Alberta Filipino Journal - January 2019 Issue

BUY, SELL and INVEST in real estate?

Loida Lumanlan CALL or TEXT

Home buying and selling agent

780.953.1062 www.loidahomes.ca

FREE BUYER & SELLER CONSULTATION!

Blake Stubbington, FIC Blake Stubbington, FIC Field Agent Field Agent 780-989-8818 780-989-8818 #170, 14032 - 23 Avenue NW #170, 14032 -AB, 23 Avenue NW Edmonton, T6R 3L6 Edmonton, AB, T6R 3L6 blake.stubbington@kofc.org blake.stubbington@kofc.org

Life Insurance • Long-Term Care Insurance Life Insurance • Long-Term Insurance Retirement Annuities • Disability Care Income Insurance Retirement Annuities • Disability Income Insurance Protecting Catholic families since 1882 Protecting Catholic families since 1882

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

2

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

BUSINESS

JANUARY 2019

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

POLITICS | COMMUNITY | BUSINESS

JANUARY 2019

AFTER BEING INVITED TO RUN FOR MLA BY MINISTER SOHI Journal editor to get support from Pinoy community leaders

By Moses Billacura

F

ilipino community leaders have warmly welcomed the news of Filipino Journal editor Lito Velasco’s invitation to run for Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Alberta Province this year.

Federal Minister Amarjeet Sohi on November 14 invited the editor to join provincial politics by running under the Liberal Party. Velasco said that he is willing to serve but does not have the campaign funds to support his run, if he accepts the invitation.

“It’s his call,” said Celso Andrade, owner of Sunfreight Cargo Forwarders and president of the Philippine Business Society of Alberta (PBSA) who added that Velasco is his friend.

Philippine Sport Association (PSA) president Gary Perpetua said that it’s about time there’s someone from the Filipino community who will serve in the Legislative Assembly.

“Kung siya talaga ay tatakbo, dapat nating suportahan, dahil siya ay Pilipino na gusto talagang maglingkod,” said Perpetua.

Alberta Province had only one MLA of Filipino-descent, Carl Benito who served one term.

He was elected in 2008 under the Conservative Party and sought

Alberta Filipino Journal editor Lito Velasco (center) with Federal Minister Amarjeet Sohi (left) and Parliamentary Secretary for the Federal Ministry of Heritage and Multiculturalism, Gary Anandasangaree, at the Edmonton Millwoods Constituency Office, November 16 last year. (Contributed photo)

the same post as an independent in 2012 but lost.

Filipino Journal columnist Marjorie Carmona-Newman is also running for MLA under the United Conservative Party(UCP) and if she wins, she will be first Filipina to serve in the Legislature.

Another Filipina, Jovita Mendita is also seeking a post under UCP. Velasco said he is yet to meet Minister Sohi again this month.

The Alberta general election is

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

scheduled this coming May. When news broke out that Velasco was invited to run, Philippine Media Association of Alberta (PMAA) president Nicky Gocuan said it was a welcome development and that political leaders, like Minister Sohi, has recognized the newspaper editor’s capacity to be a public servant.

PMAA member Rolan Latorre said he is just waiting for Velasco to accept the invitation.

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

3

WHAT's Inside: A reader's guide

Kaya Ko; Kaya Mo! Artospective An interview with MLA Rod Loyola Editor’s Corner Filipinavigation Just Listen From Migration to Immigration Migrant's Voices From Migration to Immigration Sports Journal PBSA to draw up plans for 2019 General Point Of View SHOW-MY Radyo Sa Dyaryo AFJ's 2018 Year in Review Resources for Helping Youth...

BFI Christmas Party 2018 Through a Teenager’s Eyes Make Our Daily Gospel...

My #MeToo Story Perezcope From a Vantage Point Human Nature Music and Ice Concert

4 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 11 12 12 14 14 16 17 21 22 23 24 24 25 26 26 30

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

4

INSPIRATION | BUSINESS

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

JANUARY 2019

Filipinos Success' Stories:

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

Grenida Bravo - wife, Vincent Bravo, Leonard Bravo

F

By Marianne Rosal

People want to lead lives of fulfillment and passion.

or kababayan Aris Bravo, passion was not always so clear cut. Aris Bravo is a professional photographer and started Bravo Studio in Edmonton, a professional photography studio.

When asked if photography has always been his passion, his answer is no. "I dreamt to be a soldier," Aris says. But despite this desire, as Aris grew older, the stronger his passion for the creativity of the photography profession materialized.

Despite this change of heart, photography as a career was not so far off for Aris. He comes from a lineage of professional photographers. His grandfather, dad and uncles are all professional photographers.

Growing up, Aris remembers his grandfather taking portraits in their family studio. In his childhood, he fondly remembers his dad developing pictures in the dark room, when the nostalgic days of film were at their peak.

Aris tried to avoid his destiny, venturing into a variety of careers in the Philippines, the UK and finally, in Canada in fields ranging the name from his family's studio from healthcare to being a financial broker. back in the Philippines, and Bravo Eventually however, his heart found its place in Studio in Edmonton was born. photography, and he opened his studio, carrying "I feel accomplished when I see

the smile in the face of my clients after they see their pictures. That smile is something to me, my satisfaction," states Aris. And his pictures clearly show the joy in the subjects

of his photographs, emotions which his pictures clearly capture.

Of course, everything is not always picture perfect. He too faced the obstacles of not only starting a creative business, but challenges as an immigrant. In his experience, he reflects that perseverance is key.

"I managed it through determination and perseverance. Just think on what you want and want to be. Then ACTION. You need to do something to attain it," states Aris.

Despite the challenges he faced, Aris carries the pride of being able to continue what is truly a family master craft. "I’m proud that I was able to continue the legacy of my grandfather and my dad. Because no one in our family on my generation does it," says Aris. Moreover, to carry the legacy of his family in a different country is an accomplishment on its own, and a true testament to working for his passion.

He leaves with advice for his fellow kababayans with a desire to follow their dreams even as new settlers in this country: "Dream BIG. Don’t let your fears conquer you. Rather, conquer your fear. Look for ways to attain your dreams but don’t rush. Don’t do short cuts. Do it right."

ADVERTISE WITH US 780-916-7677 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

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

BUSINESS

JANUARY 2019

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

5

Quality Care Group of Companies co-founder to speak at Leadership Conference in Ottawa

By Moses Billacura

Quality Care Group of Companies co-founder Kris Salumbides has been invited to speak at the National Youth Leadership Conference on February 23-24 on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

The Pinoys on the Parliament

Committee and the Filipino Students Association at the University of Ottawa are organizing the event in coordination with the Philippine Embassy, the Canada-Philippine Interparliamentary Friendship Group, the Philippine Centre of Canada, the Office of Honourable Member of Parliament, Dr. Rey

Quality Care Group of Companies co-founder Kris Salumbides (left) and Alberta Filipino Journal publisher Jun Angeles (right) with Member of Parliament Kelly McCauley during the Quality Care Group of Companies' Christmas Party, December 22, at the Sejong Hall.

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

Pagtakhan and the family of the late Honourable Senator Tobias Enverga Jr. Salumbides, who arrived in Canada as a temporary foreign worker 10 years ago, is a Respiratory Therapist

and Registered Sleep Technologist in Alberta Province who, with his business partners, established a medical clinic, pharmacy, respiratory and sleep clinic in Edmonton and is currently working to expand

it across the province to open more employment opportunities to Albertans.

"It is a great pleasure and honour for me to be invited," said Salumbides.

Kris Salumbides (center) with business partners Jacob Christian (left) and Jesse Tallon during the Quality Care Group of Companies Christmas Party for their employees and guests, December 22, at the Sejong Hall.

Photos by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

6

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

ENTERTAINMENT | ARTS | IMMIGRATION CONSULTANCY SERVICES

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

2018 Retrospective 2018 proved to be a banner year for the Filipino community and a momentous one for me - what with meeting new people and working on new projects. It was a year of recognition of Philippine art and culture, and the talent of Filipino artists.

The year started with my meeting the immensely talented and much acclaimed ice sculptors, the Baisas Brothers, i.e. Ross and Antonio, based in Montreal and Ottawa, respectively.

They were in Edmonton for Ice on Whyte where they won the top awards, and they continue to win in global competitions. I also had the pleasure of getting acquainted with pastry chef Ely Rowen Salar of Calgary, and photographer Sherwin Calaluan of Banff, both winning competitions in their respective fields. In February, the Edmonton Arts Council announced award recipients which included three Filipinos: yours truly, Ida Beltran-Lucila for the Edmonton Artist Trust Fund (the first and so far, the only Filipino recipient),

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

and Erica Cawagas and Jonathan Sherrer for Cultural Diversity in the Arts. Another first is the feature on Rommel Tingzon’s paintings at The Works Festival. Rommel is the first Filipino painter to be featured in this festival, and one based not even in Edmonton or Canada, but in Palawan.

It was also a landmark year for special events and collaborations on Philippine art: the concerts of Koro Filipino (Paraiso), Bamboo, Tunog Kalye, Heber Bartolome, Piolo and Iñigo Pascual, Jose Mari Chan; Emma the Musical; the 3rd Edmonton Filipino Fiesta, and MC College’s New Designers Fashion Show which featured three Filipino designers Fely Agader, Gian Salvador and Francis Tungul. Fely Agader would later hold her solo fashion show in November in Fort Saskatchewan. Philippine Arts Council held Learning Table sessions with Bamboo, who was remarkable with his generosity of time and experience, and with the Tunog Kalye artists. Philippine

culture had more presence in the Alberta Culture Days, with Philippine Arts Council’s full day workshop at Lynnwood School and a standalone folk dance workshop, and the UPAAE’s Historya: Walking through the Story of the Filipino People. The Philippine Arts Council continued grass roots education on Philippine dance throughout the year at Sister Annata Brockman School, Blessed Oscar Romero High School, Balwin School, and Lynnwood School. And of course, there is the regular radio show Himig Pinoy at 101.7 World FM, featuring original Filipino music.

However, the significant moment of the year was the declaration of June as Philippine Heritage Month by the cities of Edmonton, Calgary and Fort Saskatchewan, then by the Legislative Assembly for the province of Alberta, and later in the year, by the federal government.

All these efforts stemmed from community initiatives, consultations, and negotiations. Coinciding with the provincial declaration was a release of the Philippine episode of Seconds Please TV documentary, whose launch was organized with the Philippine Arts Council and the Multi Cultural Health Brokers Cooperative.

There were several other events in the community. Shows in local establishments like Panciteria de Manila, TFC Restaurant, Casa Laurel featured local groups like The Girls of Crazy Sexy Cool, Sooner Band, Switch Band, Skyfall Code Band, Simplicity Band and Enrico Ilaga,

among others. Individual artists like actors Danielle Yu and Jimmy Buena, were respectively part of productions by Walterdale Theatre and Theatre Yes, Mila Bongco-Philipzig was part of writers’ reading Alberta Lit Fest, and Kristina de Guzman was involved in an art installation exploring perceptions of immigrant communities.

There were probably more events and achievements which I unfortunately was not able to attend or were not on my radar.

Nevertheless, these mentioned are proof of a revitalized regard of, and by, the Filipino community in bringing forth our cultural fabric.

Every one of us should continue to be

JANUARY 2019

guardians and good representations of our heritage. And here lies the challenge. For artists, stretch your boundaries, explore your creativity and create something authentic. For producers, respect your artists and your audience. And for the general public, support, promote and be proud of your culture. This way, we Filipinos significantly show up in this multicultural arena, creating a legacy that is truly deserving of the municipal, provincial and federal declarations of Philippine Heritage Month that have been bestowed on us.

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

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

JANUARY 2019

POLITICS | GOVERNMENT | BUSINESS

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

7

Alberta Filipino Journal conducted an exclusive interview with Hon. Rod Loyola, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Ellerslie.

AFJ - If the Federal Government is not doing anything to make the Trans Mountain Pipeline, why not stop collecting carbon tax?

Rod Loyola - For the first time, an Alberta government’s action on climate change means new pipelines and new markets for our oil. It’s the biggest and most important breakthrough in decades, and it’s because of Premier Notley. Thanks to our price on carbon, we are diversifying Alberta’s economy, creating thousands of new jobs, and helping our environment by reducing emissions and pollution.

Recently, we saw how Doug Ford’s reckless actions in Ontario throw people out of work, make home upgrades more expensive for families, and render millions of investments worthless. On top of that, Ontarians are going to be slapped with Justin Trudeau’s carbon tax and have no say in their future.

