Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #83

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VOL. 9 NO. 83

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SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

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Why aren’t P-noy allies charged?

Belmonte defends epal lawmakers

Canada monitoring attack on Kenyan shopping mall

Filipino-Canadian in Focus: Lixmila Serrano

Fashion Week

Court enters not guilty plea on Napoles’ behalf

BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer

LINING UP FOR SHELTER Residents displaced by fighting between gov’t troops and MNLF rebels join a long queue to get into an evacuation center at a sports complex in Zamboanga City on Friday, the 12th day of the urban warfare.

PHOTO BY EDWIN BACASMAS

Palace, House urge SC to lift pork TRO MNLF taunts soldiers: Come nearer, we’ll behead you! ❱❱ PAGE 8 PHOTO BY EDWIN BACASMAS / INQUIRER

❱❱ PAGE 12 Palace, House

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SAYING REFORMS were underway, the Aquino administration and the House of Representatives on Tuesday asked the

Supreme Court to junk petitions seeking to declare the pork barrel system unconstitutional.

In a 23-page comment to the court, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) also urged either the partial or total lift-

Scan this QR code using your smartphone.

❱❱ PAGE 14 Court enters

Plea made for poor patients, scholars

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA AND CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer

SHE WORE a bulletproof vest and a helmet when she came to the courtroom to be arraigned. Her hands were also wrapped with a roll of cloth to hide her handcuffs.

As an added precaution, police also cordoned off a portion of the corridor leading to the courtroom to keep the media away.

After more than three weeks of detention in a police camp, businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles appeared in public for the first time to be arraigned on a charge of serious illegal detention of whistle-blower Benhur Luy, her cousin.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 2

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Philippine News

3 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Opposition reiterates: Why aren’t P-noy allies charged?

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer

witnesses said. So there’s no transparency.”

P581 million

WHAT ABOUT administration legislators?

The political opposition is wondering why the National Bureau of Investigation focused on its members in the filing of plunder charges in the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam.

“If you really want to clean up the government, if you really want to show that there’s no politics involved here, you should make an example of your own allies first,” Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, secretary general of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), told the INQUIRER. Tiangco noted that Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. were not the lone legislators implicated in the alleged scam, based on the special audit of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Whistle-blowers’ testimonies

He acknowledged that the

Based on the NBI complaint, the trio of Enrile, Estrada and Revilla alone pocketed a combined kickback of around P581 million from fraudulent PDAF transactions.

But the Commission on Audit (COA) report covering 2007 to 2009 also raised questions over the use of PDAF of a number of legislators allied with President Aquino.

Mr. Aquino’s close friend, former Cibac Rep. Joel Villanueva, was on the COA list of legislators allegedly involved in questionable deals totaling P541.7 million with nongovernment organizations (NGOs).

Tupas, Ungab

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco: Why only us?

PHOTO FROM RUFFYBIAZON.PH

case against the three senators was based on the testimonies of whistle-blowers, led by Benhur Luy, a former employee of Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged

brains of the PDAF anomaly.

“The problem there is they (administration) have a hold on these whistle-blowers,” he said.

“Only they know what these

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Also listed were Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., who headed the prosecution in the impeachment case against then Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012, and Rep. Isidro Ungab, chair of the powerful House committee on appropriations.

Former Sen. Edgardo Angara, whose son Sonny ran and won

under the administration’s senatorial ticket in May, allegedly used P81.55 million and P14.4 million of his PDAF in separate foundations where he was involved.

Deficiencies

The COA also noted “deficiencies” in “transactions charged against the PDAF” of Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who was also a member of Mr. Aquino’s senatorial ticket.

The agency likewise took issue with former Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon’s use of P5 million of his PDAF for a fertilizer project when he was still a Muntinlupa representative.

‘Soft’ projects

The COA also found that P256.3 million in “soft” projects funded by House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales’ PDAF was “not compliant” with the government procurement law.

“To us, everyone, friend or foe, should be charged if he was indeed involved in any anomaly involving PDAF,” Tiangco said.

“But the investigation should be fair.” ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 4

Belmonte defends ‘epal’ lawmakers: Billboards are OK

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer DON’T RUSH to judgment when you see a billboard from an “epal” (one who loves to take credit, publicity) rising in your street.

The appeal came from no less than Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. who apparently believes it’s actually a good thing for politicians to put up street signs identifying public projects they have funded.

What Belmonte considers an epal, or being an epal, is putting one’s name on a project or projects where he has no involvement at all.

“Epal or not, it’s better for people to know where you put your money,” Belmonte told reporters yesterday, using a slang that describes credit-grabbers or people desperate for attention.

A Filipino slang, the word “epal” has also been described as referring to someone who unnecessarily butts into a conversation.

Need to inform

With the congressional pork barrel under a cloud of suspicion, it’s actually a good thing for lawmakers to put up signs identifying the projects they have funded, according to Belmonte.

He said it would be better for people to know where the lawmakers had channeled the public funds that had been placed at their disposal. That would also help citizens become more informed.

“I mean, right now everybody talks about anti-epal. But there’s also a necessity to inform the people, the constituents, where their money goes,” he said.

Still, he said there should be limits on the number or size of signs lawmakers can put up.

A small sign saying where the project comes from would suffice, he said.

Controversial PDAF

Belmonte made the statements while explaining how lawmakers may still identify infrastructure projects for their

Anti-epal crusade

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.: Epal or not, it’s better for people to know where you put your money.

respective districts now that the P25-billion lump sum allocation for their pork barrel—or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)— has been removed from the budget.

The PDAF has been rechanneled to six departments, including the Department of Public Works and Highways

(DPWH).

Lawmakers can still propose projects but would have to identify these early and include these in the DPWH budget as a line item.

Gone is the practice whereby lawmakers could choose to fund road and building constructions anytime they wanted.

This new process is touted to be more transparent since every project would be included in the budget and could be scrutinized.

“I think the days of yore when you have a road leading to your own farm are gone,” Belmonte said.

The House of Representatives has decided to scrap the PDAF following disclosures about a scheme where lawmakers and their cohorts supposedly pocketed these funds by channeling them to fake nongovernment organizations.

The controversy has ignited public outrage against lawmakers and sparked calls for an end to the discretionary funds, which critics said were used for political patronage.

An “anti-epal” crusade has also started among citizens tired of seeing the names and faces of politicians plastered on buildings, vehicles and banners, especially in the days leading up to the midterm elections in May. ■

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Philippine News

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 6

6 of 35 accused of plunder have left PH

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA AND LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer SIX OF the 35 people included in the Bureau of Immigration (BI) lookout list after plunder and malversation charges were filed against them have left the country, an immigration official said yesterday. The charges were in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

The six who have left the country included former Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Plaza; Jessica Lucila Reyes, a former chief of staff of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile; Ruby Tuason, a representative of Enrile and Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada; former Training and Research Center (TRC) Director General Antonio Ortiz; former TRC Deputy Director General Dennis Cunanan; and Nemesio Pablo Jr., head of Agri and Economic Program for Farmers Foundation Inc. BI spokesperson Ma. Angelica Pablo said Plaza, Ortiz and Cunanan left this month, while Reyes and Tuason left in Au-

gust. Pablo Jr. left the country in May 2010.

The BI spokesperson declined to divulge the destinations or the flight details of the suspects.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the government could not compel those implicated in the alleged pork barrel scam to return to the country because the criminal complaints against them have yet to be filed in court.

In case none of the personalities ever return home, she said the government could take action against them should there be a conviction in court.

It could ask for extradition or seek assistance through a mutual legal assistance treaty.

BI Officer in Charge Siegfred Mison said he issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against 35 of the 38 respondents on De Lima’s orders.

Out of courtesy

Sign of wrongdoing

But De Lima did indicate that their flight could indicate their involvement in the alleged wrongdoing.

“On the psychological side of things, when they are leaving, isn’t that an indication that they have done something wrong?” she told reporters at the House of Representatives, where the Department of Justice’s budget was subject to plenary debates.

De Lima said that at this point, the government could request Interpol that the whereabouts of the personalities be monitored.

Mison said three respondents—Senators Enrile, Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr.—were not included in the lookout list “out of courtesy toward members of a coequal branch of government.”

The lookout bulletin requires immigration officers to immediately relay any information to the Office of the Secretary of Justice and the Office of the Prosecutor General should any of the respondents attempt to leave the country via any of the international airports and seaports, Mison said.

He added that the lookout

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The six who have left the country included former Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Plaza; Jessica Lucila Reyes, a former chief of staff of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile; Ruby Tuason, a representative of Enrile and Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada; former Training and Research Center (TRC) Director General Antonio Ortiz; former TRC Deputy Director General Dennis Cunanan; and Nemesio Pablo Jr., head of Agri and Economic Program for Farmers Foundation Inc. PCI sources disclosed, however, that Cunanan is on his way back to the Philippines.

order was not a hold departure order as its purpose was to alert concerned agencies that a person on the list was about to leave the country.

Who’s who on the list

He said the list included alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and five former members of the House of Representatives: Plaza, Rizalina Seachon-Lanete (Masbate), Rep. Edgar Valdez (Apec party-list), Samuel Dangwa (Benguet), and Constantino Jaraula

(Cagayan de Oro).

Also on the list were Richard Cambe, Pauline Labayen, Jose Sumalpong, Jeanette de la Cruz, Carlos Lozada, Erwin Dangwa, Alan Javellana, Gondelina Amata, Salvador Salacup, Jocelyn Piorato, Mylene Encarnacion, John Raymund de Asis, Evelyn Deleon, Ronald John Lim, Victor Cacal, Romulo Revelo, Ma. Ninez Guanizo, Julie Johnson, Rhodora Mendoza, Alexis Sevidal, Sofia Cruz, Chila Jalandoni, Francisco Figura, and Marivic Jover. ■

Philippine News

7 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Better prospects for Malampaya audit explosive, says COA Report on P23.6-B fund under GMA out in Oct. FOI bill seen

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE FREEDOM of information (FOI) bill will not be ignored and will be put to a vote in the 16th congress, especially since the President has reportedly certified it as urgent, according to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte.

Belmonte painted a more optimistic future for the FOI bill, which had stalled in the last two congresses.

“The measure will be taken up,” he said.

Malacañang is reportedly set to include the transparency measure in the list of bills it would certify as urgent, and this would be presented to lawmakers during the LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council.

“It really helps that the Palace itself says okay [to the bill], so that augurs well for the future of that bill in the 16th congress,” Belmonte told reporters.

He also answered in the affirmative when asked if this would guarantee that the bill would be put to a vote.

He disclosed that he had asked several people to study the different versions of the FOI bill filed in Congress and to provide feedback on the measures.

“In other words, we’re not ignoring it,” he said.

The FOI bill had failed to hurdle the 15th congress, the first congress convened under the Aquino administration.

The bill was approved at the committee level, but was not deliberated on and put to a vote in the plenary.

Advocates of the bill, which would lift the shroud of secrecy over government dealings and transactions, had repeatedly called on the President to certify it as urgent, but he had not done so.

Calls to approve the measure intensified following the disclosure of an alleged scheme to channel lawmakers’ pork barrel funds to their and their cohorts’ pockets.

According to FOI proponents, having such a transparency measure could prevent similar schemes from taking place.

More than its current relevance, freedom of information is guaranteed in the Philippine Constitution’s Bill of Rights (1987). Lawmakers, however, have effectively stalled the implementation of this statute by not passing an FOI implementing law.

Meanwhile, the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI) rejoiced at the reported inclusion of the FOI bill in the list of priority measures.

“Our hope in the struggle for transparency and accountability has been renewed. Our public officials should now realize the dire need for this measure in the wake of all issues of government corruption, especially the PDAF scam,” FYI convenor Allan Pangilinan said in a statement. ■

BY MICHELLE V. REMO AND GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THE WOMAN who in August found the P10-billion pork barrel scandal “appalling” ( kahindikhindik) now says her agency has looked into the alleged misuse of P23.6 billion in the government’s share in the Malampaya Fund during the Arroyo administration and found it “explosive.”

Speaking at the Integrity Summit organized by the business community, Commission on Audit (COA) Chair Grace Pulido-Tan said her agency would release the results of a special audit of the Malampaya Fund next month.

“In October, we will come up with the results of the audit on the Malampaya Fund. Let this serve as a heads-up,” Tan said.

“The results will be explosive.”

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes told the INQUIRER that an inhouse review showed that P900 million from the operation of gas and oil fields in the waters off Palawan province coursed through his department in 2009 went to ghost projects of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) component is included in the COA special audit.

The Malampaya Fund is a pool of money from royalties collected by the national government from the Malampaya gas project in Palawan province. It is meant primarily to fund the government’s energyrelated projects as well as other programs approved by the President.

Delos Reyes said that the P900 million meant for victims of Tropical Storms “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” in 2009 in agrarian reform communities in 97 municipalities had gone instead to Napoles’ 12 NGOs. Ministerial role

“Our audit showed that the mayors denied having received any fund from the NGOs (nongovernment organizations).

Some beneficiaries denied having received any livelihood packages while some names in the liquidation report were www.canadianinquirer.net

This rig draws gas from the Malampaya fields off the coast of western Palawan.

Part of the revenue from the gas fields goes to the national government, which uses the money to finance various programs. The Supreme Court is being asked to stop the “systematic plunder” of the Malampaya Fund by resolving a petition pending for almost four years assailing its use by the government as illegal and unconstitutional.

PHOTO FROM INQUIRER.NET | EDWIN BACASMAS

fake,” he said in a phone interview.

Delos Reyes said, however, that the audit failed to trace the government official who identified the Napoles NGOs as the recipients of the Malampaya Fund coursed through the DAR. DAR employees claimed that the agency’s role was merely “ministerial” and that they had no part in the selection of the implementing NGO. The key players in the fund transfer were then Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman and Undersecretary Narciso Nieto and then Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya and incumbent Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos.

Napoles is among 38 people, including Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr., charged in theOffice of the Ombudsman on Monday with plunder and malversation. Napoles is being held in a police antiterrorism training camp for serious illegal detention of Benhur Luy, a whistle-blower.

capagal-Arroyo approved the use of the Malampaya Fund for typhoon rehabilitation, which was formalized by the then executive secretary, Eduardo Ermita, in a memo to Andaya, that started the ball rolling on the plunder of the facility.

Based on the liquidation report, the 12 NGOs listed a total of 22, 427 beneficiaries who were given farm production kits priced either at P38,118 or P42,358 each in 97 towns in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Bulacan, Benguet, Abra, Laguna, Kalinga, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, Cagayan, Ifugao, Tarlac, Quirino, Apayao, Quezon Nueva Vizcaya, and Camarines Sur. In Baguio City, Franklin Cocoy, DAR Cordillera director, said his office had so far found no trace of the livelihood aid program financed by Malampaya.

“A former mayor approached us last year to determine whether Malampaya-funded projects meant for her town existed. She was asked by the Commission on Audit to vali-

Arroyo set ball rolling

Former President Gloria Ma-

❱❱ PAGE 8 Malampaya fund

Philippine News

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 8

MNLF taunts soldiers: Come nearer, we’ll behead you!

BY NIKKO DIZON AND JULIE S. ALIPALA Philippine Daily Inquirer ZAMBOANGA CITY— ”Lumapit kayo para pugutan namin kayo!” (Come here so we can behead you!)

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters making a last stand taunted Scout Rangers 30 to 50 meters away in one of the close-quarter combat scenes in Barangay (village) Santa Catalina here in the past few days.

Asked what the Army’s elite troopers shouted back, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, the military spokesman, said: “None.”

“If they did, they would have compromised their positions.

They should not be distracted from their primary mission,” he told the Inquirer.

Zagala said the story was narrated to him by one of the junior officers who was wounded during the fighting, which entered its 16th day on Tuesday in coastal communities in the city. Some 110,000 residents have been displaced and are now staying in 36 evacuation centers.

A total of 128 combatants—110 MNLF rebels and 18 soldiers and policemen—have been killed and 161 have been wounded. Ninety-three rebels have been captured and 45 others have surrendered.

‘Almost over’ “It is almost over,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said

Abad rebuts Marcos Jr.’s forgery tale of P100-M pork

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer

LOOKOUT ON A TREE. A policeman from the PNP Special Action Force jumps

off a tree in Zamboanga City after getting a good look at members of the Moro National Liberation Front. Government forces earlier engaged MNLF members in a close encounter, killing one commander in a mangrove area after a brief chase in Barangay Talon-Talon on Monday.

PHOTO BY EDWIN BACASMAS / INQUIRER

in a brief press conference with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.

“We will say it is over when we say it’s over. As of now, we cannot say that because we are still accounting for some hostages. We are still looking for two women, a child and an elderly person,” Gazmin said.

Gazmin and Bautista have been on top of the military strategy against rebels belonging to the MNLF faction led by founding chair Nur Misuari who entered the city’s coastal villages on Sept. 9, supposedly to hold a peace rally and hoist their “Independent Bangsam-

oro Republik” flag at City Hall.

Military air strikes

President Aquino, as Commander in Chief, had overseen the operations for eight days at the war room of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) before flying back to Manila on Sunday. He continues to monitor the situation, Roxas said.

On Tuesday, the Inquirer news team saw an SF-260 Marchetti plane drop nine 250-pound bombs on Sumatra Island, just across the mangrove area in Barangay Talon❱❱ PAGE 12 MNLF taunts

CONTRARY TO his claims that his signature was forged, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had written letters to then Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) specifically endorsing a Janet LimNapoles agency to implement a P100-million livelihood project, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said.

The amount was part of a P475-million facility the DBM had extended to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to bankroll livelihood projects of local government units (LGUs) in 2011 as lump sum allocations for six senators. However, the DAR, burned by the alleged misuse of P900 million from the Malampaya Fund in 2009, refused to have anything to do with the money, the INQUIRER has learned.

A DAR official, who requested anonymity, said the department did not want to be used as a “clearinghouse” following the 2009 shenanigans.

Marcos last week claimed that his signature was forged to facilitate the release of his P100million share to the nongovernment organizations (NGOs) controlled by Napoles—Agricultura Para sa Magbubukid Inc. and Agri and

Economic Program for Farmers Foundation Inc.—with the National Livelihood Development Corp. (NLDC) as the implementing agency in March 16 last year.

The namesake son of the late dictator said that his funds were sourced from the DBM’s disbursement acceleration program (DAP), which the DAR official claimed was the source of the P475-million facility.

Other senators supposedly sharing the fund were Jinggoy Estrada (P100 million), Ramon Revilla Jr. (P100 million), Vicente Sotto III (P70 million), Juan Ponce Enrile (P55 million) and Loren Legarda (P50 million).

Abad refuted Marcos’ claims that his signature was faked.

He insisted that Marcos sought the funding and even requested for a switch in implementing agency.

Abad stressed that the legislators and not the DBM normally determined the implementing agency “as well as the purpose for the request of funds.”

“That’s the senator’s contention but that’s not what our records show,” Abad said of the Marcos allegation. “He wrote Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile through Sen. Franklin Drilon on Nov. 23, 2011, requesting an endorsement of his request. Then he wrote the ❱❱ PAGE 13 Abad rebuts

Malampaya fund... date the release of Pepeng-related items which she did not receive,” Cocoy said.

Some mayors, who spoke to the INQUIRER on condition of anonymity, said each of them was asked to confirm the release of P10 million worth of farm tools. But they said none of these items reached their towns. ❰❰ 7

Some mayors were asked to confirm the release of P10 million worth of farm tools. But none of these items reached their towns.

Bill for independent COA

Taking note of the mayors’ complaints, Cocoy said the agency launched an investiwww.canadianinquirer.net

gation and was attempting to verify a report that Napoles had used her NGOs to gain access to the Malampaya projects.

During the integrity summit, Tan announced she was pushing for the passage of a bill that sought to make the COA an independent agency.

She said she was proposing that the COA have its budget automatically appropriated and not go through the approval mechanism in Congress. She said this would prevent auditors from being subjected to unfavorable treatment by legis-

lators, particularly those implicated in irregularities.

“In other countries the budget of the audit office is already there [automatically appropriated]. That is one way by which the independence of COA can be guaranteed,” Tan said. “At present, our budget process is very difficult.”

She said that under the current system, COA officials were often subjected to questioning by legislators about matters not related to its budget. “If our budget is assured, we can get rid of politics,” she said. ■

Philippine News

9 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Ombudsman: A year or less

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer FACED WITH a roomful of evidence, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales vowed to decide in “a year or less” the plunder case against Janet LimNapoles and powerful senators and congressmen implicated in the alleged P10billion pork barrel scam.

Morales made the remarks a day after the Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Napoles, Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr., and former House members Rizalina SeachonLanete and Edgar Valdez with allegedly siphoning their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) into ghost projects.

The three senators were accused of receiving a total of P581 million in kickbacks from Napoles.

“I didn’t like to be optimistic in saying that we can resolve it in one month or two. We have to go over the evidence,” Morales said during her presentation of the Office of the Ombudsman’s proposed P1.8-billion budget for 2014.

The office will immediately go over the voluminous pieces of evidence against the DOJ’s first batch of respondents, she said, even before the government files the rest of its cases in connection with the scam that used Napoles’ fake nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to convert public funds into fat kickbacks.

Also by batches

“The Department of Justice filed cases by batches and if that is the case then we should also file cases by batches,” said Morales, whose office will decide if the complaint would merit prosecution in the Sandiganbayan. “The one year that I gave is really just an estimate. It

could be less,” she said.

Sen. Francis Escudero asked Morales if she could make sure the resolution of the cases would not take more than a year.

“I will see to it that it won’t be more,” Morales replied.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she was imposing a gag order on herself and all officials of the DOJ and the National Bureau of Investigation on the plunder case “in deference” to the Ombudsman.

Asked if the government would also inquire into the bank accounts of the current and former lawmakers implicated in the scam, De Lima replied, “That is being done.”

She said there would be “coordination” among the members of the Interagency AntiGraft and Corruption Coordination Council on the matter.

De Lima, however, said she would leave it up to Morales to request the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to inquire into, or possibly even freeze, the bank assets of the respondents.

“It’s an independent constitutional body and has plenary powers to do that, coercive powers. She can always compel any agency of government, including the ALMC, to produce all the necessary documents,” she said.

The AMLC has petitioned the Court of Appeals to initiate inquiries about banking transactions involving Napoles and freeze such accounts while the inquiries are being made. The NBI had sought the freeze order.

Acute public interest

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, a former Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge, said the Ombudsman should not allow any postponement of the proceedings during the preliminary investigation phase.

She even proposed that Morales and the whole agency devote all their resources to the resolution of the plunder cases,

citing “acute public interest.”

“When I was RTC judge of Quezon City, I discovered that the country suffers from pandemic diarrhea. That is the most common ground for postponement sought by lawyers, the parties, and their witnesses,” Santiago said.

“No postponement should be granted in the name of the almighty diarrhea,” Santiago added.

Santiago, who has been elected to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, said the judicial branch cannot afford to lose its credibility over a slow resolution of the plunder cases, particularly the accused lawmakers.

She made the remark amid fears “that the plunder cases will take five or more years to be finally decided by the Sandiganbayan, and, in cases of appeal, before the Court of Appeals and even by the Supreme Court.”

“If our judges are lackadaisical and allow such a gross delay, the public, in line with the temper of the times, will definitely howl in protest and possibly seek extralegal remedies,” Santiago said. “I don’t know if our judicial system is ready to take that risk.”

Drilon’s stand

Senate President Franklin Drilon yesterday stressed that only the Senate or the House of Representatives could discipline members. While the law provides that a government official shall be suspended when a case for plunder is filed against him or her in the Sandiganbayan, he said the suspension was only preventive.

However, the Senate ethics committee that has the power to recommend the suspension or expulsion of erring senators such as those implicated in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam, has yet to be organized.

“It’s not difficult to organize,”

www.canadianinquirer.net

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales (left) vowed to decide in “a year or less” the plunder case against Janet Lim-Napoles and powerful senators and congressmen implicated in the alleged P10billion pork barrel scam.

PHOTO FROM PCIJ.ORG

Drilon said. “If needed, we can do so.”

Swift resolution

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang was deferring to the Ombudsman on the actions it would take on the plunder complaint, adding that the Aquino administration would “like everything to be expedited.”

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada expressed hopes that the case against him would be resolved swiftly. “If I really don’t have any fault, then I would like to be cleared immediately,” he said.

Catholic bishops welcomed the filing of plunder charges, saying that finally the search for truth had begun.

“We are also praying for a speedy and just conclusion of the proceedings,” Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez told reporters.

“What is just must be done,” said Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo.

“I hope Napoles and the

guilty senators will be jailed for life. They have committed crimes against the nation,” said Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes.

