran as fast as my legs could take me then buried my head in her hair and hugged her like I would never ever let her go again.

When we reunited – my family, all together hugging in the midst of the chaos in that airport – I realized we would never have to go back 11,138 km to find home again. Home is where our family is.

Love drove my parents’ optimism and compelled them to take enormous leaps for my brother and I because they saw the bright future awaiting

in Canada. My parents demonstrated the greatest form of love that I believe there is to give, sacrificial love. Distance doesn’t diminish the presence of love; it just stretches it out across the planet.

When you watch the news about immigrants or read about them entering developed countries like Canada and the U.S., more often than not, all you see are numbers.

Well, my story is just one of the 280,700 immigrants that entered Canada in 2010 alone. However, I am not just a number - I am a human with a personal story. I hear people complain about immigrants taking “their” jobs, but my parents gave up their professions and took on labour jobs. One out every 5 people in Canada is foreign born. That means that one out of every five of you didn’t originally come from here! But, we all have our humanity in common.

Please don’t view immigrants as your competition, as numbers, as statistics, as terrorists, but rather as your fellow brothers and sisters in this journey of life. Let’s break down the walls that are built out of fear because each and every one of us deserves love and a chance. We have all experienced pain, loss, and sorrow; we all have a personal story.

Our stories write our community and our communities create our future.

Let’s write abetter future together.”

bagong mga investments sa Budget 2019, kasama ang mas mababang buwis, mas maraming pera ang matitara sa bawat bulsa ng mga mamamayan bawat buwan at dahil mas maraming oportunidad para sa mas mahuhusay na mga trabaho, may magandang dahilan ang mga middle class Canadians na mas may kumpiyansa sa kung ano man ang hinaharap para sa kanilang sarili at sa kanilang mga pamilya.

children by putting more money in the pockets of nine out of ten Canadian families, and helping to lift nearly 300,000 children out of poverty.

- More than nine million Canadians are benefitting from the Government’s middle class tax cut, which gives them more money to save or spend on the things they need.

- An enhanced Canada Pension Plan, which will raise the maximum CPP retirement benefit by up to 50 percent over time, is giving today’s and future Canadian workers greater income security when they retire.

- Historic investments in infrastructure, including the National Housing Strategy which is helping more Canadians find a safe and affordable place to call home.

Sipi “Halos apat na taon ang nakalipas, ang mga Canadians ay pumili ng plano para sa ikabubuti ng ating kapakanan : mabubuting trabaho na maayos ang pasahod; tulong para sa mataas na gastusin sa pamumuhay; koneksyon sa komunidad; at mahuhusay na oportunidad para sa ating mga kabataan at sa susunod pang henerasyon. Ito ang priyoridad para sa ating mga Canadians at ito ang ipinamamahagi ng ating pamahalaan para sa lahat.

Ang Budget 2019 ay ang susunod na hakbang para sa mas matibay na ekonomiya na mag bibigay ng mas maluwag na buhay para sa nakakarami at para sa kalahatan nating mga Canadians.”

Bill Morneau, Ministro ng Pananalapi Mabilis na mga katotohanan - Over the past four years, the Government has focused on strengthening and growing the middle class, and offering real help to people working hard to join it, so that everyone has a real and fair chance at success - Under this Government’s plan, hardworking Canadians have created over 900,000 new jobs, most of them full-time, driving unemployment rate to it’s lowest levels in more than 40 years. This includes especially strong employment gains by women.

- The Canada Child Benefit is helping families with the high cost of raising

Kaugnayang Produkto • Budget Plan • Budget Speech • Backgrounders • Gender Book • Youth Book • Fiscal Monitor (Financial Results from January 2019) Ma-aaring makipag-ugnayan ang midya kay: Pierre-Olivier Herbert Kalihim ng Press Opisina ng Ministro ng Pananalapi Pierre-olivier.herbert@canada.ca 613-369-5696 Para sa mga katanungang pangkalahtan: Telepono: 613-369-3710 Facsimile: 613-369-4065 TTY: 613-369-3230 E-mail: fin.financepublicfinancepublique.fin@canada.ca Relasyon ng Midya Departmento ng Pananalapi ng Canada fin.media-media.fin@canada.ca 613-369-4000

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APRIL 2019

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COMMUNITY | ASTROLOGY | GREETINGS

APRIL 2019

Becoming a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus

S

aturday, March 23rd, 2019 was the day that I was called upon to further my standing within the Knights of Columbus by receiving the honourable Fourth Degree. I and about 35 others each representing the many councils across the city united as one for the honourable Patriotic Degree.