We have a made-in-Alberta plan that works for our economy and our environment. Industry helped form our plan. Because of the carbon tax, we have been able to invest in much needed infrastructure projects like the LRT lines in both Edmonton and Calgary, provide energy rebates to roughly 60% of Albertan households, cut the small business tax rate, and allow residents and businesses affordable ways to begin to lower their carbon emissions and save money on their utilities. The carbon tax has also allowed us to pave the way to energy diversification for our province, investing in renewable energy projects and partnering with private-sector organizations in innovative ways

to bring stabilization to our energy sector.

AFJ - What is your stand on Healthcare cuts? Jason Kenney wants a dual system. Isn't a dual system double jeopardy, as this will hurt the middle people? It would also be harder to manage.

Rod Loyola - Jason Kenney’s reckless 20 % cuts to the health budget would slash 4.3 billion dollars out of our health care system. This would mean shutting down 53 acute care hospitals across Alberta and nearly 600 Emergency room spaces. We cannot afford to cut crucial ambulance services and fire over 2445 EMS workers.

With Jason Kenny’s cuts, 23,165 cancer patients would no longer get lifesaving prescriptions filled.

Albertans understand how important health services are. In my own constituency, people are excited about a new hospital opening up on the south side. This was long overdue and much needed. The lasthospital in Edmonton opened 30 years go.

AFJ - The opposition says the Liberals and NDP are in bed, what can you say about this?

Rod Loyola - As a government, it is our job to work with other jurisdictions to further the interests of Alberta and what is best for Albertans. Kenney is saying this to score cheap political points.

He is not interested in Alberta or Albertans but is auditioning for Prime Minister. Kenney didn’t come back to Alberta for Albertans he came back for himself.

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

We know for a fact that we will continue to fight for Alberta.

That’s why we pulled out of the Federal Climate Change Plan and are taking steps on our own to get our products to market.

Our government has always said that taking the next step and signing on to the federal climate plan can't happen without the Trans-Mountain pipeline and we intend to keep working to get the pipeline built.

AFJ -Please briefly lay your specific Plans of Action down on our table: a. Economy Our government is supporting good jobs in a more diverse economy and our plan is working – with 90,000 new full-time jobs created last year alone. Our government is standing up for everyday Albertans and getting rid of government waste – like public golf memberships for conservative insiders. Jason Kenny wants to give a huge tax giveaway to the richest Albertans and pay for it with cuts to frontline services. We are diversifying our markets, we are building new pipelines, and we are supporting key industries – like green tech & construction. Whereas, Jason Kenny is more focused on promoting himself and cheering for the province to fail than he is on Albertan’s priorities.

Wages are up. Average weekly earnings are at its highest level since the recession and highest in the country. We know that there is still a way to go but it is clear that our plan is working and things are looking up – Jobs are up, Manufacturing is up, exports are up, and small business confidence is up.

b. Employment Our government is working hard every day to make life better for working Albertans and their families. And we have made reasonable changes that will make life more affordable by ensuring that workplaces are fair, safe and that people can earn enough money to look after themselves and their families. We have followed through on our promise to phase in a $15 minimum wage, so people don’t have to go from their jobs to the food bank. We modernized our province’s WCB and OHS systems to strengthen worker’s rights and to ensure that all Alberta workplaces are safe and that families can feel confident that their loved ones will come home at the end of their shift. c. Racism or Discrimination As someone that came into his country as a refugee, this issue is very close to my heart. Our diversity is our strength. I am proud to be a member of a government that recognizes the impacts of racism and is fighting every single day to make sure all Albertans feel safe and welcome. We introduced the $2 million Anti-Racism Community Grant Program.

Albertans from all walks of life should not only feel welcome but celebrated. For that reason, our government declared June to be Philippine Heritage Month as a way to celebrate and recognize the many ways in which Filipinos have enriched our province and strengthened the fabric of our communities. d. Health and Sanitation Our government is focused on

Albertans’ priorities as we work to make life better. All Albertans deserve access to high quality, public healthcare. While the UCP wants to privatize health care, we believe health care should be based on medical need – not the size of your wallet. We are transforming how primary care is delivered in Alberta. We are building new hospitals, investing in our paramedics and ensuring nurses are at the bedside when Albertans need them. We have increased home care and community care. e. Traffic Through the toughest recession in years we made an historic investment in infrastructure that repaired and built our key transportation networks while creating good jobs.

A good transportation network is essential to a strong economy, and we are making investments in roads and bridges that help create jobs and diversify our economy. We are making sure that this recovery is built to last.

We are expanding the Southwest Anthony Henday and investing in the Calgary Ring Road, the Green Line and the Edmonton Valley Line to help Albertans spend less time commuting and more time doing what they want to do – like spending time with their families. With Transportation’s construction program, we are creating an estimated 18,140 jobs across the province. f. Infrastructure The previous government refused to build much needed schools and hospitals and Albertans suffered because of it. Our government Continued on page 15 ►

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

8

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

EDITOR'S NOTE | AFJ'S STAFF | POINTS OF VIEW

EDITOR’S CORNER

“It is better to do the right thing than to explain why we did it wrong.”

-Tony Blair

Lito Mendoza Velasco

“It is never too late to do the right thing.” -Nicholas Sparks

“It is never wrong to do the right thing.” -Mark Twain

CLEAR THE AIR THIS NEW YEAR

T

his quotation parade has afarreaching influence in every soul.

Everybody needs to be guided by any precepts of his choice in order to live better and live on.

The first quotation seems to imply perfection in the sense that one has to always be reminded of a specific maxim or standard. This is good for those who have been well equipped with a good quality of education or familial orientations. Tantamount to the saying that “doing the right thing is the only way not to fail.”

While it is true that nobody is perfect, it is also true that every mistake can be corrected. It is always better to expect what is reasonable; not what is perfect. Never expect perfection from an imperfect man because you yourself are imperfect.

The 2018 Controversies Many a few had just flown over our consciousness yet buried into oblivion by some who just took care of their own welfare.

Manifold beliefs hovered in the air and made people not only adhered to but stuck because of the pseudopsychology. Some even believed that numbers have an akin relationship or relevance with the rising and falling writing styles and strokes.

That, number 8 in 2018 would have been the luckiest year for them for the last swing of the pen, when hand written, goes upward. OMG, how can you believe in that when you happen to have very intimidating and kinda discriminating bosses,

JANUARY 2019 managers, supervisors, or leaders(as mentioned in one of the columns here)? How can you adhere to that idea when you bought a product or services that you didn’t enjoy or were even able to physically witness or watch?

What happened to some events that were unjustifiably cancelled?

Were the problems and solutions properly addressed and met?

People! People of goodwill!

People of God! Filipino People!

Hello! Please wake up fellows! Never ever, once again, copy the mistakes of the past. Learn a lesson rather than unjustly earn.

Resolution Eradicating the erroneous past and highlighting the corrections for future benefits. Contemplate on the numbers of rising from the ditch rather than on the numbers of instances you fell and failed. Learn the process of reforming oneself: With a contrite heart and mind, try to examine your conscience, accept your mistakes, approach those who were affected by your misdemeanour and ask for forgiveness.

Once forgiven, then forgive yourself and make amends—be changed. It is not too late to be reformed. It’s a New Year!

Filipinavigation RIANA TORREJON

Published by Angeles Publishing Company Inc. 246 Lindsay Crescent, Edmonton, Alberta T6R 2T2 Jose L. Angeles Publisher / Chief Operating Officer Sales & Advertising CP: 780-916-7677 Landline: 780-988-8889 Fax: 780-988-2221 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com Lito Mendoza Velasco Editor-in-Chief / Associate Publisher 780-655-5126 editor@albertafilipinojournal.com Melanie Rose Atizado Angeles Administrator / Office Manager Sales & Advertising 780-993-5503 mangeles@albertafilipinojournal.com Lianne Angeles Proofreader l Contributing Writer Melanie C. Gomez Website / Graphic Designer Photographers/Videographer: Moses Billacura, Noli Granado, Dario Juanillo Columnists: Marjorie Carmona-Newman, Tito S. Venida Ida Beltran-Lucila, Katrina Marielle U. Cereno Kristian Cereno, Marco Luciano, Moses Billacura Mervin Mendoza Cereno, Nicky Gocuan Giselle General, Perry Diaz Contributing Writers: Januel Cedrick Ibasco, Fr. Nilo Belvis Macapinlac, Riana Torrejon, Fr. Jhack Diaz, Salve Asis, Rachelle Cruz 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

torrejonriana@gmail.com Riana Torrejon is a twelfth-grade student who is a passionate advocate for human rights.

In her spare time, she loves to write and sing. She also runs her school’s Student Council, chairs for ECSD’s Student Senate, and is an actress for Emma the Musical. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of her greatest inspirations.

Love at Our Core

H

ow do we respond to those whom we feel have wronged us?

I recently read some wise words that I’d like to share with all of you: “as you care less about what others think of you, you will care more about what others think of themselves and their worlds, including their relationship with you. You’ll no longer build your emotional life on other people’s weaknesses. In addition, you’ll find it easier and more desirable to change because there is something—some core deep within—that is essentially changeless.”

This made me think back to my experience of being bullied. It was one of the toughest things I’ve had to endure, but it has allowed me to see how love is present even when we feel that it has left us. I had people to lean on when life felt unbearable. Love was there from my family, friends, and activities which I loved, such as singing or volunteering. While there are people who push you down, there are also

those who will unconditionally love you. Our response to care for one another is how we make the community stronger.

Today, I recall my bullies and I feel so sorry that they held so much anger inside of their hearts. This anger that manifested into bullying must have been such a heavy load to carry. I think that what we pick apart about others must be what we criticize ourselves for as well. I only got my bullies for the school day, but they had to live with this fault-finding voice within them when they went home. I hope that they all found their peace.

We cannot control how others act toward us, but we can decide on our reaction. After being bullied, I decided to do what I could to ensure that school was a better place in which friendship and community could be fostered. I volunteered, sat with those that were alone at lunch, and eventually, I helped run the school student council to hold many events such as dances, where I hoped the fun experiences could

help people meet and become friends.

As with all things, we should treat others with empathy. When someone has wronged you, utilize what is in your immediate circle of influence in order to respond.

Read the reality to not only see what you’d like to happen, but also what needs to happen. What outcome optimally benefits everyone in the ways they need?

Many small acts set with the intent to help do add up. Trust that you are guided as you give your best for, with the right mindset, the right doors will open in due time.

This Valentine’s day, let us focus on what we can be for both ourselves and others. Let us be less judgmental of others, and instead, use our analytical skills to decide how we can best help those in troubling circumstances. Let us boast less about our accomplishments and, rather, share our skills with those in need to make the best use of them. Replace saying “I have to” in life, and begin your sentences with “I get to,” instead.

At your core, you are capable of so much love, which impacts others in more positive ways than we can often imagine. True and sincere love is the core which remains unshaken.

ADVERTISE WITH US 780-916-7677 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA

OPINION | IMMIGRATION

JANUARY 2019

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

SGF Travel and Tours has not completely refunded unused tickets SGF Travel and Tours of Halifax, Nova Scotia, the promoter of the Jose Marie Chan Concert in Edmonton and Calgary last December 8 and 9 is still under fire. This is after they failed to completely refund the unused tickets which they allegedly oversold for the concert.

The sit-down dinner concert event was held at the Royal Palace in Edmonton where there is a maximum capacity of 800. Many ticket holders were not able to sit down and even have their dinner because the place was already overcrowded. Most of the ticket holders and event sponsors who were supposed to have a table had to leave because they had no place to sit. Based on reliable sources, the organizers only ordered one full-size roast pig and the two other full-size roast pigs were donated by a sponsor. How can three roast pigs feed 800 people? In her Facebook post, Sarah Goching Febra of SGF Travel denied that they oversold

NICKY GOCUAN ngocuan@yahoo.com

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

tickets and has promised to refund the tickets, giving priority to those that they signed during the event. It is not clear as to how she is going to refund tickets that were not signed.

The biggest question is if they really did not oversell tickets, why did the same problem occur in both Edmonton and Calgary?

You cannot just organize an event and not have proper procedures in place if things fail.

As organizers, SGF Travel and Tours failed to deliver a service to people who bought tickets for the Dinner Concert event and should refund ticket holders of unused tickets. What bothers me most is that how they could organize an event here since they do not even have an office in Alberta. Do they have an Alberta Business License?

If yes, under what address?

The failure of SGF Travel and

Work Experience After Studies

I

had a consultation with an International Student who just completed his program from a Designated Learning Institution in Edmonton. His question was regarding the eligibility of work experience obtained after completing his program. He has a valid study permit, finished his studies in June and received his letter confirming completion of a program from the institution in August. He applied for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) in August. He wantedto know if he can work full-time or part-time from June to August before he applied for his PGWP and if this work experience is eligible for the Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class?

To the first question: Full-time or part-time?

The student can only work part-time from the time he has completed the program to the time he receives the letter confirming completion of the program.