He also said President Aquino’s “tuwid na daan” (straight path) policy would become credible again if the pork barrel will be outlawed and declared unconstitutional.

Over Church-run Radio Veritas, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said prosecuting lawmakers linked to the scam was one of the best ways to restore the integrity of Congress. “First, the guilty must be prosecuted so they may be able to clean their ranks. Second, all kinds of pork barrel must be abolished and the legislators themselves must push for that,” he said.

In a pastoral letter early this month, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines joined calls for the abolition of the pork barrel, saying it was an “act of terrorism” against the poor. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 10

‘Cases now in probable cause stage: 1 yr too long’

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE HOUSE minority bloc is not buying Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales’ pronouncement that her office would take up to one year to decide whether to file plunder and other criminal charges against legislators and others implicated in the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam.

House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora yesterday said the timeframe was too long, considering that the Ombudsman would need to determine only “probable cause” to elevate the cases to the Sandiganbayan, the antigraft court.

“We’re wondering why the figure given was one year,” he said in a press conference, noting that the cases had already been evaluated by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“We are at the stage of determining probable cause,” he added.

Zamora said the Ombudsman should be done “before Christmas,” arguing that it would neither deal with a “new” case nor gather a new set of evidence.

“Let us not forget that justice delayed is no justice at all,” he said.

Validate DOJ findings

Zamora said all the Ombudsman would have to do was to “validate” the DOJ findings that certain Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations had been misused and pocketed by some legislators.

“You don’t have to read the million pages (in evidence),” he said. “All you have to see is whether there is a case or none.”

The truckloads of documents accompanying the plunder and malversation cases filed by the National Bureau of Investigation will be useless if they do not convince the Ombudsman and the court, a lawyers group said.

The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) said the documentary evidence presented by the NBI should, in combination with the testimonies of the whistle-blowers and other witnesses, prove the involvement of the 38 suspects, which included the al-

leged mastermind Janet LimNapoles as well as former and incumbent legislators.

Legal standards

“What is important is not the volume of the documentary evidence but whether all the evidence can pass muster the legal standards at major junctures of the proceedings,” NUPL secretary general Edre Olalia said in a statement.

“The standards are: the existence of probable cause to charge the respondents; evidence of guilt is strong when the accused will petition for bail; and proof beyond reasonable doubt for conviction,” Olalia added.

Olalia said that whether the investigation lasts a year or more, what was important was that the government prosecutors must be good and that the people must be kept updated of the proceedings so that they will not lose interest or become apathetic.

“What is decisive is that public interest and vigilance must not wane, political will must be strong, the process and those who will sit in judgment must be fair and fearless, and that no political accommodation or rehabilitation would occur,” he said.

Otherwise, Olalia added, “we will just go full circle and all these would just be another pep squad show that will not decide the endgame for the people’s cry for good government and public accountability.”

Second batch

The NBI is set to file cases against two more batches of suspects.

This week, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said, cases would be filed against those involved in the misuse of funds coming from the government’s share of the profits from the Malampaya gas field in Palawan.

“As a matter of principle, all those who are involved must be charged regardless of political affiliation. The administration must satisfactorily and credibly demonstrate to the public that it is indeed not selective. It must not abuse this moral and legal issue for its own partisan agenda,” Olalia said.

Zamora said the minority bloc was preparing to quiz the congressman who would spon-

House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora (inset): We’re wondering why the figure given was one year... Let us not forget that justice delayed is no justice at all.

PHOTO FROM SOLARNEWS.PH

sor the DOJ budget in plenary in connection with the PDAF cases now with the Ombudsman.

One question, he said, would be whether the plunder and malversation cases would not be limited to opposition legislators and would also cover administration allies.

“Those were the questions, in fact, that we will be asking Secretary De Lima when she gets to the floor. Rather, not specifically Secretary De Lima but whoever will be the one sponsoring the budget of the DOJ,” he said.

“Obviously, we have an interest in this. Wewant to make sure that not only the guilty would be punished, but the innocent are absolved as soon as possible.”

No compromise

Malacañang has no appetite for striking a compromise deal with Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr., and the two former members of the House of Representatives implicated in the pork barrel scam.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the ball was no longer in the court of the executive branch following www.canadianinquirer.net

the filing of plunder and other charges against 38 people, including Napoles.

“I can guarantee you that there’s no compromise because, once the charges are filed, it’s no longer with us. It is already with the Ombudsman,” Lacierda said at a briefing in the Palace.

Lacierda was counting on the public not to lose interest in the plunder case when told that Morales herself admitted to the Senate, where she defended the proposed P1.8-billion budget for 2014 of her office, that the preliminary investigation on the cases would take a year or less to finish.

“It’s part of the obligation of the people (to remain vigilant) because we have an engaged citizenry. Let’s not forget that these things have to be resolved,” Lacierda said.

The DOJ charged Napoles, Enrile, Estrada and Revilla Jr., and former House members Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, now on her second term as governor of Masbate, and Edgar Valdez with plunder for allegedly channeling the PDAF into ghost projects and getting huge kickbacks.

The three senators were ac-

cused of receiving a total of P581 million in kickbacks from Napoles, while the former members of the House, according to the NBI, likewise received kickbacks: Lanete, P108,405,000, and Valdez, P56,087,500.

Besides the plunder case against Napoles and six others, charges of malversation of public funds, bribery, graft and corrupt practices were lodged in the Office of the Ombudsman against 32 others.

Charges of malversation, direct bribery and other graft and corrupt practices were leveled against three former representatives: Rodolfo Plaza who allegedly received P42,137,800 from PDAF allocations of P79,500,000; Samuel Dangwa, P26,770,472 from PDAF allocations of P54 million; and Constantino Jaraula, P20,843,750 from PDAF allocations of P50.5 million.

Facing the same charges are former chiefs of staff or aides of the lawmakers—Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes (Enrile), Richard Cambe (Revilla), Ruby Tuazon (Enrile/Estrada), Pauline Labayen (Estrada), Jose Sumalpong and Jenanette de la Cruz (Lanete), Erwin Dangwa and Carlos Lozada (Dangwa). ■

Philippine News

11 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Palace letter sets off Malampaya plunder Napoles fake NGOS got nearly P900M

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THE RELEASE of P900 million from the Malampaya Fund to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) had already been “fixed” even before officials asked for quick response money from Malacañang on the pretext that farmers needed livelihood kits to recover from the damage wrought by Storms “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” in 2009, the INQUIRER has learned.

These allegedly overpriced livelihood kits to farmers were just a ruse deployed by fake nongovernment organizations (NGOs) owned by detained businesswoman Janet LimNapoles to access the Malampaya Fund sought by then Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman from then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

A letter issued by the then “little president,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, provided state agencies like the DAR the green light to dip into the Malampaya Fund which eventually led to a total of P14 billion released by the Arroyo administration just a few months before the 2010 elections.

“This pertains to the Oct. 13, 2009, letter of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita relative to the approval of the President (Arroyo) to use Special Account

in the General Fund (Fund 151) of the Department of Energy in such amounts as may be necessary for the relief operations, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and other works and services to areas affected by natural calamities,” then Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya said in a memo to the Office of the Treasurer approving the P900-million allocation to the DAR. Andaya previously told the INQUIRER that Arroyo approved the use of the Malampaya Fund, the access of which was restricted by law for energy-related projects, during a series of Cabinetlevel meetings.

Ermita’s letter came nine days before then Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Narciso Nieto formally requested for a P900-million budget “to provide directly to our farmer-beneficiaries the necessary inputs to help them recover from their losses” in a letter to Andaya dated Oct. 22, 2009.

“Based on our past experiences, we realized that providing the farm communities the

means to do this would be the best way to help them accelerate recovery from these two calamities,” said

to be named for fear of reprisal, said that Nieto had to pinchhit for Pangandaman who was then in the United States, because the department wanted the money released before the end of the year.

The special allotment release order (Saro) for the P900million fund was issued by Andaya on Nov. 19, 2009, with the notice of cash allocation (NCA) released to Land Bank of the Philippines, Quezon Circle branch, a little over amonth later on Dec. 21.

Cash before Christmas

Nieto, who placed the damage to communities of agrarian reform benefiaries from Ondoy and Pepeng at P10 billion.

A DAR officer, who refused

Based on the liquidation report obtained by the INQUIRER, the checks for roughly 90 percent of the DAR funds were dated between Dec. 22 and 23 which allowed Napoles’ staff to withdraw themoney before Christmas 2009.

Whistle-blowers Benhur Luy and Merlina Suñas said these withdrawals were among their single biggest haul in their years of working under Napoles.

Curiously, the checks for the

balance of the remaining 10 percent were dated Nov. 25 and were taken from the DAR’s general funds.

The DAR official said the fund releases comprised one of the biggest lump sums received by the agency and were rare since it did not handle quick response funds for typhoons.

The official said that the DAR knew that these funds were intended for the 12 Napoles NGOs even before they received the Saro and the NCA because their officers had been religiously following up the release with the agency’s staff.

Suñas claimed in recent interviews that she took the names of the local government beneficiaries from the list of towns hard hit by Ondoy and Pepeng.

The livelihood packages were labeled farm initiative production kits or agricultural pro❱❱ PAGE 13 Palace letter

Nurture economy, US Treasury exec urges PH

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer A UNITED States Treasury official has commended the Philippines’ recent strong economic showing, and encouraged the government to sustain the momentum by nurturing a business environment conducive to investment.

Marisa Lago, assistant secretary for international markets and development at the US Department of the Treasury, was in Manila this week for high-level talks with Philippine economic and finance officials

aimed at enhancing the longstanding cooperation between the two countries.

“Strong economic leadership in the Philippines is helping to ensure that the reform momentum is sustained,” Lago said in a statement.

“The Philippines has an exceptional opportunity to sustain robust growth by attracting higher levels of foreign direct investment,” she added.

Lago met with top government officials, including Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Bangko Sentral Gov. Amando Tetangco and other senior economic officials. She also met

with business leaders and US Ambassador Harry Thomas.

“These meetings focused on the government’s economic reform agenda, recent macroeconomic developments, and the Aquino administration’s vision to further economic growth.

During these meetings, Assistant Secretary Lago also reaffirmed [the US] Treasury’s support for the Partnership for Growth, including assistance by [the] Treasury’s Office of Technical Assistance,” the US Embassy said in a statement. Partnership for Growth is a US Department of State program that seeks to promote closer coordination bewww.canadianinquirer.net

tween the US and selected partner countries through “joint analysis of constraints to growth, the development of joint action plans to address these constraints, and high-level mutual accountability for implementation.”

Lago also visited the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters here and met with the bank’s officials, including president Takehiko Nakao and executive director Ambassador Robert M. Orr. She also visited ADB-assisted community programs in Cavite and observed the government’s implementation of the conditional cash transfer program.

Lago was en route to Indonesia for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) finance ministers meeting ahead of the Apec Leaders Summit scheduled onOct. 6 to 8.

Her visit coincided with the arrival this week of representatives from 14 US environment and energy firms, the largest US trade mission to come to Manila in years. The trade delegation was scheduled to be in Manila on Sept. 19 and 20.

The Philippines and the US have maintained steady trade ties in the last century, with total bilateral trade volume estimated at $22 billion in 2011. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 12

Palace, House... ing of the court’s temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the rest of the year, P12.2 billion of the allocated P25 billion.

The OSG argued that the TRO would “work to the damage of innocent citizens who rely on the operations of the PDAF for educational and medical assistance purposes” and urged that they at least be exempted from the freeze directive.

It cited the cases of 62-yearold Flora Rivera, who “depends on the PDAF for her regular dialysis” at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, and Judy Grace Concordia, a college student from Valenzuela, “whose scholarship is now at risk.”

In all, the OSG said 412,078 scholars relied on the PDAF of 95 congressmen.

“Most colleges are finishing the first semester, are about to give final examinations, and the second semester will open in about less than a month’s time,” it said in pleading for access to the PDAF for these scholars.

It said hundreds of thousands of indigent patients likewise would suffer from the TRO. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told reporters that the Palace supported the partial lifting of the TRO, but only for expenses relating to medical and educational assistance.

She said that in the case of the scholarships, “that can be easily identified, given that they have submitted the documentary evidence.”

“The reported abuses of the PDAF are problems of implementation; they do not go into the constitutionality of the law,” ❰❰ 1

the OSG said, citing “existing jurisprudence,” referring to three previous court decisions upholding the pork barrel system.

The OSG filed the comment on behalf of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said the chamber had issued its reply “on the basis of the hearings and jurisprudence.”

The Malampaya Fund and the President’s Social Fund (PSF)— described by critics as Aquino’s pork barrel—were “special funds, the disposition of which have been constitutionally delegated to the President,” according to the comment.

“Congress has the constitutional authority to create special funds and there is no constitutional basis to compel the Executive to include ‘off-budget’ items in the GAA [General Appropriations Act],” it said.

No delegation of powers

“Clearly, there is no undue delegation of legislative powers to the President because the disbursement and utilization of the Malampaya Fund and PSF are subject to well-defined standards in the use of public funds for public purposes,” the OSG said.

The OSG insisted that Aquino “has officially declared his intent to abolish PDAF and has specified his plan to replace [it] with a defined program of lineitem budgeting.”

Also cited was the new pork barrel mechanism under discussion in the House that would adopt a “limited menu with more stringent qualifications for line-item projects in the 2014 budget.”

The Office of the Solicitor General argued before the Supreme Court that the TRO would “work to the damage of innocent citizens who rely on the operations of the PDAF for educational and medical assistance purposes.”

PHOTO FROM BOHOL.PH

The OSG said a decision of the court “may preempt the efforts of the President and Congress, and a judicial solution may inadvertently limit a more progressive solution.” It urged the court “to allow the reformoriented political process to proceed.”

Belmonte on Tuesday said each representative could propose up to five infrastructure projects to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the new pork system being worked out. The DPWH would get 35 percent (or P7.21 billion) of the entire PDAF allocation in the national budget. Education, healthcare and employment would each get 15 percent of the total PDAF. Crisis intervention programs would receive 20 percent.

“Under the Constitution, the calibration of the specific contours of the budget falls within the competence of Congress and the Executive,” the OSG said.

Perversion of taxation

“The political branches are in the best position not only to perform budget-related re-

forms but also to do these in response to the specific demands of their constituents.”

The high court issued the TRO in response to three separate petitions filed by civil society groups amid public outrage over the alleged P10-billion racket that over the past decade diverted funds meant to ease rural poverty to “ghost projects” and kickbacks of up to 50 percent to lawmakers.

The petitions asked the court to declare unconstitutional the pork barrel system, including President Aquino’s lump sum, discretionary funds, except the calamity and contingency facilities.

They also urged the court to strike down for being unconstitutional a provision in the Malampaya Fund law allowing the President to use the facility “for such other purposes” directed by the Chief Executive. The government’s share from the revenue from the operation of gas wells off Palawan (province) was mandated to be used solely “to finance energy resource development and exploitation programs and proj-

ects of the government.”

“The pork barrel system allows the perversion of taxation by providing opportunities for the members thereof to gorge themselves in funds collected pursuant to tax legislation they have enacted purportedly for the public good,” said Samson Alcantara, of the Social Justice Society.

the rest are Misuari followers,” Zagala said.

Among the rebels posing as hostages in Santa Catalina was MNLF commander Salip Idjal whom Gazmin described as a “trusted” aide of Misuari.

But the military also lost yet another Army junior officer. On Tuesday, 1st Lt. Francis Damian, 28, was shot in the head on Monday during the fighting in Barangay Santa Barbara. He died at Ciudad Medical Zamboanga.

Damian, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 2007, was with the 3rd Light Reaction Company, an elite Army unit. His wife is a Navy junior officer.

On Monday, 1st Lt. Florencio Mikael Meneses, 27, a member of PMA Class 2011, died from wounds in the same hospital.

His body was claimed by his father and girlfriend and will be flown back to his hometown in Bulacan province. ■

Oral arguments Oct. 8

Alcantara said the pork barrel system was a “mockery” of the constitutional mandate on accountability, honesty and integrity of public officers. He added that the system also allowed the President to have control over lawmakers in violation of the constitutional separation of powers.

Also at Tuesday’s en banc meeting, the high court asked the petitioners to comment within seven days upon receipt of the OSG consolidated comment.

The high court is set to hold oral arguments on the petitions against the pork barrel on Oct. 8. ■ With a report from Michael Lim Ubac

MNLF taunts...

Talon, around 1 p.m.

Eight of the bombs exploded.

An hour later, MG520 helicopters fired machine guns on the island. A Navy vessel also joined the attack. The MNLF forces replied only with sniper fire.

Zagala confirmed the use of the military aircraft “for close air support” and “persuasion flights” after some 30 rebels were able to escape from the constricted areas and were ❰❰ 8

sighted on the island.

“As per a report, they are holding some hostages, but we don’t have the numbers,” he added.

By “constriction,” Gazmin said the military would box in the rebels in one area and would close in little by little. As of Tuesday, troops were working within a 100-by-100 meter area and were clearing five more structures in the combat zone.

“It is like what you see in the movies where the soldiers would shout ‘Clear!’ and then they (barge) in,” said Gazmin, a retired Army general who was with the elite Special Forces.

Fake hostages

Zagala said a total of 184 hostages had either escaped or had been rescued. “This morning we received a total of 15 hostages, but it turned out that only eight are real (hostages) and www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

13 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Palace letter... duction equipment that were valued in the memorandum of agreement at either P38, 118 or P42, 358 each.

Luy and Suñas claimed that none of the equipment reached the listed beneficiaries.

Based on the liquidation report, the NGOs and amounts received were Abundant Harvest for People’s Foundation Inc. led by Vanessa Eman (P75 million); Bukirin Tanglaw Foundation Inc. led by Gertrudes Kilapkilap ( P75 million); Dalangpan Sang Amon Utod Kag Kasimanwa Foundation led by Jesus Castillo (P75 million); Ginintuang Alay sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. led

by John B. Lim (P77.5 million); Gintong Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc. led by Eulogio D. Rodriguez (P82.5 million); Karangyaan para sa Magbubukid Foundation Inc. led by Simplicio Gumafelix (P82.5 million); Kasaganahan para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. led by Genevieve Uy (P75 million); Kaupdanana para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. led

by John Raymund de Asis (P75 million); Masaganang Buhay Foundation Inc. led

by Ronald Lim (P55 million); Saganang Buhay sa Atin Foundation Inc. led by Lilian Espanol (P80 million); and Tanglaw para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. led

by Nova Kay B. Dulay (P62.5 million). ❰❰ 11

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad refuted Marcos’ claims that his signature was faked. He insisted that Marcos sought the funding and even requested for a switch in implementing agency.

PHOTO FROM PH.NEWS.YAHOO.COM

Abad rebuts...

DBM on Feb. 8, 2012, requesting that the implementing agency be changed from DAR to NLDC,” said Abad in a text message.

Abad also clarified Marcos’ assertion that the P100 million given to him was from DAP. “This is not a fund. It’s a measure we adopt to accelerate budget execution.

Allotments not used—such as items not filled, decrease in interest payments, procurements deferred—with the President’s approval, are realigned to fast moving projects (such as the Department of Public Works and Highways infrastructure projects) or those urgently required (such as the rehabilitation of areas damaged by Typhoon “Pablo”) or those that need augmentation (such as hiring additional policemen) or request from officials due to urgent needs in their constituencies. The latter represents a small portion of the DAP and that is where Senator Marcos’ request to assist displaced/marginal family constituents was funded from,” Abad said.

Abad denied that the P475 million given to the DAR had any strings attached.

However, he did not comment on the nature of the P475-million fund which the DAR did not request. ❰❰ 8

Corona affair payoff nixed

The DAR official claimed that the P475 million was meant as an inducement for senators to side with the government in the impeachment trial of then Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was impeached by the House of Representatives in December 2011.

But Abad vehemently rejected this allegation, claiming this was “illogical” considering that Marcos voted against impeachment in the Senate vote that found Corona guilty of fudging his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Based on documents obtained by the INQUIRER, the DBM released six spe-

cial allotment release orders (Saros)— from E-1101881 to E-11-01886 on Dec. 6, 2011—to the agrarian reform secretary for the “requirements of the program beneficiaries development component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.” The six Saros were divided in the following amounts—P100 million (for three Saros), P70 million, P55 million, and P50 million.

Attached with the six Saros were the NCAs, or notice of cash allocations, (depositing the funds at the Land Bank of the Philippines, Quezon Circle branch) issued on the same date “to cover for the requirements of the livelihood projects in various local government units with existing agrarian reform communities in support to farmer beneficiaries.”

‘Undue haste’

A DAR source noted the undue haste in releasing the funds as NCAs were normally issued months after Saros had been distributed. Both Saros and NCAs were signed by Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos who noted that the “release is in accordance with the OP (Office of the President) approval dated Oct. 12, 2011.”

The DAR source said the agency’s officials were not keen on taking a generous amount of fund on top of their regular allocation which they did not even request. The source said the agency’s officials had already been alarmed by the DAR’s involvement in the P900-million Malampaya Fund scam, especially after receiving in June 2011 a memorandum from the Commission on Audit ordering a special audit on the P23.6-billion government share in the operation of gas field off Palawan province released by the DBM directly to the agencies under the Arroyo administration.

On March 15, 2012, the DBM issued a “negative” Saro for the fund signifying the DAR’s refusal to handle the money. ■

COA inquiry

The Commission on Audit (COA) is investigating disbursements amounting to P23.6 billion from the Malampaya Fund by the Arroyo administration, 60 percent of which were released during a spending binge before the May 2010 presidential election.

Andaya earlier told the INQUIRER that as the budget secretary, he and his undersecretary, Mario Relampagos, signed more than 150 Saros covering P14 billion between Oct. 21 and Dec. 29, 2009, ostensibly for the victims of the back-to-back storms that killed more than 1,000 people.

Upon orders of GMA

Now a Camarines Sur representative, Andaya said that funds were released upon the orders of Arroyo during a series of Cabinet meetings, but he maintained all of the disbursements were above board.

The COA review of the Malampaya Fund is separate from the special audit on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or pork barrel, results of which have led to the filing of plunder and malversation charges against three senators, five congressmen and 30 other officials of state agencies and NGOs. ■

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Philippine News

Gigi: Betrayal of JPE’s camp

BY JULIET L. JAVELLANA Philippine Daily Inquirer LAWYER JESSICA Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, the once powerful former chief of staff of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile expressed hurt over the statement of Enrile’s lawyer that showed his camp was distancing itself from her role in the pork barrel scam.

“THE WORST BLOW HAS JUST BEEN DEALT UPON ME

BY LESS THAN THE CAMP OF SENATOR JUAN PONCE ENRILE—THE MAN I SERVED WITH FULL DEDICATION, HONESTY AND LOYALTY FOR 25 YEARS,” an ABS-CBN report quoted what it said was Reyes’ statement posted in her Facebook account. That portion of the statement was in all caps for emphasis. “If indeed these statements are sanctioned by or coming from my former boss, then nothing can be worse than this kind of betrayal.”

Enrile’s lawyer Enrique de la Cruz had said earlier that Enrile did not give his blessings to what Reyes had done in the releases of his pork barrel funds.

Enrile was among the three senators whom the National Bureau of Investigation had charged for plunder in the P10billion pork barrel scam engineered by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

Reyes, who had been called the 25th senator because of the power and influence she had when Enrile was Senate President, was also charged by the NBI with plunder. She left the country on Aug. 31 before the NBI filed the cases in the Ombudsman.

Reyes, according to the report, said “this very tragic development is beyond my comprehension.”

Reyes was quoted in the report as saying the last time she spoke with Enrile was from abroad and that he told her they would face the charges together.

“He maintained that he will stand by the authority he issued to me and that all I did was faithful and pursuant to his instructions. He even told me to be strong; that we will fight together to prove the accusations against us are false and fabricated,” Reyes was quoted as saying in her Facebook post.

Enrile had described Reyes, who served him for 25 years, as his eyes and ears.

Reyes said she left the country “to seek some peace and quiet amid the barrage of adverse and downright insulting publicity and commentary against me in the mainstream and social media.”

She hit the INQUIRER for allegedly having an “ax to grind” against her and for being “especially cruel.”

Reyes resigned as Enrile’s chief of staff in late January after the INQUIRER exposed Enrile’s distribution of extra cash gifts to senators friendly to him. Enrile later resigned the Senate presidency himself after defending himself from that controversy.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 14

Court enters ...

Napoles remained silent when asked to enter her plea by Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150, court officials said.

Automatically, the court entered a not guilty plea for her, according to the officials.

