president arroyo pardons estrada · 2 october15-31 2007 the north american filipino star lina v....

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President Arroyo pardons Estrada

Critics denounce PQ citizenship billOusted Philippine President Joseph Estrada, right, waves beside his wife, former Senator Loi,as he arrives at their house in San Juan city, Philippines, on Friday Oct. 26, 2007.

Thursday, October 25, 20077:21 AM MANILA, Philippines --President Gloria Macapagal Arroyopardoned her ousted predecessorThursday, paving the way for JosephEstrada's release a month after he wassentenced to life in prison forcorruption.

Acting Executive SecretaryIgnacio Bunye said the pardon wouldrestore Estrada's civil and politicalrights and would take effect upon hisacceptance.

There was no immediatereaction from the 70-year-old Estrada,who has been allowed by the anti-graftSandiganbayan court to be detained inhis sprawling villa near Manila whileappealing his Sept. 12 conviction forplunder.

Estrada's lawyers withdrew hisappeal Monday, removing a keyobstacle to the grant of pardon.

Arroyo cited her government'spolicy of releasing convicts who have

reached 70, Estrada's 6 1/2 years'detention and his public pledge not toseek any public office in deciding topardon her political nemesis.

A court order forfeiting amansion and more than $15.5 millionin bank accounts believed to be ownedby Estrada would remain in place,according to Arroyo's decision, whichwas read by Bunye in a nationallytelevised announcement.

"Arroyo is fully convinced thatthis pardon is in order," Bunye toldreporters.

A Sandiganbayan courtspokesman, Renato Bocar, said itwould order Estrada's release afterreceiving a copy of Arroyo's grant ofpardon.

Estrada was ousted by anonviolent "people power" revolt thatwas co-led by Arroyo, then his vicepresident, in 2001 over allegations of

See page 4 PARDON

Asmahan (Azzy) Manzour has the support of her team, the Nepean Hotspurs in Ottawa. Areferree judged that her heaadgear posed a risk to herself and others.

See Page 4 CITIZEN BILL

By Zenaida Kharroubi


2nd

Edition

October 15-30, 2007 Vol. XXV No. 10-b

From time to time, we havecontroversies arising from the right ofimmigrants to practice their culture.We also hear about the question ofwhether or not there is still systemicracism that is deeply embedded inmany places, be it in public or privatedomains but no one seems to admitopenly they exist. Lately, we have hada series of stories or news about whathas been happening in differentquarters. One can recall about theschool boy who was punished by histeacher for using a spoon that caused afuror in the Filipino community, the lawsuit to demand the right of a boy tocarry a “kirpan” for it is part of hisculture, and the case of a soccerplayer who was ejected from a gamefor wearing a hijab. The latest furor hasbeen created by the introduction of Bill195 by Madame Pauline Marois. ThisBill practically limits the democraticrights of a person to run for publicoffice if he is unable to speak French.

October15-31 20072


The North American Filipino Star

Lina V. FernandezDr. Victor Gavino

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Reasonable accommodation is alegal term used in Canada, which is thelegal obligation to modify a law or anorm when it is contrary tofundamental rights stipulated in theCanadian Charter of Rights andFreedoms. This concept is, accordingto the Supreme Court of Canada, alogical consequence of the Charteritself. The term is currently used in thepublic debate in various meaningsinvolving minority rights. (The origin ofthe term "reasonable accommodation"is found in labour-marketjurisprudence, and refers to theobligation of employers to changesome general rules for certainemployees, under the condition thatthere is no "excessive constraint".)

The term itself does not seem to beoffensive or negative, however, it hasbecome a controversial issue politicallyIn an open letter to the Quebecoispeople on Jan. 16, 2007, MarioDumont, the leader of Quebec's thirdparty, the ADQ, applied this phrase towhat some others in Quebec, JeanCharest among them, prefer to call"reasonable accommodation". Afterthe town of Herouxville enacted a codeof conduct earlier this year forimmigrants, Premier Jean Charest,citing several instances of"unreasonable" accommodation,appointed a two-man commission inFebruary 2007 to investigate the issueand report back by 31 March 2008. Itsformal title is the ConsultationCommission on AccommodationPractices Related to CulturalDifferences, It is sometimes called theBouchard-Taylor Commission. Thetown's "Code of Life" gainedinternational notoriety after councillorsstated that anyone wanting to live inthe town - located between QuebecCity and Montreal -- had to live bycertain rules. Among the rules are theprohibition of stoning of women,wearing of the hijab, and mutilation ofwomen’s genitalia. As there are noteven any visible minorities in the town,one wonders why they bother to passthese rules. Some critics alleged thatthis may be due to the town’s intolerantattitude towards those who aredifferent from them.

The controversy about immigrantsand their acceptance in Quebec

society even became morecomplicated and controversial, to saythe least, when Madame PaulineMarois introduced Bill 195 in theNational Legislature. Without theknowledge of French, a person, old ornew immigrant,even thoughpossessing Canadian citizenship willnot be able to run for any public office.Premier Charest wrote an open letter inthe Montreal Gazette, criticizing the Billand asking Mme Marois to withdraw it.However, she refused to budge in herposition and only slightly softened herstand by saying that she will be willingto submit the bill to scrutiny by theHuman Rights Commission to see ifany of the provisions could bedeclared unconstitutional.

Constitutional or not, the fact thatMadame Marois has introduced a billwhich focuses on the definition ofQuebec citizenship is quitedisheartening or as Premier Charestcalls it, a “backward” move in ademocratic country like Canada. Sucha bill actually reinforces the idea of agovernment being able to dictateeverything that an English speakingimmigrant must do in order toparticipate in civil society. Needless tosay, it is easier to participate in thedebate when one can speak thelanguage of the majority, but thisshould not be a reason to depriveanyone of the right to run in ademocratic election. Why not leave itto the person’s common sense to seekknowledge of the language that isrequired to be a competent legislator?Another important question is aboutthe motivation of Mme Marois. Is shesaying that Quebec is a separatecountry and therefore can impose therequirements of citizenship?

It appears that Madame Marois isalso contradicting the idea behind“reasonable accommodation.” Byintroducing the Quebec citizenship bill,she seems to be saying that Englishspeaking immigrants are not goodenough until they can speak French.She completely ignores otherqualifications like having theintelligence to think through a problemand find solutions. In her mind, theonly thing that counts is one’s ability tospeak French.

"We're slipping into possibly a kind

What is the controversy behind“reasonable accommodation”?

EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 2007, THE STAR IS PUBLISHED TWICE A MONTH.

of unthinkable style of governancethat will basically jeopardize minorityrights in a liberal democracy likeours," race relations advocate FoNiemi told CTV in Montreal.

Just like any other idea that can betaken to the extreme, “reasonableaccommodation” will blur the view ofpeople who are self-centered andselfish but if it is applied properlyunder the right conditions, it isconducive to the development of aharmonious relationship in a multi-cultural society such as ours.

We will be interested to know whatthe commission will find out abouthow people view immigrants and ifthey understand the value ofimmigration.

How well can the idea of“reasonable accommodation” resolvethe conflicting attitudes towardsimmigrants? Will the recommenda-tions be actually used to overcomethe inherent prejudices againstimmigrants? Will there be fundsavailable to help accommodate theneeds of immigrants in their strugglefor equality in the social, political, andeconomic fields?

Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi

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October 15-31, 2007 3The North American Filipino Star


Ottawa, October 31, 2007 -

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister

of Citizenship and Immigration,

announced today that Canada expectsto welcome between 240,000 and265,000 newcomers in 2008.

The target is set out in the2007 Annual Report to Parliament onImmigration tabled today in the Houseof Commons. The report providesinformation on immigration activities in2006 and outlines the immigrationplan for 2008.

"Our government believes thatimmigration plays an important role inbuilding our communities and growingour economy," said Minister Finley."The immigration targets tabled todaywill help ensure that Canada continuesto grow and benefit from all thatnewcomers and their families bring toour country."

The Canadian Expe-rienceClass, first announced in the 2007budget and a key element of thegovernment's long-term immigrationplan, will be implemented in 2008 forcertain skilled temporary workers andinternational students with Canadiandegrees and Canadian workexperience. Once the class isestablished and for the first time,individuals meeting specific criteriawill be able to apply for permanentresident status from within Canada.

The Canadian Expe-rienceClass adds to other initiatives to

address labour market needs and tohelp in the successful integration ofnewcomers. These includeestablishing the Foreign CredentialsReferral Office (FCRO), improving theTemporary Foreign Worker programand expanding the Provincial NomineeProgram.

The FCRO is working with theprovinces and territories to helpinternationally trained individuals gettheir skills assessed and recognized.

The Provincial Nominee Programallows provinces and territories toidentify and nominate immigrants whowill address their labour market needs.

Canada is continuing itshumanitarian tradition by, for example,resettling 800 Karen refugees fromThailand and committing to welcoming2,000

more. Canada also played animportant role in negotiations on theprotracted situation of Bhutaneserefugees in Nepal, agreeing to resettle5,000 of them over the next few years. The federal government has alsocommitted an additional $1.3 billion insettlement funding over five years, and$342 million per year ongoing, to helpnewcomers succeed.