As per Section s.186 (v) of the regulation which states as follows: [A foreign national can work without a work permit] (v) if they are the holder of a study permit and (i) they are a full-time student enrolled at a designated learning institution as defined in section 211.1, (ii) the program in which they are enrolled is a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program, or a vocational training program at the secondary level offered in Quebec, in each case, of a duration of six months or more that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate, and (iii) although they are permitted to engage in full-time work during a regularly scheduled break between

From Migration to Immigration MARJORIE CARMONA NEWMAN info@mcncanadaimmigration.com 780-758-2045

Marjorie Carmona Newman is a REGULATED CANADIAN IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT based in Edmonton, Alberta. She previously served as Prairie Chapter representative for the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) in the Governance and Nomination Committee and Education Director. Marjorie is a three-year recipient of CAPIC's Service Award.

academic sessions, they work no more than 20 hours per week during a regular academic session

Labour Market Impact Assessment) or a study permit extension or enrolled in a subsequent program of study

The language of the regulation doesn’t make it clear on exactly when the work authorization terminates. However, the guideline Study permits: Off-campus work published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides us with some guidance:

They may work until the first date they receive written confirmation of program completion from their educational institution (for instance, an email, a letter, a transcript or a diploma), provided their study permit remains valid during this period. If the study permit becomes invalid [as per R222] before the student receives the notification of program completion from their institution, the student must cease working the day the study permit becomes invalid.

Off-campus work and completion of a program of studies Students who have not applied for a subsequent study or work permit or a program of study Students may work off campus on a part-time basis if the following applies: • they meet the eligibility criteria to work off campus [R186(v)] • they have completed the final academic requirements for their program of study but have not yet received written confirmation of program completion from their institution (for instance, a transcript, an official letter or an email) • they have not applied for a work permit (for instance, a post-graduation work permit or a work permit with a valid

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

Once a student receives written confirmation of program completion from their institution, they are no longer authorized to continue to work in Canada, as they no longer meet the eligibility criteria in paragraph R186(v). They should apply to change their status (for instance, to visitor status) or leave Canada before their study permit becomes invalid as per section R222.

Given that the student only received the letter in August, then he would have been able to work part-time until that time. However, he would’ve been able to work full-time

Tours has affected a lot of local promoters who do business and hold office in Alberta. It is high time that I challenge our Legislators to put in legislation that will protect the interest of businesses in Alberta. ***** Talking about the interest of consumers, a nice example would be home builders. If you have a new house being built by a home builder, inmost cases they normally use the same subcontractors. And because they are on a per-project contract, these subcontractors do their best to finish it quickly.

Because of this, you will see a lot of cosmetic problems in newly built homes. If you try to complain about it, you will be surprised that cosmetic issues are not covered under your home warranty. In short, you paid for something you are not getting a guarantee on. So why is cosmetic not included when you paid for it?

How much does it cost to repaint

once he submitted his application for a PGWP. This is because of s.

186(w) of the regulations, which states: [A foreign national can work without a work permit] (w) if they are or were the holder of a study permit who has completed their program of study and (i) they met the requirements set out in paragraph (v), and (ii) they applied for a work permit before the expiry of that study permit and a decision has not yet been made in respect of their application.

As per Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada’s website: You can work full-time while waiting for a decision on your post-graduation work permit application if, at the time you submitted your application, you: • had a valid study permit, • had completed your program of study, • were eligible to work off-campus without a permit, and • did not work off-campus more than 20 hours a week during academic sessions.

Second question: Is the work experience eligible for the Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class?

NO. Full-time work experience obtained by students while they are engaged in full-time studies is not eligible for CEC because of the following: • s. 87.1(3)(a) of the Regulations, which states: (a) any period of employment during which the foreign national was engaged in full-time study shall not be included in calculating a period of work experience [for CEC] • Section 15 of the Ministerial Instructions respecting the Express Entry system, which states:

9

your walls if the builders did not do it properly? There needs to be a review on how people get home warranty because buying a home is one of the biggest investments of their life. On top of that investment, people don’t need the extra aggravation of having to fix issues when something is not done right. What is the Provincial Government and City of Edmonton doing to stop this problem? Paging Premier Rachel Notely and Mayor Don Iveson. How come new homes are getting City approval stickers when their floors are squeaking, or they are not screwed to the jolts? ****** Going back to the Jose Mari Chan concert, there was allegedly a lady who told a sponsor to leave their table and used the words “You Filipinos”in a condescending manner.

What bothers me is that this lady is Filipina. This was a remark that was not necessary at a Filipino Concert Event or anywhere, for that matter.

I was surprised to hear why that individual reacted the way she did.

My column is open to them if they feel the need to give us their side on what happened.

(7) […] (a) a period of employment during which the foreign national was engaged in full-time study is not to be included in calculating a period of work experience [for CEC] • IRCC’s Program Delivery Instructions, “Canadian Experience Class selection criteria - Qualifying work experience”, which state: Any period of employment when the applicant was engaged in full-time study will not be included in calculating the period of qualifying work experience (e.g., work experience gained through co-op work permits, off-campus work permits while a full-time student and on-campus work permits).

If you have questions regarding the above article you may contact Marjorie at info@mcncanadaimmigration.com

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Immigration Refugee and Protection Act and Immigration Refugee Protection Regulations.

A word of caution: You should not act or rely on the information provided in this column. It is not legal advice. To ensure your interests are protected, retain or formally seek advice from an immigration lawyer or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant in good standing of ICCRC. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the lawyers or immigration consultants.

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

10

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

ACTIVISM | COMMUNITY

My Little Monkeys I t’s January 2019. Perhaps we should act and relate with one another as if we were living in the present day. What am I talking about? I’m talking about Canada’s race problem. Last month, racism came close to home, to the Filipino community. A supervisor from Alberta Health called her Filipino staff “My Little Monkeys”. One staff member, Lito Velasco asked his fellow co-workers if they wanted to bring the issue to their union. They refused.“She already apologized naman na, bro,”one of them said. Velasco is an active union member and a leader in the Filipino community.

He is also the Editor-In-Chief of this community paper.

Velasco went to his union representative and he was told, “If you have no proof about that, I suggest you just don’t bring that up because that would be resulted to [sic] termination”.

He continued, “My steward also told me that all of us will be terminated in the event we failed [sic] to provide proofs [sic] and for propagating such an allegation”.

On December 31st Evelyn Holowach, the supervisor involved, sent a letter to her staff saying that one of her team members took offence to her comment “My Little monkey”.“This was only meant in a fond manner and was not meant to insult anyone,”she added.

Racism in Canada Canada may be a land of immigrants, but it is not a country open to just any migrants and refugees. The waves of migration have corresponded with the economic, political and ideological needs of Canada — relatively open when the system is in expansion or in a period of growth and repressive and closed when in crisis, as it currently is. And this reflects the general ideas of white middle class Canadians.

In Alberta, during the height of the crackdown of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program,groups such as Canadians Against the Temporary Foreign Worker Program started to spontaneously organize. This came out when the Alberta economy spiraled downwards. While they were critical of the TFW Program, they are also going after workers,

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

which consisted mostly Filipinos for “stealing Canadian jobs”.

In particular, here are some historical examples of racism and the migrant and immigrant experience in Canada: First was the Chinese experience. Original Chinese settlers, mostly poorer peasants from southern China first arrived in the 19th century.

When the Canadian government decided to build a cross-Canada railway, it went in search of cheap, hardworking labour. Thousands of Chinese were brought in to build the most difficult and dangerous sections through the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It was said that at least one worker died for every mile of track laid. When the railway was completed, the government decided it no longer wanted the Chinese and imposed a Head Tax on Chinese wanting to migrate to Canada. This was raised to $500 by 1904, which totaled to $23 million taken from the Chinese immigrants through the Head Tax. It was also documented that the Canadian government gave $23 million to the Canadian Pacific Railways to help build the railway — that would mean that the Chinese not only built the railway across Canada, they helped pay for it. Other Asian communities have also faced racism and discrimination.

The Japanese in Canada had all their properties and belongings removed from them during WWII, simply because they were of Japanese descent. In truth, many of them

had been born in Canada and had never even been to Japan. Sikhs escaping discrimination at home attempted to land on the West coast of Canada in the early 20th century, only to be turned away with many dying as they head back to their country as a result.

Racism is, of course, not unique to immigrants and refugees. There’s an overwhelming sense of racism against the indigenous peoples, the supposed caretakers of the Turtle Island or what we know as Canada. Even Filipinos have their own discriminatory biases against First Nations people. They oftentimes parrot the populist conservative rhetoric that “these people are lazy and drunk”.

As Canada goes deeper into the economic crisis, migrants, immigrants and refugees will be scapegoats who will be blamed for the crisis. The populist knee jerk reaction would be “close the borders”

or “stop immigration”. It was support for this train of through that won ultra conservative politicians like USA’s Donald Trump, Ontario’s Doug Ford, Quebec’s François Legault the election. I would not be surprised if that same message takes Jason Kenny to office next

election. They attract the popular racist message. Are Filipinos going to allow this?

Filipino diaspora and racism “Monkeys” or “Little Monkeys” have been commonly used as a racial slur. The children’s popular rhyme “five little monkeys jumping on the bed” has its racist roots. According to one website, the early version used the “N word” or “darkies”. Monkeys continue to be used as an offensive referent to Black people.

Filipinos have been called many things as well. “Tailless monkeys” was originally used by American soldiers in the Philippines from the time of the American colonization until the time when the Americans were stationed in Subic Naval Base.

And then there is “FLIP” which was also traced to the times of the American colonization. It stands for “Fuc**n’ Little Island People”.

Another American military slang was LBFM, which was used in reference to Filipinas or Asian females as “Little Brown Fuc***g Machine”. And there are many more racial slurs Filipinos at home and abroad are called.

The first generation Filipinos pride themselves on being hard workers. However, Filipinos in general are being stereotyped to perform specific roles in different countries– most of which are considered low-skillor low-wage work or employment. In Canada, the general population sees Filipinas as nannies. It is true that many Filipinos came to Canada under the Live-in Caregiver Program over the last twenty-five years. We are also seen as McDonalds or Tim Hortons’ workers, who arrived in the last fifteen. However, these are not the only professions that define us.

This generation of Filipinos in Canada are more conservative and passive in dealing with their own experiences in racism. Often the attitudes were “bahala na” or “it’s ok, we’re only immigrants here”. There’s the “magpasalamat nalang tayo (let’s just be thankful)”, the famous “Bahala na ang diyos sa kanila (God will take care of them)” and of course the response of one of Velasco’s coworkers when he asked to take the issue to their

JANUARY 2019 union, “Wag na, nag-sorry nanaman (it’s ok she already said she’s sorry)”.

These attitudes are very deeply and ingrained in colonial roots. If the role was reversed and Velasco said something discriminatory to Ms. Holowach and he said sorry afterwards, do you think she would let Velasco go that easy? Velasco sited an example “eh bat ako pag nagkamali, kahit nag apologize na ako sa kanya, makakatanggap pa rin ako ng demand letter from her and HR (If I made a mistake and apologized I would still receive a demand letter from her and HR).”

These attitudes also reflect the limited number of documented cases of racism in the community. There are not many-reported incidents of racism in the Filipino community.

Many fear the backlash and stigma that is attached to it. When searched online, there were more articles that show how Filipinos are racist. Again, Filipinos tend to copy the attitudes and language of their colonizers. Thus, the term “colonial mentality” is very much present in the Filipino discourse.

Ending Racism Racism is an ideological and political concept that considers that some are higher on the developmental and intelligence scale than others — it is an offshoot of the class system and has been developed to explain, theorize and legitimize the colonization. It legitimizes the conquering of one race by another, of one people by another and controlling and exploitation of one country by another. For the Filipino diaspora, racism is an integral part of the process of migration. Racism was at the heart of the system of colonialism and semi-colonialism that subjugated the majority of the people of the world to the prescriptions of a few northern countries. In Canada, racism also guides Canadian foreign policies around migration and immigration and it is also used as a divide-and-rule tactic once migrants have entered the country, leading them to work in homes, in the fast food industry or factories.

Understanding the causes of migration and the nature of the capitalist system is key to helping empower migrants and immigrants oppose racism and racist laws and policies. It will not, however, be eradicated as long as the present global economic exploitative system continues to exist.

The initiative of the current NDP government is a good step in addressing the issue of racism.

The comprehensive plan started by immediately creating an advisory committee that will continue to work for the advocacy and a grant to communities to support their anti-racism projects.

Meanwhile, the issue at Velasco’s work is far from resolved. Asked how he felt when he heard of the incident, he said “It was not said in my presence, but I really felt bad! I felt discriminated! I felt disrespected”. He is determined to pursue the issue “to defend those who cannot assert their rights”.