Luy—Napoles’ cousin—is a major witness in the case of plunder, malversation, bribery and corruption filed against Napoles and 37 other persons in connection with a P10-billion pork barrel scam. The other accused include three senators and several congressmen. ❰❰ 1

Under heavy guard Letter from Gigi

INQUIRER had obtained a copy of a letter of Reyes, then chief of staff Enrile, dated Feb. 4, 2008, addressed to then Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap informing him that Enrile had allotted P25 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to National AgriBusiness Corp. (Nabcor).

“The PDAF is for the implementation of various agribusiness, livelihood projects in different municipalities as per attached special allotment release order,” Reyes said in her letter.

“We wish to implement these projects through Nabcor as attached agency of DA (Department of Agriculture),” she said.

In the same letter, Reyes said that her deputy chief of staff, Jose Antonio Evangelista, was assigned the authority “to sign and follow up the project to ensure proper and timely implementation.”

Another document showed Evangelista’s letter to then Nabcor president Allan Javellana informing him that Enrile’s office was designating the People’s Organization Progress and Development Foundation (POPDF) as the implementing NGO for the project that would be financed with Enrile’s pork.

The letter said the POFDF, an agency controlled by Napoles, was “a duly registered nongovernment organization” and should be “your conduit in the implementation of the said project.”

A stamp on the document showed that Nabcor received Evangelista’s letter on Feb. 11, 2008, and was paid on March 11, 2008.

A handwritten check number appears on the lower part of the letter. ■

Despite heavy rains and a last-minute appeal from the Napoles camp to hold the court proceedings in Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna province—where Napoles is detained—the Makati court went ahead with the arraignment.

Napoles was under heavy guard all the way from Fort Sto. Domingo to the 14th floor courtroom.

Outside the courtroom, at least 20 uniformed police officers stood guard to keep themedia at bay. Members of the Makati police were also spread out outside the City Hall compound.

Lawyer Lorna Kapunan, Napoles’ counsel, said the curtains inside the courtroom were closed for possible snipers.

Calm and relaxed

Reporters were not allowed to cover the 30-minute arraignment since the courtroom was already full, clerk of court Diosfa Valencia said.

After the proceedings, Napoles, surrounded by guards,

hurriedly left the court, refusing to entertain any questions from the media.

The formal charge against Napoles was read aloud by a court employee.

“She was asked to enter her plea but she kept her silence without saying a word,” Valencia said, adding that Napoles appeared “calm and relaxed.”

Kapunan told reporters that her client refused to enter a plea since a case filed in the Court of Appeals remained pending.

Napoles has filed a petition for certiorari with temporary restraining order in the appellate court “questioning the grave abuse of discretion of the Department of Justice in reversing its first resolution dismissing the serious illegal detention case,” Kapunan said.

“She did not enter a plea because she did not want to waive the case pending at the CA,” Kapunan said.

Go to SC

Before the arraignment, the lawyers of Napoles filed a motion tomove the arraignment to Fort Sto. Domingo, citing threats to her security.

“A judge and lawyers going to Fort Sto. Domingo is not that costly compared to (Napoles) and a convoy of security personnel coming to the (Makati) RTC,” Kapunan said.

She said Alameda had asked the Napoles camp to file their motion in the Supreme Court.

Kapunan said Napoles came to the court not feeling well.

The serious illegal detention case was filed against Napoles and her brother, Reynald Lim, by the National Bureau of Investigation. Lim remains a fugitive.

The case stemmed from the

alleged detention of Luy, a former employee at Napoles’ JLN Group of Companies. Luy is now in government custody.

Luy has pointed to Napoles as the person behind the handing out of pork barrel funds—officially called the Priority Development Assistance Fund—to senators, congressmen, their aides and other officials.

Charges of plunder, malversation, bribery and corruption against Napoles and the others have been filed in the Office of the Ombudsman.

Napoles’ lawyers claimed that the illegal detention case against Napoles lacked sufficient evidence and that Luy had only used the case to “extort money from her.”

‘A step forward’

Luy was not present at the arraignment but his lawyer, Levito Baligod, and his relatives were present.

After the arraignment, Napoles was brought back to her Laguna detention facility.

Security at the police camp remained tight. Reporters were barred from entering the facility.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang welcomed the arraignment of Napoles.

“This is a step forward in her case,” said Lacierda said.

On Napoles’ request to be tried in the Laguna police camp, Lacierda said: “I would assume that the court would ask the security agencies as to which would be the best venue to conduct the trial, and we leave it with the courts because they would know better if Mrs. Napoles’ trip from Laguna to Makati would pose a security threat to her.” ■

Napoles wore a bulletproof vest and a helmet. According to her lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, Napoles refused to enter a plea since a case filed in the Court of Appeals remained pending.

PHOTO FROM GMANETWORK.COM

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Philippine News

15 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Gigi not authorized by JPE, says lawyer

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer SENATE MINORITY Leader Juan Ponce Enrile appeared to be distancing himself from the alleged illicit activities of his controversial chief of staff, saying he did not sign any document endorsing any of the dubious agencies controlled

by Janet Lim-Napoles in the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

Enrile was one of the three senators accused in the Office of the Ombudsman of plunder. The three allegedly pocketed a total of P581 million in kickbacks from the Napoles schemes in ghost projects implemented by dummy nongovernment organizations (NGOs).

Among those charged also for plunder in the Ombudsman were Enrile’s former chief of staff, Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, and his deputy chief of staff, Jose Antonio Evangelista. In all, 38 people were charged with either plunder or malversation.

Enrique dela Cruz, counsel of Enrile, whose cut in the racket was said to have reached P172.8 million, described as hilaw or “weak” the government’s plunder complaint against the former Senate President.

“There is no document that links Senator Enrile to plunder. He didn’t sign any document that indicated he was allocating his funds to NGOs,” Dela Cruz said in an interview over radio station dwIZ. Funds for LGUs, not NGOs

“The documents he signed were only in relation to his allocation of funds to local government units (LGUs). No whistleblower said that he or she gave money to Senator Enrile or that Senator Enrile asked for a kickback or a commission,” Dela Cruz said.

“So there is no element of plunder.

That’s why, in our view, the weak case was hastily prepared,” Dela Cruz added.

The Commission on Audit (COA) and whistle-blowers have pointed to the lawmakers’ chiefs of staff and authorized representatives as among those who signed for their respective principals in documents endorsing the fake NGOs as recipients of the public funds.

Not following instructions

“Senator Enrile’s instruction was clear… In the endorsements that he signed, he allocated his funds to local government units—provinces, towns and barangays. If he had employees that didn’t follow this or did something to divert the said funds to NGOs, itwasn’t in compliance with Senator Enrile’s instructions,” Dela Cruz said.

“Perhaps it might not be justified to make Senator Enrile accountable for the said wrongdoing or violation of the law,” Dela Cruz added.

want to discuss our legal strategies in public.”

On Aug. 24, an INQUIRER story cited the COA report on PDAF releases that said while Enrile denied signing any documents relating to the fake NGOs, “he confirmed to have authorized his chief of staff to sign on his behalf.”

Reacting to that story, Reyes then said the senator would normally designate her “or any of our deputy chiefs of staff” to sign documents on his behalf.

As chief aide to the then Senate President, the 50-year-old Reyes was dubbed the “24th senator.”

She signed checks in the millions of pesos on behalf of Enrile, 89, and issued memos to Senate functionaries involving the funds of the chamber. She resigned last December in the aftermath of the alleged selective distribution of Christmas bonuses to senators by Enrile.

PHOTO FROM INTERAKSYON.COM

Reyes as ‘24th senator’

On Reyes’ alleged involvement in the PDAF scam, Dela Cruz said, “The legal team deemed it best not to comment on her participation because we know she also has her own lawyer.”

Dela Cruz indicated that Enrile was willing to submit to the processes of Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales.

“Senator Enrile trusts our Ombudsman and he believes this is where there will be a fair investigation to uncover the whole truth,” Dela Cruz said.

While Reyes has resigned as Enrile’s chief of staff even before the pork barrel scam, a member of the senator’s media staff said that Evangelista was still with Enrile’s office “and still reporting for work.”

As chief aide to the then Senate President, the 50-year-old Reyes was dubbed the “24th senator.” She signed checks in the millions of pesos on behalf of Enrile, 89, and issued memos to Senate functionaries involving the funds of the chamber. She resigned last December in the aftermath of the alleged selective distribution of Christmas bonuses to senators by Enrile.

Immigration authorities said Reyes left for Macau on Aug. 31.

A document submitted to the NBI said that whistle-blowers delivered alleged kickbacks for Enrile to Reyes’ house.

Benhur Luy, the principal whistle-blower, tagged Reyes as one of Napoles’ main contacts in the Senate President’s office, along with Evangelista.

Dela Cruz is a former managing partner of Enrile’s law firm Pecabar. He remains a member of the firm’s management committee.

A holder of a master’s degree in international and comparative business law from the London Metropolitan University, Dela Cruz is an expert in civil, criminal and corporate litigation.

He graduated with honors from the University of Santo Tomas College of Law in 2000 and passed the bar exams in the same year with a general weighted average of 86.05 percent.

‘We must see it’

Reached for further comment on whether Enrile’s camp was disowning the endorsement letters allegedly signed in Enrile’s behalf by Reyes and Evangelista, Dela Cruz said, “We cannot disown it until we see it.”

“We have yet to see a copy of the complaint,” Dela Cruz told the INQUIRER. Without this, he said he could not say that Enrile allocated his PDAF entitlements only to LGUs and not to NGOs. However, he added, “We also don’t

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Forged signatures

“But specifically regarding his PDAF, Senator Enrile himself signs the endorsement to the DBM,” Reyes said. “I never signed any endorsement to the DBM to nominate any project whether under the senator’s PDAF, VILP (Various Infrastructure including Local Projects) or other sources,” she added.

Reyes at that time told the INQUIRER that either she or Evangelista would sign documents required by the implementing agencies, “but only pursuant to the written authorization of the senator.”

“But the COA provided our office numerous documents where our signatures were obviously forged and we intend to present these in the investigation,” she said. ■

Opinion

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 16

THERE’S THE RUB

Tearing of the veil

By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer IT’S ALMOST unbelievable that Pope Francis became pope only less than half a year ago. The changes he has ushered, or rammed, into the Catholic Church in that short time have been so sweeping you’re hard put to recognize it as the same Church it was a year or so ago. Especially given what his predecessor, Pope Benedict, had made of it, which lent the most ironic meanings to the phrase “the Rock.”

First was his insistence on the Church casting off its imperial robes, which it had donned since Constantine turned Christianity from a fugitive religion whose fold was being hounded, persecuted and violently killed, to the most powerful religion on earth. One invested not just with spiritual power but also a temporal one. The Inquisition testified to its coercive power, which it used fanatically cruelly in the Middle Ages, its effects not entirely dissipated by this time.

Pope Francis didn’t just call for simplicity, he lived it, eschewing the rich papal robes for simple clothing even on special occasions. He didn’t just call for tending to the poor, he lived it, continuing to travel to the most wretched spots of the planet,

as he had done as a bishop in Buenos Aires, and as he did in Brazil when he visited the slums of Varhinha a couple of months ago. Coming across a group of seminarians in that visit, he exhorted them to not live complacent lives but to “make a mess,” a quite remarkable way of putting things.

But it’s what he’s done this past week that has truly been startling.

Already the object of distrust of the conservative clergy and religious, not to speak of conservative politicians and state heads—he spoke out against Barack Obama’s plan to blast Syria, a thing that could not have endeared him to the United States—he came out as well against his predecessor’s favorite concerns, which were dogma and doctrine. In general, he spoke about the need to shift the crux of Christian teaching and life from “small-minded rules” to love and compassion.

More specifically, he challenged the Church’s proscriptions against abortion, divorce, homosexuality, women priests, and priests marrying.

While he continued to excoriate abortion, he left a wide berth for women exercising a right to their bodies. A thing that at least loosened Vatican’s opposition to contraceptives if not unbound it completely.

Divorce the Church will continue to frown upon, but with a lot of leeway for Catholics with failed marriages to have “a second chance.” The Church, he says, already recognizes annulment, and cites his predecessor as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Antonio Quarracino, who said he believed half of Catholic marriages around the world could be annulled. That was so because people married “without maturity, without understanding it was for one’s entire life or because it seemed socially necessary.”

Pope Francis didn’t just call for simplicity, or tending to the poor, he lived it.

Women priests the Church will continue to eschew as well, but not as a matter of faith, only as a matter of tradition. Matters of tradition can always change. Asked about gays, he replied: “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” An evasive answer, true, but one that takes away the rebuke or stinging condemnation of them. There’s a lot to be said for priests remaining celibate, but again so by tradition, not by doctrine. His second-in-command in the Vatican,

Pietro Parolin, says the practice could be changed in principle to “reflect the democratic spirit of the times.”

The implications of all this for us are patent. It pulls the theological rug out from under the local clergy that have been vociferous in defending all of the above, specifically the ban on contraceptives, with one bishop even attributing the crippling typhoons to God’s wrath because of RH. In fact, it has nothing to do with God’s wrath, it has to do only with their petty jealousies, or fear of losing dominion over the faithful.

Pope Francis’ trenchant comment should dispel the idiocy: “I see in certain illustrious elite Christians a degradation of what’s religious. They prefer to talk of sexual morality, of everything that has anything to do with sex. That in this case you can do it, that in the other you can’t. We’ve left aside an incredibly rich catechism, the mysteries of faith and belief, and end up centering on whether or not to march against a proposed condom law.”

On a larger plane, the implications of all this for Catholics, which count a throng of Filipinos among them, are enormous, if not as obvious. Pope Francis’ utterances have been generally received positively by Catholics

the world over. “I’m a devout Catholic, always have been,” said Frank Recio of Florida. “I think the Catholic Church had gotten out of touch with the way the world was evolving.” New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan was more ecstatic. Pope Francis, he said, “speaks like Jesus and is a breath of fresh air.”

His comparison may not all be that exaggerated, never mind sacrilegious.

The way I see it, this development signifies nothing less than moving away from the Old Testament to the New Testament. From a world that emphasized decrees and punishment to a world that embraces love and compassion. From a world that called for smiting the wayward and raining fire and brimstone on the wicked to one that calls for doing the most for the least of one’s brethren. If I recall my Bible right, the New Testament was ushered in by the tearing of the thick curtain that separated the Holy of Holies, which was accessible only to the top honcho or highest Pharisee, from the rest of the temple where the rest of the faithful worshipped. It was a break, it was the death of the old order, it was the beginning of new way of life. That is what Pope Francis has done not just for Catholics but for humanity.

He has torn the veil. ■

AT LARGE

Tarred with the same ‘pork’ brush

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer IF HE should fall out of official favor, Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva says he can count on a “Plan B”: find employment as a barista.

As head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Villanueva wanted to prove his belief in the worth of the courses offered by the institution by undergoing training in food and hospitality himself. He is thus licensed by Tesda to work in the food service industry, which includes serving as a barista in one of the many coffee bars proliferating around the country.

In fact, Villanueva is such a believer in his agency that during a recent dinner, the first question he asked of our server who had introduced himself was: “Do you hold a certificate from Tesda?”

But don’t mistake the boyish-looking Villanueva’s “Plan B” as a serious “out” in case he falls prey to political machinations or intrigue. This is in the face of recent developments in the widening “pork barrel scandal” in which his name, along with those of other P-Noy allies, has been dragged.

In fact, members of the opposition have posed questions on why “only”

senators and congressmen allied with opposition parties have so far been charged in the “pork” investigations.

This, despite the fact that the name of Villanueva, along with former Rep. Ruffy Biazon (now Customs chief ), and even Interior Secretary Mar Roxas have been found in documents submitted by “whistle-blowers” belonging to the firm of Janet Lim-Napoles, the so-called “brains” of the pork scam, and in a special audit conducted by the Commission on Audit. *** EARLIER, Villanueva said that in the years covered by the allegations, he had been part of the so-called “impeachment clique” that had prepared impeachment charges against former President Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo.

As a consequence, he and his colleagues were frozen out of the “pork” distribution. And since he “did not get a single cent from his pork barrel allocation,” he could not have been involved in the alleged diversion of PDAF funds to benefit fake NGOs created by Napoles, with some of the funds going to his own pocket.

A source once told me that the former president even made it a habit to personally peruse the list of allocations available to legislators, and that

she would personally “cross out” the names of those who were out of favor, including, of course, those who had filed impeachment charges against her.

Villanueva believes his signature was somehow forged by Napoles’ operatives (an explanation similarly appropriated by legislators more directly implicated in the charges).

Thus, he urged the National Bureau of Investigation to dig deeper and verify if the signature on the purported requests for disbursement is really his.

What if P-noy’s friends and allies are truly innocent?

What if they are truly victims and not cohorts? Do we tar them with the same brush if only to quell our cynicism?

Indeed, in the search for the culpable and the greedy in the widening “pork” probe, it’s unfortunate that some opposers (including a Catholic bishop) insist that some of P-Noy’s allies be included in the charges, as if this would prove the “objectivity” of the investigators. But what if these friends and allies are truly innocent? What if they are truly victims and not cohorts?

Do we tar them with the same brush if

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only to quell our cynicism? *** VILLANUEVA served as a representative of Cibac—a party-list group that ran on an anticorruption platform—for nine years until 2010, when he was appointed by President Aquino to head Tesda.

He was only 23 years old in his first term, he recalls, the “Benjamin” of the House, and as amember of the opposition forged a firm friendship with then Tarlac Rep. Benigno Aquino III. In fact, Villanueva’s name emerged as one of those to be included in the LP coalition’s senatorial lineup in 2010 but he had to be dropped to accommodate representatives of other political parties.

Instead, he got appointed to head Tesda, with a mission to reform the agency and pursue the task of encouraging “tech-voc” or technicalvocational education. “We must convince our people that a college degree is not necessary to succeed, including earning a huge salary,” says Villanueva. He cites Tesda graduates who have found work as welders, mechanics, chefs and masseuses here and abroad and earning even more than whitecollar workers. He cites one female welder he met aboard a cruise liner who was earning enough from her job abroad to save up for a cruise.

*** DURING his oath-taking as Tesda head, P-Noy saw Villanueva’s wife Gladys standing proudly onstage, visibly pregnant. Breaking protocol, the President approached Gladys and gave her a high-five. This is because throughout his term in the House, Joel and Gladys’ struggle to get pregnant was well-known among his colleagues. In fact, he says, this was one of the reasons he stood firmly behind and worked actively for the passage of the Reproductive Health Law, as fertility assistance for couples is one of the elements of reproductive health.

Today, Joel and Gladys are proud and happy parents to a son and daughter, thanks to reproductive technology here and abroad. “I had always dreamed of having my own child,” explains Joel whose life story centering on his struggles with fatherhood was the subject of a TV drama. So although his wife was bringing up the possibility of adoption, “I remained firm in my vision of one day holding my own child in my arms.”

Surely, someone who struggled for so long and so publicly to achieve parenthood would not fritter away his legacy: a good name and reputation, all for the dubious rewards of “pork.” ■

Opinion

17 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

PUBLIC LIVES

The allure of authoritarianism

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer FORTY-ONE YEARS after Ferdinand Marcos imposed authoritarian rule on the Filipino nation, we tell ourselves with all conviction that never again should we permit this to happen. But, the first step toward preventing the nightmare of dictatorial rule from becoming a reality is by understanding the conditions of its possibility.

Martial law was not the deed of one person. It was carried out with the willingness and cooperation of many others, even as it preyed on the readiness of our people to believe that their leaders know best what the country needs. Many of Marcos’ associates continue to think that the turn to authoritarianism was correct, and would have succeeded in achieving its objectives had it not been derailed by unforeseen events in the global economy and the ambition and short-term interests of a few.

Some of the key people who helped carry out martial law—like former President Fidel V. Ramos who was head of the Philippine Constabulary at the time and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile who was the martial law administrator—later turned against Marcos.

But, not one of them will likely say today that Marcos had fooled them into supporting the authoritarian option. We can only assume that they too believed that martial law was the solution to the country’s problems at that time. In this, they are probably not alone.

It is this mindset we must try to comprehend. What social conditions give rise to it? What forms does it take? What kind of motivations does it feed upon? Clearly, it is not enough to explain martial law as the product of the outsized ambition of one dictator. We need to ask how he managed to get so many thinking persons to suspend their disbelief and assist him in the realization of his ambition. We have to know how he could cow an entire population into submitting to dictatorial restrictions in their daily lives, and into welcoming this as a necessary stage in the nation’s development.

These questions become all the more pressing in light of the fact that, by the time he declared martial law in 1972, Marcos was no longer the same popular figure that he was when he was first elected president in 1965.

It is true that in 1969, he became the first president of the republic ever to be reelected. But, by the time his sec-

ond term was coming to an end, he had lost much of the public support that made him an unchallenged figure in Philippine politics. The public and the mass media were deeply suspicious of his every move, believing that he was bent on prolonging his stay in office.

Opposition politicians knew he was planning something along the lines of emergency powers, but obviously they did not think it would be anything as permanent and as drastic

Martial law was not the deed of one person. It was carried out with the willingness and cooperation of many others. as the socalled “New Society.” After arresting key opposition lawmakers like Benigno Aquino Jr. and Jose W. Diokno, Marcos promptly padlocked Congress. He also shut down all newspapers, and television and radio stations that had been critical of his regime. He hijacked an ongoing Constitutional Convention that was then wrapping up its work, and proceeded to draft a Constitution that would legalize indefinite one-man rule. None of these triggered a revolution.

The swiftness by which the arrests

and the closure of the mass media were accomplished, coupled with the strict imposition of a curfew, struck such a deep fear in the hearts of ordinary people that all they could think of during those years was how to stay out of trouble with the military. Those who had the means went abroad. It was depressing to see how the people’s initial fear was quickly replaced by the positive acceptance of a political order that openly used coercion and violence to produce a climate of peace and security.

It was clear that Marcos and his henchmen had read Philippine society very well. They knew that its democratic institutions benefited only a small segment of the nation, and that the majority would not miss a critical free press or a recalcitrant Congress all that much. Marcos projected himself as someone who knew what he was doing. He not only had the whole military behind him, but, as important, he also commanded the loyalty of some of the country’s best minds and technocrats. Many members of the Marcos Cabinet, graduates of the University of the Philippines, argued persuasively that Marcos was on a mission to reform Philippine society and create the conditions necessary tomake democracy function in a

meaningful way.

It was strange to hear the progressive language of the Left appropriated by the ideologues of the New Society. The regime styled itself as antifeudal, propoor, modern, and nationalist. It highlighted the importance of a national culture and paved the way for many initiatives in the field of cultural development.

This attracted not a few progressive intellectuals and writers to work for the government. Some of them would later claim that they were doing so as part of their work for the underground. Indeed, there is nothing in the world that cannot be made to look good by mere redescription.

The will to authoritarianism is alive in all societies that seek an easy way out of the complexities of modern politics in the simplistic rationality of command leadership. It is particularly strong in countries where the vast majority of citizens, because of poverty and ignorance, are uninvolved in politics except as passive recipients of command and patronage. To the extent our society is deeply stratified into the few who are very rich and powerful and the vast masses who are very poor, we remain vulnerable to the allure of authoritarianism. ■

AS I SEE IT

Be wary of ‘pork defense’ lawyers’ dilatory tactics

By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer IT’S DEFINITE, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections scheduled next month have been postponed indefinitely. What is not yet resolved is whether the present SK members will remain until their successors have been elected. There are those who say that they should be holdover SK members until the next elections.

But there are others who say there should be no holdovers. The positions should be vacant until the new SK members shall have been elected.

As I see it, the latter group is correct. All the incumbent members are already over-aged and therefore unqualified. Only 15- to 18-yearolds are qualified to be SK members. Assuming they were 15 years old when they were elected three years ago, they would now be 18 years old, the maximum age for SK membership. So how can they remain as SK members when they are already disqualified by reason of age?

Even if there will be elections next month, they can no longer run.

The SK is a failed experiment. The SK was supposed to prepare the youth for leadership and governance when they reach maturity. The SK was to be a school to prepare them for more re-

sponsible duties in society later in life.

Instead the SK has turned out to be a school for corruption.

So early in life, SK members learned how to buy votes and to employ other political tricks. Many of them became the beginnings or extensions of political dynasties, which are another bane in our society. A number of SK members are either children of politicians or their relatives. And to get them elected, these older politicians used political tricks that they themselves used successfully. SK members learned all the wrong things from their elders.

