FREE COPY
In 2022, be appreciative of someone’s great initiative.
Edna Gilera: Showcasing Filipino Craftsmanship
P20►
JANUARY 2022 • Volume 15, Number 01
AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
Suggested Steps to Follow When Planning a Visit the Philippines
P6►
RECAPTURING 2021 and HELLO TO 2022! Year-End Review and More Points of View
We’ve got the right mortgage for you Contact me:
Belle De Castro Manager, Mobile Mortgage Specialist Tel: 780 231 3126 E: belle.decastro@td.com
P18►
2
Business
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
Editor's Corner | Business
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
The governments may not always govern EDITOR’S CORNER Lito Mendoza Velasco
I
f I were in the government, I would rather focus my efforts on supporting the farmers and food producers to maintain this community in good shape. I would never, mindful of relative restrictions in order to save life for the fact that death is inevitable. Simply because we are all mortal. Ang katotohanan, mag-ingat ka; mamamatay ka. Kung hindi ka magingat, mamamatay ka rin. Magpakatino ka; mamamatay ka o papatayin ka. Wag kang magpakatino, mamamatay at makakamatay ka dahil sa iyong maling kaisipan. (Translation: “The truth is, when you’re being extra careful, you’ll die, be neglectful, you’ll also die. Try to be good and you’ll die or will be killed, be otherwise and you’ll also die or can cause someone’s death due to your erroneous mentality.”) But still, to do good and avoid evil should serve as the dictum de omni. My stand is, let’s all focus on what is productive for all instead of buying all the products being introduced and mandated by the governments around the world. Magtanim tayo ng halamang pagkain kung may mapapagtaniman upang tayo ay may sapat na makain upang mabuhay. Ang focus natin ay para MABUHAY! For now, just plant something food-bearing instead of ornamental plants. We plant to live and not just live to plant. (Translation: “should there be a vacant space for farming and planting, let us use those spaces to plant vegetables and other food-bearing plants so we have sufficient resources to eat and sustain our lives). Our focus is TO LIVE!” Buong katapatan tayong sumunod ng sumunod sa sinasabi ng health experts (kuno). Nakailang pabakuna na nga tayo, di ba? Anong nangyari? Eh namamatay din naman sila ah. Hindi nga nila alam ang efficacy at efficiency ng gamot na ginawa nila eh! Sino ba ang kumita ng malalaki at yumaman o patuloy na yumayaman, di ba iyong producers ng PPE? (Translation: “We have been faithfully observing or just abiding what the health experts say. In fact, we’ve already received the vaccinations as required, right? What happened? People still died. They did not even know or were not certain about the efficacy and efficiency of those drugs they formulated. Who acquired huge profits and grabbed more earthly wealth, isn’t it the PPE producers and manufacturers?)”
officials who took the same courage to step up and get vaccinated ahead of us? There were surely hesitant. The Functionalist Theory, a macrosociological theory has reminded me of this scenario which says “everyone in this world has the role to be played… the poor is there so that the rich would be more stunning… the poor is there in the form of a utility… the poor
or marginalized is there so there is a cheap labour cost and can be used as the tool for experimentation.” Wow just wow! What can you say? I know you have your own opinion. Don’t keep in in your mind and never consider your opinion as yours alone. Step forward and let other know your opinion’s price. And look, those who have been vaccinated have also died after such medical administration for the reason that we will all die. And, these scientists, businessmen, doctors, and numerous government officials are not exempted.
3
Tawag na mga Kabayan para sa libreng insurance quote. Mabilis, simple and maaari kang maka tipid. Get our Claim Free Bonus Cheque prior to your next renewal if you’re claim-free during the policy term.*
Protect More. Save More.
Call me for a FREE no-obligation quote! Insure your
and SAVE *
Jerwin Pagdonsolan Jerwin Pagdonsolan Edmonton North Agency Edmonton North Agency
15949-97 Street NW 15949 97 Street (780) 456-6138 ext. 5023 587-401-3956 *Terms and conditions apply. ®Trademark used under licence by Allstate Insurance Company.
(780)-716-4897 jpagdonsolan@allstate.ca “I also speak Tagalog. ” 005E_02/ 18
*The bonus cheque reward will be sent to you prior to receiving your renewal offer. Terms and conditions apply. Trademark owned by Allstate Insurance Company used under licence by Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. ©2020 Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. 202201 | 05-20
continued on page 4 ►
Emphasis Majority has already been vaxxed as per governments’ encouragement. If we remember it correctly, the very first recipient here in Canada was a Filipina. Almost all the Filipinos were so proud of her courage. However, have we seen any of those scientists, doctors, manufacturers, and government All photos and articles available online. Follow us
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
4
AFJ Family | Editor's Corner | Filipino Proverb | Business from page 3
Published by Angeles Publishing Company Inc. 246 Lindsay Crescent, Edmonton, Alberta T6R 2T2 Jose L. Angeles Publisher / Chief Operating Officer Sales and 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 Lianne Angeles Associate Editor Melanie Rose Atizado Angeles Administrator/Office Manager Sales and Advertising, 780-993-5503 albertafilipinojournal79@gmail.com Mark Angeles, Mike Angeles Distribution Managers - Edmonton Andy Chua Marketing Manager - Edmonton +1 (780) 965-3549, fcchua@hotmail.com Maria Visconde Advertising, Sales and Marketing Manager - Calgary 403-891-9328 or 403-608-8817 Stephen Burry Distribution Manager - Calgary 1 (587) 938-3100, Freedommigrate@gmail.com Rolan Latorre Marketing Manager Melanie C. Gomez Website/Graphic Designer Moses Billacura, Noli Granado Photographers/Videographers Columnists: Marjorie Carmona-Newman, Tito S. Venida, Ida Beltran-Lucila, Kristian Cereno, Marco Luciano, Moses Billacura, Mervin Mendoza Cereno, Nicky Gocuan, Giselle General, Hermo Pagtakhan, Januel Cedrick Ibasco, Fr. Jhack Diaz, Bing J. Jaleco, Jon Perez (Saskatoon, SK) Contributing Writers: Katrina Marielle U. Cereno, Leonila Samarita, Raquel Getigan, Jasmine-Grace Nacu 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.
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
They will also die. It’s like a movie, as my friend Jojo Lucila said: if it’s not now showing; it’s coming soon.” The point is, who is not going to die? But still, we have to protect our own life as much as we can, from those who are trying to kill us. Otherwise, we will die before our natural death arrives. During this pandemic phenomenon, who do you think is acquiring huge profits and grabbing more earthly wealth, are they not the PPE producers and manufacturers? Tinakot tayo ng tinakot! Tingnan natin, kung hindi magbabago ang ating pananaw at paninindigan, darating ang araw, mas maraming PPE, pero walang kamote, mais, kanin, at iba pang pagkain upang ihain sa ating mga hapag-kainan. Bakit? Dahil maging ang mga dakilang magsasaka ay matatakot na rin magtanim dahil sa VIRUS na patuloy na tinatangkilik at ipinapakilala ng mga gobyerno sa lahat ng tao sa KAPALIGIRAN at LIPUNAN. (Translation: “We have
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
been consistently threatened! Let’s see, if we’re not going to alter our viewpoint and standpoint as well, the time will come, and there will be more PPE, yet no sweet potato, corn, rice, and other kinds of food to serve on our tables. Why? Because even the great farmers would surely be scared to go out and plant due to the VIRUS that would have been patronized and introduced by the governments to all mankind in our ENVIRONMENT and to SOCIETY as well.” Alam naman natin ito ah (We are fully aware): “The anticipation of death is more painful than death itself.” Hence, beware of death’s issue; but, let’s all stay focused on life per se and on how to protect and sustain it. The universality of death In reality, death is universal. All living beings, except God, will surely die. Relatively, there are obviously various ways of dying. In a third world country, the destitute die so fast in the hospital due to impecuniosity. A rich man’s life, his pain and suffering may be prolonged in the hospital until
his last penny is spent for the diagnoses, medications, clinical treatments, doctor’s fees, and other additional or hidden fees. Can anybody attest to what have been mentioned above? Well, those may or may not be true for a very simple reason. That, hospital owners and even doctors want money. This may also be the reason why they’ve formulated this slogan or battlecry: “Health is wealth.” Do I have to elaborate? Am I wrong? oooOooo Patience is a virtue: Is a patient man virtuous? Patience is a virtue. If man is patient, does this mean he is virtuous and the impatient man is so vicious? How many of us have acquired this virtue? Can a patient person automatically be considered virtuous? Though patience is a virtue, a patient man cannot make himself a virtuous person as he may just be patient for the following reasons and those are true when: 1. He is an applicant, neophyte, or a trainee; 2. He is asking or receiving favour; 3. He is a subordinate; 4. He is a slave; 5. He is gaining; 6. He is a salesman; 7. He is a student; 8. He is … (you may add more to this list)
from his past orientation and education. Man is not also born with attitude as this attribute is just the product of his experiences and programmed in his consciousness and therefore can be ethically called an act of man rather than human act. Impatience: Leading to pestilence Since the first wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic, people around the world are losing patience. Some may have ever been stricken not only with the virus itself but by mental health problems. Some have became paranoid and quarrelsome. Some have intentionally been ruining the reputation of others by rumour mongering, character assassination, oral defamation, trial by publicity, bullying and harassment, discrimination or racism.
Envy and Jealousy: Raging ghosts from within The worst case scenario has just been encountered by one of the AFJ staff as he has consistently been bullied, verbally harassed, and threatened with death by a fellow Filipino. It also came to our knowledge that there are some Filipinos who were physically assaulted. So sad, knowing for a fact that we have all flown from the Philippines to this country for a better and peaceful life and yet, here we are, becoming envious instead of being pious, Man is not born virtuous. backbiting and backstabbing Virtues and patience are instead of backing each other simultaneously being acquired up. Why, oh why?
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
Sports
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
SPORTS JOURNAL
Jekasa Sportswear 9-Ball, St. Albert Ballers Club tourney reset
T Moses Billacura mocolumnist @albertafilipinojournal.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 strongly believes that sports development is for all.
5
he Jekasa Sportswear 9-Ball Tournament was supposed to kick off last January 8 at Top Shots Billiards and Ping Pong in Mill Woods but organizers were forced to reset it to a later date because of the rising cases of a new Covid-19 variant. “Di muna Kuya Mo, kasi mahirap na,” said chief organizer Jake Jekasa. I was looking forward to it because I know that there’s a growing number of Filipino cue artists making some waves in the billiards community in Edmonton. Jayson Handugan of Leduc and a group of his friends have been honing their skills in their own basements where they set up their billiards tables, so that, just in case, when the situation gets better,
they will be ready to play when the tournaments resume without strict health protocols. I agree Jake, it’s better to be safe, than sorry, because Filipinos in Canada don’t like to miss working. We only engage in sports purely for recreation and enjoyment and we don’t want to get sick and miss days, weeks and even months earning a living. Mahirap nga, indeed. We hope that things will get better in the coming weeks and months, so we can maintain our “sanity” by engaging in sports activities. Damn this Covid-19! *** Domz Narbonita of the organizing Servus-St. Albert Ballers Club also announced that they have to cancel
their basketball tournament in St. Albert. “This cancellation will be indefinite until it is safe to resume all games,” announced Domz. “Ingat po tayong lahat,” he added. S-SABC’s Home League XL was supposed to start on January 15 with two games set but Domz and his committee members became worried after hearing news reports on the rising cases of Covid-19. Dunn Pangilinan, who played last year for the Cebu Gems in the S-SABC, said he was looking forward to every tournament because he loves basketball. Dunn helped Cebu Gems win over the Pangasinan Waves, 100-91 in the First S-SABC/PPBL Championships.
“It’s always good to be active in sports. Too bad, these Covid-19 cases are affecting the tournaments lined-up already for us,” he said. We know that the players are vaccinated but with new variants emerging, we just don’t know. For now, it’s a wait and see situation. *** Looks like we are again in “sports vacation” mode, however, if you know of any online sports events in the Pinoy community, let us know so we can have stories to report. Kindly email our Sports Desk, mocolumnist@albertafilipinojournal. com. Maraming salamat po and stay safe everyone!
SkinLueur Aesthetics and Laser Centre off to a rousing start in Go Pinoy-Flip Hoops League By Moses Billacura
SkinLueur Aesthetics and Laser Centre shrugged off a slow start and organized its efforts in the next three quarters to trounce Yellow Squad, 81-66 the 2K22 Go Pinoy-Flip Hoops Winter Basketball League, January 16, at the Gametime Indoor Playground and Sports Centre in Edmonton. Virson Orquez, cold as ice in the first quarter, waxed hot in the next three to score 22 baskets to lead SkinLueur to its first victory. Rhay Villarosa, who was all over the place by employing good defense, was also on fire by contributing 20 points even as big man Jester Tandoc also proved to be reliable on defense by adding 14 baskets and Wayne Agbang chipped in 12 to emerge as double-digit scorers for the skincare specialist squad. SkinLueur’s first win this year proved to be good things to come for the squad after it was able to assemble a better line-up with the acquisition of veteran players like Oliver Branzuela and Floyd Eyao, who also helped in providing direction for the needed plays against the Brian Leyte-led Yellow Squad. "This is a good start indeed. Sana tuloy tuloy na ang magandang chemistry," said Giovanni Olayer who immediately relayed the big win to SkinLueur CEO Chum "Doc Chum" Ardaniel. WEM Toyota’s Richard Bordallo said the league is co-organized by Go Pinoy and Flip Hoops with the support of Filipino Drives. The scores: SkinLuer Red (81) – Orquez 22, Villarosa 20, Tandoc 14, Agbang 12, Branzuela 4, Eyao 4, Olayer 2, Yap 2. Yellow (66) – Derder 14, Pomariga 11, Tovillo 8, Leyte 6, Moralita 5, Balasta 5, Flores 5, Bando 4, Gutierrez 4, Gacutan 3.
