Pilipino Express • Oct 16 2020

Volume 16 • No. 20 • October 16 - 31, 2020 Publication Mailing Account #41721512

Sanya Lopez

12 Erlinda Magnaye Ramos A beautiful life lived

Sponsorship lottery is on

The government of Canada will randomly select up to 10,000 potential sponsors for the 2020 Parents and Grandparents (PGP) Program until November 3. Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced details of the program on October 5, 2020.

This is a return to the lottery system of selecting applications after last year’s first-come, first-served online system was overwhelmed, frustrating many who couldn’t access the form or fill it out quickly enough. The on line portal closed in less than 10 minutes.

This year, Canadians and permanent residents who wish to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada can submit an “interest to sponsor” form on line over a three-week period from October 13, 2020 to November 3.

IRCC will randomly select potential sponsors and send them an invitation to submit an application. Selected applicants See SPONSORSHIP p4

Alex and Allan have been trying for years to sponsor their mother, Magdalena, to join them permanently in Winnipeg. She has no immediate family left in the Philippines since the two brothers immigrated to Canada. Photo: Alex with his wife Margie and children, Alexis and Alma; Allan and his wife Doris – with their mother, Magdalena (centre). (Supplied photo)

14 Grandma Magdalena enjoys playing with her grandkids, Alexis and Alma, at Assiniboine Park. Her sons are hoping they can successfully sponsor their mother this year. She often visits them in Winnipeg but flying back and forth, especially during this time of pandemic, has been difficult. (Supplied photo)

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Thanksgiving and family In normal times, my family hosts Thanksgiving at our house.

In normal times, anywhere from 40 to 70 members of my extended family drop by the house to share in the holiday. In normal times, my house is full of laughter, children of all ages running around, the titas playing a boisterous game of bingo into the night, lots of food to eat and take home as baon, and happy memories are made. In normal times.

However, these are not normal times. In keeping with the Restricted – Orange level for the city, our Thanksgiving this year was vastly different.

Like other families throughout Winnipeg, guest lists were paired down to meet the 10-person limit. It’s ironic because just a month ago my Nanay, Ninang and I were starting to talk about Thanksgiving and how we would have to make the difficult choice of cutting down our guest list to 50. Circumstances beyond our control took that choice away from us. COVID took that choice away from us. I pray that it doesn’t take Christmas away from us too.

This global pandemic has reshaped how family and friends gather and celebrate, worship and mourn. It has taught all of us the importance of family; especially for those who are not able to spend time with family because of travel restrictions, health concerns and lock-down rules throughout the world.

But when we say family, who

SPONSORSHIP...

From page 1 will have 60 days to submit their application.

Due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC is temporarily reducing the income requirement for the 2020 tax year to the minimum necessary income, instead of the minimum necessary income plus 30 per cent.

do you mean? The traditional nuclear family of parents and their children? Do you also include your cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and grandparents? But in a Filipino family, what exactly do you mean by “pinsan,” “tita,” “tito,” “pamangkin,” “lolo” and “lola?” Do you call all your Lolo and Lola’s siblings Lolo and Lola as well? Or does it only include lineal blood relations? Or does it include people who have been part of your lives for as long as you can remember?

For example, if I looked at my family just in Winnipeg, I legally have no nieces and nephews.

However, the Christmas database my sister and cousin maintain tells a vastly different story.

Why? Because for me, my pamangkins are the children of all my cousins (1st, 2nd and 3rd cousins included). I know this is true for many of us – family is family.

However, regardless of how vast, far-reaching and inclusive Filipino families can be, the law does not recognize this. Consider this scenario: Maria marries Juan, a widower with three young children, against the wishes of her family. She never speaks to them again. The couple does not have any children together. Maria loves, raises and considers Juan’s three children as her own. They live a long and happy life together.

Neither Juan nor Maria has a Last Will and Testament. They believe that it’s bad luck to talk about

A maximum of 10,000 applications will be accepted for processing as part of the 2020 PGP intake. The government plans to prioritize the approval of 49,000 family sponsorship applications by December 31, 2020.

How does the 2020 PGP intake process work?

Step 1: Potential sponsors indicate their interest

such things. Juan dies but all his assets (house and bank accounts) are jointly owned with his wife.

Therefore, she automatically inherits those assets. A few years later, Maria dies. Their three children go to see a lawyer to begin the process of dealing with their mother’s estate. They are in for a rude awakening.

When an individual dies without a will, the Intestate Succession Act of Manitoba dictates who the beneficiaries of an estate are. It is a strict reading of family based on lineal blood relationships. In our scenario, although Maria raises the children as her own, she never legally adopted them.

In the eyes of the law, she is “only their stepmother.” There are no provisions in the law for stepchildren to inherit from their stepmother. In our scenario, the three children Maria loved as her own would not be entitled to a single cent from her (and by extension, Juan’s) estate because there is no blood relationship linking Maria to the children. Her estate would be given to her legal blood relatives.

Is this fair? Is this moral?

Perhaps. Perhaps not. Regardless of how we answer these two questions, the law is clear. Which is why it is very important for everyone to make a Last Will and Testament to ensure that their loved ones are properly taken care of. For blended families where the non-biological parent does not adopt the children, making a Will is the best way to ensure that the children you

love as your own inherit from your estate. For couples or single people with no children of their own but who love and consider their pamangkins or inaanaks as their children, they can also use their Wills to make them their beneficiaries.

One day soon this global pandemic will end, and we will once again be able to spend holidays with our entire extended families. Family can mean a million different things to a million different people. However, under intestate succession laws, the government determines who is considered family. The government has had to restrict the size of our family gatherings because of this pandemic. Don’t let the government also restrict who in your family will inherit from your estate. Make a Last Will and Testament to best reflect your unique family.

The contents of this article are not intended as legal advice and are for information purposes only. Should you require legal advice on a specific issue relating to the contents of this article, please seek the services of a legal professional.

Atty Alona C. Mercado is a partner with the law firm of MERCADO TRINH LAW LLP. She was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1999. Her preferred areas of practice include wills and estates, real estate, business law and immigration law. Alona can be reached at (204) 594-3436 or acm@mercadotrinhlaw.com.

Website: www.mercadotrinhlaw. com.

The interest to sponsor form will be available on the IRCC website until November 3, 2020. During this time, potential sponsors can submit an online interest to sponsor form to IRCC, indicating that they wish to sponsor their parents and/ or grandparents. Alternative formats for the interest to sponsor form – such as a paper copy, Braille and large print – are available, upon request, to

persons with disabilities. Contact the IRCC Client Support Centre at 1-888-242-2100 or by e-mail (IRCC.PGP.CORRECTIONCORRECTION.PGP.IRCC@cic. gc.ca) until November 3, 2020.

Step 2: Invitations to apply are sent to potential sponsors Once the interest to sponsor period ends on November 3, 2020, and the form has been removed from the website, IRCC will review all submissions, remove any duplicate entries and randomize the forms.

There will be on round of invitations to apply in 2020, with a maximum of 10,000 applications accepted for processing. Invitations issued

by IRCC are not transferable to another sponsor.

Step 3: Applications are submitted Potential sponsors who are invited to apply will be given 60 days to submit their complete application. In the event of delays in providing documentation due to service disruptions caused by COVID-19, IRCC may grant a 90-day extension.

In 2021, IRCC will open a new intake of interest to sponsor forms to accept a total of 30,000 new applications.

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OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

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Epicentre USA: Anatomy of failure and three great hopes October 12, 2020: On Thanksgiving Day I asked myself, “What three cheers could we convey in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic?”

First, raise a collective cheer of gratitude for all individuals and institutions for discharging their duty of care and sharing their humanity during this critical period in the life of our nation.

Together, we have followed public health directives and advisories.

Canada succeeded in “flattening” the pandemic curve last spring.

May we remain steadfast and continue in our commitment as we face the alarming surges of new cases. This is our first hope.

Second, hope that at least one effective and safe vaccine will soon be deployed. Third, let us hope the United States of America will have its political leadership unite, not collide, with science and medicine and, together with the WHO, manage the contagion better within its borders and work in global solidarity with the nations of the world. The greatest global health crisis of our time needs a global solution.

These are the three great hopes I reflected on when I celebrated Thanksgiving Day. Are we seeing the second wave?

The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919, also known as the Spanish flu, came in three waves. Its highly fatal second save accounted for most of the American deaths attributed to it.

This is the reference being made when we speak of COVID’s second wave and its dreaded severity. But the Spanish flu’s greater severity was due to a mutation of the virus into a more virulent strain. The COVID-19 virus has not shown a mutation.

Based on this reference, we had to have seen the end of the first wave, that is, the fall of cases to very low numbers, followed by a significant number of new ones.

