Tax Avoidance against Tax Evasion

We have heard about the Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion. What is the difference between these two? In Philippine decrees, what are the penalties for not paying taxes?

Tax avoidance is a completely legal way to lower taxes using tax benefits. Whereas, in tax evasion, the individual is purposely dipping tax liability by means of deceitful or omitting figures when filing taxes. Likewise, it includes systems beyond lawful means resulting in civil or criminal liabilities of the taxpayer. These are two ways used by taxpayers in order not to pay taxes or pay reduced taxes.

NIRC SEC. 255. Failure to File Return, Supply Correct and Accurate Information, Pay Tax Withhold and Remit Tax and Refund Excess Taxes Withheld

on Compensation. - Any person required under this Code or by rules and regulations promulgated thereunder to pay any tax make a return, keep any record, or supply correct the accurate information, who willfully fails to pay such tax, make such return, keep such record, or supply correct and accurate information, or withhold or remit taxes withheld, or refund excess taxes withheld on compensation, at the time or times required by law or rules and regulations shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P 10,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than ten (10) years.

LEGAL CHIKA

Raquel P. Getigan

Earned Bachelor of Laws degree at Manila Law College and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Philippine Normal University. She’s an educator by profession and Apprentice at Atty. Romeo Sese Law office.

Any person who attempts to make it appear for any reason that he or another has in fact filed a return or statement, or actually files a return or statement and subsequently withdraws the same return or statement after securing the official receiving seal or stamp of receipt of internal revenue office wherein the same was actually filed shall, upon conviction therefor, be punished by a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P 10,000) but not more than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P 20,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than three (3) years.

In addition, Annex A of Revenue

Memorandum Order (RMO) No.

7-2015 provides for the Revised Consolidated Schedule of Compromise Penalties for Violations of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC),

B. For late filing of Tax Returns with NO Tax Due to be paid, the compromise penalty will be imposed upon filing of the Tax Return based on the following: pumunta ay makakatagpo ka ng “Chinatown!” Ito ay sa kadahilanan na sila-sila ay naghihilahan din tulad ng mga talangka. Ang kaibahan nga lamang, kapag may naunang nakaakyat sa kanila sa bunganga ng basket; at kapag nakita niya na may matatamong liwanag at mas malaking oportunidad para umasenso sa labas, kaagad niyang iniaabot ang kanyang kamay sa kanyang mga kasamahan upang hatakin paitaas. Magkakasama silang aakyat para sa pangkalahatang layunin upang makamtan ang tagumpay at kaunlaran.

Tayo, anong meron tayo? Paano tayo naghihilahan? Mas namamayani yata sa ating mga puso ang selosan, inggitan, pabonggahan, at payabangan kesa sa suportahan. Kung kaya nga, kapag lumakad tayo, kung hindi man grupohan ay solohan—lumalakad tayo bilang magkaka-alyado: Depende sa kung ano ang rehiyon, probinsya at Pilipinong-grupong kinaaaniban mo. Kinakailangang may sikat na grupo. May patalbugan at pabonggahan. Okey lang naman sana kung maiiwasan lamang na magsalita ng makasasakit laban sa iba. Okey din naman na tumaas ka, tiyakin mo lang na di mo natatapakan ang iba. Di po ba?

Kelan ba tayo kikilos bilang iisa o nagkakaisang mga Filipino at sino ba talaga ang mamumuno para dito; samantalang, para bang hirap na hirap tayong tanggapin ang kahusayan ng iba. Ano bang pinag-aagawan? Meron bang kayamanan o para may maipagmayabang lamang? Kredito ba? Aba, eh di ikaw na! Kaya lamang, may mabubuo ba kung ganyan ka? (Kasali na ako!)

Hindi po kaya posibleng sa Pilipinas pa lamang ay isama na sa Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) o sa embahada pa lamang, na ang sinumang lalabas ng ating bansa ay kinakailangang iutos na sa atin ang pagbibigay-pugay (courtesy call) sa opisina ng Konsulado ng Pilipinas sa mga probinsya ng Bansang ating pupuntahan, nang sa gayun ay makilala at malaman natin kung sino at saan ang wastong ahensiya na ating pupuntahan sa anumang oras na makaranas tayo ng di inaasahan. Mas mainam na nakasentro tayo sa kung ano mang programa na meron ang Konsulado ng Pilipinas. At, mas pinaka-mainam na nakatututok din naman ang opisina ng Konsul sa mga Temporary Filipino Workers (TFW), lalo na sa oras ng pangangailangan. Sa ganitong pamamaraan, magkakalakas ng loob ang sinuman dahil mararamdaman natin na meron tayong isang bahaykanlungan na malayo sa tunay nating tahanan, at mayroong kumikilalang nanay o tatay na tunay na maglilingkod at gagabay.