Worse, these young SK members were introduced to corruption. Because the SKs are given funds and the SK chairpersons are given salaries, money influenced them the wrong way. As the saying goes, money is the root of all evil, and it is in the case of SK members. In the words of the late Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson: “So young, so corrupt,” an epithet he used to describe a young member of the city council.

If allowed to continue, these young people would be the next generation of congressmen and senators who would suck the blood of our taxpayers through the pork barrel system. *** An indication of the very, very slow

wheels of justice in our country: Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales estimated that it would take her office one year or less to find probable cause in the plunder and malversation cases filed by the Department of Justice against Janet Lim-Napoles (alleged mastermind of the P10-billion pork barrel scam), three senators, two congressmen and 32 others. This is only the preliminary investigation before the cases are filed with the Sandigan-

A U.P. law professor estimated the trial to take about 10 years. By that time, one of the defendants may already be dead of old age. bayan for trial. A University of the Philippines law professor estimated the trial to take about 10 years. By that time, one of the defendants may already be dead of old age.

If you are guilty as charged, what should be your defense? Any lawyer will advise you: Use dilatory tactics.

The Constitution mandates a quick trial so that the innocent can be acquitted as soon as possible, and that is what those who are falsely charged want. The guilty, however, delay the judicial process as long as possible.

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During the delay, many things could happen: The public could forget; witnesses could die or forget what happened; witnesses—or some of them—could be bought or terrorized to recant their earlier testimonies; judges could be persuaded through many means, monetary or otherwise, to favor the accused; prosecutors could be bribed, or replaced with others friendlier to the defendants, the same thing with the justices in the appellate courts. Or the defendants could leave the country and stay abroad until things cool down at home. Or a more friendly administration comes into power after the term of the current administration expires.

That is what is happening in the case of the Maguindanao massacre.

It has been many years since the case was filed, but it’s not even in the trial proper stage. The court is still hearing the bail petition of the accused.

A smart lawyer, a not-so-smart prosecutor, and a lenient judge can really delay a case forever.

Already, the dilatory tactics of the Napoles defense in the serious illegal detention case has started. After having her scheduled arraignment postponed, her lawyer is again asking the court for another postponement. Not content with that, the lawyer has filed

a petition for bail although the crime of serious illegal detention is nonbailable.

After this, there will be other tricks. After every ruling of the judge against the defendants, the defense will elevate the case to appellate courts all the way to the Supreme Court with petitions for certiorari.

With each unfavorable ruling, there will be motions for reconsideration which will take the judge or appellate courts a long time to decide, after which therewill be second motions for reconsideration, and after which there will be appeals to higher courts.

When the case reaches the Supreme Court, it can sleep there for decades, and if the accused is out on bail, it is as good as if he/she were acquitted.

The Napoles et al. case seems to be open and shut. There are many first-hand witnesses, there is a ton of documentary evidence showing who received how much of the pork barrel funds. But of course the volume of documents and the number of defendants (38 as of last count), each of whose lawyers has the right to cross examine the prosecution witnesses and the documents, can make the trial excruciatingly slow. The courts and the prosecution panel should be wary of the dilatory tactics of the defense. ■

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

18

Canada News

Canada closely monitoring ‘cowardly’ attack on Kenyan shopping mall: Harper

NEWS BRIEFS

FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS

The Canadian Press OTTAWA—Canada will continue to work with its international partners to confront terrorism, and will focus on the group responsible for the “cowardly” attack on a shopping mall in Kenya, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Monday.

Some 62 people—including two Canadians—were confirmed dead in the ongoing raid by the Somalia-based group al-Shabab, which began Saturday and lasted through the weekend.

More than 175 people were injured in the attack.

Harper refused to discuss reports that suggest a Canadian may also have been among the attackers, and dismissed suggestion that Canada may be vulnerable to the scourge of homegrown terrorism.

“I don’t obviously discuss, in any detail, security operations,” Harper said.

“I’m not worried about such a thing as a mass phenomenon, but obviously there are always cases that we follow very closely and work with our international partners on. We have had, as you know, a series of legislation on anti-terrorism to give our police and security forces various tools to deal with the phenomenon.”

Officials have confirmed that diplomat Annemarie Desloges was one of two Canadians killed when gun-

Prime Minister Stephen Harper pictured here at the conclusion of the G-20 conference said Canada and its allies abroad are monitoring the situation in Kenya.

PHOTO FROM WWW.PM.GC.CA

man opened fire with AK-47s and threw grenades at Nairobi’s upscale Westgate mall, a venue frequented by expatriates and wealthy locals.

Media reports and Facebook users identified Vancouver businessman Naguib Damji as the other Canadian victim.

Foreign Affairs in Ottawa also announced Sunday night that as a security precaution Canada’s High Commission in Nairobi would be closed to the general public on Monday.

Harper said Canada and its allies abroad are monitoring the situation, and he once again extended his condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims.

He also cited the case of the Toronto-born former Guantanamo Bay inmate Omar Khadr, who was making his first public appearance in 11 years in an Edmonton courtroom as

Harper spoke.

Khadr was 15 when he was captured by American soldiers in Afghanistan. In 2010, he pleaded guilty to war crimes before a U.S. military commission and was sentenced to eight years. He was transferred to Canada last fall.

“This is an individual who pled guilty and was convicted of very serious crimes, including murder, and it is very important that we continue to vigorously defend against any attempts in court to lessen his punishment for these heinous acts,” Harper said.

“We will continue to do everything in our power to empower our police and security forces to deal with threats, and to work with the international community in identifying these as they are inevitably crossborder in nature.” ■

Lack of foreign carriers in wireless auction seen as positive for Big Three

BY LUANN LASALLE The Canadian Press THE LACK of foreign telecom players at an upcoming auction of wireless spectrum will take some competitive heat off the Big Three carriers, analysts said Monday after the government released the list of potential bidders.

Industry Canada said Monday that a total of 15 participants—including Bell Mobility, Rogers Communications and Telus (TSX:T)—placed a refundable five per cent deposit for the Jan. 14 auction by the deadline.

“We view the list as a key positive for the incumbents and an embarrassment for the government,” said Canaccord Genuity analyst Dvai Ghose.

“We do not expect the competitive dynamics in Canadian wireless to change much as a result of the auction,” Ghose said in a research note.

The Canadian wireless market continues to be dominated by Bell (TSX:BCE), Rogers (TSX:RCI.B) and Telus with a total of about 25 million subscribers. ❱❱ PAGE 22 Lack of foreign

ALBERTA FLOOD DAMAGE ‘STAGGERING’: REPORT CALGARY—The Insurance Bureau of Canada says the June flood in southern Alberta is the costliest natural disaster in Canadian history.

The bureau says the latest estimate of the insured property damage now exceeds $1.7 billion.

ABSENCES COSTS ECONOMY BILLIONS: REPORT OTTAWA—The Canadian economy lost $16.6 billion last year due to absenteeism, according to a study by the Conference Board of Canada. The board’s report says that on average, a full-time Canadian worker was absent for 9.3 days in 2011, with the highest absenteeism rates found in the health care and social assistance sectors.

FEDS PLEDGE $660 MILLION FOR TORONTO SUBWAY TORONTO— The federal government is pledging $660 million for the expansion of a subway line in east-end Toronto, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced Monday. Flaherty said the money comes at the request of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and city council.

ELEVEN CHARGED IN ALLEGED SASKATCHEWAN HAZING LANIGAN— RCMP have charged eleven young people in an alleged hazing of high school students in Saskatchewan involving teens being hit with hockey sticks. Nine boys face 34 charges including assault, assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm.

Canada News

19 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

OTTAWA—Stephen Harper will join a team of Conservative ministers in New York this week, although the prime minister will not address the United Nations General Assembly while he is in the city.

Harper will instead take part in a side event on maternal and child health and attend a talk on the economy hosted by the Canadian American Business Council.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird will fill in next week as Canada’s voice in the assembly.

“At a time of economic uncertainty, rapid social change and a volatile global environment in which certain regimes are threatening international peace and security and violating the rights of their own citizens, Canada has a vital global role to play in the defence of freedom, dignity and opportunity,” Baird said in a statement.

“At this year’s General Assembly, Canada will work with its partners to encourage the United Nations to be more accountable, transparent and responsive to the challenges of a changing world.”

The delegation to New York also includes International Co-operation Minister Christian Paradis; minister of state for foreign affairs Lynne Yelich; and Deepak Obhrai, Baird’s parliamentary secretary.

Meanwhile, a group of former cabinet ministers, senior diplomats, academics and foreign-policy experts is urging the Harper government to re-think how it engages with the UN. The group held a news conference Monday in Ottawa to outline steps the Conservative government could take to mend what they say is a strained relationship with the world body.

“We’re increasingly denying ourselves a place at the table,” said Carolyn McAskie, a former assistant secretary general for peacebuilding at the UN. “We walk out of meetings because

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North Korea is in the chair. The reason you go to these meetings is so that you can engage all 193 (countries). You don’t pick your friends and your enemies.

They’re all there. You go you play the game... If you’re not at the table, you don’t have a voice.”

The Canadian delegation has in the past left the room when countries such as Iran are at the podium.

But the foreign-policy experts say Canada’s actions at the UN have done its reputation more harm than good.

“Canada couldn’t get elected dogcatcher at the United Nations today,” said Ian Smilie, who chairs the Diamond Development Initiative.

Canada’s relationship with the world body has deteriorated sharply in recent years, he added.

“I don’t think any of us could have imagined even three or four years ago that Canada would be in the doghouse as much as it is in relation to the United Nations,” Smilie said.

Canada has been critical of the UN since losing a bid for a seat on the Security Council, Smilie said, and the prime minister routinely passes up opportunities to speak to the General Assembly.

“Since we lost our bid to become one of the elected members of the Security Council, we’ve gone out of our way to be insulting towards the United Nations.” ■

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World News

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 20

Kenya mall crisis: Hostages not yet released, despite earlier reports ‘most’ were rescued

BY JASON STRAZIUSO The Associated Press NAIROBI, KENYA—Hostages being held by al-Qaida-linked terrorists in a Nairobi mall have not been released despite an earlier statement from the military that “most” had been rescued, a person connected to the situation told The Associated Press on Monday.

Military helicopters circled over the mall at daybreak, when about five minutes of sustained gunfire broke out inside the Westgate mall, a clear indication that at least one of the estimated 10 to 15 gunmen who attacked the mall when it was filled with shoppers Saturday was still on the loose. More gunfire rang out later, much as it did throughout the day on Sunday. A military ambulance then sped away from the scene.

Late on Sunday a military spokesman said that “most” of the hostages had been released.

But a person with knowledge of

the rescue operation told AP that no hostages had been released or rescued overnight. The person insisted on anonymity in order to talk about the rescue response.

Another indication no hostages had been freed: None appeared at the Oshwal Centre, a squat concrete structure that houses a Hindu temple just next to the mall that the Red Cross is using as a triage centre.

Medical workers attended to at least two wounded Kenyan soldiers there on Monday.

From Somalia, spokesman Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage for al-Shabab—the militant group that claimed responsibility for the attack—said in an audio file posted on a website that the hostage takers had been ordered to “take punitive action against the hostages” if force was used to try to rescue them.

Al-Shabab militants reacted angrily on Sunday to the helicopters hovering over the mall, and warned on Twitter that the Kenyan military action was endangering hostages.

A large military assault began on the mall shortly before sundown on Sunday, with one helicopter skimming very close to the roof of the shopping complex as a loud explosion rang out, far larger than any previous grenade blast or gunfire volley. Officials said the siege would soon end and said “most” hostages had been rescued and that officials controlled “most” of the mall.

But officials never said how many hostages had been rescued, and Kenya’s military spokesman on Monday was still not able to provide clear details.

“We are yet to get confirmation from what’s happening in the building,” Col. Cyrus Oguna told AP. Oguna had said that many of the rescued hostages—whom he said were mostly adults—were suffering from dehydration.

As the crisis neared the 48-hour mark, video taken by someone inside the mall’s main department store when the assault began emerged. The video showed frightened and unsure shoppers

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An image grab taken from AFP TV shows military forces taking position inside a shopping mall following an attack by masked gunmen in Nairobi on September 21, 2013. Masked attackers stormed the packed upmarket shopping mall in Nairobi, spraying gunfire and killing at least 59 people and wounding 175 before holing themselves up in the complex.

PHOTO BY NICHOLE SOBECKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES | O.CANADA.COM

crouching as long and loud volleys of gunfire could be heard.

Kenyan authorities said they would do their utmost to save hostages’ lives, but no officials could say precisely how many people were being held captive. Kenya’s Red Cross said in a statement, citing police, that 49 people had been reported missing. Officials did not make an explicit link but that number could give an indication of the number of people held captive.

Kenya’s Red Cross said the death toll rose to 68 after nine

bodies were recovered Sunday.

More than 175 people were injured, including many children, Kenyan officials said.

Somalia’s al-Qaida-linked rebel group, al-Shabab, said the attack, targeting non-Muslims, was in retribution for Kenyan forces’ 2011 push into neighbouring Somalia. ■ Associated Press reporters Rodney Muhumuza in Nairobi, Kenya and Abdi Guled in Mogadishu, Somalia contributed to this report.

World News

21 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Obama opens UN meetings with diplomatic opportunities on Iran, Syria, Mideast peace

BY JULIE PACE The Associated Press NEW YORK—President Barack Obama opens meetings at the United Nations with diplomatic opportunities on three vexing issues: Iran’s disputed nuclear program, Syria’s chemical weapons use, and elusive peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

All three pathways are fraught with potential pitfalls and hinge on co-operation from often unreliable nations.

Obama also risks being branded as naive and misguided if the efforts fail, particularly in Syria, where he’s used the prospect of diplomacy to put off a military strike in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack.

Still, the recent developments mark a significant shift on a trio of issues that have long proved problematic for Obama at the United Nations. His former Iranian counterpart used the annual U.N. General Assembly meetings as a venue for fiery, anti-American speeches.

Failed Middle East peace talks led the Palestinians to seek statehood recognition at the U.N. despite staunch American objections. And the Obama administration has been stymied on Syria at the U.N. Security Council due to intractable Russian opposition.

But this year, Iran has a new leader who is making friendly overtures toward Obama, raising the prospect of a meeting at the United Nations. U.S.-brokered peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians have resumed— though on an uncertain course. And Russia has joined with the U.S. on a diplomatic deal to strip

Syria of its chemical weapons.

Joel Rubin, a former State Department official who now works at the nonproliferation organization Ploughshares, said the confluence of events underscores an often frustrating aspect of diplomacy.

“You never know when it’s going to break,” said Rubin. He said Obama’s biggest test now is to recognize if opportunities morph into stalling tactics.

Obama’s advisers cast the sudden signs of progress as an outgrowth of the president’s long-standing preference for resolving disputes through diplomacy and, in the case of Iran and Syria, with pressure built up through economic sanctions and the threat of military action.

“He said we’d be open to diplomacy, we’d pursue engagement, but that there would be pressure if Iran failed to take that opportunity,” said Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security adviser.

And on Syria, Rhodes said it was the credible threat of a U.S. military strike “that opened the door for this diplomacy.”

Obama was due to arrive in New York Monday afternoon. He will address the U.N. on Tuesday, a speech aides say will touch on developments in Iran, Syria and Middle East peace. The issues will also be at the forefront of some of the president’s bilateral meetings with world leaders, including a sit-down with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, whose country is burdened by the flow of refugees from neighbouring Syria.

But Obama’s most closely watched meeting may end up being with Iranian

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President Hasan Rouhani. No encounter is scheduled, but U.S. officials have left open the possibility the two men might talk on the sidelines of the international gathering.

If they do, it would mark the first meeting of U.S. and Iranian leaders in more than 30 years. A meeting could also be a precursor to renewed talks on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program— though bridging differences over Iran’s right to enrich uranium and maintain those stockpiles will be a far tougher task than arranging a handshake.

The election of Rouhani, a moderate cleric, signalled frustration among many Iranians with their country’s international isolation and the crippling impact of Western sanctions. Obama and Rouhani have already exchanged letters. And the new Iranian president’s rhetoric has so far been more palatable to the U.S. than former leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who would threaten Israel as well as lambast the U.S. in his annual remarks at the U.N. Trita Parsi, the president of the National Iranian American Council, said Rouhani shares with Obama a need to prove to a domestic audience that diplomacy can produce concrete results.

“If he can’t show that his diplomatic approach will pay more dividends for Iran that Ahmadinejad’s theatrics, then it’s back to the conservatives being in the driver’s seat,” Parsi said.

As Rouhani considers re-engaging

with the U.S., he’s closely watching diplomatic developments in Syria, an Iranian ally.

A chemical weapons attack near Damascus in August brought the U.S. to the brink of a military strike. But an idea floated by Secretary of State John Kerry turned into a last-minute overture from Russia—another backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad—and resulted in a deal to turn Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles over to the international community.

The breakthrough was particularly unexpected given that Russia has thwarted U.S. efforts to punish Assad through the U.N. Security Council. When Obama was on the verge of launching a strike against Assad’s regime, he said the U.N. had an “incapacity” to address Syria’s violation of international agreements banning the deployment of deadly gases.

Now the U.S. once again sees a role for the Security Council. The U.S. wants the panel to approve a resolution making the U.S.-Russian agreement legally binding in a way that is verifiable and enforceable. But a key obstacle remains, given U.S. and Russian disagreement over whether to put the resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter.

Chapter 7 deals with threats to international peace and security and has provisions for enforcement by military or nonmilitary means, such as sanctions.

Russia is sure to veto a resolution that includes a mandate for military action. ■

After sharp drop off during recession, number of immigrants in US illegally edges up to 11.7M

BY HOPE YEN The Associated Press WASHINGTON—After dropping during the recession, the number of immigrants crossing the border illegally into the U.S. appears to be on the rise again.

The total number of immigrants living in this country unlawfully edged up from 11.3 million in 2009 to 11.7 mil-

lion last year, with those from countries other than Mexico at an apparent alltime high, according to a report released Monday by Pew Research Center’s Hispanic Trends Project.

The change is within the margin of error for this survey, and there will be a more precise census measure released later this year. Still, based in part on other factors such as increased U.S. border apprehensions, the sharp decline

in illegal immigration from 2007-2009 has clearly bottomed out, with signs the numbers are now rising, Pew said.

Pew said that among the six states with the largest numbers of immigrants here illegally, only Texas had a consistent increase in illegal immigration from 2007 to 2011, due in part to its stronger economy. Its number was unchanged from 2011 to 2012. Two states—Florida and New Jersey—had an initial drop but

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then increases during the same 20072011 period. Three states—California, Illinois and New York— showed only declines.

“As a whole, with the recession ending, the decrease in illegal immigration has stopped,” said Jeffrey Passel, a senior demographer at Pew. Analysts said it was hard to predict ❱❱ PAGE 44 After sharp

Immigration

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 22

Lack of foreign...

Regional players such as Quebecor’s Videotron (TSX:QBR.B) in Quebec, MTS Inc. (TSX:MBT) in Manitoba and Bragg Communications, which operates EastLink in Atlantic Canada, are also on the list of potential spectrum bidders.

Two private equity firms in Toronto are on the list, a subsidiary of Birch Hill Equity Partners and Catalyst Capital, a major debt holder for small, struggling Mobilicity. Wind Mobile’s parent, Globalive Communications, is on the list, too.

Analyst Eamon Hoey said Canada’s telecom “oligarchs” have won the battle against foreign competition, referring to Rogers, Bell and Telus, and consumers likely won’t see lower monthly cellphone bills.

“It’s the same old crowd,” said Hoey, of Hoey Associates Management Consultants Inc. in Toronto.

Bell, Rogers and Telus had waged a vigorous publicity battle against the federal government’s relaxed requirements for new entrants, amid reports that Verizon could become a rival in their home turf.

Advocacy group OpenMedia.ca said the big three carriers appear set to continue their stranglehold over the market and is asking for the government to open ❰❰ 18

up Canada’s wireless networks to affordable, independent providers.

“Canadians know that it’s fair rules not foreign investment that will fix our broken telecom market,” executive director Steve Anderson said in a news release.

Anderson is among those who say Canadian wireless costs are too high and the choice is too limited, relative to what’s available in other markets. The federal government advocates increased competition as the way to help consumers.

Industry Minister James Moore said the auction will provide Canadians with high-speed wireless services with the latest technologies and will continue to bring more competition to consumers.

“Well before this summer’s public debate on wireless policy, our government introduced a number of measures to create more choice in Canada’s wireless market and to defend consumers,” Moore said in a statement.

“This trend will continue as a result of January’s auction. In addition to this auction, our government will continue to aggressively pursue policies that ensure consumer interests are at the core of all government decisions.”

The federal government wants to have four wireless competitors in each region

of the country to ensure more choice for consumers.

Ghose said the government “bent over backwards to find foreign carriers to act as new entrants.”

But he added without any foreign competition, Bell, Telus and Rogers all seem set to win one prime block of spectrum, per market and the cost per block now may be well below the $500 million he had assumed.

The federal government removed foreign investment restrictions last year for small carriers with a market share of less than 10 per cent, paving the way for foreign carriers to come in as new players.

Bell, Telus and Rogers had strongly objected to the possibility of Verizon entering Canada’s market as a new player and being able to bid on two prime blocks of 700 megahertz spectrum while they could only bid on one apiece.

The 700 megahertz auction of radio waves has been called the equivalent of “beachfront property” by analysts.

These radio waves have the ability to

allow cellphone signals to reach into elevators, deep into underground parking lots, traffic tunnels and basements where calls are often dropped and will also help meet consumers’ growing use of smartphones and tablets.

The signal can also travel greater distances and, in rural Canada, will require fewer cellphone towers to provide coverage.

The previous auction in 2008 raised $4.3 billion and brought more competition to the cellphone market with the launch of Wind Mobile, Mobilcity, Public Mobile, Videotron and Eastlink.

Shares in Rogers were up 70 cents to $45.54, shares Telus gained 39 cents to $34.97 and shares in BCE got a bump of 26 cents to $44.19 in late morning trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange. ■

Migration Museum Expands Across Canada METRO VANCOUVER’S Migration Museum is set to be built to highlight Canada’s diverse immigrant groups, particularly those who came through western portals. It will complement Pier 21, Canada’s national museum of immigration located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Focus will be on Canadians from China, Japan, India, Philippines and other parts of Asia who did not arrive at Pier 21 and cross the country, but came in through the West Coast.

“We need a national centre—a hub of digital learning -located in Pacific Canada to recognize a history and future for our nation that Pier 21 cannot alone represent,” said Henry Yu, principal at St. John’s College, UBC. As a first step, the Pacific Canada Heritage Centre —Museum of Migration (PCHC-MoM) Society will hold an inaugural symposium among partners, community leaders and academics to discuss ways of bringing the shared migration experience to Canadians and others.

The PCHC aims to build a wider and deeper appreciation of Canada’s history and growth through intercultural explorations of trans-Pacific immigrations. Its Museum of Migration project, www.canadianinquirer.net

a prelude to the creation of a permanent centre in the B.C. Lower Mainland, “will begin as a virtual entity rather than a collection of artifacts,” according to Lynn Copeland, a member of PCHC board of directors.

With this long-term goal in mind, a symposium will be held on September 27, 2013, at the CCC Museum (555 Columbia St., Chinatown, Vancouver) from noon to 4:30 p.m., and will include poster sessions for ethnic and museum communities, presentations and roundtable discussions on the lives of immigrants and their families.

The agenda will be highly interactive and will include representatives from ethnic communities, universities, museums and government and other potential partners in the initiative. Participants will likewise strategize on how to move the project forward. ■

Immigration

23 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

History to Herstory: Power of Women’s Testimony in Truth and Reconciliation VANCOUVER, BC. SEPT 15— Indigenous women’s voices spoke across generations, cut across borders, and came together in shared and common struggles as women survivors, activists, and daughters, mothers and grandmothers wove their personal stories and in telling so, told their people’s stories.

Sam Claver, a young woman leader and activist from the Indigenous Igorot nation in the Cordillera, Philippines, told her story of being forced to leave her home and friends because of political persecution and death threats against her activist parents. Military agents gunned down her mother who was driving their car with her father and other sister—her mother died in the hospital, her father severely wounded and her younger sister left emotionally scarred. With her two sisters and her widowed father, they later entered Canada as

refugees, were granted the right to stay, and now call Victoria their new home.

From the Penalakut First Nation in BC, grandmother and theology student Jill Harris told her story of the Indian residential school, of the racism, alcoholism, domestic and sexual violence that were commonplace in her community. As an elder, she is a moving force in her community’s justice and reconciliation work.