SkinLueur Aesthetics and Laser Centre team members in their uniforms (left-right) Lloyd Mananggit, Jeff Bacug, Rhay Villarosa, Giovanni Olayer, Floyd Eyao, Wayne Agbang, Jester Tandoc, Virson Orquez, John Vincent Yap and Oliver Branzuela with their supportive friends Erdz Orquez, Virlou Orquez and Dunn Pangilinan in the 2K22 Go Pinoy-Flip Hoops Winter Basketball League, January 16, at the Gametime Indoor Playground and Sports Centre in Edmonton.(Photo by Moses Billacura/AFJ)
Nonito Donaire named PBC Fighter of the Year
Jester Tandoc of SkinLueur Aesthetics and Laser Centre (with ball) finds himself tightly guarded as Oliver Branzuela (extreme right) signals to give the ball to an unguarded Rhay Villarosa (No.7) in the 2K22 Go Pinoy-Flip Hoops Winter Basketball League, January 16, at the Gametime Indoor Playground and Sports Centre in Edmonton. SkinLueur won, 81-66. (Photo by Moses Billacura/AFJ)
MANILA – Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) has named Filipino pugilist Nonito Donaire as its Fighter of the Year for 2021. Following fan voting through social media channels, the 39-yearold Donaire, who shocked the world last May by knocking out Nordine Oubaali to become the oldest reigning world bantamweight champion, edged Stephen Fulton, Gervonta Davis, and David Benavidez for the said honor. According to PBC, Donaire got a massive 47.6 percent of the total votes conducted through Twitter and YouTube. Donaire successfully defended his WBC bantamweight belt against fellow Filipino Reymark Gaballo last
month and is now 42-6 in his career with 28 knockouts. PBC, organized by renowned boxing manager Al Haymon, has successfully held live boxing events on national television, including Donaire's historic bout against Oubaali. (Philippines News Agency)
ADVERTISE WITH US 780-916-7677 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com All photos and articles available online. Follow us
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
Immigration Updates | Traveller's Guide | Business
6
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Mandate Letter to Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser! FROM MIGRATION TO IMMIGRATION
Marjorie Carmona Newman
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
info@ mcncanadaimmigration.com 780-758-2045 Marjorie Carmona Newman is a REGULATED CANADIAN IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT based in Edmonton, Alberta. She is currently a member of CAPIC’s Policy Committee and previously served as Prairie Chapter representative for the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) in the Governance and Nomination Committee and Education Committee. Marjorie was a recipient of CAPIC's Members Service Award for four consecutive years (2015-2019).
C
anada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released his new mandate letters to his cabinet. These mandate letters outline the priorities that the Federal Government will undertake during their term. Each cabinet minister and their respective department will focus its priorities based on the mandate letter. The mandate letter is crucial as it guides the immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) headed by the new Minister of Immigration, Hon. Sean Fraser,
in the implementation of its policies. The mandate letter will impact both the federal and provincial immigration programs. Quote from the mandate letter below: As Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, you will prioritize ongoing work to strengthen Canada’s immigration and refugee system, including bringing in more newcomers to all regions of Canada who will support Canada’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. You will also act with urgency to provide resettlement opportunities for people under threat, including Afghan citizens and human rights defenders. As well, you will continue to strengthen family reunification and reduce application processing times, especially those impacted by COVID-19. To realize these objectives, I ask that you achieve results for Canadians by delivering the following commitments. • Continue to bring newcomers to Canada to drive economic growth and recovery, as set out in the 2021-2023
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Immigration Levels Plan. • Expand the new immigration stream for human rights defenders and work with civil society groups to provide resettlement opportunities for people under threat. • With the support of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, continue to facilitate the safe passage and resettlement of vulnerable people from Afghanistan, with an emphasis on individuals who supported Canada and our allies over the past two decades, women, LGBTQ2 people, human rights defenders, journalists and members of religious and ethnic minorities and increase the number of eligible refugees from 20,000 to at least 40,000. • Reduce application processing times, including to address delays that have been impacted by COVID-19. • Work to strengthen family reunification by introducing electronic applications for family reunification and implementing a program to issue temporary resident status to spouses and children abroad while they wait for the processing continued on page 10 ►
Suggested Steps to Follow When Planning a Visit to the Philippines • All passengers departing from Canada (via YVR or YYZ) MUST be completely vaccinated at least 14 days before travelling; • Must have a negative RT PCT Test taken within 72 hours prior the the flight; • Don't forget your 2-dose vaccination record (QR code); • If holding a Canadian Passport and born in the Philippines, under the Balikbayan program, please bring your old/expired Filipino passport or authenticated birth certificate upon check-in (this must be secured from the Philippine Statistic Office’s website or ask your famil member in the Philippines to secure this for you); • Download the One Health Pass. Complete it at least 24 hours prior to departure; • Must book an accredited quarantine hotel for 5 – 6 days in Manila (subject to changes); • All arriving passengers from yellow list countries will be required to undergo facility based quarantine upon arrival and a RT PCR test on the 5th day; • RT PCR test, approx. CAD 100.00; • Hotel rates vary. • Upon arrival to the Philippines: Install the Traze App for Movement Tracing after hotel quarantine. This is for home quarantine. Can families traveling together stay in the same room/hotel? In compliance with Philippine regulations, only one person is
allowed per room, except for the following: 1. Families from the same household travelling together, especially those with minors; 2. Health and emergency frontline services personnel; 3. Guests requiring a companion: • 18 years old and below; and • Persons needing special assistance (e.g. senior citizens,PWD, with chronic medical illness). Returning to Canada: • Download and complete ARRIV Can 24 hours before the flight; • Must have a negative RT PCT Test taken within 72 hours prior to flight; • Don't forget your 2-dose vaccination record or VaxxCard or Covid Vaccine certificate; • (Random) Covid test upon arrival; result will be sent through email. • Upon arrival to Canada: Instal the Fly Clear app in order to get ready for on-the-spot testing. Effective January 16, 2022, Canada is coded and included in the red list countries. The 72-hour grace period for the negative RTPCR test result is now reduced to 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin and shall be presented upon arrival in Manila. Quarantine in Manila for 7 days + 1 is mandatory and home quarantine must be observed until the 14th day.
ADVERTISE WITH US! 780-916-7677 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
Educational | Business
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
7
The Journey to my Professional Engineering License in Alberta – an Update
T
his is an update on my Professional Licensing Journey in Canada as an Internationally Educated Engineer. Since 2016 when my family migrated to Canada, it has
ENGINEER IN ACTION
Mervin Cereno, P. Eng. mmcereno@gmail.com Mervin Cereno is a Filipino immigrant in Canada. A FilipinoCanadian Engineer license to practice Engineering in Alberta and British Columbia. He is a Volunteer and Advocates to help Filipino-Canadian Engineers to pursue their Professional Engineering licenses in Canada. For advice on a specific case in pursuing your application whether in ASET or APEGA, please email me at mmcereno@gmail.com.
been my great desire to help fellow engineers go back to their careers and practice their Profession in Canada. For the past 6 years, I have contributed articles to the Alberta Filipino Journal in order to educate, encourage and motivate our Internationally Educated Engineers to pursue their Professional License in Canada – there are many stories that I was able to hear not only from Filipino engineers but engineers from other countries. My story started almost 7 years ago when we planned to migrate to Canada under the Federal Skilled Stream Program. It was very clear to me that the practice of engineering in Canada is a regulated profession. I made sure that migrating to a different country would not hinder me from practicing my beloved profession. I started the process of learning the licensing requirements side by side with the application for our immigration. I started my application to APEGA even before I landed in Canada. Even for an internationally educated engineer, whose tertiary education was not as far recognized as that in first world countries – there are no impossible ways to attain one’s goal of being a Professional Engineer. My case is no longer different from those who applied and eventually
All photos and articles available online. Follow us
get their Professional recognition. My journey is far better than those who are still struggling for years to have their credentials be recognized. My sacrifices and challenges are far easier than those of other professionals who are still in the middle of the chaos of how they can come back to their professions. Look not on the “journey” you have been through, but look up the result when you do your part in pursuing a return to your profession. Below are my timelines of the process in gaining my Professional Engineering License. June 2014 – I started reading all the requirements for credential evaluation and experience requirements I needed to comply with my Professional Engineering application to Canada. Reading blogs, the website Engineers Canada, the APEGA website, ASET website, PEO website, and all other related articles published on the web. October 2014 – My College transcript and diploma and other documents were sent to APEGA for their evaluation. (They have a different process now – it will be through WES). I paid the necessary application fees. February 2015 – I started to review my Fundamentals of Engineering Exams. October 2015 – I took the Fundamentals
of Engineering Exams (FE) and I passed. December 2015 – I submitted the completed Work Experience worksheet. January 2016 – My references were replied. March 2016 – I landed in Canada as an immigrant. May 2016 – I started to study for the National Professional Practice of Engineering (NPPE) Exams. June 2016 – I took the NPPE and I passed. September 2016 – I applied and was accepted at the University of Alberta for the Masters of Engineering Program. Note, this is not a requirement for your Licensing Process. October 2016 – APEGA gave me Provisional Status. All the requirements (Education and Experience) complied EXCEPT the one year of Canadian Engineering Experience. February 2018 – I started working as an Engineer-in-Training under the supervision of a Professional Engineer in Edmonton. March 2019 – I updated my Experience requirements as I had already completed the required one (1) year of Canadian Engineering Experience. November 2019 – APEGA finally granted me Professional Engineering Status. In 2021, I also got my Professional
Engineer designation in British Columbia under the Engineers and Geoscientist of British Columbia. Presently, I have been contacted by no less than 200 brave individuals who decided to pursue their Engineering Profession in Canada. Some of them have become my friends, email buddies, and connections. Just a few days ago, I received an email from an individual who said that he eventually got his Professional Engineering Designation with APEGA after our several email sessions. He thanked me. And that is enough. The very reason I started writing these articles is to give the readers the idea and motivation that for Internationally Educated Engineers, it is never impossible to achieve your goals. For some, it can take longer than expected but it is dependent on how much harder you strive and push yourself to the limit. Some readers of the Alberta Filipino Journal may not find my articles very interesting but to some, what I wrote empowered them, and “maybe” I was able to contribute to them eventually changing their career paths. For me, the future is still unknown – but I am confident that I have enough weapons to face further challenges. I am proud of my achievements and that I am an inspiration to others.
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
Alberta and Edmonton City Governments’ Updates
8
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
Growing Alberta’s tech sector
Isang $1 milyon pondo ay magagamit upang matulungan ang mga bagong dating na mabigyan ng pagkakataon na maturuan upang mabuo ang kanilang mga karera at higit pang pag-ibaibahin ang ekonomiya ng Alberta.
A
ng Alberta Immigrant Mentorship Innovation Grant ay sumusuporta sa mga organisasyon sa paghahatid ng mga programa sa career mentorship na tumutulong sa mga bagong dating na makahanap ng makabuluhang trabaho batay sa kanilang karanasan sa trabaho, edukasyon at kasanayan. Sa pamamagitan ng pagtutugma ng mga bagong dating na propesyonal sa mga mentor, ang mga bagong Albertan ay makakapagtatag ng mga propesyonal na koneksyon na tutulong sa kanila na makahanap ng makabuluhang trabaho at palakasin ang mga manggagawa sa Alberta. "Ang mga bagong dating ay madalas na nahaharap sa mga hamon kapag sinusubukang bumuo ng mga propesyonal na koneksyon at pagunawa sa kultura sa lugar ng trabaho sa Canada. Sa pamamagitan ng suportang ito, ang mga bagong dating ay bubuo ng mga relasyon sa mga propesyonal na tagapayo na makakatulong sa kanila na madagdagan ang kanilang kakayahang magtrabaho habang tinutulungan ang mga negosyo ng Alberta na makuha ang
mga kasanayan at talento na kailangan nila upang maging matagumpay”. Tyler Shandro, Ministro ng Paggawa at Imigrasyon Ang Immigrant Mentorship Innovation Grant ay bahagi ng Alberta's Recovery Plan para alisin ang mga hadlang upang maihatid ang mga bagong dating ang kanilang entrepreneurial drive at kasanayan sa Alberta upang magsimula ng mga bagong negosyo at tulungan ang mga employer na matugunan ang mga kakulangan sa paggawa. "Ang mga mentor ay maaaring gumanap ng isang mahalagang papel sa pagtulong sa mga bagong dating na maunawaan kung paano mailalapat ang kanilang mga propesyonal na kasanayan at karanasan sa konteksto ng Canada. Hinihikayat ko ang mga organisasyon na mag-aplay sa pagpopondo na ito upang matulungan ang higit pang mga bagong dating na magtrabaho sa mga trabahong sumusuporta sa paglago ng ekonomiya sa ating lalawigan." Muhammad Yaseen, Associate na Ministro
ng Imigrasyon at Multikulturalismo Maaaring mag-apply ang mga karapat-dapat na organisasyon hanggang Peb. 14. Ibibigay ang pagpopondo ng grant hanggang sa tatlong taon, mula Abril 2022 hanggang Marso 2025, para matiyak na makakapagbigay ang mga organisasyon ng pangmatagalang pagkakataon sa mentorship sa mga bagong dating. Mabilis na mga katotohanan • Ang mga aplikasyon sa grant program ay magbubukas hanggang tanghali sa Peb. 14. • Ang kasunduan sa pagpopondo ay tumatagal ng tatlong taon, mula Abril 2022 hanggang Marso 2025. • Kabilang sa mga karapat-dapat na organisasyon ang mga organisasyong naglilingkod sa imigrante, mga organisasyong pang-regulasyon ng propesyonal, mga non-profit na organisasyon, mga asosasyon ng industriya at propesyonal, mga institusyong postsecondary at mga employer.
Lumalagong sektor ng teknolohiya sa Alberta Ang isang bagong landas sa immigration ay makakaakit sa mga tech-savvy na bagong dating mula sa buong mundo upang tumulong na pag-iba-ibahin ang ekonomiya ng Alberta at suportahan ang umuusbong na industriya ng teknolohiya.