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

JANUARY 2019

POINTS OF VIEW | IMMIGRATION CONSULTANCY SERVICES

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

11

Embarking on the New Year 2019 JAN THE MAN’S NOTE JANUEL CEDRICK IBASCO Januel Cedrick Ibasco is a proud Filipino-Canadian and is currently a student at the University of Alberta studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation. Sportsmanship is a big slice of his cake. He is highly-spirited when playing golf, volleyball, and basketball and loves reading, writing and volunteering at church. Jan looks forward to taking up law after his undergraduate degree.

W

ith 2018 now an embodiment of the past, I do believe it is important to reflect on the past year to take the time to realize what we have all endured to assist in creating a positive outlook for 2019. A reflection of the past year can be an in-depth analysis or setting aside some time to ask yourself a few questions. Questions such as: How do I feel about the year 2018 in a macro perspective? (As we know, everyone endures ups and downs during any calendar year.)

Did I achieve the goals I set out and did I surpass them? Did I improve my health and wellness through the development of imperative habits?

Was I empathetic towards others and their situations/experiences?

Did I make an effort to be there for those I love? Did I check up on those going through a difficult time and offer support? Lastly, perhaps the most important question we should ask ourselves is, “Was I the best version of myself?”

All these questions are so important for us to think deeply about if we want to stay true to ourselves. It has only been a few weeks into 2019 but I do believe it is important to set out a few goals/ resolutions for self-improvement in all aspects of our lives and to achieve things we have always wanted. However, when we make these goals and embark on a new adventure in the next 12 months, it is important to set goals and resolutions not only for the year 2019, but for life. We often attack every year with a plan to achieve our resolutions in the first couple of weeks or months because of all the ‘New Year New Me’ excitement.

However, my hope for all of us is to achieve these resolutions to the point where these are instilled naturally into our day-to-day lives.

It is only then that we will know if we have conquered our resolutions and goals.

I believe that 2019 is going to be a big year for everyone. Though I am sure most of you have already created goals/resolutions for this upcoming year, I do have a few suggestions that you may be able to include in your list and might help you prosper over the course of your life.

1. Try something new. Whether it be a new hobby or changing one’s daily routine, by making an effort to experience things differently, you may change your view on life for the better.

2. Take care of yourself. In today’s

fast-moving society there is little time to recuperate and care for ourselves. Taking care of oneself can be illustrated in many ways such as reading a book, spending time with friends, exercise, and sleep.

3. Help others. You can do this by volunteering for an organization.

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

Alternatively, you could also donate a few non-perishable food items to the food bank.

4. TRY. We often do not expose ourselves to situations where we feel that we will not excel in because we are scared to make a mistake or fail. However, by embodying a growth mind set, this will allow us to pursue endeavours by putting our absolute heart into it, knowing that even if it does not work out, we will be pleased that we tried instead of not trying at all.

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

12

SPORTS | JOB FAIR | COMMUNITY

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

JANUARY 2019

Let’s cheer for Alvin Tam, basketbrawl in Calgary, Philippine Sports for Peace SPORTS JOURNAL MOSES BILLACURA mo.sports@gmail.com

Moses Billacura was a sports correspondent for national newspapers in the Philippines since 1992 and served as sports editor and columnist for a community paper before moving to Canada in 2010. He loves photography, manages pinoyedmontonnews.com and cheers for the Edmonton Oilers.

Alvin Tam of Calgary is scheduled to fight Mexican Rutilo Romero in the 2019 Dekada Contender on January 19 at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino in Calgary.

Tam scored a technical knockout win last year over Arturo Garcia Lujano of Mexico after losing three fights, first to Cuauhtemoc Vargas in 2013, Roody Pierre Paul in 2015 and Jesus Perez in 2017.

The former Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) featherweight champion hopes to score another win after training well this year.

“Ang plano po eh basta manalo at maganda ang maipakitang laban.

Ang knockout darating yan pag darating,” Tam, who is fighting as a lightweight, told the Filipino Journal.

If you are in Calgary, cheer for Alvin Tam! *** If you happen to see the post by ProAm Video Coverage YYC on YouTube on September last year, the "EPIC BRAWL FIGHT 2018!

Foggy vs Brook" in Calgary, it will break your heart.

I know, as Filipinos, we are very serious with our basketball games but I just could not imagine it can turn into an ugly fistfight. I thought we have adopted to the Canadian way of life, “cool ka lang” like our current weather, and that we can easily say “sorry”.

I was really sad when a basketball official showed it to me. It bothers me up to now.

In Alberta Province or in Canada as a whole, we Filipinos come here for greener pastures and we engage in sports because we would like to meet new friends and build friendships. Not enemies.

I’ve seen two basketball games here in Edmonton where some players lose their cool but not like the one ugly incident in Calgary.

In my years of basketball coverage and working closely with basketball officials in the Philippines, ugly incidents happen and so in the next leagues, it will become a warning to the organizing committee to prepare well for a potential basketbrawl.

The first way to prevent such incident is to make the players sign an agreement that if they be involved in a fight, they will be banned for life. Plain and simple. If you want to fight, don’t play basketball. Go to any combat sports.

Second, organizers should hire competent basketball referees because the way I look at it on YouTube, it was officiated by incompetent referees who cannot see, feel and discern a potential basketbrawl.

Third, it’s time for the FilipinoAlberta basketball community to come up with one unified basketball organization, similar to our Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) that

HIRE A STUDENT THIS SUMMER Overview

The Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) provides funding to eligible Alberta employers to hire high school or post-secondary students into summer jobs from May to August.

Funding and Wages

The Government of Alberta will provide an employer with a wage subsidy of $7 per hour for a minimum of 30 hours per week (on average) and a maximum of 37.5 hours per week.

June 15, 2019: Due date for submitting Student Hiring Application Form (Form B) August 31, 2019: Summer positions end

September 30, 2019: Due date for submitting Completion Forms (Form C)

Student

Phone: 780-414-1000

Edmonton.MillWoods@assembly.ab.ca 3448 93 St NW

ChristinaNDP

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

PBSA to draw up plans for 2019

May 1, 2019: Summer positions start

The wage subsidy is paid at the end of a student’s employment, once the employer has submitted a completed Form C.

MLA, Edmonton- Mill Woods

Happy New Year to all!

January 2019: STEP 2019 Opens Apply using Employer Application Form (Form A) February 8, 2019: STEP 2019 Closes April 2019: Students Hired Apply using Student Hiring Application Form (Form B)

Eligibility

Gray

happened then since 2016? A lot changes took place and the Sports for Peace/Children's Games have been supported. Kung wala si Mayor Digong, wala si Butch Ramirez sa PSC, so walang suporta sa sports for peace movement.

With Father Romy's new appointment, I look at this as a boost to the peace efforts through sports.

If you notice ladies and gentlemen, the PSC works closely with Church leaders and volunteers because the Chairman strongly believes that peace can be achieved through the conduct of sports activities. We are dreamers, true, yet we continue to pursue this dream and prayerfully, that someday, people will lay down their arms because their children, or grandchildren are actively engaged in sports.

We have to remember that this movement is for the long term and the leaders are very much aware of this. So, we have started planting the seeds years ago and we should cultivate it in the minds of the young Filipinos today that sports for peace is a way of life.

Let us continue to work for peace through sports, even beyond the terms of President Duterte and Chairman Ramirez.

Timeline

Employers are encouraged to pay an appropriate wage based on the type of position, but must pay at least minimum wage (currently $15.00 per hour) for a STEP employee.

Christina

sets amateur basketball development governance.

I know there are former professional basketball players and coaches who immigrated to Alberta Province who really, really know basketball.

They can help if sought for help by the various Filipino basketball league leaders in the province. Time to unify! *** News that Pope Francis has appointed Father Romeo Saniel of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) as apostolic administrator of the Vicariate of Jolo in southern Philippines warms my heart.

When Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez started the Sports for Peace Mindanao movement, Father Romy was one of the few who made the commitment, "for richer or for poorer".

You see, the Sports for Peace Mindanao, as a non-government organization just like any other NGOs, and its supporters don't have deep pockets (we can easily fund it, if we won the lotto, no problem).

And yet, it has conducted successful events benefiting the children affected by armed conflicts in Mindanao.

I believe that it was God's will that Mayor Digong will become President of the Republic. And what

Employer Small businesses (excluding franchises), Non-profit organizations, Public Libraries, School boards and more.

At least 15 years old A Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or protected person.

Returning to high school or a postsecondary institution no later than November 1 Not currently employed in the organization Not immediately related to the owners or staff responsible for hiring.

Contact STEP Phone: 1-780-638-4727

Email: step@gov.ab.ca www.alberta.ca/step.aspx

By Moses Billacura

Members of the Philippine Business Society of Alberta (PBSA) are drawing up plans of activities for this year.

PBSA president Celso Andrade of Sunfreight Cargo Forwarders said among the topics to be discussed in the next meeting are the upcoming Heritage Month celebrations in June and coordination of activities with the Philippine Consulate General’s Office in Calgary.

Andrade said they work closely with the Consulate’s office and extend whatever assistance the PBSA can give in the conduct of activities specially events that would benefit the Temporary Filipino

Workers (TFWs) in the province.

He said that the PBSA is also scheduled to turnover the cheque to the Red Cross after conducting a fund-raising event last year in coordination with the Consulate’s office for the victims of Typhoon Ompong in the Philippines. The PBSA members also volunteered at the Hope Mission last December 16.

Some PBSA officers, Andrade said, will also be joining the Consulateindorsed Winterscapade event of the Department of Tourism on January 28 to February 4 in Palawan and Batangas.

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

JANUARY 2019

SPORTS | PHILIPPINE POLITICS | IMMIGRATION CONSULTANCY SERVICES

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

13

Balasta scores winning basket I am serving, not campaigning: ex-SAP Go as Staggs stun Renerey Mart, 88 to 87 in Crosstown Auto-backed PSA League

By Moses Billacura

Staggs escaped with an 88-87 victory over Renerey Mart when Aldwin Balasta scored the winning basket with a lay-up with only one second left in the 2019 Philippine Sport Association Winter League, January 13, at the Trinity High School gym.

It looked like victory was on its

way for Renerey Mart when Jumel Olmo completed his free throw shots, 87-86 with 3.2 seconds remaining in the final quarter.

But a quick pass to Balasta made all the difference at the end.

Staggs leveled its record to five wins and five losses while Renerey Mart dropped to its third setback in 10 games.

Renerey Mart will face Ryan

Jose Lavapiez (No.22) of Staggs eludes Jumel Olmo (No.28) of Renerey Mart but finds himself being blocked by Eric De Leon (No.15) in the 2019 Philippine Sport AssociationCrosstown Auto Centre Winter League, January 13, at the Trinity High School gym.

Staggs won, 88-87.(Photo by Moses Billacura)

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

Paluca Mortgage, 78-74 winner over Simpurgo in the other game, for its next assignment.

Renerey’s Ian Gonzales was waxing hot, sinking six threepoint shots, 58-47, 5:18 in the third quarter but he could no longer find his range as Staggs came up with a better defense on him.

With Gonzales’ gun cooling off, Gian Jumilla, Jose Lavapiez and John Salamat turned things around for the Staggs as they slowly grabbed the lead, 70-66, 6:35 left in the fourth quarter.

Then a see-saw battle started from there.

Nathan Roguel of Renerey completed a three-point play to give Renerey back the lead, 85-84, 23 seconds remaining but Staggs’ Jumilla answered back with a jumper, 86-84, 12.5 left. Salamat was forced to foul Olmo who equalized the game with his first three throw, 86-all and eventually the lead with his second gift shot but Balasta’s layup nailed the victory for Staggs with only one second remaining.

The PSA League, backed

by Crosstown Auto Centre, is winding down with the final games set on January 27 at the Romero gym, according to PSA president Gary Perpetua.

Meanwhile, Perpetua said they will start their Spring League on March 9 and has received invitations to play in the Tri-City Invitational on April 6 in Red Deer and Calalo Invitational on May 18-19 in Calgary.

“We will prepare our teams and hopefully will score some big victories,” said Perpetua.

Alberta Filipino Journal photographer Moses Billacura took this photo of Bong Go, then Special Assistant to President Rodrigo R. Duterte, when he graced the opening of the Malasakit Center, September 23 last year, in Davao City.

MANILA -- Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said he is just keeping his promise to serve the people and President Rodrigo Duterte despite quitting his government post.

The former top presidential aide made the remark as he dismissed the accusation of detained Senator Leila de Lima of early campaigning.

"It is true that I still go with President Dutere from time to time. Mahal ko si Tatay Digong (Duterte's nickname).