Speaking through an interpreter, Maya Kaqchikel shared her story of the brutal civil war in Guatemala, how it claimed the lives of her parents and community and how she survived to bear witness.

She spoke too of the Canadian mining companies that also operate in the Philippines and in indigenous lands in Canada and how these companies have destroyed the environment as well as communities. Maya

spoke as a highly respected defender of Indigenous rights in Guatemala and long time partner of ecumenical group of KAIROS. The forum at the downtown St. Paul’s Anglican Church, which were attended by 60 people, including Philippine indigenous women, was held just before the weeklong events for Vancouver’s Truth and Reconciliation and was organized by the national and Metro Vancouver Kairos, the Canada Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights, Migrante BC and the Women of Courage.

The Migrante BC Cultural Collective performed the interpretative dance of Babaylan, Filipino priestesses, visionaries and warriors whose spirit rises whenever women stand up to fight for their people.

Beth Dollaga, one of the organizers of the event, remarked, “Indeed, there can be no pur-

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Jill Harris

Maya Kaqchikel

suit of reconciliation without justice, without truth. The speakers shared the context and practices of reconciliation and justice from their own personal life-experiences, their community struggles, and the

Sam Claver

support they found, not only in their home communities, but also in the international solidarity movement. As the struggle rages, there is pain and grief. But the perspective is one of hope!” ■

Seen & Scenes

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 24

FILIPINO ANGLICAN PRIEST Rev. Fr. Ariel Dumaran (right) is shown in photo with Joy Pangilinan, a staff member of I-Remit, in conjunction with 21st anniversary celebration of the congregation of the Filipino Anglican San Lorenzo Ruiz on September 22, 2013 (Sunday) at the St. Simonthe-Apostle Church, 525 Bloor St. East, Toronto, Ontario. (St. Jamestown News Service, Dindo Orbeso)

ZAMBALES ANNIVERSARY FILCANES The Filipino Canadian New Era Society (FILCANES) held their 11th Anniversary on Sept. 22, 2013 at Capri Hall, Vancouver, BC. The Anniversary Queen was Josefina Garcia, Ms. Teen Anniversary was Nicole Gutladera, with FILCANES President, Perla de Peralta.

The Zambales Cultural and Civic Association of BC held their 20th Anniversary at St. Patrick.

LARGEST HUMAN PEACE SIGN Kindness is Key, Home of the Heartmind Wisdom Inspirational Anthology Collection with a global focus of promoting peace, hope, love, and kindness worldwide held a concert and attempted the Guinness World Records ‘Largest Human Peace Sign’ on September 21. Performers included Timmy Pavino and Powerhouse Station artists Russel Figueroa and Jerrica Santos.

For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net. www.canadianinquirer.net

Seen & Scenes

25 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

WELCOME PACK CANADA On September 18, 2013, WelcomePack Canada Inc., a Toronto-based company launched its innovative ‘Welcome to Canada’ program for new immigrants. It brings together over 30 Canadian brands in an initiative that will deliver welcome gift packs to 30,000 new Canadian immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area. The inaugural WelcomePack 2013 was unveiled at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto.

Welcomepack Canada organizer takes a break to read PCI

VANCOUVER FOR PHILIPPINES PCI Toronto Joe Damasco with Paul Ho, Marketing Manager of T&T Supermarket

A benefit concert was held on September 20 by the Powerhouse Station artists benefiting the victims of Typhoon Maring.

Special guests included MLA Mable Elmore, who sang a duet with Goldie, community leaders, several young and talented performers from the roster of Powerhouse Station and Juan TV, other veterans in the industry and their supporters and friends.

BRUSH WITH STRANGERS

Artists Esmie Gayo McLaren, Ruby Gomez Peabody and Danvic Briones held an exhibit entitled Brush with Strangers on September 5 at Again Gallery.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Global Filipino

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 26

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS: LIXMILA SERRANO

Real-life Super Woman

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer IT WOULD be fitting to call someone a “superwoman” if she can successfully juggle five businesses, organizing events and concerts, being an active community member, and having a family. But for Lixmila Serrano, it’s a normal day.

Lixmila’s life is nothing short of a typical Pinoy teleserye, the only difference is, she lived— and lives it—everyday.

Turning to a swan

Lixmila grew up with foster parents in the Philippines. In fact her unique name, Lixmila, is a combination of her foster parents’ names: Felix and Milagros.

According to her foster parents’ stories, her biological parents gave her up when she was only eight months old because she was, let’s say, not as visually appealing as one might have hoped their child to be.

“I was given away kasi pangit daw [ako] (I was ugly),” Lixmila shared. “My foster mother used to pull my lower lip and say they really thank God that I was born ugly. What if I was beautiful?” The unsaid was that they would probably not have her in their lives, and she turned out to be such a blessing.

“It’s those things that [got] stuck in my head… It doesn’t bother me, but sometimes my inferiority complex kicks in because of the way I was brought up,” she explained.

But it was in fact that derision which gave her the courage to try her wings. "I decided to go to a place where I can find someone who will love me,” she said.

Blessed beyond belief

Lixmila saw before her the footsteps of the numerous

Filipino graduates who chose to work overseas. Despite having an Agriculture degree from West Visayas State University in Iloilo, she chose to follow those footsteps to see where they will lead her. It led her to Hongkong and to the first family she thought loved and accepted her.

There in Hong Kong, she was a nanny to two kids. It was also there that she discovered she had a facility for language. She became fluent in Cantonese, and this proved to be useful in a future life.

Canada.

After four years of loyal service, her employers helped her immigrate to Canada. They facilitated her application as a live-in caregiver and funded the cost of her airfare to what was to be her new home.

The Great White North

She landed in Edmonton in January 1989 as a caregiver for an 82-year-old retired nurse.

Like many before her, the weather came as a shock. But Lixmila had fire and perseverance. While working, she took up free courses at MacEwan University.

But some good thing must end at some point. The old woman’s family decided to collect their inheritance in advance and sold the house, leaving her unemployed and without a home She wept in the middle of the street, clutching her belongings which were in a garbage bag.

Until a neighbour took pity on her.

“This lady who was Polish saw me crying and she understood fully that I had nowhere to go. She gave me shelter until I found a job,” she explained.

Days rolled to a few months, until Lixmila learned Polish and was ready to go back on her feet.

“I applied as a dishwasher, as

a caregiver or housekeeper, nobody approved my application.

So I tried my luck at the Canada Employment Center and there was a posting for office work. I tried that, not knowing it was the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. And believe it or not, that same day, I received a phone call, ‘can you come for an interview?’”

Those computer and accounting classes paid off and before she knew it, she had the job right in the bag.

And there was no stopping her.

“Filipinos have been laughing at me that I was in school studying every weekend, they can’t believe my luck,” she said.

She worked for seven years for the Membership Department of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, organizing big events for and with the upper echelon of economic and community leaders. “I started to know the lawyers, I started to know the presidents of the companies. In the membership department, my contacts were the top executives of the different member-corporations,” she said.

She currently works for the Edmonton Real Estate Board (now called the Realtors Association of Edmonton).

But her valuable contacts in that first real break (and her accumulated scruples) proved to be stepping stones to Lixmila, the entrepreneur.

Lixmila Barranco-Nono Serrano.

Humble, humbling

It was cans that bought her half her house, the house that brought into her life a business, which in turn brought her several other businesses. But that is getting the cart before the horse.

Before being green was in, Lixmila was already living that life—and profiting from it. She collected cans, brought them from her office, dragged it to

www.canadianinquirer.net

Lixmila with Anne Curtis

27 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

the bus.

And it was the savings from those cans that bought her half her house.

One day, as husband and wife looked out from their small house (Lixmila likes that her house is small because it does not make strangers of her and her family), her husband joked that he wanted a Filipino store in that commercial building being constructed in front of them.

Lixmila considered this seriously. She promised she will make it happen.

She had no savings, but she had guts.

“I went to the bank and told them 'I promise you, my business will be different from other business'". Her sheer guts bought a $45,000 loan (which she immediately paid off ) and 5 businesses.

“The first business we had was in year 2000, when we opened the Filipino store. It’s called the 3J Variety Store… It stands for Juanito, my husband, my eldest son Johnny, and my youngest son Joseph.

“We then opened a restaurant in 2011. It’s called Summerside Grill. It’s authentic Filipino. We offer the best Filipino food in Edmonton.

“Last year, we opened Manila Forwarder, which is now called 3J PhilBoxes.

“The fourth [fruit] of 3J is 3J

Condo Rentals," she says. 3J Condo Rentals manages some condo units in Manila and in Iloilo. These are near airports, business districts, and even a beach, and she rents it out to expats who are going to the Philippines.

Her boys are raring to learn what their mother is eager to teach them. She is immensely proud of her eldest son who is an accomplished percussionist and working at the clinic at the University of Alberta at the tender age of 17; and of her youngest son, whom she says is smart. Both, with her husband and some relatives, help out in the business.

Those two boys, however, are "greatest achievements" of Lixmila, also one of this year's recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal.

The Filipino Canadian Gala

The fifth business was 3J Events Services, which manages and runs the Filipino Canadian Gala.

“My dream was this... There should be one big event that is not representing any organization or any provincial association, but just identifying yourself as a Filipino,” she says.

“This gives [the awareness] to politicians and policy makers that Filipinos are not just simply contract workers; Filipinos are engineers, [medical

Lixmila with her Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal co-awardees.

experts], lawyers… We help boost the economy. That’s the purpose of the FCG,” she explained.

The Filipino Canadian Gala was well received by the Edmonton community. In 2011, there were 750 people who attended it. On its second year, it became really popular even to non-Filipinos and was supported by the Deputy Minister and the Mayor of Edmonton, as well as the Philippine Ambassador to Canada.

“This year, ang project ng 3J is to bring Anne Curtis to Edmonton, so I produced ‘Annebisyosa.’ We were able to fill the auditorium of over 1000 people.

The ‘Anne-bisyosa’ concert was the best concert ever," she said.

Not immune to criticism and the crab mentality that plagues some of her countrymen, she says, "Everybody’s expecting me to fall, pero I can tell you right now, kung pure ang puso mo, may awa ang Panginoon (if you have a pure heart, the Lord is merciful).”

The proceeds of the gala and her projects go to local charities.

She explains, “I want the Canadian community to know that Filipinos are willing to help the organizations here [in Canada], too; that Filipinos are also generous to our adoptive country.”

Words of wisdom

To would-be entrepreneurs who want to follow her path, Lixmila has this message:

“Hanapin nila (look for) where their hearts and their dreams [are],” she said.

“When you open a business, for the first five years, hindi mo suswelduhan ang sarili mo (you don't pay yourself ).

"Do not give up on it right away.

“Find someone you can trust with your whole heart.

“If you start doing good things to one person, they will most probably end up being loyal to you.

“Always ask God for guidance.

“We’re not aiming to climb the mountain too high. We’re just happy enough to see the good view of the mountain,” she ends. ■

Open HOuse Saturday, october 19 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. downtown Campus 345 – 6 Ave Se, Calgary

Come and learn more about our programs and services at our new South Campus in the heart of downtown Calgary.

Find out about exciting career programs in: Administration, Business, Health Care, Human Services, and Justice Studies.

• Apply for admission • Enter to win an iPad, or $1,000 towards your tuition • Child care available on site bowvalleycollege.ca /openhouse Find out More info@bowvalleycollege.ca | 403-410-1402

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

28

Fashion Week

#PhFW: Sashaying soon on a runway near you

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE COUNTDOWN to Philippine Fashion Week springSummer 2014 is on. With tres fab couture ready on the racks or flying off designing houses’ floors; models cast; and rehearsals in full-swing, fashion-philes await the latest installment of “IT” creations with bated breath.

Slated on October 23-27, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, fashion savants, savvy shoppers, trendsetters, and wanna-be’s alike are staying tuned to #PhFW; the online community of style-bible thumping, swag-loving, fashionforward chic-sters.

Philippine Fashion Week is a bi-annual fashion industry event held in May (Holiday Collection) and October (Spring-Summer Collection for the next year) which had its humble beginnings many years ago at the Activity Center of the Ayala Glorietta Mall. At its inception, the show was held for 7-10 days, once a year, and featured an array of primarily commercial brands.

The country’s longest-running fashion’s extravaganza is currently held at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City, and has through the years evolved in style, flair, and grandeur; becoming today’s biggest, glitziest, grandest, and most anticipated style spectacle.

Forecasting the Spring-Summer collection of 2014: Over one hundred designers, 5 popular retail brands; showcasing 5000 creations on 900 of the country’s hottest fashion models.

Dubbed the “Olympics of Fashion” Philippine Fashion Week has become the benchmark of skill and excellence of the most creative local designers.

Their Facebook page describes the event as: A launch pad for leading retail outlets, local fashion brands and lifestyle companies presenting new designs, new products, new innovation and new ideas.

The Holiday Collection took to the ramp in May 2013, with masterpieces from Dubaibased Filipino designer, Michael Cinco; non-conformist veteran fashion guru Gerry Katigbak; quirky and trendy designer Happy Andrada; and brands like JAG Jeans, SM Store, and a “Pleasure Seekers” collection from Magnum.

A highlight of the event was the Grand Allure collection, which sashayed dramatic, fantastical creations from the likes of Boyet Dysangco, Cherry Samuya Veric, Dave Ocampo, and many other cutting-edge designers.

The collection closer was the Ethereal Collection by Albert Andrada—former exclusive fashion designer to the Sheikah of Fujeirah—whose dreamy collection unveiled the designer-toroyalty’s meticulous attention to detail and skillful mastery of the fine art of embellishment.

Spring-Summer 2014 promises to be as exciting; creative juices once more overflowing as designers present their muchanticipated collections.

Meanwhile, here are some slices of Philippine Fashion Week Holiday Collection 2013.

Dubai-based Filipino designer, Michael Cinco, with his bevy of models and luxe holiday gowns PHOTO FROM MICHAEL CINCO / FACEBOOK

Happy Andrada’s quirky, edgy, and super chic asymmetric, semi-deconstructed Holiday Collection 2013.

Dave Ocampo backstage at Philippine Fashion Week Holiday Collection 2013 with his models clad in dramatic Gothic-inspired creations.

PHOTO FROM MYHAPPYREALM.BLOGSPOT.COM / HAPPY ANDRADA

PHOTO FROM DAVE OCAMPO / FACEBOOK

Models are resplendent in Cherry Samuya-Veric’s simply golden Holiday 2013 line.

PHOTO FROM CHERRY SAMUYA-VERIC / FACEBOOK

Fashion Week

29 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Fashion (paying it) forward The rise of “responsible fashion” in the Philippines

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer FASHION IS often reserved for those who can afford it. Often associated with elegance and extravagance, you would think that a third-world country would have a fashion industry fighting for life, but that’s not the case in the Philippines.

In fact, our fashion industry is blooming and thriving and not just in sales, but in spreading awareness as well. Several clothing and personal care brands have established itself in the market and have successfully shared its advocacy to the public. Most of their patrons celebrate their quality products and championed advocacies as part of “responsible fashion” or fashion with a cause.

Celebrities and public figures also managed to use fashion as a catalyst in bringing social awareness, whether it’s for charity, the environment, or upholding patriotism.

Fashion Show for a Cause

This year, three notable fashion events took place that allowed the public to donate to causes by attending a fashion show.

In 2012, media giant ABSCBN organized a ‘Metrowear Rocks the Runway’ fashion show for the benefit of the Sagip Kapamilya Fondation. The show featured Kapamilya celebrities like Kim Chiu, Rayver Cruz, and ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ grand winner Slater Young donning creations from the likes of Avel Bacudio, Francis Libiran (who was also featured in ‘America’s Next Top Model’ cycle 18), Louis

PHOTO FROM PUNCHDRUNK PANDA’S OFFICIAL TUMBLR SITE

PHOTO FROM TEAM MANILA’S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE

Claparols, Randy ortiz, John Herrera, JC Buendia, Cary Santiago, Dennis Lustico, Eric delos Santos, Jerome Lorico, Joey Samson, Jojjie Lloren, Kermit Tesoro, Mak Tumang, Martin Bautista, Roland Alzate, Ronaldo Arnaldo, Veejay Floresca, and Sassa Jimenez.

The Sagip Kapamilya Foundation is known for being at the forefront of disaster relief operations, being a part of Bantay Bata 163, and environmental causes.

In June 2013, former and current Miss Philippines—USA delegates walked the runway wearing creations from Lou Razon Couture and designs of ethereal bridal and evening gowns. The fashion show happened in Los Angeles, California. Razon’s designs exude elegance and sophistication, yet shows bold silhouettes and vibrant colors. The show also became an avenue for other Los Angeles-based Filipino designers to showcase their talents

and innovation. The proceeds of the fashion show went to the Ms. Philippines—USA competition and Bagong Kultura Pilipino (BKP)—California.

BKP California is “a non-profit organization driven through the efforts of volunteers, to benefit the poverty-stricken children of the Philippines through literacy initiatives.”

On Tuesday, September 17, the home of US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas in Forbes Park, Makati became the center of fashion “glitz, glamour, and green” when they hosted the first-ever eco-fashion show in the country. Dubbed as “a US-Filipino collaboration in eco-fashion and design, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development,” the show aimed to showcase creations from top designers utilizing indigenous materials found in the Philippines.

The show was entitled “Forward Fashion: A September Evening to Remember.” And it www.canadianinquirer.net

PHOTO FROM RAGS2RICHES’ OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE

was indeed a night to remember because it was as earthfriendly as it is star-studded. It was directed by Aristeo Tengco and featured designs by Dita Sandico-Ong and Paul Cabral.

Personalities from the Ms. Philippines Earth Foundation and fashion industry showed up to participate in the event. Local celebrities like Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 Venus Raj, Anne Curtis, Dennis Trillo, Matteo Guidicelli, Daniel Matsunaga, Victor Aliwalas, James Franco, and Fred Payawan strutted their stuff clad in environmentally sustainable designs from Levi’s, Timberland, Lumago, and Rags2Riches.

“The United States is a leader in sustainable development and environmental protection, not just at home, but around the world. Our governments’ cooperation via the Philippine

Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation is helping preserve the biodiversity of the Philippines’ forests. And our bilateral Science and Technology Agreement ensures that the best science and technology will be available to meet the challenges of sustainability,” Ambassador Harry Thomas said.

He also praised the joint efforts of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Philippine government to develop and promote sustainable fisheries, improve power and energy security, and negate the effects of climate change.

Champions of Causes

The Filipino consumer has always been, and always will be, a champion of affordability. If it ❱❱ PAGE 31 Fashion (paying it)

Fashion Week

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 30

Philippine Fashion on the Vancouver Runway

BY ANDRE ENDIQUE Special to Philippine Canadian Inquirer

The author with Veejay Floresca

Kaye Morales and her collection, Debauchery.

Madore collection by Veejay Floresca

OUT OF all the countries in the world, a select 30 nations were represented at this year’s Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) where not one, but two designers proudly represented the Philippines.

From September 16 to September 21, Vancouver hosted the world’s fastest-growing fashion week. Designers from over 30 fashion capitals around the globe came together this year to share their collections for the Spring/Summer 2014 season.

The countries represented included China, Poland, Australia, Peru, Italy and Singapore, to name a few. Even with the exponential growth that the event has experienced in recent years, Jamal Abdourahman, VFW founder, enthused, “The best part is being able to give new designers and models a chance to boost their careers where they might not have been able to oth-

erwise… That’s why I do it.”

Amongst the artists were two talented Filipino designers.

One, Veejay Floresca, whose designs have been showcased at VFW before, and two, Kaye Morales, a seasoned designer who brought her art to Vancouver for the first time this year.

For this year’s show, Floresca designed Madore, a wedding collection, using intricate patterns and soft, elegant fabrics.

Incorporating elements of the traditional Filipiniana, Veejay created a modern look whilst paying homage to the Filipino culture. On representing the Philippines, the designer commented, “I’m very happy to [have been] given the chance to represent our country in this international fashion show… I’ve always believed that Filipinos were born to be internationallyacclaimed individuals.”

Contrasting with the femininity of Floresca’s line was the violent and stunning collection that Kaye Morales showcased at this year’s fashion show called Debauchery. The collection was dominantly dark and used fabrics such as leather

and chiffon. Morales explained that her inspirations for the collection were concepts such as murder, pain, and suffering.

“You should be brave and take a lot of risks,” Kaye explained.

Coincidentally, Kaye and Veejay both attended Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London and are close friends.

It was upon Floresca’s recommendation that Morales joined Vancouver Fashion Week. With an advocate mindset, Veejay expressed, “I think the fashion industry is ready to embrace young talents… The only thing that is missing is international exposure.

This is the best platform to expose ourselves in a global market.”

Even with the many accomplishments preceding this year’s Vancouver Fashion Week, both designers outlined the importance of staying busy and stated that they have already begun work on their Fall/Winter collections with a proud excitement.

For more information on Veejay Floresca’s collection, visit www.madoreveejayfloresca. com. To learn more about Kaye Morales and her collections, visit www.kayemorales.com. ■

Historical Fiction Evelyn - She is American! (Kanojo wa Amerika-jin desu!)

Dedicated to World War II American and Filipino guerrillas. It is about American and Filipino guerrillas’ fight for freedom.

(Most events are true and the historical dates accurate - First edition May 2013.)

Great gift to dad, grandpa and greatgrandpa!

This novel is not all about atrocities of war, it is a story of love, of goodness in the hearts of individuals. It is a story of two peace-loving people caught by the web of war complexity. It is a story of espionage, survival, revenge, and greed -- most of all love and forgiveness.

One does not have to fight to show loyalty to his country; Ole grandpa and Ole grandma could not fight but they were heroes.

The author worked as radio operator/clerk for 623rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, USAF in 1945 to 1950. He is a holder of B.S. in Electrical Engineering degree - FEATI University graduate - Class 1958. He worked for DZBB-TV-7 (now GMA-TV-7) in the Philippines for twelve years and for Baton Broadcasting Inc. in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for sixteen years. He worked as field engineer for FF Cruz & Co. and was assigned to Project SECOR (Sequential Collation of Range) of the US Army Map Service which ended in 1970. The author is a Filipino-Canadian - a handicapped. With a desire to reinvent himself and maintain a peaceful and worthy retirement. He allocated part of his time writing.

Order at Chapers, Indigo, Coles or any National bookstore in Philippines. (Ebook available at Lybrary.com and eBookPie.com)

ORDER INSTORE: Title: Evelyn She is American!, Author: Angel Caguiat, Publisher: FriesenPress, ISBN: Hardcover: 978-1-4602-1358-2, Paperback: 978-1-4602-1359-9, E-book: 978-1-4602-1360-5

ORDER ONLINE: Friesenpress.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com & Barnes&Noble.com

ON SEARCH BOX type: Evelyn She Is American! http://friesenpress-accounts.appspot.com/bookstore/title/119734000009808113

Thank you for your support! From the author, Angel Caguiat. www.canadianinquirer.net

Fashion Week

31 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

How do experts survive Fashion Week?

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

gratifying for him.

• Hand sanitizers and fresh mint always come in handy (makes him ready to meet and greet people).

• Concealers. “Yellow-based concealers are designed to lighten darkness under your eyes,” he discloses.

• Moisturizer. For Bobby Brown, choosing the right one is on top of his skin regimen.

PACKING A month’s worth of fashion events in one week— making sure that all aspects of the show are covered and almost flawless—would make anyone frenzied. All artists, editors, stylists, designers and models collectively want to create a masterpiece out of Fashion Week. So, how do they deal with the demanding chore ahead of them?

Kate Becker

Beauty editor Katie Becker of W Magazine said, “Fashion week is one part glamour and nine parts stress.”

But definitely, she’s not letting stress get to her. Despite having a “crazy backstage schedule”, she manages to project a fashion editor-ish look at all times in the simplest but most effective way she knows— taking good care of her skin,

Americano with a drop of organic half and half.” She says, “It’s the perfect drink with my granola, berries and Greek yogurt.”

Before finally acting out her roles, she spends time with her son and husband by watching movies with them.

“Don’t stress it, refresh it,” is her mantra.

You during Fashion Week

Rachel Zoe

PHOTOS BY HANNAH WEIL

and yup, nothing else.

First and foremost an American makeup guru, Bobby Brown, who has just launched his Fashion Week Fall 2013 collection in the United States, also confessed that preparations for Fashion week have always been overwhelming.

Late nights of brainstorming sessions with models and

designers to make sure that models have that picture-perfect look is always a heck of a responsibility, but he survives these through a few tricks up his sleeve: • Have healthy snacks and water (in a reusable container) before and during a fashion event.