Posible din kaya na, isang araw ay magkita-kita at magkatipon-tipon tayo sa isang lugar na tatawagin nating: Philippine Cultural Center of Alberta (PCCA) sa Edmonton o kaya ay ang itinataguyod na ngayon na Edmonton Philippine International Center (EPIC)? Wala po itong ipinagkaiba sa Philippine Cultural Center of Manitoba (PCCM) sa Winnipeg. Ang mga Korean, hindi natin sila marami sa Edmonton, pero, meron silang Sejong Hall? Ang mga Polish, meron silang Polish Halls. Ang Ukrainian, meron silang Ukrainian Halls. Kung nagawa nila, bakit hindi natin magawa? Mahirap po ba kaya hindi natin ginagawa o hindi lang natin ginagawa kaya nagiging mahirap? Nakakatawa po akong mangarap ano? Sa pagbabasa mo pa lang ng article kong ito, tiyak na mayayabangan ka na agad sa akin. At, may posibilidad, na makatikim ako ng pagkutya sa oras na makaharap mo ako. Tiyak ko, ito ang linyang sasabihin mo: “Hoy, Lito, kelan ka lang ba dito? Matagal na kami dito, at binalak na naming gustong gawin ‘yan pero walang nangyari. Mabibigo ka lang. Ginawa na dati yan at walang nangyari. Siguradongsigurado, hihilahin ka pababa ng mga kritiko!”

Mistulang basketball din nga lang ang buhay sa Canada. Para bang merong pa-liga at kailangan mong magpalista sa talaan ng mga kalahok. Subalit hindi lahat ng nagpalista ay nagiging kalahok dahil may tanggalan din naman (pre-trial or process of elimination). Ang mga nakapasa lamang sa paunang pagsubok ang makakaanib o makakalahok upang makapaglaro hanggang finals. Kung kaya naman, iilan lamang ang sumisikat. Ang tanong: “Sino nga ba ang mga hurado para husgahan ang pagka-panalo at pagka-talo. Minsan pa nga, hindi ka pa naglalaro ay may husga na—kahit di pa nila nakikita kung paano mo i-shoot ang bola.

Tila yata tayong lahat ay mali? Kapag hindi natin tinantanan ang balyahan sa paglalaro, hindi tayo magwawagi ng may kalakip na ligaya sa ating mga puso. Iyan ay dahil sa hindi naging makatarungan at patas ang ating paglalaro.

Wasto naman talaga na sa buhay sa Palakasan o Sports ay may nagwawagi at meron din namang sawi. Ngunit, tandaan pa rin natin, ang paligsahan ay nagbibigay kulay lamang sa buhay--hindi ito ang mismong buhay. Kung kaya nga tinawag natin itong LARO, di ba?

Ang tanong: Naiwasan na ba nating maghilahan pababa? Kelan mo hindi siniraan ang iyong kapwa upang buoin ang iyong sarili? Kalian ba ang huling araw na kinagat mo sa likod ang iyong kaibigan (back-biting) 0 kaya naman ay pinagbintangan mo at bigla na lamang sinuntok sa harapan ng iyong mga kababayan? Itinuring mo pang kaibigan, huh! Kailan mo ba naaala-ala na ipinagtanggol mo ang lahing Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng mabuting halimbawa sa pinagtatrabuhan mo, sa pakikitungo sa kamanggagawa, at kapit-bahay mo? Kapwa Filipino lamang ba ang dapat igalang?