Nangako po ako sa kanya na hindi ko siya pababayaan habang buhay pa ako (I love Tatay Digong. I promised him that I will be by his side for the rest of my life)," Go said in a statement late Friday.

De Lima earlier said that Go's actions are "akin to usurpation of authority, since someone else is supposed to have taken already his previous functions as SAP.” The detained senator also accused Go of using public funds for his early campaigning.

Go is seeking a Senate seat in the May 13 midterm elections.

"Kung sunod man ako ng sunod, ito ay dahil sa pangako ko sa kanya, sa pamilya niya at sa lahat ng nagmamahal sa kaniya. Hindi ito kawalan sa gobyerno dahil ginagawa ko ito sa personal ko na kapasidad. Walang pera ng gobyerno

na nasayang at walang drug money na ginamit (I am following him because this is a promise – to him, to his family, and to all those who love him. The government is not losing anything because I am doing this in my personal capacity. No government funds are wasted on me, and no drug money is used)," he explained.

Go also reiterated that he has friends who support his campaign.

“Marami akong mga kaibigan na naniniwala sa aking ipinaglalaban at tumutulong sa akin na maghatid ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan na nabiktima ng sunog at iba pang uri ng trahedya. Hindi ako katulad ni Senator de Lima na umano’y gumamit ng pondo galing sa mga drug lords para sa kanyang ambisyong politikal (I have many friends who believe in what I am fighting for and help me in serving people who are victims of fire and other calamities. I am not like Senator de Lima who has allegedly used funds from drug lords for her political ambition),” he said.

"Plano rin naming palakasin ang laban sa iligal na droga, kriminalidad at korapsyon -- mga bagay na prinotektahan ninyo noon (We also plan to strengthen the fight against illegal drugs, crime and corruption -- things that you used to protect in the past)," he added. (Philippines News Agency)

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

14

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

POINTS OF VIEW | PHILIPPINE SHOWBIZ

Quick Philippine Vacation Recap

T

his is written on the couch of our AirBnB accommodations in Baguio City, on the last night before we travel back to Edmonton. There’s a catch in my throat, which I would like to attribute more to my realizations about the trip, as opposed to a possible cough coming. Perhaps, despite living in a cold city all these years, I still should not have left my bedroom window open last night.

This visit fulfills a promise which I made in 2013, which was during my first visit after immigrating. I said we would try to visit about every five years or so. This was more compact and much more eventful.

We wanted to participate in the typical Christmas season activities with both sides of my family, and a cousin scheduled her wedding as well.

My bet is that through all my other types of artistic expression, community involvement, and living my day-to-day live outside of the Philippines, that themes and lessons will emerge and impact me for the rest of my life.

This trip has a theme of accepting things as they are, from the people, the natural environment, and the institutions. Half a decade is a long time, long enough to make comparisons between how things

GENERAL POINT OF VIEW GISELLE GENERAL

gqgeneral@gmail.com

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

have been and how they are now. It is enough time to see that in some ways, things had stayed the same from the perspective of a current

resident, and it’s just that I was the one who was not used to seeing things that way. From getting my bags inspected every single time

SHOW-MY Kumpirmado, Alden sa drama muna ilalagay

we enter a mall, to employees addressing us as Ma’am and Sir, to the relationship dynamics between my relatives. I had to remember that as a tropical country, bugs are around on a regular basis, and the warmth feels muggier by comparison, including places like Benguet.

Such a passage of time is enough to display physically as well. We were introduced to babies and kids we didn’t meet last time. Grandparents, uncles, cousins, and pets have shown marks of aging in their looks and actions. My former homes showed marks of decay, subtle crumbling, and peeling paint. We also squeezed in time to visit at least three cemeteries, to honour those who passed away between our visits.

This trip has a theme of mindfulness. The burden of guilt has not plagued me during this trip as badly, due to feeling more in tune with my needs, personality and reactions. I embraced taking half-day breaks in an already short vacation after an exhausting activity with relatives. This is important since my spouse and I are both introverts and need our quiet time.

Without being too aggressive about it, my significant other and I tried to support each other as we do allergy checks for all the food items

JANUARY 2019 we come across. As a bridesmaid in a Filipino-Catholic wedding, I had to explain to my Canadian spouse what was happening both before and during the wedding to ensure that he is aware, including the times I’m not sitting beside him amongst the crowd.

The two themes and lessons above do not have to be in contrast to criticizing or changing the problematic individual behaviours or social issues. I realize that the Philippines’ culture will make it take a longer time to have certain things legalized, but I feel optimistic that even subtle actions such as discussing the topic in a straightforward manner (instead of immediately reacting with disgust), can alleviate stigma about the topic. As a more tangible example, I realize that it’s difficult to drastically change the environmental impacts of garbage during a single Philippines visit but moving forward, I will use the reusable metal straw that my lovely cousin gave to me as a Christmas gift.

There are still unhealthy attitudes that are attributed to the Philippine culture, but personally not engaging in those behaviours can perhaps slowly make these fade away, one person at a time.

Next time I visit, I will be in my 30’s, oh my! How will things change from then, including my perspective on how I interpret things? There’s only one way to find out.

Kelsey kinaiinggitan, kahangout lang si ZaC Efron

January 15, 2019 - Drama

SALVE ASIS

(Pilipino Star Ngayon)

raw talaga ang susunod na project ni Alden Richards sa GMA 7.

Pahinga raw muna ito sa action ayon sa isang insider ng GMA 7 lalo na nga’t katatapos pa lang ng Victor Magtanggol.

Ito diumano ang napagdesisyunan ng management group ng actor.

Action-action daw kasi ang Descendants... so same genre na with Victor Magtanggol na kinawawa ng bashers dahil nga iba ang naging leading lady ni Alden na hindi naman naapektuhan ang actor dahil walang pinagbago sa career niya sa kabila nang pang-ookray sa kanya.

January 16, 2019 - Trending kahapon

Heart bibida sa China Rich...

May title na ang sinasabing pelikulang sini-shooting ni Heart Evangelista sa China. Ito raw ay base sa libro ni Kevin Kwan na sequel ng Crazy Rich Asians na China Rich Girlfriend na isa ring best seller ayon sa ilang hula-hula.

Isang buwan nga kasing magtatrabaho sa China si Heart na nauna naming nasulat. Pero ayaw niyang January 11, 2019 -

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

magsalita o maging ang mga taong malalapit sa kanya kung anong trabaho ba talaga ang pinagkakaabalahan nito sa naturang bansa.

Kahapon sa kanyang IG account ay nag-update si Heart na “As I take a look at this wonderful city skyline, I take a breath and give thanks for all that has been, all that is, and all that will be. Living every day with a grateful heart,” sabi niya habang nakatingin sa labas ng bintana ng kanyang hotel sa China.

Nga pala, natawa ako sa comment ng ibang followers niya nang punahin nila kung bakit

naka-skinny jeans si Sen. Chiz Escudero nang makipag-dinner sila sa Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines. “Last night’s dinner with the Ambassador of China to the Philippines, His Excellency Zhao Jianhua. Thank you for hosting such a wonderful dinner,” sabi ni Heart.

At nakita sa photo na nakaskinny jeans nga ang mister niyang magtatapos na ang termino sa senado. Mabilis ang followers, tanong agad nila ay kung bakit daw kailangan talagang nakaskinny jeans ang pulitiko.

ang Hollywood actor na si Zac Efron at Pinay Victoria Secret model Kelsey Merritt.

Ito ay dahil sa sunud-sunod na IG story ng Pinay VS model na girlfriend ng American Olympic medalist na si Conor Dwyer.

Obvious na super close ang Hollywood actor sa BF ni Kelsey na swimmer, casual-casual ang pagha-hang out nila kasama ang actor at ilang friends pa ng BF ni Kelsey.

Maririnig pa sa video ang mga halakhak ni Kelsey kung saan pinagtatawanan nila ang isang maliit na crab na dala ni Zac na tinatakbuhan naman ng Olympic medalist habang nasa isang place.

Kaya naman marami agad naiinggit kay Kelsey. Casually hanging out nga naman daw ito sa actor.

Sa Mexico nag-celebrate ng birthday ang boyfriend ng model kasama ang mga kaibigan including nga ang Greatest Showman actor.

Mabilis ngang sumikat ang Pinay model simula nang makarampa siya sa VS fashion show.

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

JANUARY 2019

POLITICS | GOVERNMENT | BUSINESS

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

15

From page 7

Alberta Filipino Journal conducted an exclusive interview with Hon. Rod Loyola... has embarked on the biggest infrastructure build in our province’s history. We have put shovels in the ground on nearly 300 transportation projects, more than 100 school projects, plus post-secondary and health facilities that are putting Albertans back to work. As of September, there were 316 major capital projects underway ($5 million or more) including: 114 school projects, 69 road and bridge projects, like the Southwest Calgary Ring Road, 33 Seniors and Housing projects and 32 major health facility projects g. Local/National Security Every Albertan deserves to feel safe in their home, on their streets and in their community. Protecting Albertans’ safety and providing a fair, efficient justice system is one of the first duties of government, and it’s one that we take very seriously.

We provide over $500 million for municipal and provincial policing services throughout Alberta. We are implementing a seven-point rural crime strategy, which will put boots on the ground where they are needed most. h. Education We’re focused on the priorities of regular Albertans, like making sure our kids have great schools.

During the worst recession in 40 years, we protected education – building schools and investing in classrooms. We have made life better for parents by cutting school fees and introducing our school nutrition program. We froze post-secondary tuition rates, and put 3,600 new teachers and support workers in classrooms. i. Immigration (Provincial Nominee Program) Immigrants are a valued part of our province’s workplaces and communities and are crucial to the ongoing success of our province.

We know that many employers and workers felt that the old Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program was too complicated and slow. We fixed that. We opened the program to more skills and occupations, we’ve removed income thresholds to make it easier to apply, and we streamlined the applications. Our changes now mean simplified applications, faster processing times, and more fairness for those on the path to permanent residency.

While our government is making life better for families when the conservative leader was in Ottawa, he went out of his way to make it harder for families to come and settle here. Jason Kenney was responsible for changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program that forced the removal of thousands of Filipino TFWs from Canada and made it almost impossible for others to become permanent residents. TFWs can only work for 4 years and had to go back home and wait another 4 years to reapply as a TFW. Jason Kenney made it harder and more expensive for grandparents to reunite with families in Canada, longer time for immigrants to acquire citizenship, and accumulated a build-up of citizenship applications.

AFJ - Among these mentioned social issues, which is closer to your interest and in line with your existing programs? Do you like to add more, or do you like to re-arrange them according to your own set of priorities?

Health and Education are the key social issues for me because quality education and responsive health care system are key to the prosperity of Alberta and its families. Since 2015 we’ve made those two areas priorities in our budgeting, and the investment is

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

showing. It has taken time to get to where we are today, but our plans are working and Alberta is seeing the benefit. Our opponents have stated before that they would make massive cuts to these critical areas in Albertans’ lives, and they know they’ll hurt, but they don’t seem to care as long as it balances the budget. We don’t believe that’s fair.

I would like to add Status of Woman to this. Our government is leading by example with a gender-balanced cabinet; we’re keeping our promise by increasing the minimum wage; we’ve increased funding for women’s shelters and passed a law to make it easier for those fleeing domestic violence. We’ve also created and expanded a $25-a-day child care program, helping more women enter or stay in the workforce. We will continue to listen to women and take action to advance equality and opportunity here in Alberta.

There is a long way to go but I am glad we are taking steps in the right direction.

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

16

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

MEDIA PARTNERS | COMMUNITY

JANUARY 2019

Benjie Lindo Live Updates finds a 'home' Social media specialist Benjie Lindo has found a new home to promote Filipino community events. The “Benjie Lindo Live Updates” will have its own studio where his guests can announce their events and share information to his viewers.

Photos by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal

RADYO SA DYARYO: Magkatulong Sa Pamamahayag At Pag-Aliw Sa Lipunang Pilipino

Ang Tahanan ng OPM-Himig Pinoy-101.7 World FM ay masusubaybayan mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes, 5-6 PM.

Samantala, naabot na rin ng Alberta Filipino Journal ang 94.7 FM-Tala luv’z Radio sa Calgary upang makatuwang na rin sa magkaparehong adhikain.

Sinasaliwan ng musikang sariling atin ang pagtatagni-tagni ng mga Mapapakinggan tuwing Huwebes sa ganap na ikabalitang pang-masa, pagbalangkas sa mga makabuluhang dagdag pito hanggang ika-walo ng gabi. kaalaman, at makatarungang pagpuna sa mga kamalian.

Bukas-palad ang Alberta Filipino Journal sa pagtataguyod ng panlipunang pagtututungan upang isaayos ang relasyon ng bawat-isa dito sa bansang ating dinayuhan.