The Annual Report toParliament on Immigration, which mustbe tabled by November 1 each year, isa requirement under the Immigrationand Refugee Protection Act.For further information (media only),

please contact:

Tim Vail

Press Secretary

Minister's Office

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

613-954-1064

Karen Shadd-EvelynMedia RelationsCommunications BranchCitizenship and Immigration Canada 613-952-1650

Government of CanadaAnnounces New Call forProposals for Women'sProjects

OTTAWA, Nov. 1 /CNW Telbec/ - TheHonourable Josée Verner, MinisterofCanadian Heritage, Status of Womenand Official Languages, todayannounced a second call for proposalsto solicit funding from the Women'sCommunity Fundof Status of WomenCanada.

The new call invites eligibleorganizations to access funding fromtheoverall $15.3 million Women'sProgram budget of Status of WomenCanada.

"Our Government is working toadvance women's participation in theeconomic, social and cultural life ofCanada and we are doing so at recordlevels of funding," Minister Verner said."We are eager to work with groupsthat will have a direct, positive impacton women in their communities."

Status of Women Canada will focusits support on projects that promotewomen's economic security andprosperity, health, safety and those

aimed at ending all forms ofdiscrimination and violence againstwomen. As a condition of eligibility forfunding, projects must support theadvancement of all women in Canada.The first call for proposals was issuedon June 4, 2007. On October 11, 2007,Minister Verner announced that 60projects will receive funding totalling$8 million through the Women'sProgram of Status ofWomenCanada.

The Women's Community Fundmakes $12.3 million available per yearfor grants and contributions to supporteligible projects at the local, regionaland national level. To qualify, a projectmust advance the economic, socialand cultural situation of womenthrough initiatives that directly supportwomen in their communities. Thedeadline for submissions to theWomen'sCommunity Fund, under thesecond call for proposals, is December 17,2007.

Applications and Funding Guidelinesfor the Women's Community Fund areavailable on the SWC website (http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca ).Status ofWomen Canada is a federal gov

For more information on Status ofWomen Canada, visit http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/. For further information:Richard Walker, Press Secretary, Officeof the Minister of Canadian Heritage,Status of Women and OfficialLanguages, (819)997-7788; Nanci-JeanWaugh, Director of Communications,Status of WomenCanada, (613) 995-7839

Canada to accept up to 265,000new immigrants in 2008

October15-31 20074



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massive corruption and misrule. Hewas arrested and detained a fewmonths later, angering his legions offollowers.

Estrada was convicted lastSeptember after a landmark six-yeartrial on charges that he took bribes andkickbacks while in office. He wassentenced to life in prison.

Estrada has denied thecharges and accused Arroyo ofmasterminding his removal in aconspiracy with leaders of the RomanCatholic church and senior militaryofficers.

A former action film star whoonce pulled off the biggest electionvictory in Philippine history, Estradaremains popular among impoverishedFilipinos who adored his B-movies,where he often portrayed roles as achampion of the poor.

He served as an oppositionicon, often criticizing Arroyo frombehind bars.

Estrada told The AssociatedPress earlier this week that he wouldnot seek public office even if that rightwere restored by presidential pardon.He said, however, he would continueto criticize Arroyo.

With a new poll showingQuebecers divided in their views of theParti Québécois's proposal for Quebeccitizenship, two human right groupsyesterday blasted the plan asxenophobic, intolerant and aninfringement of constitutional rights.

B'nai Brith Canada and theCentre for Research-Action on RaceRelations urged the PQ to immediatelywithdraw Bill 195, which proposes tomake a working knowledge of Frencha requirement for Quebec citizenshipfor new arrivals from outside and withinCanada.

The rules would apply evenwhile Quebec is part of Canada.Bill 195 would be a seriousinfringement of democratic rights andthe rights of immigrants in general, thegroups said.

The PQ, the third party in theprovincial legislature, also hassubmitted Bill 196, which calls for aQuebec constitution.

"These bills, which remind usof measures advocated by extremeright-wing parties in Europe, aredangerous because theyinstitutionalize xenophobia andintolerance," said Fo Niemi, thecentre's executive director.

"Our reaction is one of shame," saidSteven Slimovitch, national legalcounsel for B'nai Brith Canada. "We areashamed to live in a province in whicha draft law is tabled in the NationalAssembly that ensures the creation oftwo types of citizens. It's time the PQstopped saying 'us' and 'them.' "

At a joint Montreal newsconference, the groups said themeasures would not only violate theCanadian constitution becausecitizenship is a federal matter, theywould violate the Canadian andQuebec charters of rights andfreedoms by creating two classes ofcitizens, some without the same rightsas others.

Bill 195's proposal to eliminatefor certain citizens the right to petitionthe National Assembly with agrievance is an attempt to take away aright acquired by peasants in theMagna Carta in 1215, the groups said.

They said they plan to bringthe bill to the attention of the UnitedNations special human rightsinvestigator, Doudou Diène, as soon aspossible.

But the PQ stood by Bill 195,dismissing the numerous complaintsas similar to those expressed when theparty brought in the French LanguageCharter 30 years ago.

In the meantime, a new pollshows Quebecers divided alonglinguistic lines in their opinion of thebill. Overall, 44 per cent favour it and46 per cent oppose it. But while 52 percent of franco-phones back the bill, 79per cent of non-francophones opposeit.

Produced by Léger Marketingfor the Journal de Montréal, the poll of513 people was conductedWednesday.

Pollster Jean-Marc Léger saysPQ leader Pauline Marois scoredpoints with some voters.

"She managed to strikepeople's identity chord, an area the PQhad been shut out of since 1995 to thebenefit of the Action démocratique duQuébec," Léger said. "Now she isbringing those people back."

From Page 1 Pardon

From Page 1 Citizen Bill

Peso hits 7-year high in choppy Asia October 30, 2007

The Philippine peso hit a seven-year high on Tuesday, as investorspiled into the high-yielding currency inanticipation of a Federal Reserve ratecut this week and further cuts in thecoming months.

The peso rose as far as 43.95 perdollar, up a quarter of a percent fromMonday's close to its strongest levelsince July 2000, despite choppytrading in most other Asian currencies.

That brought its cumulative gainssince Sept. 18, when the Fed cut itskey interest rate by 0.5 percentagepoints, to nearly 5.0 percent.

"I think it's due to expectations offurther flows -- remittance inflows andequity flows," said a trader in Manila.

"Dollar/peso looks heavy around44.00," said Markus Ammann of HVB inHong Kong. "They are back from along weekend, and I would expect BSP(central bank) to slow down pesodemand."

The Philippine markets wereclosed on Monday for regionalelections.

The peso has gained about 11.5percent against the dollar so far thisyear, making it Asia's second-bestperformer after the Indian rupee whichhas risen about 12.3 percent.

But the Indonesian rupiah anotherhigh-yielder, fell as far as 9,115 perdollar, down almost a third of a percentfrom late Asian trade on Monday.

The Malaysian ringgit fell as far as3.3493 per dollar, also down 0.3percent.

The Thai baht attempted to test the34-per-dollar level, but was kept awayfrom the psychologically importantlevel by suspected dollar-buying by thecentral bank, traders said.

A trader in Bangkok said heexpected, however, the baht to piercethe 34 barrier soon because demandfor the Thai currency remained strong.

"A lot of exporters are selling thedollar," he said.

A bigger US rate cut than thequarter-point priced in by marketswould give the whole region a boost byknocking the dollar lower, anothertrader said.

"Now we will wait and see if the Fedwill cut interest rates by more than 0.25percentage points to surprise marketsand push the dollar lower across theaboard." a

A man counts peso bills at a moneychanger in Manila October 30, 2007. ThePhilippine peso hit a seven-year high onTuesday, as investors piled into a high-yielding currency in anticipation of aFederal Reserve rate cut this week andfurther cuts in the coming months.

Quebec's ruling Liberals and the PartiQuebecois traded claims Monday thatthe other party was creating twoclasses of citizens.

The Liberals charged that Bill195, a PQ bill to establish Quebeccitizenship, would create two types ofQuebecers.

The PQ, citing Liberal plans toreduce the Immigration Department

payroll, said the government iscreating two kinds of newcomers.

PQ members have been onthe defensive over Bill 195 which statesthat Quebec citizenship would berequired to run for school board,municipal or national assemblyelections.

Canadian citizenship alone,however, would still be sufficient tovote in those same elections.

Monday the PQ seized on areport that the Immigration Departmentis cutting its staff by 11 per cent, at thesame time that it has proposedwelcoming an additional 10,000immigrants a year.

"By reducing the budget of thedepartment destined to better integrateand francize immigrants, the Charestgovernment is creating two classes ofcitizens, those who speak French andthose who don't," said PQ immigrationcritic Martin Lemay.

Bill 195 would make all Canadiancitizens now living in the provinceQuebec citizens, independent of theirability to speak French. Newcomersfrom another country or anotherprovince could only become Quebeccitizens by demonstrating three yearsafter arriving their capacity to get by inFrench.