• His iPhone. Capturing runway moments on his phone and posting it as it happens is truly

and everyday, elevating all-too familiar lampposts, jeepneys, road signs and beyond, to iconic status.”

What started out as a humble online store on now-defunct Multiply, Punchdrunk Panda (PDP) boasts of bold and psychedelic designs, which oddly fits a preppy college freshman or a professional photographer (or a writer like yours truly).

On their official Tumblr page, it reads, “With a shared frustration with the lack of affordable, funky, functional laptop sleeve, Jen & Gail combined their powers to design the funkiest, yet most practical laptop sleeves.

Today, Punchdrunk Panda continues to grow its pool of artists with each release while finding new products to apply designs onto.” Together with their partners from Muni PH and other burgeoning local artists, PDP aims to “Funkifying the world with passionate fellow Pinoys to create functional graphic designed products & happy events.”

Another very famous fashion endeavor with a cause is Rags2Riches. It started in 2007 as a way to help out the women of

poor communities in Manila.

Now, 6 years later, R2R products have sold worldwide and gained popularity even among Hollywood personalities. It has also gained investors from all over the world, like The Rolex Foundation in Switzerland and Liechtenstein Global Trust Venture Philanthropy (LGT VP).

As written on their website, Rags2Riches is a “for-profit social enterprise based in Manila, Philippines, creating ecoethical fashion and home accessories out of up-cycled scrap cloth, organic materials and indigenous fabric... Rags2Riches’ philosophy stands upon its four bottom lines: People, Profit, Planet and Positive Influence.

Rags2Riches Inc. was created to provide these artisans with fair access to the market and the formal economy, as well as with additional skills-based, financial and health training so that they can maximize their career potential and take steps towards long-term financial and personal well-being. R2R integrated a design solution by partnering with well-known influential fashion designers like Rajo Laurel, Amina Aranaz-

Bobby Brown

As a stylist, editor and designer, Rachel Zoe has a slightly more daunting role to play in the Fall 2013 Fashion week.

But she said that as long as she keeps the some must-carry stuff in her bag, she will survive: “In the Montana tote from my own collection, I typically have a few Kind fruit and nut bars, a pack of Tatcha face blotters, lipstick, compact, and a luminizing concealer—perfect for on-the-go touch ups from the office to dinner.”

What sets her mood going to the Fashion Week is “a decaf

Designer or model or not, if you want to get into the spirit of fashion week (you do), you will need to prepare. Pop Sugar Fashion Editor Hannah Weil has these tips: • Have a dress rehearsal. It is a must to choose and scrutinize the wardrobe that you’ll wear.

Chances are your leopard pants might not complement the top that you’ve previously chosen.

Weil says that she has seen that happen many times.

She suggests playing dressup also to ensure that your ❱❱ PAGE 44 How do experts

Fashion (paying it)... fits the budget, it will work. It has to work.

But since the birth of several Philippine brands that launched a patriotic and environmental campaigns, Juan and Juana dela Cruz just can’t seem to get enough of these famous brands with a cause.

Founded in 2001, Team Manila has been the epitome of modern Manila fashion: authentic, comfortable, simple yet loud (in terms of statements). On Team Manila Lifestyle’s Facebook page, they wrote, “Team Manila Lifestyle draws inspiration from the urban lifestyle, culture and imagery of the city of Manila, capital of the Philippines. From graphic interpretations of national icons to silhouettes of odds and ends from everyday life in the city’s streets, Team Manila Lifestyle incorporates anything and everything that exemplifies life in Manila. The shirts, totes, pouches, wallets, bags, limited edition prints, artwork and other lifestyle accessories intend to stand as stylish reminders of the truly unique qualities of what many consider mundane ❰❰ 29

www.canadianinquirer.net

PHOTO FROM US EMBASSY IN MANILA WEBSITE

Alunan, Olivia d’Aboville and Oliver Tolentino turning scrap materials into fashion handbags. After four years, R2R has already trained 800 artisans across 21 communities in the Metro Manila area and continues to expand its social impact and eco-ethical footprint in the country.”

And of course, any fashionable ensemble wouldn’t be complete without make-up.

Human Heart Nature nailed all three major advocacies: pro-poor, pro-Philippines, and pro-environment. “Gandang Kalikasan, Inc. was the brainchild of Gawad Kalinga volunteers Anna Meloto-Wilk, Dylan Wilk and Camille Meloto who burned with the desire to help uplift the Philippines and the

Filipino people from poverty,” as it says on their website. And soon enough, the organic products industry in the Philippines started to boom—thanks to Gandang Kalikasan and Human Heart Nature.

They take pride in bearing all-natural and organic cosmetics and personal care items that’s easy on the budget since 2005. Upon logging in their website, one will read, “Human Heart Nature is, above all, a passionate social enterprise.

We are driven by love for the Philippines, the poor, and the environment and loving our families as we provide personal care products that feel as good on your skin as they do in your heart.” And we couldn’t agree more. ■

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

32

Entertainment

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT, CANADA!

Up Close and Personal with Hongkong English Pop/CantoPop Superstar BY SOCORROBABES NEWLAND

GUESS WHO just came to town to celebrate two milestones benefiting S.U.C.C.E.S.S. services and programs for the underserved in the Metro Vancouver communities? No other than the phenomenal and legendary, MS. TERESA CARPIO. “We May Never Love Like This Again” (from the movie “Towering Inferno”) originally recorded by Maureen McGovern may probably be Teresa’s most remembered cover to date. She performed last weekend to an SRO crowd at the famed Queen Elizabeth Theatre to celebrate S.U.C.C.E.S.S.’ 40th Anniversary and her 10th Anniversary commemorating the 1st charity concert she did for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Amongst the

Greatest Hits and Classics she sang for the night was “I Still Remember”, penned by famous Hong Kong composer/artist, George Lam Chi Cheung. Every song Teresa sang for the night became like a masterpiece completely made for her. Dubbed as Asia’s Queen of Song, Teresa was later joined on stage by her equally talented and beautiful young daughter, Teresa Victoria “T.V.” Carpio, herself a fast-rising “star” on Broadway (Rent, Spiderman, Turn Off The Dark) and Film/TV Series (Across The Universe, The Client List, to name a few).

Teresa hails from a musical family whose father is Filipino and whose mother is Chinese.

Born and raised in Hongkong, Teresa started singing at the age of six.

This writer had a brief but personal encounter with the superstar and was privileged enough hear her thoughts and words of wisdom from her life-

long journey into music: If you were not Teresa Carpio of today, what would you have become?”

Teresa: “I still would have become a musician. Being born into a musical clan, it’s a natural osmosis for me to tread that same path.”

“You have come full-circle in your musical career, is there anything else that you would want to achieve and why?”

Teresa: “Yes. My new mission in life is to teach and pass on my experience and passion for stage performing to aspiring young artists. There is a full sense of fulfillment for me in mentoring and honing kids to become the best in what they do, be it in singing or playing any musical instrument. I still have yet to realize that dream in full. And hopefully I could be able to fulfill that here in Vancouver, B.C.” Ms. Teresa Carpio is not only a musical legend in her own time, she is one truly inspiring

Teresa Carpio

Juan TV CEO Alan Yong with Ms. Teresa Carpio, the author and T.V. Carpio.

and astonishing diva. She continues to be an icon of passion, success and perseverance. In 2008, Teresa was a recipient of the Golden Needle at the RTHK

30th Top Ten Chinese Music Awards—an honour bestowed upon to artists who made exceptional contributions to the music industry in Hong Kong. ■

Transit, Philippine’s entry to the 2014 Oscars Awards

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

PHOTO FROM RUFFYBIAZON.PH

ON SEPT. 18, Wednesday, the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) confirmed that “Transit” had been selected to be the country’s official entry to the prestigious Oscars 2014.

“Transit”, which was directed by the 26-year old Hannah Espia, is about the struggles of a Filipino family as they condemn the Israeli laws forcing children under age 5 to be deported back to their country.

The film, most parts of which were shot in Tel Aviv, Israel, is competing against 62 other films nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards.

Jasmine Curtis-Smith, the younger sister of popular TV host-actress Anne Curtis, plays the role of a Filipino teen “forced to hide from the Israeli government” to be able to hide her child from the authorities.

The film was also a big winner in the recently-concluded 9th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival in July 2013, bagging 10 awards,

including best film and best director. Other local awardgiving bodies continue to praise “Transit” for its “style and technical mastery.”

Award-winning director Peque Gallaga, who is a member of the selection committee, said that choosing the film that would represent the country in the Oscars 2014 was a tough process. “I was impressed by the selection process. I realized that what we were doing was actually recognizing the Oscars as the biggest market there is; ❱❱ PAGE 35 Transit, Philippine’s

Entertainment

33 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Sarah Geronimo: ‘Voice of the Philippines’ judges also compete

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Sarah admits that she’s hurt by her fellow coaches’ comments, but as always, she’s taking it lightly and positively as ever.

PHOTO FROM THE FACEBOOK PAGE OF SARAH GERONIMO.

Julia Barretto not affected by family controversies

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES- Julia Barretto is humbled every time she receives praises from the press that she is one of the hottest teen stars of her generation.

Coming from a family of actors and actresses, including her mom Marjorie Barretto, her dad Dennis Padilla, and her aunts, Gretchen and Claudine Barretto, she already knows a thing or two about show business, including controversies, but she doesn’t want it to get in her way to stardom.

Instead, she just wants to

look at the brighter side of being a showbiz personality at a young age.

Every time she’s asked to give comments on the controversies involving her family, she always chooses to shut her mouth. “It’s not for you to handle, hindi mo problema, ( It’s not your problem) so pabayaan na lang sila (so let them be),” she is told, and she said so in an interview last September 13 at the Teen Week PH media launch by Uniliver.

Julia is already preparing for her upcoming Kapamilya show “Mira Bella”, where her two leading men are Diego Loyzaga and Kiko Estrada.

“Mira Bella” replaced her supposed launching project “Confradia” due to racial issues. ■

BEING THE youngest among the coaches in the “Voice of the Philippines,” singer-actress Sarah Geronimo finds it inevitable to be slightly affected by the comments of her fellow coaches (Lea Salonga, Bamboo and apl.de.ap), but cleared that she’s taking it in a positive way, as always.

At her recent launch as the endorser of the free mobile messenger application Ka-

kaoTalk, she said, “I admit that their comments hurt me sometimes pero gustung-gusto ko ‘yon (but I like it). At least, I’m getting them (criticisms) from artists who I really look up to.”

She said that she always looks forward to learning new things everyday, adding that criticisms from her fellow coaches are helping her a lot, “I learned a lot of things from them. Tumapang ako dahil doon. (I became braver because of them).”

Competition among judges

The “Popstar Princess” can also notice that viewers love it

when they give contradicting comments, confirming that, yes, judges also compete.

“We all want the winner to come from our team. Because of my role in the show, I was forced to speak up, to become more opinionated. It has changed me a lot,” she said.

When asked on the status of her relationship with rumored boyfriend Matteo Guidicelli, she only had this as an answer: “Our friendship is OK. That’s the most I can tell you about it. I don’t want to discuss it because I want to be truthful to my supporters the best way I can.” ■

Angel and Marian talked after a long time

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—AFTER ANGEL Locsin transferred to the Kapamilya network, she left behind her rivalry with Kapuso actress Marian Rivera.

In an interview with ABSCBN News, Locsin talked about what happened when she met Rivera for the shoot of the cover of the September 2013 cover of Rogue Magazine. “Nakakatuwa na nagkita kami. First time namin magkita after mag-move and all. Sabi ko kailangan naming mag-usap. Tumawa siya tapos sabi niya, ‘Oo nga eh.’ Niyakap ko siya, niyakap niya ako, tawa lang kami ng tawa.” ( It feels good that we met. It’s our first time to meet after I moved and all. I said we needed to talk.

She laughed and said, ‘Yes.’ I hugged her, she hugged me, we were just laughing).

Angel, however cleared that she and Marian didn’t have any conflict before, but said that their friendship was somehow affected by their supposed rivalry. “Wala namang ginawa sa aking masama si Marian. Ako wala naman akong nagawang masama sa kanya. Nung ‘Shop and Share,’ humingi pa ako ng donations sa kanya—mga gowns and bags. Pinuntahan ko siya sa bahay niya.” ( Marian didn’t do anything wrong to me. I didn’t do anything wrong to her also. At the ‘Shop and Share,’ I even asked for donations of her gowns and bags. I www.canadianinquirer.net

event went to her house to pick up what she donated).

Angel added that she is ready to work with Marian Rivera when the right project comes.

In the cover of Rogue’s September 2013 are Angel Locsin,

Anne Curtis, Judy Ann Santos and Charlene Gonzales.

The ladies wore pieces from Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter Collection 2013. They were styled

by Pam Quiñones and photographed by Mark Nicdao. ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 34

Tom Rodriguez an international favorite thanks to ‘My Husband’s Lover’ WHEN ACTOR Tom Rodriguez accepted the offer to play closeted homosexual Vincent in the GMA 7 drama series “My Husband’s Lover,” he knew the role would be the biggest challenge in his career so far. What he didn’t expect was that he’d become the talk of the town via his very nuanced portrayal of a conflicted married man torn between his wife Lally (played by Carla Abellana) and his lover Eric (played by Dennis Trillo).

“When I heard about the audition, I had that apprehension, that fear. Nung nakwento sa akin yung theme or the type of show that it was gonna be, I froze.

Namutla ako, to be honest,” he said.

“But naisip ko na this is going to be the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. I don’t know if this is going to be the most challenging thing I’ll ever do, because I want to challenge myself pa more in the future. But this is the most challenging role to date that I’ve done.”

Actually, Tom became more than just a local sensation. The Kapuso actor is now being watched all over the globe through GMA Pinoy TV. Even non-Pinoys try to follow the unusual love triangle of Vincent, Lally, and Eric—despite

not knowing a single word of Tagalog.

“My Husband’s Lover” and its numerous hashtags are constant trending topics on Twitter Philippines, and the show continues to be the subject of Philippine— and even international—media.

“Puro mixed emotions pa rin hanggang ngayon, e. Andoon yung pressure.

Pressure to continue giving quality product or quality show for the viewers.

And at the same time, I’d very happy for the buzz that has been created and we’re so thankful for the fans who are responsible for it,” Tom said regarding the success of “My Husband’s Lover.”

A native of Samar, Tom migrated to the United States when he was 12 years old.

Born to an American father and Filipina mother, the actor (real name: Bartolome Mott) got his start in showbiz via a rival network’s reality show. He appeared in a number of critically and financially successful shows, including 2011’s “Temptation Island” produced by GMA Films and Regal Entertainment with Kapuso stars Marian Rivera, Solenn Heussaff, Lovi Poe, and Heart Evangelista. He also played the title character in the Philippine stage adaptation of the musical

Tom Rodriguez, Carla Abellana and Dennis Trillo.

“Aladdin.” But “My Husband’s Lover” has proved to be his tipping point as an actor, the breakthrough of his career.

He credits Carla and Dennis as the best possible co-actors for this kind of show.

“I get to work with a multi-awarded actor. It’s always a bonus because you get to learn so much na you wouldn’t otherwise get,” Tom said. “Same with Carla, because she is a natural, very talented actress.”

As expected, “My Husband’s Lover” received a bit of scrutiny from religious and conservative sectors. But Tom isn’t concerned about this.

“For me, I always make it a point to stress na everyone is free to have their own opinion. But you still need to have that level of respect with each other.

Each of us may not agree with the same

opinon, but we’re free to express them.

So with that, I have qualms because we’re secure with what we’re doing,” he said.

The Kapuso actor added, “As long as GMA and the people are happy with what we’re doing, that’s the only thing that matters to us because we’re only here to entertain the viewers.”

“My Husband’s Lover” can be seen worldwide on GMA Pinoy TV, the flagship international channel of GMA. For more details, visit the GMA International website www.gmanetwork. com/international, Facebook pages www.facebook.com/GMAPinoyTV, www.facebook.com/GMALifeTV, and, www.facebook.com/GMANewsInternational, or Twitter pages @GMAPinoyTV,@GMA_LifeTV and @GMANewsTVIntl. ■

Jessy Mendiola says she’s not bitter

BY KATHERINE MARFAL-TEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer WITH HER upcoming projects and endorsements, Jessy Mendiola is indeed at the top of her career.

So when rumors arose that she is bitter about the alleged relationship of Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo, she was very amused. She said that she’s only happy for Matteo.

Jessy and Matteo were paired in the ABS-CBN’s show “Paraiso,” where their closeness started. Matteo was said to be

Jessy’s “almost boyfriend.”

Matteo and Sarah’s alleged growing closeness started when the two worked together in a show abroad. News also said that Matteo attended Sarah’s birthday party which was solely intended for her family. As of this writing, neither of the two made any confirmation.

Meanwhile, Jessy Mendiola revealed that she has many suitors. The very vocal, being Kapamilya heartthrob Sam Milby. It was also reported that Jake Cuenca has plans of courting Jessy.

Jessy Mendiola’s upcoming teleserye is “Maria Mercedes,” where she will be joined

by Jake Cuenca and Jason Abalos. ■

Jessy Mendiola with suitor Sam Milby at the recent Star Magic Ball. . PHOTO FROM THE FACEBOOK PAGE OF JESSY MENDIOLA

www.canadianinquirer.net

Entertainment

35 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Myriad musings on rainy days Filmmaker known for gritty, dark movies waxes romantic, for a change

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer ATO BAUTISTA’S entry in the ongoing CineFilipino Film Festival, “Mga Alaala ng Tag-Ulan,” is a clear departure from his past works.

From his searing debut, the incendiary drama “Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula sa Kamulatan” in 2005, and the psychological thriller “Blackout” in 2007 to last year’s erotic flick “Palitan,” he has consistently explored dark, gritty terrain.

In “Mga Alaala ng Tag-Ulan,” Bautista takes a sentimental, almost lyrical look at a MayDecember affair between an inexperienced teenage boy and a worldly older woman. Think “Summer of ‘42” in the monsoon season.

Personal

“Personal experiences inspired my screenwriter Shugo (Praico) and I to create the story, [along with] films like ‘Millennium Mambo,’ which had such an effect on me when I was starting out as a filmmaker,” Bautista said.

Turned out, “Alaala” was based on an eight-year-old script written at the same time as “Blackout,” “Palitan” and another early work, “Carnivore.”

Bautista explained, “I am an individual, filmmaker and storyteller. I can come up with anything.”

both good and bad. Good, because the world takes notice of Filipino films. Bad, because many of the works that go around the international festival circuit are about poverty and corruption.”

He had nothing against social realism, he pointed out.

“I admire filmmakers who expose social issues sincerely and forcefully. But can a movie really push the government and the people to change?”

Social realist films are no longer forbidden, like they were under martial rule, he noted.

In an environment where there is freedom of speech, “filmmakers no longer get jailed for making films about poverty and corruption. That is no longer a risk. [That’s why] I think some filmmakers do it for the sake of drama and festival favor.”

He asserted, “In my opinion, these films become popular abroad because foreigners are drawn by the drama and exoticism.”

He hopes things will change.

“Filipino filmmakers have so much talent and can offer more than what we currently export,” he said.

“We can offer films with depth and relevance, in different genres—action, thriller, suspense, romance,” Bautista stressed. “Philippine cinema can be more diverse than it is right now. And for it to flourish, it should be a source of revenues, which it could be.”

Where to start

Popular

Asked about his take on the popularity of Filipino films abroad, Bautista remarked: “It is

For alternative/emerging cinema to grow, it should be regarded as a profitable venture, he said. “We can sustain it by

making it a business. Our films should earn money.”

Where to start? “A hundred more things” could be done to improve the situation, said Bautista—from tax reform to legislation that would give filmmakers standard right of ownership to audiovisual material.

For “Alaala,” he keeps his expectations simple and attainable. “I just want to tell a story that I like. If something in it resonates with amass audience, fine. I should be happy. If not, the least I can hope for is that viewers are moved, entertained and satisfied that I gave them their money’s worth.”

Though production proved to be a mighty challenge, considering his meager resources, the shoot went smoothly. “I had a young and dedicated team behind me,” Bautista related.

He turned to the same postproduction firm, Outpost, that worked on his three most recent movies.

A supportive cast made the shoot a breeze as well. TV5 discovery Akihiro Blanco won the lead role, with sexy singer Mocha Uson as his character’s object of affection. Newcomers Ria Garcia and Pio Balbuena round up the youthful lead cast.

Indie regulars Mon Confiado, Issa Litton and Lance Raymundo support the newbies.

The CineFilipino Film Festival runs at the Newport Cinemas of ResortsWorld Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall and Gateway Cineplex. It will have weekend screenings at the Shangri-La Plaza mall. Apart from eight feature films, 10 shorts will be screened during the fest. ■

TV5’S Akihiro Blanco plays a lovestruck teen in “Mga Alaala ng Tag-Ulan.

PHOTO FROM INQUIRER.NET

www.canadianinquirer.net

THE VOICE OF THE PHILIPPINES coaches Lea Salonga, Bamboo Manalac, Sarah Geronimo, and Apl. de. ap PHOTO FROM ABS-CBN

‘The Voice of the PH’ final four named

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer “THE VOICE of the Philippines” had finally chosen its top 4 finalists—and they are Mitoy Yonting of Team Lea, Myk Perez of Team Bamboo, Klarisse de Guzman of Team Sarah and Janice Javier of Team Apl. Another live show was presented by the leading singing competition in the country last Sunday, September 22 at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre in Resorts World Manila.

Coach-judges Lea Salonga, apl de ap, Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo all gave 55 percent each to their bets and left it to the public to decide.

The combined scores of the judges and public votes became the final scores of the candidates.

What’s waiting for the very first “The Voice of the Philip-

pines” grand champion are P2 million, a car, an Asian tour and an MCA Music recording contract.

The grand finals is set on September 29, where the destiny of the finalists will solely rely on the votes of the public.

Veteran singers Mitoy Yonting and Janice Javier are heavy favorites early on, based on the posts of some netizens.

Apart from the closely-fought competition among the semifinalists, the live show was also filled with interesting sidelights.

One, being, Myk Perez dedicating his song to ‘The Voice of the PH’ coach Sarah Geronimo. Also trended worldwide were Toni Gonzaga’s bangs and the coaches’ decisions.

Some netizens were upset at the results. Some said seasoned singer Radha performed better than her counterpart, Mitoy Yonting. Fans of Thor Dulay and Paolo Oneza were not also pleased with the coaches’ scores. ■

Transit, Philippine’s... and, at the same time, choosing a film that would best project how we wanted other people to look at us,” he said in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer He added, “We were very serious about our job. It was my first time to sit as head of the committee; the others had been doing it for a long time now.”

Other members of the committee included actors Robert Arevalo and Gina Alajar, editor Jess Navarro, directors Elwood Perez, Jose Carreon and Willie Mayo.

“Transit” edged out Brillante Mendoza’s “Thy Womb” and Erik Matti’s “On the Job.” The list of films nominated ❰❰ 32

for the category will be released in January 2014 by the Academy of Motion Picture and the Arts while the winner will be announced at The Oscars 2014 in February 2014.

On the September 22 episode of “The Buzz”, TV host-actress Toni Gonzaga, the girlfriend of Paul Soriano who is the executive producer of “Transit” expressed her happiness and excitement over the good news.

She relayed that her beau is very grateful to God for the honour.

In a separate interview with PDI, Soriano said, “We hope for ‘Transit’ to be the first Filipino film to be officially nominated for the Oscars. As executive producer, I will do everything to make sure it will be considered.” ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 36

Christina Aguilera returns for new season of ‘The Voice’ refreshed and ready to win

BY NICOLE EVATT The Associated Press WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.— Christina Aguilera said a season away from “The Voice” was the break that she needed to get reinvigorated—for herself, the show and the contestants.

Aguilera and CeeLo took time off from the show last season, and were replaced by Usher and Shakira. But they’re back in their signature red chairs on Monday night when the hit talent competition premieres on NBC. Speaking to a small group of reporters last week at the tony Soho House, Aguilera said the show, now in its fifth season, was taking a bit of a toll on her— coupled with her demanding life outside of it—including being a mother to 5-year-old son Max.

“As artists we need to feel like we’re appreciated and we’re understood and we’re given the breathing room, because we’re constantly in front of the camera giving, giving, giving, giving.

And then I’m a mother on top of that, and it’s giving, giving, giving at home. And it’s like, when do I get something back?” she said, eliciting laughter. “You know, and I’m giving, giving to my team. And it’s just like, you know, I just—you just, you know, need to take a moment.”

Aguilera’s commitment to finding that elusive balance of life and career is something she’s teaching this year’s crop of singing hopefuls.

