Felix de los Santos, a Leader Worth Emulating

by Jun Angeles

The year was 1972, and Felix de los Santos graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Accounting at San Sebastian College in Manila, an exclusive school for men. Like the old saying “Go West Young Man”, right after graduating, Felix ventured to join his sister in High Prairie, Alberta a small town north of Edmonton. Going from living in the cosmopolitan city of Manila to a town about the same size or even smaller than Santa Cruz, Marinduque where he was born was a shocking experience. He landed in High Prairie and right after arriving, his sister, who was a head nurse of the local hospital, put him to work in a lumber yard . It was not a suitable place to start a life and after six months, he applied for a carpentry job at the Gendall Recreational Trailer Company and gained experience as a handy man. After 2 years, he applied to a more challenging job with the Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB). He spent a lifetime in this career, 41 years from 1976 to 2017, moving up to become head custodian. Because of his inborn leadership skills, Felix got involved in EPSB’s Canadian Union of Public Employee Local 474. From 1976 to 2008 he was elected as CUPE Secretary-Treasurer. As treasurer of CUPE 474, he represented membership to participate at the Alberta Congress Board, which included government officials, public and private sectors and unionized workers. As CUPE local 747 Treasurer, he became part of the negotiating team of EPSB. From 1995 to 2000 and for over 8 years, he was a nominating member of the National Rainbow Committee of CUPE Alberta Division. He was able to participate as a National Rainbow delegate in the Human Rights Conference held in Ottawa. He also attended the National Convention (CUPE) held in Vancouver with a delegation of 3000 members. With his extensive experience in the union, he was elected as a full-time President of CUPE Local 474 and finally retired as CUPE President. During his tenure as President of CUPE, Felix got involved in the Filipino Community and was elected as President of the Filipino Retirees’ Association in Alberta from 2010 to 2014 (4 years). Felix is happily married to Lourdes Angeles de los Santos and blessed with two children, Jennifer and James.

Felix de los Santos is one of our community’s leaders and has made a difference in the Edmonton Filipino Community. He helped with negotiations to ensure the stability of jobs for many Filipino employees in the Edmonton Public School Board. He is a silent leader that looked after the welfare of our unionized “kababayan”! Felix you are our unsung hero and your leadership is admirable and worth emulating.

The de los Santos Family

The CUPE Assembly Filipino Retirees’ Association

Crosstown Auto makes it 2 out of 3; Hanjan South Resto, WSB Flip Hoops, KR3W, Tita Slayerz, Dadiver Connection bag other titles in PSA-Crosstown Auto Fall-Winter Basketball Tournament

Super Master Division Champion: CROSSTOWN AUTO CENTRE

Master Division One Champion: CROSSTOWN AUTO CENTRE

Master Division Two Champion: DADIVER CONNECTION

By Moses Billacura

Three Crosstown Auto Centre squads advanced to the finals and managed to clinch two title wins in the Fall-Winter 2022/2023 season of the Philippine Sports Association(PSA)-Crosstown Auto Centre Basketball Tournament, January 14, at the Blessed Oscar Romero High School gym in Edmonton.

WSB Flip Hoops denied Crosstown Auto a third championship trophy after scoring a 95-76 victory in the Open Division 2.

Crosstown Auto successfully ruled the Super Master's Division by spilling the Team WD40, 92-85 and the Master Division 1 by taking down Team Brodie, 83-79.

The multi-titled Changes for Hope lost to Hanjan South Restaurant, 8288 in the premier Open Division 1.

KR3W topped the Open Division 3 at the expense of the Ilonggo Brothers, 92-86 while Dadiver Connection bagged the Master Division 2 crown by beating S-SABC Family, 82-66

PSA president Gary Perpetua led tournament officials in awarding the trophies and medals to the winners.

Mythical team members were also selected by a panel of PSA officials.

Open Division 1 mythical team selection were Brent Ogrimen, AJ Mapa, Jimwell Craus, Jeric Giron and Paul Redondo of Cavanagh Dental, Milo Villamor, Virson Orquez, Jester Tandoc and Gian Jumilla of Changes for Hope, Anmol John and David Navalta and Jon Seong of Hanjan South Restaurant, Maverick Tameta of Flying Eagles.

John Mendoza, Clark Acielo, Paul Redondo, Maverick Tameta, Vinn McMullen of Crosstown Auto, Julius Rosales, Jian Jumilla, Nico Yola of WSB Flip Hoops, Alexi Tenorio and David Navalta of Origin, Ivan Balala and JL Fedilo of Barako Boys were named in the Open Division 2 mythical team.

In the Open Division 3, selected were Paul Redondo of Ilonggo, Jess Espejon of Fernando's Automotive, Gery Palmejar of Ilonggo, Julius Rosales of Fernando's, JL Fedilo of Amigos, Jimwell Craus of Soul Reapers, James Maglalang of KR3W, Renzo Sibug of Crosstown Auto, Ralph Ocampo and Jerome Mejia of Amigos.

Open Division 4 members are Jotham Ramos of Tita Slayer, John Walter of Southeast Hooper, Jim Due of EDM Painting Ltd, Jollo Sta.Clara of Millenium Ballers, Charles Due of EDM Painting, Aaron Villalon of Outplay, Ivan Gravela of CCF Edmonton, Cyril Mangon of Aesthetics, Russel Fernandez of REC Boys, Adrian Pablo of EDM Painting.

