CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER VOL. 3 NO. 56
MARCH 22, 2013
WHAT’S INSIDE
JOHN BONDOC
Ottawa to revisit skills gap in federal budget The federal government is poised to revisit its labour market interventions as Canada’s work force and business sector come together in their frustrations. Will this time be any different? (On page 19)
TWILIGHT TIME. Like a painting come to life, this sunset is viewed from Antipolo redirecting its light to the dark side of the Ortigas skyline, radiantly rages against the dying of the light.
Unpaid for 4 years, live-in caregiver sues her employer Evelyn Yacas tended to her employer's aging mother for 16 hours each day. The old woman passed away in 2008, and to date, Yacas is still without paycheck. (On page 20)
Political debates get nasty BY TJ BURGONIO AND CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer ARE PHILIPPINE political debates going the way of confrontational, reality television programs spawned by American talk show host Jerry Springer, who prods his guests to verbally and physically assault each other on the idiot box? Some politicians are appalled not only by how much mud has been tossed between candidates during this campaign season but where these character assassinations have taken place—on news and public affairs shows on national television. Even the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has taken note of what some commentators claim has become a disturbing and nasty trend in election debates. “Will bring this up in our discussions this week,” said Comelec
Commissioner Grace Padaca, who declined to elaborate. Squaring off two personalities who hold a grudge against each other has been the blueprint for success of Springer’s TV show, which focuses on personal disputes involving ordinary people. In a recent interview with US news website Huffington Post, Springer said that while people enjoyed watching his show, he admitted that his program was “stupid” and had “no redeeming social value.” In a text message to the INQUIRER, Sen. Serge Osmeña III said: “It is extremely disappointing to witness interviews and debates that have been allowed to degenerate into mudslinging and personal insults and public peeks into irrelevant family conflicts. Our nation has serious problems which need serious minds to come up with serious solutions.”
“We maintain that this campaign should be about programs of the government and not about personalities. We do not believe in negative campaigning,” said Sen. Franklin Drilon, campaign manager of the Team P-Noy senatorial ticket. Lim-Estrada tussle Last week, a one-on-one debate between rivals Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and former President Joseph Estrada on ABS-CBN’s talk show, “Umagang Kay Ganda,” supposedly on issues confronting the nation’s capital, degenerated into an ugly exchange of barbs and personal attacks against each other’s children. Lim and Estrada carried on their bitter tirade the following day in a debate sponsored by the University of the Philippines in Manila, where they ignored the host’s repeated pleas More on page 3
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VOICE 27
$
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Samsung Galaxy Ace IIX™
Filipino-Canadian in Focus: Danica Tan School, family, and cause-oriented organizations: Ms. Teen Richmond Danica Tan bustles about her day with a smile on her face. (On page 26)
Forests, beaches, wildlife on Galiano Island Galiano Island is a walking and hiking paradise with views of mountain and shore, wildlife, open beaches, and other sights to keep any wanderer captivated. (On page 45)
The end of a dream: U.P. freshman takes her own life 16-year-old college Kristel Tejada had beauty, brains, and a bright future. All that ended by her own hand when the young lady took her life upon having no money to go to school. (On page 46)
150 Minutes Unlimited Text, Picture and Video Messaging 1
Offer current as of March 19, 2013. Available with compatible devices within network coverage areas available from Bell Mobility; see bell.ca/coverage. Long distance and roaming charges (including foreign taxes) may apply. Paper bill charge ($2/mo.) applies unless you register for e-bill and cancel your paper bill. Other monthly fees, e.g., 911 (Sask: $0.62, New Brunswick: $0.53, Nova Scotia: $0.43, P.E.I.: $0.70, Quebec: $0.40), and one-time device activation ($35) apply. Fees may apply for applications, features, content and roaming when outside your local area. Upon early termination, price adjustments apply; see your Service Agreement for details. Subject to change without notice. Taxes extra. Other conditions apply. (1) Sent messages include domestic text messages and exclude international, roaming, alerts, premium text messages and messages sent with an instant messaging application. Roaming messages include international GSM, CDMA and U.S. CDMA messages. Received messages include domestic, international, roaming and service-related messages from Bell and exclude premium, alerts or dial-up messages. Out of bundle charges may apply. Data usage charges will apply for select CDMA smartphones to send and receive picture and video messages. Samsung, Galaxy Note II is a trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., used in Canada under licence.