“It’s learning how to better care and protect and nurture yourself,” she said. “I’m giving these kids that coaching advice on my team this year and I’m trying to get them to step, sometimes away from, sorry,

the competition of it and just live and breathe into music and remember why you’re up there on that stage.”

Still, she’s interested in the winning part of it. She hasn’t had a trophy to show in her three years of coaching and is trying to change that this year.

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine has won once, while country singer Blake Shelton has held the title three years running.

Aguilera is taking a page from Levine and Shelton’s book and perfecting her hard sell in the hope of nabbing this year’s top contestants for her team.

“Adam’s like deliciously competitive,” she said. “You just see his, you know, the blood boiling because he’s the best sales pitch. I mean, he’s a genius sales pitch guy. ... He’ll sell a used car to your grandma.”

Audiences may revel in see-

Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton at “The Voice” Season 3 Red Carpet, House of Blues, West Hollywood, CA PHOTO BY S_BUKLEY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ing her and Levine go head to head, but Aguilera insists it’s all friendly competition.

“That’s what was so cool about coming back this season is because there’s a comfort lev-

el that we’ve never had before,” the 32-year-old said. “That it’s just like we know each other so well. We know what’s going to get each other ticking or riled up, emotional. And it’s cool.” ■

‘You Light Up My Life’ composer’s son sentenced to 25 years to life in girlfriend’s death

BY COLLEEN LONG The Associated Press NEW YORK—An Oscar-winning composer’s son was sentenced Monday to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted of killing his fashion designer girlfriend in a swank hotel room.

Nicholas Brooks, 27, was convicted in July of murdering 33-year-old Sylvie Cachay in December 2010. He was arrested while his father, Joseph Brooks, who wrote the 1970s touchstone torch song “You Light Up My Life,” was himself facing criminal charges of mistreating women: allegations of raping or molesting 13 wouldbe actresses.

The younger Brooks and Cachay had a tumultuous sixmonth relationship, bolstered by obvious affection and mutual attraction but hampered by differences in age, attitude and ambition. Prosecutors said he strangled her because she was dumping him.

PHOTO FROM THESTRONG.ORG

“The loss of Sylvie is the most devastating thing that has ever occurred in my life,” Brooks told a court Tuesday. “I think about her every day, and it breaks my heart. I loved her very much, and not a moment goes by where I do not miss her.”

But Cachay’s relatives lashed out at Brooks as a craven killer—”a cowardly liar, a parasite to our society, an abuser of women and a repulsive murderer,” in the words of one of Cachay’s brothers, Patrick Orlando. And Manhattan state

Supreme Court Justice Bonnie Wittner lambasted him as a young man who squandered his education and his privilege.

Brooks looked down and seemed to give a slight shrug as Wittner announced he was getting the maximum sentence.

When the couple met, Brooks was a college dropout living largely off a trust fund from his father. The son had a penchant for hiring escorts and smoking marijuana, prosecutors said.

Cachay, on the other hand, had worked as a designer for www.canadianinquirer.net

Marc Jacobs, Victoria’s Secret and Tommy Hilfiger and had her own swimsuit line.

The duo checked into the Soho House hotel after a small fire in Cachay’s apartment.

They are seen on a surveillance camera in the hotel’s hallway wobbling into their room. Brooks comes and goes several times, at one point appearing frantic, before leaving for hours.

Cachay’s partially clothed body was discovered in an overflowing bathtub after it began leaking into the room below.

Medical examiners later ruled that she had been forcibly drowned and strangled.

“Couples break up every day without one ending up in a gurney inside the coroner’s office.

He just had to walk away. That’s all he had to do,” Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann said.

Brooks’ attorney, Jeffrey Hoffman, argued Cachay drowned accidentally, passing out from an overdose of alcohol and prescription drugs used to

treat migraines and fibromyalgia, a disorder that causes widespread pain.

Joseph Brooks won the Academy Award for best original song in 1977 for “You Light Up My Life,” sung by Debby Boone. Brooks wrote and directed the romantic comedy of the same name.

The 73-year-old Brooks killed himself in his apartment 2011, while he prepared for his Manhattan trial and his son was in jail awaiting his own.

Prosecutors said the songwriter lured the women to his Manhattan apartment through an online ad offering auditions for a movie role, then sexually assaulted them after making them drink apparently drugged wine as part of an “acting exercise.”

He pleaded not guilty. But four days after his death, his former assistant pleaded guilty to criminal facilitation, admitting she had helped him meet 10 of the women. ■ Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed to this report.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

37

Lifestyle

The spotlight’s on Joey Paras

BY PAM PASTOR Philippine Daily Inquirer IT’S INTERESTING that we first made contact with Joey Paras on Facebook. After all, Marney, his character in the film “Babagwa,” uses the site to scam people out of money.

“Babagwa” was one of our Cinemalaya favorites this year—it took us on a riveting, eye-opening and occasionally funny ride into the world of social network-savvy scam artists and the people they prey on.

Joey’s performance as one of the masterminds was powerful.

And when he won Cinemalaya’s Best Supporting Actor award in the New Breed Category days later, we weren’t surprised.

But he was. He accepted his award, making people laugh when he started his speech with, “Grabe, ang lakas makaAnne Hathaway nung award.”

Joey also starred in Last Supper No. 3, Cinemalaya’s Best Picture in 2009. Last year, he played Tracy in the celebrate d Eddie Garcia film “Bwakaw” which won the Cinemalaya Audience Award. Joey is no Cinemalaya newbie. Joey is no newbie, period.

Theater is his first love (he won an Aliw Award in 2008)— it’s a passion he first discovered when he was an eightyear-old boy. “Nararamdaman yun.

Meron kang feeling na parang pag hindi mo nilabas, sasabog, literal. I have to do this. I have to say something. It comes out naturally. At yung feeling na yun ay nagiging dream.”

Joey, who has two movies in cinemas now—”Babagwa” and the Maricel Soriano-Eugene Domingo comedy “Momzillas”— finally be getting the dose of spotlight he deserves.

A few weeks ago, we crashed the set of “Bekikang,” which people call his “launching movie.” The film, which will also feature actors Tom Rodriguez, Nikki Valdez, Tirso Cruz III and Janice de Belen, is set to

come out next month.

On our way up to their holding area where we were to conduct this interview, a man ran after us on the escalator and said, “Pwede po magpapicture?” Joey gamely posed with him.

In the middle of the interview, members of the “Bekikang” crew stopped by to hand him an ice cream cake, congratulating him for his Cinemalaya win. “Wow, thank you po,” he said, looking genuinely thrilled.

But Joey’s love for acting goes beyond a desire to become a household name. This isn’t about being a celebrity, he says, it’s about finding fulfillment as an artist. And he also finds fulfillment in teaching, which he gets to do in his own theater company, Teatro Expedicion de Filipinas.

We sat down with Joey to talk about his movies, his passions and what he wants to change about his industry.

What attracted you “Babagwa”?

The script. The very firs time nabasa ko yung project, gusto ko siya agad gawin.

What was it like working with Alex Medina? Your scenes were intense.

Masaya. First time ko nakawork si Alex Medina. Hindi siya umaarte. Yung as is, where is.

May tama talaga sa ginagawa niya. May percentage sa ginagawa niya yung pagiging kalma na gusto ko talagang matutunan din sa pag-arte sa isang film.

Kinuha ko yung inspiration na yun from him. I chose kung kelan sasabog si Marney.

Which scenes in “Babagwa” were unforgettable for you?

Gusto ko yung bangka scene.

Gusto ko ng mga ganitong role, yung nai-immerse ako sa lugar.

Pangalawa yung sapakan. I really prepared for that. The intention was hindi magpatawa pero it should come out na nakakatawa. Challenging, di ba? Dun ko

lang na-realize na ganun pala makipag-away ang lalaki. Akala ko kaya ko si Alex. Kasi kung sampalan yun, masasaktan ko siya. Pero dahil sapakan nga ang category, wow, bago to. Tapos yung third yung makeup, yung final scene. Kasi feeling ko dun ko na nilabas lahat ng tiwang ni Marney. Masyado siyang obsessed dun sa masterplan. Mabilis siya sumabog at hindi mo alam kailan.

“Babagwa” is a cautionary tale about the social network.

You’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram—did this movie have an impact on you?

Yes. Victim din ako. There’s this guy na ginamit yung picture ko tapos ginawan niya ako ng chat with himself. I haven’t seen the screenshot yet pero sobrang sama ng sinasabi ko dun.

Nakarating na sa people from ABS, sa ibang aspeto ng lipunan.

Hindi talaga ako yun. Paano ko na- confirm na niloloko ako?

May friend ako from Facebook ngayon nag- message. Sabi, “Joey, yung lalaki na gumamit ng picture mo, niloko ako.” “Babagwa” yung nangyari sa kanya.

Dun ko lang na- realize na totoo talaga yung “Babagwa.” Itong guy na to nagsend din ng money to this guy. Pinadalhan niya ng pera at tapos hindi hindi na niya nakita ulit yung guy, na-block na siya. Of course hindi ako yun.

You’re now filming “Bekikang,” your launching movie.

Howdoes it feel after doing somany supporting roles?

This is actually my second launching movie. The first one was “Last Supper No. 3.” Katulad ng feeling ko noon, mas intense lang ngayon. You know naman how it goes sa mainstream.

Kailangan dito sikat ka, kailangan dito maganda ka. Kailangan dito meron kang commercial value na hindi ko kailangan sa indie. Yung pressure dito, sobra. Si Direk Wenn Deramas talaga nagbigay sa akin ng break na ito. Ninenerbyos ako. Ayoko makipag- compete sa mga ibang

PHOTO BY ROMY HOMILLADA / INQUIRER.NET

ni- launch. There’s this tendency for some people... they know I’m gay, tapos nakukumpara ka sa ibang gay celebrities with big names na. Para sa akin, to each his own. Kanya-kanyang path and artistry. Tell us about “Bekikang.” It’s inspired by Dolphy’s “Ang Tatay Kong Nanay.” Dito sa movie, meron akong anak na ampon ko. Tulad ng “Ang Tatay Kong Nanay,” hindi siya hardcore comedy, meron siyang kurot. It’s not just about a gay guy, it’s about love, sacrifice, proper parenting skills, value ng family sa society. It’s different.

Tell us about your early days in theater.

Maaga ako nag- start. I auditioned for free workshops, for Manila Metropolitan Children’s Choir. I got the scholarship. After that, I finished elementary school. Wala kami masyadong pera tapos nakita ko sa TV, merong workshop ang Peta. P1500 yung fee for two months. Eh nanalo ako sa essay writing contest noon, first place, P1500 yung premyo. Yun, meron na akong pang- tuition. After nun, sa culminating activity, nakita na ako ni Direk Soxie Topacio. “Pwede bang mag- guest yang batang yan sa Bulilit TV show?”

Kinuha rin ako ng Batibot to do

live shows. Pero hindi ko tinuloy yung Batibot kasi I had to study na sa high school. Habang nasa college ako, nag- audition ulit ako sa libreng scholarship, sa Tanghalang Pilipino ng CCP. Ito ang actors’ company under Nonon Padilla. Yung training ko doon.

What do you love about theater?

Freedom. It’s liberating. You feel empowered after doing a production. Your main goal is not to become sikat. May natututunan ka sa kada production na ginagawamo. That’s the only venue and medium na na- try ko na mas nagiging ako, ako. You can come to rehearsals kahit di ka maligo, kahit anong damit mo.

You can say what you want, kung murahan, murahan. Sa theater kahit 18 year-old ka, you can be a 60-year-old man. It’s more challenging. Mas malawak.

What’s your biggest dream for Philippine cinema?

Na mapansin tayo sa world cinema, yung maging sukatan ng husay at ganda. Kasi ang gagaling nating mga Pinoy. At gumawa pa ng mga mas matatapang na tema at masmakabuluhan. Hindi porke’t indie eh puro ❱❱ PAGE 39 Abolition just

Lifestyle

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 38

Cosmopolitan Las Vegas to open new glass factory themed concert venue with Bruno Mars

Miss Piggy chases Kermit the Frog to Muppet collection at Smithsonian museum on National Mall

BY HANNAH DREIER The Associated Press

BY BRETT ZONGKER The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS—The Las Vegas Strip’s newest concert space will open its doors just before the new year with a performance by pop star Bruno Mars Mars will play shows on Dec. 29 and 31 at a new Eastern European glass factory-themed venue at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, and then return six more times during 2014, casino management announced on Tuesday.

The 3,000-capacity theatre, called the Chelsea, features glass chandeliers, brick walls, a grand staircase, high ceilings and a vintage wooden bar.

The Cosmopolitan is touting the space as an “avant garde” venue where fans can get an up-close look at stars who usually play arenas. By contrast, the Coliseum at Caesars Palace, where singer Celine Dion performed her long-running residency, seats 4,000.

CEO John Unwin told The Associated Press earlier in the year that the space would be an antidote to vanilla venues along the Strip. Asked about the project’s price tag, Cosmopolitan spokeswoman Alyssa Anderson said the company does not disclose capital costs.

In a statement, Mars warned Vegas to get ready for him and the Hooligans, his eight-piece

backup band.

The 27-year-old songwriter and producer turned frontman will lead his audience in the New Year’s countdown, taking on a role often performed up and down the Strip by Sin City regulars like Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj. Tickets start at $150.

Mars was picked to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in February. His debut album, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” was released in 2010.

The last major Las Vegas resort approved before the Great Recession, the $3.9 billion Cosmopolitan was built by a German investment bank after its original developer defaulted.

It has recovered from the brink of bankruptcy and has branded itself as a “decidedly different” kind of casino, eschewing the kitschy themes common among its competitors, and catering to a more urbane kind of gambler and club-goer.

The 50,000-square-foot space that will become the industrial-chic Chelsea has sat empty since the Cosmopolitan opened in 2010. In preparation for its opening, hotel-casino’s existing concert venue, previously called the Chelsea Ballroom, has been renamed the Belmont.

The casino is marketing the Mars concerts as part of a package that includes two nights in the hotel and “VIP check in.”

The package starts at $1,800. ■

PHOTO FROM THE FACEBOOK PAGE OF BRUNO MARS

WASHINGTON—MISS PIGGY is finally joining her love, Kermit the Frog, in the Smithsonian Institution’s collection of Jim Henson’s Muppets, and Bert and Ernie will have a place in history, too.

Henson’s family, including his daughter, Cheryl Henson, donated more than 20 puppets and props Tuesday to the National Museum of American History to accompany the earlier donations of Kermit, Oscar the Grouch and early Henson creations.

The newest donation includes an original version of Miss Piggy and some of her costars from “The Muppet Show,” including Fozzie Bear, Rowlf the piano-playing dog, Scooter and the Swedish Chef. Puppets from “Sesame Street” joining the museum collection include Bert and Ernie, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover and Count Von Count, among others.

Many of the puppets are among the first constructions of the characters.

Smithsonian magazine welcomed Miss Piggy, dressed in a silver evening gown and holding a red rose, with a photo shoot. The museum allowed her to pose with Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” and wearing the real 45-carat Hope Diamond from the National Museum of Natural History.

“She was very well-behaved, considering she wanted to take it home with her,” said Bonnie Erickson, who created the Miss Piggy puppet with Henson and now is executive director of the Jim Henson Legacy foundation.

The gift was made on what would have been Henson’s 77th birthday and shortly after his wife, Jane Henson, died in April.

Since she was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, Jane Henson spent years planning to find permanent homes for each www.canadianinquirer.net

PHOTO FROM THE FACEBOOK PAGE OF MISS PIGGY

puppet character, Cheryl Henson said. Other puppets are being donated to the Museum of the Moving Image in New York City, and to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.

“Many of these puppets have been in boxes for years. They’ve been tucked away in boxes, and we don’t want them to stay in boxes. We want people to see them and to appreciate them,” Cheryl Henson said. “There’s something about puppets.

They’re not animated. ... They are actual, physical things.”

Miss Piggy will go on display in March 2014 in the Smithsonian’s “American Stories” exhibit. The original Kermit and Cookie Monster will go on view in November in a special display case, and a puppetry exhibit in early 2014 will likely feature Bert and Ernie, among others, curators said.

The Hensons have a longtime connection to Washington. Jim and Jane Henson met as students at the nearby University of Maryland and became performing partners before they married. They made early television commercials with their puppets and created a local TV show, “Sam and Friends,” which included the first Kermit creation.

The original Kermit, made from an old coat and pingpong balls for eyes, was donated to the Smithsonian in 2010, along with other characters from “Sam and Friends.”

The newest donation includes Boober Fraggle, Red Fraggle and Travelling Matt from the 1980s show “Fraggle Rock.” The Hensons also donated a 1957 puppet called Wilkins that was made for Wilkins Coffee commercials.

Erickson and others who worked with Henson gathered Tuesday at the museum for a donation ceremony and said the Muppets will have a new life among the relics of history.

The puppets were never meant to be made for posterity, Erickson said, but “considering that they’re retired, they’re looking absolutely wonderful.”

Fran Brill, the first woman puppeteer Henson hired for “Sesame Street,” who created the characters of Zoe and Prairie Dawn, said Henson had created a puppet family with his many collaborators.

“I’m just looking at all of these characters and thinking this is the puppet family, and yet, I feel like they’re all my relatives,” she said.

Curator Dwight Blocker Bowers said the puppets represent the creativity of “one of America’s great innovators.” He said Henson had extended the boundaries of puppetry, using film and television.

“I love these puppets’ eyes.

You can’t walk near them without making eye contact,” Blocker Bowers said. “They’re very much like an oil painting. And they have such an innocence.” ■

Lifestyle

39 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Burger King launching lower calorie french fry called ‘Satisfries’

BY CANDICE CHOI The Associated Press NEW YORK—BURGER King wants people to feel less guilty about gobbling up its french fries.

The world’s No. 2 hamburger chain is launching a new crinkle-cut french fry on Tuesday in the U.S. that it says has 20 per cent fewer calories than its regular french fries.

The chain says a small order of the new “Satisfries” clocks in at 270 calories because of a new batter that doesn’t absorb as much oil. By comparison, a small order of its regular fries, sans crinkles, has 340 calories.

Burger King Canada was planning to launch a similar product under different names in English Canada and Quebec on Wednesday.

The concept of taking an indulgent food and removing some of the guilt isn’t new, of course. Supermarkets are filled with baked Lay’s potato chips, 100-calorie packs of Oreos cookies and other less fattening versions of popular treats. Such creations play on people’s inability to give up their food vices, even as they struggle to eat better. The idea is to create something that skimps on calories, but not on taste.

Burger King executives say people won’t be able to tell that Satisfries are lower in calories. It says they use exactly the same ingredients as its regular fries potatoes, oil and batter. To keep kitchen operations simple, they’re even made in the same fryers and cooked for the same amount of time as regular fries.

The difference, Burger King says, is that it adjusts the proportions of different ingredients for the batter to block out more oil. The company declined to be more specific. Another difference, the crinkle-cut shape is in part so workers will be able to easily distinguish them from the regular fries when they’re deep frying them together.

“You need to make things as simple as possible,” says Eric Hirschhorn, Burger King’s chief marketing officer.

As per capita consumption of french fries has declined over the years, frozen potato suppliers have been working on ways to reduce fat and calories in french fries, said Maureen Storey, president and CEO of the Alliance for Potato Research & Education, an industry group.

Alex Macedo, head of North American operations at Burger King, said the chain worked with one of its potato suppliers, McCain Foods, to develop the lower-calorie fries. He said McCain can’t sell the

fries to other fast-food clients and that different suppliers might have a tough time imitating them.

Burger King took great pains to keep the launch of Satisfries under wraps. Last week, reporters were invited to preview a “top secret new product” at a New York City hotel, where they were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements. Attendees were each served a carton of the fries on a plate that looked and tasted like any other fries, even leaving the familiar grease stains in their paper cartons.

Burger King led off its presentation by comparing the fries to the “leading french fries,” which are made by rival McDonald’s. On a pound-for-pound basis, executives noted that the new fries have 30 per cent fewer calories than those served at the Golden Arches.

A small serving at McDonald’s, for example, weighs considerably less than a small order at Burger King. As a result, a small order of McDonald’s fries has 230 calories which is still less than the 270 calories for a small serving of Burger King’s Satisfries. A “value” order of Satisfries at Burger King which is closer in weight to the small size at McDonald’s has 190 calories.

Satisfries is the latest gambit by Burger King Worldwide Inc. to revive its image af-

The spotlight’s... ❰❰ 37

pornography, puro kalaswaan.

Marami pang temang pwedeng pag-usapan. Ang dream ko eh makakalkal tayo ng mga bagong subject na mapag-usapan.

too right?

What’s something you want to change about your industry?

Who else do you want to work with?

Mahirap yan. Yung star quality system. I don’t buy that. I don’t believe in it.

Yung sukatan kung sinong sikat at hindi.

Bakit hindi natin sukatin ang talino at galing kesa yung ganda lang. Pwede namang maging maganda at maging magaling, marami namang ganun. Pero dahil maganda lang, sila lang yung star. Sana hindi ganun. Tell us about “Momzillas.”

I’m playing Brunette, the brother of Eugene Domingo in the movie. It’s a feelgood movie about family, a family feud.

Masaya siya. What are your dream roles?

Naku ang dami ko pang dream roles. Ang unang-unang role na gusto kong gawin ay maging lalaki ulit. Nag- start lang naman na makahon ako sa gay roles nang ginawa ko ang “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah.”

Before that under Nonon Padilla, lahat straight guy roles. Ulo lang, matanda, bata, Español, indio. I would love to do that again. And I would love to do more dramatic roles. But for now, gagawin ko kung ano ang meron na maganda.

But “Bekikang” will have a bit of drama

Oo, sabi ko nga nung mga unang shooting days namin, Direk akala ko ba comedy to? Bakit ganito, parang MMK? Manood kayo nito, diyos ko.

May bucket list ako nyan eh. Tapos ko na si Eugene Domingo. Gusto ko next si Roderick Paulate. I would really love to work with Kuya Dick. He’s a very good actor. Sa ngayon siya ang ultimate wish ko.

What else are you passionate about?

I love teaching. I do have my own theater company, it’s Teatro Expedicion de Filipinas (TEDF). College pa lang finound na namin yan. I’m forming our powerhouse ensemble, ang parang actors’ company ng TEDF. Magpapa- audition ako ng bibigyan ko ng libreng training sa acting and production work.

Pero may laglagan ito ha, parang American Idol. Yung mga best people lang ang matitira.

What do you love the most about acting?

Self-expression and that cathartic moment, that feeling na you know you did well kahit hindi nila gusto, lalo na kung gusto nila. It’s priceless. Walang katumbas na award. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

ter a series of ownership changes in recent years. 3G Capital, the Brazilian private investment firm that bought the chain and took it private in 2010, kicked off a campaign last spring with a revamped menu and star-studded ad campaign.

The splashy moves came just before 3G announced a deal to take Burger King public again. The deal was structured in a way that let 3G more than recoup the $3.26 billion it paid for the chain, while still maintaining a majority stake. Burger King’s stock price is up 37 per cent over the past year and trading at close to $20 per share.

The company has continued to press ahead with new menu items in hopes of pushing up soft sales, but the efforts haven’t yet yielded results. For its second quarter, sales at restaurants open at least a year slipped 0.5 per cent in the U.S. and Canada, where it has about 7,200 locations. The metric is a key gauge of health because it strips out the volatility of newly opened and closed locations.

Still, Burger King is betting Satisfries will be so popular that people will even be willing to fork over more money for them. The suggested price for a small order of Satisfries is $1.89, compared with $1.59 for regular fries. That’s a 19 per cent markup. ■

Business

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 40

Bidding for LRT-1 extension moved to 2014 DOTC says biggest PPP deal delayed by scheduling issues

BY MIGUEL R. CAMUS Philippine Daily Inquirer THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is targeting to auction the P60-billion extension of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) to Cavite province, its biggest public private partnership deal, by the first quarter of 2014, Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya said.

The project, which the government earlier projected would be re-auctioned before the end of the year, was delayed due to scheduling issues.

The auction failed last Aug. 15 as three bidders withdrew and one submitted a noncompliant offer. Cited the bidders who backed out was the project’s lack of viability in the way the original terms were structured.

“The [bidding] is flexible between January and February [2014]. We need to go up to Neda (National Economic and Development Authority) and talk about changes. Once we get

that, we will do a single-stage procurement process,” Abaya said at the sidelines of the Philippines’s midyear economic briefing.