Huwag mong kalimutan na, “Ang tao ay kapatid ng kapwa tao!” Gamitin natin ang pagkaFilipino sa paggawa ng kaaya-aya at sa pagrespeto. Igalang ang karapatan ng ibang lahi na maging Malaya. Napakasarap gumalaw sa lipunan bilang isang tunay na may KAGANDAHANG-ASAL at MARANGAL, gawin ang nararapat at iwasan ang di makatarungan. Uunlad lamang ang sambayanan ko ang bawat-isa ay lalabas sa butasbutas na basket. Natatanaw mo nga kung ano ang nasa sa labas; subalit di ka makalabas dahil sa paghahatakang walang wakas. (Para sa inyong mga mungkahi at puna, maaari n’yo akong kontakin sa litovelasco65@yahoo.ca)

A Filipina nurse receives UK’s health service top award given by the Queen

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday awarded the George Cross to the state-run National Health Service (NHS) for its work over the past 74 years and praised its Covid-19 vaccine rollout. May Parsons, the Filipina nurse who delivered the first shot of the world's COVID-19 vaccine rollout, is one of the recipients. The George Cross is the highest non-military award for gallantry bestowed by the British government.

The 96-year-old head of state was joined by her son and heir Prince Charles at the ceremony and presented the medal to health leaders from across the UK. They were joined at the ceremony by frontline workers, who nursed the country through the pandemic in Windsor Castle, the queen’s residence west of London. Michael Vernon, the royal official responsible for organizing ceremonial events, praised the NHS for the work it has done since it was founded in 1948.

BSP was asked to clarify rules on handling 1,000-peso bill

Last April 2022, the new notes went into circulation. One of the primary motivations for the shift to that material was that it was “more durable than the paper bills.” BSP Governor Felipe Medalla issued guidelines on the proper care of polymer bills last month. It advised against folding them and also urged users to keep the bills clean, wiping them with a damp, then dry cloth. He also suggested that the notes be kept in longer wallets and purses to avoid having to fold them.

These guidelines on what constitutes still-valid legal tender and which bills are damaged beyond being acceptable by business establishments have led to confusion. On social media, netizens complained about their folded polymer bills being rejected by establishments. In a letter to Medalla, Salceda pointed out that “One folded bill should be just as good as a bill not folded.” The whole effort sort of defeats its own purpose if the polymer bills are more sensitive and less flexible than the paper bills. We are not the only currency using polymer. Australia and Canada also do, and they’re not quite as finicky about the bills,” he added.

Relationship with media first test for President Marcos

VIEWPOINT

Bing J. Jaleco

bingjaleco@yahoo.com

Raleigh “Bing” Jaleco was a veteran journalist and public relations consultant in the Philippines. He started out as a correspondent for Ang Pahayagang Malaya and then moved on to be a reporter, and then an editor, of The Manila Chronicle. He also served as news editor of The Manila Standard, business editor of The Manila Times, and sub-editor at the Manila Bulletin. He landed as a permanent resident in Canada in 2016.

ELECTIONS are over in the Philippines and a new president and vice president have taken their oaths of office. As hard as it is to understand how Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has been elected as the republic’s new commander-in-chief, it is something that must be accepted as a victory that carries the biggest mandate in the history of presidential elections in the Philippines.

But acceptance does not mean acquiescence. It does not—and should not—mean complacency or submission. On the contrary, Mr. Marcos’ victory at the polls should be a wake-up call for those who consider his election undeserved, or even morally questionable. It is a call for Filipinos, particularly those who did not vote for him, to be vigilant.

As the new president starts to go about his business of leading the nation, he must be reminded, constantly and consistently, that he will be held to the high standard of leadership that his new position requires. He must prove himself better than his predecessors and show the people that he is up to the task of leading the nation through these tough times.

One area where I feel he can prove his leadership is his relationship with media and how he will define this relationship. It will be a tall order for one who is widely believed to have won on the strength of his controversial disinformation and fake news campaign. I believe he won because he was all too willing to embrace disinformation as a weapon against his opponents. While there may be nothing new in this penchant for revisionism, a presidential campaign and the presidency are two very different platforms.

Media’s role is to scrutinize and criticize. Those who argue against these basic functions fail to understand, whether purposely or from sheer ignorance, that scrutiny of public affairs—or private affairs that impact the public good—and criticism of officials and their actions that are considered inimical to the public good are all a necessity for a democratic society to function properly.

If media is prevented from performing its responsibilities as the previous administration had done so with relatively good success, then it erodes the basic fabric of a democratic society. I am sure this is not lost on President Marcos and his administration. I would like to believe that he and former President Rodrigo Duterte are two different leaders, with divergent views on nation building.