DJ Mia with Mr. and Mrs. Rudy and Lori Solleza of Sweet Creations.

Victoria Atienza, DJ Mia, Christina Gray-Member of the Legislative AssemblyEdmonton Millwoods and Minister of Labor.

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

DJ Mia supports Pinoy kids Hockey forward players of Team KC (Knights of Columbus) meet Hunter, Ryan & Mark #proudlyPinoy.

DJ Mia is with Jean De Jesus, Miss Fire DJ Jo-Ann, Dr. Josie Pallard of Changing 2018 Philippines.

Together, DJ Mia

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

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL'S SNAP GLANCE AT 2018

JANUARY 2019

Rian is Wayne Gretzky Awardee JANUARY 2018

Promoting Philippine Tourism FEBRUARY 2018

Karilagan Dance Society Celebrates 47 Years APRIL 2018

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

Alberta Legislature to Declare June as Philippine Heritage Month MARCH 2018

Filipino Designers Introduce A Different Fashion at WCFC

COPAA celebrates 120th Philippine Independence Day

MAY 2018

Jean Nicole Crowned Miss Fire Philippines 2018

17

Karilagan Competes in the World Dance Competition at Disneyworld

JUNE 2018

TWO SIDES OF THE COIN: Both vying for the truth!

AUGUST 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018

A Bigger and Better Royal Alberta Museum Opens

Premier Notley meets with Filipino community

JULY 2018

OCTOBER 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

DECEMBER 2018

Philippine Heritage Month In Canada: One Shift-Gear Ahead!

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

18

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

POLITICS

JANUARY 2019

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

JANUARY 2019

FUNDRAISING PROJECT COMMUNITY

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

19

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

20

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

BUSINESS

JANUARY 2019

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

JANUARY 2019

GREETINGS | POINTS OF VIEW | BUSINESS

Isang Mapagpalayang Bagong Taon Sa Inyo Minamahal Naming Kababayan!

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

21

Resources for Helping Youth and Young Adults

By Giselle General

T

he teenage phase and young adult phase of someone’s life are very important life stages. With these come different pressures, challenges and expectations, compounded by physical, psychological changes that happen to someone from the inside.

Below are some resources that can help navigate the struggles that come with gradually transitioning into adulthood, since riding through the changes can help lead to a productive, fulfilling life from adulthood and beyond.

Resources for Mental Health for Youth 1. Starfish Family Resources: Family separation and divorce, death in the family, and any other major life changes can cause distress to youth as they adjust to their new circumstances. Starfish Family Resources assists children, teens and families with moving forward through major life transitions, by supporting appropriate programs and acting as a hub for related resources. Their website is http:// www.starfishfamilyresources. org/ and their phone number is 780-448-1180.

2. Kids Help Phone Mental Health Crisis: Having someone to talk to in an anonymous and immediate manner can help a youth who is experiencing a moment of need, such as wanting to self-harm, if they are having suicidal thoughts, or feel isolated. The younger generation is more tech-savvy now, so a resource like Kids Help Phone can help by giving access to free, direct counseling. Their website is https://kidshelpphone.ca/ where the online chat can be accessed. They

also have an app called “Always There”, and a text line that can be reached by texting CONNECT to 686868.

Resources for Teen Parents 1. Terra Centre for Teen Parents: Becoming a parent as a teen or young adult usually occurs unexpectedly, and it can be a difficult time for the new parents, the baby and other family members involved. Terra Centre provides support for teen moms and dads to help navigate the challenges of caring for anew baby such as meeting basic needs, employment, counseling, legal issues, and more. Their website is https://terracentre.ca/ and their phone number is 780-428-3772.

2. Alberta Health Services Health for Two: Health for Two is a free program for women who need extra support to have a healthy pregnancy, which can be a challenge for teenagers or young adults due to unstable situations in their lives.

Various things are provided,such as educational information to stay healthy, resources including milk coupons, prenatal vitamins, and bus

tickets for medical appointments, and referrals to appropriate programs. You can find the information online at https:// www.albertahealthservices. ca/ then searching “Health for Two”.

Resources for Sexuality and Reproductive Health 1. Alberta Health Services Birth Control Centre: This program offers confidential services to teenage girls and women experiencing barriers to accessing birth control or other sexual health related services.

Counselling, information and referrals as needed on contraception, unplanned pregnancies, pregnancy options, and safe sex practices are available. Located downtown at 10030 107 Street, their phone number is 780-7350010, and you can find the information online at https:// www.albertahealthservices.ca/and then by choosing ‘reproductive health’ as a category.

Continued on page 23 ►

ADVERTISE WITH US 780-916-7677 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com All photos and articles available online. Follow us

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

22

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

COMMUNITY | FUNDRAISING PROJECT

JANUARY 2019

BFI Christmas Party 2018 Edmonton, December 22, 2018.

Attended by more or less eighty Bicolanos For Ina, devotees of Our Lady of Penafrancia from all over Edmonton and Areas were gathered and celebrated their Christmas Party at the Abbottsfield Community Hall.

The traditional Veneration of the Saint was observed and the Holy Rosary ( Joyful Mysteries) were recited. The relevant Bicol Hymns in honor of the Patroness of Bicolandia were sung. Conspicuously visible to the venue were the images of “Ina - Mother,” our Lady of Penafrancia. Some of the known Business Owners, Realtors, and Entertainers were also present during the noble occasion.

Noticeable during the Party were Loida Lumanlan, a Realtor who donated 12 sacks of rice; Unique Mixx, Entertainers; Hannah Adamson, a talented local talent who rendered Christmas songs; WeFix Auto Glass, and the Alberta Filipino Journal. Almost all participants

unlocked their hearts through potluck. Abundant foods were obviously served on the table during the noble occasion.

Good to know that the image of INA has already been visiting the Bicolano families here in Edmonton.

Each family has to accommodate INA for nine consecutive days and host other devotees who regularly participate to conduct and recite the prayers of Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication during the small gathering and celebration.

After completing the Nine Days of stay with host family, INA then, will be transferred to another host family to go on with the same procedure. The Bicolanos firmly believe that a blessed life and answers to their prayers will be granted upon them as they devote time hosting and facilitating the chain of prayer rallies in every home being visited by the Patroness.

VISMIN ASSOCIATION OF EDMONTON presents

SINULOG 2019

MASS January 18 St. Joseph’s BAsilica 10044 - 113 St 7:00 pm All welcome!

Fiesta January 19 Royal Palace Hall 4960 - 93 Ave 6:00 pm Tickets $30

For Tickets: 780.884.6783 587.987.3122 780.938.0307 www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

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

JANUARY 2019

ASTROLOGY | OPINION | ANNOUNCEMENT

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

embarrassing moments I’ve had.

As soon as the coffee pours down my mouth, I felt the warmth, a different warmth which affected my whole body, especially my heart.

My heart began to palpitate really fast. I do not want it to stop. No! I do not want to fall again anymore.

No! I do not want to love anymore.

No! No! No!

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

This Book is For you Chapter 13,14,15

Chapter 13: Focus People say that you need to love yourself first before loving others. You need to learn to focus on yourself first. You need to be able to treat yourself right first - you need to prioritize yourself. My mind is really messed up and very confused from everything that is happening.

Yes, I will admit, I was in love… with you… but I know that you do

not feel the same.However, I kept going and listened to my heart, even though I know for a fact that you willnever love back. I know that I would never have a chance with you. Now here I am, confused and depressed. To the point where I do not know what to do. To the point that I could not even eat anymore.

To the point where I could not stop thinking about it and it haunts

me every single night. I just want to end this pain I am feeling. My mind is really messed up because I listenedmy heart over it. No - stop!

I cannot do this anymore. It really hurts. Please stop it! Please!...

Chapter 14: …

Wha--- What--- What happened?

Where am I? Why do I feel weak?

What is this? Who are you? I woke up to this very strange place, a place where I felt care and warmth. It warmed my body and my heart. I

Cure Health Supplies

Resources for Helping Youth and Young...

While this is no way an exhaustive list, the goal is to encourage seeking information and assistance for any type of challenge, no matter how big or small, whether common or uncommon. For any readers who are not directly served by the area where the outlined organizations are listed, it is likely that equivalents are available by searching the topic and adding the name of your location.

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

Chapter 15: No Idea I am scared. I am scared of two things - the fear of being in love and the fear of being hurt. I do not know what is wrong with myself, I just easily fall in love with someone without me even knowing about it. I do not know anymore.

I want to be in love, but I do not want to get hurt. No! Nevermind.

I do not want to be in love, I never get that love back anyways. I really need to fix myself. My mind is so confused. I do not know what to do.

I have no idea. Should I be in love?

Should I risk it? Should I focus on myself first? Should I not be scared?

Am I ready to be in love again? Am I ready to be hurt? Should I? Am I? I have no idea.

was lying down, so I carefully stood up and started to walk - I wanted to leave this place.

A girl. A girl whose beauty is extraordinary hands me a cup of coffee. Carrying that cup, I went back to lay my head back down and I suddenly felt that I wanted to be taken care of. “How are you feeling now?” she asked.I respond, “I’m ok, thank you”. Turns out, you were one of the baristas at the shop and I had actually passed out.

That is probably one of the most

From page 21

2. Teaching Sexual Health: Trusted adults in the life of the young person, such as parents, guardians and mentors, play a huge role in discussing important topics. Sexual health is one of them, though it’s understandable that many people find it awkward.

This online resource can provide age-appropriate guidelines on sharing information about these topics such as relationship building, sexual and intimacy decisions, and puberty and pregnancy. The website is https://teachingsexualhealth.ca 3. Pride Centre of Edmonton: This agency provides support to the LGBT+ community in Edmonton, and they provide events, workshops and support that puts the perspective of the LGBT+ individuals in mind on various topics such as relationships, reproductive health and testing, and many more.

Their website is pridecentreofedmonton.ca and their phone number is (780) 488-3234. They are located at 10618 105 Avenue.

23

9513 41 Ave Nw, Edmonton, AB, T6E 5X7

587-499-4010 Did you know that seniors above 65 living in Alberta

may qualify for the following products funded by the Alberta government?

CUSTOM ORTHOTICS

Maximum 2 pairs of Orthotics for a eligible senior are covered by the Alberta Government.

|

LIFT CHAIR

Lift Chair Comes with Heat, Recline and Massage Function.

|

M AT T R E S S

Many choices of Mattresses with different sizes where most of the amount is covered by the Government.

Alberta Seniors can purchase all these items for $0 if they qualify!

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

Tel: 587-499-4010 Fax: 587-400-9367 Email: Curehealthcl@gmail.com

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

24

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

RELIGION | PARA-LEGAL SERVICES | ADVOCACY

JANUARY 2019

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - Luke 2:16-21 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.

E

very January 1, we commemorate two celebrations with civil and religious bearing.

Secularly speaking, January 1 is a day the Romans celebrated

their god, Janus. He is the god of beginnings and transitions. Janus is usually depicted as having two faces, with one looking at the future and the other looking to the past.

My #MeToo Story #FilipinasSpeakOut

By Rachelle Cruz (Philippine Reporter)

I

t took awhile for me to write about this because I was going through the motions and many emotions. I went from angry to hurt to disappointed to vengeful back to angry and so forth. I finally want to share this with you because in the end, I realized that it’s not about me. Yes, I went through that whole ordeal, it happened to me, but it’s not about me. When I reflect on that experience now, I think of the other young girls who look up to me and other women who might have faced the same situation. This is for them. I want you to know that you, even if you’re afraid, you are not alone. You must stand up for yourself, to fight for what is right, to have a voice in the process. More importantly, to be careful and be more discerning of people and their intentions.

I was sexually assaulted more than a year ago at a Toronto downtown hotel. I was this assertive, ambitious, go-getter TV show host/producer and I needed help with marketing my now-defunct magazine lifestyle show, ‘The It List’. So I reached out to one of the influential people in our community because he has been helpful to me in the past. He’s www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

helped me with gaining votes for my nomination in the 2015 Notable Award. I also covered and reported about their rallies and campaigns.

So to be clear, I’ve encountered this person a few times. I’ve asked friends and verified if this person can be trusted and did my due diligence.

So I went ahead and booked a business meeting.

Little did I know that the “business meeting” would turn into something else. I was trapped in a hotel room. It felt like hours though it was mere 40 minutes to be exact. At first, we were discussing the marketing campaign for my show. Then the conversation quickly changed into something dark. He said he was stressed and needed to unwind, that he wanted to take me out for dinner, buy me flowers and that’s why he booked the hotel room. He admitted to me that ever since he’s met me, I was his “wildest dream.” My stomach churned at this thought. Yet there I was, trying to calmly sit at the edge of the bed, eyeing the door, trying to make sense of this transformation of who was once an acquaintance, but is now my monster. I told him this is not why I came here.