In the Master's Division 1, selected were Joven Datu, Jay-r Sumagit, Floyd Eyao, Carlo Chengco, Eric Sanggalang, Homer Carpio, Erdz Orquez, Sam Cajilig, Joseph Gonzales and JR Perpetua while in Division 2 were Jeff Corpuz, Gary Galvez, JC Rosillo, Gian Musa, Jhae-r Agbang, Ernesto Hufana, Jay Tibayan, Jhong Jocson, Elizar Inoc and Jake Bonafe and in the Super Master Division were Evan Paredes, Jecris Bautista, Zoe Bravo, Aldren Talens, Alex Galang, Carlo Chengco, JR Eje, Eric Sanggalang, JR Perpetua and Jepoy Maranan. (with reports and photos from Ariel Nealega/PSA)

Open Division One Champion: HANJAN

Open Division Two Champion: WSB - FLIP HOOPS

Open Division Three Champion: KR3W

Open Division Four Champion: TITA SLAYERZ

TRANSACTION | ELKS RE-SIGN CANADIAN RB ANTE LITRE

The Edmonton Elks announced Saturday they have re-signed Canadian running back Ante Litre to a one-year contract. Litre, 28, returns for a second season with the Green and Gold after suiting up for all 18 games in the 2022 CFL campaign.

“I’m coming back because we have a lot of unfinished business from last year,” Litre says. “I believe in my teammates, I believe in the coaches, I’ve got a lot of faith in this team. I think we can make a good run at the Grey Cup this year, so I’m excited to get back to work with everybody.”

A veteran of five CFL seasons, Litre had a career-high 241 yards rushing on 54 carries and ran for a touchdown in 2022. He also caught 16 passes for 89 yards and ranked third on the Elks with seven special teams tackles last season.

“I imagine building off the role I had last year, whether that’s being the starter or a special teams guy, whatever duties I’m asked to do, I’ll do it for this team,” says Litre, who was voted Unsung Hero in the 2022 Elks Fan Awards. “Whatever it takes to win, I’m going to do it.”

Before joining the Elks as a free-agent last February, Litre spent four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, who drafted the Vancouver native out of Simon Fraser University with the 28th overall pick in 2017.

In 73 career regular season CFL games, Litre has 41 receptions for 319 yards, and 147 rushes for 519 yards with three touchdowns. Litre has also appeared in six postseason games, and was a member of the 2018 Grey Cup champion Stampeders.

“Edmonton is going to get the best version of Ante Litre,” says the six-foot-zero, 229-pound back. “I’m going to come in the best shape I’ve ever been. There’s not going to be any gas spared in the tank for this run this year.”

The Elks opens their 2023 regular season against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Commonwealth Stadium on June 11. Edmonton’s first pre-season is set for May 22 in Calgary.

PH athletes to join five major tournaments abroad

MANILA – It will be a busy year for the national athletes who are going to compete in five major international competitions.

First in the calendar is the 32nd Southeast Asian Games which will be hosted by Cambodia from May 5 to 17. Next is the 2nd World Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia (Aug. 5-12) followed by 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China (Sept. 23-Oct. 8), World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Oct. 21-30) and 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand (Nov. 17-26).

The heads of the delegation to the five tournaments, namely baseball’s Chito Loyzaga (SEA Games), fencing and pentathlon’s Richard Gomez (World Beach Games), surfing’s Dr. Jose Raul Canlas (Asian Games), wrestling’s Alvin Aguilar (World Combat Games) and karate’s Richard Lim (AIMAG) will be busy, too.

“That’s how busy Filipino athletes will be as sports competitions return almost all at the same time as pandemic restrictions are dramatically eased worldwide,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president, Representative Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, in a statement released

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham 'Bambol" Tolentino. (Contributed photo)

to the media on Friday.

Meanwhile, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio begged off as chef de mission (CDM) to the 2024 Paris Olympics due to leadership responsibilities and obligations at the SBP, PLDT and Smart.

“My current leadership roles and ongoing matters in the said organizations may not give me the full capacity for the CDM role,” Panlilio said in his letter to Tolentino. “In as much as I would be so delighted to accept this assignment, I had to regretfully decline this most prestigious position.”

“I will continue to provide support to the POC so that our athletes can replicate or even surpass our great showing at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, but I believe providing help outside of the CDM role should allow the POC a great opportunity to add another helping hand, which would only benefit our athletes further," Panlilio added.

The POC will announce a replacement for Panlilio next week. (PNA)

Bachmann: No delays on financial support to athletes

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann’s first order of mission for the PSC manpower: “No delays on the financial support that PSC provides the athletes.”

Bachmann, on his very first flag raising ceremony as the sports agency’s 12th chairman made very clear his intent to be of service to the athletes. “Yun ang pinaka urgent na bagay para matulungan natin sila. If there is any delay of allowances of any athlete, paki delay din yung akin. My salary also. Give me the names of those athletes, give me the names of the NSAs, ako na yung maghahabol. Because, when I say that there is no delay in allowances, I’m going to make it happen,” declared Bachmann.

The PSC Chief also laid down his plans to bring back free meals for the members of the Philippine team. He also encouraged the PSC workforce to come to him if they have any suggestions or thoughts they want to share relative to the service they carry-out for their clients. “I work best when I am on the ground - talking & listening to people I am supposed to serve,” said Bachmann, adding “I would rather go to the athlete, and I also encourage our Commissioners to do the same.”

Bachmann, who was joined by Commissioners Edward Hayco, Olivia “Bong'' Coo and Walter Torres plans to take up a four-point priority plan with his Commissioners as they hold a board meeting today.

Aside from supporting the athletes, the newly-appointed sports chairperson also assured the PSC family that they are part of his priority as he addressed them Tuesday saying, “kayo rin ay mga MVPs, because of the work you do to support our athletes.” The PSC employees also greeted chairman Bachmann, who will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow, January 11.

“I want to assure everyone that I am here to be of service. Period. No personal agenda. I am here to serve our national athletes, the NSAs, and the PSC organization.” assured Bachmann.

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