S
usuportahan ng Accelerated Tech Pathway ang Recovery Plan ng Alberta at palalakasin ang workforce ng Alberta sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mabilis na daan patungo sa permanenteng paninirahan para sa mga may mataas na sanay na propesyonal sa teknolohiya na gustong manirahan at magtrabaho sa Alberta. “Kung mas mabilis nating mapupunan ang mga trabahong ito ng mga mahuhusay at kwalipikadong manggagawa, mas magiging malakas ang ating pangkalahatang pagkabawi – at nakakatulong ito sa lahat ng Albertans, saan man sila nakatira o ano man ang kanilang ginagawa. Sa ating mababang buwis, kamangha-manghang kalidad ng buhay at makatwirang halaga ng pamumuhay, nagiging magnet na ang Alberta para sa mga taong naghahanap ng pagkakataon. Kami ay kumikilos upang gawing mas kaakit-akit ang Alberta para sa mga manggagawa sa teknolohiya." Tyler Shandro, Ministro ng Paggawa at Imigrasyon “Patuloy na nakikita ng sektor ng teknolohiya ng Alberta ang rekord na paglago at isang kaukulang pangangailangan para sa mga propesyonal na may mataas na kasanayan. Ang pinabilis na landas ng imigrasyon na ito ay makakatulong na maakit ang pinakamahusay at pinakamatalino mula sa buong mundo patungo sa Alberta upang matugunan ang lumalaking pangangailangan. Titiyakin din nito na ang Alberta ay patuloy na magiging nangungunang destinasyon ng mga tech investment, at ito’y tumutulong na pag-iba-ibahin ang ating ekonomiya.” Doug Schweitzer, Ministro ng Trabaho, Ekonomiya at Innovation Ang Accelerated Tech Pathway ay bahagi ng Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, isang pederal-panlalawigang
programa na nagmumungkahi ng mga indibidwal para sa permanenteng paninirahan sa Alberta kung mayroon silang mga kasanayan upang punan ang mga kakulangan sa trabaho o nagpaplanong bumili o magsimula ng negosyo sa Alberta. Ang mga tech na propesyonal mula sa buong Canada at sa ibang bansa na may alok na trabaho sa isang in-demand na tech na trabaho sa industriya ay mabilis na masusubaybayan, na madadala sila sa permanenteng paninirahan nang mas maaga. "Ang bagong immigration pathway ay makakatulong sa tech industry ng Alberta na makaakit ng mga worldclass na propesyonal na palaguin ang kanilang mga negosyo at paunlarin ang mga kasanayan ng mga Albertan na kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho sa industriya." Muhammad Yaseen, Associate na Ministro ng Imigrasyon at Multikulturalismo "Ang Alberta ay isang puwersa na dapat isaalang-alang sa espasyo ng teknolohiya ng Canada, na may recordbreaking na pamumuhunan sa kapital at dumaraming bilang ng mga kumpanya na nagsisimula sa o lumalawak sa lalawigan. Susuportahan ng Accelerated Tech Pathway ang momentum na ito sa pamamagitan ng pagpapahintulot sa Alberta na mas maakit ang mataas na sanay na pandaigdigang talento na kailangan ng mga kumpanya upang umunlad, na kung saan ay makakaakit ng mas maraming pamumuhunan at lumikha ng higit pang mga pagkakataon para sa lahat ng Albertans.” Arif Khimani, president & COO, MobSquad “Ang pagtugon sa puwang ng tech talent sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng isang programa sa imigrasyon na idinisenyo upang maakit ang mga may kasanayan at kadalubhasaan sa Alberta
ay isang kritikal na hakbang pasulong sa pagpapabilis ng paglago ng sektor ng teknolohiya sa lalawigan. Ang pag-aalis ng mga hadlang sa pagtatrabaho ay magpapahusay sa paglago ng ekonomiya ng Alberta, makaakit ng pamumuhunan at lubos na sumusuporta sa pag-iibaiba ng ekonomiya na isinasagawa sa lalawigan.” Deborah Yedlin, president & CEO, Calgary Chamber of Commerce Mabilis na mga katotohanan • Ayon sa Alberta Enterprise Corporation, ang Alberta ay tahanan ng higit sa 3,000 kumpanya ng teknolohiya, isang 233 porsyentong pagtaas mula noong 2012 (2021 Alberta Technology Deal Flow Study). • Ang mga kumpanyang tech na nakabase sa Alberta ay sumusulong sa paglago at pagpopondo: o Apatnapu't tatlong porsyento ng mga teknolohiyang startup ng Alberta ay nasa pre-seed o seed stage at 43 porsyento ay nakalikom ng hindi bababa sa US $1 milyon hanggang ngayon (2021 Alberta Technology Deal Flow Study). o Apatnapung porsyento ng mga sumasagot sa survey ang nakamit ang kakayahang kumita at 38 porsyento ng mga kumpanya ang nag-ulat ng kita na higit sa $1 milyon sa nakaraang taon ng pananalapi (2021 Alberta Technology Deal Flow Study). o Ang bilang ng mga kumpanyang may 25 o higit pang empleyado ay tumaas ng 12 porsyentong puntos hanggang 25 porsyento, sa pagitan ng 2018 at 2020 (2021 Alberta Technology Deal Flow Study). • Ang pag-access sa talento, kabilang ang pagbuo, pagkuha at pagpapanatili ng mga koponan, ay nananatiling isang hamon para sa mga tech na kumpanya ng Alberta, lalo na sa kaso ng mga benta (39 porsyento) at teknikal (36 porsyento) talento (2021 Alberta Technology Deal Flow Study).
From Mayor Sohi’s Desk By Lindsay Harvey Senior Media and Communications Manager Office of Mayor Amarjeet Sohi
Housing piece from Mayor Sohi Years ago, as a City Councillor, my office was contacted by a woman who was struggling; she was forced to leave a women’s shelter, and was desperate to find housing for herself and her three young children. She needed a place where her kids would be safe while she went to work, and where she could rebuild her life with stability. We were able to help her access services, and she got housing shortly thereafter. A few weeks ago, I ran into her again. Through steady employment and access to city services, her family has been in stable and secure housing for more than five years now. Today she is able to work, care for her kids, and live a better life that felt so far away that day standing outside the women’s shelter. Her story is the success of a community coming together to support her out of houselessness. From a city councillor’s office that started the process, to the social services that guided her, to the business that gave her an opportunity, to the neighbour that helped her with last minute child care, to her own determination - it was a collective effort. Her experience is a reminder of the duty we all have to support fellow Edmontonians, and to ourselves, to ensure that no one goes unhoused in our city. Addressing houselessness is everyone’s business. The pandemic has underscored how misplaced stereotypes about houselessness are. The fact of the matter is that many people, including people you know, are a small change of circumstances - a break up, a lost job, an unexpected illness - from finding themselves houseless or facing poverty. Given how easy slipping into houselessness can be and how many Edmontonians are facing homelessness as a result of the pandemic, I believe addressing houselessness and poverty is the business of every Edmontonian. We need to elevate this issue to a true community effort. Addressing houselessness and poverty is fundamental to our reconciliation efforts. The dispossession and oppression that Indigenous people have experienced has created intergenerational trauma that will take decades to heal. We see the results of this trauma in the overrepresentation of Indigenous
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi
people among those experiencing houselessness. As Treaty people, we have a responsibility to meet our obligations for housing and care, and to right the systemic wrongs that have brought us to this place. Fundamentally, having housing is having safety and security. This is true of people experiencing houselessness as well - they are the most likely to be victims of crime, be it assaults or robbery, because of how vulnerable they are. It makes our whole community safer to help people who are struggling and vulnerable - perhaps struggling with mental health or addictions, rather than waiting for them to become desperate, or punishing them for behaviours that wouldn’t happen if they were safe and housed. Addressing houselessness is also a cost-saver for governments and for taxpayers. According to End Homelessness YEG, the societal costs of houselessness are nearly $116,000 per person per year when individuals are on the street - that drops to an average of $53,100 per person per year when individuals are matched with supportive housing and managed supply programs. Getting people into housing diverts them from a costly stay in an already strained emergency room and our backlogged justice system, and allows our first responders to focus on other vital emergencies. What I am asking of you, as Edmontonians, is to be an active part of eliminating houselessness. Your vocal support - with your neighbours, your Councillor, your MLA and your MP - and for our social agencies, our affordable housing efforts in your communities and City Council’s houselessness strategies means a great deal. I hope you will seek out information on how housing can be an important reconciliation effort. Some of you may even be in a position to make donations to agencies or offer someone a job if they are able to work. If you can, we need that now. Every voice and every action from every Edmontonian matters as we try to break the cycle of houselessness that so many of our neighbours find themselves in. Houselessness is a critical issue facing our city. If we work together as a community, we can help every one of our neighbours feel safe, feel welcome and feel at home.
ADVERTISE WITH US 780-916-7677 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
JUST LISTEN
Nicky Gocuan, PMAA ngocuan@yahoo.com Nicky Gocuan has been a Columnist/ Photojournalist for over 15 years. He finished his Degree in Communication Arts at De La Salle University in 1990. After obtaining his University degree, Gocuan joined the Print Media and has contributed for The Philippine Star, Pilipino Star and later moved to Bagong Pinoy, where he wrote a regular opinion column. He also went on to write a showbiz column for The Tribune and Remate. Gocuan has experience in covering the Police beat, Political beat, and Entertainment beat before landing in the Sports beat. He later wrote a regular sports column for Remate Tonight. During this time, he was elected President of the Philippine Basketball Association Press Photographers Club (PBAPPC) for Two Terms and helped uplift the status of the group to become a part of the 5 Man Mythical Committee in the PBA. He is currently the President of The Philippine Media Association of Alberta (PMAA) and Host of a weekly radio program ‘The Fourth Estate” on Tala Luvz Radio in Calgary.
Points of View | Community | Classified Ads
9
Do Not Fear The Virus, Have Faith & Believe Europe has started to look at the Omicron Virus as the Flu. It’s good to know that there are still Political leaders that have the courage to go against the World Health Organization(WHO) and NIAID Director Anthony Fauci. The WHO hurriedly cautioned Europe that the pandemic is far from over. People around the globe do not like to hear the word infections. They also try not to focus on it anymore because they were told early on that getting a double dose vaccination will solve the problem. That was the recommendation of Dr. Anthony Fauci as well as the WHO. But look where we were at the start of the pandemic and where we are right now? Is it any better for infection numbers or it has gotten worse? People did follow mandates of masking and social distancing because this is what the great scientists ordered. But the virus mutated and has become more infectious. For so many years, we have never been so scared of any virus, but today, the world is full of scared people who fear the virus. Did you know that everyday we take risks? Risks that we could slip on ice and fall, or get into a car accident and die. Risks that we may not wake up from our sleep. How many people die daily around the
world? Living in fear has caused problems of mental health and anxiety. The pandemic has separated family members, friends, colleagues and more. This is the effect of being scared. For centuries, viruses have been around. Maybe not the same or of the Corona kind, but we never did stop the economy, we never practiced social distancing or wore masks. What I have noticed is that the people have forgotten that the greatest protection they can get is from God the Father and his son, Our Saviour Jesus Christ. Just last week, an Atheist said to me, “You are a Christian, why won’t your God tell the doctors how to stop the pandemic?” Why would God tell the scientists if they did not ask? How much more if they do not believe in him. Ever since the pandemic started, the narrative has been consistent in telling people to follow the science but if science is so great, why have they not found the cure to this man made disease? Some people believe it is all science, so why is the world round in shape? Why not square? Or triangular? Why is the world tilted? Is it because of science? How did science create the world? Another example is the weather. If our scientists are so smart, why can’t they stop climate change?
It’s simple folks. Our scientists should stop playing God because they are not perfect. Only God is perfect. So do not fear. Just ask for protection. ***** Just recently US President Joe Biden has warned US citizensbnot to travel to Canada and has categorised Canada as a Red Country because of the number of cases. So does this mean it’s more scary in Canada? Did you gear any comment from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau? Or is he openly accepting that we are a Red Zone Country? Did you know that the United States, Russia and China are not Red Zone Countries? This makes me wonder, why? Do they have fewer infections? Think about it. The Country of Origin of the virus is not in the red zone, why? They must be doing something right that Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau does not know. What are your thoughts? Do you think Canada deserves to be in the red zone? Let me know your thoughts. ****** Balikbayans who went back home the holidays to visit their family in the Philippines are facing a predicament. Not only were they required to take a RT-PCR test 72 hours before the flight, they were also
required to quarantine in accredited hotels for 5 days and take another RT-PCR test on the 6th day. If they are found to be negative, they are sent home to quarantine for another 9 days. Just imagine, the amount of money they have to spend just to visit their loved ones. These are mandatory rules that we cannot understand. They tell them to take a test and even if they are negative, they are told to quarantine in a hotel for 5 days. Why? This does not make sense at all! I do not know what the IATF is thinking but I am sure our socalled modern heroes who support their homeland because of their remittances are not happy. Never mind, the election is near. Do not vote for people who wronged you! Reliable reports also reached us that some of the accredited labs to test RT-PCR for passengers have huge delays and backlogs. Why is this happening? Can’t these labs understand what priority is all about? Passengers of planes are important. They are on a timeline so they cannot be delayed. Plus, why make it harder for airlines like Philippine Airlines to survive? They are already hurting because few people travel, yet our officials make it so difficult. Please re-evaluate your plan because it does not help our kababayans.