Since the first wave in the US never ended in most states, the country is still within its extended first wave. This indicates that the virus is 1. simply spreading into new populations, or 2. resurging in locations that let down their guard too soon.

In Canada, where we had flattened the first wave to a significantly low number of cases, the ongoing rise in new cases and hospitalizations in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia indicate the second wave is underway in the non-Atlantic provinces.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed frustration but exuded confidence: “We flattened the curve before, we can do it again.”

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam warned, “COVID-19 will keep spreading if behaviours don’t change.”

Adding her call for collective

support, Health Minister Patty Hajdu eloquently said, “Living through a global pandemic has not been easy on anybody, and our lives have all been disrupted and upset. We’ve all had to change and adapt so much. Families have been strained, people have lost jobs, we’ve had to let go of celebrations, change our plans and forego seeing our loved ones.

And of course, far too many lives have been lost to COVID-19.”

The resurgence could be due to a “number of bad apples,” as Premier Doug Ford of Ontario had alluded to. The Toronto Star’s editorial, “COVID restrictions – A few bad apples = thousands of lost jobs,” concluded with the message: “Pay attention to Public Health.”

Now into its ninth month since the first patient outside China was diagnosed in Thailand on January 13, COVID-19 has continued to cast its shadows of illness and death. But its gravity is reflected not only in the enormous human toll – physical and psychological illness and death – but also in the countless loss of livelihoods, interruption of schooling, shutdown of many social activities, and the free fall of the economy. Worse, we see no end in sight.

Update from September 28 to October 12, 2020 Total cases • Worldwide: 33,173,176 → 37,722,044 • Canada: 155,428 → 185,378 • Philippines: 307,288 → 342,816 • USA: 7,118,523 → 7,802,281 Total deaths • Worldwide: 998,696 → 1,078,411 • Canada: 9,318 → 9,680 • Philippines: 5,381 → 6,332 • USA: 204,790 → 214,045 (Data from Johns Hopkins University) The world’s total deaths have surpassed the one million mark. For Canada, the two-week changes come to over 2,100 cases and 25 deaths daily. The USA has remained the epicentre – both in caseload and deaths, averaging nearly 49,000 cases and 660 deaths daily.

Epicentre USA – A failure of political leadership The USA has remained for a long time now the epicentre, with over 7.8 million Americans sickened and over 216 thousand of them dying in the nine months since the disease left China on January 13, 2020.

How deeply disturbing, indeed, it has been to observe that a tiny virus could humiliate a country with the most military might, the best scientific minds, healthcare expertise, and biomedical manufacturing capacity. Yet the nation failed to provide health care workers and the American public the protective equipment in their time

of greatest need! It could only be ascribed to a failure of political leadership.

A litany leadership failures Below is a summation of the reasons (A to C) why the USA has become the epicentre: A. The presidency 1. had ample warning in late January 2020, but deliberately withheld the information from the American public; 2. had advocated unproven treatments; 3. has displayed negative role models in words and deeds; 4. has been skeptical about wearing face masks; 5. has politicized the vaccine development process; 6. had disobeyed guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); 7. has ignored government institutions and experts and even denigrated them, that is: a. has eviscerated the CDC’s effectiveness resulting in testing and policy failures; b. has excluded the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from much crucial government decision making for vaccine development; and c. has shamefully politicized the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which appears to respond to pressure from the administration rather than scientific evidence in providing emergency use of certain unproven drugs.

B. The administration was, when the disease first arrived, 1. slow in responding to the emerging crisis; 2. incapable of testing effectively; and 3. could not provide even the most basic personal protective equipment to health care workers and the general public; C. The administration has 1. continued to be behind the curve in testing; 2. struggled to expand testing capacity; 3. often delayed the return of test results, rendering them useless for disease control; 4. instituted quarantine and isolation measures late and inconsistently, often without any effort to enforce them, and after the disease had spread substantially in many communities; 5. had provided inadequate rules on social distancing, and loosened restrictions long before adequate disease control had been achieved; 6. turned to uninformed “opinion leaders” and charlatans who obscure the truth and promulgate outright lies; and 7. largely abandoned disease control to the states, which do not have the tools and, moreover, has undermined them.

It is unfortunate, indeed, since it is universally acknowledged that the USA had the following

enormous advantages coming into this crisis, namely: 1. an enviable biomedical research system and huge manufacturing capacity; 2. enormous expertise and ability in public health, health policy, and basic biology to transform them into new therapies and preventive measures; and 3. much of that national expertise resides in government institutions such as: a. The CDC – the world’s leading disease response organization; b. The NIH – for its a key role in vaccine development; and c. The FDA – for its robust watch of the drug and vaccine approval process.

All these reasons and misuse of known institutional strengths must have had a harmful impact on how America has dealt with the pandemic, so much so that the handling of the pandemic has become the single dominant issue in the minds of the American electorate as they head to the polls within days.

US presidential election – litmus test of leadership Come Tuesday November 3rd, the eyes of the world will focus on the US presidential election.

The major question is: Will the electoral results usher in a new political leadership that would, in the words of CNN analyst Stephen Collison, “navigate America through a moment of national peril” and adopt a coordinated plan based on science for control of the pandemic in the USA and in our interconnected world?

Response of individual Americans and institutions Charles Lewis, a former editor at the National Post, had this to say in a recent issue of the Globe and Mail: “I just did something I have never done before in a U.S. presidential race: vote for a Democrat. I had no choice.” Alluding to COVID-19 specifically, he continued: “We now know, thanks to journalist Bob Woodward, that in early 2020 Mr. Trump understood how deadly the virus was but refused to relay that to Americans…

He is even willing to expose his supporters to grave illness.

During the worst of the pandemic, he held an indoor rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma – no masks required.

Attendee Herman Cain, a former (Republican) presidential candidate, died of the virus. And now COVID-19 is wreaking havoc in the White House, with Mr. Trump himself contracting the virus. He is still playing it down… ignoring the devastating fact that more than 211,000 Americans have died.” He concluded: “But if Mr. Trump is re-elected, I fear the …United States will be in danger of losing its soul.” A serious nonpartisan indictment, indeed, from

a well-informed and concerned American citizen.

The USA’s top pandemic expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said in a recent interview that he, “hopes the latest data on a rising number of COVID-19 cases and projections of possibly many more deaths ‘jolt’ the American public into reality.” Earlier, he had called a White House social ceremony a “super spreader event.”

David Gergen, a White House adviser to four presidents and professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, where he founded the Center for Public Leadership, recently observed: “The Trump White House is falling apart at an astonishing pace.”

They are not alone. Two publications – Scientific American (SA) and the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), representing the collective voice of science and medicine, and traditionally apolitical – have felt compelled to add their assessment of the man at the top of their government and provide their urgent civic prescription.

The editors of SA, which has never endorsed a presidential candidate in its 175-year history, endorsed Joe Biden in its article, “From Fear to Hope,” in the October 2020 issue of the magazine: “The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the U.S. and its people – because he rejects evidence and science.

The most devastating example is his dishonest and inept response to the COVID-19 pandemic…

He was warned many times in January and February about the onrushing disease, yet he did not develop a national strategy to provide protective equipment, coronavirus testing or clear health guidelines. Testing people for the virus, and tracing those they may have infected, is how countries in Europe and Asia have gained control over their outbreaks, saved lives, and successfully reopened businesses and schools…. It wasn’t just a testing problem…Trump has proposed billion-dollar cuts to the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, agencies that increase our scientific knowledge and strengthen us for future challenges. …Biden plans to ramp up a national testing board, …to establish a Public Health Job Corps of 100,000 people, many of whom have been laid off during the pandemic crisis, to serve as contact tracers and in other health jobs. …direct the Occupational Health and Safety Administration … to avoid the kind of deadly outbreaks that have occurred at meat-processing See EPICENTRE p7

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Public and IRCC response to family sponsorship processing delays The impact of COVID-19 on Canadian immigration has been significant. It has played no small part in delaying sponsorship applications.

I have firsthand experience in representing a number of family class application submissions and sympathize with the Canadian sponsors and applicants alike.

Protesters have taken to the streets in several Canadian cities calling on the government to address delays in family sponsorship applications. The government authorities, starting with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship as well as his critics in parliament and concerned Canadian sponsors and the spousal/partners applicants and dependent children, and concerned persons across the land are not satisfied with the current state of affairs and are seeking ways to improve things.

On the one hand there is an online petition with nearly 15,000 signatures requesting action on

EPICENTRE...

From page 6 plants and nursing homes…. (and) to spend $34 billion to help schools conduct safe inperson instruction as well as remote learning.” It concluded its endorsement: “It’s time to move Trump out and elect Biden, who has a record of following the data and being guided by science.”