This, for me, is President Marcos’ first test in defining his presidency. Will he go the way of his predecessor or will he try to build his own legacy? His ability to do so will rest on how he treats media. I am skeptical, but everyone is entitled to the benefit of the doubt. Even the son and namesake of a thief and dictator.

Michael Ranosa

Environmental Services, University of Alberta Hospital

FRONTLINER

ISA KANG BAYANI (YOU’RE A HERO)

This column aims to recognize and appreciate everyone’s heroism when facing the challenges of life with courage and equanimity. Our society truly needs virtuous people like you. Indeed, we can speak of the truth, though, it may be hard; but we can soften it with kindness. A grand salute to our heroes!

The Benefits of Visiting Canada

JUST LISTEN Don’t Fall Victim to Sweet Talkers Who Promise High Money Returns

Nicky Gocuan, PMAA

ngocuan@yahoo.com

Nicky Gocuan has been a Columnist/ Photojournalist for over 15 years. He finished his Degree in Communication Arts at De La Salle University in 1990. After obtaining his University degree, Gocuan joined the Print Media and has contributed for The Philippine Star, Pilipino Star and later moved to Bagong Pinoy, where he wrote a regular opinion column. He also went on to write a showbiz column for The Tribune and Remate.

Gocuan has experience in covering the Police beat, Political beat, and Entertainment beat before landing in the Sports beat. He later wrote a regular sports column for Remate Tonight. During this time, he was elected President of the Philippine Basketball Association Press Photographers Club (PBAPPC) for Two Terms and helped uplift the status of the group to become a part of the 5 Man Mythical Committee in the PBA. He is currently the President of The Philippine Media Association of Alberta (PMAA) and Host of a weekly radio program ‘The Fourth Estate” on Tala Luvz Radio in Calgary. In a World of so much information, I was surprised to hear how many people still fall for the promise of high money returns but requires you to recruit members using MultiLevel Marketing as their business structure. Very recently, this writer got a report from a friend in Edmonton who claims he got victimized by this MLM business structure. The First thing I asked is why did you invest in it? The answer was because they were promised by their recruiter that they will help that person build my legs. For those people who do not understand Multi-Level Marketing, it is a system where those people on top who are ahead of you will benefit more than you because anyone you invite, or recruit is their downline and if you do not accumulate as many or more recruits on your end, then you won’t have the chance to recover your investment. It is Free to join, and this is how people get in and then they encourage you to browse their store to get your attention and entice you to be involved so you can recommend products to members. This is exactly how this friend of mine lost $2,500.

To some people, $2,500 is a small amount of money but to my friend it is still hard-earned money. What is even worse is the friend who encouraged him to join this MLM company money introduced another guy who encouraged him to join Gifting, a type of Pyramid Scheme where he can earn some quick returns. This person swears that he will help him build his team. So, he again poured money into the Gifting Scheme where he was promised to get a certain amount of returns on his investment during his birthday (from what I understood). Before he knew it, my friend was in for some more money. This is due to his eagerness to earn money and be financially free.

So my friend’s second investment in Gifting scheme grew to $12,500. The guy kept coming back to encourage my friend to put more money in so he can get his money back quicker, so my friend obliged. In the end, my friend lost $12,500 which he borrowed from his credit line. Due to this, it has caused him a lot of sleepless nights, anxiety and depression. I asked my friend, why did you fall for it when you already got burned in the first MLM Scheme? He admits to me his mistake but could not really explain how he fell for it except that the guy talks very well, and was very good at sugar-coating his claims that my friend would earn the money back. I know you might scratch your head over why he even invested in the Gifting Scheme which is obviously a scam that exists here in Edmonton. The reason why I am writing this story is to let people know that these illegal schemes exist and that you must be aware and stay away from them. This is not only happening in Canada but in a lot of places around the world. Believe it or not, it happens a lot in the Philippines where people complain about Pyramid Scams but even though it is in the news frequently, people continue to fall for it. Isn’t that almost everyone’s dream? To be financially free? It is obvious that this is why there are a lot of scammers looking for ways to get you to invest your money and promise you quick and high returns. Some of these scams are online, some are local, but they are everywhere. Moral lesson of the story folks, is don’t count your eggs when they are not yet hatched. When something is too good to be true, double check and triple check to see if there is merit in their claim. Remember money does not just grow on trees. Imagine planting a fruit tree, how long does it take for the tree to grow and bear the fruits you want to take home, it takes time. Money is no exception.