Awareness, Allies, and Appropriation
A
s Canada’s history continues to be unveiled with regard to the genocide of the people who are descendants from Turtle Island, we begin to ask ourselves, what does this mean and what are we to do now? As the indigenous people carry the history and trauma of forced assimilation and residential schools, the information about what it means to live in Canada while being indigenous is not new information. The surface attempt of trying to compensate for
mêskanâhkêsiw
(mes-kanah-kay-seeyo):
She Builds a Path
Joyce P. Ward joyce.p.ward@EnochNation.ca Tansi (Hello) My name is Joyce P. Ward. I am a member of Enoch Cree Nation. My father is Plains Cree and my mother is Caucasian. Growing up with the indigenous heritage and looking Caucasian has had its challenges but I’ve learned to discover the perspective from both sides and building harmony from within.
the horrific wrongdoings to children in the past five decades was met with disbelief and denial, with some believing that the stories that were told could not possibly be true. Awareness is so important because there are many versions of the same stories of abusive treatment of indigenous children. Now, evidenced by the remains of indigenous children found across this land, we are learning the truth in these accounts. Seeking awareness means having informed information regarding the indigenous people of Canada. Part of awareness is to be conscious that there is this history of what it has been like to be of indigenous heritage and how it looks today. Awareness is key in understanding that there is a large population that carries this pain and trauma every day and have done so for generations. The amount of racism and poor treatment that indigenous people have encountered is still very much an issue. Indigenous people are most likely to be followed around in a store because of a belief that they are there to steal. Other injustices include inadequate medical treatment, oftentimes negative interactions with the police and the child welfare system. It is helpful to combat these issues in recognizing personal prejudices and stereotypes when encountering indigenous people. An ally is someone who is willing to recognize the mistreatment of indigenous people and to support efforts in correcting the mistreatment in the past. It means that one is willing to change any negative perspectives towards indigenous people and to question others when they want to continue having a negative attitude
All photos and articles available online. Follow us
towards indigenous people. An ally is also willing to learn more about the truth of the history of Canada’s indigenous people. I encourage you to take the opportunity to join in information sessions or gatherings (while adhering to the COVID restrictions in place, of course) to help us discover where we can find support. The relationship between Canada and its indigenous can be rebuilt with knowing who supports us and is willing to understand how to live in a good way as a united country. Another thing that hurts the indigenous population is appropriation of our cultural ways. It is particularly hurtful because it is the very thing that was intentionally meant to be removed from the indigenous person. We see items and elements used in such ways that are removed from the proper and original use. For example, having headdresses or costumes called native American is offensive because a headdress and attire has significant personal meaning and are considered sacred and held in such regard that not just anyone should wear it. The outfit that dancers wear is called regalia. It should not be touched without the owner’s permission. Regalia is highly personal and made with protocols in place. Lately, there have been a lot of changes in the world of sports in changing the names that appropriated indigenous icons. This is a show of respect and wanting to correct mistakes of the past. It is not true that such things honor the indigenous. To show honor to the indigenous is to leave their cultural identity with the indigenous. www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
10
Viewpoint | Points of View
Not if, but when AS we usher in the new year, the big question that comes to mind is: are we near the end of the Covid scourge? Is the arrival of the Omicron variant the light at the end of the tunnel, as some scientists claim? If it is, how
VIEWPOINT
Bing J. Jaleco bingjaleco@yahoo.com Raleigh “Bing” Jaleco was a veteran journalist and public relations consultant in the Philippines. He started out as a correspondent for Ang Pahayagang Malaya and then moved on to be a reporter, and then an editor, of The Manila Chronicle. He also served as news editor of The Manila Standard, business editor of The Manila Times, and sub-editor at the Manila Bulletin. He landed as a permanent resident in Canada in 2016.
will a return to normalcy happen? If there is a Covid protocol, then what will a post-Covid protocol look like? These are questions that are at the top of everyone’s minds, no matter where you are on this planet. The virus changed everything and turned the world on its head, a pandemic that erupted during the age of social media and information overload. Governments scrambled to come up with policies to fight the virus, but their biggest hurdle turned out to be some of their citizens who fought the very policies that were designed to help them. There are so many takeaways from the Covid pandemic, and lessons learned from it will no doubt be discussed and debated in the months and years to come. For now, we should be focusing on how to address Covid-19, specifically the Omicron variant, and how we can best move forward. There are a number of medical experts who say Omicron is the “beginning of the end”. They claim that because of its transmissibility, and the fact that the variant causes mild symptoms, the antibodies in a person who had contracted the virus
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022 is highly effective against the more virulent Delta variant. This means Omicron could be the key to achieving the elusive herd immunity effect. And it appears that there is a growing consensus in the medical field that Omicron could very well be the key to at least keeping Covid-19 in check. The main concern now is not so much the virulence of this variant but the problems it is generating for the nation’s health infrastructure. We are once again seeing a shortage of hospital beds and healthcare staff. Provinces like Ontario and Quebec are once again in crisis mode, and Alberta appears to be headed towards that direction. But if what medical experts say about Omicron’s “good side” are true, then it is the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. For the first time since Covid began, we can see something tangible on the horizon, something that we can hold on to and work towards attaining. All we have to do is do what we’ve had to do from the start—wear a mask indoors, stay six feet apart, avoid indoor gatherings, and all the other protocols as enumerated by federal and provincial health authorities. I believe the end of Covid is a question of when, not if. But we all have to do our part.
An Anonymous Article for You THROUGH A TEENAGER’S EYES
Kristian Cereno Kristian Gabrielle Cereno is a Grade 11 student at Archbishop MacDonald Senior High School. His hobbies include writing poems, composing songs, acting and drama. He also has a love of music and plays piano and guitar and will soon learn to play the violin. Hockey? – Leave it to the Canadians.
P
eople around the world struggle with the conflicts within their minds. It is an internal conflict where people feel that they have no one. We live in a world where there are people who feel alone even though they are not. Our mental health - not just our own, but also the people around us - is a serious topic which we should pay attention to. Every time we go out, we ask people, “How are you?” and respond with a “Thank You.” But when did you last ask yourself, “How am I?” “Am I doing well?”, “Is there something going on?” How often have you taken care of yourself instead of taking care of
others? How many times have you read a “bedtime story” to yourself? How often did you treat yourself and “hang out” with yourself? The environment around us affects the way we act. One’s mental health can be defined by the people surrounding them. The man who makes everyone around him happy can put on a different face when alone in his room. That silent girl in the corner who you think is “weird” has a reason why she is quiet. Our speech has a significant impact on people. Simple small talk can have a different and positive meaning to the people around us. A simple question of “How was your day?” can brighten up one’s mood. We live in a society where people are so different and filled with positivity and negativity. But despite the “negative,” we know that there will always be a bright side. I, myself, have struggled to deal with my mental health. Having my friends and my family around me helped me overcome the fight within myself. Just talking to them gave me an overwhelming feeling which enabled me to work my way through the maze of depression. Once, my mom told me, “Sitting in a room alone is not a good thing because it makes you overthink.” That was an eye-opener for me. And because of that, I became more engaged with the
things happening around me, which helped me turn those problems into happiness. I started caring for myself more, and I began to think of what makes me happy. And lastly, I began to become more engaged with God. Prayer is the greatest weapon against the swords of sadness. The first bible verse I learned from my mom is from the book of Jeremiah. “Call unto me, and I will answer thee.”(Jeremiah 33:3) If you just ask for help from God, He will help you. God will never reject you, even if you are a sinner. God welcomes everyone in His kingdom as long as you accept Him. God is always up there, keeping watch over you even if you turned Him away, and even if you choose someone or something over Him. God will always be there for you. Our mental health is essential. Our minds also need to rest after a long day of stress. Having an “unrested brain” can lead to depression and anxiety, leading to a conundrum between life and death. Finding someone to talk to is important because this helps us recover while having a “shoulder to cry on.” Also, listening to someone’s problems can be a huge help for that person because this lets them know that someone cares. A simple “How are you?” can lead to a person’s turning point in life. From this, we can help build a world close to a utopia where people are filled with positivity.
from page 6
of their permanent residency application. • Make the citizenship application process free for permanent residents who have fulfilled the requirements needed to obtain it. • With the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, establish a Trusted Employer system for Canadian companies hiring temporary foreign workers and, as part of improving the Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, simplify permit renewals, uphold the twoweek processing time and establish an employer hotline. Continue to work with provinces, territories and regulatory bodies to improve foreign credential recognition. • Build on existing pilot programs to further explore ways of regularizing status for undocumented workers who are contributing to Canadian communities. • Continue working with Quebec to support the French-language knowledge of immigrants in Quebec, respecting provincial jurisdiction and complementing existing measures, and continue to implement an ambitious national strategy to support Francophone immigration across the country. • Lead the Government’s work on irregular migration, including continued work with the United States to modernize the Safe Third Country Agreement. • Expand pathways to Permanent Residence for international students and temporary foreign workers through the Express Entry system. With respect to pathways for agricultural temporary foreign workers, you will be supported in this work by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. • Building on the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, work with employers and communities across Canada to welcome 2,000 skilled refugees to
fill labour shortages in high-demand sectors such as health care. • Ensure that immigration better supports small- and medium-size communities that require additional immigrants to enhance their economic growth and social vibrancy. This will include expanding the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, moving forward on the Municipal Nominee Program and making the successful Atlantic Immigration Pilot a permanent program. Despite our struggles with the pandemic, including border closures, domestic lockdowns, backlogs in the processing of immigration applications and more, Minister Sean Fraser announced that IRCC has met its target of accepting 401,000 new permanent residents to Canada. According to IRCC, it surpassed the previous record from 1913. This is the most newcomers in a year in Canadian history. Over the past 200 years, immigrants helped to build and defend Canada’s way of life. Immigration accounts for almost 100% of Canada’s labour force growth. Roughly 75% of Canada’s population growth comes from immigration, mostly in the economic category. Canada needs immigration to drive our country’s economy, enrich our society and support our aging population. As per IRCC’s three-year immigration plan, Canada plans to accept 411,000 permanent residents in 2022. If you have questions regarding the above article, you may contact Marjorie at info@mcncanadaimmigration.com Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) 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.
ADVERTISE WITH US 780-916-7677 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
All photos and articles available online. Follow us
Business
11
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
12
Community | Business
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
What’s YPE?
YPE. What’s that? That’s the YEG Pinay Entrepreneur Society. Despite the challenges faced due to the pandemic, and the daily routine of working women taking care of their families, this prolific group of ladies is always on the go! Then the idea came that as Filipina entrepreneurs, they must come together. Not only for them to survive and overcome challenging hurdles, but to thrive together. Shayne Bawalan Asa, founder of Glamified Studio, and a small group of friends, around eight of them, decided to form YPE and started telling other Filipina entrepreneurs about it. From only eight members last year, they are now approaching the 100-membership mark. “The concept is for us women, helping other women entrepreneurs,” said Shayne. Her group of entrepreneurs are involved in event decoration, make-up artistry, photography, real
estate, home decoration, rent-acar business, beauty studio, digital marketing, home fragrance, baking, tattoo artistry, property management, car sales, automobile repair, massage therapy, fitness, insurance, mortgage services, bookkeeping, immigration consultancy, daycare services, online clothing store, commercial cleaning services, personal shopping, including a singer for special events in life. Laarni Lising-Ayson, who manages and runs Wefix Auto Ltd. with husband Chris, said that when she learned of their plan, her role was just to keep on encouraging them to formally organize. “Ituloy na ‘yan,” recalled Laarni in telling Shayne and other ladies. Leizell Musni of Micks Food Specialties agreed that it is about time for Filipina entrepreneurs to keep their lines of communication open as things have been changing rapidly because of the pandemic. “Kailangang magtulungan talaga,” said Leizell. (Text and photos by Moses Billacura)
AFJ at La Formaggio Pizzeria
The editorial team, led by publisher Jun Angeles, met up at La Formaggio Pizzeria to discuss upcoming events in the Filipino community and to share ideas online with other staff members on how to improve the AFJ for the readers and advertisers in 2022.(Photo by Andy Chua/AFJ)
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
Community | Business
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
13
Helping pick up the pieces, one lugaw at a time MIGRANTS' VOICES
Marco Luciano mluciano2@gmail.com Marco Luciano is the Global Council Representative of Philippine based Migrante International. He is also the current Secretary General of its chapter Migrante Canada.
F
ilipino Edmontonians have come together to support the victims of Typhoon Odette. Between December 16 and 18, Super Typhoon Rai, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Odette, ravaged seven regions. The category 5 Super Storm passed through Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Eastern, Central and Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao and the Caraga Regions. Before the new year, the reported deaths reached over 400 with 82 persons still missing and 1,147 injured. Reports from other news outlets also indicated that close to 600,000 people were displaced. Massive damages to farms, crops and infrastructure swelled to over P24.5 billion.
Across Canada, efforts were made to raise funds to support the victims of Super Typhoon Odette. In Edmonton, a group of concerned individuals got together to think of ways of how they can support the effort. Nico de Jesus, the owner of Manila Grill in the south side, said “I just wanted to help, kasi I’ve been blessed so I’m just giving it back”. An ad hoc committee that calls themselves Concerned Citizens and Residents of Edmonton kickstarted “The Lugaw Project”. It is a fund-raising activity that hopes to tap into the Bayanihan spirit of the Filipino community. An ancient Filipino tradition, Bayanihan is to act together with the community in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. “The main reason is very personal. I have agreed to lead this initiative in memory of a close friend who lost her life during the typhoon,” said Robert Mina, one of the initiators of the project and a member of UPAAE. He adds, “The other reason is professional. As a disaster risk reduction project officer in small island communities, I am acutely aware of the struggle that residents of low-income communities face when a typhoon damages their homes and disrupts their sources of livelihood.” Mina was motivated by the need to respond to the call for assistance by the Office of the Vice-President (OVP) in the Philippines. This initiative is supported by individuals, local businesses, and organizations like Manila Grill, Migrante Alberta, Signal Auto Sports, Jasper Place Wellness Centre, UPAAE, ATB Financial and PERMECA Bakeshop. Project Lugaw is a joint activity with Bicol for Ina (BFI), an organization whose members pay homage to the Lady of Peñafrancia in the Philippines.