Still, he started acting strange, fixing his collar shirt, unbuttoning them down, rolling up his sleeves… closing the drapes. My heartbeat raced faster and my gut told me there’s something wrong. I shouldn’t be here. I made an alibi and said that I have another meeting to go

to. I have to go. I got up to open up the drapes he closed. I didn’t want to stay hidden in the dark.

He went behind me and pinned me against the table facing the window.

Both his fists nailed on the table, imprisoning me in between his arms. I wrenched myself out and broke free and went to the other side of the room, he followed me.

I was beginning to really panic, but didn’t want to show him any sign of weakness. Then he wrapped his arms around me. I froze. I stood there, thinking of what to do next.

Thinking on my feet, I asked for a glass of water and so he let me go and went to the other side of the room. That was my first window of opportunity to flee….and I did. As soon as I broke free from his arms, I grabbed my jacket and bag and ran out, in distress, dishevelled and disoriented. He chased me down the hallways towards the elevator and in a panic, we were pushing the elevator buttons – I, trying to get down to the main floor, and he, begging for me to go back to “talk about it.”

To my relief, the elevator went down to the main floor. Up to the very end, he was still pleading for me to come back. I yelled and said, “Don’t ever talk to me again, get away from me!”

Then I ran. I ran and ran and ran up towards the street. I couldn’t stop running in a fury even though he was nowhere in sight. Tears were all over my face but I kept running. I

Janus reminds us that there is no reason to look back when you have so much to look forward to. Friends, don’t look back. We are not going that way. Forget the past. We are not defined by it. Don’t lose your present to your past. Replaying it over and over again will only ruin your present. Year 2019 is telling us that a brand-new future awaits you.

In religious parlance, January 1 is the Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary. She is the Theotokos, meaning the “bearer of Christ”. As we start this year, we are reminded to begin by bringing Jesus with us. Bring only Jesus, not your pride, not your arrogance, not your anger, nor your

resentments and disappointments.

Bring Jesus with you, only Jesus and always Jesus.

Finally, our first reading for today is a beautiful prayer to start our wonderful year. Friends, let me end my reflection with this prayer: “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace. Happy Holy New year folks.

got hold of a friend and called him, screaming into the phone. Then my phone died.

In hindsight, I shouldn’t have gone to his room to use the bathroom.

As soon as I finished using the bathroom, I suggested to him that we should go to a coffee shop nearby but by that time, it was too late. He already had something else in his mind. Perhaps it was me being too naive, and too trusting, assuming that all would be okay.

Some people have asked, “Why didn’t you just run away and leave?”

The answer is, I was scared. I was very scared. I was afraid that he would hit me and get to me faster than I could run. I was afraid that if he did overtake me, I wouldn’t be able to break free. I also had a concussion not so long ago and I was scared that if my head gets hit again, it would be greater damage.

So, that story replayed in my head, over and over again, when I had to recount it to family. To friends. To the police as I provided video testimony that weekend, which led to his arrest. I was told that his wife bailed him out of jail. I had to recount it again with the Crown and at that time, the Crown was confident that we will pursue this in court. Court dates were set. Months and months away from then. It dragged on and that same week I received calls, text messages, emails – asking about the incident. The news spread like wildfire. Authorities have told me not to talk about it anymore, not until I have to take a stand in court.

So I worked in silence. I moved in silence. I didn’t have a voice in the process. I just had to take it all in.

Fast-forward to now, Crown reviewed the case again and to my shock, dropped the case just this

year. The court dates were set in May. My assailant settled for peace bond. That was the end of it.

At first I was angry because I felt that the justice system has failed me. I questioned their leniency. I asked myself, “How can someone, especially someone who considers himself a leader in the community, continue to walk away as if nothing happened?”

But in the end, I believed that I did what I could to stand up for myself. I know what happened and have no reason to fabricate anything. I also feel differently. I have two asks: First, that he would never do that again to anyone. That he would accept responsibility and just move on with his life, inspiring and uplifting others instead. Second, that women and young girls, those who may have gone through sexual assault, would have the courage and voice to speak up and do what is right for them.

If you are reading this, and you know who you are, I want you to know that I was angry with you for a long time. I felt betrayed and hurt that you were able to do that to me. I hope that this experience has taught you, and both of us, to be better people, to be morally good to our people and to resist things that aren’t right. I want you to know that I forgive you because I feel nothing but compassion now and I want to move on with my life, bringing only light and love with me.

I will be working with GABRIELA Ontario on an awareness-raising campaign about sexual violence. For more info on GABRIELA Ontario, visit gabrielaon.wordpress.com.

If you need immediate assistance regarding sexual assault, call the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line at 416-597-8808

Blessings Fr. Jhack

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

OPINION | BUSINESS

JANUARY 2019

China Eyes Palawan J Perezcope ust as the year 2018 was coming to end, several events happened that put into question the future of Philippine-US relations, particularly defense relations that is the linchpin of the Philippines’ military strategy.

On December 21, 2018, Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin met with U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in Washington DC. In a statement release by a State Department spokesperson, “Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Locsin also explored opportunities to increase people-to-people ties between our two countries, our long standing commitment to human rights, and our cooperation to strengthen the Philippines’ energy security.”

The two top diplomats discussed “ongoing efforts to address regional issues such as the South China Sea, North Korea, and counterterrorism,” he said.

On the same day, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in his year-end briefing “stressed the need to review the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) given the ambivalent stand of the US on the country’s maritime domain and territorial issue in the West Philippine Sea.” He wanted the US to give a definitive stand on whether it would support the Philippines in the event of a confrontation with other claimants. He said that the MDT should cover certain areas of the South China Sea that the Philippines has sovereign rights.

Lorenzana said that it’s about time that both countries review the provisions of the 67-year-old MDT, particularly the mounting security concerns in the South China Sea, to see if it is still relevant to the Philippines’ “national interest.” He said the review is needed in order

PERRY DIAZ PerryDiaz@gmail.com

to make the alliance with the US stronger. “It is the only country we have an alliance with,” he said.

Mutual Defense Treaty The MDT was signed in 1951 and has remained in effect even after the 1947 Military Bases Agreement (MBA) expired in 1991 and its extension rejected by the Senate. In 1994, the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) took effect, which allowed a small presence of US Special Forces in Mindanao to help in the Philippines’ counterterrorism campaign. In 2014 the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) was signed. Though eight bases have been identified for its use, it has yet to be implemented.

Article IV of the MDT states that an attack on either party will be acted upon in accordance with their constitutional processes and that any armed attack on either party will be brought to the attention of the United Nations for immediate action. Once the United Nations issues the orders, all hostile actions between the signatories of this treaty and opposing parties will be terminated.

But here’s the rub: The Security Council has 15 members, five of which are permanent members with veto power. Russia and China are veto-wielding permanent members.

The other three are the US, UK, and

France. Therefore, in the event that China attacks the Philippines, China could veto any measure to restore peace, which would leave the Philippines at the mercy of the Chinese invaders.

The problem is -- unlike the NATO’s automatic retaliation in the event a member is attacked -- the MDT doesn’t have an “automatic provision.” It merely provides for consultations according to its constitutional process after one of the parties is attacked. But had the US forces been allowed to stay in 1991, the US forces stationed in the Philippines would have to respond immediately to an attack on the Philippines. All it would take is for the US President to say, “Go.” Sitting idly by wouldn’t be an option. But without US forces on Philippine soil, authorization has to come from the US Congress.

By then, China would have firmly occupied the country.

With MDT rendered inutile for now, the EDCA’s eight bases around the country would allow interoperability, capacity building towards AFP modernization, strengthening AFP for external defense, maritime security, maritime domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

In other words, EDCA would have been more effective than MDT in defending the Philippines’ sovereignty

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL and territorial integrity. But the problem is: It has been politicized; thus, making it a “paper tiger.”

Lorenzana’s candid and blunt assessment of the US vis-à-vis Philippines’ security situation must have alarmed Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Secretary Locsin immediately went to Washington DC to meet with US National Security Adviser John Bolton. The Philippine Embassy in the US capital issued a statement saying the two officials recognized the role of the two nations’ alliance in maintaining regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Price of sovereignty In my article, “What price is sovereignty?” (January 20, 2014), I wrote: “The question of Philippine sovereignty has been debated over and over again since 1991 when the Philippine Senate voted to reject the retention of American bases. The nationalists were convinced that the Philippines didn’t need the protection of the U.S. against foreign invasion. They asserted that continued presence of American bases was an affront to Philippine sovereignty.

However, they didn’t demand for the rescission of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), which obligated the U.S. to defend Philippine territory in the event of foreign invasion. It’s like them saying, ‘We don’t want you around, but we expect you to defend us if we were invaded.’ Indeed, it’s a love-hate relationship that is nurtured to this day.

“But two years after the U.S. bases were closed in 1992, China seized the Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) in the middle of the night. And the Philippine Armed Forces couldn’t do anything to take it back.”

Now that the MDT’s effectiveness is put to question, is the Philippines ready to defend itself? Probably not. But the MDT would not suffice, simply because it is weak.

25

On the other hand, EDCA would provide an almost “automatic response” mechanism to an attack on Philippine territory. What I fail to understand is what’s taking it so long to make EDCA operational?

Chinese interest on Palawan It is interesting to note that last November, President Duterte told the Palawan provincial government that he would be compelled to expropriate the franchise of independent power producers in Palawan and sell them to “big players” to end the power outages in the province.

“China is itching just to get a hold of development here,” he said.

Duterte also decided not to allow any country to stockpile arms and ammunition in Palawan.

In my opinion, this would be the first step for China to get a strong foothold on Palawan, especially so that there is a plan to break Palawan into three provinces.

Anders Corrs, a European-based international risk analyst said, “If China wants a military base on Palawan, mining rights, or fishing rights, after breakup it would have multiple officials with whom it can negotiate or bribe, playing one against the other.”

On Duterte’s decision to keep Palawan free from foreign arms stockpiles, Corrs said, “It would leave Palawan militarily vulnerable to the advantage of China.” Indeed, China has been eyeing Palawan for at least three decades now, which makes one wonder: Without MDT and EDCA what do you think China would do next?

Geographically speaking, Palawan is only 100 miles away from the China’s militarized artificial islands in the Spratlys while there is the large Sea of Palawan that separates it from the rest of the Philippines. And without MDT and EDCA, Duterte might just as well kiss Palawan goodbye.

Hong Kong Airlines tops On-Time Performance in Asia Pacific; one of three most punctual airlines globally in 2018 [Hong Kong • 8 January 2019] Hong Kong Airlines has once again achieved the highest On-Time Performance (OTP) in Asia Pacific and retained its position in the top three most punctual airlines globally for 2018. The results were revealed in the latest “OAG Punctuality League 2019” report, which tracks on-time performance for airlines and airports based on data from last year.

Hong Kong Airlines’ 2018 OTP rating of 88.11% is the result of ongoing efforts to improve its operational efficiency and strive towards service excellence. The airline operates out of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), one of the busiest hubs in the world

and is proud to call the Midfield Concourse its home, where over 90% of its flights arrive and depart. Last year, Hong Kong Airlines carried more than 7.64 million passengers to some 40 destinations around the world.

In addition to operating from

an excellent facility at HKIA, Hong Kong Airlines has continued to ensure flight information is shared timely with relevant parties. The data not only helps to improve the management of the airport’s parking bays, and also provides Hong Kong Airlines with accurate and efficient

bay assignments. Hong Kong Airlines has a dedicated working group that monitors its OTP closely as well as look into factors and causes of delay to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Hong Kong Airlines would like to thank its staff, customers and business partners who have and continue to support the company.

The airline has been and continues to operate as normal. Over the Christmas and New Year holidays, Hong Kong Airlines operated more than 1,200 flights and carried over 240,000 passengers between 22 December 2018 and 1 January 2019.

In the coming Chinese New Year holidays, Hong Kong Airlines is expected to operate close to

1,080 flights and fly more than 224,000 passengers between 1 and 10 February 2019, representing a 4.2% increase in the number of passengers carried over the same period last year. The airline remains committed to offering its best service to customers heading home for reunion or spending quality time to travel as a family during this important Chinese New Year holiday.

As one of Hong Kong’s home carriers, Hong Kong Airlines is here to stay and remain committed to offering our customers more travel options while sustaining our longterm growth.

ADVERTISE WITH US 780-916-7677 publisher@albertafilipinojournal.com All photos and articles available online. Follow us

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

26

RELIGION | HEALTH

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

Our Victory is in our Lord Jesus Christ OUR TEXT "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV INTRODUCTION There is only one thing that we can be sure of, and it is that God is always victorious. Nothing is too difficult for our Awesome God. And what's more, with His help, we can be victorious too. He can lead us through to victory over any problem, sickness, issue, or struggle in our lives.