Alluding to the President without using his name and his handling of the pandemic, the NEJM in its October editorial, “Dying in a Leadership Vacuum,” wrote: “Anyone else who recklessly squandered lives and money in this way would be suffering legal consequences.

Our leaders have largely claimed immunity for their actions. But this election gives us the power to render judgment…. When it comes to the response to the largest public health crisis of our time, our current political leaders have demonstrated that they are dangerously incompetent. We should not abet them and enable the deaths of thousands more Americans by allowing them to keep their jobs. There is no question that his slow response to the crisis, his administration’s

sponsorship applications stuck in the cue. Immigration critic, Jenny Kwan of the NDP, also gathered another 6,000 signatures calling for special measures, such as the implementation of a special temporary resident visa. If you are not satisfied, let your elected officials know. MP Kwan acknowledges immigration changes in meeting application deadlines due to COVID-19 but points out the limits of this action: “these extensions will ultimately result in longer process times.” She correctly points out that one of the objectives of the immigration Act is to reunite families in Canada and this is now not occurring in a timely fashion.

Minister Medicino, for his part, acknowledges the impact of the virus and the slower processing times. In a recent statement the Minister explained, “We understand that the last few months have not been easy for those who are away from their loved ones in these

difficult times. This is why we are accelerating the approval of spousal applications as much as possible. Our government will continue to find new ways to keep families together.”

IRCC has increased the number of staff allocated to review spousal/partner applications and expect to review 66 per cent of submissions in order to reduce wait times and process the applications faster. The department will also implement pilot technology to conduct interviews remotely, as well as facilitative biometrics measures, but did not elaborate on what these are. The departmental initiatives are aimed at accelerating, processing and finalizing 6,000 spousal applications each month through to the end of 2020. These measures are expected to result in decisions on 49,000 applications by the end of the year.

It is hoped that the changes introduced by Minister

struggle to expand testing capacity, his advocacy of unproven treatments and his skepticism about mask-wearing have had a decidedly negative impact on how Americans have dealt with the pandemic…

COVID-19 has created a crisis throughout the world. This crisis has produced a test of leadership.

With no good options to combat a novel pathogen, countries were forced to make hard choices about how to respond. Here in the United States, our leaders have failed that test. They have taken a crisis and turned it into a tragedy.”

America faces an epic choice on November 3rd, and the result will have global repercussions, including Canada. I echo the above-noted sentiments.

Rey D. Pagtakhan, a retired lung specialist and professor of pediatrics and former cabinet minister and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, graduated from the University of the Philippines and the University of Manitoba (UM) Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. He trained at the Children’s Hospital of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Children’s Hospital of UM Faculty of Medicine in Winnipeg.

As Canada’s former Secretary of State for Science and Research, he presented on “The Global Threat of Infectious Diseases” at the G-8 Science Ministers/ Advisors Meeting held in Berlin in June 2003.

Mendicino will help IRCC catch up on the numbers identified under their Immigration Levels Plan 2020-2022. The numbers targeted for 2020 included 70,000 spouses, partners, and children to be included among the 341,000 immigrants landed in 2020. These numbers were established prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is possible that the concerns raised by the Minister may be included in the muchanticipated Prime Minister’s mandate letter, expected to follow the recent Speech from the Throne. Sometimes the best advice is to be patient and wait for the resolution of the processing delays. It would appear that all parties, supporters and critics alike, agree that families should be reunited in Canada, if possible, and that this reunification be made possible in reasonable time frames, even amid the global pandemic. Canadians as a group recognize the value of

immigration and reunification of families but they need to be both patient and at the same time assertive. Families need Canada to administer the immigration programs in an efficient, caring fashion. Canada continues to need immigrants to address the country’s demographic needs and fuel our economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19. The public protests and government response are things we should expect in a democratic society.

Both sides are working for the same goals.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Canada Immigration and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with R.B. Global Immigration Consultants Ltd. 204-691-1166 or 204-227-0292. E-mail: mscott. ici@gmail.com.

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What your clutter says about your life Feng shui isn’t just about painting a wall a certain colour and hanging a wind chime. Feng shui is more about understanding the way your house is representing your life and its influence on your happiness. And there are signs, both subtle and overt, that tell you about the need to make changes in one to see improvement in the other.

That’s because clutter is more than bad feng shui, clutter affects you and your life.

Let’s take a house where someone is a hoarder, for example.

A hoarder loses sight of all that’s around them. They no longer see the way life is — full to the ceiling — and may add more stuff as a way of exerting control.

Only the situation turns on them and soon they’re controlled by everything that surrounds them.

Over time, all the excess belongings and stuff stifle their life, may harm their health, their income, and cause problems in their relationships.

Their house is trying to tell them: let go.

There’s a Zen saying of let go or be dragged.

When you aren’t able to let go – of a situation, negative self-talk, or clutter and possessions that no longer serve you, you’re dragged by that energy.

The beautiful part of feng shui is that you are able to literally see what’s surrounding you and it shows you how your life is being affected.

Karen Kingston in her seminal book, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, says the root of all clutter is the fear of letting go.

But that’s fairly obvious. It goes deeper than that.

I believe all clutter is your home’s way of showing you your fear of the future.

I know someone who has very little space. He’s lost all the big things in his life like a good job and marriage. He fills his space with collectibles and things he finds on online and at sales. This is a person who doesn’t just fear the future; he dreads it. And life unfolds as a thousand tiny cuts, bleeding the vitality – and the empowerment – out of his life.

The best part of letting go of all your excess stuff is that you are brought in touch with yourself, regaining a feeling of power and control in your life,

and rediscovering your natural vitality.

That’s because removing excess stuff gives you room to grow, like a plant that’s moved into a bigger container.

When you hold on to your possessions – what you’ve bought in the past – your home is telling you with the cramped drawers, the closet rods rammed so tightly you can’t find anything to wear or garages full of junk, that you don’t believe life will get better in the future.

Even if your conscious mind believes it will, your house is showing you something different.

So what do you believe? What your mind is telling you or what your house is showing you?

Life becomes empty while the house becomes full.

Another important message your clutter or mess is trying to get across is that you don’t believe you can fix a situation.

Maybe you haven’t faced up to a problem or insecurity, whether that’s financial, emotional, or relationship, and sought help for it or actively applied yourself to correct the problem.

Seeing something growing bigger, such as clutter, is a sure sign it’s not being handled, and often reflects another part of your life.

Self-improvement guru, Louise Hay, in her book Heal Your Life, says that most disease is rooted in an emotional problem difficulty and that most people are seeking fulfillment in some way.

I think that’s what an overcrowded house is trying to show you: that you’re seeking fulfillment and what you’re getting is simply filled – filled with stuff you don’t need, use, and many times, even want — and your house becomes suffocating instead of a sanctuary.

Is there a cure for clutter?

There’s no pill for clutter and holding on to excess stuff. It takes you handling one item, one after the other, one drawer or one closet at a time.

When you’re having a hard time releasing something, take in a big breath, hold it for a count of three and exhale.

Now how you feel about the item? Notice if that cleansing breath helps you release the item more easily. Your house is trying to breathe deeply too.

Notice your breathing as you are clearing out. Does it stop or become very shallow? Are you aware of it? Give yourself plenty of time to breathe and take in many cleansing breaths while you purge your home of unwanted and unused or broken items.

What is your house showing you about your life with the clutter in your home?

Learn to read the signs of your clutter. Once you do, you’ll stop being dragged by it.

Your house is telling you to let go.

FENG SHUI Q&A Question: Because of the pandemic I’ve been working from home and find myself often working in bed because I can put my feet up, but I wonder if that’s good feng shui. It seems like I’m not as focused or as sharp.

Answer: This year the workplace has certainly changed.

Many are working from home from the first time. Here’s what I can tell you about working from home, which is something I’ve done for 20 years, and that is, you need a place to work that’s separate from where you rest.

One of the most important aspects of your work from home life is where you sit. For some people, they find that wandering to different rooms of the house makes them more productive, and if that works for you, then that’s great. But working in your actual bed isn’t conducive to work – or to sleep or your relationship. It’s actually making one area overlap into another. Eventually, being in bed with your sweetie will seem like work.

See what you can do to set up even a small table and comfortable chair that enables you to feel like you’re at work. Having some type

of separation is important. I once had a business coach who said no one could work effectively from home, which I disagree with. If your office is your whole home, then there are no boundaries.

That’s not a good thing for your work or your home life.

Designating an area that represents your “work area” is a good one to set those boundaries and that keeps your bedroom, and more importantly, your bed as a place only for rest and romance.

It will also help you feel more on

the job than being in bed.

Kathryn Weber has over 20+ years of feng shui study, practice and professional consultation.

Her witty, no-nonsense style appeals to audiences, making her a popular speaker and radio show guest. She is often called on by media to explain feng shui in down-to-earth terms, and has been featured in Seventeen, First for Women, Faces, Conceive, Martial Arts Professional, and Natural Health magazines, and on websites around the world.

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

• Pia at Sarah Wurtzbach – May junior na raw ang Barretto sisters • Sharon Cuneta – Magre-retire na? Na-shock ang mga Sharonians!

• ABS-CBN shows – Panoorin sa A2Z Channel 11 ni Brother Eddie • Raymart at Jodi – Apektado ba ng subpoena mula kay Claudine?

• Angel Locsin – Sikat pa rin siya kaya pinakikialaman pa rin ng publiko • Mga ex-ABS-CBN – Nagkaipun-ipon ngayon sa TV5 at Radyo Singko • Vice Ganda – Umaariba na naman! Daming kuwento!

Nagkakaisang komento ng marami ay may junior na raw ang Barretto sisters kina Pia at Sarah Wurtzbach. Batuhan ng baho sa publiko noon ang pinagkaabalahan nina Gretchen, Claudine at Marjorie.

Talagang nagpista ang taumbayan sa pakikinig at pagbabasa sa mga negatibo nilang komento laban sa bawat isa. Pero namahinga muna ang magkakapatid.

Kung kailan uli mabubuhay ang kanilang pagbabangayan na kasali ang publiko dahil sa social media ay sila lang ang taning nakakaalam.

Biglang umentra ang kapatid ng kinoronahang Miss Universe, binulabog niya ang buong mundo sa pagbabando ng mga salitang pagkasakit-sakit laban sa kaniyang kapatid, nagulantang ang

buong bayan sa mga negatibong pananalita ni Sarah.

Pati ang kanilang ina ay minura niya, ang mga bagaybagay na dapat nilang inuupuan lang ay ipinarating niya sa publiko, nagmistulang palengke tuloy ang personal nilang buhay.

May kaugnayan din sa pera ang mga inilantad na kuwento ni Sarah, sa pagiging mapang-unawa nito sa kaniyang kapatid, pero sa bandang huli ay ito pa raw ang masama.

Pero pagkatapos niyang wasakin ang imahe ng kaniyang kapatid ay biglang kumambiyo si Sarah. Nakikiusap siya ngayon sa ating mga kababayan na huwag magalit sa kaniyang kapatid na si Pia. Teka lang naman muna. Sino ba ang nagbukas ng pintuan ng See CRISTY p11

Sharon Cuneta

Sarah & Pia Wurtzbach

ABS-CBN shows now airing on Zoe’s new A2Z Channel 11 As of Saturday, October 10, some entertainment shows and movies of ABSCBN can now be seen on the newly rebranded A2Z channel 11 through an agreement between ABS-CBN and Zoe Broadcasting Network Inc. A2Z channel 11 can be seen on analog TV in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

ABS-CBN and Zoe are committed to work together to provide entertainment, public service programs, and educational content to the public.

Angel Locsin then and now

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

CRISTY...

From page 10 kanilang personal na buhay sa publiko? Sapilitan bang winasak iyon ng ibang tao para makialam sa kanila?

Siya itong naglitanya tungkol sa pagkatao ni Pia, siya itong nagmura sa kanilang nanay, siya itong nagbihadhad ng mga hindi kagandahang ugali ng kaniyang kapatid.

Pagkatapos ngayon ay sisisihin pa niya ang mga nakikisawsaw sa problemang siya ang nagpasimuno? Huwag daw magalit kay Pia, huwag daw laitin ang kaniyang kapatid, ang dami-dami niyang pakiusap ngayon dahil sa sunog na siya ang pinagmulan.

Kailangang maligo sa

PILIPINO EXPRESS

pulot ngayon si Sarah para mahimasmasan siya. Kailangan siyang pabendisyunan para malaman niya kung gaano kalaking gulo ang ginawa niya sa kanilang pamilya.

Ganito ang kinahihinatnan ng mga taong hindi muna nagiisip nang maraming beses bago magklik. Ganitung-ganito ang kauuwian ng mga taong nagkikimkim ng galit sa kanilang puso at nagpapadala sa inggit. *** Masyadong dinamdam ng mga loyalista ni Sharon Cuneta ang makahulugang post niya noong isang araw, “On my way to retirement.�

Kung edad ang pag-uusapan ay nasa kasibulan pa ang Megastar, See CRISTY p13

DJ Cha Cha & Ted Failon

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

Sanya Lopez is GMA Network’s First Yaya GMA Network has finally announced that beautiful and talented Kapuso actress Sanya Lopez will play the title role in the much-awaited primetime series First Yaya.

The 24-year-old actress first rose to stardom after bagging the role of Sang’gre Danaya in the 2016 hit primetime series Encantadia.

Sanya further cemented her name in the entertainment industry after showcasing her acting skills in various programs including Haplos, Cain at Abel, and Dahil Sa Pag-ibig.

Sanya expressed her gratitude to the network and her fans for their unending

support for this new milestone in her career, “First time ko po na magkakaroon ng show sa primetime na ako ang title role, kaya sobra po akong nagpapasalamat sa GMA at sa fans na laging nakasuporta.

Kabado rin po na excited kasi alam ko malaki ang ineexpect ninyo sa akin bilang inyong First Yaya.”

It was also revealed that Sanya was especially handpicked

by GMA-7 for the role of Yaya Melody.

“Simula pa lang ng Encantadia ay lagi na akong sinosorpresa ng GMA sa projects na binibigay po nila. Ang tiwala See SANYA p13

Sanya Lopez

The Clash Season 3 is bigger, fierce A new breed of talented contenders battles it out to become the next singing sensation on GMA Network’s all-original musical competition, The Clash Season 3!

Returning as Clash Masters are Rayver Cruz and Julie Anne San Jose.

“Masaya and excited kami,” Rayver said. “Alam namin na mahirap magbalik-trabaho lalo na sa panahon ngayon pero nandito kami para ihatid ang minahal ng viewers na mga pasabog ng The Clash at para ipakilala ang bagong mahuhusay na Clashers.”

Julie Anne shared that preparations for the show were taken to another level to ensure that strict safety protocols were followed, “Unang-una is to observe physical distancing and follow the guidelines and safety protocols. Preparations had to be taken to another level. Wala kaming audience, mas kaunti ‘yung tao. Nevertheless, I’m very excited about the Clashers’ performances.”

Also making their way backstage again to get to know the Clashers are Journey hosts Rita Daniela and Ken Chan.

Rita expressed her excitement

to learn the contestants’ offcamera stories, “I’m more than happy because I get to work again with the people that I love!

I really can’t wait to hear all the wonderful stories of our Clashers.

I’m excited to be their ate.”

Likewise, Ken is also looking forward to meeting the new group of Clashers. “Na-miss ko ‘yung pakikisalamuha namin sa Clashers at pati na rin sa mga pamilya nila,” he shared. “Kaya See THE CLASH p13

Julie San Jose

Ai Ai Delas Alas

Lani Misalucha

Christian Bautista

Rayver Cruz

Rita Daniela

Ken Chan

#MPK presents all-new episodes this October This October, GMA Network’s award-winning drama anthology Magpakailanman presents five brand new episodes featuring inspiring stories of bravery, hope, and love for Kapuso viewers.

On Saturday, October 3, Shaira Diaz starred in the first episode entitled Viral Frontliner: The Lorraine Pingol Story, which showcased the real-life

struggles of a nurse who recently went viral online after helping a street dweller give birth. She was joined by Yayo Aguila, Luis Hontiveros and Anthony Rosaldo.

On Saturday October 10 #MPK aired The Lockdown Wife, another timely story of a battered wife who was stuck at home with an abusive husband during the See MPK p13

Mel Tiangco

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

SANYA...

From page 12

po ay laging karapat-dapat na suklian ng sipag, tiyaga at katapatan,” said Sanya.

The original drama is set to introduce the newest pairing of Sanya with versatile actor Gabby Concepcion.

The Kapuso actress added that she is elated to be working with the seasoned actor and vows to do justice to her role, “First time na malaman ko ‘yon napa-wow na lang ako sa sarili ko. Alam naman po natin na guwapo at magaling na aktor si Mr. Gabby Concepcion, kaya sa part ko dapat paghandaan ko rin ang mga eksena namin para hindi ako mapahiya sa kaniya.”

Sanya shared that she is still in the process of preparing for her character and draws on her past experience of babysitting for her younger cousins.

“Sa tulong ni Direk LA at ng buong production ay nasa proseso pa po ako ng pagkilala kay Yaya Melody, para mabigyang buhay at hustisya ko po ang pagkatao niya. ‘Yung buhay ko po noon sa Pulilan, Bulacan ay mayamang source ng inspiration, lalo po at naranasan ko ring mag-alaga ng mga pinsan na mas bata sa akin,” shared Sanya.

First Yaya follows the story of a vice president (Gabby), who will later become the President of the Philippines, and his first family. The endearing Yaya Melody, brought to life by Sanya, serves as a nanny to his children.

Soon romance blooms between the two but is challenged by the PSG (Presidential Security Group) Head, played by Pancho Magno.

The light, romantic-comedy series will showcase a heartwarming tale about love and how it binds every family together.

Also joining the cast are Cassy Legaspi, Joaquin “JD” Domagoso, and Ms. Pilar Pilapil. First Yaya is directed by LA Madridejos.

Kapuso viewers abroad can catch First Yaya soon on GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. For updates, follow @GMAPinoyTV on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

THE CLASH...

From page 12

ngayong season 3 ay excited akong malaman ang kuwento ng bawat isa sa kanila.”

Taking their seats anew as The Clash Panel are Lani Misalucha, Christian Bautista, and AiAi Delas Alas.

“I always look for someone with a certain uniqueness in his or her voice, someone who sings with genuine emotion, and has impressive stage presence and an amazing personality,” Lani said.

“I’m absolutely excited to see and experience what’s going to happen in this season.”

For Christian, the vocal battles will be even more intense, “The intensity of judging, guiding, and constructively building new

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

champions is very exciting. It will really be more intense and nervewracking for the contestants because we are facing tough times right now.”

Aiai, in turn, is also stoked to be back in the studio, “Nasa ‘new normal’ na tayo kaya we have the opportunity to do things differently and better. The Clash is always big, and I’m sure it will be even bigger ngayon dahil sa mahuhusay na contestants. Hindi lang ako excited, I am ablaze with energy para sa The Clash Season 3!”

The Clash Season 3 in under the direction of Louie Ignacio and musical arrangements of Marc Lopez.

Stay updated with The Clash via its official social media accounts on www.facebook. com/theclash, www.twitter. com/GMATheClash, and www. instagram.com/gmatheclash.

MPK...

From page 12 community quarantine.

Headlining the episode were Bea Binene and Martin del Rosario, together with James Teng and Maritess Joaquin. The Lockdown Wife was directed by Rado Peru.

On October 17, love takes on a surprising turn in Sign Language of Love, which stars Thea Tolentino and Jeric Gonzales as Jessica and Louie.

Jessica is a teacher in a school for the deaf where she meets and falls in love with her student, Louie. More than the communication barriers between them, they will face the unforgiving and discriminating judgment of the people around them.

To better portray their roles, both Thea and Jeric underwent a series of workshops to learn sign language. Don Michael Perez directed the episode.

On October 24, #MPK showcases the inspiring story of Lairca Nicdao, a gold medalist at the 2019 World Para Dance Sport Championships held in Germany.

After surviving cancer, Lairca did not let having a prosthetic leg and being bullied for most of her life hinder her from reaching her dreams and becoming the country’s newest Junior World Para Dance champion.

For the final Saturday of the month, a special Halloween presentation will be aired on October 31 with the haunting tale of a woman who grew up being sexually abused in her sleep by a maligno. As a child, Mayet saw otherworldly elements, but things get even more frightening for her as a grown up when the shadow continues to harass her in her sleep.

Magpakailanman is hosted

by GMA News journalist Mel Tiangco. Don’t miss #MPK’s all-new episodes this October, every Saturday after The Clash on GMA-7.

For more updates, follow Magpakailanman’s official Facebook account and @ Magpakailanman7 on Twitter.

PAGE 13

CRISTY...

From page 11 hindi pa siya matanda na marami nang kakaibang nararamdaman sa katawan, kayang-kaya pa niyang magtrabaho at makipaglaban sa puyatan.

Pero siguro nga ay dumarating ang artista sa puntong gusto niya nang bigyan nang sapat na panahon ang kaniyang sarili at pamilya.

Ang personal niya namang buhay ang gusto niyang asikasuhin dahil dekada nang naging pampubliko ang kaniyang buhay.

Lalo na sa estado ngayon ni Sharon Cuneta na kahit hindi pa siya magtrabaho ay makapamumuhay na siya at ang kaniyang pamilya nang sobrasobra pa sa sapat dahil malalim ang balon ng kaniyang kayamanan.

Kung minsan, gustuhin mang magretiro na ng ibang artista ay hindi nila iyon magawa, mayroon pa silang mga pangarap, matindi pa ang kanilang pangangailangan, iyon ang pumipigil sa kanila.

Ibang-iba ang posisyon ni Sharon na hindi lang basta milyonarya na, napakarami na niyang naitayong negosyo na puwede niyang asahan kung hihinto siya sa pagharap sa mga camera, sigurado na ang kanilang kinabukasan ngayon pa lang.

Pero napakaaga pa, madiing pagkontra ng mga Sharonians, napakaaga pa para magretiro na ang isang Sharon Cuneta.

Magpreno na lang muna siya sa pagtanggap ng mga proyekto, balansehin na lang niya ang kaniyang panahon, pero alisin niya sa kaniyang bokabularyo ang pagreretiro. *** Para kaming nasabik sa paborito naming ulam na matagal naming hindi natikman, kaya noong nakaraang Sabado ay tumutok kami sa weekend teleserye marathon ng ABS-CBN, na napapanood na ngayon sa A2Z Channel 11.

Tatlong sunud-sunod na serye iyon, ang FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano, Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin at ang Walang Hanggang Paalam. Nahuli kami sa biyahe dahil hindi naman namin napapanood ang mga seryeng iyon sa digital channel ng nagsaradong network.

Tatak-Direk FM Reyes talaga ang seryeng pinagsasamahan nina Iza Calzado, Jodi Sta. Maria, Sam Milby at Maricel Soriano.

Walang kupas ang pagganap nina Iza at Jodi, kaya pati ang pinag-aagawan nilang lalaki na si Sam Milby ay nakasabay sa kanilang pag-arte, panalungpanalo ang kanilang mga eksena.

Kung gaano kamapagpatawad ang karakter ni Iza ay pailalim naman ang mga plano ni Jodi, sasadyain niya talagang angkinin ang lahat ng mayroon si Iza, maraming galit sa karakter nila ni Sam Milby.

Para namang foreign movie ang maangas na pagsisimula ng Walang Hanggang Paalam, matikas ang datingan nina Jake Cuenca at Paolo Avelino, wala kang itatapong eksena sa unang pagbubukas ng serye.

Labas ang mga personal na isyung kinasasangkutan ni Paolo Avelino, bilang aktor ay lutang

Jodi Sta. Maria & Raymart Santiago

Korina Sanchez-Roxas

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy & Brother Eddie Villanueva na lutang ang kaniyang talento, sayang na sayang iyon kung hindi siya mabibigyan ng mga seryeng mas susukat pa sa husay niyang gumanap.

Wala nang kuwestiyon ang mga atake ni Angelica Panganiban, ganoon din ni Zanjo Marudo, habang nang-iimbita naman ng pagkainis ang karakter ni Cherry Pie Picache bilang paimbabaw na doktora.

Marathon talaga ang palabas, literal na dyinggel lang ang pahinga, pero hindi ka makakaramdam Vice Ganda ng pagkainip dahil nasabik kang panoorin uli ang mga serye ng at Jodi, labas iyon sa asunto, ang ABS-CBN. pinagkasunduan nilang sustento sa Pagkatapos ng Walang mga anak nila ang laman ng kaso.

Hanggang Paalam ay biglang “Ayos na sana ang lahat sa sumunod agad ang programa ng kanila kung tumupad lang si Jesus Is Lord, pasigaw na sinabi ni Raymart sa one hundred thousand Brother Eddie Villanueva, “Jesus na sustento para kina Sabina at is alive!” Buhay na buhay ang Santino, pero hindi niya naman Diyos!” iyon tinupad,” unang paliwanag ni Napapitlag kami, oo nga Attorney Topacio. pala, hindi na ABS-CBN ang Sa pagkakaalam namin ay istasyong pinanonood namin, dahil hindi nagkukulang si Raymart sa nakikisukob sila ngayon sa A2Z kanilang mga anak, dinadalaw Channel 11. rin nito ang mga bata kapag may *** libre itong panahon, pero ayon Nilinaw sa amin ni Attorney sa abogado ni Claudine ay hindi Ferdinand Topacio na walang naman iyon sapat. kinalaman sa relasyon nina “Obligasyon niya talagang Raymart Santiago at Jodi Sta. puntahan ang mga bata as a Maria ang tinanggap na subpoena father. Hindi dapat mawala ang ng action star ilang lingo na ang communication nila. Tama iyon. nakararaan.

Pero dapat, e, tumupad siya sa Ayon sa abogado ni Claudine pinagkasunduan nilang sustento.

Barretto ay noong nakaraang April “Pabigay-bigay lang kasi si pa dapat ang pagdinig sa piskalya Raymart, paabut-abot lang, hindi ng kasong isinampa ng kaniyang sufficient ang ibinibigay niya para kliyente (R.A. 9262) pero napag- kina Sabina at Santino. Kung mula abutan iyon ng lockdown. noong magkasundo sila sa korte, “Walang kinalaman ang e, tinupad na niya iyon, wala na See CRISTY p15 kaso sa relasyon nina Raymart

OUR COMMUNITY

PAGE 14

PILIPINO EXPRESS

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

Erlinda Magnaye Ramos October 13, 2020

We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Erlinda Ramos Magnaye. She was a long time benefactor of the FilipinoCanadian community in Manitoba. Selfless, helpful, gentle, always cheerful and very kind, there is no other one like her and she will be sorely missed.

We invite everyone to celebrate and cherish her for living a beautiful life.

In tribute to her life well lived, we are reprinting a story we published in July 2016.

Nanay Linda Ramos

Nanay Linda: cakes and community (Originally published in the Pilipino Express July 16, 2016)

Her eyes twinkle when talking about her younger years as a selfconfessed “trouble-maker” in the Philippines. Now at 84 years old, Erlinda Magnaye Ramos, still clearly remembers the friends she hung out with in school, her unforgettable adventures, and the love of her life.

This is her story.

Life in the Philippines Nanay Linda, as she is fondly called, hails from Lipa, Batangas but grew up in Quezon province.

Her family was in the business of milling rice and copra – the dried meat of the coconut used to extract coconut oil.

The eldest among eight children, Linda’s parents doted on her, letting her go wherever her wanderlust took her – with pocket money of course.

In high school, and later at the Philippine Women’s University in Manila, Linda became friends with daughters of some of the more well-to-do families as well as with popular actors such as Pancho Magalona and Alicia Vergel. Linda recalls she would almost always be the instigator of their escapades.

When she was 17, she suddenly decided to visit an uncle in faraway Zamboanga. There, she met 19-year-old Geronimo “Gerry” Ramos, who would later follow her to Manila. They fell in love. But her parents, especially her mother, were against their relationship because they had someone else in mind for her.

“It was very hard, I had to leave home to be with Gerry,” Linda said. “It took a long time before my mother forgave me and accepted me again. Although she did not fully accepted my husband.”

To prove to her mother that she married a good man, they decided to immigrate to Canada, with the help of her brother Dr. Arturo Magnaye, an eye doctor.

New life, new challenges It was summer of 1970 when Linda and two of her nine children arrived in Canada. Her husband Gerry had come to the country two months prior. For someone who grew up with helpers for practically everything, Linda felt lost with the challenges they had to face.

“We rented a small room with our two children, a five-year old and a two-year old. We didn’t have our own kitchen or bathroom, so we had to share with other

residents of the rooming house.

We had to adjust to the food, to the weather, to the way things are done in this country.”

Linda remembers working at Safeway and in the garment industry for a month until she got a job at the Canadian National Institute For the Blind (CNIB).

There, she worked as a utility person at first, helping out wherever needed. Linda’s helping nature and care for others got her promoted after 43 days on the job.

“One day, my supervisor suddenly handed me a different uniform and told me to wear it from now on. It had a name tag showing ‘assistant matron.’ I was really surprised! It was an easier job and it paid more.”

Through hard work, perseverance and by living within their means, they were able to buy their very first house within six months of arriving in Winnipeg – a five-bedroom house on Ruby St. They rented out the upper rooms while the family lived in the basement. After two years, they owned three houses.

“I wanted to show my mother that my husband was my intended partner in life and that he was hard-working and good to his family. I really wanted the silent feud to end.”

After ten children and some few years later, Linda’s mother finally visited, but she still did not speak much to Gerry. Although she did accept the food he prepared for her.

“That really meant a lot,” Linda said.

The creation of Gelyn’s Wedding Lounge Drawing from her high school Home Economics class, Linda happened to bake a cake for some guests that her husband had brought home. They liked the cake, especially one young lady who was soon to be married.

“She asked me if I could bake a wedding cake for her. And I readily said yes!”

From that wedding, and through word of mouth, Linda’s clientele slowly grew. From simple folks to affluent clients, their parties were not complete without a cake from Gelyn’s Wedding Lounge – the name derived from a combination of “Gerry” and “Linda.”

She got her certificate and license to operate their business with the help of former City Councilor Grant Nordman.

“He helped us purchase the building, with the license, even with the equipment. He told us we have good potential,” said Linda. “He would often visit and chat with us. He became our good friend.”

More than 40 years later, Gelyn’s beautifully made and affordable cakes remain a party favourite. Clients rave about the delicious taste and well-crafted designs.

Although Gelyn’s specializes in wedding cakes, they also offer cakes for all occasions, balloons, invitations, accessories and yes, marriage licenses.

Linda is the only member of the International Cake Exploration Societé (ICES) in Winnipeg. According to their website, members gather to “preserve, advance and encourage exploration of the sugar arts.”

“I attend the yearly convention in Las Vegas for a week, to learn about fresh ideas and new techniques about cake-making.”

Giving back to the community Aside from her love of family,

Linda & Gerry’s 60th Wedding Anniversary, 2009

Linda & Gerry receive an apostolic blessing from Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of their 60th Wedding Anniversary

Ramos family Linda also loves her community.

She and Gerry were among the very first members of the Coalition for Stronger Families and for more than 30 years, she worked as a treasurer for St. Edward’s School.

She also served as a board member of the Philippine-Canadian Centre of Manitoba and is known as a long-time and passionate volunteer at the Magdaragat Philippine pavilion of Folklorama, the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba, and in many other

community events.

In 2017, she was recognized for her valuable contributions to the community by the Pinays MB. “It’s important to share your blessings. We have always taught our children to never discriminate.

Help others and they will help you back. Trust God and everything will be all right.”

Another important thing for Linda is to never lose our sense of humour.

“Laugh! My deceased husband

never failed to surprise me with his funny antics. Even after so many years of being together, he always amazed me with how funny he could be. So be happy with what you do, and you won’t feel your age, like me!”

Epilogue: Goodbye On October 13, 2020, Erlinda Magnaye Ramos, passed away peacefully with her family and very close friends by her side.

Written by Lucille Nolasco and the Pilipino Express team

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

OUR HEALTH PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 15

Can a home air purifier system protect you against COVID-19?

Proper ventilation in your living area may prevent illnesses and reduce transmission of viruses. But can portable air cleaners and purifiers fight COVID-19? Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert, says that they generally can.

“The more air exchanges and the cleaner the air, the lower the risk,” says Dr. Poland. “By itself, it’s not satisfactory, so what we’re doing, as we’ve talked about over the months, is we’re layering protections. Let’s be sure the air in our home, if we’re having people to our home, is as safe as it can be. That means a HEPA (highefficiency particulate air) filter.”

Dr. Poland says you don’t have to spend a great deal of money to purchase a quality highefficiency particulate air filter.

Portable air filters are designed

to filter the air in a single room, though they cannot remove all air contaminants.

“The virus is not expelled on its own. The virus has to attach to something. A microscopic piece of mucus, a piece of dust in the environment ― that’s how it travels. A HEPA filter catches those and holds them there. It does mean you that you have to change your filter at appropriate intervals.”

The filter does not kill the virus, but rather it exchanges clean air more rapidly to get rid of the virus, says Dr. Poland.

“With a HEPA filter, it’s being attached electrostatically to the filter itself so that it cannot then circulate in the air, which is why changing the filters and changing them properly is so important,” says Dr. Poland.

Using air purifiers and

filters may be one more tool to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, along with continued face-masking when with others, social distancing and using hand sanitizers.

Here are some tips on how to use a portable air filter: • Place the air cleaner in the room that you spend the most time in or where vulnerable people spend the most time.

• To reduce risks of airborne transmission, direct the airflow of the air cleaner so that is does not blow directly from one person to another.

Getting your flu vaccination this season is another important part of the plan to protect yourself and your family, says Dr. Poland.

“Influenza vaccines are very safe, and are moderately effective,” says Dr. Poland. “It will decrease your own anxiety about

what these respiratory symptoms may mean. It will prevent you from going into quarantine. And it will prevent a surge demand on the medical system, which is

What to do if you have any Covid-19 symptoms Anyone who develops symptoms of Covid-19 should self-isolate and visit www. manitoba.ca/covid19/ to use the online screening tool, or call Health Links–Info Santé at 204788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888315-9257 for health guidance on how to seek testing.

CRISTY...

From page 13 sana silang problema ngayon,” mahinahong komento ng abogado ni Claudine.

Nakatakda na ang pagdinig ng kaso, harinawang magkasundo na ang magkabilang panig, kahit

Symptoms may include: • Cough • Headache • Fever/ chills • Muscle aches • Sore throat/ hoarse voice • Shortness of breath/ breathing difficulties • Loss of taste or smell

• Vomiting, or diarrhea for more than 24 hours • Poor feeding if an infant • Runny nose • Fatigue • Nausea or loss of appetite • Conjunctivitis (pink eye) • Skin rash of unknown cause

While many people will develop only mild symptoms, some groups appear to be more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Those at higher risk typically develop more serious, even fatal, symptoms such as pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and kidney failure.

para man lang sa kapakanan ng kanilang mga anak. *** Na-shock ang mga kaibigan naming direktor nang sipatin nilang mabuti ang lumabas na pinakabagong retrato ni Angel Locsin dito sa PSN kahapon.

Buung-buo kasi ang

pagkakalatag ng larawan ni Angel, mula ulo hanggang paa, kaya bawat detalye ay kitang-kita.

Tanong ng anak-anakan naming doktor, “Hindi kaya photoshop lang ito? Parang napakalaki naman niya bigla? Alam kong may spinal problem siya, umiinom daw siya ng steroids, kailangang

bantayan niya ang health niya,” punto de vista ng isang doktor.

Malaki ang kinalaman ng ating timbang sa ating kalusugan.

Payat at mataba ay kailangang masidhing inoobserbahan. Malapit sa pagkakasakit ang lumolobong timbang.

Isang kaibigan naman namin

important for somebody who may actually have COVID-19 rather than influenza.”

Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News network

High risk groups include those: • 60 years of age and older • living with chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart, renal or chronic lung conditions) • with weakened immune systems (e.g. cancer) Symptoms of COVID-19 or other coronaviruses may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus.

ang nagkomento, “Kaya ganyan ang itsura niya, e, malaki rin kasi ang boobs niya. Pantay na nga ang boobs niya at ang bilbil niya.

Kailangan niyang mag-exercise, bata pa naman siya, mahahabol pa rin niya ang dati niyang weight.”

Sa hanay ng mga artistang See CRISTY p17

OUR COMMUNITY

PAGE 16

PILIPINO EXPRESS

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

Tour De “Frends” CRISTY...

From page 13

Tour De Frends (TDF) was founded in 2015 by mountain biking enthusiasts who love exploring trails in Manitoba. They promote healthy living and the sport of cycling in our community. Frends is spelled without the “i” because the group rides as one. Old or new, intermediate or not; no rider is left behind. Everyone is welcome to experience the fun and adrenaline rush. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Like and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

CRISTY...

From page 15 pangkasalukuyan ay nakilala kasi si Angel Locsin na pinakaseksing Darna. Napakaganda ng hugis ng kaniyang katawan, halos perpekto nga siyang Darna, kaya maraming nawiwindang sa kaniyang laki ngayon.

Pinagpipistahan ang kaniyang retrato, nakakatikim na naman ng mga salitang hindi maganda sa pandinig ang aktres, may mga humuhusga sa kaniya.

Malaking usapin ngayon ang paglobo ng katawan ni Angel Locsin, para bang kapag agaran siyang pumayat ay babagsak na ang presyo ng bigas, para bang madidiskubre na ang bakunang makalulutas sa pandemya.

Isa lang ang ibig sabihin noon, nasa gitna pa rin ng entablado at aksiyon si Angel Locsin, sikat pa rin siya kaya bahagi siya ng kamalayan at pakikialam ng publiko sa kaniyang lumobong katawan. ***

PILIPINO EXPRESS

Hindi lang ang mundo ng entertainment ang tinututukan ngayon ng ating mga kababayan.

Pati ang balwarte ng mga news anchors ay interesanteng paksa rin para sa mga Pinoy.

Matagumpay nang nakapagsimula sa Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM ang tambalan nina Ted Failon at DJ Chacha.

Napapanood din sila sa TV5 at One PH Cignal Channel 1.

Nakalipat na sa DZRH sina Anthony Taberna at Gerry Baja. Ang inaabangan ngayon ng mga kababayan natin ay ang paglipat ni Korina Sanchez sa TV5 sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang programang Rated Korina.

Kumpirmado na ang paglipat ni Ate Koring sa kaniyang bagong home studio, ang Brightlight Productions ni Congressman Albee Benetiz ang kaniyang prodyuser, pero may gustong linawin ang kampo ng magaling na news anchor bago magsimula ang kaniyang magazine show sa TV5.

Hindi siya ang ipinalit kay Kris Aquino sa naunsiyami nitong

KROSWORD

NO. 355

Ni Bro. Gerry Gamurot

PAHALANG 1. Resulta 10. Isasama 11. Nota Musikal 13. Ipasyal 14. Unlapi 15. Ilista 17. Karayom 19. ’Di basa 20. Isandal 21. Nilalang ng Diyos 22. Ipunit 25. Balabal 28. Maiiwasan 30. Palagay 31. Nagtiwala 32. Apurahin 33. Alak 34. Talastas PABABA 1. Tamo 2. Pang-ukol 3. Bahay ampunan 4. Kulo 5. Salalay 6. Baon 7. Kalinga 8. Pantukoy

9. Ulirang babae 12. Isaayos 14. Ipalo 16. Bulalas ng nagulat 18. Paaralan sa Diliman 20. Ibatay 21. Lulupig 22. Batubalani 23. Igilid 24. Hawa 25. Dakot 26. Uri ng kahoy 27. Supling 29. Sadya

SAGOT SA NO. 354

show, magkaiba ang kanilang mga prodyuser, si Korina Sanchez ang unang choice ng Brightlight Productions.

Kinabog na naman daw ni Korina ang dati niyang kasama sa ABS-CBN na si Karen Davila, opinyon ng marami, pero ayon sa isang malapit sa newscaster ay gusto munang tutukan ni Karen ang kaniyang pamilya ngayon kaya ayaw muna nitong tumanggap ng programa.

Nalalabnawan naman ang mga nakausap namin kay Henry Omaga Diaz bilang kapalit ni Kuyang Ted sa TV Patrol, kulang daw sa angas sa pagbabalita si Henry, at palagi siyang bumabakel.

“Kahit nga sa news break lang noon ng ABS-CBN, e, kulang na kulang na si Henry, parang wala siyang tiwala sa capacity niya, sa TV Patrol pa kaya?” pagpansin ng kaibigan naming propesor.

Nagririgodon ngayon ang mga news personalities pero nakauna na si Ted Failon na inaabangan na ngayon ng mga kababayan natin tuwing alas sais nang umaga sa Radyo Singko.

Dalawa na silang poste ngayon ni Raffy Tulfo sa bulwagang pambalitaan ng TV5, parehong walang inuurungan, parehong may paninindigan.

Ang buhay nga naman. Sa isang iglap lang ay nagkaipun-ipon ngayon sa TV5 at Radyo Singko ang malalaking personalidad ng news at entertainment.

Wala talagang mayhawak ng bukas. Diyos lang ang nakakaalam kung saan tayo dadalhin ng kapalaran. *** Sabi ng mga kaibigan namin, “Umaariba na naman si Vice Ganda! Nasaksakan lang ng dextrose, umaarya na naman siya!”

Ang kuwento ay nag-ugat sa hindi nila nagustuhang biro ni Vice noong isang araw sa It’s Showtime.

Hindi namin iyon napanood kaya sila ang pinagkuwento namin.

Sabi ng isang nagbalita sa amin, “Mayroon kasi siyang sinabi sa ere na kung makakausap lang daw niya si Gat Andres Bonifacio, e, tatanungin niya kung ano ba ang isinigaw niya sa rebolusyon?

“Sugod mga kapatid daw ba o sugod, mga kapamilya?

Nagtawanan naman siyempre ang mga co-hosts niya! Natural, double bladed ang komento niyang iyon, umani ng reaction,” sabi ng aming

kausap.

Ang komento ni Vice ay may pailalim na parinig, maraming nagpapatunay, sa mga kasamahan nila sa ABS-CBN na naglundagan na sa TV5.

Noong kasagsagan ng emosyon ng mga taga-ABS-CBN dahil sa pagpapasarado sa kanilang network ay panay-panay ang post ni Vice tungkol sa mga kasamahan nilang nawalan ng trabaho.

Napakalungkot niya, paano na raw ang mga kapamilya niyang mawawalan ng trabaho, paano na raw ang mga magugutom nilang pamilya?

Sabi uli ng kausap naming, “Ngayong nasa TV5 na ang marami nilang kapamilya dahil si Mr. M (Direk Johnny Manahan) ang namahala sa pagpili, e, heto na naman si Vice. Umaariba na naman ang matabil niyang dila!

“Dapat, e, maging masaya siya dahil may trabaho na ang mga kasamahan nila sa TV5!

Bakit, kaya ba niyang ibigay ang mga pangangailangan ng mga artistang lumipat sa TV5 para magkatrabaho?

“Tantanan na niya ang mga ganyang salita! Lungkutlungkutan siya noon, pero ngayong nasaksakan na naman siya ng suwero dahil nasa free TV na sila, e, nagpa-power trip na naman siya!” negang komento pa ng aming kausap.

Korek na korek!

Eto pa…

Mukhang may namumuong argumento sa pagitan ng dalawang relihiyon dahil kay Vice Ganda.

Ang sektang pinamumunuan ng dati nang nakabangga ng komedyante na si Pastor Apollo Quiboloy at ang lider naman ng Jesus Is Lord (JIL) na si Brother Eddie Villanueva.

Nagsimula na sa free TV ang It’s Showtime na tinatampukan ni Vice Ganda sa pamamagitan ng A2Z Channel 11 na pag-aari ng pamilya ni Brother Eddie.

Kung si Pastor Quiboloy ang may-ari ng istasyon, ayon sa kaniya, ay hindi nito papayagang umere ang isang Christian station ang isang tulad ni Vice.

Para raw kasing kinukunsinti pa ang kabaklaan ni Vice, samantalang iisa lang naman ang paninindigan ng bawat relihiyon na lalaki at babae lang ang dalawang klase ng kasariang nilalang ng Diyos, walang bakla.

PAGE 17 Kailangan daw bang kunsintihin ang isang tulad ni Vice Ganda na ipinaglalantaran ang kaniyang kabaklaan sa himpapawid? Pero sabi nga ni Pastor Quiboloy ay hindi naman kaniya ang A2Z Channel 11 kaya ang dapat tanungin tungkol doon ay si Brother Eddie.

Nagkaroon ng pagpapalitan ng argumento noon sa pagitan nina Pastor Quiboloy at Vice Ganda.

Nagsabi ang pastor na baka isang araw ay hindi lang ang programa ng komedyante ang mawala sa ere kundi pati ang buong network.

At naganap nga ang markadong pahayag ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Naipasarado nga ang ABS-CBN. Eto pa isang kuwento…

May lumulutang na kuwento na araw-araw nang bumibiyahe si Ion Perez mula Maynila pauwi sa Tarlac. Parang lumalabas sa isyu na hindi na siya nakatira sa bahay ng karelasyon niyang si Vice Ganda.

Anyare, tanong ng marami, lumalamig na ba ang kanilang relasyon?

Tumatabang na ba ang timplada ng kanilang pagmamahalan? Saan nanggaling ang kuwentong uwian na lang ngayon si Ion sa kanilang probinsiya pagkatapos ng kaniyang trabaho sa Manila?

Iyon daw kasi ang hinihiling ng ina ni Ion Perez, sa Tarlac na siya umuwi, dahil masyadong nasabik ang kaniyang pamilya sa tagal ng hindi nila pagkikita dahil sa lockdown.

Mababaw na dahilan iyon para sa mga dudero at dudera, napakababaw, dahil alam naman ng pamilya ni Ion na nasa Maynila ang kaniyang trabaho at napakahirap bumiyahe nang ganoon kalayo.

Pero mukhang ang kuwentong kumakalat ang malabnaw at hindi ang relasyon nina Vice at Ion. Sila pa rin, mainit na mainit pa rin ang kanilang relasyon, isang malapit kay Vice ang nagsabi sa amin.

Sabi ng aming source, “Hindi na bago ang mga ganyang kuwento, puro fake news lang naman ang lumalabas about them.

“Sa ipinagagawang house ni Vice, e, nandoon ang gym para kay Ion, mayroon ba namang nagkakatabangan nang ganoon?

Part pa rin si Ion ng mga plano ni Vice! Hindi totoo iyon!” madiin pang paliwanag ng aming kausap.

– CSF

PAGE 18

PILIPINO EXPRESS

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 19

EN

DI

NG

SO

ON

!

‘DI NA KAILANGAN MANGARAP, DRIVE NA.

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2020 COROLLA LEASE FROM

FOR 60 MONTHS AT

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PRAIRIE TOYOTA DEALERS

ShopToyota.ca

Local dealer may charge additional administration/documentation fees or other fees up to $888. Fees may vary by dealer.

See toyota.ca for complete details. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between Toyota prices, rates and/or other information contained on shoptoyota.ca and that contained on toyota.ca, the latter shall prevail. Errors and omissions excepted. Lease or finance offers based on new and previously unregistered 2020 Corolla models and 2020 RAV4 Models *Lease a 2020 Corolla LE CVT (BURLEC A) for $56 weekly with a down payment or equivalent trade of $1,999. Based on a vehicle price of $23,814 and 1.69% lease APR. Total lease obligation is $16,481.02; lease end value (for personal use only) is $8,615.08. Example based on a 60-month walk-away lease with 24,000 km per year. If km limit is exceeded, an additional km charge of $0.10 per km will apply. Total of 260 weekly lease payments required during the lease term. Representative purchase finance example based on a 2020 Corolla LE CVT (BURLEC A): $23,814 at 1.09% APR for 60 months equals weekly payments of $86. Cost of borrowing is $609.75 for a total obligation of $24,423.45. Down payment of $1,999 is required. Lease and finance offers include a maximum of $2,023.70 for freight and delivery, tire tax and air conditioning tax. **Lease a 2020 RAV4 AWD LE (B1RFVT A) for $89 weekly with a down payment or equivalent trade of $1,799. Based on a vehicle price of $32,577 and 4.99% lease APR. Total lease obligation is $24,887.95; lease end value (for personal use only) is $13,207.85. Example based on a 60-month walk-away lease with 24,000 km per year. If km limit is exceeded, an additional km charge of $0.10 per km will apply. Total of 260 weekly lease payments required during the lease term. Representative purchase finance example based on a 2020 RAV4 AWD LE (BFREVT B): $32,577 at 3.99% APR for 60 months equals weekly payments of $131. Cost of borrowing is $3,223.11 for a total obligation of $35,800.29. Down payment of $1,799 is required. Lease and finance offers include a maximum of $2,387.18 for freight and delivery, tire tax and air conditioning tax. Weekly lease offers available through Toyota Financial Services on approved credit to qualified retail lease customers of new and demonstrator Toyota vehicles. Down payment and first weekly payment are due at lease inception, and next weekly payment is due approximately seven days later and weekly thereafter throughout the term. Visit your Toyota Dealer or shoptoyota.ca for more details. Some conditions apply; offers are time limited and may change without notice. Dealer may lease/sell for less. Each specific model may not be available at each dealer at all times; factory order or dealer trade may be necessary. Offers valid until November 2, 2020.

PAGE 20

PILIPINO EXPRESS

OCTOBER 16 - 31, 2020

Are you continuing your career as a sales professional or just starting out?

Glen Lawn Cemetery, a member of the Arbor Memorial family, is seeking a Sales Representative (Pre Planning Director) who is interested in a long-term and rewarding career.

When you work at an Arbor Memorial cemetery, you will provide advice and guidance to families who are planning their arrangements ahead of time and help them save time and money. You’ll also help families faced with making difficult decisions when a loved one has passed away.

We are seeking candidates who are: • • • •

Driven by success Self-motivated Willing to work a flexible schedule Active in the community

We offer a wide range of benefits for Sales Representatives including: • • • • • •

Generous pay structure Paid training On-going field training Marketing and administrative support Flexible Benefit Plan Employer-matched company Pension Plan

If you are a compassionate person who would like to make a difference in people’s lives, you will have a fulfilling career at Arbor! Sales experience is an asset but not mandatory as we will train to ensure success.

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills: verbal, written and presentation in both official languages would be an asset – English and French; any additional languages would be an asset; a valid driver’s license and personal vehicle are required.

We thank all candidates for applying, and only those that are being considered will be contacted.

Please forward your resume to Darin Penner, Branch Manager at dpenner@arbormemorial.com

A Career at Arbor: It’s About Life.

Arbor Memorial is a 2018 Winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies.

Arbor Memorial Inc.

Glen Lawn

Funeral Home & Cemetery

by Arbor Memorial