All photos and articles available online. Follow us
Asked about what he wishes to convey to Filipinos in Edmonton, De Jesus says, “Sa mga tao na meron naman, katulad ng nangyari ngayon, sa pandemic madami ang nawalan. Nawalan ng trabaho, nawalan ng pag-asa sa buhay, nawalan ng mahal sa buhay. Dapat lang talaga yung meron ay mag bigay. Di para makilala kundi kung ano din lang ang kaya. Tumulong ka man ng maliit, tulong pa din yun. Mga kababayan natin yun.” (For the people that have, like what happened during pandemic, there were many loses. Jobs were lost, hope, lives. It’s those who have that must provide. Don’t do it to be popular, but provide whatever you can. No matter how small that is, it’s still support. They are our compatriots.) For Mina, he said that this is not the first time that the Filipino community in Edmonton is assisting typhoon victims in the Philippines. “In 2013, we were also able to raise funds to support the typhoon Haiyan relief and rehabilitation efforts. Once again, we are pursuing a collective undertaking knowing that the only response to these kinds of challenges is to be together.” The Filipinos and the whole community of Edmonton are invited to participate. The lugaw (Filipino congee) will be distributed per a donation basis after the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno Mass on January 15 at St. Edmund Catholic Church (13120 116 St.) from 6:00-7:00pm. The distribution, along with a very short program, will be held immediately after the mass at 7pm. Proceeds will be sent to the areas affected through the Tanging Yaman Foundation, a key partner of the OVP. If you need more information or would like to donate through e-transfer, please email ccr.yeg@gmail.com.
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
14
Business
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
SkinLueur Aesthetics and Laser Centre makes an extra effort to keep clients and staff safe at clinic SkinLueur Aesthetics and Laser Centre has taken another initiative in protecting their clients inside their clinic amidst the rising number of Covid-19 variant cases in Edmonton. “Our client’s safety during this time of pandemic is our top priority,” said CEO Chum “Doc Chum” Ardaniel. She said they were able to acquire cleaning equipment used by the Italian Red Cross staff in disinfecting their ambulances after transporting Covid-19 patients. The cleaning equipment operates in two ways, first by spraying the surfaces
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
with alcohol-based liquid, and second, the application of a disinfectant mixed with water in the machine that runs the whole day following a HEPA-filtration system. Doc Chum said that there is additional work that needs to be done on their end, but it would also give their clients peace of mind knowing that they have made the efforts of keeping them safe with equipment recognized as a first-class medical device by the Italian Ministry of Health and the German Centre of Preventative Medicine. (Moses Billacura with photos screengrabbed from SkinLueur FB)
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
Points of View | Business
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
15
Points of Discrimination to Watch Out For
I
sincerely, wholeheartedly believe that most people don’t mean to hurt others, either by words or deeds. The unfortunate reality is, that there are words and actions, ways of thinking and how our environment
GENERAL POINT OF VIEW
Giselle General gqgeneral@gmail.com Giselle General came from the cold, mountainous region of the Benguet province, and immigrated to Canada as a teenager in 2007. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta, and has a career in the nonprofit sector. 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, FilipinaYEG, and self-published a book called The Humanity of Me, and is active in numerous volunteer-based initiatives.
is set up, including the lack of action or discussion, that hurt people of different backgrounds without us realizing it. Given our demographic, racism is a concept that many are familiar with. It’s also likely that many of us are familiar with the issues that stem from sexism as well. Here are other points of discrimination that I have become aware of in recent years, and I would like to share them in case it helps other become more aware. Ableism: This is defined as discrimination against disabled people, where language, infrastructure and laws favor those who are 100% healthy and able-bodied all the time. It comes from the harmful mindset that disabled people are by default inferior, and that they are not capable of doing positive or productive things. There are many examples of ableism that can be sneaky and harmful. For example, on social media, posting videos on social media without adding subtitles means that deaf people, even if they can see the visual aspect of the video, won’t have access to any of the words and commentary being said verbally. Not installing wheelchair ramps, elevators, and accessible parking spots in every building is a form of ableism towards everyone who uses wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, or those with chronic fatigue. If you are an employer and when you see a resume of a potentially good applicant, and when you realize they are blind, and you are unwilling to
All photos and articles available online. Follow us
identify solutions to accommodate, that is an example also. Transphobia: This is defined as discrimination towards people who are transgender. This is different from homophobia that focuses exclusively on discrimination towards people who are lesbian and gay. However, it is very likely that those who are homophobic are also transphobic. The troubling reality is that this form of discrimination can quickly escalate into violence. For instance, when meeting a transgender woman who is wearing a dress, but is flatchested, broad-shouldered and has a deep voice, which are qualities associated with being a man, some people are provoked and proceed with insulting, yelling or hitting the
transgender woman. Ageism: This is defined as discrimination or bias based on a person’s age. The tricky part about this is that it pops up in different ways depending on age. For youth and teenagers, this can mean the mindset of “kids are too stupid to know anything”, so adults in their lives don’t take their perspectives seriously, even if these are important and intelligently expressed. One subtle way this can come out is when you have a colleague or supervisor who is competent but much younger than you, and you have trouble taking instructions from them without getting angry. For seniors, this can mean the mindset of “they are old and frail and
outdated”, resulting in government programs, city infrastructure, or even company products not considering how they will be affected. Seemingly simple things, such as properly clearing sidewalks of snow, or having larger letters on printed material, can make a significant improvement in the lives of seniors, but are forgotten. This can be problematic as we experience longer lifespans and our senior years will be longer than before. What I would like everyone to think about, is to consider ourselves as lifelong learners and a work-inprogress. There is always opportunity to improve our mindsets, language, behaviour, and processes so that people don’t need to be harmed and discriminated for who they are.
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
16
Business
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
Business
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
17
OFFERS THAT WILL GIVE YOU CHILLS LEXUS
LEXUS
NX
RX
Signature Package Shown
UX
Executive Package Shown
2022 RX 350 AWD
2022 NX 300 LEASE APR
LEXUS
LEASE APR
BI-WEEKLY LEASE PAYMENT FROM
F Sport Package Shown
2022 UX 250h AWD
BI-WEEKLY LEASE PAYMENT FROM
LEASE APR
BI-WEEKLY LEASE PAYMENT FROM
2.9% $268*
2.9% $288*
3.9% $228*
39 MONTHS
36 MONTHS
39 MONTHS
DOWN PAYMENT $6,072*
DOWN PAYMENT $7,956*
DOWN PAYMENT $5,666*
*Offers valid until January 31, 2021
THE 2022 LEXUS NX IS HERE ALL-NEW REDESIGN. ALL-NEW FEATURES. The redesigned 2022 Lexus NX ushers in a new era of luxury with class-leading innovations in electrified powertrains, infotainment, driving dynamics, styling, and safety. Its long-list of Lexus firsts range from a Plug-in Hybrid-Electric powertrain to an all-new Lexus Interface multimedia system – including a virtual assistant – to Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, and so much more. THE FUTURE OF LUXURY IS HERE
Choice of Courtesy Vehicle, Chauffeur, or Valet pick-up
Airport Lexus Preferred Parking
Full Service Auto Detailing Center
Onsite Windshield Replacement & Repair Center
Complimentary car wash, paint, and rock-chip repair
Luxury Spa
Meet Herby
Complimentary Breakfast
VIP access to Lexus Events
TEXT ME
(306) 830-5698
EMAIL ME ifernandez@lexusofedmonton.ca
Ian Fernandez Director of Filipino Sales
*Representative lease example based on a 2022 Lexus IS 300 AWD sfx ‘P’ on a 39 month term at an annual rate of 4.9% and Complete Lexus Price of $48,358. Bi-weekly payment is $258 with $6,421 down payment or equivalent trade in, $0 security deposit and first monthly payment due at lease inception. Total of 84 bi-weekly lease payments required during the lease term. Total lease obligation is $28,222. 52,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.20/km for excess kilometres. *Representative lease example based on a 2022 Lexus NX 250 AWD sfx ‘A’ on a 39 month term at an annual rate of 4.9% and Complete Lexus Price of $50,808. Bi-weekly payment is $268 with $6,092 down payment or equivalent trade in, $0 security deposit and first monthly payment due at lease inception. Total of 84 bi-weekly lease payments required during the lease term. Total lease obligation is $28,738. 52,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.20/km for excess kilometres. *Representative lease example based on a 2022 Lexus RX 350 AWD sfx ‘P’ on a 39 month term at an annual rate of 2.9% and Complete Lexus Price of $60,908. Bi-weekly payment is $288 with $7,956 down payment or equivalent trade in, $0 security deposit and first monthly payment due at lease inception. Total of 84 bi-weekly lease payments required during the lease term. Total lease obligation is $32,292. 52,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.20/km for excess kilometres. *Representative lease example based on a 2022 Lexus UX 250h AWD sfx ‘P’ on a 39 month term at an annual rate of 3.9% and Complete Lexus Price of $44,154. Bi-weekly payment is $228 with $5,666 down payment or equivalent trade in, $0 security deposit and first monthly payment due at lease inception. Total of 84 bi-weekly lease payments required during the lease term. Total lease obligation is $24,932. 52,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.20/km for excess kilometres. Complete Lexus Price includes Freight/PDI ($2,115), Tire Tax ($20), Filters ($1.9), AC Tax ($100), Dealer Fees ($900), Block Heater ($265), and AMVIC Fee ($6.3). License, insurance, registration (if applicable), and taxes are extra. Lexus Dealers are free to set their own prices. Limited time offers only apply to retail customers at participating Lexus Dealers. Dealer order/ trade may be required (but may not be available in certain circumstances). Offers are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Offers are effective beginning January 5th, 2022 and expire on January 31st, 2022 unless extended or revised. See your Lexus Dealer for complete details.
All photos and articles available online. Follow us
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
18
AFJ’s Year-End Review and More Points of View
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
2021 RECAPTURING
Joe Corral
Alberta Filipino Journal’s
year-end review
VOTE WISELY!
SEPTEMBER 2021 • Volume 14, Number 09
Erin O’toole
Justin Trudeau
Jagmeet Singh
Maxime Bernier
Conservative Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
JANUARY 2021 • Volume 14, Number 01
Prayer for Hope Amidst Adversity
NO ENTRY!
Heavenly Father, the Creator of all. Your greatness is our light amidst darkness. Despite all the graces you have been showering upon us, we still opted to be wicked.But now, we humbly apologize for all the wickedness we have committed in the previous years of our lives. Thank you for helping us make it through this difficult year. Thank you for giving AFJ family members the wisdom to fulfill their mission, to be: “The Pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta.” Thank you for carrying us through the uncertainty of deep waters, through the flames of trials, and through the pain of hard losses. We are constantly aware of how much we need you, your grace, your strength, and your power working through us even on the toughest days. Fill us with your joy and the peace of your Spirit. Direct our hearts and minds towards you from this day onward so we can continue to comprehend the incomprehensible and proclaim your goodness and glory in spite of this man-made catastrophe. We choose to press in close to you today and keep you first in our hearts and lives. Without You, we would surely fail, but with you, there is great hope. We firmly believe that this pandemic will end soon through your Divine healing power – Your mighty power. We strongly believe that there is a better life in a cleaner society after this earthly mess. Please continue to send your begotten Son Jesus who is mightier than the virus. We look forward to all that You still have in store for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
KEYSTONE PIPELINE FEBRUARY 2021 • Volume 14, Number 02
COPAA: CELEBRATES 123rd P.I.D. WITH THE NEW GENERATION OF FIL-CAN BUSINESS LEADERS
New Democratic Party
People’s Party of Canada
POLITICAL OR POLITICKING?
OCTOBER 2021 • Volume 14, Number 10
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo
Photo by Rouelle Umali
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso
Photo by Ezra Acayan
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
Photo by Ezra Acayan
Photo by Jonathan Cellona
JUNE 2021 • Volume 14, Number 06
MARCH 2021 • Volume 14, Number 03 Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa
Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao
Photo by Jesse Bustos
Photo by Jam Sta Rosa
A MONUMENT OF A FILIPINO, FOR THE FILIPINOS
EDMONTON POLICE: Inspiring Rather Than Punishing
PMAA TO HOST MAYORAL CANDIDATES' FORUM JULY 2021 • Volume 14, Number 07
APRIL 2021 • Volume 14, Number 04
ONE GREAT INITIATIVE:
Amicus - COPAA’S Partnership in Service
EDMONTON MAYORAL CANDIDATES’ FORUM: A Resounding Success! AUGUST 2021 • Volume 14, Number 08
NOVEMBER 2021 • Volume 14, Number 11
SPREAD COMPASSION DURING THE HOLY SEASON
MAY 2021 • Volume 14, Number 05 DECEMBER 2021 • Volume 14, Number 12
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
Para-legal Services | Community | Business
19
Friends that work and hang out together stay together The Alberta Health Services, Material Management and Supply Chain and Operation’s Department at the University of Alberta Hospital celebrated the birth of our Infant Jesus at the Yang Ming Buffet, Edmonton.