While this may be easy to accept on the surface, it can be much more difficult to believe when we are in the midst of a really difficult situation. Perhaps we have a mountain of debt and wonder how we will ever be able to get out from under it. Or, we may be seriously ill or struggling with the illness of a loved one or friend.

Do we feel like giving up under the pressure? Don't be downcast for God wants us to lean on His Everlasting Arms and we must let Him show us how to be victorious in every situation we encounter.

The verse we have here tells us about a victory that can be ours.

It lets us know that victories are not just something that happened to people who lived long ago and are long dead. In fact, this verse teaches us that victory can be a present tense experience.

I want to take just a moment to present three very special areas where the Lord Jesus can and will give us absolute victory if we will only trust Him by faith.

I. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST GIVES US VICTORY OVER DEATH

From a Vantage Point TITO S.VENIDA

Tito S. Venida is a product of the University of the Philippines. He used to be a studentleader during his college days and became one of the founders of the Tau Gamna Phi, one of the world leading Philippine-produced fraternities. His immensurable love for the human race has brought him to the conviction of translating his mission from fraternity into Divinity-from a mere brotherhood into sainthood. Tito authored a book entitled Quocunque Jeceris Stabit, which means, wherever you throw, it will stand.

The apostle Paul has taken this entire chapter to tell us that the Lord Jesus has given those who believe in Him absolute victory over death! By entering death and rising again, our Lord forever took away the power of death.

First, Death is one of the greatest fears known to men. We don’t talk much about it, but the thought of the eternal blink fills many hearts with fear! But, it shouldn’t! If we know the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, friend, and Lord, He has forever pulled the stinger out of death for us, 1 Corinthians 15:55-56.

Second, Death is coming for everyone of us, Hebrews 9:27, but it does not need to be feared! If we are saved, death is merely our doorway into the eternal presence of God, 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; 2 Timothy 4:6.

If, however, we are lost and do not know the Lord Jesus Christ, then my friends, you have good reason to fear death! For death is not your

The Truth in Our Labels 3 Reasons to Start Reading the Label

D

id you know: anything can be labeled as ‘natural’.

The term “natural” in personal care is unregulated. As such, products labeled and sold as ‘natural’ may still contain harmful chemicals.

Huma n Na ture, the Philippines’largest, genuinely natural personal care and cosmetics social enterprise brand, encourages consumers to make healthier choices with Read the Label.

The aim of Read the Label is simple – to keep consumers in the blush of health by helping them steer clear of harmful chemicals that have been linked to health risks while providing the best natural solutions for all their personal care needs. www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

Here are easy ways on how to spot the safest products, even while you shower.

1. Decode the Ingredient List Are you guilty of buying products because of enticing claims such as ‘natural’ or ‘made with natural extracts’? These products might seem like a good idea until you look deeper into their ingredient list.

Did you know that the first five ingredients make up the product’s formula? This is means that even if a product is tagged ‘natural’ or has specific ‘natural ingredient’ called out, it can’t be genuinely natural if the top ingredients are mainly chemicals.

Reading through the ingredient list also helps identify harmful

doorway into life, but it is your doorway into eternal damnation in the fires of Hell!

Lastly, all those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ need not fear death. He has conquered it for us. He has pulled its stinger! He has given His children victory over death! Thank God for His victory!

II. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST GIVES US VICTORY OVER DECEPTION The apostle Paul mentions the problem of sin in verse 56. It is SIN that demands our judgment, Romans 6:23. It is sin that stands between us and the Lord, Isaiah 59:2. It is sin that blinds us to the way of righteousness, holiness and life, 2 Corinthians 4:4.

It is sin that is destroying our lives! It is sin working in our bodies that propels us to live a wretched and wicked life, Ephesians 2:1-3.

It is sin that will use us up, wear us out and leave us empty, damned chemicals to avoid like sodium laureth sulfate, phthalates, paraben preservatives, triclosan, petroleumderived oils, synthetic musks and mineral oils.

If you have sensitive skin, a hypoallergenic labeled personal care product may also contain irritants like propylene glycol or synthetic fragrances.

Consumer safety has always been Human Nature’s top priority.

This is why the social enterprise brand commits to using only the safest, natural ingredients in all its products. Each product goes through careful research and testing measures in Human Nature Natural Care Labs in Laguna, Philippines before making its way to every Human Nature shelf across the globe.

2. Seek the Seal Are you wary of products with confusing claims and intimidating labels? Don’t fret! Genuinely safe and natural products are easy to spot with the Natural Products Association (NPA)’s Natural Seal.

NPA is the largest and oldest non-profit organization in the US dedicated to the promotion of natural manufacturing, environmental safety, and protection of consumers' health.

The NPA Seal certifies compliance with the NPA Standard for Personal

and doomed! Sin is our enemy!

It is the enemy of every human on the planet. It is from sin that we need to be delivered!

SIN is the reason the Lord Jesus came into this world, lived and died on the Cross. It is His death that delivers a sinner from his sins and gives him a new life in the Lord Jesus, Romans 6:6-18.

The Lord Jesus gives victory over sin, because He paid the price for sin in His Own BLOOD. He died to set the captives free, Luke 4:18.

He died to set us free!

Friends, you do not have to allow sin to wreck your life and condemn you to Hell. Call on the Name of Jesus and be saved! He will receive you, John 6:37. He will deliver you and change your life, 2 Corinthians 5:17. Remember this always, Sin will "bind you, blind you and grind you", but there is victory and that victory is only found in the Lord Jesus!

III. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST GIVES VICTORY OVER DAMNATION When the Word of God speaks about death as being the wages of sin, Romans 6:23a, it is not referring merely to dying and going to the graveyard. It is referring to what happens to the sinner after death.

We see, every person who leaves this world without the Lord Jesus Christ goes to an awful place called Hell, Psalm 9:17.

No one wants to think about dying lost and going to Hell, but it is a reality nonetheless! But, it does not have to happen to anyone of us! Because the Lord Jesus Christ came to this world, died for sin and paid the price for us, so we can be saved from our sins and from the damnation of Hell. There is Care Products for consumer safety.

Ingredients used in products bearing the NPA seal must not pose human health risks as shown by peer-reviewed third-party scientific literature and the product is not tested on animals. At least 95% of ingredients should be natural, and most importantly, the product must list all ingredients on the label to qualify for an NPA Natural seal.

In 2015, Human Nature became the first Filipino brand to become a member of the NPA. The social enterprise brand previously held the distinction of having the highest number of NPA-certified products in the world.

3. Switch to Genuine Goodness Switching to genuinely natural doesn’t have to happen overnight. You can start small by tossing out your latest empties and replacing them with genuinely natural alternatives.

Human Nature offers a wide array of personal care and cosmetics products that cares for your skin, cares for the earth, and cares for others as well. Human Nature’s dignified labor practices and fair-trade pledge helps uplift the Philippines’ poorest.

Check out the complete roster of Human Nature products by logging on to https://humanheartnature.ca.

JANUARY 2019 nothing standing between us and deliverance from our sins, but a simple prayer of faith! Listen to the Word of God, Romans 10:13; John 6:47; Acts 16:31!

I praise the Lord that no saved individual need ever fear the flames of Hell’s fire. They are forever shielded and protected from that awful future through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ! When this life ends, we need to be found in Christ Jesus, He is the sole place of safety and salvation, 1 John 5:12.

CONCLUSION My friends, we are not here in this world by accident. God has brought us here so that we could hear about the victory that can only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have we trusted Him by faith? Are we walking in His victory? Are we saved, sealed and sure for Heaven?

If we died right now, are we sure we would miss Hell and go to Heaven?

Friends, we need to be!

Maybe our life is a whole mess.

We know we are not right with God. We know that if we died, we would go to Hell forever. Friends, it doesn’t have to be that way! If we will come to Jesus by faith and accept His death and resurrection, as the payment for our sins, we will be saved. The Lord Jesus will come into our hearts, He will change our life and we will have a home in Heaven when we leave this world.

Isn’t that what we want? It can be ours! Victory can be ours today, if we will respond to Him. Will you do it?

Whatever our relationship with God right now, if He is calling we need to come to Him. I challenge you and encourage you to obey His voice. Just do what He is calling you to do and He will honor your response of faith! Amen.

About Human Nature Human Nature is the Philippines’ largest brand of genuinely natural, affordable personal care, cosmetics and home care products. Founded in 2008 by Dylan Wilk, Anna MelotoWilk, and Camille Meloto, Human Nature’s products are 100% made in the Philippines and 100% free from harmful chemicals. Operated by social enterprise Gandang Kalikasan Inc. (GKI), Human Nature is driven by the core philosophies of being PRO-PHILIPPINES, PRO-POOR and PRO-ENVIRONMENT. In 2012, Human Nature was recognized by the World Economic Forum’s Schwab Foundation as a Champion for Social Entrepreneurship. In 2016, Human Nature became the first Asian brand to receive a Sustainability Pioneer Award from Ecovia Intelligence (Organic Monitor), a globally-recognized think tank for the organic beauty industry.

Visit us at: https://www.humanheartnature.ca Email us: LAB inTernational Inc. customer.service@humanheartnature.ca Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: humannaturecanada

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

GREETINGS | BUSINESS

JANUARY 2019

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

27

s g n i t e e r g s a m t s i r h C r d a e e t Y a l w e Be N d e s s e l b a &W &

,A o d a n a r G a n & o l f f A a t S d from Riverben their families.

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

28

GREETINGS | ASTROLOGY | BUSINESS

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

JANUARY 2019

Adriel Randinne Regier turns 18 Adriel turned 18 last month and celebrations took place at the Corpus Christi Hall.

Helen Cue-Regier, who is now one of the managers at RBC in Southgate Mall, thanked family and friends for gracing the celebration.

Among those who graced the event were Jencet Montano, wife of Dr.Nimrod Montano, Noel and Alma Angeles, mother of Journal contributor Lianne, singer Angelica Cruz and husband Christopher.

(Moses Billacura, photos were contributed)

Clem Tigley 75 Birthday th

By Salvador Granado

December 28, 2018 was a big day for Clem Tigley as this was his 75th birthday. The occasion was attended by his immediate families, the Tigleys and the Saysons. Close friends also attended,which made the party more

memorable. Singing, dancing and the professional assistance of Fred Sayson, best DJ in town, resulted in an exciting and enjoyable party.

The crowd became even more excited when Clem announced that he would be celebrating his

50th wedding anniversary next year and that they will be making more preparations for a much bigger event. We are looking forward to receiving an invitation in our mail box or email.

ASTROLOGER, PSYCHIC & SPIRITUALIST

PANDIT RAJA RAM JI MASTER IS HELPING PEOPLE ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS

SORT OUT ANY KINDS OF PROBLEM IN 48 HOURS.

SATISFACTION 100% GUARANTEED. NOBODY BREAK MY WORK. IF YOU HAVE BELIEF IN YOURSELF, COME & MEET ME & GET 100% SOLUTIONS I REMOVE PROBLEMS: I GIVE SOLUTIONS: • Bad luck • Drinking • Embarrassment • Education • Depression problems • Financial • Jealousy • Suffering • Evil eye • Child mistake • Job • Health power • Lotto • Court case • Hard time • Childrens number • Divorce • Witch craft problems • Spousal • Miscarriage • Jadoo • Family • Curse • Evil spirit problem • Love & • Business Marriage MASTER IN BRINGING BACK LOVED ONES Palm Reading, Face Reading, Horoscope FOR APPOINTMENT. PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

MILLWOODS RD AND 23 AVE. OPEN 7 DAYS. 9 AM - 9 PM

780-246-4439 www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

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

COMMUNITY | BUSINESS

JANUARY 2019

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

29

TAMARAW SENIORS CLUB Christmas Celebration 2018

By Salvador Granado

I

t was a celebration of another year of fun and thanksgiving during the Christmas season.

At this time, the spirit of Love and Peace is in everyone’s hearts. The TAMARAW SENIORS CLUB celebrated Christmas with fun, laughter, music and dances appropriate for the occasion. The Polish Canadian

Community Hall was filled with bright, festive color that made the group dancing more vibrant and entertaining.

The occasion was also graced by the presence of the PCCF choral group, which added more Christmas cheer to the event.

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

With a very touching Christmas message delivered by the Board of Directors, Mr. Clem Tigley, the venue was filled with the spirit of Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE and may we have a safe and prosperous NEW YEAR!!!!!

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

30

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

ENTERTAINMENT

JANUARY 2019

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

JANUARY 2019

All photos and articles available online. Follow us

BUSINESS | HEALTH

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

31

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

32

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com

BUSINESS | DENTAL

JANUARY 2019

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