The PQ, with 35 members oflegislature, is the third party in theassembly and Bill 195 has no chanceof becoming law. But Bill 195 hasshifted the spotlight away from Actiondemocratique du Quebec LeaderMario Dumont and on to newlycrowned PQ Leader Pauline Marois.

"We don't take it seriously,"said Catherine Morissette, the ADQimmigration critic.

Quebec citizenship drawspolitical fire

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October 30, 2007At least three people were killed in

isolated outbursts of violence and aschoolhouse went up in flames asmillions of Filipinos voted in whatofficials said were largely peacefulbarangay (village) and SangguniangKabataan (youth council, SK) electionsacross the country.More than a million candidates tookpart in the country’s latestrambunctious exercise in democracyamid tight security.

Acting Commission on ElectionsChair Resurreccion Borra said thatbased on reports from the field, voterturnout would likely surpass the 68-percent turnout registered in the 2002village elections.

The three deaths Monday broughtto at least 23 the number of candidatesand their followers killed since theelection campaign began last month,Philippine National Police DirectorGeneral Avelino Razon Jr. said.

Voting in some areas was alsomarred by flooding and landslides.

The candidates were vying fornearly 672,000 posts in about 42,000barangays.

Elected to three-year terms, thewinning candidates will fill grass-rootsposts in the country of 89 millionpeople, and their work will range fromsettling family quarrels to overseeinggarbage collection and weeding outsuspected insurgents in theirneighborhoods.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyolined up to vote in her hometown ofLubao in Pampanga province, wavingand smiling to a small crowd.

His political rights fully restoredafter Ms Arroyo pardoned him lastweek following his plunder conviction,deposed President Joseph Estradavoted in a school in San Juan City.

Midway through the voting,Comelec Commissioner ReneSarmiento reported no major violenceor disruptions.

“We hear of vote-buying here andthere, but it’s not a major trend,”Sarmiento said.

Despite three deaths and a failureof election in some areas in Mindanao,the PNP said the elections were “verypeaceful.”

Razon told reporters that a total of48 election-related violent incidents(ERVIs) had been recorded since theelection period began on Sept. 29.

Of this number, the PNP recorded25 deaths as of 4 p.m. Monday. Of thisfigure, six were candidates forbarangay captain, two candidates forkagawad (councilor), seven incumbentbarangay officials, three governmentofficials and seven civilians.

A total of 22 people were alsoreported wounded.

Thanks to PNP, AFP

Razon based his “peaceful”assessment after comparing figuresfrom the 2002 elections.

Over 68% voter turnoutin village elections,says Comelec

According to the PNP’s records,144 people died while 69 werewounded in 159 incidents in the 2002elections.

Razon credited the low number ofcasualties to the deputization by theComelec of the PNP and units of theArmed Forces of the Philippines forsecurity operations, the work ofnongovernment organizations andother stakeholders and the “vigilanceand alertness of the public.”

500,000 teachers

“Overall, the turnout of voters iscomparatively higher than in 2002. Thesituation was under control by the AFP

and PNP,” Borra said.The Department of Education set

aside a P30-million emergency fund forthe country’s 500,000 public schoolteachers who served in Monday’spolls. The fund was intended for pollduty-related deaths or injuriesinvolving teachers and other educationpersonnel.

The DepEd also requested for theallocation of an additional P2 billion forthe salary of teachers who manned thepolling precincts. Only P930 millionhad been set aside by the Comelec forthe purpose.

Teachers were entitled to a P1,000compensation for each day of pollduty. Teachers handling additional SK

polling precincts will get an additionalP500.

A failure of election was reported insome villages in Sulu, Cotabato Cityand Eastern Visayas because of thepresence of armed men that preventedelection officials from reporting inthese areas.

Incidents of harassment,insufficient official ballots, missingnames, flying voters and vote-buyingwere also reported in some precincts.

A reelectionist village chair, BasherMaharam, was shot and killed inside apolling precinct in Isabela City inBasilan province, police said.

Continued on Page 19 - ‘Elections’

October15-31 20076 The North American Filipino Star


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COMMUNITY NEWS

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October 30, 2007 – For immediatedistributionWakefield’s Black Sheep Inn to HostOfficial launch

The municipality of La Pêche is

set to become Quebec ’s first officialFair Trade Town and the second inCanada on November 9th. Due to thehard work of a dedicated group ofWakefield (LaPêche) residents, themunicipality has joined the growingmovement of communities withinCanada and abroad that have taken upthe challenge to support the principlesof Fair Trade and increase availabilityof Fair Trade Certified products at thelocal level.

“La Pêche’s Fair Trade Towndesignation is good news for ourcommunity. It means our residentscare about making a difference,” saysRobert Bussière, Mayor of La Pêche, “Iam very proud that our community hascome together at the grassroots andpolitical levels to become a Fair TradeTown .”

To become a Fair Trade Town,a community must meet six goals;these goals encourage access to FairTrade Certified products in thecommunity and increase educationand public awareness about Fair Tradeand sustainable consumption. Theinternational Fair Trade TownsCampaign was launched in Canada inApril 2007 with the designation ofWolfville , Nova Scotia . The campaignis coordinated by TransFair Canada ,the independent certification body forFair Trade Certified products in Canada.“The international Fair Trade Townscampaign empowers localcommunities to send a strong signal infavour of Fair Trade. We congratulateLa Pêche for supporting sustainableconsumption and the livelihoods offarmers and workers in the developingworld,” says TransFair Canada ’s

Executive Director Rob Clarke.La Pêche’s Fair Trade Steering

Group, made up of local businessowners, church and schoolrepresentatives, and a member ofmunicipal council, is coordinating aweek-long celebration from November3rd–9th. Events include:· Official launch party on Friday,November 9th at 8:00 pm at the BlackSheep Inn, featuring the world musicband People’s Project, a capoeiraperformance, and official “Fair TradeTown designation” ceremony withMayor of La Pêche, Robert Bussièreand TransFair Canada· Screening of the acclaimed filmBlack Gold on Tuesday, November 6that 7:30 pm at the Black Sheep Inn· A week-long draw of Fair Trade andlocal goods

La Pêche’s municipal councilhas now passed a formal resolution topurchase only Fair Trade Certifiedcoffee, tea and sugar for its meetingsand offices; a dozen stores andrestaurants are selling Fair TradeCertified products; a number ofcommunity groups, churches, andschools have committed to purchaseand raise awareness about Fair Trade;and a certification scheme is beingdeveloped to recognize and promotelocal producers.

Anne Winship, owner of BeanFair Coffee and the coordinator of FairTrade efforts over the past number ofyears in Wakefield, enthuses: “Whatcould be better than all of us in ourmunicipality coming together to helpproducers far away and close by – thebest of both worlds!”– 30 –

A Musical Tribute

La Pêche designatedQuébec’s first FairTrade Town

PBAM LEAGUE SET TOOPEN NOVEMBER 17By: Joy Lizarondo

The Philippine BasketballAssociation of Montreal (PBAM),Montreal Filipino basketball’s finest, willopen its 32nd League season Saturday,November 17, 2007 from 9:00am-5:00pm at the CDN Sports Centre,4880 Van Horne Avenue.

Competing clubs are the KidsClub, Pinoy Hoops, FCAWI, Palaboyz,Sea-Oilers, PAAWIS and independentsLaSalle, Shoremen, Philbecan,Candonians, Kapampangan, All-Cityand Shaun’s Rebs.

A novelty will be the addition ofthe ABC (Asian Basketball Conference)featuring a Cambodian-Laotioancombine, Kaitas, a finesse Chineseteam and a myriad of elite Filipinoteams bannered by James Bulchand,Gil Manon-og, Jon Bustamante, RowellSolmerano, Aron Poonin, MigSorensen, Cholo and Jody Maguigad,Keith Sotero, John Reyes and a host ofothers.



For more information:Anne Winship, Chair, La Pêche FairTrade Steering Group: ReykiaFick, TransFair Canada(819) 459-4452; [email protected](613) 563-3351, ext. 27;[email protected]) The six goals of the Fair TradeTown Campaign in Canada are:

1) Support from the local citycouncil for Fair Trade and thecampaignTrade Certified products madeavailable in stores & restaurants3) Fair Trade Certified products usedand promoted in workplaces, faithgroups, & schools4) Public awareness raised and mediacoverage on Fair Trade and thecampaign5) A steering group created to ensurecontinued commitment6) Other ethical and sustainableinitiatives are promoted within thecommunity(Please visit www.transfair.ca for amore detailed description of thesegoals.)B) Fair Trade is an international

system of doing business based ondialogue, transparency and respect. Itcontributes to sustainabledevelopment by offering better tradingconditions for producers and workersin developing countries, including:· Fair compensation for their productsand labour· Sustainable environmental practices·Improved social services andinvestment in local economicinfrastructure· Access to credit and direct tradingrelationships· Democratic organization andempowerment

Behind the principles andgoals of Fair Trade is a rigorousinternational system of monitoring,auditing and certification. TransFairCanada (www.transfair.ca) is the onlyindependent, non-profit, third-partycertification organization for Fair TradeCertified products in Canada , and theCanadian affiliate of the FairtradeLabelling Organizations International(FLO).C) The Fair Trade Towns campaign

was born in the United Kingdom in1999, when a local Oxfam group in thetown of Garstang decided to worktowards becoming ‘the world’s first FairTrade Town.’ Since this time, thecampaign has taken off in the UK ,where they have already celebratedtheir 250th Fair Trade Town. Thecampaign is now being adopted incountries across Europe and NorthAmerica .