ADVERTISE WITH US 780-916-7677 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com All photos and articles available online. Follow us
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
20
Arts & Culture | Business
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
Edna Gilera: Showcasing Filipino Craftsmanship ARTOSPECTIVE - an artist’s point of view
Ida Beltran-Lucila ida_b_lucila@yahoo.com
I
f you’ve ever encountered a display of Kathleen Creation & Designs (KCD), you would have seen and been impressed with an array of handcrafted, hand beaded, hand carved and hand painted products. These distinctive products were created by owner Edna Gilera - owner of Kathleen Creation & Designs, importer, and accountant. Edna Gilera and her family moved to Canada in May 2007. Prior to that, she had two options - go to London on a work visa, or to Canada as a permanent resident. With the prospect of a more secure future in Canada, they set their sights on Alberta since husband Jun Gilera had experience and skills suited for the oil industry. In the Philippines, Edna was an accountant with large companies and was at the same time operating several lucrative businesses. Her enterprising spirit was cultivated early, as her mother owned a sarisari (variety) store. Edna delved into the food business, i.e. hotdogs, shawarma, bubble tea, rice in a box. She also had a boutique at the St. Francis Square in Pasig, featuring Philippine handicrafts, which was the beginning of Kathleen Creation & Designs. Of all her enterprises, Edna
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
remarked that she was most passionate about the handicrafts. The company was initially a buy and sell business, with sources and partners from different parts of the Philippines. With the abundance of cottage industries, and to make her products more distinctive, she started creating her own designs. She uses environmentally friendly products, made from sustainable materials. Her products, which consisted of purses, footwear, jewelry, clothing, home decor and seasonal products, are handcrafted with materials such as shells, semi precious stones, pearls, bamboo, wood, rattan stems, abaca leaves, coconut, and metals. She collaborated with local artisans in different provinces to create her striking designs. Her store at the St. Francis Square became an alternative destination for local handicrafts to the Kultura Filipina products available in SM stores. With good fortune, some of her regular foreign customers and her participation in trade exhibits and fairs, resulted in the exportation of her products to London and the US, and a membership in the Philippine Export Confederation. It is not surprising then that Edna’s plan of action upon their move to Canada included the importation of her products and establishment of the Kathleen Creation & Designs in Canada. She promptly studied to be a certified accountant both as a profession, and for her own business - as a way to navigate Canadian taxation and business processes. Simultaneously, she brought in her products and participated in public and private bazaars and exhibits in and around Edmonton, i.e. Northlands’ K-Days/ Capital Ex/Klondike, Heritage Festival, among others. Her products, a blend of traditional craft and contemporary design, are overwhelmingly well received by a global market. Edna says about her products, “When you purchase a KCD product, you acquire an heirloom, a family treasure. It is not a disposable product, but has resale value since I use semi precious stones and Swarovski crystals.” Despite a lack of technical and formal training
in design, Edna is intuitive in her choice of materials and aesthetics. She elaborates, “My design skills were developed by thinking creatively and observing things around me. I ask God’s guidance to lead me as the provider of our talents, skills and resources. I am just a steward so I need to utilize His blessings to please Him for His praise and glory.” Edna believes that the serendipitous moments that have come her way in her creative process, business opportunities & connections, were all in God’s design and beckoning. Along with Edna’s strong faith is a grateful acknowledgment of the blessings that have come her way, and a mission to pay forward and provide opportunities for growth to others in the industry. When she exhibits her products, she regards it not just as a business opportunity but as a means of highlighting Philippine culture, the wealth of natural materials, and the Filipino artisans’ creativity and craftsmanship. Edna is also planning a major Filipino Canadian Trade Expo and Mission (FCTEM) in July 2022, that would showcase exhibitors from the Philippines, some of which are her regular suppliers and partners who support and sustain vulnerable communities like out of school youth, and people with disabilities. It will feature the industries of fashion, home decor, seasonal products, and food (packed & bottled). Planned
in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General Calgary, its mission is to promote Philippine products, open opportunities for investments and trade, share her massive experience in production, export and business processes, and strengthen networks. Edna Gilera has found a way of building a successful business that is aesthetically and purposefully beautiful and valuable. It is heartening to see a thriving enterprise with a mission-conscious individual at the helm. May she be successful in all her
big future plans of helping Filipino artisans, the handicraft industry, and the Filipino-Canadian community. The showroom of Kathleen Creation & Designs is at 7056 South Terwillegar Drive, Edmonton, and is by appointment only, 780-756-3447. Watch out for further announcements on the Filipino Canadian Trade Expo and Mission scheduled for July 2022. To comment on this article, go to https://www.philippineartscouncil. com/blog.
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
Business | Heroism
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
FRONTLINER ISA KANG BAYANI (YOU’RE A HERO)
Yolanda Cadacio, Housekeeper at the University of Alberta Hospital
All photos and articles available online. Follow us
21
This column aims to recognize and appreciate everyone’s heroism when facing the challenges of life with courage and equanimity. Our society truly needs virtuous people like you. Indeed, we can speak of the truth, though, it may be hard; but we can soften it with kindness. A grand salute to our heroes!
Retna Baragona and Lara Manases, Administrator and Receptionist at the Great Smile Dental Clinic
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
22
Community| Legal Services
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
Resources for Navigating and Embracing Winter By Giselle General
T
he winter season is beautiful, and it is something that many people look forward to every year. That being said, there are real, tangible challenges that are insurmountable and made even more complicated with the current pandemic. Below is a list of some resources that can help manage some challenges during winter: 1. Local Edmonton Festivals to help Embrace Winter a. Edmonton Deep Freeze, a Byzantine Festival: This is taking place in Borden Park at 11020 75 St. (where the past several Filipino Fiestas have taken place) from January 14 – 23, 2022. Visual art, music and live entertainment that fully embraces
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
winter outdoors is what you can expect just right after the new year. Details of the festivities and how to get involved can be found here: https://www.deepfreezefest.ca/ b. Winterruption: After enjoying Deep Freeze, this festival in downtown Edmonton happens right after, from January 27- 30, 2022. This is a performance and music focused event, where buying a wristband ticket gives you access to multiple venues and performances. More information at: https://www.winterruptionyeg.com c. Boardwalk Ice on Whyte: Happening on Whyte Ave (8331 104 Street) from January 27 – February 6, 2022, this festival focused on ice sculptures and is a must-visit. Try getting refreshments from an ice bar,
explore the ice sculptures displayed, or try ice carving yourself in one of the workshops. Festival details and how to get involved at: www. iceonwhyte.ca/festival/ d. Flying Canoe Volant Festival: This takes place in the city’s Francophone area, at La Cite Fracophone at 8627 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury and the nearby Mill Creek Ravine, from March 1 – 5, 2021. It’s a remarkable opportunity to embrace winter and learn about the city’s French and Indigenous culture. Festival details and now to pre-book at: https:// www.flyingcanoevolant.ca/ 2. For helping someone, including yourself, who may be harmed by the weather. a. 211 and then press 3: Calling this
number for assistance can help prevent someone from freezing to death. This reaches the Crisis Diversion Team, which is the most appropriate resource for situations that are described as “helping someone in distress before police or emergency services are needed”. In the winter, a person in distress could be someone who is outside, exposed to the elements
without proper winter clothing, perhaps huddled on a bench or in the corner of a building or sleeping on the streets. b. 911: Everyone knows this number, and it’s handy to remember to contact this number in situations where immediate assistance by an ambulance, police or fire department is needed. What’s handy is now, there is a texting feature available as well, though some set-up with your wireless cellphone provider is needed. c. 811: This number is the Alberta HealthLine. With winter, there are a few common illnesses that come around like the flu, arthritis, skin issues, and more. This is handy for non-emergency medical situations, especially when you are unsure of whether going to a medical clinic is worthwhile. Given that COVID-19 is still a reality, sparing yourself an unnecessary medical clinic or emergency room visit can be handy, while still ensuring that you are getting the medical care you need. 3. For Snow and Ice Clearing. a. Parking Ban Notifications from the City for Road Snow Clearing: This year, the City wants to clear snow off sidewalks more efficiently and comprehensively. But this can be difficult to do when there are cars that are parked along the road. Complying with the appropriate Parking Ban announcements can help the large snow clearing equipment push snow away in one clean sweep. This link has many resources https:// www.edmonton.ca/transportation/ on_your_streets/seasonal-parkingban including an interactive live map of the snow clearing status, explanation of Phase 1 and Phase 2 bans, and how to sign up for email reminders, which I highly recommend. b. Community League Sand Boxes: Whenever snow falls, sidewalks in front of one’s home need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Sprinkling sand that is mixed with small gravel can help with having grip and traction on the sidewalks as well, making it less slippery. You can get free sand in the Sandbox located in your community league hall. For more information and to identify your nearest Sandbox, visit https://www.edmonton.ca/ transportation/on_your_streets/ sidewalk-snow-removal.aspx c. City of Edmonton 311 App: The app can be a valuable tool to hold fellow Edmontonians accountable for not clearing sidewalks properly of snow, or if you noticed a road or public pathway that the City has not cleared properly. Install the app on your phone, and you can take a photo of the location that needs snow clearing.
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
Legal Tidbits | Community | Business
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
The RIGHT TO SUFFRAGE LEGAL CHIKA
Raquel P. Getigan Earned Bachelor of Laws degree at Manila Law College and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Philippine Normal University. She’s an educator by profession and Apprentice at Atty. Romeo Sese Law office.
A
s we endure the new year 2022, campaigning for the Philippine National Election on May 2022 is getting rougher. And the issues are not limited to the election campaign. Other problems include or are related to election propaganda, political parties, political figures, political allies, and as to other election-related motives. With all that, let us take a quick glance at Philippine Election Law. The 1987 Constitution of Republic of the Philippines decree the Right for Suffrage, as it was mentioned in Article V-Section 1. Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place
wherein they propose to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage. Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 known as the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines mentioned in Article 1 General Provisions, Section 2. This Code shall govern all election of public officers and, to the extent appropriate, all referenda and plebiscites. Pursuant to Section 6 of Article IX-A and Section 3 of Article IX-C of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and the powers vested in it by existing laws, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7056, AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS IN 1992, PAVING THE WAY FOR SYNCHRONIZED AND SIMULTANEOUS ELECTIONS BEGINNING 1995, AND AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR. Republic Act No. 7166, November 26, 1991, AN ACT PROVIDING FOR SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Republic Act No. 8295,June 6, 1997, AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROCLAMATION OF A LONE CANDIDATE FOR ANY ELECTIVE OFFICE IN A SPECIAL ELECTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Republic Act No. 8436, December 22, 1997, AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO
All photos and articles available online. Follow us
USE AN AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM IN THE MAY 11, 1998 NATIONAL OR LOCAL ELECTIONS AND IN SUBSEQUENT NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTORAL EXERCISES, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. REPUBLIC ACT No. 9369, AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8436, ENTITLED "AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO USE AN AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM IN THE MAY 11, 1998 NATIONAL OR LOCAL ELECTIONS AND IN SUBSEQUENT NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTORAL EXERCISES,
TO ENCOURAGE TRANSPARENCY, CREDIBILITY, FAIRNESS AND ACCURACY OF ELECTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMPANSA BLG. 881, AS AMEMDED, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7166 AND OTHER RELATED ELECTIONS LAWS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Republic Act No. 9189, February 13, 2003, AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING BY QUALIFIED CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES ABROAD, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
23
PURPOSES. REPUBLIC ACT 9006 February 12, 2001, AN ACT TO ENHANCE THE HOLDING OF FREE, ORDERLY, HONEST, PEACEFUL AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS THROUGH FAIR ELECTION PRACTICES. The Philippine Election laws will be a mechanism board in discovering positivity in the midst of Election Political Pollutions. We will illustrate Philippine Election decrees one by one in the next article. Nevertheless, be grateful and be sophisticated enough to enjoy the privileges of the Rights to Suffrage.
The Philippine Media Association of Alberta (PMAA) headed by Nicky Gocuan shared a lovely dinner last month at the Manila Grill Express South. The PMAA has organized a fund-raising project for victims of Typhoon Odette in coordination with the Red Cross. To donate, visit the PMAA on Facebook and click on the link. (Photo by Terry Newman)
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
24
Religion | Horoscope | Mind Twister
You are God’s anointed Luke 4:14-22a
O
ur Gospel for today tells us that Jesus returned to Galilee, to his hometown in Nazareth. It was the day of Sabbath. The gospel
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.
says that it was his custom to visit the synagogue and he stood up and read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah to the crowd. I personally love the passage that Jesus proclaimed: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me to bring Good News to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” This is exactly the perfect message that I am going to share with you today. First, never forget that the spirit of the Lord is upon us. Acknowledge this truth. Recognize this wonderful reality in your life. We are God’s anointed. Trust and believe that we are worthy to have the spirit of God in us. We are God’s anointed and nobody can harm us. No one can destroy us. Nobody can touch God’s anointed! Second, as God’s anointed like Jesus, we are called to bring glad tidings to the poor. We are sent to proclaim liberty to the captives. We are asked to give sight to the blind. Friends, who are the oppressed in your community? Who are those deprived of freedom in your group? Reach out those who are blind in your family. Today’s gospel reading is very timely because many of us live a life like that of prisoners. We are encouraged to stay at home. We are advised not to
HO ROSC O P E
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022 go out when it is not essential. Some of us were quarantined. Many of us were imprisoned by the virus. Perhaps others were locked behind closed doors by their traumatic experiences. Others maybe enslaved by their personal addictions. Maybe some us were trapped by worldly inordinate attachments. Others, perhaps, were captivated by their pride. What makes you oppressed? Like Jesus, amaze people with the graciousness of the words of your wisdom. Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour through your splendid examples. Finally, let our lives be like the SCROLL. Allow Jesus to open it. Allow Jesus to set you free. Let the contents of your life show the records of the Lord’s blessings and heavenly favours. Like the scroll, let our life be a source of liberty, healing and blessings. Friends, Jesus is with us to give us freedom from the oppression of this pandemic. Jesus is with us to allow us to experience a year of favours. If you feel you are not free, if you think you are oppressed and enslaved by something or someone, come to Jesus. Today’s gospel passage is fulfilled in your hearing. Conclusion: Claim your recovery. Celebrate your healing. Communicate the year of favour to all. Blessings, Fr. Jhack
Copyright @ www.horoscope.com
Be sure to set some New Year’s resolutions around professional ambitions, dear Ram, because 2022 kicks off with the sun, Venus, Pluto, and Mercury all camped out in the sector of your chart that rules career. With Venus currently retrograde, this is a good time to reevaluate whether or not you’re actually happy in your current field.
The comforts of home will feel more appealing than heading out on the town, dear Libra, because Capricorn season illuminates the portion of your chart that rules domestic matters. Now that we’re almost two years into the pandemic, it’s likely that your home could use a little freshening up after all of the time you spent in quarantine.
You could find yourself reevaluating your romantic, financial, and spiritual needs, dear Taurus, because Venus continues her retrograde journey through Capricorn this month. The planet of love and money is your sign’s ruler, so you are likely to feel this cosmic backspin more strongly. However, it can also help facilitate the clarity you need when it comes to addressing any changes that you should make.