I am not saying that there is no quick money to be made out there, all I am trying to say is to be careful because there are a lot of predators out there to get you, especially if you are not cautious with your money. There are Government sites that you can refer to in order to check if a Company is legitimate and licensed. Otherwise, talk to the right financial adviser. This is someone who does your life insurance because they know more about these things and can help you on investments if that is what you are looking for. Please bear in mind that an investment with high returns also has a higher risk, meaning there is a chance you can either earn big or lose it all. I hope our article today will serve as a guide for many Canadians.

How Arts and Culture can revitalize our spirit and our economy.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi

From Mayor Sohi’s Desk

By Mayor Amarjeet Sohi

When I first came to Edmonton, one of the ways I found community and belonging was through joining a theater group. I practiced my speaking skills, made connections in my community, and gained confidence through trying something new. I know how valuable Arts and Culture is for our city, but what has surprised me is how critical it is for our economy.

Over the past few weeks, I have met with folks from the tech and start-up industry, post-secondaries, and so many other entrepreneurs and industry leaders. They expressed to me that to compete globally and scale-up, these companies need to sell Edmonton as the affordable, vibrant place we know and love to attract and retain top talent.

We know that the creative

Businesses across Edmonton are calling for more investments in the creative economy to attract top talent and support our creative ecosystem.

industry makes up $5.6 Billion of Alberta’s GDP, and Edmonton accounts for more than ⅓ of that with our 300+ Arts organizations, hundreds of events, and estimates of 35–50,000 Edmontonians who get all or part of their earnings from creative economy work. It’s important to do what we can to support festivals and the major economic boost they give our city.

This is why, as our four-year budget discussions start in the fall, I will be focused on Arts and Culture as a key area of investment for our city’s economic recovery and its ability to ensure a better quality of life for all Edmontonians.

What we are doing to support Arts and Culture: Supporting Festivals and Programs

In June, I put forward a motion to provide $500K to support smaller festivals and events, including creating micro-grants and increased support for the WinterCity program. This project will come as an unfunded service package to our 2023–2026 budget discussion. For the past few months, I have worked to explore the creation of a position to support the Edmonton economy after dark and to collaborate with Explore Edmonton to develop a Night Time Economy Strategy. Many folks from the hospitality industry and local businesses have told me about the potential that our night time economy has if we decide to support it.

Many cities are exploring night retail experiences, after-hours transit, and simply having administrative supports available after regular work hours. A vibrant nighttime economy would let Edmontonians and visitors use our public infrastructure more, feel safer, and give a needed boost to our restaurants, bars, venues, retail and so much more.

Celebrating our Talent

Edmonton has been selected to host the next JUNO Awards in March 2023. This weeklong festival was last in our city in 2004 and was hosted by Alanis Morissette. We can expect a $12 million economic boost from the event as well as a chance to let Edmonton shine as a festival city committed to Arts and Music as part of our collective identity.

Supporting our night time economy is also about making sure our City can fully benefit from large events like this one.

Helping Artists Recover

In April, the Edmonton Arts Council and the City of Edmonton launched the Arts Presentation Fund for COVID Recovery. This was a major campaign promise that I have been advocating for and I’m so happy to see it move forward. These $500-$10,000 grants will help Arts organizations, festivals, restaurants, community leagues, and other venues pay Edmonton artists to perform live as the community recovers from the effects of the pandemic. I am so excited to see all the new performances that will come from this initiative!

The pandemic has been disproportionately difficult for artists, gig workers, and those who depend on public performances and hospitality for their livelihood. This grant program is a first step toward helping creative economy workers and businesses that have been hit the hardest over these past two years.

Committing to a Sustainable Creative Economy

When I ran to be your Mayor, part of my platform included a re-commitment to the Connections and Exchanges initiative. The strategy lays out a 10year plan to transform Edmonton’s Arts and Heritage ecosystem and is already underway with the support of the City, Edmonton Arts Council, Edmonton Heritage Council, Arts Habitat Edmonton, and members of the community.

I am so proud to see this comprehensive strategy, especially the recognition that Indigenous Edmontonians must have agency in how they celebrate and remember their past, present, and future cultural and artistic practices.

When people think of Edmonton, I want the community they imagine to be a place of meaningful and

engaging creative expression. I want our city to be known for our world-class art institutions and our incredible professionals and creative community. And I want our city to be regarded as a great place to travel, raise a family, work, and live a vibrant life because of our well-supported and active Arts and Culture sector.