Wakefield / La Pêche:La Pêche is a municipality made up of 8villages, including Wakefield . 30 km northof Ottawa , Wakefield is a well-knowntourist destination on the Gatineau River . E) Press photo availableReykia FickCommunications & OutreachCommunications & sensibilisationTransFair Canada328 Somerset St WOttawa, ON K2P 0J9Tel: 613-563-3351 x 27Fax: 613-563-1462www.transfair.ca

Nominations forthe “OutstandingFilipino Award(TOFIL) NowOpen

Philippine Ambassador JoseBrillantes said: The OutstandingFilipino Award (TOFIL) is “accorded tooutstanding Filipinos, natural born ornaturalized citizens, 41 years or olderwho, in the practice of their professiion,vocation or calling, business or otherservices, have greatly contributed tothe advancement or improvement ofthe Philippine economy, arts, cultureand promotion of Filipino heritage, aswell as Filipinos who have madetremendous impact on povertyalleviation or improvement of public orsocial welafare.

Since the inception by the JCISenate Philippines, an organization ofJacee International members, in 1988to publicly recognize men and womenwhose exemplary achievementsdeserve recognition, the TOFIL Awardhas been bestowed on ninety (90)distinguished Filipino individuals.Among past TOFIL awardees are JaimeCardinal Sin for spiritual leadership(1988), Marcelo Feman for the judiciary(1989), Diosdado Macapagal forgovernment service (1990), LeonardoSarao for entrepreneurship (1991),

Jose L. Guevara for journalism (1993,

Hilario G. Davide, Jr. for law (1999) and

Francisco Manosa for architecture

(2004).

The award categories for which

candidates may be nominated include

a g r i c u l t u r e , a r c h i t e c t u r e ,

business/entrepreneurship/industry,

community/humanitarian service,

ecclesiastical/religious work,

ecological/environmental conservation,

economics/finance, education,

government/public service, justice//law,

labor, literature//journalism/media,

medicine, military/policework,

science/technology, sports, peace

advocacy, technopreneurship and

others. Nominees should be

nominated under one caategory only.

A Screening Committee shall

perform an extensive preliminary

screening of the nominees. A Board of

Judges composed of eminent

personalities from various fields will

make the final selection.

For more informationn on the

TOFIL Award, please visit the TOFIL

website at www.tofil.ph or call the JCI

Senate Philippines Secretariat at (632)

374-4390 and (632) 412-5662 or the

Public Relations Department of the

Insular Life Assurance Co., its project

sponsor.

Using two NASA satellites,astronomers have discovered theheftiest known black hole to orbit a star.The new black hole, with a mass 24 to33 times that of our Sun, is moremassive than scientists expected for ablack hole that formed from a dyingstar.

The newly discovered objectbelongs to the category of "stellar-mass" black holes. Formed in the deaththroes of massive stars, they aresmaller than the monster black holesfound in galactic cores. The previousrecord holder for largest stellar-massblack hole is a 16-solar-mass blackhole in the galaxy M33, announced onOctober 17.

"We weren’t expecting to find astellar-mass black hole this massive,"says Andrea Prestwich of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics inCambridge, Mass., lead author of thediscovery paper in the November 1Astrophysical Journal Letters. "It seemslikely that black holes that form fromdying stars can be much larger than wehad realized."

The black hole is located in thenearby dwarf galaxy IC 10, 1.8 millionlight-years from Earth in theconstellation Cassiopeia. Prestwich’steam could measure the black hole’smass because it has an orbitingcompanion: a hot, highly evolved star.The star is ejecting gas in the form of awind. Some of this material spiralstoward the black hole, heats up, andgives off powerful X-rays beforecrossing the point of no return.

In November 2006, Prestwichand her colleagues observed the dwarfgalaxy with NASA’s Chandra X-rayObservatory. The group discoveredthat the galaxy’s brightest X-ray source,IC 10 X-1, exhibits sharp changes in X-ray brightness. Such behaviorsuggests a star periodically passing infront of a companion black hole andblocking the X-rays, creating aneclipse. In late November, NASA’s Swiftsatellite confirmed the eclipses andrevealed details about the star’s orbit.The star in IC 10 X-1 appears to orbit ina plane that lies nearly edge-on toEarth’s line of sight, The Swiftobservations, as well as observations

Massive Black HoleSmashes Record

from the Gemini Telescope in Hawaii,told Prestwich and her group how fastthe two stars go around each other.Calculations showed that thecompanion black hole has a mass of atleast 24 Suns.

There are still someuncertainties in the black hole’s massestimate, but as Prestwich notes,"Future optical observations willprovide a final check. Any refinementsin the IC 10 X-1 measurement are likelyto increase the black hole’s massrather than reduce it."

The black hole’s large mass issurprising because massive starsgenerate powerful winds that blow off alarge fraction of the star’s mass beforeit explodes. Calculations suggestmassive stars in our galaxy leavebehind black holes no heavier thanabout 15 to 20 Suns.

The IC 10 X-1 black hole hasgained mass since its birth by gobblingup gas from its companion star, but therate is so slow that the black hole wouldhave gained no more than 1 or 2 solarmasses. "This black hole was born fat;it didn’t grow fat," says astrophysicistRichard Mushotzky of NASA GoddardSpace Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.,who is not a member of the discoveryteam.

The progenitor star probablystarted its life with 60 or more solarmasses. Like its host galaxy, it wasprobably deficient in elements heavierthan hydrogen and helium. In massive,luminous stars with a high fraction ofheavy elements, the extra electrons ofelements such as carbon and oxygen"feel" the outward pressure of light andare thus more susceptible to beingswept away in stellar winds. But with itslow fraction of heavy elements, the IC10 X-1 progenitor shed comparativelylittle mass before it exploded, so itcould leave behind a heavier blackhole.

"Massive stars in our galaxytoday are probably not producing veryheavy stellar-mass black holes like thisone," says coauthor Roy Kilgard ofWesleyan University in Middletown,Conn. "But there could be millions ofheavy stellar-mass black holes lurkingout there that were produced early inthe Milky Way’s history, before it had achance to build up heavy elements."

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From the Editors of E/TheEnvironmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: Are the rumors true thatrefilling and reusing some types of plasticbottles can cause health problems?

Regina Fujan, Lincoln, NEMost types of plastic bottles are

safe to reuse at least a few times if properlywashed with hot soapy water. But recentrevelations about chemicals in Lexan(plastic #7) bottles are enough to scareeven the most committedenvironmentalists from reusing them (orbuying them in the first place). Studieshave indicated that food and drinks storedin such containers—including thoseubiquitous clear Nalgene water bottleshanging from just about every hiker’sbackpack—can contain trace amount ofBisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemicalthat interferes with the body’s naturalhormonal messaging system.

The same studies found thatrepeated re-use of such bottles—which getdinged up through normal wear and tearand while being washed—increases thechance that chemicals will leak out of thetiny cracks and crevices that develop overtime. According to the EnvironmentCalifornia Research & Policy Center, whichreviewed 130 studies on the topic, BPA hasbeen linked to breast and uterine cancer,an increased risk of miscarriage, anddecreased testosterone levels. BPA canalso wreak havoc on children’s developingsystems. (Parents beware: Most babybottles and sippy cups are made withplastics containing BPA.) Most expertsagree that the amount of BPA that couldleach into food and drinks through normalhandling is probably very small, but thereare concerns about the cumulative effectof small doses.

Health advocates alsorecommend not reusing bottles made fromplastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate,also known as PET or PETE), includingmost disposable water, soda and juicebottles. According to The Green Guide,such bottles may be safe for one-time use,but reuse should be avoided becausestudies indicate they may leach DEHP—another probable human carcinogen—when they are in less than perfectcondition. The good news is that suchbottles are easy to recycle; just aboutevery municipal recycling system will takethem back. But using them is nonethelessfar from environmentally responsible: Thenonprofit Berkeley Ecology Center foundthat the manufacture of plastic #1 useslarge amounts of energy and resourcesand generates toxic emissions andpollutants that contribute to globalwarming. And even though PET bottlescan be recycled, millions find their way intolandfills every day in the U.S. alone.

Another bad choice for water bottles,reusable or otherwise, is plastic #3(polyvinyl chloride/PVC), which can leachhormone-disrupting chemicals into theliquids they are storing and will releasesynthetic carcinogens into theenvironment when incinerated. Plastic #6(polystyrene/PS), has been shown to leachstyrene, a probable human carcinogen,

into food and drinks as well. Safer choices include bottles

crafted from safer HDPE (plastic #2), low-density polyethylene (LDPE, AKA plastic#4) or polypropylene (PP, or plastic #5).Consumers may have a hard time findingwater bottles made out of #4 or #5,however. Aluminum bottles, such as thosemade by SIGG and sold in many naturalfood and product markets, and stainlesssteel water bottles are also safe choicesand can be reused repeatedly andeventually recycled.

CONTACTS: The Green Guide,www.thegreenguide.com; EnvironmentC a l i f o r n i a ,www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/environmental-health/environmental-health-

reports/toxic-baby-bottles; SIGG,www.mysigg.com.

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that globalwarming can exacerbate allergies? -- AlexTibbetts, Seattle, WA

Global warming can makeallergies worse simply because the majorpollen producers that trigger allergicreactions thrive and flourish in warmer air.A recent report from the nonprofit NaturalResources Defense Council (NRDC)entitled “Sneezing and Wheezing: HowGlobal Warming Could Increase RagweedAllergies, Air Pollution and Asthma” detailshow ragweed, one of the most commonallergens in the U.S., grows faster and forlonger periods as air temperatures rise dueto climate change.

Ragweed also thrives on direct exposureto carbon dioxide (CO2), so as we emitmore of this chief greenhouse gas from our

tailpipes and smokestacks, we areunwittingly also causing more allergy-aggravating pollen to be produced.According to Kim Knowlton of NRDC, thegroup’s analysis shows that “there is aclear interplay” between the onslaught ofglobal warming and increasingly higherlevels of ragweed pollen, especially inwarmer urban areas already plagued withallergens.

“People living in some of the mostpopulated regions of this country may befeeling the effects of global warming everyallergy season,” says Knowlton. TheNRDC report concludes that an increasingnumber of the 110 million Americans wholive in areas with existing ragweed

problems will suffer the consequences ofglobal warming as their noses begin to runand their eyes begin to water. Majormetropolitan areas in the U.S. likely to bemost affected include Atlanta,Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Los Angeles andChicago, among other locales.

Public health statistics show that about 36million Americans suffer from some form ofseasonal allergy. While allergies can beannoying in their own right, they are also amain contributor to asthma and otherserious respiratory problems, makingthem a serious health threat in their ownright. Some 17 million Americans sufferfrom asthma, with well over half of themalso sensitive to the allergens that canspark an asthma attack. Meanwhile, CO2emissions also contribute to smog,another trigger for asthma. Thus globalwarming represents a double whammy forasthmatics with pre-existing allergies.

“Global warming—through both itscomponents and by-products—is creatinga perfect storm of sneezing and wheezingfor allergy and asthma suffers in the U.S.,”says Gina Solomon, a senior scientist inNRDC’s health program. She adds that hergroup’s recent analysis “shows us thatpeople throughout the U.S.—in the North,South, East and West—will be verypersonally affected by global warming,and we need pollution controls throughoutthe country to help offset this problem.”

According to NRDC, industrialand personal actions can help reduceincreases in allergens and combat theireffects. Federal, state and localgovernments can protect communities byreducing the sources of global warmingpollution and by creating better resourcesfor citizens in need of information aboutpollen levels in their areas. Individuals canreduce their own exposure to ragweed andother allergens by checking news outletsfor daily pollen counts before venturingoutside for long periods of time.

CONTACT: NRDC, “Sneezing andW h e e z i n g , ”www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/sneezing/contents.asp.

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION?Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/TheEnvironmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098,Westport, CT 06881; submit it at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/,or e-mail: [email protected] past columns at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php

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"Some health advocates recommend not re-using bottles made from plastic #1 (polyethyleneterephthalate), including most disposable water, soda and juice bottles. Studies indicate theymay leach DEHP -- a probable human carcinogen -- when they are in less than perfectcondition."(Getty Images)



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The North American Filipino StarThe North American Filipino Star

The North American Filipino Star Photo Gallery

Laging Handa Scouts pose for souvenir with a veteran during the HuntingdonRural Race, October 20, 2007.

Laging Handa Cubs and Scouts are busy carving their pumpkins while RomyValenzuela, Claro Bermudez, and Joselito Sarto stand by. Photo taken atTamaracout Camp, October 26, 2007.

Taken before the Huntingdon Rural Race began, October 20, 2007,members of the Laging Handa Scout group pose for souvenir.

Just before leaving Camp Tamaracouta, October 28, 2007, campers pose infront of the caboose, October 28, 2007

October15-31 200712



TOURISMP A L A W A NPhilippines’ last

ecologicalfrontier

Arial view of the Coron islands, northern Palawan

The island province of Palawanhas been declared as a naturesanctuary of the world, and for goodreason. It is wrapped in a mantel ofrainforests, outstanding dive sites,majestic mountains, primeval caves,and pristine beaches. It is surroundedby a coral shelf that abounds withvaried and colorful marine life. It boastsof exotic flora and fauna, like themousedeer and the scaly anteater, thatare found nowhere else. Palawan istruly a paradise, a cluster of beautifulislands that lies southwest of Luzon. Itis also the largest province in thePhilippines, with its 1,768 islands andislets that cover about 1.5 millionhectares

Palawan waters are among thebest in the world, not only for diving butalso for fishing. A diver's paradise, ithas miles of sub-surface coral andrainbow reef walls which surround thecoasts and coves teeming with richmarine life.

The El Nido Marine Reserve inMiniloc, El Nido, occupying an area of96,000 hectares, is a popular naturespot in the province. It boasts ofdiverse ecosystems, such asrainforests, mangroves, white sand

beaches, coral reefs, and limestonereefs as well as a variety of fishes, likemanta ray and the sea cow or""dugong,"" known as the world's rarestmarine mammal. It is now one of thecountry's premier destinations, blessedwith amazing natural scenery, andconsidered as a sanctuary for variousforms of wildlife.

Sta. Lourdes Tagbanua, PuertoPrincesa City is where the Honda Baycan be seen. The bay consists ofseveral islets with shallow reefs,bordering fabulous beaches and smallresorts which have become the favoritewater sports destination of local andforeign tourists alike.

The province boasts ofextraordinary scenic wonders. Africananimals from Kenya in Africa - giraffesand elands, zebras and gazelles – co-exist with endemic Philippine animals,like the Palawan bearcat, mousedeerand peacock (pheasant), in the CalauitIsland Wildlife Sanctuary inBusuanga, considered one of theprovince’s most amazing sites.Another sanctuary found in Rio TubaVillage, Bataraza is the Ursula IslandGame Refuge and Bird Sanctuary.This island is a haven for birds that rest One of the many ‘secret beaches’ foud all throughout Palawan. See if you can find

your own private paradise...

A cliff climber on top of a limestone cliff looks down the charming coastal town of El Nido in northern Palawan



Tubbataha Reef, Puerto Princesa - Said to be the most beautiful dive site in thispart of the world. Its deep blue lagoon is bordered by emerald green waters. Thereare seagulls and giant turtles (seen bottom right).

Twin Lagoon in Coron

St. Paul Subterranean River, Palawan - It is the longest subterranean river in theworld, 8.2 km are navigable but tourists are only allowed up to the 4km mark. Youhave to get a special permit if you want to go beyong that.

and converge two hours before sunset,after a day's flight.

Puerto Princesa, the capital, is theprovince's main gateway. The St.Paul's Subterranean National Park isan 8-kilometer long underground river,the longest underground river in theworld. Known as one of the world'swonders, this river stretches eightkilometers deep into an undergroundlagoon with crystalline waters. Withinthe hallowed recesses, one windsthrough the tunnel aboard a paddleboat with outriggers to be enthralled atevery turn which reveals stalactitepillars, rock formations, and domedamphitheaters, all of which will fill thetourists with awe.

The Tabon Caves in SouthernPalawan are acknowledged as the"Cradle of Civilization" of the Filipinopeople. Nestled in the mountainouscape of Lipuon Point, the 29-cavecomplex is a treasure trove ofarchaeological artifacts and thefossilized bones of the Tabon man. Askull of the Tabon Man was carbon-dated to be 22,000 years old.

Dive spots in Palawan are plentiful,with each site offering a unique array ofmarine life. The Tubbataha Reefs areamong the world's best dive spots. Itsdeep blue lagoon is bordered byemerald green waters. There areseagulls and giant turtles. It is 10 to 12

hours by boat from Puerto Princesa. The Coron Reefs, located in northernPalawan, near the town of Coron,include seven enchanting lakessurrounded by craggy limestone cliffswhich attract hundreds of nature loversto this island

Palawan has become a favoritedestination among adventure seekersand nature lovers, with its white sandbeaches and crystal blue waters thatabound in colorful fishes and corals.The rich marine life includeextraordinary species like the PalawanGiant Clam called "Let-Let", the WhaleShark called "Butanding", and theSeaCows called "Dugong".

The province is also blessed withawe-inspiring rainforests teeming withrare collection of exotic animals andvarious tropical flora and fauna. It is thehabitat of unique species like themetallic-colored peacock pheasant,the shy mouse deer, the cuddlybearcat, and the reclusive scalyanteater. In the thick forests are morethan 200 kinds of birds, over 600species of butterflies and some 1,500flowering plants. These naturalwonders earned Palawan the titles "TheLast Frontier" and “Haven of thePhilippine Wildlife”. In fact, the entireprovince was proclaimed as Fish andWildlife Sanctuary in 1967.a

Snake island, Honda Bay

October15-31 200714



Mrs Philippineswants elusive crownFFIILLIIPPIINNOO SSTTAARR

SS HH OO WW BB II ZZ GG OO SS SS II PP

Vina Morales on lovelife: Wait and see

Asked about the status of herrelationship with Chinese businessmanCedric Lee, Vina Morales says she isadopting a wait-and-see attitude.“There are still a lot of questions that Iwant answered,” she tells InquirerEntertainment at the launch of StarRecords’ latest dance album,“Supahdance.” But, she adds, “Ifyou’re asking if we’re happy and inlove, the answer is yes—sobra, sobra.”

In March, Vina announced she wasbreaking up with Cedric on the showbiz talk program “The Buzz.” She saidthe relationship had become “verycomplicated.”

To this date, Cedric’s marriage hasyet to be annulled. He and his wifeJudy have two kids, aged 11 and 8.

Now, Vina says, she’s awaiting theoutcome of the annulment procedure.

She is confident about where shestands. “I don’t look at it as a bigproblem. I’d rather concentrate on mycareer—and it’s been going well lately,”

Sam: I Will sue you! Lolit: So sue me!

Enough with the bashing!" Filipino-Scottish Margaret "Maggie"Wilson, the Philippine bet to the 57thMiss World pageant, made the appealto her kababayans during her send-offparty last week at the Araneta ColiseumGazebo in Quezon City.

The 18-year-old actress and MTVVJ said she needs all the support shecan get as she prepares to fly to Sanya,China tomorrow to compete in theprestigious beauty pageant.

Unfavorable comments

Maggie was reacting tounfavorable comments hurled againsther by pageant fanatics on numerousmedia, including the Internet. Maggie,who was also adjudged MissPhotogenic in Binibining Pilipinas-World last March, has been enduringscathing comments about hersupposedly imperfect looks. "It's such abad habit that we Filipinos have,"Maggie said, referring to the insults.

Up to the last minute, Maggie hadto dismiss rumors about her beingstripped of her title after questions wereraised on her eligibility to participate inthe prestigious competition.

She reportedly failed to complywith a pageant requirement: Thatcontestants should at least be a highschool graduate during thecompetition. She was just about tograduate from high school when shewas crowned Binibining Pilipinas-World.

"I only heard about it from myfriends who asked if what was said onthe radio was true," she recalled. "I justcame from the Araneta offices for mytraining and fitting. I told the BinibiningPilipinas Charities about it, so theyreleased an official statement sayingI'm still the girl."

Maggie chose to brush off rumors,concentrating on her preparations forthe finals instead. She said she gotvaluable tips on how to win the judges'approval from Miss World finalistsMafae Yunon and Karla Bautista, herpredecessor Anna Maris Igpit and 1993Miss World princess and secondrunner-up Ruffa Gutierrez.

Maggie will face competition frommore than 100 delegates around theworld. She finds Angola's Micaela Reisand the Dominican Republic's Ada

Aimee de la Cruz as among the mostbeautiful.

In Asia, she believes her strongestcompetitors are Malaysia's DeborahPriya Henry and India's Sarah-JaneDias. "India always sends strongcompetitors," Maggie noted.

Semifinal slot

But she believes her being multi-racial and well-traveled will give her anedge in the competition. She has alsoprepared for "fast-track" events wherethe winners automatically earn asemifinal slot.

"I'm doing the sports challengebecause I'm athletic. I've been hittingthe gym a lot-training," she revealed. "IfI do the talent event, I'll sing a localsong by artist Julianne. Her songs arefeel-good."

The 5'9 1/2" beauty also hopesthere would still be SMS voting thisyear, as in the last five editions. "I'm notsure. There's still no feedback from theMiss World organization," she said.

But before she leaves for the Dec. 1pageant, Maggie begged her fellowPinoys to "pray for me."

"I need you to believe in me andwhat I can do," she said. "I'm going togive it my all!" a

The plot is getting thicker andthicker. The subplots are gettingmurkier and murkier, the public isgetting more curious and thesupporting characters are getting somuch funnier that you don’t knowanymore whether to laugh or to cry, orto laugh and cry over what wasbasically a non-issue that was blownout of proportion and shamelesslyturned into a national dramedy. L o l i tSolis recalled in her Pilipino StarNgayon column that on Oct. 12, 2007,between 3 and 4 p.m., she was goingto attend an event at the SofitelPhilippine Plaza but she lost her wayand found herself in the poolsidecoffee shop where she said she sawPiolo Pascual and Sam Milby,presumably having snacks, andapparently “whispering” (the PSNheadline said, “Sam at Piolo huling-huling naglalampungan,” although theword “lampungan” was not in the text,but only the word “nagbubulungan”) toeach other. When the waiter blurted outher name — “Si Lolit Solis!!!” — Lolitsaid that Piolo and Sam “scampered”away, leaving the chairs around theirtable in disarray.

As simple as that. It would havebeen an incident that could have beenbrushed away with a shrug and a “Sowhat?” Yes, so what? As I was saying,what’s wrong with having coffee andeven whispering to each other’s ears,unless of course the two guys have“something” to hide, in which case I’msure they are intelligent enough not todo it in such a public place withinearshot of everybody.

Soon, everybody wants to have apiece of the tina-pie.

Timex guys said that Piolo couldn’thave been at the Plaza at that timebecause he was shooting a newcommercial with Angel Locsinsomewhere else. Sam’s defenderssaid that Sam, too, couldn’t have beenat The Plaza at that time because he,too, was somewhere else.

Even The Plaza issued a statementsaying that Piolo and Sam were not atThe Plaza at that time and presumedthat the guy whom Lolit said she sawwith Sam could be somebody, a hotelguest, who looked like Piolo.

Not to be outdone, Angel’smanager also wanted to be heard —

you know, ayaw din paawat! — andseconded the “defense” that Piolo andAngel were somewhere else shootinga Timex commercial. Last Sunday, agrim-faced Sam showed up in TheBuzz, saying “I will sue!” if Lolitwouldn’t retract and apologize. Samwas accompanied by a woman lawyerwho had to have her own eksena, too,and gave a “legal” angle to thedramedy.

Lolit stood pat on her story andshot back, “So sue me!”

The molehill has been turned into amountain, and things are getting out ofhand, with everybody seemingly goingout of their minds! In a country likeours where everybody wants to put afinger into everything that attractsattention, I wouldn’t be surprised if thewhole mess would get our honorablecongressmen and senators involvedenough to make them initiate a probe.I wouldn’t be surprised if theCommission on Human Rights wouldjoin in the fray and, horrors, elevate thematter to the United NationsCommission on Human Rights. If notcontained, it could start a war ofgenders, with the militant gays rallyingbehind Piolo and Sam and theinternational press corps defendingLolit’s right to freedom of thepress/expression.

Could you imagine that!Said the Regal Matriarch Mother

Lily in jest, “Ako, sinasabi ko tomboyako. Bakit hindi sinusulat? Bakitwalang naniniwala?”

Oh well. If you are, then you are,even if one million Lolit Solises and thewhole world say you are not; if you arenot, then you are not, even if onemillion Lolit Solises and the wholeworld say that you are.

Years ago when Phillip Salvadorand Christopher de Leon wererumored to have been caught “kissing”at the pool of a five-star hotel, the twoguys, secure with themselves and theirsexuality, simply laughed it off andteased each other when they were inpublic, “Uy, lumayo ka sa akin bakamatsismis na naman tayo!”

Neither Phillip nor Christophersaid, “I will sue you!” to the writer who,like Lolit, would have confidently shotback, “So sue me!” a



she insists.Vina recently won the Asean Ikon

music competition held in KualaLumpur. She brought home the BestSolo Performer trophy, plus $25,000 incash, a recording contract and concertbookings all over the region.

“I’m thankful that my fans caremore about my career than my love life.Maski magulo ang personal life ko,okay lang sa kanila,” said Vina.

“Supahdance” is a various-artistsalbum co-produced by ASAP Musicand Star Records, and features 14dance mixes performed by Kapamilyatalents. Apart from Vina, the otherartists are Gerald Anderson, GabrielValenciano, Iya Villania, VhongNavarro, Saicy Aguila and Mickey Perz,Kitty Girls, Full Circle Teens,“Wowowee” ASF Girls, Ultimate DanceFour and Kokey. a

Celebs recountscariestexperiences

Aiko Melendezsays heart nolonger beats forhusband

Sa pamamagitan ng palitan ng textmessages kahapon ng umaga,October 26, tinanong ng PEP(Philippine Entertainment Portal) kayAiko Melendez kung totoo bangsumailalim siya sa isang breastreduction operation. Napabalita kasikamakailan na nakita ang actress-politician sa isang clinic parasumailalim ng breast reductionprocedure.