Your mind will be gifted with an agility boost, dear Scorpion, as the sun, Venus, and Pluto all make their way through Capricorn, activating the sector of your chart that rules learning, curiosity, and communication. Expect to surprise even yourself with the abundance of information flowing through your brain and coming out of your mouth right now.
January brings big shifts for you, dear Gemini, as several celestial bodies make their way through your house of transformation. No other sign is quite as efficient as you are, and with so much of the cosmic current pushing you toward personal evolution, you should think long and hard about where you want to elicit change.
Are you ready to make some financial changes, dear Archer? This month is going to bring some serious movement to your finances as a small army of celestial bodies makes its way through Capricorn, lighting a fire in your solar second house.
Your love life needs a lot of attention this month, dear Crab, because the sun, Venus, and Pluto are all cozying up in the sector of your chart that rules romantic connections. However, with Venus currently retrograde, you’ll want to make sure you’re not having to relearn lessons from the past. Pay attention to red flags in your relationships right now, especially if you’re being reminded of toxicity you’ve already lived through with past mates.
New Year’s Day could have you feeling like a million bucks, dear Capricorn, so you can enter 2022 with both arms swinging. Make sure you take some time to really think about your resolutions, as five celestial bodies are all camped out in your sign, supercharging any goals you happen to set for yourself. Try not to think about what your limitations might be. Instead, take an optimistic view based on where your talents could lead you!
Kick off the new year by focusing on your health, organization, and daily routines, dear Lion, because the Capricorn sun shines its light in Capricorn and your solar sixth house. Venus and Pluto are also camped out with your ruling planet, making this focus not only necessary for your well-being but also an act of self-care and personal evolution.
This month will have you going deep, dear Aquarius, as several celestial bodies make their way through the sector of your chart that rules the subconscious. Luckily, it won’t all feel heavy. Thought-provoking Mercury sets up camp under your sign on January 1, helping you maintain a healthy perspective and sense of self.
No one can deny that you’re a bit of an overachiever, dear Virgo, but sometimes taking on too many things at once can leave you feeling more like a hot mess. With Capricorn season in full swing, bringing a little structure back into your life can go a long way, especially when it comes to your hobbies and artistic outlets. Use the new moon on January 2 to reconnect with your passion projects, but be sure to throw out any that no longer spark joy or inspiration within you.
Your friendship circle gets bigger this month, dear Pisces, because a small handful of celestial bodies makes its way through the sector of your chart that rules community. This is the perfect time to get involved in some special interest groups. If you’ve wanted to perfect a creative hobby or learn a new skill as part of your 2022 resolutions, consider joining a class!
December 2021 Crossword's Solution
C R O S S W O RD
Copyright @ www.boatloadpuzzles.com
ACROSS
1. Hold responsible 6. Batch 9. Football cheer 12. Painter's stand 13. Expert 14. Have bills 15. Snaky letters 16. Cooking container 18. Military command (2 wds.) 20. Cots 21. Naval rank (abbr.) 23. Must, informally 25. Take offense at 28. "Scrubs," e.g. 32. Kind of acid 33. Hold up 34. Brahms piece 36. Sahara, e.g. 37. Disordered 39. Cigar residue 40. Poker fee 43. Paring tool 46. Type of steak 48. Regions 51. Legendary boxer 52. Tax inits. 53. View 54. Enthusiasm 55. Director Spike _____ 56. Pretended
DOWN
1. Quilting event 2. "Viva ___ Vegas" 3. James Earl Ray, e.g. 4. Get together 5. Differently 6. Cowboy's tool 7. Groups of eight 8. Links gadget 9. Caesar's city 10. Astonished 11. That woman's 17. Lessens 19. FBI employee (abbr.) 21. Epochs 22. Disney fish 24. Ocean movement 26. Glossy paint 27. Musical symbol 29. Most transparent 30. Boat paddles 31. Legend 35. Be ambitious 36. Color 38. Perceive 40. Right away (abbr.) 41. River in Egypt 42. Stumble 44. Volcanic rock 45. Singer ____ Clapton 47. Olive product 49. Ingested 50. Downcast
Sudoku Puzzles are games of patience, numbers and genius! The satisfaction of solving a challenging Sudoku Puzzle is one of the greatest accomplishments any sudoku game player can experience. The rules are simple, fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9.
Here is the puzzle. Good luck!
December 2021 Issue Sudoku's Solution
Copyright @ www.puzzles.ca
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
All photos and articles available online. Follow us
Philanthrophy
25
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
26
Opinion | Alberta Government Update
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
The Pied Piper of Mar-a-Lago PEREZCOPE
Perry Diaz PerryDiaz@gmail.com I am a writer/columnist/journalist. I have two weekly columns -- "PerryScope" and "Balitang Kutsero." They're published in more than a dozen Filipino newspapers in five countries.
IN 1284, AS THE LEGEND GOES, the people of Hamelin, Germany, hired the town’s rat-catcher, a piper, to lure the rats away with his magic pipe. The piper was dressed in multicolored (“pied”) clothing; hence he was called the “Pied Piper.” He led the rats out of the town and into the sea where they drowned. When the town’s people refused to pay him for his services, he retaliated by using his magic pipe and led their children away as he had with the rats. Today, the term “Pied Piper”
describes a person who talks often convincingly but who leads people into disaster. It is also used to identify a leader whom people willingly follow as he leads them into danger or trouble by means of lies and false promises. During the 2016 presidential elections in the U.S., Democratic Party officials labeled the Republican Party’s candidate Donald Trump a “Pied Piper candidate.” Using his strong appeal to white nationalists and right-wing conservatives, Trump got the nomination of the Republican Party by eliminating his 16 rivals, one by one, in the primaries. During the general election, Trump used demagoguery to deliver a populist message such as “America First” and “Make America great again!” He also manifested anti-women, antiimmigrant, anti-Muslim behavior. But to his die-hard supporters, his coded messages stirred their own prejudices. Well, the “Pied Piper candidate” won the 2016 presidential elections. But it was downhill from that time onward. He was twice impeached by the House of Representatives but was acquitted by the Senate, which requires a two-thirds majority of the senators present at the trial to convict the president.
In the 2020 presidential elections, Trump lost to Joe Biden by more than eight million votes. But Trump never conceded defeat. He propagated the “Big Lie” that the election was stolen from him. But it was never proven. Lawsuits filed by Trump’s supporters lost in more than 60 cases including two cases thrown out by the Supreme Court. And then on January 6, 2021, Trump incited his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol. All hell broke loose! The insurrection caused damage to the Capitol Building and the deaths of at least five persons including one Capitol police officer. A year later, on January 6, 2022, the January 6th Subcommittee that is investigating the insurrection, revealed that testimonies from witnesses indicate the extent of the conspiracy to topple the U.S. government by forcing the Senate to overturn the Electoral Count, which gave Biden 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232 electoral votes. Had Vice President Mike Pence ruled to overturn the results in favor of Trump, he would still be sitting in the Oval Office today. Pence should be congratulated for resisting pressures from Trump and other Republicans to overturn the results of the election. Clearly, it was an attempt to execute a coup to
install Trump as the election winner. Ultimately, Trump left the White House, defeated but not out of the game. He vowed to make a comeback in 2024. He opened an office in Palm Spring, Florida and put a big sign that says “Office of Former President Donald J. Trump.” He went to work right away, calling his allies and die-hard supporters, encouraging them to continue the fight to save America. He opened a fundraising account called “Save America PAC” and started sending out letters to millions of his supporters asking them for donations to his campaign to retake the White House. And his base responded enthusiastically. He raised $75 million in the first six months of the campaign. But Trump’s re-election requires maximizing – and expanding – the support of his “base,” which is the white voters without college degrees, in the key battleground states where he won in 2016. However, Trump is losing support among other voters – suburban white women, collegeeducated whites, blacks, Latinos, Asians, and other minority groups. As a result, Trump’s narrow path to victory would require high voter turnout by the so-called “workingclass whites” in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Wisconsin, and Michigan. And based on recent polls, his base is shrinking. The question is: What would his base look like in 2024? If the trend
of his shrinking base continues, he’d be left with an unsubstantial number of die-hard supporters by the next presidential election, not enough to win the election. But Trump’s magical power to attract millions of MAGA die-hards has kept political pundits wondering: What does it take to break his spell over his supporters? A few weeks ago, when Trump was interviewed on Bill O’Reilly’s “History Tour” on television, Trump announced he was vaccinated and received a booster shot. Instantly, his supporters booed him. The outcry was unbelievable. However, it was his undoing. Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, Trump was known to be against vaccination, which has conditioned the minds of his supporters to refuse to get vaccinated, believing that it is harmful to the body. Hence, many of his supporters began campaigning against vaccinations. Known as the “antivaxxers,” they resisted vaccination. So when Trump announced that he’s been vaccinated and boosted as well, they rose in protest. And if Trump began losing the support of his anti-vaxxer base, it would create a backlash against him come 2024. So now, Trump would have to change his magic tune in order to keep his followers stay with him. Has the Pied Piper of Mar-a-Lago lost his touch with his MAGA followers?
Pinahaba ang bakasyon sa taglamig para sa mga mag-aaral ng K-12
Ang pananatili sa bahay at pagiwas sa iba kung mayroon kang mga sintomas ng COVID-19 o positibo ang pagsusuri ay ang pinakamahusay na paraan upang mapanatiling ligtas ang iba. Ngayon, ikaw ay legal na inaatasang ihiwalay ang iyong sarili gaya ng nakabalangkas sa ibaba: + Ganap na nabakunahan (2 dosis o 1 dosis Janssen): ihiwalay ang sarili sa loob ng 5 araw mula sa pagsisimula ng mga sintomas o hanggang sa malutas ang mga ito, alinman ang mas mahaba, kung ang mga sintomas ay walang kaugnayan sa isang umiiral nang sakit o kondisyon sa kalusugan. Sa loob ng 5 araw kasunod ng paghihiwalay, magsuot ng mask sa
lahat ng oras kapag nasa paligid ka ng iba sa labas ng bahay. + Hindi ganap na nabakunahan (1 dosis o mas kaunti): ihiwalay sa loob ng 10 araw mula sa pagsisimula ng mga sintomas o hanggang sa malutas ang mga ito, alinman ang mas mahaba, kung ang mga sintomas ay walang kaugnayan sa isang dati nang umiiral na sakit o kondisyon ng kalusugan. + Kung negatibo ang pagsusuri mo at may mga sintomas, dapat ka pa ring manatili sa bahay at malayo sa iba hanggang sa malutas ang mga sintomas. Matuto pa: https://www.alberta. ca/isolation.aspx
Upang suportahan ang matagumpay na pagbabalik sa paaralan at magbigay ng karagdagang oras sa pagpaplano, ang bakasyon sa taglamig ng kindergarten hanggang Baitang12 ay pinahaba sa buong lalawigan hanggang Enero 10. Ang pinahabang bakasyon ay magbibigay ng oras sa mga awtoridad ng paaralan upang magtipon ng karagdagang data upang masuri ang mga implikasyon sa mga tauhan at ang mga potensyal na epekto sa pagpapatakbo ng kasalukuyang sitwasyon ng COVID-19. Upang tumulong sa ligtas na pagbabalik sa mga klase, ang Gawaing Pangkat ng PPE ng Kalusugan ng Alberta at mga Usapin ng Munisipyo [Alberta Health and Municipal Affairs’ PPE Task Force] ay maghahatid din ng 8.6 milyong mga mabilis na pagsusuri [rapid test] at 16.5 milyong mga maskara sa mga paaralan, simula sa linggo ng Enero 10. Upang higit pang suportahan ang mga mag-aaral sa mataas na paaralan na ang pag-aaral ay nagambala sa pagpapahabang ito, ang mga pagsusulit sa diploma sa Enero ay kinansela. Isang desisyon ang gagawin kinamamayan sa 2022 tungkol sa mga pagsusulit sa diploma ng Abril at Hunyo.
"Sa mabilis na pag-unlad ng sitwasyon ng COVID, gayundin ang ating pagtugon. Ang paghinto na ito ay magbibigay sa mga guro, mga tagapangasiwa ng paaralan at mga awtoridad ng paaralan ng mas maraming oras upang magplano para sa mga mag-aaral na makabalik nang ligtas sa pag-aaral. Sa ilalim ng mapaghamong kalagayan, lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa mga magulang, mga mag-aaral, mga guro at mga kasosyo sa edukasyon para sa kanilang kakayahang umangkop sa panahon ng pandemya. Adriana LaGrange, Ministro ng Edukasyon Gagamitin ng mga awtoridad ng paaralan ang pinahabang bakasyon sa taglamig ng mag-aaral upang maghanda para sa mga potensyal na sitwasyon sa pag-aaral nang personal sa klase (in-person) at sa bahay, tulad na ginawa nila noon sa panahon ng pandemya. Ang impormasyon at patnubay upang suportahan ang mga awtoridad ng paaralan at mga magulang ay makukuha sa alberta. ca/returntoschool. Sa pagbabagong ito, tumutugon kami sa mga alalahanin mula sa mga kasosyo ng Edukasyon at ihahanay ang Alberta sa ibang mga lalawigan sa Canada. Ang isang paghinto ay makakatulong din sa mga awtoridad ng paaralan na magplano para sa mga pagbabago sa pagsusuri at abiso sa pakikipag-ugnayan.