On June 28, MP Rechie Valdez, elected in 2021 to the seat of Missisagua, Ontario in the Canadian Parliament, was invited to meet with members of Philippine associations or NGOs in Edmonton. The visit of MP Valdez was organized by the leaders of the Calgary-based Association, Diaryo Alberta Society (Romeo Honorio & Marietta Pangan) and coordinated by Ida Beltran-Lucila on behalf of the Philippine Arts Council. Prior to Edmonton, MP Valdez held similar “Meet & Greet” forums with Filipino-Albertans in Calgary, Canmore, and Banff.

During the Edmonton Forum, MP Valdez shared her moving personal story of immigrating to Canada, including the challenges of settling into a new country and culture. She mentioned how it took some 15 years for her mother, who was already a qualified nurse in the Philippines, to finally attain her Registered Nurse status in Canada. MP Valdez urged association leaders and representatives in the Forum to maintain their Filipino heritage and identity as she pledged to promote the concerns of Filipino-Canadians, an essential part of her role as a Member of Parliament.

Leaders and representatives of several Philippine associations or NGOs in Edmonton introduced to MP Valdez the vision, mission, programs, and activities of their organizations, as well as their concerns for advocacy and resolution of issues and problems affecting the well being of Filipinos in Canada. Some of the key issues raised included (a) urgent need for recognition and accreditation of qualifications of Philippine-educated and trained professionals (e.g., nurses, engineers, teachers, etc.); (b) approval of permanent residency status to Filipino temporary migrant workers, including undocumented individuals, thereby giving them due appreciation for their valuable contributions to the Canadian economy and society; (c) preventing the deportation of the undocumented Filipina migrant worker Vangie and McKenna, her child diagnosed with ADHD and ODD, back to the Philippines; (d) appealing to the Federal Government to strengthen Canada's policy on the conduct and operations of Canadian corporations in the Philippines, notably in the mining sector which has caused negative environmental and social impact on local and regional communities; and (e) increasing official Federal resources to fund programs and projects which serve the well -being of FilipinoCanadians in Edmonton and Alberta (e.g., learning of Filipino language in schools and communities; nurturing their Filipino identity among FilipinoCanadian youth; education on social justice, human rights, environmental care, and anti-racism; establishing a building to house the Edmonton Philippine International Centre that can serve all Filipinos in Edmonton and

L - R: Nicky Gocuan (Philippine Media Association of Alberta president), LINGAP-Canada officers: Lito Velasco, Dr. Lucenia Ortiz, Dr. Josephine Pallard, MP Rechie Valdez, Dr. Jean Cawagas - LINGAP president, and Swee-Hin Toh

Photos by Nicky Gocuan

surrounding communities in northern Alberta).

The associations represented in the Forum included the following: Alberta Filipino Journal & COPA (Lito Velasco); Filipino Canadian Saranay Association (Josephine Pallard); Harlijk Productions (Dr. Harlijk Mirasol); LINGAP-Canada (Dr. Toh SweeHin & Dr. Jean Cawagas); Migrante Alberta (Cynthia Palmaria, Clarizze Truscott, Danilo de Leon); NAIT Philippine Student Association (Manny Bautista); Nasipitnons of Alberta (Tom Tamayo); PBAA (Annie Chua Firth); PBSA (Michelle Lucena); Philippine Arts Council (Ida Beltran-Lucila); PMAA (Nicky Gocuan); UPAAE, UP Alumni Association of Edmonton (Dr. Lucenia Ortiz; Dr. Mila Philipzig).

In her response, MP Valdez expressed her positive feelings and appreciation for the active volunteer work and commitment of so many FilipinoAlbertan organizations in Edmonton. She also pledged to look into ways by which she, as a Member of Parliament, can help to address the concerns raised during the Forum. In the intermission, participants were entertained by the energetic songs of a talented Filipino youth TÉA G from Edmonton. Forum participants also partook of several Filipino and other potluck dishes. The successful Forum ended well beyond the 2-hour schedule and MP Valdez promised to revisit Edmonton in 2023. Reported by Toh Swee-Hin (LINGAPCanada), https://www.lingapcanada. com; lingapcanada@yahoo.com

There’s a better way to pay!