“It’s basically the schedule and waiting for Neda to convene,” Abaya added, citing issues like the ongoing clash in Zamboanga. “These are not intended delays.”

The talks with Neda are aimed at smoothing over concerns raised by the private sector. These include real property taxes, the predictability of power rates, tariff prices, warranty on the existing structure and allowing a negative or subsidy bid. The DOTC was earlier targeting the LRT-1 expansion project to begin construction by the second half of 2014.

The LRT-1 extension will involve the construction of a 10.5-kilometer elevated section while 1.2 km will be at street level. It aims to increase average weekday ridership from 560,000 passengers to 820,000 passengers by 2015.

The whole stretch of the in-

tegrated LRT-1, with a total length of 32.4 km, will be operated and maintained by the private proponent for a period 35 years, including construction, information on the PPP Center website showed.

Only Metro Pacific Investments Corp., through Light Rail Manila Consortium, submitted a bid for LRT-1 expansion last Aug 15.

Metro Pacific’s partner Ayala Corp. did not participate while three other consortiums led by San Miguel Corp., DMCI Holdings and MTD-Samsung of Malaysia and South Korea withdrew their bids.

Abaya, who reiterated that PPPs were a complicated process when addressing a query on perennial delays, said they were looking to proceed with the auctions for the P17.5billion Mactan-Cebu International Airport and a P1.72billion smart card system for Metro Manila’s railways by next month.

Both projects were originally due to be auctioned in late Au-

www.canadianinquirer.net

LRT train arrives at a train station in Manila, Philippines. LRT serves 579,000 passengers each day. Its 31 stations along over 31 kilometers (19 mi).

PHOTO BY JOYFULL / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

gust. However, this was pushed back as the DOTC needed more

time to fine-tune their respective concession agreements. ■

Sports/Horoscope

41 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Pacquiao training in high gear UST Tigers end Eagles’ rule, gain Final 4

BY ROY LUARCA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE TRAINING of Manny Pacquiao is proceeding faster than planned, and members of his team are scrambling to keep pace.

“He will get into condition in no time,” assistant trainer Nonoy Neri told the INQUIRER in Filipino. “The excess weight is quickly gone.”

With Buboy Fernandez and Neri supervising his training regimen, Pacquiao officially started his preparation for Brandon Rios at the Pacman Wild Card Gym in General Santos City.

Bent on regaining the luster of his ring career tarnished by the sixth-round knockout he suffered against Juan Manuel Marquez last December, Pacquiao wants to whip himself into shape quickly though the Rios fight is set Nov. 24 yet in Macau.

“You know Manny, once he gets the hang of it (training), he doesn’t want to stop,” said Neri, who has to substitute for a fagged-out Fernandez in doing the mitts with Pacquiao on Tuesday.

Team Pacquiao took a break.

“We’ll do some sprinting,” said Neri, who is also in charge of Pacquiao’s food intake and physical wellbeing while the Sarangani representative is mulling whether or not to hire a replacement for conditioning expert Alex Ariza.

Ariza transferred to the Rios camp after being fired by chief trainer Freddie Roach, who is joining Pacquiao on Oct. 7.

According to Neri, he is thoroughly familiar with the old system (Pacquiao’s conditioning exercises) and is implementing it with the concurrence of Pacquiao and his business manager, Michael Koncz. ■

BY JASMINE W. PAYO Philippine Daily Inquirer UNIVERSITY OF Santo Tomas claimed the last Final Four berth while turning Ateneo from a five-time champion into a fifth placer.

Surviving Ateneo’s repeated rallies, the Tigers regained their bearings just in time to carve out an 82-74 triumph that ended the Blue Eagles’ dominant five-year reign in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Karim Abdul buried 25 points on top of nine rebounds and five blocks and Jeric Teng also nailed five clutch free throws inside the last 27 seconds to finish with 17 markers for the Tigers, who lost to the Eagles in their title clash last year.

“It’s a good feeling,” said coach Pido Jarencio after the Tigers secured the fourth spot at 8-6 in their

winner-take-all match. “They beat us in the championship last year, now we kicked them out of the Final Four. It’s about time we have a new champion.”

The Tigers advanced against National University, which holds the No. 1 spot and the twice-to-beat advantage, at the start of the Final Four.

Far Eastern University and La Salle will clash in the other pairing next week after they dispute the No. 2 spot and the last semifinal bonus.

Aside from absorbing a heartbreaking exit, the Eagles also saw an end to their record run of consecutive Final Four appearance at 14.

The Eagles, who played minus suspended coach Bo Perasol, closed in at 75-71 in the last 52.8 seconds but the Tigers proved steady at the foul line by nailing all but one of eight attempts in the last 35 seconds.

Earlier, University of the East survived University of the Phil-

ippines, 76-73.

The Eagles and the Warriors finished tied for fifth with similar 7-7 records. The Maroons, who had a 73-70 lead, with 1:50 left finished winless at 0-14.

The scores: First Game UE 76— Mammie 21, Casajeros 17, Olivares 12, Jumao-as 9, Alberto 7, Santos 6, Javier 4, Sumido 0, Noble 0, Galanza 0.

UP 73— Marata 22, Soyud 15, Lao 10, Suarez 6, Ligad 5, Gallarza 4, Asilum 3, Wong 2, Harris 2, Ball 2, Gingerich 1, Amar 1, Paras 0, Desiderio 0. Quarters: 20-19, 44-34, 66-55, 76-73 Second Game UST 82— Abdul 25, Teng 17, Daquioag 13, Ferrer 10, Mariano 7, Bautista 6, Sheriff 4, Pe 0, Lo 0, Lao 0.

ATENEO 74— Ravena 20, Newsome 13, Elorde 12, Buenafe 9, Pessumal 8, Golla 4, Erram 4, Tolentino 2, Tiongson 2, Capacio 0.

Quarters: 25-14, 39-26, 52-51, 82-74 ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

Melancholy that doesn’t seem to have any basis in reality may plague you today, causing friends, family, and your partner to worry. On days like this, Aries, it’s best not to give in to gloom, but rather to throw yourself into work and projects you love. Even though you may not feel like socializing, the company of others can get your mind back on track.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

Concerns about your home or mother may mean you have to deal with some rather unpleasant or untrustworthy people. Lack of knowledge could have you in a quandary about how to address the situation.

It would be a good idea to prepare by gathering all the facts you might need. Stay centered and focused, Cancer, and use your inner strength to hold out for the best for all concerned.

Troubles in the family may have you toying with the idea of moving or at least making some changes in your household.

Someone close to you hasn’t been honest with you, Libra, and that also has you feeling a bit down. Kick around as many ideas as you can, but don’t make any decisions today. It isn’t the time. Wait until you’re in a more positive and optimistic state of mind.

SCORPIO

LEO

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22) Today, Taurus, you may feel out of sorts. You probably aren’t ill, but you may be tired. You could also suffer from vague aches and pains that are most likely related to stress. Take the day off and relax. Soak in a tub and read a book. Your imagination is working overtime and you need to get your mind off your malaise. Fantasy novels may be your best bet!

Juicy but perhaps unkind gossip might reach you today.

You may doubt the motives of a close friend.

Examine any tips you receive and ascertain the true facts before you accept it as truth. Much of the information is likely to be wrong. Your imagination is flying high, so you might want to try writing or drawing.

Your mind might be on power struggles that have caused quarrels among your friends, placing you in an uncomfortable position. Conflicting loyalties might come up when others draw you into the fray, Capricorn. Stay out of it! You could get angry, and this wouldn’t do you any good.

Think of something else until you calm down and regain your perspective.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20 - FEB 18)

Your intuition and imagination are operating at a very high level today, and you may be inspired to write.

However, you aren’t likely to have enough ideas or information to actually put pen to paper.

There’s no rush, though. Take some time to allow the ideas to crystallize and set them down later.

Someone in a bad mood may draw you into a quarrel. Brush it off and say you’re busy!

GEMINI

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

Daydreams and fantasies about faraway lands and exotic places might have you thinking about dropping everything and taking off for a while. You aren’t usually impulsive, Aquarius, but today you feel restless. If you have no obligations, and if weather permits, go someplace where you can experience a change of scenery. We all need it from time to time.

PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20)

Strange, exciting, and vivid dreams may inspire your creativity today. You might want to try a new art form or study the works of innovators. Romance and sex are especially important to you, Gemini, though insecurities about a partner may restrain you from expressing your feelings. Take a chance - let the person know what you need right now.

Your friend may be pleasantly surprised.

Money matters may seem vague today, Virgo. Uncertainty about how to manage your affairs might plague you throughout the day. Planning for the immediate future could also be difficult. You may be expecting some funds that may not come yet, or you might not be certain if you need to make a specific purchase. Keep occupied. You can’t rush it, and obsessing does no good.

There may be doubt about the outcome of a project that means a lot to you. It may involve financial problems or lack the support from others that you require in order to complete it. Your doubts are most likely groundless, Sagittarius, but it doesn’t hurt to hedge your bets a little and seek what you need elsewhere. This is likely to be a temporary delay. All signs indicate success.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Sudden demands on your resources by others may have you feeling used. You may be asked for a loan. Your doubts about the person’s ability to repay might conflict with your sympathy for his or her situation.

Your intuition is good today, Pisces, so use it to read the true motives of those asking for favors.

Grant only the ones you feel are appropriate.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

42

Travel

Annual Nocturne: Art at Night festival chance to see Halifax in a new light

BY MELANIE PATTEN The Canadian Press HALIFAX—For one night every fall in Halifax, the East Coast city well-known for its lively pub scene is alive for a different reason: a celebration of art.

The Nocturne: Art at Night festival takes art and puts in on the city’s streets for six hours once a year.

No space is considered off limits; alleyways, stairwells, shop windows and building facades are all perfectly good galleries, easels, frames and canvases on this night. The city’s galleries keep their doors open late, welcoming visitors long after their normal closing hours.

“Nocturne has that way of demystifying art and making it accessible for the public to enjoy,” says Lorraine Plourde, chairwoman of Nocturne’s board.

The free event came to light seven years ago, inspired by a contemporary art festival in France. October was an ideal fit for the nighttime art show—the sun sets early, but the autumn air isn’t too cold to keep people away, says Plourde. It’s also the traditional shoulder season for public events, and Nocturne helps fill that void.

The first Nocturne, designed and planned by volunteers, attracted about 4,000 people.

Last year, Plourde says about 24,000 came out to see the exhibitions, though actual numbers are impossible to determine since it’s a street festival. When Nocturne kicks off again at 6 p.m. on Oct. 19, organizers are hoping to compile observations from Twitter and Facebook to get an idea of the crowd’s size.

Since Nocturne’s launch, incarnations have popped up in other smaller cities and towns including the annual Lumiere Cape Breton festival in Sydney.

This year’s Lumiere is planned for Sept. 28.

Meandering through the streets in Halifax during Nocturne, there’s no shortage of art to suit varied tastes. Past years have featured everything from Mi’kmaq art to photography to sound installations to puppet shows. There has been interactive art, performance art, shadow art—even nail art. Last year, Biscuit General Store on Halifax’s popular Argyle Street offered patrons one-finger manicures.

Even born-and-raised Haligonians can find beauty and intrigue in familiar surroundings.

Last year’s Nocturne included a walking tour of the 150-yearold Dennis Building at the corner of Granville and George streets to learn the history of markings on the edifice’s deteriorating walls.

Another exhibition—titled “Move!”—featured performances by the city’s circus school, Halifax Circus. At the Museum of Natural History, an artist sang lullabies to wildlife species as part of Nocturne’s 85 exhibitions. And across the harbour in Dartmouth, people were turned into veritable instruments in an installation using light, sound and touch.

“We have a very lively community,” says Plourde. “I think having such a great art college

as NSCAD in this city means there’s a lot of creativity and practising artists here. That creation happens anyway, and we provide them with a venue.”

For those who believe art is about more than sight, sound and touch—but taste, as well— Halifax-based Propeller Brewery is reviving its nighttime-inspired craft beer, Nocturne Dark Lager, for this year’s festival.

Marketing director Andrew Cooper says $1.50 from every bottle of the “clean and crisp” brew sold will go back to the non-profit Nocturne organization.

“We wanted to find a way that we can participate in Nocturne as a sponsor and generate some revenue for the event, and also as artists ourselves,” says Cooper. “Craft beer is art. It’s our art.”

This year will mark the first time Nocturne has a theme—”Time and Space.” In all, Plourde says there will be about 80 exhibitions, all free of charge. Organizers are also aiming to bring exhibitions closer together so that there’s always something to see as visitors stroll both sides of Halifax harbour.

“Halifax is a very walkable city. You can go from one end to the other in one night eas-

PHOTOS FROM NOCTURNEHALIFAX.CA

ily,” says Plourde, adding that a shuttle is available for art lovers who aren’t fans of the city’s many hills.

She says Nocturne gives the public a chance to interact with artists, see familiar spaces in a new light and access places that are not always open to the public at nighttime, while serving as a non-intimidating introduction for curious art novices.

“Contemporary art can be scary for people that are not familiar with it and sometimes it feels likes it’s for an elite

to which we don’t belong,” Plourde says.

“But there’s place for everyone in contemporary art. It’s like music. You will find what you love because it is somewhere.” ■ If you go...

When: Oct. 19, 6 p.m. to midnight.

Where: The streets of Halifax and Dartmouth.

Cost: Free.

Website: www.nocturnehalifax.ca

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After sharp ... whether immigrants in the country illegally could eventually exceed the record total of 12.2 million in 2007. Continued modest increases are possible, but another big surge like the one seen in the late 1990s and early 2000s isn’t likely, due in part to demographic factors such as Mexico’s aging workforce.

“Labour demand in the U.S. is still slack and wages are eroding, whereas there are jobs in Mexico and wages are slowly rising as labour force growth there decelerates,” said Douglas Massey, a professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University who is co-director of the Mexican Migration Project.

“The pressures for mass migration are diminishing for now, but who knows what kind of disasters lie ahead?”

Analyses of census data from the U.S. and Mexican governments show that the number of immigrants here illegally peaked at 12.2 million in 2007, during the U.S. housing boom, and before the recession hit.

It then dropped roughly 7 per cent to 11.3 million in 2009, the first two-year decline in two decades, due to the weak U.S. economy which shrank construction and service-sector jobs. Much of the decline came as many Mexican workers who already were here saw diminishing job opportunities and returned home. ❰❰ 21

Since then, the U.S. economy has shown some improvement, while public opinion regarding immigrants has shifted in some cases in favour of granting legal rights. For instance, some state legislatures this year have passed immigrantfriendly measures such as college tuition breaks and rights to driver’s licenses, even as others enacted laws aimed at tightening the system.

In all, the number of Mexicans here illegally stood at roughly 6 million last year, down from the 2007 peak of 6.9 million and largely unchanged since 2010. Mexicans now make up 52 per cent of immigrants in the U.S. illegally, down from 57 per cent in 2007.

The level of illegal immigration from countries other than Mexico rose to a record 5.65 million, higher than the 5 million in 2009 and apparently surpassing the 2007 peak of 5.25 million. The record number in 2012 is a preliminary determination because of margins of error in the surveys.

In past surveys, non-Mexican immigrants here illegally have come primarily from Central America, at roughly 15 per cent; followed by South America, the Caribbean and other parts of Latin America at 12 per cent; and Asia, at roughly 10 per cent.

The Obama administration has recently said that unrest and poverty in many Central Amer-

ican nations are a large factor behind illegal immigration into the U.S. Separately, U.S. Border Patrol data show a modest increase in the number of apprehensions at the Mexican border from 2011 to 2012, increasing to 365,000. That was because of growing apprehensions of non-Mexicans, as opposed to Mexicans, which declined. Historically, increases in border apprehensions have tended to coincide with increases in illegal immigration.

In particular, analysts have said that immigrants are shifting their migration paths from Arizona to deep southern Texas, due in part to that state’s stronger economy, as well as increases in Central American immigrants who seek a more direct route to the U.S. The latest numbers on illegal

• Connect with your dear friends, especially those who are near the venue of the event.

You’ll never know when you might need a place where you can stay for the meantime.

When faced with stressors on the day, Weil has these quick solutions for you.

• Can’t find your name on the list. While it’s definitely a shocker, don’t let it show please.

Project a smile. Make sure that it appears genuine (though we all know that it’s not okay). But you have to rise to the occasion; there’s no room for bitterness.

Tell the organizer that it’s okay as you have another event to attend. Don’t forget to say thank you, even if you’re not thankful.

• The epic fall. If you experience the epic fall, do remember that a fall is a preamble to a rise.

But, of course, you should rise with conviction, that is, right away (think Miriam Quiambao).

Fashion editors say that a model falling on the runway is common in numerous fashion events and actually makes a model more popular (fashion columnists and bloggers will definitely feature and sometimes sensationalize those falls). Not sure about guests, though.

• Similar outfits. Weil said, “If someone was wearing the same outfit as me, I would feel sorry for them. I dress very much to please and amuse myself. I’m more like Snooki. I’m one of those people who don’t expect people to copy them.”

Prove your counterpart that you look better, sorry.

PHOTO BY SURKOV DIMITRI / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

immigration come as prospects for passage of a comprehensive U.S. immigration bill appear dim. A bill passed by the Democratic-controlled Senate and backed by the White House includes billions for border security as well as a 13-year path to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants already here illegally.

But most House Republicans have rejected this comprehensive approach, and the House Judiciary Committee has moved forward with individual, single-issue immigration bills that could come to the floor sometime later this year or next. It’s unclear whether the GOP-dominated House will ever pass legislation that could form the basis for a final deal with the Democratic-controlled Senate.

“The numbers remind us the problem of illegal immigration

isn’t going away anytime soon, unless we take steps to enforce the laws or have legalization of those here illegally,” said Steve A. Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington group that advocates tighter immigration policies.

The Pew analysis is based on census data through March 2012. Because the Census Bureau does not ask people about their immigration status, the estimate on illegal immigrants is derived largely by subtracting the estimated legal immigrant population from the total foreign-born population. It is a method that has been used by the government and Pew for many years and is generally accepted. ■ Associated Press writer Erica Werner contributed to this report.

How do experts... wardrobe is free from malfunction. Shoes are especially important—it can break or make your outfit (literally). And breaking the heels of your shoes in the middle of the event isn’t cool.

Weil advises wearing your shoes a few days before the event. Apply the proper breakin protocol, that is, “stretch them out by wearing with chunky socks and icing the insides of both heels.”

• Neat and stylish nails are also important, since it gives anyone a “put-together” feel even if seated among elegantly styled celebrities.

• List your itineraries for the day. Make sure that you know the complete line-up of activities for Fashion Week (can’t miss Veejay Floresca or Kaye Morales!). ❰❰ 31

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Rachel Zoe’s bag

• A growling tummy. Fashion shows serve cocktails—only cocktails—so please do not attempt to skip dinner. Fainting is not an option.

Think you are ready and pre-

pared to hit the runway and rub elbows with giant celebrities and style icons? You betcha.

“Style is a way to say who you are, without having to speak”— Rachel Zoe ■

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Parental shaming makes headlines, but disciplinary approach misses mark: experts

BY LAUREN LA ROSE The Canadian Press TORONTO—When it comes to curbing persistently bad behaviour exhibited by children, is shaming the new name of the game in parental discipline?

Scott Mackintosh recently offered a very public—and buzzworthy—lesson in modesty to his teen daughter, whom he felt was continually dressing inappropriately, by turning the spotlight on himself. The Utah father donned a pair of short-shorts and a “Best Dad Ever” T-shirt for a family night out, resulting in embarrassment for his daughter, pointing and strange looks from observers and the image of Mackintosh in the getup going viral.

Meanwhile, other recent headlines have shown parents putting the misdeeds of their kids—and subsequent punishments—on public display.

After discovering his daughter’s profanity-laced rant railing against chores on Facebook, North Carolina dad Tommy Jordan launched into a tirade of his own—one that’s netted more than 38 million views on YouTube. He responds to his daughter’s accusations, calls her lazy and concludes by pumping bullets into her laptop.

In March, NBC affiliate 9 News profiled Fort Morgan, Colo., mom Jessica Rocha and her last-ditch attempt to make her fiance’s daughter stop stealing.

She sent the eight-year-old to school in a T-shirt with the handwritten message: “I steal!!! Stealing means taking property belonging to someone else without permission.” The back read: “I steal.

Please watch me.”

Rocha told the station the girl stopped stealing after one day of wearing the shirt at school. She also planned to make a “bully” shirt for her nine-year-old son whom she said liked to “back-talk teachers” and “do hateful things to students.”

Fort Morgan Schools superintendent Ron Echols said while he respected Rocha’s right to do what was best for her family he wished “she would leave the school out of it,” adding that they couldn’t support something “that is demeaning to the kids.”

And earlier this month, a California mom punished her daughter for defying orders not to “twerk” at a school dance by making the 11-year-old stand at a busy intersection holding a sign informing onlookers of her actions involving the suggestive dance move.

Brandie Weikle, editor-in-chief of Canadian Family magazine, said in observing the parental shaming trend in social media, she has found it interesting to see how polarizing the comments are in re-

Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones editor@canadianinquirer.net

It’s important to remember that while discipline is crucial during all stages of raising a child, discipline is not about getting even, inducing guilt, or even punishing—all of which are forms of shaming a child. Instead, disciplining, at any age, is about correcting and guiding him toward more appropriate behaviour.

sponse to the actions.

“There’s plenty of people that think: ‘Way to go. That’s a parent taking a risk or being firm’ and they’re in favour of it. I guess I’m personally a little wary of that approach,” said Weikle, mother of two sons, aged six and 10.

“I would prefer more of a logical consequence, and I’m not certain that embarrassment is necessarily what logically follows from the supposed crime.

I’m a bit more in favour of connecting what’s gone on to, for instance, a loss of privilege or natural consequence that has unfolded from what the child has done wrong.”

Psychotherapist and parenting educator Andrea Nair said when parents use shaming as a disciplinary tool, they may get their children to obey, but likely won’t get kids to co-operate—and it could harm their relationship in the process.

“Ridiculing and shaming hurts,” said Nair, co-founder of The Core Family Health Centre based in London, Ont. “If a parent realizes they have hurt their child on purpose and then goes back and then does relationship repair and they think of a plan (and say): ‘I was really frustrated. Your behaviour is not appropriate, and I’m trying to find ways to make it stop, so can you help me out here? Let’s find a way for this behaviour to change, but without us both needing to be mean to each other.”’

In the article “Don’t Shame Children In Pursuit Of Discipline” published in April by Psychology Today, research psychologist Peggy Drexler shares the story of Lisa, whose nine-year-old son Harry continued to ignore the rules against ball playing in the house.

Despite reminding Harry each time of the rule and directing him toward another activity, he wound up throwing a baseball at the TV, leaving glass shards everywhere. Lisa “flew into a rage” and screamed: “Are you kidding me? What were you thinking?!” leading to Harry’s tearful outburst.

“It’s often difficult for parents to know how to address disappointment, especially in cases where older kids ‘really should know better,’ like in the case of Harry,” Drexler wrote.

“But it’s important to remember that while discipline is crucial during all stages of raising a child, discipline is not about getting even, inducing guilt, or even punishing—all of which are forms of shaming a child. Instead, disciplining, at any age, is about correcting and guiding him toward more appropriate behaviour.”

Drexler goes on to describe shaming—whether obvious or subtle—as “ineffective and even destructive” as a form of behaviour modification “since most kids can’t distinguish between their impulses—their actions—and their selves.” Instead of condemning the behaviour, “shaming ends up condemning the child, and making him feel bad about himself,” she added.

Nair said it’s important for parents to foster relationship and communication skills, and to develop a plan ahead of time and—while in a calm frame of mind—informing kids of the consequences if they break the rules, like missing a curfew. “(If ) you decide ahead of time: ‘I really hope you’re not going to come late. In the event that you do, we need to know ahead of time what are the steps that are going to happen.’ And when the child helps pick their penalties, they’re usually more strict on themselves. They’ll also have a higher chance of following them.”

Nair said the more calm and reasonable adults are, the more they’ll teach their kids to follow suit. And if they’re meeting resistance—like a child refusing to get off a video game—she said parents can adopt what she described as the either-or approach.

“You can say: ‘Are you going to be able to get yourself off this video game, or am I turning off the Wi-Fi and unplugging the computer. Which is your pick?”’ said Nair.

“They know it’s going to be turned off, and when they’re calm afterwards, you can say: ‘This is the schedule.’

“Anytime you can have a schedule or planning ahead of time so the children know when their screen time is, or they know when they have to be home and they know what the consequence is if they don’t follow this way ahead of time, it really reduces battles.” ■

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