Ang pamamahagi ng mga mabilis na pagsusuri [rapid tests] ay mag-aalok ng sapat na mabilis na pagsusuri upang magbigay ng dalawang limang-pagsusuri na kit sa bawat mag-aaral at kawani sa buong sistema ng edukasyon. Ang pamamahagi ay tinatapos at higit pang impormasyon ang ibabahagi sa susunod na linggo. Ipapamahagi din ang mga medikal na kalidad na maskara sa pamamagitan ng mga paaralan sa mga mag-aaral at kawani sa pamamagitan ng yugtong pamamaraan. Kapag ganap na naipamahagi, ang kawani at mga mag-aaral ay makakatanggap ng walong linggong suplay. Ang pamamahagi ng mga maskarang pampediatric at pang-adulto na medikal na kalidad ay koordinado sa isang yugtong pamamaraan sa pamamagitan ng Gawaing Pangkat ng PPE ng mga Usapin ng Munisipyo [Municipal Affairs’ PPE Task Force] at ibabahagi din ang higit pang impormasyon sa susunod na linggo. Ang karagdagang impormasyon sa mga susunod na hakbang na may kaugnayan sa kung ang mga mag-aaral ay mag-aaral sa klase o sa bahay simula Enero 10 ay ipapaalam sa kahulian ng susunod na linggo. Ang desisyon ay batay sa ebidensya gamit ang impormasyon sa pagpapatakbo na ibinigay ng mga awtoridad ng paaralan, impormasyon ng kaso at iba pang magagamit na data ng kalusugan.
ADVERTISE WITH US 780-916-7677 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
Religion | Education | Business
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
27
GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN FROM A VANTAGE POINT
glad! It is not enough to be patient, to persevere, and to be content under these sufferings as under common afflictions. We must not render railing with railing but we must rejoice because the honor and dignity, the pleasure and advantage of suffering for our Lord Jesus Christ are much
more considerable than the pain and shame of it. We must take pleasure in all of them because it is having fellowship in the suffering of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Knowing that our Lord is herein before-hand with us and that He will not be behind-hand with us (1 Peter 4:12-13). Amen!
Tito S.Venida FOUNDING FATHER
Tito S. Venida is a product of the University of the Philippines. He used to be a student-leader 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.
OUR TEXT “Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:12 GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN. So great is the reward that the Lord commands us to rejoice and be exceeding glad. Can we really comprehend how it is to rejoice and be exceeding glad in the midst of intense persecution? Rejoicing in the testimony of a good conscience, for without it, suffering has nothing but misery. Be exceeding glad—leaping for joy. Great is your reward in heaven. Remember: The day is short and the work in the kingdom of God is great. The workers are few and the reward is great. But the Lord of the Harvest is urgent! The true and genuine followers of the Lord Jesus Christ are encouraged to suffer joyfully. They are conformed to the prophets who went before them. They were before us in excellence and they were before us in time that they might be examples to us of suffering affliction and of patience ( James 5:10). Their reward in heaven is a great one. It is in heaven, in the future and out of sight. But well secured and out of the reach of chance, fraud and violence. GOD WILL PROVIDE. Those who lose for Him, though it is life itself, shall not lose by Him in the end. Heaven, at last, will be an abundant recompence for all the hardships we meet along the way. Remember: The day is short and the work in the kingdom of heaven is great. The workers are few and the reward is great. But the Lord of the Harvest is urgent! Therefore, rejoice and be exceeding All photos and articles available online. Follow us
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
28
Immigration Update | Business
THE IMMIGRATION GUY
STARTING 2022 ON THE RIGHT FOOT: The Immigration Guy - Q&A with an Immigration Professional Crying babies won’t feed themselves!
Stephen Burry Stephen Burry is the Lead Consultant and owner of Freedom Migrate Immigration Solutions Limited, an immigration consultancy firm based in Calgary, Alberta. Stephen is licensed with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). He can be reached at 403-520-2277 or call/ text at 587-938-3100. Email: freedommigrate@gmail.com Website: www.freedommigrate.ca **All names and details have been changed to protect identity*
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
Question from Merissa in New Westminster, BC: I got the greatest gift for Christmas – identical twin babies! That was an unexpected blessing. However, now that we have double the responsibility and work on our hands, we need help! Both myself and my husband are returning to our careers in 2022 and we need a fulltime nanny to help with our children. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find someone locally to do this job full time. What are the options Freedom Migrate? Answer: First of all, Merry Christmas and congratulations! You received double the blessing! Secondly, yes, we can certainly help. There are two ways to hire a home childcare provider. The first option is to hire a temporary foreign worker from outside Canada
through the Home Child Care Provider Pilot Program. This is a pilot program introduced by the government in 2019 that exempts employers from obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This option allows a foreign national outside Canada to apply for a work permit to work for you and at the same time apply for permanent residence! This is great for that excelling cousin or niece back home with education and experience in childcare who might want to come to Canada permanently. As this is also a permanent residence application, there are some additional requirements your potential employee must meet. Other than being admissible to Canada and having the experience and education to do the job, they also need to have the equivalent of one year of a completed post-secondary Canadian education and meet minimum language requirements and be able to
provide police certificates. This is a great option for someone who has a bachelor’s degree or higher and some experience in childcare. After the care provider obtains 24 months of experience, they can apply for permanent residency. The downsides of this program is that it may take a year or more to be processed and it has a quota limit – so if this is the option for you, act fast! The second option is to hire a temporary resident already inside Canada with the appropriate experience. This option requires that you – as the employer – obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and apply for authorization from the government to hire the temporary resident candidate. The government now allows a temporary resident on a visitor visa to apply for a work permit from inside Canada provided they have a valid job offer and the appropriate experience to do the job. There are some advertising requirements that you must fulfill to show that you cannot find a suitable Canadian or permanent resident candidate to fill the position. The benefit of this program is that it is generally much faster to complete than the pilot program in option one. The Canadian government has a service standard by which to process these applications considering they are time sensitive and involve high demand home care services. Also, this Labour Market Impact Assessment is exempt from the right of refusal rules set in place by the Alberta provincial government due to COVID-19. The good news is we can help you with both options and even find you a suitable candidate if you do not yet have one! Give us a call for a free consultation and assessment.
Starting 2022 on the right foot!
Question from Jose in Edmonton, AB: II arrived in Canada in 2009 as a refugee and was refused refugee status. I did not understand the exclusion order at the time and have stayed inside Canada. I have been out of status since 2009 and have no hope left! I stay with family and must constantly be looking over my shoulder in fear that I will be deported. Since being here in Canada, I gave birth to a beautiful son in 2018 and fear that I will not be able to provide him with an education here in Canada and will be forced to go home! Answer: Hi Angelica, hope is not lost! 2022 is a year of rejuvenation and renewal for everyone, including you. This is certainly a serious situation that must be addressed! The first step is to overcome your status issue and work towards building a compassionate case for permanent residency. Keep the faith! The first step we always take in status issues like yours is to obtain a disclosure from the government requesting all your documents, officer notes, and communications on your file with immigration. We never want to work on correcting your situation while working blind and not having all the information. If you live at an address that IRCC is unaware of, you may have had communications that you never received. Step two is to determine what file works best for you! There are usually two options in this situation. Because your refugee file decision happened many years ago, you may have an opportunity to apply for a temporary resident permit and humanitarian and compassionate considerations for permanent residency. Likely, you have an enforcement action against you – which means that if you do not work to resolve this issue, eventually enforcement will catch up with you and remove you and your child from Canada. The temporary resident permit allows you to restore your status in Canada – temporarily – so you can take actions to resolve your status long term! Next, we would build and submit a humanitarian and compassionate considerations application asking the government for an exemption to allow you to apply directly for permanent residency! There are many grounds that are considered in such a file; best interests of a child – your beautiful son, your establishment in Canada, and the reasons that prevent you from returning to your home country. Not all hope is lost! This situation is a profoundly serious one – but doing nothing about it can be even more serious. Rest easy knowing Freedom Migrate offers full representation for the entire process. We help you build your case and prepare you for the permanent resident application to follow. Our prices are very reasonable, and we work hard to build a competitive application for you! Have a question? Send us your submission to freedommigrate@gmail.com or call our office at 403520-2277 or text 587-938-3100 from anywhere in Alberta! www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
Points of View | Business
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
29
“LET’s RECOGNIZE & APPRECIATE GOD’s BLESSINGS to US EVERYDAY: THE 50 CENT RESTAURANT MEAL STORY” HUWAG PAGTAKHAN! (“DON’T MARVEL at MR. MARVEL”)
Hermo Toribio Reyes Pagtakhan hermopagtakhanlaw@ hotmail.com Cell: (780) 905-9288 Hermo Toribio Reyes Pagtakhan of Edmonton, Alberta is a Lawyer who had practised for more than 25 years in the Philippines and in Alberta and thereafter, was an Index Options Trader in Wall Street. He is currently a Family Counselor with Arbor Memorial Gardens whom he joined in 2013. Hermo is also President of PROXSMART GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES and of NOTIFY GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES which develop Mobile Apps for Digital Marketing and Contactless Technologies which enable Businesses to operate their businesses and at the same time keep their Employees and Clients safe from Covid19 Contamination.
spending an entire 5 dollars on his meal that evening. The restaurant owner told him it was well-deserved, wrapped up his meal and he went on his way home. When the labourer got home and opened up his meal pack, he was shocked to see that it was the same type of food he had been having every day for the last 6 years. He was very disappointed because he had been looking forward to a feast to celebrate his big achievement. He certainly deserved something better after scrimping on his meals all those years. He was mad at the restaurant owner and felt robbed of his money and his celebration. He felt he had been cheated by his very good friend. He immediately went back to the restaurant to make his complaint. The restaurant owner had already left and he met one of the staff with whom he was quite familiar.
"Say, John, I think you guys gave me the wrong meal pack today. You see, I got this same type of meal every day for 50 cents but today I am celebrating and decided to spend 5 whole dollars at your restaurant. But I was cheated and got just the same meal as every other day!" "Well, sir, this is our most expensive meal and it costs 5 dollars!" It suddenly dawned on the labourer
that he had not been cheated at all by his friend. In fact, the restaurant owner had been giving him their best meal which cost 5 dollar for 50 cents for 6 years! He felt very ashamed of himself for thinking that his good friend had cheated him. "It's all a misunderstanding then," he said and turned to leave quickly to hide the tears in his eyes. "One minute, sir," said the staff.
"My boss said you were going to come back and that I was to give you this bag." When the labourer opened the bag, he found all the 50 cents he had ever spent at this restaurant. Unable to hold back the tear now, he sat down on a bench and wept quite unashamedly. √ He had judged too quickly continued on page 30 ►
I
want to share this with you all. A young labourer came to a restaurant one evening to have a meal. The owner engaged him in conversation and found out that he was saving funds to bring his family to the city so they could have a chance at a better life. He had an aged mother, a wife and two young sons who he hoped to give a good education to so they could have a more decent life. He had just arrived in the city and found some menial work at a scrap metal site down the road. It was going to be his only meal of the day and he could only spend a few cents. The owner was impressed with his hard work and diligence, and his family values. He encouraged the labourer and wrapped his meal for him. He took his order personally and told him that it would cost him 50 cents. Several years went by and the labourer stopped at the restaurant every evening to get his one meal of the day and chat with the restaurant owner who always encouraged him and asked about his aged mother, his wife and young sons, and how his plans were going. Finally, the labourer came by one evening with a happy smile on his face. He had bought a modest house in a good neighborhood with a good school for his boys and he had just sent for his family to join him. The restaurant owner was very happy for him and congratulated him. The labourer then told him that he was in a mood to celebrate and he would be All photos and articles available online. Follow us
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
30
Greetings | Business
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE: Moving Forward
Birthdays are everyone’s most cherished moment as this is when we celebrate the covenant between life and its Giver. Nobody is born alone. There are two causes of life that we have to acknowledge, appreciate, and recognize. The first is the Ultimate Cause or Giver, our God and the second are the proximate causes, our parents. Now, He who doesn’t acknowledge, appreciate, and recognize his or her life is also rejecting its Causes. Lucky are these individuals who truly celebrate life with significant people around them. May you all continue to share the gift of life with others. Active co-existence follows essence.
Jeremelle Votary: Leaving Childhood Behind As we watch you grow and leave your childhood behind, we wish that you grow in wisdom to choose your own path leading to a wholesome life, with the confidence to face challenges. We also wish for your joy and contentment in life, and that you continue to cherish the simple things along the way. But, most of all anak, we fervently pray that the love of our Lord be your guiding light. May you be blessed with all the joy that life can bring on this celebration of your birthday and may you also be a continued blessing to others. Happy 18th Birthday, anak! We will always love and cherish you! Mommy Carmelita and Daddy Sydney
Kayla, Wayne, Ninia Dizon, Mommy Sonia and Daddy Rudy Cajayon.
CONGRATULATIONS, Wayne for passing your Licensure Examination. You are now a fullpledged License Practical Nurse. Your achievement will surely be an inspiration to the Filipino students here in Edmonton. Who you are now is the gift of God to you through the consistent love and support of your parents. What you will become is your gift to them. No one in this world is happier than your parents, sister, girlfriend, and those who truly love you, Wayne. Happy 21st Birthday to you too!
from page 29
√ He'd felt entitled and a little prideful because of his sense of arrival √ He had repaid kindness with suspicion and anger √ He had failed to give proper thanks where it was due... WHY? *Because he had been unable to see or recognise the hand that was behind the scene helping him all this time!* Friends, sometimes because we don't yet have the car and the house and the fine things, we fail to recognise the simple things that God gives us daily. And so we are ungrateful and unappreciative and even a little entitled when we go to Him to complain about the things we don't have. We are prideful of our little achievements when we have a few fine things or feel like we have arrived. But does God condemn us? Is He mad at us? Does He take back everything because of our foolishness? NO... Like the restaurant owner, even though He gives of His best to us and always looks out for us to encourage us, He is there to pick us up when we stumble or fall. Even when we don't see or appreciate His goodness and kindness to us, He never stops being gracious and kind to us or tires of hearing our complaining and griping. In fact, He opens His storehouse and gives us even more than we deserve when we are at our lowest. Today, at this very moment, stop and consider God's goodness and then you might want to say a prayer like this: *"GOD, I DON'T SEE YOUR HAND BEHIND THE SCENES BUT SINCE I'M STILL ALIVE I KNOW YOU ARE THERE HOLDING ME UP AND HELPING ME. AND I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THANK YOU!"*
Jason Keng Lobregas
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA
JANUARY 2022 ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL
All photos and articles available online. Follow us
Business
31
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
32
Business
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2022
continued on page 35 ►
www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA