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JULY 1, 2016

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VOL. 7 NO. 224

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‘Bato’: balance Duterte’s orders with rule of law

New homes, new life for ‘Yolanda’ survivors

Duterte to US: ‘Are you with us?’

Fire chief wants more wildfire resilience

Pope: Gays & others marginalized deserve apology

Philippine telecom giant Globe expands Canada services through partnership with SPLASH BROTHER Pure Channel A boy makes sure no one in his street days dry during Friday's wet festivities in Manila, as the city marks its 445th founding anniversary while also celebrating the feast of St. John de Baptist.

MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / PDI

On Duterte’s inaugural luncheon: durian tartlet, kesong puti, dalandan juice

BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — The luncheon after the oathtaking of Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte as the 16th President of the Philippines on June 30 at the Rizal Hall of the Malaca-

ñang Palace will serve simple Filipino food and beverages.

Inaugural committee member Lisette Marques disclosed that the modest luncheon only included five dishes on its menu: monggo soup with smoked fish

Filipino-Canadian in Focus: Bobby Maglalang

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This partnership will strengthen Pure Channel’s position in the industry as a one stop next generation facility-based communication service provider. It currently provides one of the

❱❱ PAGE 22 ❱❱ PAGE 6 On Duterte’s

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Philippine News

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Lacson expects criminality, drugs to be minimized in first 100 days of Duterte admin

BY JELLY F. MUSICO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Criminality, particularly drug-related offenses, may be on the way to being greatly minimized in the first 100 days of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, Senator-elect Panfilo M. Lacson said.

Lacson cited significant strides made by law enforcers particularly against the illegal drug trade, with suspected drug users and pushers turning themselves in to police weeks before Duterte formally assumes his post on June 30.

“Even before President-elect Duterte formally assumes the presidency, we have seen how suspected drug users and pushers turned themselves in to police in past weeks out of fear.

Never in the history of criminality in the Philippines have we seen drug users, pushers and the like surrender in this manner,” said Lacson, who served as chief of the Philippine National Police from 1999-2001.

“I hope the incoming administration can maintain this momentum and catch more pushers starting July 1. While it is impossible to eradicate crime, it is quite doable to greatly minimize it,” he added.

Lacson said he is hopeful Duterte will fulfill his campaign promise of a strong anti-crime advocacy, with the help of incoming Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa.

He described dela Rosa, who had worked under him in Task Group Mindanao of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, as a “doer and a performer who delivers.”

“It takes a lot of resolve, it takes a lot of will, it takes a lot of courage,” Lacson said of the fight against crime, as he noted the illegal drug trade is a major problem as it has affected more than 90 percent of barangays in Metro Manila.

“We should all be hopeful. I hope President-elect Duterte and Gen. dela Rosa accomplish their mission against crime and drugs, for our and our future generation’s sake,” he added. ■

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Globe’s SVP for Interna❰❰ 1

tional Business Nikko Acosta supports Mr. Yong’s statement and said, “both our companies share a common vision to provide the best mobile service innovation to address fast-changing customers needs.

We choose capable partners able to work with us to service over seven hundred thousand Filipinos in Canada.”

This new Pure Channel product will allow its customers to enjoy unlimited talk time with loved ones, friends, and business associates who are Globe subscribers in the Philippines. It is set to launch in July. ■

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Quake drill declared a ‘big success’ in Metro

BY MARICAR B. BRIZUELA AND JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer ALARMS and sirens sounded at 9 a.m. in Metro Manila yesterday, signaling that a 7.2-magnitude earthquake had struck and sending millions of employees and students out of schools and offices in an exercise for a long anticipated massive temblor officials said is likely to hit the capital anytime.

The second Metro Manila Shake Drill was bigger than last year’s, drawing more than 6.5 million participants, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The MMDA said the social media reach of yesterday’s simulation hit 3.5 billion, or a billion more than last year.

“This reach means the total number of people who tweeted and posted on social media platforms using the hashtag #MMShakeDrill,” said MMDA spokesperson Goddes Hope Libiran.

For the first time, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog, and shopping malls in the capital joined the exercise, Libiran said. “It was a big success.

A lot of people participated in more close-to-real scenarios of earthquake damage.”

The Shake Drill was observed throughout Metro Manila.

SHANICE GARCIA / PCI

and the West Valley Fault from Bulacan to Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna.

The agency said a strong movement, or the equivalent of a magnitude 7.2 quake, from the fault was possible and could kill more than 30,000 people and destroy 170,000 houses based on its studies.

The atlas also showed that 72 barangays in the cities of Pasig, Quezon, Marikina, Makati, Taguig and Muntinlupa are sitting on the fault line.

In yesterday’s exercise, a piercing siren prompted the teenage students of Camp Aguinaldo High School to calmly shuffle out of their classrooms, covering their heads. Five minutes later at the school’s covered court, the students settled down and chatted idly.

Simulation

There was the simulation of fire suppression, collapsed structure, mass evacuation, high-angle rescue, debris clearing and looting, among others— similar to the scenarios last year.

These will happen when a strong earthquake hits Metro Manila, with Director Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institue of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) saying that the entire 23.8-kilometer stretch of Edsa will be destroyed.

“The importance of surviving the earthquake is for us to allocate our resources even better,” said MMDA Chair Emerson Carlos.

Valley Fault System

In May last year, Phivolcs released the Valley Fault System Atlas containing detailed maps of the areas near the earthquake faults—the East Valley Fall, which runs through Rizal www.canadianinquirer.net

Awareness

The school regularly conducts drills, said Joshua Emerson, an eighth grader. “It helps us to be ready for a real earthquake, so we’re ready and alert.

We always duck, cover and hold.”

Ma. Pilar Capalongan, the principal, said: “Awareness is very important for students, teachers and the community.

Students should be aware of what to do in case of disasters.”

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 1,454 people were “killed” in the various scenarios in Metro Manila during the quake drill.

The NDRRMC spokesperson, Romina Marasigan, said some 15,560 went “missing” while 14,180 were “injured” during the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that was simulated yesterday.

The scenarios painted for the

quake drill included the collapse of Guadalupe Bridge and the MRT station near it, the collapse of airport towers, looting at a shopping mall in Marikina, and several fires in Metro Manila.

NDRRMC Executive Director Alexander Pama said the government was able to increase the awareness of citizens on such exercises, and the response of concerned agencies.

“It was a success in the context that we achieved our objectives for this exercise, the awareness of our countrymen and we were able to practice our responses to the scenarios,” he said.

‘I panicked’

Vicente Tomazar, a disaster management director in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), said more than 1.3 million people joined the drill in Calabarzon.

“Our aim is to make the ‘duck, cover and hold’ a habit or first instinct during tremors because it could mean a life or death situation for all of us,” Henry Buzar, a local disaster management official, said in Lucena City.

Buzar recalled his disappointment during the 5.2-magnitude quake that hit the province in February. Panic gripped the city as rumors of collapsed buildings and a tsunami circulated.

In Tagbilaran City, when the alarm rang at 9 a.m., Junmark Tasic, 16, took cover. The Grade 9 student said he did not want the same thing to happen again when a 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook Bohol and killed at least 200 people on Oct. 15, 2013.

“I could not forget what happened at that time because I panicked,” he said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

5

Marquez leaves office with fulfilled promises

BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD T. CALIWAN Philippines News Agency MANILA — Outgoing PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez on Tuesday said that he exceeded self-imposed goals as the 20th chief of the Philippine National Police.

“So today, Mr. President, as I end my tour of duty as the 20th Chief of the Philippine National Police, permit me to briefly present to you what we have achieved during my term. I believe I have been able to deliver more than what I promised, simply because everyone kept faith with me, from the highest officer in our headquarters to the last beat patroller in Basco or Simunul,” Marquez said during his tour of duty report to President Benigno S. Aquino III, who is the guest speaker.

Marquez, who was posted as PNP Chief last July 2015, adopted B2B PNP or Back to Basics, meaning of Patrulya ng Pamayanan, as the backbone of policing and made Oplan Lambat-Sibat the fulcrum of crime prevention and crime- fighting operations.

To support the personnel requirements for patrolling and increased police presence, Marquez directed all Police Regional Offices (PROs) to create and activate Patrol Operations Sections in all Units and City Police Offices nationwide.

“Beginning in January 2016, we have downloaded more than 25,000 personnel with the rank of PO1 and Police Inspector from PROs and NHQ offices. This means more than 25, 000 personnel are on our streets waging war against crime,” he said.

He added that by October last year, the manual on Managing Police Operations Lambat-Sibat was cascaded to all regions and provinces, and as of April 2016, Lambat-Sibat was already launched in 10 other regions after it was successfully piloted in NCRPO, PRO 3 and PRO 4A. The Lambat’s crime prevention strategy focuses on mobile and beat patrols, Oplan Bakal and Oplan Sita for loose firearms, and the serving of warrants. Sibat’s intelligencedriven police operations and dedicated tracker teams aim to arrest identified Most Wanted Persons, repeat offenders and

members of organized criminal groups.

“Mr. President, I am pleased to report that as a result of these interventions in Metro Manila, crimes against property such as robbery, theft, carnapping and motornapping went down by an impressive 81 percent from a weekly average of 1,012 in June of 2014 to just around 200 in recent weeks,” he said.

He added that the weekly averages of crimes against persons also decreased significantly for the same period: homicide declined from 13 to only two 2, physical injury dwindled from 169 to 70, and murder, which is more difficult to prevent because of element of premeditation, dropped from 35 to 20.

The outgoing PNP Chief said that these crime figures had been validated by crime auditors from higher headquarters who had been fielded to the police stations to check if the records on their police blotters tally with the crime figures they reported every month to the national headquarters and the police regional offices.

He also reported that in the national level, overall crime volume went down by 10 percent, while the volume of Index Crime, particularly murder, homicide, robbery, theft, motornapping and carnapping or the so-called “7 focused crime” being addressed by Lambat-Sibat declined by 27 percent during the same period.

From July 2015 to February of this year, the implementation of Lambat-Sibat in NCRPO, Police Regional Office 3 and 4A led to the arrest of the combined total of 1,161 most wanted persons, 246 criminal gang members. And in a span of 10 weeks from February 29 to May 8 of this year another 1,740 most wanted persons and 92 criminal gang members were arrested nationwide.

From January to mid of June this year, Marquez said that the PNP have already accounted more than 18,000 illegal drug personalities and confiscated more than 680,000 grams of shabu.

“So from January to June of this year, 183 na po ang napatay sa mga armadong sagupaan ng ating kapulisan laban sa mga clandestine laboratory workers, drug dealers, pushers and users.

Inuulit ko po: 183 fatalities so far

Outgoing PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez.

from armed encounters (So from January to June of this year, 183 have been killed because of armed encounters versus our police force and clandestine laboratory workers, drug dealers, pushers and users. Let me repeat: 183 183 fatalities so far from armed encounters),” he explained.

Marquez also reported to President Aquino that he brought licensing and registration services closer to the door step of legitimate gun holders by activating Regional Civil Security Units. Likewise, construction of the CSG OneStop Shop Building, which cost around Php73 million, began last March.

He said that it would be finished at the end of the year while another Php21 million was released for the construction of Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU) offices in 8 regions, and the revised implementing rules and regulations for RA 10591, the new manual of operations in manning onestop shop and training courses for RCSU personnel, had been finalized and being executed.

Marquez also expressed gratitude to the President for choosing him to lead the security during the major events in the country such as Papal Visit, 44 Asia-Pacific Economic meetings in nine different venues around the country, the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Metro Manila in November 2015, the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu in January 2016, and of course the National and Local Elections last month.

“It was indeed a challenge, but we pulled it off with a zero incident as you have directed Mr. President. I was blessed by that experience, though I www.canadianinquirer.net

GOV.PH

had no inkling that it was just my dry run for leading another joint task force and that as Commander of the APEC Security Task Force. In APEC we deployed a total of 6,445 officers and personnel who once again achieved a goal of zero untoward incident,” said Marquez.

“To His Excellency, President Benigno S Aquino III, thank you very much for your trust and confidence. It was a great honor working for you. The 2015 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting was a defining moment in our history, and the lavish praise we received for hosting it was worth all those sleepless nights,” said Marquez.

He also thanked President Aquino for strong support to the PNP in terms of capability enhancement program of the national police force.

He said that apart from the one PNP personnel to one short firearm ratio and the delivery of the mobility assets to all police units nationwide consisting of patrol jeeps, light transport vehicles, heavy duty trucks.

More than 27,000 of units of our basic assault rifle, again Mr. President, for the first time in our history we’re going to procure brand new basic assault rifle more than sufficient to arm our public safety forces. The firearms identification system for deployment in Mindanao, the Php830 Million communications system project that will ensure the availability of handheld radios for our patrollers in all police stations nationwide, and of course Mr. President, the Php2.7-billion Capability Enhancement Project for the Special Action Force,” he noted.

“The past eleven months and two weeks were the culmination of a most fulfilling career, thanks to so many spe-

cial people who supported me and made my journey so much easier. I know that these words will never be enough to express my gratitude to all of you, but permit me to say them just the same,” Marquez to his closing remarks.

Meanwhile, Marquez advise his predecessor to be confident on your decision because you will be the father of the PNP. “On July 1, a new Chief will assume office. Police Chief Superintendent Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, I believe you also have a destiny to fulfill. Heaven has ordained you for greater things as well. Malayo na ang narating mo, ang tinaguriang mascot ng Alpha Company.

Noong mga panahong tumatakbo-takbo ka sa Borromeo Field, siguro hindi pumasok sa isip mo na darating ang araw na ikaw ay magiging Chief, PNP. Tatlong tulog na lang, padre de familia ka na ng buong PNP (You have gone far, from being considered the mascot of the Alpha Company. From the time you have ran across Borromeo Field, perhaps it did not cross your mind that someday you will serve as chief of PNP. Just three more nights, and you will be the father of the entire force). As such, you will be faced in making tough decisions, and I am confident you will do what is right,” Marquez said “I hope that you will have a better chance of finally getting Congress to pass into law our proposals for the PNP Reorganization and Modernization Act,” he added.

Marquez, who retired for the service two months ahead of his 56th birthday, the mandatory retirement age, has been awarded the Medalya ng Kagitingan sa Paglilingkod, Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod, Gallery of Awards, Command Saber.

Marquez, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sandigan” Class 1982 will be replaced by PMA Class 1986 member, Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa, who will formally assumes the top police post this week.

De la Rosa, who was chosen

by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte as the next PNP chief.

Marquez, formally relinquish command as the 20th Chief of the PNP upon his retirement, culminating 38 years of service in the police organization. ■

6

Philippine News

PNP activates task force for DuterteRobredo inauguration

BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD T. CALIWAN Philippines News Agency MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) activated Wednesday the Task Force ‘Panunumpa’ which aims to fully secure peace and order in line with the inauguration of Presidentelect Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President-elect Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo on Thursday. “[Thursday] will be inaugration and as part of the security procedures will be implemented by the pnp task force panunumpa shall ensure safe peaceful and orderly conduct of the President and Vice President with support of AFP and government and non government agencies,” PNP Spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor told reporters.

He said the task force will be headed by Director General Francisco Uyami, Deputy Chief for Operations.

He noted that Presidential Security Group (PSG) will be in charge of the security in Malacañang while members of the PNPHighway Patrol Group (PNPHPG) will be the security escorts of VIPs attending these events.

Mayor said that they are yet to receive any information on traffic rerouting in line with the occasion.

The PNP will also secure Vice President-elect Robredo’s thanksgiving party to be held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

“The PNP will provide also security on the event, meron tayong CDM unit na nag address ng mga ganitong sitwasyon and NCRPO has been for the past marami ng mga ganitong insidence at handa naman sila diretso heightened [alert] after elections, since pasukan heightened [alert na ang] PNP,” he said.

“We can assure the public we have been implementing proactive measures for the past days and for the task force panunumpa. Avsegroup has declared heightened alert in thei personnsel especially in covergence areas will be safe and secure,” he added.

Robredo and Duterte will hold separate inaugural ceremonies on Thursday. Both of them had opted to be sworn in where they will be holding office.

Duterte’s inauguration will be held in Malacañang and will be attended by more than 500 guests. His staff said that the ceremony would be held with simple fare — such as the president-elect’s favorite maruya (banana fritters) — to be served.

Robredo will take her oath at the Quezon City Executive House, formerly known as the Boracay Mansion, where a short program will be held at 9:00 a.m., with around 300 guests expected.

She will be sworn in by two barangay captains, Rolando Coner of Barangay Punta Tarawal in Camarines Sur, and Regina Celeste San Miguel of Barangay Mariana in Quezon City. ■

On Duterte’s... in demitasse cups, lumpiang ubod, pandesal with kesong puti and beef longganisa, durian tartlets and fried bananas. As for drinks, pine-mango cooler and dalandan juice will be on the guests’ tables.

The inaugural committee omitted petite inasal na manok skewers, mini choco sotanghon lumpia, banana fritters and coconut juice from the original menu provided by Malacañang Palace caterer Via Mare. ❰❰ 1

“Via Mare is in charge and Glenda Barretto (Via Mare restaurateur) will be rendering variations on classic Filipino food,” Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in an Inquirer.net report. “It should have the expected Via Mare touch.”

Based on the presidential inauguration’s guest list, 627 individuals have been invited, including Cabinet members, lawmakers, justices, diplomatic corps, as well as Duterte’s family and friends. ■

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Roxas’ mom lost P110M in his poll bid

BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer

butions to Roxas’ campaign came from the Araneta and Fores clan, with his mom as the top donor.

Roxas’ uncle, Jorge Araneta, donated P70 million; aunt Maria Fores, P60 million; another aunt, Ruby Roxas, P10 million; cousin Jorge Fores, P10 million; sister Maria Lourdes Ojeda, P10 million; his restaurateur cousin Margarita Fores, P7 million, and uncle Manuel Roxas, P5 million.

Mining magnate Francis Enrico Gutierrez donated P40 million to Roxas’ campaign, and real estate executive Melesa Dy Chua gave him P10 million.

The other donors were former Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., who gave P5 million; former Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, P5 million; and Karina David, who played a role in the campaign, P1 million.

The LP’s Alfonso Umali Jr. contributed P72.39 million

to meet the June 8 deadline, but decided to ask for an extension to make sure his report would be “accurate and truthful.”

“Every cent that was spent per [rally], per campaign event, every action made during the elections we submitted to the Comelec,” he said.

“We have scanned and disclosed everything down to the last receipt in keeping with the spirit of the law for full transparency,” he said. “Based on our experience, if you break down all of our expenses, it was really going to take 50 boxes of documents.”

MOMMY IS poorer by P110 million. But she has a chance of recovering her losses, that is, if she plays the lotto.

How did Judy Araneta-Roxas lose P110 million? By bankrolling her son’s presidential ambition.

Unfortunately, her son, Mar Roxas, the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party (LP) in May’s presidential election, is not cut to become president of the Philippines.

The graduate of Wharton College spent P487 million on his campaign for Malacañang Extension controversy only to be trounced by a graduVoting 4-3 last week, the ate of San Beda College, Davao Comelec granted Roxas’ and City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, at the LP request for a two-week the polls. And at lesser expense. extension of the deadline. ElecHis statement of contribution Commissioner Christian tions and expenditures (Soce), Robert Lim voted to deny the finally submitted to the Comrequest, as the law prohibits mission on Elections (Comelec) extending the deadline, and yesterday, showed his mom was resigned as head of the Comethe biggest conlec’s campaign tributor to his finance office. campaign, giving Yesterday, inhim P90 milcoming House lion at the start We have scanned and disclosed Speaker Pantaleof the campaign everything down to the last receipt on Alvarez urged in February and in keeping with the spirit of the law the Comelec to P20 million as for full transparency. Based on our release its resothe race for the experience, if you break down all of lution granting Palace went into our expenses, it was really going to the extension so the homestretch take 50 boxes of documents. that interested in May. parties could Once secretary question its leof transportagality in the Sution and communications and in television ads, according to preme Court. head of the interior depart- Roxas’ report.

The party of Alvarez, PDPment, he is now private citizen In an interview with report- Laban, earlier indicated its Mar Roxas. ers yesterday, Gutierrez said intention to ask the Supreme His last official act as presi- the contributions made by Court to strike down the Comedential candidate was submit- Roxas’ relatives were “not sur- lec resolution. ting his Soce to the Comelec prising,” as they came from a “Right or wrong, there seems on the last day of a 14-day grace well-established family, run- to be a public perception that period given to him and the LP ning multiple businesses for the release of the resolution is after they failed to meet the decades. being held in abeyance until afdeadline on June 8.

A large part of Roxas’ expen- ter the sought-for 14-day extenRoxas’ report showed that of ditures, P407 million, or 87 sion lapses so it may no longer the P487 million he poured on percent, went to campaign ads, be questioned [in the Supreme his failed run for Malacañang, mostly on television, said Guti- Court],” Alvarez said in a stateP469.29 million were cash and errez, who filed the Soce on be- ment. in-kind donations and P18 mil- half of Roxas.

“If this is true, the Comelec lion came from his own pocket. may end up as a damaged inThe report showed that Rox- 50 boxes of documents stitution, as it will be a party to as was the second-biggest camGutierrez carried Roxas’ re- two very serious violations— paign spender, after Sen. Grace port, supported by voluminous extending a nonextendible Poe, who reported spending documents placed in 50 boxes deadline in the filing of Soces P510.84 million. and transported in an Elf pick- and depriving the people of the The winner, Duterte, report- up, to the Comelec headquar- right to question that extension ed spending P371 million. ters in Intramuros, Manila. [in the Supreme Court],” he The bulk of the cash contriHe said Roxas’ camp had tried said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

7

It’s all about balancing Duterte’s orders with rule of law, says ‘Bato’

BY JAYMEE T. GAMIL Philippine Daily Inquirer

look at it in that manner,” he said.

Gun-grabbing cases

WHEN PUSH comes to shove, which will incoming Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa follow: The orders of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte or due process and the rule of law?

“Huwag niyo ako ipitin (Don’t put me on the spot),” he told reporters in a press briefing on Monday at PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, saying it was like being caught “between the devil and the deep blue sea.”

Pressed for an answer, the otherwise boisterous, joke-cracking De la Rosa answered softly but firmly: “I will balance it. I’m a great balancer. I will balance in a way that I will be able to follow Mayor Duterte’s orders, and to follow the law.”

What is his position on the May 29 abduction of Governor Generoso town police chief Chief Insp. Arnold Ongachen, who remains in the hands of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Davao Oriental?

Duterte earlier said he no longer wanted Ongachen rescued leaving the police chief to be tried by the communist group, after he received word from the NPA that Ongachen was in possession of a sachet of shabu when he was captured.

De la Rosa said that under his command,

Motorists along Jose Laurel St. and Ayala Blvd. near the Malacanang Complex are greeted by a giant photo of the outgoing Davao City mayor.

SHANICE GARCIA / PCI

the PNP would still try to rescue Ongachen.

“That is [the military’s] mandate, especially in conflict areas,” De la Rosa said. “And that is one of our personnel.

We won’t abandon him.”

But De la Rosa was also quick to defend Duterte’s statements. “What Duterte may have meant when he said he won’t rescue him was that he won’t be the main effort in his rescue from the NPA. Not that there won’t be actual police or military operations,” De la Rosa added.

“Because he’s always the one the families contact… Or when the NPA wants to release someone, he’s the one they call,” he said of Duterte.

Last week, a video surfaced showing

Ongachen safe with the NPA and expressing hope for his release. A southern Mindanao police investigation also cleared him of the NPA’s accusation of narcotics involvement.

De la Rosa has assured the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that the police would only seek to enforce the law, following the spate of drug suspects recently getting killed in police operations.

“I would like to give the assurance to the CHR that the police are not guns for hire. The police only follow the law and implement the law, which really needs to be followed… How I wish they would

SC junks petition vs.

Comelec resolution on SOCE deadline extension

BY PERFECTO T. RAYMUNDO Philippines News Agency MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday dismissed the petition filed by Atty. Manuelito R. Luna, et al. against the Commission on Elections (Comelec), et al. seeking to quash the poll body’s resolution which approved the extension of the deadline for the filing of Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) of candidates in the May 9 elections.

In a press conference, SC Public Information Office (PIO) Chief and Spokesman Atty. Theodore O. Te said that “the Court DISMISSED the Petition for Certiorari (with Application for a Status Quo Ante Order or Similar Writs) dated June 20, 2016 because petitioners failed to attach a duplicate original or certified true copy of the assailed Resolution along with the requisite number of copies required. Petitioners merely submitted news reports in lieu of the required

copy of the assailed Resolution. As petitioners failed to state the exact date of promulgation of the assailed Resolution, the averments regarding the timeliness of the Petition are also defective.”

“We remind petitioners that this Court cannot act upon a petition for certiorari that does not contain the assailed issuances and wholly relies upon printed news accounts. In sum, the failure of the instant Petition to comply with these basic requirements constitutes a sufficient reason for its dismissal,” the SC resolution said.

The petition sought to strike down the Comelec’s resolution extending the deadline for the filing of SOCE for having been issued with grave abuse of discretion.

The Comelec earlier set on June 8 as the deadline for the filing of the SOCE for all the winning and losing candidates in the May 9 synchronized automated national and local elections, which was extended up to June 30. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

“There are real gun-grabbing cases, especially those who are high on shabu (methampethamine hydrochloride).

They are paranoid. Some jump out of cars under the influence of drugs,” he said.

In an earlier press briefing, De la Rosa gave his position on the CHR’s disapproval of paying bounties for criminals.

“If what they’re afraid of is [the bounty system] will get abused, if they’re afraid that it will cause massive vigilantism throughout the country, all the more we [the police] are afraid of that. We the police are really against that, because [we] are maintaining peace and order. If the situation gets that disorderly, it’s all for nothing. The police will be useless,” he said.

“If that’s their apprehension, it’s the same with us. We don’t want that. It needs to be managed properly so it won’t get that bad,” he added.

No less than Duterte had made pronouncements of bounties for the capture and killing of drug lords.

Though apparently sharing the human rights commission’s apprehension on vigilantism, De la Rosa was quick to defend Duterte’s bounty offer as “just a pronouncement.” ■

Philippine News

8

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

P-Noy tells Ateneo graduates: Be critical

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Inc. Correspondents Jane Moraleda Socorro Newland Bolet Arevalo Katherine Padilla Gerna Lane Sotana Community Editor Mary Ann Mandap maryann.mandap@canadianinquirer.net Administration Head Victoria Yong Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Photographers Angelo Siglos Vic Vargas For photo submissions, please send to editor@canadianinquirer.net Operations and Marketing Head Laarni Liwanag (604) 551-3360 laarni.liwanag@canadianinquirer.net Advertising Sales Alice Yong (778) 889-3518 alice.yong@canadianinquirer.net Nelson Wu (647) 521-5155 salestoronto@canadianinquirer.net nelson.wu@canadianinquirer.net Amelia Insigne (416) 574-5121 amelia.insigne@canadianinquirer.net Antonio Tampos (604) 460-9414 antonio.tampos@canadianinquirer.net PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Christelle Tolisora Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at 11951 Hammersmith Way, Suite 108 Richmond, B.C. V7A 5H9 Canada Tel. No.: +1 (888) 668-6059, +1 (778) 889-3518 | Email: info@canadianinquirer.net, sales@canadianinquirer.net Philippine Canadian Inquirer is published weekly every Friday.

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Member

PRESIDENT AQUINO yesterday urged graduating students of Ateneo University to be critically discerning as they head off to pursue their dreams, and not allow themselves to be simply influenced by public opinion.

In his final commencement speech as President, coincidentally made at his own alma mater, Mr. Aquino told the graduates, who were born after 1986, that they must have been aware that his father, Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., had yet to step on the tarmac of the airport when he was assassinated, triggering massive protests that led to the Edsa People Power Revolution 30 years ago.

“The philosopher Edmund Burke said: ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’ The dictatorship has ended but the need to take part in social issues remains. This is part of being ‘men and women for others,’” Mr. Aquino said, referring to their school’s Ignatian spirit.

Autocratic successor

Mr. Aquino did not mention his elected successor, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, but the reference to Duterte’s seeming disregard for human rights and preference for extrajudicial executions of suspected criminals was clear.

More than 50 drug suspects have been killed by police since the election on May 9 of Duterte, who has told the Philippine National Police not to wait for him to assume office before enforcing his promised merciless fight against crime.

Rights campaigners have called for investigations of the killings and the Commission on Human Rights has vowed to oppose Duterte’s mailed-fist policies.

Mr. Aquino will step down at noon on June 30, to be replaced by Duterte, who is hugely popular despite his autocratic tendencies.

In his homily during the baccalaureate Mass, Fr. Karel San Juan said May’s elections showed how divided the Filipinos were on how to bring about change, what type of leader was needed, and how power was to be exercised.

“Our society, complex, confused, divided as it is, is in need of deep healing.

It is in need of deep unity. It is crying for help,” San Juan said.

“Are we ready to be engaged yet with our people? To listen to them yet again to understand them (beyond) our bias and prejudices, to give way to understanding new connections, new relationships, all of which are rooted in our capacity to extend mercy and compassion, touching yet again the hearts and souls of people?” he said.

Some 3,000 graduates, parents, guests, and faculty filled the Ateneo covered

President Benigno S. Aquino III is the guest of honor and speaker during the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Loyola Schools 2016 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Ateneo High school covered court, AdMU, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

GIL NARTEA / JOSEPH VIDAL / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

court to listen to Mr. Aquino’s speech, which he delivered in Filipino.

The President also delivered the commencement speech for Ateneo’s Class of 2011.

Mr. Aquino was a first year high school student at Ateneo when martial law was declared, spending his afternoons visiting his father in jail.

Missed his graduation

The President, now 56, earned an economics degree from Ateneo but was unable to attend his graduation because five days before the event, he had to fly to the United States to join his parents and sisters lest the dictator Ferdinand Marcos cancel his exit visa.

As he began his speech, President Aquino apologized for “delaying the proceedings.”

He said he felt the “pressure” to give a good speech, after a Manila newspaper, which he did not name, reported that his Ateneo commencement speech would be his last as President.

Added to this, Mr. Aquino said he had relatives and friends in the audience.

He said his speech went through four revisions.

Cramming

The President said the Ateneo president, Fr. Jett Villarin, who was a year ahead of him at the university, teased him about how much he loved to cram.

And when he sought for Villarin’s advise on how to write his speech, Mr. Aquino said the priest told him in a text message, with a smiley emoticon at the end: “Just speak from your heart. Tell of the things that inspired you, sustained you. And perhaps that will in turn inspire and challenge these aspiring young ones to become men and women for others, generous enough to offer their lives for our people.”

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In his speech, Mr. Aquino said he strove to have a “government for others,” and mentioned the great economic strides the country has made, as well as the improved social services for easing poverty.

“Isn’t it that when you continue a system that does not maximize the chance to help others, you are leaving them in a poor state? As the liberation theory goes, ‘If you do not fight an oppressive structure, you are supporting it,’” he said.

The President said he drew inspiration from fellow Ateneans, as much as he had been told that he had been inspiring to them.

Martial law revisionism

Mr. Aquino thanked the Ateneo community for being among the first to stand up to the attempts at martial law revisionism, issuing a collective statement against those “who tried to make us forget the nightmare that was martial law.”

The university issued the statement at the height of the controversy kicked up by the claim of Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator, that the Philippines saw its best years during his father’s martial law rule.

Senator Marcos ran for Vice President, but lost to Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

He recalled with fondness the days he spent at the university, from the poker faced teachers during philosophy exams, the chapels filled with students during exam week, as well as the time when the cafeteria introduced siopao while biology students dissected cats.

No one, he said, ever bought the siopao.

“It was an important lesson in marketing,” the President said, drawing laughter from the audience. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

Sereno on traffic crisis plan: Don’t forget rule of law

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer

structure projects is something that we must clarify strongly,” Sereno said.

“We have never failed to recognize the importance of infrastructure projects, and that’s why we keep on reiterating that the requirements under the rules of court before a restraint on the implementation of an infrastructure project can be judicially made, these must be scrupulously followed,” she said.

IN CONSIDERING emergency powers to deal with Metro Manila’s traffic crisis, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte must not forget due process.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno made the statement after Transportation Secretary-designate Arthur Tugade announced plans to seek special powers Just compensation to deal with traffic jams in Metro Manila.

Sereno said one matter under close re“Now, I would want a specific proposal view was the issuance of TROs in cases before we can take this, on the ability of involving expropriation of private propthe government to satisfy the due pro- erty for public use. cesss requirement of the Constitution,” Republic Act No. 8974, the law govSereno told the INQUIRER in an inter- erning the right-of-way acquisition for view on Wednesday. public infrastructure purposes, requires She said the Duterte administration, the payment of commensurate compenwhich would officially begin at noon sation to affected private parties. on June 30, may also look at other facBut while expropriation is allowed under tors that contributed to the daily traffic the law, the state cannot just seize property mess, estimated to cost the country P2.4 without due process, Sereno said. billion daily, according to a 2013 study “You can say that we have started by the Japan International Cooperation looking into it seriously with respect to Agency. valuation (of prop“I am not sure erty) during exprothat they have really priations. We have a decided that infralot of valuation cases structure is the key I don’t see any right now, includto solving the trafreason why we ing for lands that are fic mess. I’m sure it will slow down at the subject of agraris an element, but all in reforming ian reform takings,” whether it’s the only the justice sector Sereno said. thing that has creon account ated the nightmare of of (Duterte’s Separation of powers Metro Manila traffic statements)...

“The government is something that the cannot just confisexecutive has to discate property,” she cuss,” Sereno said. said.

“They also have to Sereno recalled talk about regulation on who is allowed Duterte’s statements on his legal trainto traverse those lanes, including the op- ing as a lawyer and former prosecutor. eration of PUVs (public utility vehicles).

“He has emphasized the fact that he Is there enough enforcement of whatev- has been trained in the law, and his peoer regulatory regime is there? So … there ple have affirmed this repeatedly, and are a multitude of dimensions that we in many ways, have said that they will need to address,” she said. respect the constitutional structure of power,” she said.

Already reviewing “I don’t see any reason why we will Speaking on the sidelines of a business slow down at all in reforming the jusforum in Davao City, Tugade on Mon- tice sector on account of that (Duterte’s day said the powers the administration statements), including ensuring the would seek from Congress would allow professional independence of the justhe government to take over property, tice sector,” said Sereno, who will outlast invoke right of way in private villages Duterte’s presidency, being the nation’s and stop courts from issuing temporary Chief Justice until 2030. restraining orders (TROs) on critical inAnd what of the longtime mayor’s frastructure projects under litigation, a tough, brash stance against those incommon cause of delays. volved in crime and drugs? Sereno said Sereno said the judiciary was already she would wait for his official policy. in the process of reviewing guidelines in “Everything that he has said prior to the issuance of TROs, including those June 30, I will take under advisement. affecting public infrastructure projects. But I will not take them as official poliShe said such “rationalization” start- cy. I will consider as official policy only ed even before. pronouncements made after he has as“The subject matter of TROs for infra- sumed his office,” she said. ■

9

Government and media need not be adversaries, says Palace official PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — In his message during his final press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, outgoing Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. underscored the importance of the media in a democratic country.

Coloma, who will be replaced by former TV news anchor and radio commentator Martin Andanar on Thursday (June 30), said the government and the media should have a good relationship.

“Hindi kailangang maging magkaaway ang pamahalaan at media. Puwede namang magtulungan para sa kapakanan ng bansa; mahalaga lang unawain ang konteksto at perspektibo sa paguulat ng balita at paghahatid ng impormasyon (The government and the media need not oppose each other. Both entities can work together for the country; it is important that the context and perspective is understood when news is delivered and information is shared),” said the Palace official.

“Aside from context and perspective, it is vitally important that we remain committed to the truth. This means accuracy in news reporting and getting our facts right all the time. For if we report what is not true, or if we report without diligently checking our facts, don’t we run the risk of losing credibility?”

“I encourage you to continue working with your counterparts in government to ensure that in this age of digital technology, we are able to check all the facts that get into the news stories that we broadcast and disseminate,” he added.

Coloma also reflected on freedom and democracy in his farewell message.

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“In my younger days, I experienced first-hand the loss of my personal freedom as a political detainee under martial law. As a campus journalist, I witnessed a dark period in our history when citizens were deprived of freedom of expression and of the press. We must not drop our guard nor waver in our vigilance. Never again should there be prior restraint on the exercise of freedom of expression or of the press,” said the communication chief.

Under Coloma’s leadership, major reforms were implemented at the PCOO, such as the upgrade of facilities and transportation in PTV-4 and the construction of printing plants at the National Printing Office and APO Production Unit, Inc. He also cited Republic Act 10390, signed by the President in 2013, which revitalized PTV-4 with a Php 5 billion capitalization and allowed the TV station to generate funds from advertising.

“Nakapagtatag ang APO ng isang high security printing plant sa Lima Technology Park sa Malvar, Batangas — at dito ngayon nililimbag ang mga BIR revenue stamps alinsunod sa Sin Tax Reform law at mga electronic passports para sa DFA (The APO has established one high security printing plant in Lima Technology Park in Malvar, Batangas — and this is where the BIR revenue stamps that adhere to the Sin Tax Reform law and electronic passports for DFA are printed),” said Coloma.

“Sa pamamagitan ng mabuting pamamahala, puwedeng maghatid ng mahusay, mataas, at maipagmamalaking kalidad ng serbisyo publiko (Through effective governance, we can provide better, higher and quality service to the public),” he added. ■

10

Philippine News

JULY 1, 2016

Allies urge Koko, Alan: Don’t fight, join forces

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer SENATORS AQUILINO “Koko” Pimentel III and Alan Peter Cayetano should just join forces instead of competing with each other for the chamber’s presidency so that their colleagues would no longer have to be torn between them, according to senators who have yet to join the chamber’s majority.

Sen. JV Ejercito and Senatorelect Juan Miguel Zubiri, who earlier expressed inclination to support Cayetano, yesterday

said Pimentel and Cayetano should just work together.

A total of 14 senators, which is already a majority, had signed the draft resolution backing Pimentel for the Senate presidency. Ejercito and Zubiri, both Duterte supporters, have yet to sign the draft.

But Cayetano still wants to pursue the Senate presidency, said Ejercito.

“I hope [Pimentel and Cayetano] work things out. Anyway, they are in the same camp. I feel we are all allies because we all support President Duterte,” Ejercito told reporters yesterday.

According to him, Cayetano believes that there are members of the majority being formed who were not true supporters of Duterte.

Ejercito said he was identified with Cayetano because it was the latter who talked to him first.

Zubiri, for his part, met separately with Pimentel and Cayetano in Davao City recently.

He said he told them that they should talk to each other and hoped they would work together.

But he declined to disclose more details of the discussions. ■

Militants rejoiced as two Canadians were beheaded: Freed hostage

BY JIM GOMEZ The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Abu Sayyaf extremists rejoiced as they watched two Canadians being beheaded in the jungles of the southern Philippines, said a still-shocked Filipino hostage who was freed Friday.

Marites Flor tearfully recalled to reporters the moments when Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall were handcuffed and led away to a nearby jungle clearing to be separately decapitated in April and early this month by the ransom-seeking militants.

She said that Hall, who was killed last week, was her fiance.

Ridsdel was beheaded by the militants in April.

“It’s so painful because I saw them moments before they got beheaded,” Flor told reporters in southern Davao city, where she was flown to meet President-elect Rodrigo Duterte after her release in nearby Sulu province.

“They were watching it and they were happy,” she said of the militants, adding that she did not witness the killings.

Flor said she was slapped and threatened and her fellow hostages were beaten when the militants disliked what they were doing. “They told

me, ‘Robert’s head has been chopped off. You’re next,”’ she said. “They treated us like dogs, like children.”

Flor was abducted with Hall, Ridsdel and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad from a resort on southern Samal island in September last year and taken to the jungles of the predominantly Muslim island province of Sulu. The militants killed the two Canadians after ransom deadlines lapsed.

The captives were among some two dozen people held by the Abu Sayyaf this year.

On Friday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said seven Indonesians were abducted by armed men who raided their tugboat and taken to Sulu, in a third such recent attack. Six others were released with the vessel, she said.

Duterte said he was told that Sekkingstad may already be on the way out of captivity, but did not provide details and appeared unsure of his statement. He later went into a meeting with the Norwegian ambassador.

Duterte cut short his speech in a nationally televised police ceremony when officials arrived and brought the 38-yearold Flor, who appeared still distraught, to the stage. Duterte tried to console her and quietly asked a few questions.

Shortly before facing Flor,

Duterte asked the Abu Sayyaf militants to stop ransom kidnappings, which he said have given the country “a very bad image.” He warned people against joining the Abu Sayyaf, suggesting a major offensive was forthcoming.

“There will be, I said, a reckoning one of these days,” he said.

It was not immediately clear if a ransom was paid to secure the freedom of Flor, who appeared in Abu Sayyaf videos tearfully pleading for her life and those of her companions.

In a final video, she called on Duterte to save their lives before the extremists killed Hall a few days later.

Rebels belonging to the larger Moro National Liberation Front and a Sulu official, Abdusakur Tan, helped negotiate Flor’s release with an Abu Sayyaf commander identified as Hatib Sawadjaan, two officials from the military and police who monitored the talks told The Associated Press.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the killings and called on other nations not to pay ransoms if their citizens are abducted to discourage the militants from carrying out more ransom kidnappings. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY

Duterte ready to clash with Catholic church on birth control THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DAVAO, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine president-elect said Monday he would aggressively promote artificial birth control in the country even at the risk of getting in a fight with the dominant Catholic church, which staunchly opposes the use of contraceptives.

Rodrigo Duterte, who is to be sworn to the presidency on Thursday, said having many children has driven families deeper into poverty, and he reiterated his recommendation for Filipinos to have three at most.

Known for his profanity-laden speeches, Duterte jokingly threatened to have penises of defiant men chopped off and cited his family planning program as a longtime mayor in southern Davao city, where he has offered cash rewards to villagers who volunteer to undergo free vasectomy or ligation and to doctors who perform the procedures.

“I will reinstall the program of family planning. Three’s enough,” Duterte said in a speech after a flag-raising ceremony in front of the Davao city hall. “I’ve also been colliding with the church because it’s no longer realistic.”

It was not clear if Duterte would replicate the reward system nationwide.

Duterte praised former President Fidel Ramos, who backed

his presidential candidacy, for courageously promoting contraceptives as the country’s first Protestant leader starting in 1992.

Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, also figured in a high-profile spat with the Catholic church for signing a 2012 reproductive health law that allowed the government to finance the acquisition and distribution of contraceptives after overcoming a legal challenge by opponents.

Many politicians have tried to avoid colliding with influential Catholic bishops in the Philippines in the past by taking a vague position or not aggressively advocating contraceptives use.

Catholic leaders considered the law an attack on the church’s core values. Aquino’s government said it helped the poor manage their number of children in a country that has one of Asia’s fastest-growing populations.

Duterte has had an adversarial relation with the church.

During the campaign, Duterte had a tiff with Catholic bishops after cursing Pope Francis due to a monstrous traffic jam during the papal visit in January last year.

Last month, Duterte blasted the local Catholic church as “the most hypocritical institution” and accused some of its bishops of asking for favours from politicians. ■

Newly-proclaimed president Rody Duterte.

FACEBOOK PHOTO

Philippine News

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

11

Finance chief richest in Cabinet

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer FINANCE SECRETARY Cesar Purisima will leave government service as the richest Cabinet member in the outgoing Aquino administration, while Education Secretary Armin Luistro is the poorest.

The Malacañang Records Office has released the 2015 statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) of President Aquino’s official family.

However, the released SALNs did not include those of Transportation Secretary Jose Emilio Abaya, Foreign Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, acting Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas, Trade Secretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. and acting National Economic and Development Authority DirectorGeneral Emmanuel Esguerra.

Del Rosario is former richest

Until his retirement early

this year, former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario was the wealthiest among the Cabinet members for five years, with a SALN that showed nearly a billion peso financial worth mostly from his corporate shares.

In 2010, Del Rosario reported his net worth at P627,090,000, which increased to P838,809,919.

President Aquino’s SALN in 2014 was P68.3 million. His 2015 SALN has yet to be released.

Until its final year, the Aquino Cabinet remained practically a millionaires’ club.

Purisima listed his SALN as P301,328,806, followed by Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez with P289,066,800; and Health Secretary Janette Garin whose net worth is P141,571,768.95.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has P92,985,163.41; Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, P88,521,628.38; Science and Technology Secretary

Mario Montejo, P63,138,153.24; Commission on Filipino Overseas head Imelda Nicolas-Lewis, P44,675,258.87; Commission on Higher Education chair Patricia Licuanan, P40,443,888.

31; Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, P34,808,911.39; and Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, P33,692,420.60.

The “poorest” Cabinet member next to Luistro is Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz P2,269,992.26.

10 ‘poorest’

Rounding up the 10 “poorest” in the Aquino Cabinet are Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, P4,709,000; Peace Adviser Teresita Deles, P6,156,574.22; Political Adviser Ronald Llamas, P7,952,666.95; MMDA OIC Emerson Carlos, P10,075,000; Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada, P10,772,247.67; National Commission on Muslim Filipinos head Yasmin Lao, P12,812,224;

The Department of National Defense, led by outgoing Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin (2nd from right) conducted a transition briefing for incoming Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana. Gazmin's SALN is worth P25,143,378.

PNA PHOTO COURTESY OF DND

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, P12,997,905.42; and Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes, who has P13,441,440.79.

The other Cabinet members had the following SALNs: Environment Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje, P33,280,000; National Anti-Poverty Commission head Jose Eliseo Rocamo-

ra, P27,442,756.69; Presidential Management Staff Secretary Julia Abad P26,310,000; Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, P25,143,378; Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., P18,532,886.23; National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia Jr., P17, 990, 000; and Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., P16,390,000. ■

Victim No. 6 tags van robber-rapist

BY ERIKA SAULER Philippine Daily Inquirer ANOTHER VICTIM has come forward to pin Wilfredo Lorenzo, who is currently detained by the Quezon City police, on a string of rape and robbery complaints filed mostly by female taxi passengers.

The sixth complainant, “Faith,” whacked and kicked Lorenzo during a confrontation on Thursday when she positively identified him and his recently arrested cohort, Rey Diaz.

According to the police, Faith hailed a taxi cab in Makati City around 2:30 a.m. on April 5 and identified Lorenzo as the driver.

Diaz, who was hiding in the

trunk, later came out and replaced Lorenzo in the driver’s seat, Senior Supt. Joselito Esquivel Jr., Quezon City Police District (QCPD) deputy director for operation, told reporters.

Lorenzo took the victim’s cash, ATM card and cell phone and then raped her while Diaz was driving on C-5 Road going to Quezon City.

Supt. Rodelio Marcelo, chief of QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU), said the victim was dumped behind a club near Quezon Avenue after about two hours.

The police withheld information about the taxi cab used by the duo pending an investigation.

Lorenzo, 36, was arrested on June 13 in Barangay Kaligayahan, Quezon City, after two women accused him and a cohort, Alfie Turado, of robbing and raping them inside a “colorum” van. Their ordeal lasted from 10 p.m. on June 10 until 2 a.m. the following day.

Turado, who was arrested on June 16, was killed the following day inside a police van after he allegedly grabbed the gun of his escort. Before he died, he and Lorenzo had a face-to-face confrontation in the QCPD in which both accused each other of being the mastermind in the June 10 incident.

Two more women surfaced on June 17 to file a robbery complaint against Lorenzo after seeing him on the news.

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Both said they were robbed in March by Lorenzo who acted alone.

Another woman later went to the QCPD-CIDU and said she was detained and sexually abused for almost a month by Lorenzo—whom she described as an acquaintance—when she was just a teenager in 2003. She added that she gave birth as a result to a child who is now 13 years old.

The police have given alphabetical aliases to Lorenzo’s alleged victims—Annie, Betty, Cris, Dalia, Elena and now, Faith.

According to Esquivel, it appears that Lorenzo has a fetish: He removes the socks of his rape victims and uses these to gag them or tie their hands.

“And the vehicle should be moving. Based on investigation, the motive primarily is robbery to sustain their illegal drug use.

Then it turns into rape,” Esquivel said, adding that Diaz would be considered an accessory to the crime in Faith’s case.

Diaz, 46, a taxi driver and native of Iloilo who is now residing in Marilao, Bulacan, was arrested around 1 a.m. on Thursday. He was caught urinating on Sinagtala Street in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City, in a violation of a local ordinance. He yielded a knife when the police frisked him.

Esquivel said Diaz fit the description given by Faith when she first went to QCPD on Saturday to file a complaint against Lorenzo. ■

12

Philippine News

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

New homes, new life for ‘Yolanda’ survivors

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer SANTA FE, BANTAYAN ISLAND —The doors are decorated with images of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Colorful flowers and vegetables are growing on carefully laid-out lawns. Dogs roam free, friendly even to strangers.

Makeshift hoops mark the end of still unnamed streets, not yet paved but not an inconvenience.

At the center of the village, a Christmas tree made of recycled water bottles remain, a cheery memory of the past holiday party, the community’s first ever.

What was once a lifeless parcel of land full of grass and sharp rocks in Barangay Maricaban here is now a community of survivors raring to move on—the first batch of new homeowners in a multiyear housing program of the Prudence Foundation, the charity arm of Prudential Corp. Asia (PCA), for residents rendered homeless by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) in 2013.

The rising community is what a second chance looks like. By any measure, it is what recovery is supposed to be.

“I am thankful because you cannot just get a house like this,” said homemaker Norma Layling, beaming as she showed her family home, the front of which is modestly landscaped with a variety of plants hedged with large seashells.

Her neighbor Beverlyn Vergara could only be thankful that her family had finally found safe shelter.

“We are very happy. We feel safe here and my children no longer get sick, unlike before when we were living near the sea after the typhoon, where they were always exposed to the dirt in the sand,” said Vergara, a mother of four.

Leonarda Esparcia’s waterrefilling business is now back to busy, with her family settled

in their new home. She also gets to sell some of her harvest from a small vegetable nursery she put up across her house, where she grows eggplants, tomatoes, okra and upo (bottle gourd).

“We are now comfortable in our house and we are able to do business selling water again.

When our house was destroyed by the typhoon, our business suffered,” Esparcia said.

For most Maricaban residents, it’s the first time to have sturdy shelter and proper utility services.

“It’s the first time for them to have concrete houses, to have light and water. And [last December], it was their first time to have their own Christmas party,” said retired Gen. Carlos Holganza, Habitat for Humanity chief operations officer for the Visayas and Palawan.

Habitat has been Prudence Foundation’s partner for its housing project since 2014.

A total of 64 families moved into new 30-square-meter, disasterresilient and solar-powered houses in September last year, pulled out of ramshackle shanties they’ve had to endure in the wake of the typhoon.

The houses comprised half of Prudence Foundation’s $2-million housing pledge for Bantayan Island, a heavily devastated area that the charity chose for its postdisaster outreach after it noted tepid recovery assistance to the severely affected municipalities.

Promise and commitment

Committed to see the project through, the Prudential, which operates as Pru Life UK in the Philippines, returned to the island over the past week with 83 volunteers from 13 Asian countries.

Their mission was to kickstart the construction of 62 more houses, this time on a site in Bantayan town, about 15 minutes away from the Maricaban village.

“We see it through. We sell life insurance, which is a promise

UK overseas aid workers loading emergency aid onto trucks after Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

CHRIS WARHAM / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

and a commitment. You know in life insurance, you can’t lie.

When you promise a 30-year premium, in 30 years’ time you gotta pay it back. When we promised we’re going to build houses, we will build those houses,” said Mark Fancy, Prudence Foundation’s executive director.

As they started to build on the new site, the volunteers—some returning to the island for the second or third time—got the chance to see the new Santa Fe village, witnessing firsthand the impact their hard work had made on the lives of the island’s families.

“It’s very lovely … to come back with some of the volunteers who have been there before, and also just the new volunteers, to see now the community take shape,” said Fancy, who led the Pru group on a visit to Maricaban on Thursday.

“It’s not just giving a house.

It’s like starting a new community. And they’re really looking after the place … [T]hese are people who do not have similar means to everyone else. And for them to sort of get back on their feet and also sort of give them a sense of pride,” noted Fancy.

It was an emotional return for Jasmit Briar, an actuary director at PCA’s regional headquarters in Hong Kong, who was in the second volunteer round in September 2014.

“I work as an actuary, and while Prudential does great

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work, my job is quite distant from the front line. I sit in an office, in front of a computer, crunching numbers, but to come out here and make a direct impact … It makes me feel like I did something good,” Briar added.

‘Tangible impact’

For one who spends long hours doing paperwork in the office, Briar said the experience was a rare opportunity to do work that makes “a tangible impact on people’s lives.

“We have so much. I mean, only because I was lucky to be born in a family that, you know had means, I got a good education, [I can] travel the world, but then to come and see people who have so little yet still are so happy and content … I don’t think there are words for that. It’s just an amazing feeling,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter if we ache now. I’m going back to a job where I just need my fingers.

I can sit in a comfy chair after this. It’s OK,” she said.

Third-timer Justin Chang, regional program manager at the foundation, shared the view, noting the contrast between his day job and the weeklong construction work on the island. “[B]eing able to see the development of Maricaban is just so inspiring and powerful for us as a foundation. Because it’s most important that we provide our funds to those who really need

it,” Chang said.

Indonesia’s Muhammad Perdana, a first-timer, had no problem with the backbreaking work under the stifling heat despite fasting for Ramadan. He cannot eat or drink until 6 p.m. every day, until July 5.

“It’s a little bit hot, but I can do it because I’m happy to help. I’m really so glad to help the community. It’s fine with me,” said Perdana, an insurance agents trainer.

The volunteer program has been a nourishing experience both for the individual participants and the company as a whole, foundation executives said.

“There’s a very human, nourishing [experience], you know volunteering sounds like it’s one-way. It’s definitely not oneway,” said Fancy. “[I]t puts life into perspective. You take things for granted … Your opportunity to sometimes be exposed to what the rest of life is like is quite limited. And these things give an opportunity for people to see that and actually experience it, and … you realize that people who don’t have a lot, they still get through, they’re still so happy, they still plow on,” he said.

The experience also allows employees “to see that the company is not just about money, that there are other things that we care about,” Fancy said.

For Chang, the volunteer program has been an exercise in teamwork, one that is healthy for the global firm’s growth.

“By working together, we can actually move mounds of limestone, literally move piles of bricks that, if you looked at it by yourself, you’d be like, ‘no way can I do that,’” Chang said.

“But when you work together as a team, we actually see the result. So you can transfer that back to the workplace,” he said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

13

Piñol warns traders vs ‘insatiable greed’

BY RONNEL W. DOMINGO Philippine Daily Inquirer

FACEBOOK PHOTO

Duterte asks US on sea feud with China, ‘Are you with us?’

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine president-elect said Tuesday that he recently asked the U.S. ambassador whether Washington will support the Philippines in case of a possible confrontation with China in the disputed South China Sea. Rodrigo Duterte suggested in a speech in a business forum in southern Davao city that a 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty between the allies does not automatically oblige Washington to immediately help if the Philippines gets into a confrontation with China over a territorial dispute.

Duterte said he asked U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg in a recent meeting, “Are you with us or are you not with us?” adding that Goldberg responded, “Only if you are attacked.”

In Washington, the State Department said it would not comment on the details of diplomatic conversations or on the possibility of the U.S. coming to the defence of the Philippines in the South China Sea. But it said the U.S.-Philippine alliance is “ironclad” and the U.S. would stand by its treaty commitments.

“President Obama has been clear that we will stand by our commitments to the Philippines, as we do any mutual defence treaty ally,” said Anna Richey-Allen, spokeswoman for the department’s East Asian and Pacific affairs bureau.

“Our dependability and reliability as an ally has been established over decades. Beyond that, we won’t comment on hypotheticals,” she said.

The treaty says each country will “act to meet the common dangers” if one is attacked. Filipino officials have asked in the past whether the U.S. would help if the Philippines gets into a confrontation with China over disputed territories in the South China Sea. The U.S. takes no sides in the long-unresolved territorial disputes. Goldberg hasn’t commented publicly on his meet-

ing with Duterte.

The long-simmering disputes involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have escalated after Beijing transformed seven disputed reefs into islands, including three with aircraft runways, in the South China Sea. Some fear China can use the islands militarily to reinforce its claims and intimidate rival claimants.

Under outgoing President Benigno Aquino III, the Philippines challenged the validity of China’s vast claims under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea before an international arbitration tribunal, which is expected to hand down a ruling soon.

The move by Aquino’s administration has strained relations with Beijing.

Duterte said he would wait for the tribunal’s ruling before deciding his move but added he would not confront militarily superior China and risk losing Filipino troops.

“Why would I go to war?” he asked. “I will not waste the lives of people there.”

Duterte pointed out the benefits of nurturing friendly relations with Beijing, including a Chinese offer of financing railway projects in the Philippines.

The longtime mayor of Davao city, who starts his six-year term on June 30, said he would send his designated transport secretary, Arthur Tugade, to China “not to talk about war, not to talk about irritations there, but to talk about peace and how they can help us.”

Apparently referring to the U.S., Duterte asked, “Can you match the offer? Because if you cannot match the offer, I will accept the goodwill of China.”

Duterte has said he would be a leftleaning president and allowed communist guerrillas to recommend allies who were designated to at least two key posts in his Cabinet. Earlier this month, he said he would chart an independent foreign policy “and not be dependent on the United States,” the Philippines’ longtime ally. ■

INCOMING AGRICULTURE secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol has vowed to make entrepreneurs out of farmers and at the same time warned middlemen and traders against the “monster” that was their “insatiable greed.”

Piñol, in his Facebook page, lamented that traders—who buy from farmers and sell to end-consumers—“control and even to some extent manipulate” the country’s food supply chain as they determine prices of commodities.

Thus, “farmers are poor and the consumers are sad as they stretch their budget for food but the traders rake in the money, ride in luxury vehicles and lead lavish lifestyle(s),” he said.

The former Cotabato governor said that amid “the blatant anomalies in agricultural pricing and selling,” palay was bought at P17.50 a kilo but the grains, after milling, sell at almost P40 a kilo for the good quality varieties.

Also, hogs are bought at P90 a kilo at the farm, but pork sells at as much as P150 kilo in the wet market. kilo. Piñol listed down measures with which he intended to put in place instead of current

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government efforts that “have largely been ineffective (in the face of traders’) cartels.”

For one, he said the Department of Agriculture should “support the farmers and fisherfolk to ensure that their cost of production is lower and their yield or catch is increased.”

Also, to lessen the dominance of middlemen in the produce market, he will turn farmers and fishers into small entrepreneurs by giving them direct access to the market.

For example, rice farmers could be organized and given the necessary support so that they will have their own rice processing centers at the farm level, he said.

The farmers could then be linked up with big corporations who could buy the rice directly to be supplied to their employees.

In particular, Piñol said government employees could in the future be granted a monthly allowance of one sack of rice bought directly from farmers groups.

“I understand your business but do not be too greedy,” he told traders. “Just remember this, we have a President who thinks out of the box. If you cannot control your greed, you may end up holding an empty sack.” ■

14

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

ANALYSIS

Chief Justice stands up to traffic crisis powers

By Amando Doronila Philippine Daily Inquirer CANBERRA—Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has slowed down the request of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte for emergency powers to solve the traffic crisis in Metro Manila.

In an interview with the INQUIRER last week, Sereno brushed aside the incoming President’s early attempt to seek sweeping powers that would allow him to break traffic paralysis in the National Capital Region with dictatorial decisions.

In standing up to the request, she told the incoming administration not to forget the rule of law in its plan seeking extraordinary powers.

She said, “Now, I would want a specific proposal before we can take this on the ability of the government to satisfy the due process requirement of the Constitution.”

Sereno was commenting on incoming Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade’s disclosure of the Duterte

administration’s plan to seek emergency powers to solve the traffic crisis in the Philippine capital that has national economic ramifications.

to the daily traffic mess, estimated to cost the country P2.4 billion daily, according to a 2013 study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

I am not sure that they have really decided that infrastructure is the key to solving the traffic mess.

I’m sure it is an element, but whether it’s the only thing that created the nightmare of Metro Manila traffic is something that the executive has to

the administration would seek from Congress would allow the government to take over property, invoke right of way in private villages, and stop courts from issuing TROs on critical infrastructure projects under litigation, a common cause of delays.

property for public use.

Under Republic Act No. 8974, the law governing the right-of-way acquisition for infrastructure requires the payment of commensurate compensation to affected private parties.

serve within their cherished House union by keeping its own currency, a center of power is far from demoof Commons is put under pressure even as it freely traded in a European cratic. Many of its decisions are by the exigencies of its most powerful CommonMarket. It chose not to be a remote from the daily lives of the social groups: traders, manufacturers part of the Schengen visa system that ordinary European. Its rules and and of course the City of London, for allows non-EU citizens to travel to EU regulations seem more tailor-made which Brexit is fraught with dangers.” membercountries on a single Euro- to the requirements of the central Beyond this, the exit of Britain pean visa. banks, traders and investment housfrom the European Union could set But it was the panic over migra- es that control the levers of the Euoff a separatist contagion among the tion that evidently tilted the bal- ropean economy than to the needs of other member-nations that can only ance toward this formal break. Many Europe’s peoples. But, if these are the bode ill for the future of European in- observers believe that Brexit was a problems, then their solution might tegration. It also promotes a populist proxy vote against the free flow of lie in democratizing the EU’s politinationalism that encourages people people, particularly from Eastern cal structures and enhancing their everywhere to turn inward, focused Europe, into Britain. In 2015 alone, power rather than in abandoning the on protecting an union altogether. idealized version of The problem, a way of life that has however, ultimateThe phenomenon Brexit represents is not strange to long slipped from ly stems from the societies like ours, where the persistent dissatisfaction with their grasp, rather global nature of the the perceived inefficiencies and wrong priorities of the modern than with helping processes we are nation-state finds expression in calls for subnational autonomy solve the problems dealing with here. under a loose federalist setup. of the world’s poor, For all the possimarginalized, and bilities it liberates, displaced. net migration to Britain stood at a the European Union, like the Asean Brexit is one of those events that record high of 336,000. More than (Association of Southeast Asian Nawere thought to be improbable main- half came from the European Union. tions), is still a regional response to ly because they seemed to go against Refugees from the Middle East and what are basically the exigencies of all reason. Yet, everyone would have North Africa, who flooded the Eu- world society. In the end, as the theoknown that British ambivalence to- ropean continent recently, formed rist of modernity Niklas Luhmann ward Europe had been there for a long an insignificant part of the migrant notes, “regional entities cannot win time. While being part of the 28-mem- flow into Britain. They never posed a struggle against world society; they ber bloc, the United Kingdom of Great a threat to British borders. Still, it is suffer defeat in the attempt to hold Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) not farfetched to imagine it was their their own against its influence.” and Northern Ireland was never com- miserable image that haunted those This is far from saying, however, pletely sold on the idea of a United who voted Brexit. that regional alliances are useless. For Europe. It stayed out of the monetary Certainly, the European Union as indeed they open up opportunities

that hitherto had been blocked by the restrictive boundaries of the nationstate. But, they, too, are subject to dysfunctions, a fact that prompts societies to go back to traditional structures. I view Brexit as a return to the familiar moorings of the nationstate— provisional at best, and offering little practical advantage as a vehicle for navigating the complex terrain of a functionally-differentiated global society. Britain still needs to trade with Europe, but now it has to negotiate a trade pact with every single country.

The phenomenon Brexit represents is not strange to societies like ours, where the persistent dissatisfaction with the perceived inefficiencies and wrong priorities of the modern nation-state finds expression in calls for subnational autonomy under a loose federalist setup. Similarly, even in the most modern institutional settings, we often find decisionmakers turning to flexible networks of family and personal contacts for solutions in the face of corrupted or rigid organizational systems.

But, in the end, there is no way of escaping the reality of world society.

Scotland knows this only too well.

The Scots voted overwhelmingly in this referendum to remain in the European Union, even as they continue to wage a campaign to secede from Great Britain. ■

Contentious issues Sereno’s interventions raised a number of contentious issues that foreshadowed unsettling conflict TRO guidelines between the Supreme Court and the Sereno said the judiciary was already incoming administration over conreviewing guidelines for the issuance stitutional issues. of TROs, including Among the issues those affecting public Sereno’s interventions raised a number of contentious highlighted by the infrastructure projissues that foreshadowed unsettling conflict between the Supreme Chief Justice were: ects, the subject matCourt and the incoming administration over constitutional issues.

“The government ter of which requires cannot just confisclarification. cate property.” discuss,” Sereno said.

“We have never failed to recognize The issue of temporary restraining “They also have to talk about regu- the importance of infrastructure orders (TROs) from the courts that lation on who is allowed to traverse projects, and that’s why we keep on often delayed government projects. those lanes, including the operation reiterating that requirements under (Sereno said, “The subject matter of public utility vehicles. Is there the rules of court before a restraint of TROs for infrastructure projects enough of whatever regulatory re- on implementation can be judicially is something that we must clarify gime is there? … There are a multi- made, these must be scrupulously strongly.”) tude of dimensions that we need to followed,” she said.

The Duterte administration, which address.”

Another matter under close review will take office on June 30, may also Tugade told a business forum in was the issuance of TROs in cases look at other factors that contribute Davao City last week that the powers involving expropriation of private

Expropriation But while expropriation is allowed under the law, the state cannot just seize property without due process, Sereno said.

“You can say that we have started looking into it seriously, with respect to valuation, during expropriations. We have a lot of valuation cases right now, including for lands that are subject to agrarian reform takings,” she said.

Although Sereno noted that Duterte, a lawyer, had said he would respect the constitutional structure of power, she said she didn’t see any reason why the judiciary “will slow down at all in reforming the justice sector, including ensuring the professional independence of the justice sector.” After all, the judiciary will outlast Duterte’s presidency. ■

PUBLIC LIVES

‘Brexit’ and globalization

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer THE BRITISH vote to leave the European Union is likely to trigger a chain of complex reactions whose impact cannot be fully calculated. It has already caused a steep drop in the value of the pound sterling and of shares in the London stock market.

That was expected. But the ripple effects in the rest of Europe’s markets have been just as bad, if not worse.

This was not foreseen.

In voting “Brexit,” the British intended to “take back control” of their country from the Brusselsbased EU bureaucrats. But, this control could turn out to be illusory. Brexit will not arrest globalization, certainly not its economic processes. What it does is set back attempts to subject these global processes and their effects, particularly the pernicious ones arising from the unrestricted financialization of capital, to the discipline of collective policy. This is a function that goes beyond the powers of a single national government; it requires cooperation among nation-states.

Greece’s former finance minister, the outspoken Yanis Varoufakis, has described Britain’s conflicted position quite sharply. “The very sovereignty that Britain’s political forces of both Left and Right want jealously to pre-

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Opinion

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

15

AT LARGE

Legacy and fairness

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer “LEGACY” PROJECTS are often otherwise known as ego-boosters, paeans of praise paid for by people, most often government officials but also business tycoons and civic figures, to boost their images, burnish their reputations, and build myths around their time in the limelight.

So it’s no surprise that toward the end of every administration, the outgoing president or his or her people would seek to create a permanent record of his or her time in office, beyond news clippings or compilations of speeches. This is true also of the PNoy administration, which recently released what it calls “The Aquino Legacy Videos” that, according to Assistant Secretary Celso Santiago of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), “are not your usual government propaganda videos that extol each and every government program to high heavens.”

Launched at this week’s “Bulong Pulungan sa Sofitel,” the collection of five CDs devoted to particular areas of governance are, in Santiago’s words, “mini-documentaries that tackle and analyze the complex problems of Philippine society and discuss the logic and rationale behind

the solutions pursued by this govern- and review. Not just to put a positive “citizens who can propose solutions ment.” spin on a president’s performance, and not just join the noisy mob of They are, in a sense, a summing up but, more important, to understand ranters in social media.” of, yes, the accomplishments of the P- what took place and provide a step*** Noy years, but also of the basic prob- ping stone for the next steps onward EDUCATION Secretary Br. Armin lems that beset Philippine society, and, it is hoped, upward.

Luistro, who was on hand to receive from poverty to peace, the rule of law, Foolish, indeed, is an administra- the video collections in behalf of the to the pursuit of economic growth, tion that seeks only to tear down millions of students who, it is hoped, the search for economic justice and what has been accomplished or turn will learn from them, admitted that equal opportunity, even the coping back and return to Step One. What a “the administration has not always mechanisms for an environment un- colossal waste of time that would be! been good at communicating about dergoing drastic change.

So aside from data and explana- the change that we have created.”

Which is not to say—and the docu- tions of specific policies, the videos But, he added, “when the political mentaries do not even attempt to also provide interviews with other dust has cleared, history will look claim—that these problems, rooted officials, commentators and colum- back at the past six years and say the deep in history and biggest changes, the systems, were all most sustainable Foolish, indeed, is an administration that seeks only to solved within the reforms, have haptear down what has been accomplished or turn back and return six years that P-Noy pened in the past six to Step One. was president. After years.” all, Philippine deHe recounted the mocracy and the creation of a more nists, and, most important, benefi- demands made on the members of the prosperous but also more equitable ciaries. The people behind the video, Aquino Cabinet, saying that “the only society is, as political scientists put spearheaded by Executive Secretary thing that the President wants are real it, an “ongoing project.” IN the day- Paquito Ochoa, PCOO head Secretary numbers that will have an impact on to-day coverage of and commentary Sonny Coloma, and consultant Maria the lives of Filipinos however far they on the affairs of government and Montelibano, intend the videos for are from the central government.” the performance of officials, a lot of use by students in public schools, Ochoa, who closed the program, nuance and perspective can be lost. “for social studies, civics and history likened the evolution of public opinThere is little opportunity to step classes in basic education.” ion on the administration’s perforback and look at the “big picture,” According to Santiago, a total of mance to that of a TV series, with the and to appreciate the context.

2,000 DVD sets will be distributed audience “so wrapped up in succeedDoubtless, the approaching end of to public schools nationwide, “to ing seasons they forget what had hapa president’s term of office is an op- help mold students who will become pened in the first or second seasons.” portune time to remember, recollect, ‘solutionaries,’” which he defined as And perhaps recounting the drub-

bing that P-Noy and his other officials would get almost daily from the news media and now in social media, Ochoa made this appeal in behalf of the Duterte administration. “Give them a chance; everybody deserves a chance,” he said. *** PERHAPS the thought that a “legacy project” awaits the Duterte administration by 2022 will give the incoming officials the impetus they need to keep their eyes on the ball. Not just to put out fires as these occur, but also to keep the long view, to keep aware of the real stakes at the endgame. After all, they are serving in the government to usher in change, and to raise the lives of more than 100 million Filipinos.

The goal can get lost in the everyday details of governance, so they must, this early, even before they take their oaths of office, keep in mind the larger picture and the ultimate goal.

True, the murmuring and grumbling, especially from the combative media, can eat at one’s resolve, wear away the initial idealism that led one to the unrewarding field of public service.

But a reckoning will and must come. One can only hope that by then, the summing up will be not only favorable but, foremost, fair. ■

LOOKING BACK

The Philippines under Belgium?

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer HISTORIANS naturally frown on speculation and imagination in history because they veer away from the facts as presented in the primary sources.

Teodoro Agoncillo once advised me not to waste my time on the what-ifs in Philippine history. “Why,” he growled, “waste your time trying to figure out what did not or what would have happened, when it is already a challenge to ascertain what did happen?”

Benedict Anderson encouraged me to do otherwise “because,” he smiled, “sometimes what might have happened is more interesting than what really happened!”

History is fuel for conversation and debate as the Facebook thread that resulted from recent columns on the British Occupation of Spanish Manila or the Philippines in 17621764. To add yet another what-if to our history, someone should dig up the plan of Leopold II of Belgium to take the Philippines as a colony.

When I visit Belgium this September to deliver a lecture to mark the 125th anniversary of the publication,

in Ghent, of Rizal’s “El Filibusterismo,” I hope to revisit the Chinese Pavilion, near the King’s Palace in Brussels, that houses a small museum of 19th-century Sino-Japanese art. I first saw this museum in the early 1980s and I was told it was built

by Leopold II, king of the Belgians, who was so fascinated by Asia that he contemplated buying the Philippines from Spain.

When he ascended the throne in 1865, Leopold II planned to enlarge his country’s influence to the East and wanted to begin with the Philippines, which had very good commercial possibilities because of its strategic location as the gateway to both China and Japan. Unfortunately, his government, especially his Parliament did not share his passion for colonization because it required a wellequipped navy and an army to protect Belgian interests halfway across the globe. Complicating matters was the so-called Belgian Declaration of Neutrality that set them apart from England, France and Germany which were aggressively competing for overseas possessions then.

In 1866, Leopold II instructed his ambassador in Madrid to speak to the

queen of Spain about ceding the Philippines to Belgium. The ambassador did not act, knowing fully well that the Belgian Parliament would not approve of such a plan, and the Queen would merely scoff at the proposal.

When Leopold II found out about his ambassador’s disobedience, he transferred him to another post and appointed someone sympathetic to his secret plans.

Working without the knowledge and approval of his government, Leopold II set aside 150 million Belgian francs (that was not even enough to cover the operational expenses of the Philippines for a year), and attempted to fill in the balance with loans from English banks. That too failed because after due diligence, the banks refused to bankroll the project, which they saw was anchored on a royal whim, without the guarantee of his government.

In 1868, Spanish Queen Isabel II was deposed. Seeking to take advantage of the situation, Leopold II negotiated with the new government for the outright sale of the Philippines. This did not prosper though because he didn’t have the funds.

Then there was the issue of coloni-

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zation that Leopold II skirted with a scheme that would have the Philippines independent under a Belgian monarch. The Philippines would be run by an overseas company that would hold rights under a temporary, 90-year concession, with Belgium handling the diplomatic and financial affairs. Upon expiration of the concession, the company would cede the Philippines to Belgium, which would make colonization or annexation moot and academic. It looked like a complicated solution to a simple problem, which did not work.

So Leopold II set his sights on Africa where dream turned into reality in 1885, in what was known as the Congo Free State which was deemed Leopold II’s personal colony. Later, an area of Central Africa became known from 1908 to 1960 as the Belgian Congo; it is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This footnote in our history needs more research, which unfortunately is hampered by the fact that Leopold II ordered all papers on the Philippine project destroyed. What little we know comes from a little known monograph, “A La recherché d’un Etat Independent: Leopold II et les Philip-

pines,” that has yet to be translated from the original French into English for wider circulation. First published in 1962, the book contains the papers of Count Jules Greindl, chief negotiator of the Belgian king on this personal colonial project. The papers do not go beyond 1875, the year Greindl was sent to manage the affairs of what was to become the Belgian Congo.

In the archives of the foreign ministry in Madrid, a top secret report, from the Spanish ambassador in Berlin to the minister of state, turned up; this revealed that in 1888, despite Greindl’s resignation and the belief that the Belgian Philippine project had been shelved, Leopold II continued trying to acquire the Philippines.

Which makes one ask what Leopold II saw in the Philippines that led to his near obsessive desire to own it. An optimist, Leopold II was quoted to have remarked: “L’affair que je porsuis irrealisable aujourd-hui, peutetre faisable une autre fois (The project I am pursuing is impossible today, but may be feasible at another time).”

What would the Philippines be had Leopold II, king of the Belgians, succeeded and added the Philippines to his crown? ■

16

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Canada News

Amnesty International As Fort McMurray rebuilds, fire chief slams Quebec’s wants more wildfire resilience Couillard on Mexican human rights comment

BY LAUREN KRUGEL The Canadian Press

BY MIKE BLANCHFIELD AND BRUCE CHEADLE The Canadian Press OTTAWA — The head of Amnesty International’s Mexican branch is taking Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard to task for his comment Monday that Mexico’s human rights record is moving in the “right direction.”

“I beg to differ (that) Mexico is going in the right direction,” Perseo Quiroz, Amnesty’s executive director in Mexico, told The Canadian Press.

Couillard offered his assessment during a joint news conference with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who was in Quebec City to kick off three days of carefully choreographed North American leader summitry.

Pena Nieto was scheduled to dine with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later Monday in Toronto before hitting the national capital on Tuesday for an official state visit.

The Mexican president will then join Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama for Wednesday’s North American Leaders’ Summit in Ottawa, commonly known as the Three Amigos, where climate and energy issues are expected to dominate.

Amnesty has been working to keep the human rights issue front and centre as the three leaders seek a public display of economic co-operation as a counterpoint to the trade protectionism and anti-immigrant sentiment that has marked this year’s U.S. presidential race.

The White House, followed by the Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed Monday that the “central focus” of the

summit would be an ambitious new climate co-operation plan.

But the Mexican president was forced to confront the carnage from his country’s decadeold war on drugs that Amnesty says has left 27,000 Mexicans unaccounted for, or “disappeared.”

Last week, a group of female Mexican human rights activists urged Trudeau to push Pena Nieto on rights issues, citing a high level of sexual abuse of women by Mexican security forces.

Pena Nieto defended his country’s plan to tackle corruption and human rights abuses on Monday.

“Our government has made an important effort to advance issues related to human rights,” he said in Spanish, without elaborating. “We still have work to do. However, I think we are moving in the right direction towards having human rights being fully respected (in Mexico).”

Pena Nieto has pushed legislative reforms, but it simply hasn’t been enough, said Quiroz.

“The problem with Mexico is the gap between what the law says, and what happens, is really big.”

Couillard said human rights is an important topic for Quebecers, and one he raised with his guest.

“He has assured me, as he did with you a few minutes ago, that he is taking the right and appropriate actions now at the structural level to deal with the issue, which I think is also important for him and his government,” the premier said.

“I think he has set the boat ❱❱ PAGE 21 Amnesty International

FORT MCMURRAY, ALTA. — The man who led the fight against the wildfire that devastated parts of Fort McMurray in May is urging changes to the way homes are rebuilt to avoid similar destruction in the future.

Fort McMurray fire chief Darby Allen says houses in the northern Alberta city should be built much further away from the dense boreal forest that surrounds them and be made out of materials that prevent fire from spreading as easily — from the kind of shingles used to a home’s siding.

“Maybe they’re not allowed to have a wooden fence anymore, maybe it’s a wire fence.

Maybe the front row that backs onto that wildland, they must have a stucco interior or a metal exterior — not siding, not cedar shingles.

“The roofing material could be slate, could be tile, could be non-combustible shingles — certainly not cedar shakes,” Allen said in a recent interview at Fire Hall No. 1 in downtown Fort McMurray.

“With council’s backing and approval, we may be able to do something like that.”

Normally, Allen said it can be virtually impossible to change municipal building rules and there would be a lot of resistance to these types of proposals.

But life has been far from normal in Fort McMurray since a fast-moving and unpredictable wildfire wiped out thousands of homes and forced a monthlong, city-wide evacuation.

Pretty much anything that can burn around Fort McMurray already has, but Allen said he wants to make sure the city is resilient decades from now.

“It’s going to cost a lot of money to put in and you’ve got to chop down a lot of trees,” he said. “You’re offending a lot of people. You’re affecting a www.canadianinquirer.net

Large flames and heavy smoke surround congested Highway 63 South.

DARRENRD / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

lot of people and the chances of getting something like that through is pretty well zero.

“But when we’ve seen the type of thing we’ve seen here, I think there’s more of a realistic chance of getting that type of thing through.”

Wood Buffalo Mayor Melissa Blake said change may come about through residents’ personal choices, rather than through any new city bylaw or building code.

“I’ve got a cedar roof on my house and it’s the first thing I want to change,” she said in an interview.

“If you lived through something like this, you want to make sure you’re more resistant to it in future. If people know there’s a better way of doing it, they may opt just to do it.”

One expert said cities looking to become more resistant to wildfire might want to look at what was done in the past.

Alec Hay, a former military engineer and risk management consultant, said in the frontier days, open fields and agricultural land circled town centres providing a buffer.

“If you look at how we used to do it, we kept the forest away.

We kept the wilderness away from where we lived,” he said.

Provincial land use rules will be a big factor in what a postfire Fort McMurray looks like

— as will what the insurance industry is willing to cover, he added.

Estimating the future population of the city is another challenge. It was an issue long before the fire, when the low price of crude was causing mass layoffs in the oilsands-centred town.

“There’s a particular challenge in how do you rebuild a town that is shrinking (with) the expectation that it will again expand,” said Hay. How many people will return to the city after the fire also weighs on Blake’s mind.

“The events were traumatic — there’s no question about that. If you’re one of the people last to leave places like Abasand or Beacon Hill, I can’t imagine what you witnessed, what you experienced and how you feel coming back into that area day after day. If you’re going to relive it repeatedly, that could be a good reason to consider not returning,” she said.

“For others, I think it will take longer to realize whether they’ve got that resilience in themselves or not. I think some of the strongest proponents for rebuilding are the ones who lived through the worst of it.

And so you’ve got a real mix and it’s very difficult for me to project how many may or may not come back.” ■

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Canada News

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Mexican president continues Canadian stay with state visit in Ottawa THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto continues his trip to Canada today with an official state visit in Ottawa.

Peno Nieto will start the day by meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, making courtesy calls on the Speakers of both houses of Parliament and attending a luncheon.

The president will also at-

tend a youth event at the Canadian Museum of Nature before a state dinner hosted by Gov. Gen. David Johnston at Rideau Hall.

Trudeau hosted a banquet for Peno Nieto on Monday night in Toronto, where the prime minister said discussions between the two leaders over the coming days would include the flow of people and goods.

The two men will be joined on Wednesday by U.S. President Barack Obama for the North

American Leaders Summit in Ottawa, commonly known as the Three Amigos, where climate and energy issues are expected to dominate.

A White House adviser said Monday that they will focus on a North American-wide commitment to cut methane emissions and release what the adviser says will be a comprehensive North American climate, clean energy and environment partnership.

A Three Amigos summit was

PM Justin Trudeau, receives Mexico president Enrique Pena Nieto at Casa Loma for dinner during the Three Amigos summit.

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scheduled to be held last year but was cancelled amid the Canada-U.S. dispute over the

Keystone XL oil pipeline and an ongoing Canada-Mexico fight over visa requirements. ■

Federal government Starting the summer with new jobs invests $150 million for and opportunities across Canada affordable housing in B.C.

BY LAURA KANE The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — The federal government has announced it will invest $150 million in affordable housing in British Columbia, as real estate prices in the province continue to skyrocket.

The money will be spread out over the next two years and is part of the $2.3 billion the Liberal government pledged to spend on affordable housing in the 2016 budget.

Jean-Yves Duclos, federal minister of families, children and social development, announced the funding on Sunday with B.C. housing minister Rich Coleman outside a new development in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

“All Canadians need and deserve housing that is safe, adequate and affordable,” Duclos said in a statement. “Through new investments in housing, the government is helping to strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life for families and seniors.”

Duclos said the new funding includes $25.2 million for construction and repair of affordable housing for seniors and $10.9 million for the construction and renovation of shelters and transition houses for fam-

ily violence victims.

He said it also includes $50.9 million to address the increasing demand for repairs as social housing units age and to improve efficiency and reduce energy and water use.

Coleman said the province is partnering with the federal government to build and renovate more affordable and supportive housing.

“We will be working with communities throughout the province to identify specific housing needs and determine where the additional funding will be distributed.”

The funding announced Sunday is in addition to the $63 million joint annual funding provided by the federal and B.C. governments under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.

Duclos and Coleman are set to be in Victoria on Tuesday for a forum on housing.

It comes at a time when the debate over housing affordability in B.C. has become increasingly heated. The average price of a single-family detached home in Vancouver is $1.5 million.

Premier Christy Clark said on Friday that her government will lay out a plan to address housing affordability in the coming ❱❱ PAGE 36 Federal government

THE GOVERNMENT of Can- ties of non-profit organizations complete the project, the youth ada is releasing details about in their community. Following will get front-line work experinew projects and programs cre- this, participants will be paired ence in the retail and food inating jobs and opportunities in with private sector jobs in areas dustry. every province and territory. such as administration, main• Up to 90 people with disThis includes 24 new projects tenance, mechanics, sales and abilities, who are seeking emthat will help under-represent- gardening. ployment in London or Strathed Canadians improve their • Saint Mary’s University in roy, will participate in a project employability skills. It also in- Nova Scotia will lead two sepa- that will help them get and keep cludes a provincial and territo- rate projects. The first will help a job. Participants will attend rial overview of the successful up to 45 post-secondary gradu- pre-employment workshops Canada Summer Jobs program ates living in rural Nova Scotia to strengthen communication that is funding 77,000 job po- get work experience in their skills, develop resumés, persitions across Canada. The field of study. Job opportuni- form job searches and practice Honourable MaryAnn Mihy- ties will focus on high-demand interview skills. Individual chuk, Minister of Employment, sectors including the sciences, counselling will also be availWorkforce Deable to help with velopment and career decisions, Labour, made clarifying physithe announcecal limitations ment today.

Helping Canadians who face barriers and determining Nearly 700 to employment gives hope for a workplace acyouth and over brighter future to individuals, while commodations.

400 people with also helping to strengthen and grow Each person will disabilities will Canada’s middle class. also get handsbroaden their on work experihorizons as they — THE HONOURABLE MARYANN MIHYCHUK, MINISTER ence in one of obtain new job OF EMPLOYMENT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND the following skills and gain LABOUR areas: service real-life work industry, retail, experience food services, adthrough projects ministration or led by organizations in western, technology, engineering, math- manufacturing. central and eastern Canada. ematics and skilled trades. The Minister Mihychuk released Examples of projects include: second will help up to 20 youth detailed information about the • The city of Toronto is help- who are having difficulty find- Canada Summer Jobs program ing young people prepare for ing a job. Participants will at- as well today. The new data confuture careers through its tend skills enhancement ac- firms more organizations than project. Through group work- tivities to learn about team ever before are participating shops, up to 260 participants building, communication and in the program this year. It also will learn job search and inter- leadership skills. They will also demonstrates a record number view skills. The first of their two obtain certification in First Aid of job positions approved for work experience opportunities and Workplace Hazardous Ma- funding in every province and will involve painting the facili- terials Information Systems. To territory. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

World News

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

19

Texas U. admissions can consider race, Supreme Court rules

BY MARK SHERMAN The Associated Press WASHINGTON — In a narrow victory for affirmative action, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a University of Texas program that takes account of race in deciding whom to admit, an important national decision that was cemented by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

The justices’ 4-3 decision in favour of the Texas program ends an 8-year-old lawsuit that included a previous trip to the Supreme Court, filed by a white Texan who was denied admission to the university.

Justice Anthony Kennedy said in his majority opinion that the Texas plan complied with earlier court rulings that allow colleges to consider race in pursuit of diversity on campus. “The university has thus met its burden of showing that the admissions policy it used ... was narrowly tailored,” Kennedy wrote.

The court’s three more-conservative justices dissented, and Justice Samuel Alito read portions of his 51-page dissent, more than twice as long as Kennedy’s opinion, from the bench.

“This is affirmative action

gone wild,” Alito said. The university “relies on a series of unsupported and noxious racial assumptions.”

In a separate dissent, Justice Clarence Thomas repeated his view that the Constitution outlaws any use of race in higher education admissions.

With the death of Scalia in February and with Justice Elena Kagan sitting out the case because she worked on it while serving in the Justice Department, just seven justices participated in the decision.

Scalia, long opposed to affirmative action, almost certainly would have voted with his fellow conservatives. He was criticized for suggesting at arguments in December that some black students would benefit from being at a “slower-track school,” instead of Texas’ flagship campus in Austin.

At the very least, Scalia’s vote could have made the result a tie and limited the high court to issuing a one-sentence opinion upholding the lower court ruling in favour of Texas. In that instance, the result would have been the same but without the Supreme Court endorsement offered by Kennedy Thursday.

The university considers race among many factors in admit-

ting the last quarter of incoming freshmen classes. The state fills most of its freshman class by guaranteeing admission to students who graduate in the top 10 per cent of their Texas high school class.

The high court ruled in the case of Abigail Fisher, a white Texan who was denied admission to the university in 2008.

She contended she was rejected while African-American applicants with lower grades and test scores were admitted.

The school said Fisher, who did not graduate in the top 10 per cent of her class, would not have been admitted with or without race as a factor. But officials did conditionally offer to allow her to transfer in as a sophomore if she maintained a 3.2 grade-point average at another public college in Texas.

Instead, she went to Louisiana State University, from which she graduated in 2012, and pursued her lawsuit. Fisher was recruited for the suit by Edward Blum, an opponent of racial preferences who has been remarkably successful in persuading the Supreme Court to hear cases challenging the use of race in education and politics.

Blum was behind a major challenge to the landmark Vot-

ing Rights Act that resulted in the court eviscerating a key provision of the law, and he also led an unsuccessful challenge to states’ widespread practice of counting all their residents, not just those eligible to vote, in drawing legislative districts.

The Supreme Court heard Fisher’s case once before and issued an inconclusive ruling in 2013 that sent it back to a lower court and set the stage for Thursday’s decision.

In 2003, the justices reaffirmed the consideration of race in the quest for diversity on campus. Their decision then set a goal of doing away with such programs in 25 years.

“The most important part of this case is that the court reaffirmed what it said in 2003 which is that diversity can be a compelling interest of a university in fulfilling its educational mission,” said Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defence and Educational Fund.

In a statement, Fisher said “I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has ruled that students applying to the University of Texas can be treated differently because of their race or ethnicity. I hope that the nation will one day move beyond

affirmative action.”

Separate legal challenges have been filed to affirmative action plans at the University of North Carolina and Harvard University. Vanderbilt University law professor Suzanna Sherry said the outcome of the Texas case “makes the universities’ cases a lot stronger. The challengers have an uphill battle.”

Texas is unique in marrying the top-10 plan to a separate admissions review in which race is one of many factors considered. The university’s current freshman class is 22 per cent Hispanic and 4.5 per cent African-American. White students make up less than half the school’s freshmen.

Eight states prohibit the use of race in public college admissions: Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Washington.

Kennedy noted the long duration of Fisher’s lawsuit in rejecting calls to send the case back to lower courts again. Alito complained the court should not side with Texas “because it is tired of this case.” ■ Associated Press writer Jessica Gresko contributed to this report.

Pope: Gays and others marginalized deserve an apology

BY NICOLE WINFIELD The Associated Press POPE FRANCIS says gays — and all the other people the church has marginalized, such as the poor and the exploited — deserve an apology.

Francis was asked Sunday en route home from Armenia if he agreed with one of his top advisers, German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who told a conference in Dublin in the days after the deadly Orlando gay club attack that the church owes an apology to gays for having marginalized them.

Francis responded with a variation of his famous “Who am I to judge?” comment and a repetition of church teaching that gays must not be discriminated against but treated with respect.

He said some politicized

Pope Francis.

behaviours of the homosexual community can be condemned for being “a bit offensive for others.” But he said: “Someone who has this condition, who has good will and is searching for God, who are we to judge?”

SOFTDELUSION66 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

“We must accompany them,” Francis said.

“I think the church must not only apologize ... to a gay person it offended, but we must apologize to the poor, to women who have been exploited, to children forced into labour, apolowww.canadianinquirer.net

gize for having blessed so many weapons” and for having failed to accompany families who faced divorces or experienced other problems.

Francis uttered his “Who am I to judge?” comment during his first airborne press confer-

ence in 2013, signalling a new era of acceptance and welcome for gays in the church. Francis followed up by meeting with gay and transgender faithful, and most significantly, by responding to claims that he met with anti-gay marriage campaigner Kim Davis during his U.S. visit.

He said the only personal meeting he held in Washington was with his gay former student and his partner.

Despite such overtures, however, many gay Catholics are still waiting for progress after a two-year consultation of the church on family issues failed to chart concrete, new pastoral avenues for them.

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, told reporters after Francis’ press conference that the pope wasn’t referring to a medical “condition” when he spoke of gays, but rather a lifestyle situation. ■

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FRIDAY

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FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

Canada condemns suicide attack at Istanbul airport that killed 36 THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — Canada is condemning the suicide bombing attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk airport that killed at least 36 people and wounded many others.

Officials in Turkey are blaming the attack on three suspected Islamic State bombers.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter that Canada “strongly condemns tonight’s deadly attack in Turkey,” adding that his “thoughts and prayers” are with the victims as “we stand with our allies against terrorism.”

A spokesperson at Global Affairs Canada said Canadian officials based in Ankara and Istanbul were closely monitor-

ing the situation and working to determine if any Canadian citizens had been affected.

Austin Jean said that so far, the department had no reports of any Canadians being injured in the attack.

Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion also issued a statement strongly condemning what he called an “appalling” attack.

Dion offered condolences to the family and friends of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.

“We stand with the Turkish people as they deal with this most recent and appalling terror attack,” Dion said. “We reaffirm our commitment to work tirelessly in the fight against terrorism.” ■

Amnesty International... in the right direction, but of course this will take time and he needs the support of his allies to go forward and succeed.”

Quiroz characterized Couillard’s handling of the issue as merely “scratching the surface.”

Rights issues are expected to take a back seat to pressing economic concerns in this week’s meetings.

Britain’s shocking vote Thursday to leave the 28-member European Union has rocked international markets and destabilized Europe, providing a sharp international contrast to this week’s expected North American love-in.

Brian Deese, a senior adviser to Obama, confirmed Monday that Mexico will sign on to the methane reduction pact announced by Obama and Trudeau in March. The three countries will also commit to having 50 per cent of North American electricity generation come from renewable or emissions-free sources by 2025 — a potential boon to Canadian ❰❰ 16

electricity exports.

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the development after the White House conference call.

“We find ourselves now in a moment where the alignment in terms of policy goals and focus on clean energy between our three countries is stronger than it has been in decades,” said Deese.

That unity will be in sharp contrast to the protectionist politics that have made 2016 a hot year on both sides of the Atlantic.

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has advocated tough new immigration policies, border defences and possible new trade barriers, while Democratic rival Hillary Clinton is expressing reservations about the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact.

“It will be evident to Americans and people beyond that when North America speaks and acts as a single unit, it’s really for the good of our citizens and citizens around the world,” said Deese. ■

UK Treasury chief tries to calm fears over ‘Brexit’ fallout

BY DANICA KIRKA The Associated Press LONDON — Britain’s Treasury chief sought Monday to ease concerns about the vote to leave the European Union, saying the economy is as strong as it could be to face the uncertainty — even as a survey showed many companies are looking to move business out of the country.

In his first public appearance since Thursday’s referendum, George Osborne stressed that Britain’s economy is in a far bet- Britain’s Treasury chief George Osborne (right) with Philip Hammond, Secretary ter position than it was at the of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. start of the 2008 financial crisis.

GEORG SCHMIDT / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM “It will not be plain sailing in the days ahead,” he said. “But Osborne also said he had Corbyn is also facing upheaval let me be clear. You should not been working closely with Bank within his Labour Party after underestimate our resolve. We of England Governor Mark Car- half a dozen advisers quit his were prepared for the unex- ney, fellow finance ministers inner circle Monday, joining pected.” and international organiza- some 11 others who resigned The leaders of Germany, Italy tions over the weekend. over the weekend. and France will be huddling in “We are prepared for whatCorbyn said he will not reBerlin to discuss the vote, try- ever happens,” he said. sign, and has appointed lawing to hone a common message In another move to cush- makers loyal to him to fill the that negotiations need to get ion market reaction, Osborne vacated posts. He insists he will underway quickly on the exit stressed that only Britain can run in any new leadership conso as not to continue the uncer- invoke Article 50 of the EU test, and said he has the support tainty. constitution, which triggers the of the party’s grassroots.

In the first direct reflection formal process by which the Many Labour lawmakers acof business confidence on such country would leave the bloc. cuse Corbyn of running a lukeuncertainty, a leading business The U.K. “should only do that warm campaign in support of group says 20 per cent of its when there is a clear view about remaining in the EU. They also members plan to move some of what new arrangement we are fear the left-winger cannot win their operations outside of the seeking with our European a general election, which could U.K. in light of the country’s de- neighbours,” he said. come well before the scheduled cision to leave the EU. Cameron is expected to chair date of 2020.

The Institute Cameron has of Directors said said he will step Monday that down by Octoa survey of its ber, and a new 1,000 members You should not underestimate our prime minister showed that resolve. We were prepared for the may call an early three out of four unexpected. election to solidbelieve that Britify a mandate beain’s exit from fore negotiating the EU, or Brexit, Britain’s EU exit. will be bad for business. an emergency Cabinet meeting The vote is also causing a poThe pound had plunged to its Monday. U.S. Secretary of State litical schism in the U.K. overlowest level in 30 years on Fri- John Kerry is visiting Brussels all. Scotland’s First Minister day and fell another 2.3 per cent and London to address the fall- Nicola Sturgeon said she would against the U.S. dollar on Mon- out from the vote. “consider” whether to advise day, to $1.3360. Stock markets Political turmoil has roiled the Scottish Parliament to use also declined across Europe.

Britain since the vote as lead- its power to try to prevent BritOsborne pledged not to im- ers of the government and op- ain from leaving the EU. Some pose a new austerity budget position parties grapple with 62 per cent of Scots voted to re— even though he said during the question of how precisely main in the bloc. the campaign that one would the U.K. will separate from the Scottish lawmakers might be be necessary if voters chose to other 27 nations in the bloc. able to derail Britain’s deparleave the EU. He said another Cameron, who led the cam- ture by withholding “legislative budget would be the task of the paign to remain in the EU, has consent,” she said. ■ government of Conservative announced he will step down Prime Minister David Camer- by October.

Geir Moulson in Berlin contribon’s successor.

Opposition leader Jeremy uted to this report. www.canadianinquirer.net

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FRIDAY

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS:

Bobby Maglalang: Amazingly proving there’s life after 50 as a Canadian immigrant

BY BOLET AREVALO

IMMIGRANTS WHO come to Canada at age 50 and up are often times beset with doubts and fears that they are too old to start a new career or simply find a job in this side of North America. More often than not, this age group are those who have had successful careers back from home country and are leaving for a myriad of logical reasons, some not necessarily serious but simply to chase old dreams or pursue new paths.

Bobby Maglalang of Edmonton, Alberta defied all myths and misconceptions about the near-impossibility of getting back on track and even leaping forward with new conquests as an immigrant who landed in Canada in his 50s in 2004.

Today, 12 years after, Bobby has two (2) restaurants, one (1) overseas and domestic employment agency, a trading business, a money remittance business and now, in the middle of studying the feasibility of putting up a geothermal company in Canada. That is not counting his successful re-integration into the Canadian HR management sector after a glorious career of more than 20 years in the Philippines as HR practitioner, the last years of which he spent with Philippine Steel. He has a Canadian HR professional certification or CHRP attached to his name but still proudly displays his Philippine’s FPM (Fellow on Personnel Management) designation in his business card.

Perhaps so unlike the dilemma of other migrants who are forced to leave the Philippines to try their luck or earn a living for their families in other countries, Bobby was in a privileged situation where whatever choice he made was going to be the right one, one way or the other. More so, with Philippine Steel top management willing to take whatever decision he had to make.

What was there to lose? What

were there to gain?

These were questions that Bobby or certainly any prospective immigrant of his age and stature may have to ask themselves and find clear answers. Certainly, he knew that he was set to lose a very lucrative retirement package from the company that he was working for. But between that time and the retirement, he was only looking at being able to get one or two promotions and that was it. He cannot go higher than a head below the owner of the company.

Canada from the Eyes of a Dreamer

developing the 4-year Philippine National Manpower Plan in 1978, I was ditched for somebody who had a mere knowledge of Canadian health and safety to assume the position of labor market development manager for Alberta.”

Rolling with the Punches

Bobby Maglalang.

“In the Philippines, I felt I had already accomplished Edmonton. Youngest James is Manager of Home Depot. Yes, what I had to accomplish. I was still in college. Bobby’s parents, he started as a manager. Again a successful executive, a col- Antolina Bermudez and Angel defying all myths that you have lege instructor, a small busi- Maglalang , together with 5 sib- to clean yards or scrub floors to ness owner and thought, that lings, came to Canada in 1981 to get started. But it was not the was it,” Bobby shared. Looking join sister Cora Yumang who beginning of a pretty, easy life forward, he saw the promises migrated in 1977. His father for Bobby. Soon, he had to be on of Canada. He imagined what worked with the government the job market again and had more he could do in a country of Alberta until he was 72 years his share of being rejected for that has a more diversified out- old, following his retirement some unthinkable hiring realook. More importantly, he saw from San Miguel Corporation sons. how his potential success in in the Philippines at age 58.

As an HR practitioner, he beCanada can enable him to help It may not happen all the time lieves that aside from the abmore people, especially fellow but having come with some of sence of a levelled playing field, Filipinos. your own money to spare while he still finds a lot of Canadian “I saw a lot of opportunities looking for job or figuring out labor laws and labor standards to help our hardthat need imworking kabaprovement. Sadbayans who only ly, the flaws in needed their these laws have breaks to shine.”

I was ditched for somebody who contributed to Unfortunately, had a mere knowledge of Canadian the little known he had to wrestle health and safety to assume the trend that in with the composition of labor market development Canada, the avmon perception manager for Alberta. erage worker or that — in Canaemployee changda, the playing es job 17 times in field is not fairly his lifetime. This, levelled unlike for the simple the United States. Bobby’s two what to do, and getting the big reason that they are not happy (2) children challenged their break by a clear stroke of luck at how they are being treated in respective professional exams could be the surest way to get the workplace. Something that in the US and were immediate- started successfully as an im- Bobby admitted he also expely embraced and presented op- migrant. But how many of those rienced in past one or two emportunities in America. Fran- who come have that money or ployers. ces is a lawyer at Homeland as lucky as Bobby?

Worst is, you are not even reSecurity and lives in LA, while “I would admit that in my spected for the rich background Paul is a chemical engineer, case what worked was the and transferrable skills that has a flourishing career in an break when I was referenced you have acquired for yourself oil company and with his MBA, by somebody who had already regardless of origin. To this, managed to put up his own established his credibility in Bobby related that — business in Houston. The third Canada,” Bobby confides. The “With my extensive backchild is daughter Jordan, who is reference given to him by a ground in crafting a full-blown a doctor of medicine and lives fellow Filipino city manager labor market development plan with Bobby and wife Cherry in landed him his first job as HR and a very significant role in www.canadianinquirer.net

Nothing though can unfaze him. He was, he is forever on a roll.

Bobby secured a C$5,000 scholarship to study microbusiness and entrepreneurship for six months in 2005. As fate would have it, here, he discovered his own propensity for self-employment with some viable business ideas of his own.

He was merely on his second month of study when he put up his first business, the Personnel and General Services, Inc. By the third and fourth months, his employment agency was rapidly attracting a lot of clients.

This to him felt really good, not only because his business was picking up but more so because he knew he was helping a lot of people find jobs and improve their lives.

Bobby recalled an incident that triggered his determination to help Filipino newcomers to Canada, especially those who are on managerial levels. While working as Corporate Services Manager of Hi-Flyer Food and Olympus Food (owner of 120 KFC and Taco Bell restaurants in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec), Bobby heard that a Filipino cook of KFC in Edmonton was found dead in his apartment. He learned that the said cook was a former director of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries who migrated to Canada with his wife, a doctor and Vice President of PhilHealth. The wife decided to return to the Philippines when she could not find a job in Vancouver while the husband moved to Edmonton. Such separation from family and frustration from finding a more suitable employment must have led to the husband’s severe depression and eventually death.

Bobby vowed to himself that ❱❱ PAGE 25 Bobby Maglalang

Community News

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

23

Volunteer positions available in City of Calgary THE CITY of Calgary is recruiting volunteers to fill positions on various boards, commissions and committees (BCCs).

Public members serving on these BCCs provide guidance to City Council on important civic issues ranging from accessibility, planning to public art.

City Clerk Sue Gray says, “Sitting on a board, commission or committee offers Calgarians the opportunity to give back to their community while

gaining valuable experience in their area of interest. The city and all residents benefit greatly from the expertise and passion that these community-minded volunteers bring to these positions.”

This year, the City of Calgary is looking for residents of Calgary, who are at least 18 years of age: with a desire to give back to the community; with specific expertise relevant to the qualifications a specific board,

commission or committee may be looking for; interested in the legislative process; and with time available to commit to membership.

Vacancies exist on the following BCCs: • Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee (Calgary) • Advisory Committee on Accessibility • Airport Authority (Calgary) • Audit Committee • BiodiverCity Advisory Com-

mittee • Calgary Parking Authority • Calgary Technologies Inc • Calgary Transit Access Eligibility Appeal Board • Combative Sports Commission • Council Compensation Review Committee • eGovernment Strategy Advisory Committee • Heritage Authority (Calgary) • Planning Commission (Calgary)

• Police Commission (Calgary) • Protective Services Citizen Oversight Committee • Public Art Board • Saddledome Foundation • Taxi Limousine Advisory Committee To apply for a position, applicants can apply online by filling out the application form on calgary.ca/cityclerks; or contact the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@calgary.ca or (403) 2685861 for assistance. ■

Gallery donates nearly 200 artworks to Ontario province THE MCMICHAEL Canadian Art Collection Gallery, founded

by Robert and Signe McMichael, donated a collection of 194 paintings along with their home and land to the Province of Ontario.

This year’s 50th anniversary gala of the gallery treated everyone to a wide array of sumptuous gourmet cuisine, awardwinning Ontario wines, along with a live entertainment of notable musical artists such as Juno awardee Divine Brown.

“We thank everyone who has contributed to the success of the McMichael from the past halfcentury. Last year’s event raised $ 225,000,” said Tina Tehranchian, chair of the 2016 gala.

Guests had first-hand experience on an exhibition program titled, 50/50/50, the exploration of art in 50-year leaps stretching backward and forward form the McMichael’s founding years in the mid-1960s.

Literary writer Katherine Kehoe, one of the guests at the gallery gala, admires the art collection donated by the McMichaels.

Proceeds from this annual event go directly toward the conservation and preservation of the 6,000 art-works in the permanent collection created by some of Canada’s most iconic artists, including the Group of Seven.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation.

The gallery also houses art works of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit artists. It is located on 100 acres of northern landscape and hiking trails at 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in the City of Vaughn. ■

Queenie Choo, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation has been chosen as one of the RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2016. She immigrated to Edmonton, AB in the middle of a very cold winter 36 years ago. Choo remembers a vastly different settlement landscape than the one that exists today. There were no immigrant-serving organizations as robust as Vancouver-based SUCCESS, for her to access support and resources. ““I am very blessed to be a Canadian, and it is my turn to pay it forward to serve other newcomers to Canada,” Choo said.

New mentorship program inspires young FilCans A GROUP of young Filipino Canadians launched Rise, a new mentorship program to inspire youth to reach to new heights.

“There are a number of reports that identify Filipino Canadians at risk for not graduating from high school and not pursuing post-secondary education, in turn, limiting their professional career potential,” says Nezy Lacdao a member of the Rise board. “While the statistics around success are

alarming, we are seeing a number of Filipino Canadians break through this ceiling and we want to celebrate their success and the path they have paved to help inspire youth and highlight mentors and role models they can learn from.”

The founders of Rise looked at opportunities to collaborate with existing organizations and business leaders to address obstacles that continue to hinder Filipinos, one of the

largest immigrant populations in Canada.

“Currently, Filipino mentors and role models are invisible in our community, especially with Filipino youths. With Rise, we have an opportunity to create a strong network of Filipinos that can serve as the backbone to the largest growing immigrant population in Canada, so that it is a high achieving population,” says Louroz Mercader, a Rise board member. www.canadianinquirer.net

Other members include Abby Albino; Jesse Asido; Jackwayne Ramirez Balancio; Nezy Lacdao; Louroz Mercader; Chuck Ortiz; Rachelle Panteleon; Claire Rankine; Adam Robles; Mark Vallena.

The Champions Council, instituted to provide wider industry support and insight to Rise meanwhile includes Michael Bartlett, executive director, MSLE Foundation; George De La Rosa, CEO, Luminus

Financial; Tobias C. Envarga, Jr., senator, Senate of Canada; Shaneeza Nazseer Ally, executive director for Youth Initiative; Clyde Pacis, owner, Max’s Manila Restaurants; Paul Jonathan Saguil, senior counsel, TD Bank Financial Group; Justice Steve A. Coroza, Ontario Court of Justice; Julius Tiangson, president and CEO, Portico Group Canada and Peter Tolias, CEO, Tolias Landscaping and Plowing. ■

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JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Entertainment

‘Maximo’ on Slate’s list of top 75 LGBTQ films Honor roll seeks to protest the Orlando attack and memorialize its victims and survivors

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer A FILIPINO movie has made it on Slate online magazine’s list of “75 greatest LGBTQ films of all time.”

Part of the honor roll is Kanakan Balintagos’ “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros,” an entry in the first Cinemalaya film festival in 2005.

Slate critic Keith Uhlich praised the film for “seriously considering …one of the greatest taboos… the developing sexual feelings of children—a subject most easily infantilized, sensationalized or brushed under the carpet.”

Uhlich commended Balintagos (then known as Auraeus Solito) and screenwriter Michiko Yamamoto for “viewing the characters through a quietly revolutionary queer perspective, portraying young

Maximo’s pursuit of an adult policeman, childish though it may be, as a fervently religious quest.”

The film is hailed for “including in the discussion…the feelings of a child.”

Balintagos told the INQUIRER: “Personally, the timing [of the honor] was perfect.” He admitted that he is at a crossroads right now. “I was asking myself what was my significance as a filmmaker—especially since I was asked to speak at UP Mass Comm’s graduation rites (today).”

Being on the list, he said, allowed him to savor a certain level of “acceptance…[for] creating a film that shows queerness as normal and beautiful.”

He noted: “I believe not in tolerance, but in acceptance, which ‘Maximo’ celebrates. For me, what humanity needs is acceptance of people’s nature, not just tolerating it…as if it were

Nathan Lopez starred as the titular character in the acclaimed film.

CHRISTIAN RAZUKAS / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

something negative.”

He related that, 11 years later, cineastes still express their gratitude to him for making “Maximo.” “Viewers from all over the world say that the film helped them embrace their true selves when they were young.”

Solenn Heussaff, Georgina Wilson, and Isabelle Daza’s engagement rings

BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Celebrities Solenn Heussaff, Georgina Wilson, and Isabelle Daza showed off their similarly manicured nails and sparkling diamond rings in a recent Instagram post.

The photo was shared in Solenn’s Instagram account, and came with the caption: “You can’t sit with us. Hahaha. Unless you paint your nails.”

Shortly after, netizens raved over the stunning engagement and wedding rings of the three showbiz ‘It Girls.”

It can be recalled Solenn married her longtime Argentinian

@SOLENNHEUSSAFF / INSTAGRAM

fiancé Nico Bolzico in a French castle just last month. Georgina tied the knot with her British boyfriend Arthur Burnand in

April. Isabelle, meanwhile, has been engaged to French businessman Adrien Semblat last year. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Also in the Slate lineup are Gus Van Sant’s “My Own Private Idaho,” Wong Kar-wai’s “Happy Together,” Luchino Visconti’s “Death in Venice,” Tsai Ming-liang’s “Goodbye, Dragon Inn,” Jean Cocteau’s “The Blood of a Poet,” Pedro

Almodovar’s “Bad Education” and Todd Haynes’ “Carol.”

Slate drafted the list to honor the victims and survivors of the attack on Orlando’s Pulse nightclub. The films were summed up as “a globespanning, multigenerational testament to [the LGBTQ community’s] existence in a world where [its] erasure is no abstraction.”

The list is also timely because June is considered Pride month.

The roster further “reaffirms the revolutionary potential of the seventh art.” Cinema, Slate asserted, is a “powerful” medium, “projecting the complexities of the LGBTQ experience onto the culture’s largest, brightest mirror.”

Balintagos agreed: “Slant created this list as a protest against the tragic shooting spree and a tribute to LGBTQ lives. No massacre, no discrimination can erase our presence. After all, cinema is forever!” ■

AlDub thrills in ‘Imagine You and Me’ trailer THE PHENOMENAL Kalyeserye love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza is celebrating their first anniversary in a big way as they thrill moviegoers in the much-awaited romantic film “Imagine You and Me” under GMA Films and APT Entertainment.

After first setting eyes on each other on a split screen during Eat Bulaga’s Juan for All, All for Juan segment, the pair has attracted millions of followers who have been long hoping for the love team to transition from reel to real.

Growing visibly closer and more comfortable with each other in their first year together onscreen, AlDub, a combination of Alden and Yaya Dub, Maine’s character on Kalyeserye, showed off their strong chemistry in the trailer for

“Imagine You and Me” which made fans around the world giddy with excitement.

Alden plays the role of Andrew while Maine’s character is named Gara, two individuals who find each other in a foreign country.

Set against picturesque locations in Italy and scenic spots in the Philippines, the teaser was all that fans have been hoping for and more as they wait for the film which premieres in Philippine cinemas this July.

Proving to be a girl of many talents, Maine also wrote the lyrics to Imagine You and Me’s similarly-titled theme song.

It has certainly been a magical first year for Alden and Maine, and AlDub Nation just has to wait and see what other exciting things are in store for the sensational pair in the future. ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

25

Bobby Maglalang... he would do everything in his power to prevent such unfortunate stories to ever be repeated within his realm of influence.

Bobby seeks to assist those who would want to improve on their careers or put up a business.

Please contact him at 1-780395-1141 or by email through rbm@pgsi.info.

As we can see, much unlike the crab mentality that Pinoys are accused of, Bobby exhibits the opposite. He is happy to help and see his fellow Filipinos shine. In Edmonton, he said, he finds that there is a lot of room for him and fellow Filipinos to prove that they are a cut above the rest. He, in fact, tried local politics 3 times just to be able to introduce Filipinos into the game. He saw the gap and tried to fill it in this aspect.

Another project had him partnering with Ruben Manansala to secure the help of Edmonton Public Library to make available Filipino history books in local libraries, books like Barangay-16th Century Philippine Culture, the Propaganda Movement of 1980-1986, Pasyon and Revolution, the Women of Malolos, Jose Rizal-Revolutionary Spirit, the Cry of Balintawak and many others. Such is the manner of thinking that Bobby had consistently displayed as an immigrant Filipino — “To always try to contribute what you can when you can.” ❰❰ 22

Pope Francis.

SOFTDELUSION66 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Jesse Williams moves BET Awards crowd with passionate speech

BY SANDY COHEN The Associated Press

the bystander.

“We’re done watching and waiting while this invention called whiteness uses and abusLOS ANGELES — Actor Jesse es us, burying black people out Williams brought the energy of sight and out of mind while of a civil rights rally to the extracting our culture, our dolBET Awards Sunday night as lars, our entertainment like he accepted the humanitarian oil, black gold, ghettoizing and award, demanding equal rights demeaning our creations then and calling for an end to police stealing them, gentrifying our brutality against black people genius and then trying us on and white approlike costumes priation of black before discardculture. ing our bodThe “Grey’s ies like rinds of Anatomy” star strange fruit,” he brought the Misaid. crosoft Theater We know Backstage, audience to its that police Williams said feet with his passomehow he hopes his resionate speech. manage to marks during “A system built deescalate, the show remind to impoverish, disarm and people “just bedivide and denot kill white cause we get to stroy us cannot people every be here tonight stand if we do,” day. doesn’t mean we he said, adding, made it.

“We know that “What I’d like police somehow to see us do is manage to dereturn to a space escalate, disarm where it’s OK for and not kill white people every folks to be proud and outwardly day.” black in public,” he said, “and Williams compared spending not have to feel like we have to money on brand-name clothing be safe to live in white spaces to the days when slaves were and to make everybody combranded with their owners’ fortable when we’ve spent cenmarkings. He said it’s not the turies being uncomfortable. It’s job of the brutalized to comfort time to shed that fear.” ■

Now Tinkering with Geothermal Energy

Recently, the new baby is his idea of establishing a geothermal company starting with Edmonton. He had proposed to the local and provincial governments to include geothermal energy exploration and devel-

opment as part of the investment portfolio of oil producers in Canada. With Canada as having one of the largest energy reserves in the world, the proposed plan is for the government to put up a company to initiate the explorations and then eventually, turn over operations to big players to generate the power. His concept introduces a more viable solution in terms of pursuing a modular model whereby areas will be classified into small, medium or large and thus power generation pursued and implemented in similar 40 megawatts, 80 megawatts or 120 megawatts at a time until the whole town is successfully migrated to geothermal energy source or utilization. The proposal has earned the interest of an Edmonton councilor and an Alberta Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA).

He may not be in sales, but Bobby believes that it is important that one is able to market himself and his ideas properly and timely enough.

When you first land in Canada, he advised, it is best to start finding something in the career or skills that you have established yourself from home country. Give it 5-10 years, when you have gained foothold and made a lot of connections, start your own business. Additionally, do not hesitate to go back to school. Success is 70% education and 30% luck, he said.

From Bobby’s own life story, one can glean that the formula he just mentioned seems to hold some truth. Not only was his education in economics from UST and Ateneo de Manila a big factor to his success but also the opportunities to study HR

and microbusiness from UK and Canada, respectively. Likewise, from his story, we realized that learning does not only begin and end in a school setting.

His wife Cherry, whose family used to own several restaurants in Manila, took on cooking jobs in Edmonton but only to learn the ins and outs of running a restaurant business in the Canadian setting. True enough, 2 years after, she told Bobby they should be ready to put up their own food business. Thus, came the Liam’s Little Asia Noodle House and Dylan’s House of Minis — two (2) very successful Filipino-owned and run restaurants in Edmonton.

Bobby considers the smooth traffic situation in Canada as one of the best rewards of his migration. Such blessing he needs and reaps on a daily basis when he has to travel to and fro minding the routinary needs of his restaurants and his other businesses which are just 5-10 minute drives from each location. The success of his businesses must certainly be attributable to the kind of hands-on management he and his wife do for each of them. For sure, the success and the blessings come as a reward for his genuine concern and help to those who need him.

Bobby Maglalang’s Canadian sojourn may not be as melodramatic as the rest of us but in his heart, empathy never failed to take some roots. His desire and now the ability to help others find employment and pursue their dreams have become inevitable part of his continuing journey.

A journey that amazingly started when he was 50 and threatens to continue to forever. ■

Jon Bon Jovi surprises cancer stricken fan with guitar, kiss THE CANADIAN PRESS TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A New Jersey woman battling lung cancer has received an unforgettable surprise from one of the state’s most famous rockers, Jon Bon Jovi.

Rosie Skripkunis says her www.canadianinquirer.net

mother, Carol Cesario, is a lifelong fan of Bon Jovi and has always wanted to meet him.

Last month, Skripkunis shared a sign on social media asking the singer to visit her mother.

Skripkunis later told her mother that Bon Jovi’s Toms River restaurant, JBJ Soul Kitchen, had invited them over

for a free meal.

While at the restaurant on Saturday, Bon Jovi sneaked in behind Cesario and stood beside her without saying anything.

Video shows Cesario yell out “oh my God!” after seeing Bon Jovi.

He gave her an autographed guitar and a book, as well as a kiss on the cheek. ■

26

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Lifestyle

Companies will have to step up work life balance policies as young people enter workforce

BY ALEKSANDRA SAGAN The Canadian Press

professor at Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business.

“To keep younger talent, you’re going to have to deliver on it.”

Employees crave a supportive work culture that enables a work-life balance, said Lidia Pawlikowski, a senior consultant of health and wellness at Morneau Shepell, a human re-

said Duxbury, who has co-authored two national surveys on work-life balance and is working on a third.

TORONTO — The work-life “All of the indicators are gobalance in European countries ing the wrong way,” she said. seems the stuff of dreams to Her 2012 study surveyed many Canadians. more than 25,000 full-time France has a 35-hour work Canadian employees and disweek and recently gave emcovered that employees’ perployees the right to disconnect ception of work flexibility and from email after management they leave the ofsupport refice. mained relativeS w e d e n , ly unchanged meanwhile, ofYounger Canadians entering since her 2001 fers workers a the labour force fear the type of findings. In 2012, minimum five workplace culture their parents 27 per cent of reweeks paid vacaendured and are demanding more spondents said tion time. flexibility from employers. they believed And many they had high Scandinavian flexibility, while companies have 45 per cent acimplemented a knowledged high system of flexible hours and sources consulting company managerial support. working from home as manage- founded by the father of CanBut she says the data for her ment encourages employees ada’s current finance minister, latest study, expected to be reto craft schedules that fit their Bill Morneau. leased in several months, is personal needs.

Workers want to take guilt- likely to show those numbers While Prime Minister Jus- free lunch breaks, squeeze a have dropped. tin Trudeau managed to sneak workout into their day and not Many firms have no a day off during a recent work remain glued to their smart- problem talktrip abroad to celebrate his phones after wedding anniversary, that kind hours, she of flexibility isn’t afforded to said. most working Canadians deT h e y spite work-life balance being a seek work hot topic for years. arrangeThe Organization for Eco- m e n t s nomic Co-operation and Devel- t h a t opment has found that average a l l o w the Canadian works 1,704 hours t h e m annually, more than in Germa- to get ny and Australia although less t h e i r than those apparently tireless w o r k workers in the United States. d o n e , But as younger generations said Pawin Canada move into the work- l i k o w s k i , force and demand more sched- but offer uling flexibility and clearer di- a d e q u a t e visions between the office and time off and home, companies will have to flexibility to do more than just talk the talk care for any and actually implement con- children or crete policies to attract and ailing elderly keep talented workers, says one relatives in their researcher who’s studied the is- lives. sue here for more than 20 years.

That type of “Balance is not going to be an workplace culture optional discussion point pret- is often discussed ty soon,” said Linda Duxbury, a but rarely achieved, www.canadianinquirer.net

ing about balance, but are still too focused on evaluating employee productivity through hours worked, in-office presence and how tethered they are to their smartphones outside the office, she said.

Some companies are also imitating Silicon Valley firms and offering perks like catered meals and dry-cleaning services — but those types of initiatives actually erode work-life balance, Duxbury said.

“Their aim is to help people work more, not less,” added Gerry Ledford, a senior research scientist at the University of South Carolina’s Center for Effective Organizations, referring to those kinds of inoffice perks.

Employers offer them so that their employees never need to leave the workplace and can work as close to 24/7 as they’re willing, he said.

In the future, Duxbury said, companies that are failing to implement true worklife balance strategies will find

themselves struggling to attract and retain talented workers.

Younger Canadians entering the labour force fear the type of workplace culture their parents endured and are demanding more flexibility from employers, she said. They’ll also be more likely to grapple with the double whammy of not only raising children, but caring for their aging parents as the baby boomer demographic grows older.

And before long, Canada will be dealing with a shortage of workers, she said. By 2020, for example, there won’t be enough qualified people to fill more than 218,000 new information and communication technology jobs in Canada, according to the Information and Communications Technology Council.

“I think that’s when balance is finally going to start,” Duxbury said. “They’re going to start taking this issue seriously.” ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

27

Click here when I die: Sites lay out plans for loved ones

BY JOSEPH PISANI The Associated Press NEW YORK — Several websites are trying to make death easier — for the people left behind.

Everplans, Everest Funeral, My Life & Wishes and other companies are helping with end-of-life planning. Users can upload digital copies of their wills, plan their funeral or name the person who will take care of the dog when they die. Access to the information can be given to a spouse, child or anyone else you’d like. The idea is to reduce the arguments over funeral plans or the frantic search for documents that can happen after a death. Some of the sites charge fees, but others are free or offer a free service through financial planners or employee benefits.

Financial advisers say everyone should write down important financial information and funeral wishes in a safe place, whether it’s on a website or in a

notebook. Heirs risk losing out on money if they’re in the dark about accounts or insurance policies, says Len Hayduchok, president of Dedicated Senior Advisors in Hamilton, New Jersey.

But getting people to think about their demise is a challenge.

“People just don’t want to do it,” says Hayduchok. “It’s something that is easy to put off.”

The sites are trying to make the process more inviting.

Everplans guides users through everything they need to do, such as uploading information about life insurance policies or pensions. There’s also room to leave letters to loved ones and a place to put passwords for emails and instructions on what to do with Facebook accounts and other social media sites.

The site charges $75 a year for the service. But about 150 financial firms and advisers around the country offer Everplans to their clients, sometimes for free, says co-founder

and co-CEO Abby Schneiderman. Some employers are also starting to offer Everplans to workers as a benefit, she says.

Another service, called Everest , is offered as a free perk with employee benefits. On Everest’s site, users can write out their funeral wishes or upload photos, their will or other documents. The company also offers concierge service that helps those left behind to plan funeral and deals with all the details. If your employer offers group life insurance from Aetna, Hartford or Voya, ask your human resources office if it comes with Everest. It likely does; more than 25 million people have access to Everest, says CEO Mark Duffey.

My Life & Wishes , which was launched this year, helps put together end-of-life plans online for $79 a year. Michelle and Jonathan Braddock came up with the idea after Michelle’s father passed away and left the couple scrambling to piece together his financial life. My Life

www.canadianinquirer.net

& Wishes was first published as a workbook that the couple handed out to clients of the insurance company they owned.

But they quickly started working on a website, realizing that updated passwords and new accounts needed to be added to the book.

“Things change so frequently,” says Jonathan Braddock.

Fidelity, which manages retirement and brokerage accounts, recently launched a free service called FidSafe that lets users upload passports, wills and other documents. Users can give access to documents to next of kin, and you don’t need to be a Fidelity customer to use it.

FidSafe was launched after most Fidelity customers surveyed said that they had never talked about end-of-life planning with their families, says Daniel Brownell, CEO of Fidelity’s document storage management subsidiary Xtrac Solutions.

Not everyone will be comfortable putting all their impor-

tant information online. All the companies say that security is a priority, but even the biggest financial institutions have been hacked. Also keep in mind that some of them are just starting up, and there is a chance they may fail before you’re gone. The companies say that if that happens, there are ways to download and print out all the information you’ve posted.

If putting everything online is not for you, writing it all down in a notebook is just as good, says Hayduchok. He gives out notebooks to clients and tells them to list all their accounts, keep paperwork and let a loved one know where everything is.

“You have to communicate properly,” he says. ■ Everest Funeral: www.everestfuneral.com Everplans: www.everplans.com FidSafe www.fidsafe.com MyLifeAndWishes www.mylifeandwishes.com

28

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Business

BPOs seen to get Brexit boost

BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer WHILE GLOBAL markets are fretting over Great Britain’s decision to leave the European Union—commonly known as the game-changing Brexit—a property market veteran sees the Philippines raking in windfall gains for its business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

According to Leechiu Property Consultants founder and CEO David Leechiu, the Philippines “will do well in light of this catastrophic event in the world markets.”

“Brexit will only accelerate the decision of many companies in the west to offshore jobs to the Philippines in order to try and increase profits by cutting costs via migrating to cheaper operational hubs like Manila,” he said.

Proof of this resilience is that 70 percent of all office space supply for completion in the country in 2016 had already been leased out as of this month despite the record supply of office space coming to the market, Leechiu told the INQUIRER. Meanwhile, he noted that 15 percent of new office stock for 2017 had also already been leased out at present.

Last year, about 614,000 square meters (sq m) in office space supply were made available, and another 700,000 sq mof completed inventory will be added this year, the property consultant estimated.

By next year, the additional inventory is estimated to reach another record high level of 1.4 million sq m. “But I bet about 20 percent of that will slip to 2018 and pre-leasing activity will soak up most of that,” Leechiu said.

“It’s amazing that analysts

around the world are frightened of what will follow Brexit, but we need to realize that, for us, it is a big opportunity and we need to capitalize on that,” he said.

A referendum conducted in the UK on June 23 revealed that 52 percent of voters favored a Brexit, surprising global markets since the last pre-poll survey had predicted that the country would opt to remain in the EU. This stunning vote was attributed to concerns over cross-border security and immigration issues in Europe.

Economists expect UK’s breakaway from the EU to slow down economic growth in both the UK and the EU. Global credit watcher Moody’s warned that this would herald “a prolonged period of policy uncertainty that will weigh on the UK’s economic and financial performance” and likewise dent investment flows and confidence.

ABMPUBLICIDAD / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

In the Philippines, the impact of Brexit on underlying economic fundamentals is seen to be minimal.

On the office property market, Leechiu noted that rental rates have risen by 15 percent across the board despite the influx of new supply. He said this provided evidence of the strength of the demand at least for this year.

Asked whether the worsening traffic in the metropolis could turn off new BPO inves-

tors, Leechiu said while this was indeed a constraint, he noted that most BPO workers were moving around at night.

“So the demand for roads is actually divided and at night, the traffic is much much lighter,” he said. “Having said that, I genuinely think that the traffic will now compel the workforce to rent close to work. And so we will see the rise of the corporate dormitories market and investors will see that as a niche to service.” ■

Global stocks tumble after Britain votes to leave the EU

BY MARLEY JAY The Associated Press NEW YORK — Stocks are plunging in the U.S. and worldwide Friday after Britain voted to leave the European Union.

The result stunned investors, who reacted by rushing to the safety of gold and U.S. government bonds as they wondered what will come next for Britain, Europe and the global economy.

U.S. stocks took far smaller losses than markets in Europe and Asia, but were still sharply lower in morning trading. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 408 points, or 2.2 per cent, to 17,608 as of 10:20 a.m.

It was down as much as 538 points earlier The S&P 500 is on pace for its biggest loss since January, down 50 points, or 2.4 per cent, to 2,064. The Nasdaq composite dropped 134 points, or 2.7 per cent, to 4,775.

Britons voted to leave the EU

over concerns including immigration and regulation. It’s far from clear what that will mean for international trade or for Europe, as the EU, which was formed in the decades following World War II, has never before lost a member state.

The vote brought a massive dose of uncertainty to financial markets, something investors loathe. Traders responded by dumping riskier assets that appeared to have the most to lose from disruptions in financial flows and trade: banks, technology companies and makers of basic materials.

The vote will start years of negotiations over Britain’s trade, business and political links. Observers wonder if other nations will follow in Britain’s footsteps by leaving the EU. “This entire process is going to take a long time,” said David Kelly, chief global strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management.

“This is a negative in economic terms for the UK. The EU will

be very tough negotiators with them.”

Banks took the largest losses by far. Citigroup plummeted $3.61, or 8.1 per cent, to $40.85 and Bank of America fell 79 cents, or 5.6 per cent, to $13.25.

Technology stocks also took hefty losses. Microsoft fell $1.26, or 2.4 per cent, to $50.65 and IBM gave up $5.71, or 3.7 per cent, to $149.64.

Banks have the most to lose in Britain’s departure from the EU as they do a lot of cross-border business in Europe based from their offices in London.

Safety assets soared. Gold jumped $51, or 4 per cent, to $1,315 an ounce. Newmont Mining rose the most in the S&P 500 index. It gained $2.08, or 5.9 per cent, to $37.47. The price of silver climbed 41 cents, or 2.4 per cent, to $17.77 an ounce.

Investors also bought utility company stocks and left phone companies basically unchanged while other parts of the market www.canadianinquirer.net

took big losses. Duke Energy rose 82 cents, or 1 per cent, to $82.87 and Consolidated Edison gained $1.45, or 1.9 per cent, to $78.31 while Verizon added 32 cents to $55.

The Federal Reserve said it is carefully monitoring financial markets and co-operating with central banks overseas.

Investors had sent stocks higher this week as they gradually grew more confident, based on polls and the changing odds in the betting market, that Britain would stay in the E.U. They sent the pound to its highest price of the year and sold bonds, pushing their yields higher.

Those gains were rapidly undone Friday as the euro tumbled and the pound plunged to a 31-year low, while bond yields hit some of their lowest levels of the year and gold surged to a two-year high.

Britain’s FTSE 100 plunged as much as 8 per cent but recovered much of its losses later, falling 1.9 per cent. The Ger-

man index sank 5.6 per cent and France’s index tumbled 6.5 per cent.

The pound hit its lowest level since 1985 before recovering slightly to trade at $1.3829.

That’s still far below the $1.4808 it traded at late Thursday in New York.

Oil prices fell sharply. Benchmark U.S. crude lost $1.93, or 3.8 per cent, to $48.18 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell $2.07, or 4.1 per cent, to $48.85 a barrel in London.

“This will be an act of economic self-harm with global ramifications,” said Samuel Tombs, chief U.K. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

It could also threaten London’s position as one of the world’s pre-eminent financial centres as professionals could lose the right to work across the EU. The U.K. hosts more headquarters of non-EU firms than ❱❱ PAGE 36 Global stocks

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FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

Former UFC fighter Ryan Jimmo killed in Edmonton hit and run THE CANADIAN PRESS EDMONTON POLICE are investigating the hit and run death of former UFC fighter Ryan Jimmo.

Investigators say Jimmo, 34, was fatally injured early Sunday morning following an altercation in a parking lot in the Alberta capital.

They allege he had approached the driver of a vehicle and was walking back to his own car when he was struck by a vehicle, which then fled the scene.

Jimmo, who was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, was pronounced dead in hospital.

Late Sunday night police were still looking for the suspect vehicle, described as a dark coloured, customized older model pickup truck.

Known as “The Big Deal” during his MMA career, Jimmo made his sensational UFC debut (at UFC 149) in Calgary in July 2012.

Fighting as a light heavyweight he tied the record for the organization’s fastest knockout when he dispatched Anthony Perosh in just seven seconds.

Jimmo celebrated by doing a robot-dance followed by the splits in the middle of the cage.

The six-foot-two 205-pounder had a black belt in karate and was part of UFC’s TV series “The

Sports

Ultimate Fighter” season eight.

Jimmo went 19-5 in his MMA career, with a 3-4 record in seven UFC fights — his last fight being a loss to Francimar Barroso at UFC Fight Night 67 in May 2015.

The native Maritimer had most recently lived in Arizona after stints in Edmonton and Halifax.

His death prompted a social media outpouring from the MMA community.

UFC president Dana White tweeted a photo of Jimmo flexing on stage at an unspecified event and the caption “RIP Ryan Jimmo.”

Former UFC combatant Kenny Florian tweeted “So sad to hear the news about Ryan Jimmo.”

From Sean O’Connell — “.@ RyanJimmo KO’d me in my @ UFC debut. But we knew and supported each other long before that. RIP to a man who was much more than a fighter.”

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman tweeted “Wow! Sad to hear about the recent tragic passing of UFC Vet Ryan Jimmo. Terrible! My prayers out to his family during this time.”

And MMA fighter Michael Chiesa tweeted “Jimmo was a cool dude, always a pleasure talking to him & had one of the best victory dances. RIP @ryanjimmo.” ■

@ RYANJIMMO / TWITTER

Lionel Messi says he is quitting Argentina national team

THE CANADIAN PRESS EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Lionel Messi says he’s quitting Argentina’s national team.

Argentina and Messi lost a final for the third year in a row, with Chile winning the Copa America 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 0-0 tie Sunday night.

His nation’s captain and career scoring leader with 55 goals in 113 international appearances, Messi sent Argentina’s first penalty kick over the crossbar.

“The national team is over for me,” Messi told the Argentine network TyC Sports. “It’s been four finals, it’s not meant for me. I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over.”

Messi and Argentina lost to Brazil in the 2007 Copa final and to Germany in extra time in the 2014 World Cup final. They lost last year’s Copa final to host Chile on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw.

Messi moved to Barcelona in 2001 when he was 13, and many fans at home have criticized him for not leading the nation

MOOINBLACK / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

to a World Cup title, as Diego Maradona did in 1990.

“On top of everything, I missed the penalty kick,” Messi told TyC. “I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, and then for everyone. I think there’s a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it.”

Of course, Messi was speaking in the aftermath of the emotional defeat and could change his mind. Argentina’s next competitive match is a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in September, and the top-ranked Albiceleste are considered among the early

favourites to win the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Messi, who turned 29 on Friday, won under-20 and Olympic (under-23) titles with Argentina. He has led Barcelona to four Champions League and eight Spanish league titles, scoring 453 competitive goals in 531 games, including a La Liga-record 312 “That’s it, I’ve already tried enough,” he told TyC. “It pains me more than anyone not being able to be a champion with Argentina, but that’s the way it is. It wasn’t meant to be, and unfortunately I leave without having achieved it.” ■

Global, Ceres score, keep 1-2 UFL slots

BY CEDELF P. TUPAS Philippine Daily Inquirer PACESETTERS GLOBAL and Ceres-La Salle warmed up for crucial Singapore Cup matches with easy victories last Saturday to keep their 1-2 positions in the United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

A brace from Fil-Iranian midfielder Omid Nazari propelled Global past a stubborn Forza side, 2-0, before Stephan Schrock’s hat trick lifted Ceres to a 4-1 triumph over Stallion.

With the victory, Global stayed three points clear of Cewww.canadianinquirer.net

res at the top with 21 points, while Kaya, which shut out Pasargad, 6-0, earlier climbed to third spot with 15 points.

Global and Ceres fly to Singapore tomorrow for the quarterfinals of the Singapore Cup, where they will clash with Tampines Rovers and DPMMBrunei, respectively.

Both quarterfinal ties are two-leg affairs with the winner determined by aggregate scores. The two UFL teams will actually collide in the semifinals if they hurdle their lasteight foes.

Senegalese striker Robert Lopez Mendy increased his tally to 11 goals this season af-

ter a hat trick against Pasargad, while Miguel Tanton, Shirmar Felongco and Woody Ugarte also found the back of the net for Kaya.

Facing a Forza side that has yet to win in six matches so far, Global took the lead in the sixth minute when Nazari struck from inside the box.

It took Global until the 74th minute to claim an insurance goal, this time Nazari firing home from close range.

Named Man of the Match, Schrock was back to his devastating best with a goal in the 28th minute and two more in the second half to wrap up Ceres’ sixth straight victory. ■

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JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Technology

Game Boy Disease? There’s a cure for that with wearable technology

BY TAMSYN BURGMANN The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — When patients visit Dr. Vahid Sahiholnasab for a routine check-up, he often asks to review their electronic fitness trackers.

He is learning that integrating new gizmos into health regimens can be a steeper climb than convincing people to walk 10,000 steps each day.

“It’s strange territory,” said Sahiholnasab, who is also a clinical instructor at the University of British Columbia. “You’re going to find a lot of resistance.”

Even so, the Vancouver doctor is on a kick to persuade the population that technology is good for their health.

He’s among a group of entrepreneurs in B.C. who are developing innovative gadgets that can be worn, a rapidly advancing market known as “wearable technology.”

Sahiholnasab has designed a pair of high-tech glasses to prevent children from developing bad posture while playing with devices like smartphones and video games.

He’s tackling a problem identified by a Dutch spinal surgeon that’s been dubbed “Game Boy Disease,” where kids are increasingly complaining of neck and back pain.

His wearable product, called the EyeForcer, sends a warning to slouching children and shuts the game down when they’ve hunched over too many times.

“Whether we want it or not, we are heading toward wide use

of technology in health care,” said Sahiholnasab, whose company is called Medical Wearable Solutions.

Other B.C. inventors putting wellness into people’s hands have also discovered that cool ideas aren’t always snapped up.

“It’s all a little unknown,” said Paul Fijal, a biomedical engineer and head of product development with Awake Labs, whose team is developing a wearable band for people with autism. “(There’s) the whole aspect of it being new and unexplored.”

The bracelet, called Reveal, is equipped with sensors that measure and track physiologi- describing families of autistic cal signals in real time, provid- children enthusiastic to test the ing information on emotions bracelet. and behaviour. Parents and “You can start with that comcaregivers can better read, for munity and show that it works example, whether the wearer is and build from there.” feeling high anxiety.

Luc Beaudoin, an adjunct Fijal said a crowdfunding professor in cognitive science campaign is doing well as the team continues testing a prototype for release Whether we want it or not, we in May 2017. But are heading toward wide use of he has heard technology in health care. concerns about privacy and basing health care solely off signals transmitted by and education at Simon Fraser a bracelet.

University, is also a proponent His team is addressing those of wearable technology to imworries by reminding people of prove lives. existing privacy laws, while FiHe designed an app that jal said they will rely on “early helps people fall into deep sleep adopters” to open the wider and regulate their emotions, market. but admits “there’s a lot you can “People who recognize the do without technology, and it’s impact and the potential and also contributing to the probare OK with the risks,” he said, lems.”

www.canadianinquirer.net

The MySleepButton app, which requires just a smartphone and earphones, occupies a racing mind before bedtime using a technique Beaudoin has coined “cognitive shuffle.”

A person lying in bed listens to a recorded voice coaxing them to imagine a sequence of images in a process that facilitates falling asleep.

Beaudoin said doctors are already recommending the app to people with insomnia, which shows professionals still have a role in health care.

“People now have access to a lot of knowledge they can use to improve every aspect of their lives,” he said. “But it’s still important to see a professional, because science is extremely complicated and it’s easy to go wrong.”

The medical establishment

should work with savvy researchers to ensure new techniques make their way into standard health-care guidelines, he said.

Cindy Gu, a mechanical engineer and certified yoga teacher, founded Ohm GearLab to market a “smart belt” that learns a wearer’s breathing patterns.

It compares their breathing with biometrics like heart rate, sending feedback as vibrations if their breath isn’t steady.

She believes skyrocketing sales of various wearables already means that society is embracing technology to boost health.

“Living modern lives, we are already slaves to our devices, even the latecomers on tech adoption,” she said.

“When technology is put in the hands of people who are passionate about improving the well-being of others, it’s really a matter of time till the real change comes.” ■

Technology

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

31

Racing from a drone’s eye view: drone racing poised to take off in Canada

BY MORGAN LOWRIE The Canadian Press MONTREAL — It’s high-speed, high- tech racing where midair crashes are common — but luckily, these pilots keep both feet on the ground.

It’s all part of the fast-growing world of drone racing, where participants don goggles that are linked to the drone’s camera, giving them a live firstperson view as they weave their small multi-propellered aircraft around a race course at top speed.

“When I was a kid I really wanted to be a bird, or superman, and this is the closest you get to get that feeling,” said Jason Mainella, an organizer for the Montreal Drone Expo.

“When you put on the virtual goggles you get almost an outof-body experience.”

On Saturday, several dozen pilots attended the event, held

at a local football stadium, to test their skills and try to qualify for bigger races, such as the Drone National World Racing Championships and the International Drone Racing North American Cup. With about 50 participants, Mainella says Saturday’s event to be among the biggest held in Canada thus far for a hobby — some call it a sport — that has been growing by leaps and bounds.

Mainella says that although drones have been around for about 4 years, racing has only grown to prominence in the last six months, spurred by improvements in technology and the rising popularity of drones.

As cameras have improved, internet live-streaming of events has made it possible to attract larger audiences and the attention of sponsors.

The first $1 million event was held in Dubai in March, and sports broadcaster ESPN an-

nounced in April that it will add drone races to its TV lineup beginning later this year.

In Montreal, the local FPV (first person view) drone club has been attracting 50 to 60 new members a day, and

Temporary blindness tied to smartphone use in dark

BY MARIA CHENG The Associated Press LONDON — Warning: Looking at your smartphone while lying in bed at night could wreak havoc on your vision.

Two women went temporarily blind from constantly checking their phones in the dark, say doctors who are now alerting others to the unusual phenomenon.

The solution: Make sure to use both eyes when looking at your smartphone screen in the dark.

In Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine, doctors detailed the cases of the two women, ages 22 and 40, who experienced “transient smartphone blindness” for months.

The women complained of recurring episodes of temporary vision loss for up to 15 minutes.

They were subjected to variety of medical exams, MRI scans and heart tests. Yet doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with them to explain the problem.

But minutes after walking into an eye specialist’s office, the mystery was solved.

“I simply asked them, ‘What exactly were you doing when this happened?”‘ recalled Dr. Gordon Plant of Moorfield’s Eye Hospital in London.

He explained that both women typically looked at their smartphones with only one eye while resting on their side in bed in the dark — their other eye was covered by the pillow.

“So you have one eye adapted to the light because it’s looking at the phone and the other eye is adapted to the dark,” he said.

When they put their phone down, they couldn’t see with the phone eye. That’s because “it’s taking many minutes to catch up to the other eye that’s adapted to the dark,” Plant said.

He said the temporary blindness was ultimately harmless, and easily avoidable, if people stuck to looking at their smartphones with both eyes.

One of the women was re-

lieved the short-term blindness didn’t signal a more serious problem like an imminent stroke. He said the second woman was more skeptical and kept a rigorous monthslong diary tracking her fleeting vision loss before she finally believed him. But she couldn’t stop checking her phone for messages from bed, he said.

Dr. Rahul Khurana, a spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, called it a fascinating hypothesis but said two cases weren’t enough to prove that one-eyed smartphone use in the dark caused the problem. He also doubted whether many smartphone users would experience the phenomenon.

Khurana, who acknowledged that he’s an avid cellphone user, said that he and his wife tried to recreate the scenario on a recent evening, but had difficulty checking their phones with only one eye. “It was very odd,” he said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Mainella believes the event held Saturday could quadruple in size by next year.

Professional drone pilot Ryan Walker said he was instantly hooked on racing after winning his first beginner con-

test a year ago.

“When I click into the goggles, I’m the drone now,” he said. “I’m racing like an F1 pilot in the sky.”

Most races involve 6 to 8 drones that careen wildly around the turns, emitting high-pitched whines and occasionally crashing as they try to complete laps as fast as possible.

Formats can vary, but the winners are usually either the pilots who complete the most laps in a set time, or the ones with the fastest three consecutive laps.

Walker builds his own drones, which he says can reach 130 km per hour.

However, he says newbies can buy ready-made machines and get the hang of flying in a couple of weeks.

He says crashes are frequent, but it’s all part of the fun.

“If you’re not crashing, you’re not going fast enough,” he said. ■

US scientists transform lower-body cells into facial cartilage PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY LOS ANGELES — In new experiments using bird embryos, US scientists have successfully converted cells of the lowerbody region into facial tissue that makes cartilage.

The researchers of the California Institute of Technology discovered a “gene circuit”, composed of just three genes that can alter the fate of cells destined for the lower bodies of birds, turning them instead into cells that produce cartilage and bones in the head.

Reporting in the latest issue of the journal Science, published on June 24, the researchers say the results could eventually lead to therapies for conditions where facial bone or cartilage is lost. For example, cartilage destroyed in the nose due to cancer

is particularly hard to replace.

According to the study, understanding the genetic pathways that lead to the development of facial cartilage may help in future stem-cell therapies, where a patient’s own skin cells could be transformed and used to repair the nose.

Other researchers may also use this information for future experiments in cell culture.

The Caltech scientists believe that by adding the new-found gene circuit, perhaps with other known factors, to skin cells in a petri dish it may be possible to turn them into cartilage-producing cells, which is a key next step in creating future therapies for facial bone and cartilage loss.

“Our long term hope is that uncovering this gene circuit may be useful in reprogramming a patient’s own stem cells to make facial cartilage,” Bronner said. ■

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JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Travel

Imeldific: Aquino gives guided tour of Palace

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer THERE’S NO other way to describe the bedroom of former first lady Imelda Marcos at Malacañang but “Imeldific.”

Imelda herself coined the adjective to mean “ostentatiously extravagant.”

When President Aquino led Inquirer editors and reporters to Imelda’s bedroom, followed by a couple of Cabinet members, staff and security detail, there was a collective gasp from the group.

It was indeed a bedroom fit for a queen, not only for the sheer largeness of it, but also for the elaborate carvings on the wooden ceiling and stunning chandeliers. On the walls were dramatic lighting fixtures.

The tour the President gave the Inquirer on Tuesday was impromptu. After the two-hour exit interview with him, the editors asked if he could tour them around the Palace, including his office, and to their surprise, Mr. Aquino, who seemed to be in a good mood, said yes.

It was one of the rare times that Imelda’s bedroom was unlocked.

That Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the only son of Imelda and the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, almost won the vice presidency in the May 9 elections was enough to open the floodgates of (harsh) memory—and jolt those who fought for the country’s democracy back to reality.

It was a near victory that would have brought the Marcoses a heartbeat away from the Palace, which they called their own for two decades.

President Aquino himself recognized the popularity of Marcos Jr. After all, he received 14.1 million votes. Mr. Aquino’s anointed one, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, won the vice presidency by a nose, with 14.4 million votes.

Historical deception

The 56-year-old President admitted that perhaps his administration realized too late

small door beneath where he sat. It showed an air filter that had not been used for a long time.

“Remember, this was Marcos’ bedroom,” the President said.

Quezon said that in fact, the entire bedroom, and all other “major rooms” such as the Ceremonial Hall were fitted with air purification filters.

“They were used to blow away the air from Marcos and to keep the air hospitable level clean,” Quezon explained. It’s been reported many times that Marcos had lupus and underwent regular dialysis toward the end of his regime.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

that many of those born after the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution had been indoctrinated with the revised narrative of martial law peddled by the Marcoses and their supporters.

“There was so much that cannot be understood anymore …

Like how do you actually explain how they managed to control information at that point in time?” President Aquino said at a press conference, noting that such truth could be unimaginable for the young who are used to having Internet access every minute of the day.

He said the Ministry of Information under Marcos was “actually like George Orwell’s book ‘1984’” as disinformation was widespread.

“So how did we pass (truthful) information that time? We photocopied, we went to the mimeograph machine, and now (the young ones) don’t understand what a mimeograph machine is. They don’t understand what is an illegal assembly,” Mr. Aquino said.

For someone who worked at Malacañang for six years (he lived in Bahay Pangarap), President Aquino remained in awe of the excesses of a family that ruled during martial law, for which his own father died and after which, his mother took up the torch in the fight for democracy and freedom.

Life-sized Imelda

A life-sized painting of the “Iron Butterfly” herself hung on a wall on the way to the President’s office.

It showed a beautiful young Imelda in a soft-flowing gown.

Communications Undersecretary Manolo Quezon, Malacañang’s official historian, described it as “one of the generic Imelda paintings” that was left in the Palace.

“No one bothered to move it. It has become a wall filler,” Quezon said.

Mr. Aquino walked briskly past the painting as he led his guests to his private office, Marcos’ old bedroom.

Isn’t it eerie to work inside a room once occupied by Marcos himself?

“At that time, I had no choice,” President Aquino said, referring to the time he had to move out of the Premier Guest House across the Palace itself.

In 2011, an inventory of government buildings was conducted, prompted by the powerful earthquake in Japan. It showed that the Guest House was structurally unsafe.

The only options Mr. Aquino had for a new office were the bedrooms of Ferdie and Meldy.

It’s quite ironic, given that the President is the only son of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino.

Mr. Aquino found Imelda’s www.canadianinquirer.net

bedroom too “ornate,” which was why he settled for the adjacent bedroom of the dictator.

Room with a view

Inside his office, an excited Mr. Aquino told the Inquirer that the room had a beautiful view—then he struggled to open the high wood and capiz window, which got stuck and made a cracking sound.

“Did I break it?” the President asked in Filipino, chuckling. And then he said he might have to pay for the window’s repair, to be deducted from his salary.

When finally Mr. Aquino managed to open the window, indeed there could have been a breathtaking view—had the Pasig River not been murky that day. “The river should really be cleaned,” someone quipped.

“It’s nice when the river is clear,” the President said, trying to convince his guests.

He pointed the Marcoses’ miniature golf course to Inquirer business editor Raul Marcelo, and tried to explain where the tee off was. But Marcelo ended up showing him where it was, the President being a nongolfer.

Mr. Aquino also sat on the windowsill, amazed that it was huge enough to fit a grown man. Then he called everyone to come nearer, as if to share a secret: he bent down to open a

Secret shelves

President Aquino also showed his visitors another curiosity inside Marcos’ bedroom: an enormous built-in cabinet that opened to secret shelves.

Again, the President tried to pull open the cabinet himself but it was too large and heavy that his brawny aides had to help him. “Why would you have shelves behind a cabinet?” Mr. Aquino wondered aloud.

President Aquino kept his private room sparsely decorated, and quite a number of items had already been packed as he prepared to end his term on June 30.

His working table was the one used by his mother when she was President from 1986 to 1992.

Quezon said Mr. Aquino had specifically asked for it after he won in 2010 and he was about to hold office at Malacañang.

The desk was found in “some obscure office” in the Palace, Quezon said.

On the President’s desk were two green highlighters, pens, two copies of the Constitution, a few documents, a fountain pen, a desk lamp and a CD, among other things.

On the wall behind the desk hung the official seal of the President. On the right stood the Philippine flag with the presidential flag on the left. On the table behind the President are the portraits of his parents, a framed copy of his oath of of-

Travel

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

fice, the Bible from his inauguration, a rosary and a crucifix, aside from two landline phones.

Quezon said Marcos’ bedroom was hardly touched when Mr. Aquino moved in. Only the toilet was renovated because it was no longer working.

Paoay mural

“There was actually a mural of Paoay inside the toilet,” Quezon said. It was painted over.

Back in Imelda’s bedroom, the President appeared in awe of what looked like an expensive vault. What it used to hold was anybody’s guess.

He also showed Imelda’s old bathroom, which had a gold-plated sink. The bathroom wasn’t too fancy by today’s standards but would have been during her time. It did have an elevated bathtub.

Unused for several years now, Imelda’s room is now a lovely but quite creepy storage for a number of living room sets, furniture items, paintings and various ornaments.

Her famous huge bed, the one with the canopy, was no longer there. Quezon said it might now be in the National Museum, the Imelda museum in Marikina, or some government storage.

Quezon said Imelda’s room did not have windows “because that was the way she liked it.”

“Imelda slept only for a few hours and without windows, the room was in the perpetual time that she wanted it to be,” he said.

Another curiosity for President Aquino was the ceiling of the Malacañang Museum.

“Did you know it had swastikas engraved on it?” he asked, again like letting his friends in on a secret.

Artistic swastikas From Imelda’s bedroom to the museum, Mr. Aquino led the Inquirer, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Emmanuel Esguerra, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma and his aides to the museum’s second floor.

“Look,” he said, pointing to the ceiling.

Indeed, there were swastikas up there.

Quezon said the museum used to

be a ceremonial hall, and in 1967 was renovated by the Marcoses with the renowned architect Luis Araneta overseeing the work. It was when the ceiling with the engraved swastikas was installed.

“Why? We can only guess. The swastika is a symbol of power and prosperity,” Quezon said.

The museum’s second floor showcased the memorabilia of the Philippine Presidents, and a small group of visitors was in for a surprise when the 15th President himself walked up behind them and said he’d want to listen in to the tour as well.

After some squeals and giggles, and a lot of “Ohmygods,” the students and teachers asked for photos, to which a happy Mr. Aquino gamely obliged.

“Yes, we like him a lot and we’d like to thank him for the six years,” a starstruck student from Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in General Santos City told the Inquirer after he had his picture taken with the President.

According to a Palace quick guide, Malacañang derived its name from the Tagalog “Mamalaka-yahan,” which means the place of fishermen. Later, it was Hispanicized to “Malacañan.”

Quezon said the Palace the people know now “is almost entirely” different from its original structure, built more than 175 years ago and first owned by a Spaniard named Luis Rocha. It was also used as a country home by the Spanish governor-generals, and eventually became the seat of power.

Through the years, Malacañang had survived an earthquake and several renovations.

But the most extensive refurbishment was from 1978 to 1979, in which aside from the additional rooms, the Marcoses made it bulletproof, fully air-conditioned and had installed an independent power supply.

The reconstructed Malacañang was inaugurated on May 1, 1979, the silver wedding anniversary of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.

Asked why Imelda Marcos had the original Palace structure almost entirely demolished, Quezon said, “It was too small for them.” ■

33

Extreme cliff jumping sport described as meditative, spiritual activity

BY GEORDON OMAND The Canadian Press

Most of them wouldn’t consider themselves big risk takers, she said by phone from New Zealand.

“It doesn’t feel like they’re doing VANCOUVER — Sean Chuma describes something completely crazy because it’s it as a spiritual moment, standing on the a constant progression,” said Thorpe, railing of the Perrine Bridge, 150 metres explaining that extreme athletes tend above the meandering Snake River in to challenge themselves incrementally. southern Idaho.

That can amount to significant changes Moments later, his mind completely in behaviour over an extended period of focused on the present, he said he hurled time, she added. himself into the stifling afternoon air.

“They are every day pushing it just “I have a passion for flight,” the BASE a little bit. And sometimes I think that jumping enthusiast said by phone less what may happen is they get a bit dethan an hour later, having successfully tached from the real consequence of completed the 3,767th jump of his ca- what might happen.” reer.

Tom Aiello first BASE jumped two de“The feeling is complete freedom. It’s cades ago and eight years later he foundcomplete responsibility for yourself,” ed a BASE jumping school in Twin Falls, he added. “It’s just a Idaho. beautiful thing.”

It’s a calming, medBASE jumping, itative experience, he which stands for said in an interview. building, antenna, “You have a chance span and Earth, is an to focus on yourself extreme sport that They are and the rest of the involves leaping from every day world goes away,” he tall structures or pushing it just said. “It sounds kind cliffs with the help of a little bit. And of cheesy but it’s sort a parachute or wingsometimes I of active meditation. suit. It’s considered think that what “You don’t have more dangerous than may happen to worry about payskydiving because is they get a ing the bills or pickof the low altitude bit detached ing the kids up from jumps. from the real school or whatever Avid jumpers such consequence else you’re doing. It as Chuma dispute the of what might sort of gives you your widely held view that happen. own space.” the adrenaline rush Aiello agreed the fuels athletes’ passport’s appeal is a sion for the extreme spiritual one, but he sport. said he also recognizThey describe it es the risk associated instead as a spiritual activity, that isn’t with the pastime. done impulsively but rather follows That danger has led some people to years of meticulous research, planning call on the government to introduce and study. laws regulating the practice.

On Sunday, longtime jumper and forJon Heshka, a law professor from mer U.S. marine Gary Kremer of Seattle Thomson River University in Kamloops, died when his parachute failed to open B.C., said it would be both difficult and after leaping from the Stawamus Chief unwise to introduce and enforce legislaMountain outside Squamish, B.C. tion controlling the sport.

His girlfriend, Paige Anderson, said “(Pierre) Trudeau once talked about Kremer fell in love with the extreme the state not having the right in the bedsport after picking it up nine years ago rooms of the nation. Well, I’m not sure and had jumped from the Stawamus whether the state ought to get into the Chief many times before. backpacks of the nation either,” Heshka Sports psychologist Holly Thorpe of said.