To provide context, the Knights of Columbus (K of C) is an organization for Catholic men ages 18 and above.

Once an individual becomes a member, they begin dedicating their time and talents through volunteer work in the church as well as running many different events to help others in the city whether that is through charity work or community involvement. To get to the Fourth degree, an individual

JAN THE MAN’S NOTE JANUEL CEDRICK IBASCO Januel Cedrick Ibasco is a proud Filipino-Canadian and is currently a student at the University of Alberta studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation. Sportsmanship is a big slice of his cake. He is highly-spirited when playing golf, volleyball, and basketball and loves reading, writing and volunteering at church. Jan looks forward to taking up law after his undergraduate degree.

must complete the First, Second, and Third degrees. The First Degree is a representation of ‘Charity.’ The Second Degree symbolizes ‘Unity’.

St. Michael Assembly No. 2795 – Representing Nazareno Council No. 12904

St. Michael Assembly No. 2795 – Representing Nazareno Council No. 12904

And the third degree embodies Fraternity. Furthermore, what I would like to focus on is the Fourth Degree which circulates around the phenomenon of ‘Patriotism.’

The Fourth Degree is unique in that it is about fostering a sense of patriotism to our country of Canada as Catholic Canadian citizens.

It is at this stage of being a Knight where the assemblies of councils do things such as facilitating voter turnout on election days, participating in national holiday celebrations, honoring veterans for their service and sacrifice, and taking a publicly visible leadership role on important national and

moral issues (K of C, 2019).

The 4th degree serves as a vital component to becoming a full Sir Knight. It is a contingency upon one’s call to strengthen their faith and serve the Lord as well as to serve our wonderful country of Canada, a place we call home.

The Emblem of the Patriotic Degree is a symbolic representation

of what members are called to illustrate. The Orb or Globe represents God the Father the Creator of the Universe. The Cross is for God the Son, the Redeemer of Mankind.

The Dove is a classic symbol of the Holy Spirit and Peace as it hovers over the orb of the earth (Globe).

All of these symbols joined together represent Patriotism.

Monique Tuazon’s 18th Birthday Celebration

I

t took only 6 weeks to plan for her 18th Birthday at the Sejong Multicultural Centre. With the help of her parents Nestor and Marichu (Baby) Tuazon, and older siblings Marvin and Merilyn, family

and friends all came together and celebrated with her as she turned 18 on March 23, 2019. It was one magical night and a dream come true as it was all “Written in the Stars”

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Rachel Notley. Fighting for you.

Rachel Notley is fighting for you: • Leading the fight to build a new pipeline, create jobs and diversify our economy • Investing in healthcare and seniors care for our loved ones and good schools for our kids • Developing a new K-12 Filipino language and culture curriculum • Removing barriers to full citizenship under Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program including removing unfair income thresholds • Making Alberta the first province in Canada to designate June as Filipino Heritage Month

Kate Andrews Calgary-Acadia

John Archer Edmonton-South West

Julia Bietz Calgary-Lougheed

Gurbachan Brar Calgary-North East

Cesar Cala Calgary-East

Jon Carson Edmonton-West Henday

Lorne Dach Edmonton-McClung

Thomas Dang Edmonton-South

Jasvir Deol Edmonton-Meadows

David Eggen Edmonton-North West

Nicole Goehring Edmonton-Castle Downs

Christina Gray Edmonton-Mill Woods

Sarah Hoffman Edmonton-Glenora

Rod Loyola Edmonton-Ellerslie

Kelly Mandryk Calgary-North

Ricardo Miranda Calgary-Cross

Irvan Sabir Calgary-McCall

Lori Sigurdson Edmonton-Riverview

Parmeet Singh Calgary-Falconridge

Graham Sucha Edmonton-Shaw

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