"No, kasi ganito ‘yun. I went to seemy doctor, si Dr. Samonte, kasi I wasconsidering to have one. Peronagkaroon na ng initial check-up kungkaya ko."

Pero ayon kay Aiko ay wala pangoperasyon na nangyayari. "I'mconsidering it, I have gone thru sometests already, time ko na lang anginaayos," text pa sa amin ni Aikokahapon.

Ang pagpapapayat ni Aiko ay dahilsa Marie France na kung saan isa siyasa mga endorsers.

On Patrick Meneses

Muli na namang nili-link si Aiko kayPatrick Meneses, Bulacan vice-mayor,dahil nakita silang magkasama sa

Cebu recently. "Lagi na lang, kapag may kasama

ako, laging sinasabi, kahit hindi si Vice-Mayor Patrick Meneses ang kasamako, lagi nilang sinasabi, na ‘yun angkasama ko," wika ni Aiko.

"Kung nakita man ako sa Cebu,totoo na pumunta ako dun, at hindi kopo idinidenay na pumunta ako saCebu.

"Pero marami kaming pulitiko napresent du'n at that time. If they want,‘yung mga taong nagdududa at nag-iisip ng kung ano, siguro they cancheck the manifesto naman sa tiketkung sinu-sino kaming nandun.

"Hindi ko dinidenay na nasa Cebukami, pero it's an official function,"paglilinaw ng actress-politician.

Ang naturang vice-mayor ang inili-link ngayon kay Aiko. Nakilala ni Aiko siPatrick dahil naging kaklase niya ito saUniversity of the Philippines when Aikotook up a crash course on governance.

Ayon sa kanya, wala talagangnamamagitan sa kanila ni Patrick.Magkaibigan or magkabarkada lamangsila, bukod nga sa pareho silang nasapublic service since naninilbihan si Aikongayon bilang councilor ng District 2ng Quezon City.

Sa ngayon, ayaw muna ni Aiko namagkaroon ng any romanticinvolvement kahit na kanino. "Magulopa kasi ang buhay ko, eh! Slowly,naaayos ko na," sabi niya.

Nang tanungin naman namin siAiko kung may naramdaman pa siyangtibok ng puso nang magkita sila ng datiniyang asawang si Martin Jickain saQuezon City Regional Trial Courtkahapon para sa chamber hearing nilang Permanent Protection Order requestni Aiko, ang sagot ng actress-politician,"Wala na, wala na talaga! Wala naakong nararamdaman. Malabo natalaga na magkabalikan kami. Ni kabogo anumang kaba, wala na." a

Sexy star JeniHernandez admitsshe's pregnant

Umamin na ang sinasabing sexystar na nagdadalang-tao na tinutukoyng blind items sa mga pahayagankamakailan. Ito ay si Jeni Hernandez nahuling napanood bilang Armana sa

Former Miss Philippines & TV host Miriam Quiambao

In honor of Halloween we askedsome celebs about their mostfrightening experience ever.

Que horror! May the ghosts of yourpast stop haunting you and themonsters in your head stop tauntingyou.

Dingdong Dantes: “When I wasmoving to my new home, I had a boxthat had paintings in it. When it wastime to take the box out of the oldhouse, the contents fell down the stairsand I saw the woman in the paintingliterally coming out of the frame andswiftly passing through my vision. I ranout and locked the gates. Those itemswere never recovered.”

Gina Alajar: “The 1994 earthquakein LA scared me the most. The placewhere we were staying was theepicenter. I thought it was the end ofthe world already!”

Ogie Alcasid: “In high school, Ionce stayed overnight on campus for aleadership training. We had a bonfireand there was an old woman in themiddle of the football field, her gray hairglowing in the dark. It was about 200meters away, and we all got spooked.But we went closer and found it was asecurity guard with a towel on his head.We all ended up laughing!”

Tintin Bersola-Babao: “I was 8when we lived in a house on a hauntedproperty. My sis and I saw a shadowpass outside our window. We were toldthat someone had died there. Creepy?it was Nov. 1 then!”

Michael V: “I was about 15. Wewere looking for a pair of scissors butcouldn’t find one. I woke up at 3 a.m.and the scissors were in my hands.”

Miriam Quiambao: “The hotelwhere I was staying in Bicol caught fire.The whole room and corridor were upin smoke. At first I couldn’t find my dad.Then I saw him climbing out of thebalcony, using sheets. He jumped atthe mezzanine level and broke hisback.”

Nyoy Volante: “I was driving onAyala by myself and made a U-turn onone of the side streets. Naturally, Iglanced at the rear view mirror to watchfor cars behind me. As I did, I saw aman in the back seat, looking at theback of my head. I tried to ignore him,and just completed my U-turn. When Ilooked again, he was gone.” a

ABS-CBN fantaserye na Rounin.Buong tapang na lumantad ang

apat na buwang buntis na si Jeni nanagdadalang-tao sa anak nila ngboyfriend niyang F3 car racer na siRenan Morales.

Sinabi ni Jeni sa October 28episode ng The Buzz, "The baby isnormal. Everything is normal. Baby natalaga siya. Fetus na talaga siya. Mayulo, may kamay, may mga legs. Nunguna ko'ng nakita, parang mommy natalaga! I'm positive, I'm pregnant. I'mvery, very happy!"

More than seven months nangboyfriend ni Jeni si Renan, ang ama ngdinadala niyang sanggol sa kanyangsinapupunan. "Nice guy naman, hemakes me happy. [He] makes mecontent with life. When we found outthat I'm pregnant, we were both happy.

"Before I got pregnant, he talked tomy Mom. He asked my Mom if we canget married na. We were planning natalaga to get married kaso nga langnauna talaga yung pagbubuntis ko."

Ano ang reaction ng Mommy niyanu'ng malaman na buntis siya?"Maluha-luha na parang speechlesstalaga. Siyempre, kung ikaw Momtapos sabihin sa ‘yo ng daughter mo‘I'm pregnant.' Siyempre you want to behappy. If you're not ready talagangyou'll get shocked. But what can wedo?"

Nagsabi na rin daw si Renan sapamilya niya para sa plano nila namagpakasal. "Yeah," pag-ayon ni Jeni."He actually talked to my Mom and forhim to do that sobrang marespeto.Sobrang gutsy talaga kasi you knowmy Mom? My Mom is ano, sobrangano, masungit ‘yun. Pero natanggapniya kasi sipsip si Renan. Sobrangsipsip ng boyfriend ko. Mabigay ngregalo, mabola. Binobola niya angMom ko."

Nagsalita rin si Jeni tungkol sakalagayan nila ngayon ng datingkarelasyon at PBA [PhilippineBasketball Association] player na siEugene Tejada.

"Well, kasi, siguro hindi lang kaminagkaka.....parati kaming nag-aaway.Parang the love wasn't strong enoughfor me to stay."

Naging maganda ba angpakikitungo ng pamilya ni Eugenenoon? "Sobrang bait ng family niya saakin. That's why every time I think ofhim 'pag nare-remember ko siya,parang, you know, I feel bad pa rin.Siyempre kahit paano, why did that[have to] happen?

"Sometimes life doesn't makesense, e. I get confused pero, youknow, life must go on."

Payag ba si Renan na nag-uusappa rin sila ni Eugene ngayon?

"Uhm, siyempre, hindi naman...wedon't really talk. Uhm, nagme-messagesa akin si Eugene and then, updatelang. 'Yun nga raw, kung buntis nga rawako. Tinanong niya ako, ‘Are you reallypregnant?' Sabi ko, ‘Yeah, I'mpregnant.' Tapos sabi niya, ‘Are yougetting married,' ganun lang. And then,I asked him, ‘Are you ok? Are youwalking na ba,' ganu'n lang, verycasual," lahad ni Jeni ukol sa kanyangdating kasintahan. a

October15-31 200716



Sunshine Dizonremains tight-lipedon love life

Sunshine Dizon was askedrepeatedly about her love life at thepresscon of “La Vendetta” last Tuesdaybut the versatile and award-winningactress wouldn’t want to say anything.“Hayaan na lang natin na tahimik anglovelife ko,” was Sunshine’s quick replyto the inquisitive members of themedia. The press took note ofSunshine’s beauty, saying that theactress is blooming so her love lifemust the thing that makes her lookeven more beautiful.

“Kailangan na parati tayongmaganda,” said Sunshine, brushingaside the pangungulit of the press whowanted her to say more about the stateof her love life. She says still wants tolose weight although she hasn’t

stepped on a weighing scale since shestarted on her South Beach Diet.“Sometimes it’s so frustrating when youdon’t get the weight that you desired.Pero basta kasya ang damit, payat ka.”

The character she plays in “LaVendetta” is not that fashionable so shedoesn’t get to wear fabulous costumes.“She (the role she plays) will becloistered in an asylum for eight years.Hindi siya baduy kasi marami silangpera pero hindi siya fashionablecompared to the characters played byJean Garcia and Jennylyn Mercado,”said Sunshine.