New Zealand’s Waikato University says “If people want to huck big air while that while mainstream society usually they’re skiing or do big water while responds with shock after hearing about they’re kayaking or launch off the top of the death of yet another extreme ath- the Chief then that’s their right. Most of lete, it is important to remember that the time things are fine, but when they people who participate in such sports aren’t I’m not sure we should overreact aren’t crazy. and regulate it and make it illegal.” ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

Events

34

New WelcomePack Canada Distribution Centre

By WelcomePack Canada Inc. WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 5 p.m., Mon, Tues, Thu & Fri at the Filipino Centre Bldg., 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, On. MORE INFO: Call (416) 928-9355 Tagalog Class

By Filipino Center Toronto WHEN/WHERE: 10 to 11 a.m., every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto, Toronto Homework/Tutorial Class

By FCT WHEN/WHERE: 11a.m. to 12 nn, every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto, 597 YUKON Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, ON MORE INFO: For registrations, call 416-

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

JULY 1, 2016

928-9355. The office, at 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m.

Culinary Cities of the World: Manila

By Philippine Consulate General - Toronto WHEN/WHERE: June 28, George Brown School of Culinary Arts MORE INFO: With feature Chef Myrna Segismundo

CANADA EVENTS

To have your events featured on PCI, please email events@canadianinquirer.net

Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show sa Toronto

By Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation WHEN/WHERE: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., June 28, at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St., W. Toronto, On.

View all events by scanning this QR code or visiting

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NUNAVUT

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

FRIDAY

NEWFOUNDLAND

MANITOBA

SASKATCHEWAN

ONTARIO

QUEBEC

NOVA SCOTIA

Temporary Foreign Workers Uncontested Divorce Clinic

By Law Courts Center WHEN/WHERE: Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Justice Education Society at the Provincial Court of BC Room 260 800 Hornby St., Vancouver B.C. MORE INFO: To book an appointment, call/text 778322-2839 or email: tfw.divorce@gmail.com Skills Now: Project-based Training for Immigrants in Retail and Administration

By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: Call or email at 604-684-2581 (ext 2193 Nanki) skillsnow@issbc.org MORE INFO: Receive a certificate or skills training in retail or administration; job search workshops; and strong employment opportunities.

Mentoring Programme for Immigrant High School Students: Breakfast & Baon 101

By Mentorship & Leadership for Youth Programme WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 12 nn at Corpus Christi College (near UBC) 5935 Iona Dr. Vancouver BC. Free pick up and drop off service.

MORE INFO: Meet young professionals plus learn to cook. Call/text Anna de Quito 604-763-2210.

Free Counselling Support Group

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., every last Monday of the month, at Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Darae (604)254-9626 Seniors Club Knitting Circle

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 1–3 p.m., Tuesdays at Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call (604)438-8214 Enchanted Evenings Concert Series

By Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Thursdays, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden, 578 Carrall St., Vancouver, B.C. New Westminster Multicultural Festival

By New Westminster and New Westminster Record WHEN/WHERE: 12 nn to 10 p.m., July 1, at West Minster Pier Park, New Westminster B.C. MORE INFO: visit newestfest.ca Canada Day Parade

By Jojo Quimpo

www.canadianinquirer.net

WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 p.m., July 1, at Robson & Broughton Sts., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Filipiniana attire Canada Day Field Trip to Burnaby Village Museum

By Mosaic Settlement WHEN/WHERE: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., July 1, at Burnaby Village Museum 6501 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Angel – 604-438-8214 ext. 104 Cantonese Opera Art Collection

By Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver and Canada Cantonese Opera Association WHEN/WHERE: exhibit runs till July 3, at Chinese Cultural Centre Museum, 555 Columbia St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Closed on Mondays, admission by donation At Lunch in Chinatown

By PCHC- Museum of Migration WHEN/WHERE: noon to 1:30 p.m., July 10, at Floata Seafood Restaurant, 180 Keefer St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: $25

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

35

Food

Smoothie bowl recipes: Basic, mocha almond, green coconut THE CANADIAN PRESS SHAKE UP breakfast with a smoothie bowl. The combinations are endless.

It’s easy. Make a smoothie, but reduce the fluid content so it’s extra thick. Pour it in a small bowl and add toppings, so you’re eating rather than drinking your meal. It’s similar to cereal and milk, but without any processed or refined grains, and with an infusion of whole-food nuts, seeds and fruit, says registered dietitian Cara Rosenbloom.

Even though the ingredients are healthy, she cautions that eating large quantities can provide too many calories. Use a small bowl and limit the toppings. For children, use a 250-ml (1-cup) serving bowl for the smoothie, and top it with 15 ml (1 tbsp) each of nuts, seeds and fruit. That will make a well-rounded kid-sized breakfast (about 300 calories).

Elaine Nessman, who writes the blog Flavour and Savour, provides this checklist of smoothie components. Choose your favourites: Liquid: Water, milk (almond, coconut, cashew, rice, cow’s), juice or green tea. Lewis likes to use coconut water in summer when it’s important to stay hydrated.

Thickener: Banana, yogurt or kefir. Alison Lewis, author of “200 Best Smoothie Bowl Recipes,” also suggests protein powder, which comes in a vegan version.

Fat: Nut butter, avocado.

Protein: Hemp seeds, chia seeds.

Vegetables/fruit: Any fruit or berries, greens such as kale or spinach, or carrots, celery, cucumber, sea vegetables (use sea veggies sparingly as they have strong flavours).

Flavour add-ins: Dates, honey, maple syrup, cinnamon, cocoa, vanilla.

Here are Rosenbloom’s suggestions for toppings. Use 15 ml (1 tbsp) of a few of these options: Nuts: almonds, pecans, cashews, walnuts.

Seeds: Hemp, chia, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame.

Dried fruit: Coconut, raisins, acai berries, dried apricots, dates.

Fresh fruit: Sliced banana or kiwi; diced apple, peach, mango or pear; berries.

Toasted oats or granola.

Optional extras: Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, fresh mint leaves.

Source: Elaine Nessman, Flavour and Savour, www.flavourandsavour.com.

Green coconut smoothie bowl

The sweetness of the mango takes away any bitterness of the greens in this recipe, says Lewis.

Use leftover coconut milk in soup recipes, Thai recipes, hot chocolate and breakfast cereal.

If you prefer, you can use store-bought granola to top your smoothie bowl.

It’s similar to cereal and milk, but without any processed or refined grains, and with an infusion of whole-food nuts, seeds and fruit.

Basic thick smoothie

• 1 ripe frozen banana, sliced • 250 ml (1 cup) plain 2 per cent Greek yogurt • 125 ml (1/2 cup) frozen fruit or vegetable or mixture of your choice (kale, berries, peaches, etc.)

• 125 ml (1/2 cup) milk of your choice (skim, soy, almond, etc.)

• Assorted toppings (fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut, cacao nibs) In a blender, place all ingredients except toppings. Puree until smooth. Pour into a bowl and decorate with desired toppings.

This recipe makes enough for 2 smoothie bowls.

coffee • 15 ml (1 tbsp) almond butter • 15 ml (1 tbsp) cocoa • 15 ml (1 tbsp) chia seeds • 2 Medjool dates, pitted • 2 ice cubes • Garnish: • Flaked almonds, sliced banana, fresh or frozen raspberries Put all ingredients except garnish in a high-speed blender and process until smooth. You may have to scrape the sides once partway through.

Pour into a bowl. It will thicken within an hour or two. Garnish with almonds, banana slices and raspberries.

Makes 1 serving.

Source: Cara Rosenbloom, Words to Eat By. Mocha almond smoothie bowl

This smoothie bowl is brimming with almond milk and chia seeds, sweetened with dates and gets a kick from Nessman’s secret ingredient: a little leftover coffee from the pot.

“That mere 1/4 cup of coffee transforms this smoothie bowl from chocolate to mocha in two seconds flat,” she says. If you’re not a coffee drinker, leave it out.

• 1/2 ripe banana, fresh or frozen • 175 ml (3/4 cup) almond or other milk • 50 to 125 ml (1/4 to 1/2 cup) brewed www.canadianinquirer.net

• 50 mL (1/4 cup) unsweetened coconut milk beverage • 1/2 frozen banana, cut into pieces if necessary • 75 ml (1/3 cup) frozen chopped mango • 250 ml (1 cup) trimmed kale leaves • 30 ml (2 tbsp) unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut • Ice cubes (optional) • Suggested Toppings: • Sliced banana, blueberries, raspberries, unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut, chia seeds In a blender, combine coconut milk, banana, mango, kale and coconut. Secure lid and blend (from low to high if using a variable-speed blender) until smooth. If a thicker consistency is desired, add ice, one cube at a time, and blend until smooth.

Pour into a bowl and top with any of the suggested toppings, as desired.

Makes 1 serving.

Source: “200 Best Smoothie Bowl Recipes” by Alison Lewis (Robert Rose Inc., www.robertrose.ca, 2016).

Food

36

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Smoking your own ribs as easy as grilling them

BY ELIZABETH KARMEL The Associated Press THERE WAS the year that I demonstrated how to make ribs eight times on the same national morning show. Each time, I would remind them we did ribs the last time, and the producer would say, “I know but everyone loves ribs!” And that is true.

The bonus: They’re easy to make — and easy to smoke — at home. You don’t need a smoker to smoke ribs. All you need is a grill, some soaked wood chips and great meaty ribs.

If you are like most people, and only cook baby back ribs, up your rib game and try St. Louis ribs which are trimmed to remove the flap of meat on the underside of the breast bone and squared off to more easily fit on the grill. Spareribs are cut from the belly or side of the pig. They are longer and fattier than back ribs.

Once you decide on which rib to buy, there are a few things to remember. First, make sure that each slab weighs at least 3 pounds and that the ribs have a nice layer of meat covering the bone. Slabs of ribs that are factory-cut often have “bone shine,” or areas of the rack where the blade hit the bone and cut off all the meat, exposing the bone.

Second, buy the highest quality, freshest product available.

If you have a local butcher who cuts the meat, frequent his or her shop. If you don’t have a local butcher, go to a high-volume grocery store that rotates with fresh product every day. Be sure to look at the expiration date on the label and give your purchases the old-fashioned smell test.

If it smells off, it is probably old. I prefer buying ribs that are

cryovac-ed as they are generally the freshest choice.

In this recipe, I am cooking these ribs at a more traditional smoking temperature of 250 F because every backyard griller wants to approximate the barbecue of the competition circuit at least once. But more often, I smoke the ribs at a higher temperature of 300-325 F. Both work well, but you get a crispier, more roasted flavour at the higher temperature as the fat renders out completely. It’s really a question of style and taste as both are good.

I use soaked wood chips regardless of the temperature or the fuel. Because the wood is the final flavouring element, it is as important as the quality of the meat and the rub. If you are using a gas grill, you can make a smoker box out of heavy-duty aluminum foil and fill it with wet wood chips as the gas grill preheats with all burners on high. The chips will start to smoke and smoulder and will continue even as you reduce the heat to a mediumlow indirect heat. Make sure to place the chips in the upper-left hand corner of the grill under the cooking grates. If you place the chips on the cooking grates, they are so far from the heat element that they won’t smoke.

Also, wet the chips so that they will smoke and not erupt into flames. On a charcoal grill, simply toss a handful of wet wood chips on both sides of the grey-ashed charcoal when you put the ribs on the grill.

And, don’t forget, ribs can only be smoked using indirect heat.

The final thing to know is that the best way to test for doneness is to make sure that the meat has receded from the end of the bones. You should be

or apple cider_this becomes a “mop” which is thinner than traditional barbecue sauce.

Remove ribs from grill and let rest 10 minutes before cutting into individual or 2-3 rib portions. Warm remaining sauce in a saucepan and serve on the side, if desired.

St. Louis rib rub

You don’t need a smoker to smoke ribs. All you need is a grill, some soaked wood chips and great meaty ribs.

able to bend the rack without breaking it in pieces. The best ribs should be tender but have a little chew left.

Gas grill smoked ribs

Start to finish: Four hours Serves 6-8 Grilling Method: Indirect/ Medium-Low Heat

• 4 racks St. Louis ribs, about 3 pounds per slab • 1/2 cup apple-cider vinegar • 1/4 cup St. Louis Rib Rub (see below) or favourite spice rub • Soaked wood chips, such as apple or hickory • Favourite barbecue sauce, optional • Beer or apple cider Build a charcoal fire or preheat gas grill. Remove silver skin from back of ribs, if desired. Set up the grill for indirect heat and if using wood chips, place soaked chips directly on charcoal, or in smoking box of gas grill.

Blot the ribs dry with paper towels. Brush the ribs lightly with the apple-cider vinegar over both the front and back of ribs. Set aside for 5 minutes.

Sprinkle ribs liberally on both

Global stocks... ❰❰ 28

Germany, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands put to-

gether.

The Bank of England said it had made contingency plans for a “leave” vote and promised to take action to maintain stability. It noted that it has 250 billion pounds ($342 billion) in liquidity available for banks. “We are well prepared for this,” the

sides with rib rub and let sit, covered lightly, for 15 minutes.

Place ribs (bone side down) in the centre of the cooking grate or in a rib holder/rack, making sure they are not over a direct flame. Grill covered (at about 250 F, if your grill has a thermometer) for about 3-31/2 hours or until meat is tender and the rack bends easily but doesn’t break.

Note: If you smoke at 250 F, only a little of the bone will pull back from the ends of the rib bones. If you cook the ribs at 300 F, much more of the ends of the bones will be exposed as more of the fat will be rendered from the ribs.

Leave ribs untended for the first 60 minutes_this means no peeking; very important when using wood chips. Check ribs after an hour and then every 30 minutes or so. If the ribs start to burn on the edges, stack them on top of one another in the very centre of the grill and lower your fire/heat slightly.

Twenty minutes before serving, un-stack ribs, if necessary, and brush with barbecue sauce.

You can also brush with a mixture of barbecue sauce and beer

• 3 tablespoons white granulated sugar • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika • 2 tablespoons kosher salt • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar • 1 tablespoon ground cumin • 1 tablespoon freshly ground Worcestershire black pepper • 1 tablespoon onion powder • 1 tablespoon garlic powder • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika • 2 teaspoons dry mustard • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients; mix well.

For a smoother rub, grind the ingredients in a spice grinder until well combined and all the pieces are uniform (the rub will be become a very fine powder and tan in colour).

(The rub can be stored in an airtight container for up to 6 months.)

Makes about 1 1/2 cups Nutrition information per serving: 434 calories; 306 calories from fat; 34 g fat (10 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 113 mg cholesterol; 1079 mg sodium; 9 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 8 g sugar; 23 g protein.

Elizabeth Karmel is a barbecue and Southern foods expert. She is the chef and pitmaster at online retailer CarolinaCueToGo. com and author of three books, including “Taming the Flame.”

Federal government... bank’s governor, Mark Carney, said in a televised statement.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 finished the wild day down 7.9 per cent, its biggest loss since the global financial crisis in 2008. South Korea’s Kospi sank 3.1 per cent, its worst day in four years.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index tumbled 4.4 per cent and stocks in Shanghai, Taiwan, Sydney, Mumbai and Southeast Asian

countries were sharply lower.

In other currencies, the dollar fell to 102.41 yen from 104.47 yen while the euro weakened to $1.1096 from $1.1351. ■ Danica Kirka reported from London and Younkyung Lee reported from Seoul. Ken Sweet in New York and Kelvin Chan in Hong Kong also contributed to this report. www.canadianinquirer.net

days and weeks.

In a video posted to YouTube, she listed six principles the government will consider, including supporting first-time homebuyers and protecting consumers from greedy sales practices.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson recently said he wants the provincial government to co-operate with the ❰❰ 18

city in collecting an empty homes tax.

Robertson said he hopes to create more rental housing instead of letting investment properties sit vacant while his city’s living costs soar.

Meanwhile, the federal government has created a working group to examine housing affordability in Vancouver and Toronto. ■

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

HARANA ATBP. IKALAWANG YUGTO The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in B.C. brought the popular olden traditions of serenade, classical love songs, poetry, and Filipino debate to Metro Vancouver at the recently concluded Harana, Tula, Kundiman at Balagtasan: Ikalawang Yugto. The audience was treated to a cultural feast made more meaningful by the participation of music icons Heber Bartolome and Mike Hanopol. Bartolome likewise wrote the Balagtasan script and acted as Lakandiwa (Photos c/o Charen Cusi and Elizabeth Fabian’s FB pages).

VANCOUVER - PICPA SEMINAR PICPA Vancouver Canada Association recently held a seminar on Mind Mastery, Goal Setting and Life Balance with Bernadette Laxamana as the resource person.

Pure Channel is a corporate sponsor and raffled off a Samsung Galaxy Ace 11 to the delight of participants (Photos by Laarni Liwanag-de Paula).

NEDA REUNION Former National Economic and Development Authority employees and their families residing in British Columbia reminisced, reconnected and made new friends, during a mini reunion hosted by Butch and Becky Noriega in Abbotsford, B.C. (Photo by Rebecca Noriega).

ISS OF BC WELCOME CENTRE

JAVA JAZZ ANNIVERSARY Filipino classic rock concert at Java Jazz during its 24th anniversary celebration (Photos by Ron Fierro.) www.canadianinquirer.net

ISS of BC cut the ribbon at Welcome Centre with an open house celebration including live performances, an exhibit, children’s theatre, tours, games last June 25. The opening of the ISS of BC Welcome Centre – located at 2610 Victoria Drive – is the culmination of a long-held vision by ISS of BC to create a regional hub of transitional housing and support services for newcomers. It is the first purpose-built facility of its kind in the world and sets a new international standard in service delivery for immigrants and refugees (Photos by Grace Cuenca).

37

38

Seen and Scenes

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

PINOY FIESTA & TRADE SHOW Some scenes during the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation (PCCF)-sponsored Pinoy Fiesta event held recently at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (Photos by Ariel Ramos.)

PISTAHAN NG BAYAN Filipino Centre Toronto President Linda Javier and volunteers recently pulled another successful Pistahan ng Bayan 2016 at Nathan Philip Square – Toronto. Famous Philippine actor Richard Gomez entertained the audience. Another highlight was the colorful and creative Santacruzan showcasing Filipino designs (Photos by Ariel Ramos).

GMA STARS' MEET & GREET GMA Stars Tom Rodriguez, and Betong Sumaya held their Meet and Greet event on June 17, at the Radisson Hotel. The event was organized by the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation (Photos by Ariel Ramos).

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

JULY 1, 2016

39

CANADA

F ill Unused Capacity C ash Savings B ill More Hours E xtra Income If you want new customers, more sales and are looking for ways to save cash, call First Canadian Barter Exchange.

604.759.3223 / info@barterfirst.com

WANTED: ELDERLY CAREGIVER

3.00

Education: At least Secondary Education graduate.

Must have at least 1 to less than 2 yrs of experience.

Duties: Monitor the elderly on the needs of medication, Food preparation. Companionship,perform minor Household cleaning.

Full Time. Pays $14/hr., 40Hrs/wk.(Mon.To Fri) EMPLOYERS: Drexler Harry of 88 Wells St. TORONTO ON. drexlerharry@yahoo.ca (416-532-8016) Loriedella Addun of 4222 Bathurst St. TORONTO ON. A.loriedelle@yahoo.ca (647-995-1058) Aruna Lambotharan of 89 Red Ash Dr.MARKHAM ON. Arlam298@yahoo.ca (647-449-3547) Ric Abenoja of 205-44 Valley Woods Rd. TORONTO ON. raabenoja@yahoo.com Adriana De Luca.51 Dybal St.Woodbridge ON. (647-996-2273)

WANTED: NANNY (LIVE OUT) Education: At least Secondary Education graduate.

Must have at least 1 to less than 2 yrs of experience.

Duties: Take care of child/children.Feeding, meal &snack Preparation,indoor/outdoor companionship,Light housekeeping, reading,playing and organize games.

Education: At least Secondary Education graduate.

Full Time. Pays $11.25/hr., 40Hrs/wk.(Mon.To Fri) EMPLOYERS: Marla Francos#707-900 Mt. Pleassant Rd. Toronto ON. marlafrancoz@yahoo.ca Fe De Guzman #514 Speedvale East Guelph ON. Fedeguzman791@yahoo.ca (1-519-760-4639) Mazar/Zahida.#33 Benson Ave. Richmondhill ON. imazaher74@yahoo.ca (647-920-2089) Ann Ha.Richmond Hill ON. phuha817@yahoo.ca (647-400-7862) Marina.#25 Diploma Dr.Brampton ON. mp694647@gmail.com (905-913-0624) Rodel.#206-141 Erskine Ave Toronto ON. rodelfernandez148@yahoo.ca (647-779-7292) Dinah G.#88 Ridgevale Dr.Toronto ON. dinahgrossman@yahoo.ca (416-781-8553) Racquel Miranda.#3 First Red Deer Alberta. mracquel67@yahoo.ca (1-403-245-4747) Liza Sotto#51 Hawkview Blvd.Woodbridge ON. lizavillanueva173@yahoo.ca (905-553-0681) Shahid Sattar Burlington. Shahidsattar007@gmail.com (905-220-5963) Davina #86 Northdale Rd.Willowdale ON. Davinalopez996@yahoo.com (416-879-7441) Alexia #31 Northbrook Rd.TORONTO ON. boualexia@yahoo.com (416-644-4270) Dhona#1102-25 By Mills Blvd. Scarborough ON. dhonarizaursua@yahoo.ca (647-937-2884) Aman 5304 Roanoke Crt Mississauga, ON. aman_sangha@hotmail.com (416-458-2375) Enrique Reyes 72 Ryder Cres Ajax ON. rechelreyes416@yahoo.ca (416-953-8558) Libya Gameng .172 Vauhhall Dr. Toronto ON. Libyagameng@yahoo.com (416-985-0616) Joanna Raoet124-42 Pinery Trl. Scarborough ON. joannaraoet@yahoo.com (416-779-7110) Maila Abenoja.9 Acores Ave.Toronto ON. mailaabenoja@yahoo.com (647-965-3235) Purvaiz/Sonia At 88 Attridge Dr. Aurora ON. visaprocesscanada@yahoo.com (647-996-2273)

Hiring - Bakers, Bakers' helpers and Packers.

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Tel: (1) 647-521-5155

40

JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Don’t limit your dreams Be different!

Become an Independant Financial Consultant Becoming an independent financial consultant has been a huge stepping stone for many who join Greatway Financial.

This has enabled them to achieve their financial goals and dream bigger. It is not full-time but part-time. They do it at their own time. You too can have that opportunity to write your own pay cheque! What do Greatway financial consultants do? They passionately share their blessings with others by educating others about finances.

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