Do you find your role in “LaVendetta” difficult to portray? “Yeah,mahirap ang role na ito. But I didn’tpattern my character with anyone. Ourwriter RJ Nuevas and our directors LoreReyes and Gil Tejada told me not topattern my character with anyone so itwould be original. But they guide mewith my role and they make sure that Iam able to do it right, the way theyenvisioned the role to be.The role isvery emotionally and mentally taxing,”she explained.

Since she’s working with formerboyfriend Polo Ravales in “LaVendetta,” she was asked if there’s achance to rekindle her romance withPolo who said that if there’s a girlfriendwhom he’d liked to reconcile with, it’sher.

“Wala naman kaming ganoon. Inthis series, he’s paired off with Jennylynand eventually he will become thehusband of Jean (Garcia) so walatalagang ganun,” she said. “Besides,wala naman sinasabi si Polo sa akin nagusto niya akong balikan. It’s startingto irritate me. Everyone and all of youare telling me na he’s telling this to allof you. He’s not telling me namananything so I am confused. Is this agimmick or what? He says that to youbut not to me.

“When I appeared in ShowbizCentral, I said that I really hope that hedoes respect our friendship. Sanarespetohin din ninyo angpagkakaibigan namin. Itigil ninyo naito. Itigil na natin ito kasi ayokongmasira ang pagkakaibigan namin,”Sunshine bristles.

“La Vendetta,” the first eversuspense drama on Philippine TV,premiered on GMA 7’s telebabad blocklast Monday, October 29. a

How well do you know our localcelebrities? Geomancer andclairvoyant Paulie Caoili can tell you alot about TV-movie personalities just bywatching them on the screen andreading their aura. In honor ofHalloween we asked Paulie to do areading on some of our best knowncelebreties. And so here’s how hereads them:

Marian Rivera — She has a veryhigh emotional quotient. She has theability to comprehend a particularsituation and how to respond to it. Thestar of Marimar is basically very niceand easy to get along with. She is alsothe type who is very sure of herself —very confident. Marian will become aneven bigger star — that is if shemanages to survive this tumultuousbusiness called show business. We’llsee her breaking point after Marimar.

Angel Locsin — Very intelligent.She knows the value of self-preservation. Oh, and she also has adark side — so you don’t fool aroundwith her. Angel actually goes through acycle. And these are dizzying cycles.For instance, after the devastatingexperience of losing her boyfriend(Miko Sotto), her career shot up tospectacular heights. Now, that she’s atan all-time low, it’s going to be an up-up swing for her next.

Snooky Serna — Highly-emotional.

She needs somebody to accept her.When she is in a relationship, she losesherself. Why? Because she gives somuch of herself. At this point, she hasgiven so much. In the words of PaulieCaoili: “Ubos na ubos na.” Will she everbe happy? It’s her choice. The problemis, she has nothing more to give andhas to sacrifice. In the end she willbecome resentful. According to Paulie,when you start to love somebody morethan you love yourself, you eventuallylose yourself — and so this issomething you should never allow tohappen.

KC Concepcion — Paulie Caoilifeels that KC will not completely joinshow business and will always havethis hesitation to do so. However, thefact that she is elusive is her attraction.But fans need not worry. She knowswhere she is and has the right footing.She may do just one film, but after this,she will stop and study the next projectcarefully. Because the media loves her,Paulie wants to liken KC to PrincessDiana — but minus the tragedy. In fact,KC is bound to find contentment, innerpeace and will be very happy.

Sharon Cuneta — Deeplyintelligent and has depth. Verycontemplative — like she contemplateson every move she makes. While shegives good pieces of advice to people,she never shares her problems withothers. If she has problems, she willsolve these herself. Sharon is also verypatient, knows how to read betweenthe lines, very tolerant and will neverwaste her time keeping grudges onpeople.

How well do youknow your favoritestars?

Dennis Trillo — He has a side thathe shows and is seen only in showbusiness, but has another that hekeeps to himself. Very bright, he has alot more to offer and knows how to dealwith the business. a

Actress Marian Rivera

Actress Sharon Cuneta

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Isaac T. Goodine

GlobalPerspectives

In Quebec, a debate over“reasonable accommodation”----as aphrase for how far the francophonemajority should bend to accommodatereligious and cultural minorities,appears to be fuelling an exodus. Out–migration has reached 40,000 sincemid 2006, and over 12, 500 of those leftthe province between April and June ofthis year.

In Ontario, where much of theeconomy depends on manufacturing,the strong Canadian dollar is anegative factor that compounds aproblem in the labour market wherethere is a critical shortage of humancapital.

So while Quebec debates,Ontario has decided. Immigration isbeing promoted to fill a growing need.In both provinces the cost of educationis high and rising and its cost-effectiveness is, to say the least,questionable. Last year, anunreasonably high proportion ofuniversity graduates entered the workforce at minimum wages in the servicesector such as retail sales and in jobsthat require no more than a highschool education; and 60 percentstarted working life owing an averageof over $25,000 in student loans. Thisyear tuition fees have increased again.Yet, productivity in terms of theeconomic value of what Canadianworkers contribute is well below that ofsome 17 countries involved in theinternational market place, and that inturn is attributable to sever shortagesskilled workers in a wide, andwidening, range of professions andtrades.

There is every indication thatthere is a disconnection between theeducation system and the society it isintended, and paid, to serve. Whathappened? That is the subject foranother column, but in the meantime itis a reminder that Canada usedImmigration to maintainindustrialization following the SecondWorld War and when that source driedup, because of reconstruction of thewar torn countries, there was acoordinated strategic plan to institute acomprehensive and integrated systemof competency based education andtraining. After making great strides forsome time and establishing the mostcost effective as well as the most

efficient education and training systemin the world, Canada became rich. Theexperience is well documented.Subsequently, in the late 1970s richCanadians simply abandoned thephilosophy that students’ careeraspirations and employers’productivity expectations are ofparamount importance and the systemchanged with an inward focus on theinstitutions rather than the labourmarket and has been turning out anarmy of generalists. Now the choice isclear; let the economy stagnate, or turnagain to an effective and efficientimmigration regime to sustaineconomic viability and remaincompetitive in the internationalmarketplace, including the global labormarket. It is against this backgroundthat the province has negotiated anarrangement to actively participate inimmigration of persons who intend tosettle in Ontario.

The Province has undertakena special Pilot Provincial NomineeProgram designed to match skilledimmigrants to business needs. ThePilot PNP is designed to contribute tojob creation, job retention andeconomic development by attractingnew investment and by helpingemployers in target sectors attract andkeep qualified employees. Theprogram reflects the fact that thelabour market in Ontario is changing:The Canadian-born workforce isshrinking and the labour demand isgrowing. Newcomers bringinternational experience and expertisethat can help Canadian companiescompete internationally. There are twosignificant features of this scheme as itis to allow employers to attract skilledimmigrants to meet their businessneeds; and, for the first time, givesOntario, a role in selecting immigrantswho wish to make the province theirhome. Immigration is a cornerstone ofOntario’s economic prosperity andsocial fabric. Annually, more than halfof all newcomers to Canada settle inOntario.

So what is new? There aretwenty occupations that have beendeclared as targeted occupationswhere shortages exist and where theLabour Market Opinion (LMO) hasbeen waived, meaning that process isemployer-driven. This means thatemployers apply to the program and

recruit qualified employees to fill theirlabor market needs. The eligibleoccupations include eight categories inthe health sector; two in the educationsector; five in the manufacturingsector; and five in the constructionsector. Ten percent of PNPnominations are reserved formultinational firms making a significantinvestment in Ontario and, if they wish,to bring key executives, managers orskilled employees from outsideCanada to work in their Ontariooperations.

The process is simplified asthe employer in a target occupationapplies to have the position approvedby the program. If the position isapproved, the employer forwards anominee application to the selectedcandidate. The candidate submits thenominee application, along with theapplication fee to the program. If theapplication is approved, the provincialgovernment will nominate thecandidate and their family toCitizenship and Immigration Canadafor fast-tracked permanent residencyand support their application for aninterim work permit. Recruits maybe from abroad or already here inCanada (as temporary foreign workers,international students or visitors).

International students areeligible to become provincial nomineesif they are close to graduating, or arerecent graduates from a recognizedOntario college or university in a fieldof study related to one of the targetedoccupations. Students have up to twoyears from the time they graduate to beconsidered under the program. Thenew initiative in regard to foreignstudents is noteworthy and, hopefullyother provinces will follow Ontario’slead in this regard. The CanadianBureau for International Education hasreleased comments on a recent studythat shows Canada is falling back inretaining its foreign graduates asbarriers drive obviously skilledpotential immigrants to home countriesand the U.S. This particular brain drainis happening as the U.S., Britain andAustralia move swiftly to attract andretain more foreign students. Onceranked as a top-five destination forinternational students, Canada hasdropped to 14th place among theworld’s richest nations and receivesonly three percent of all internationalstudents. The Bureau, whichrepresents 200 post-secondaryinstitutions, urges officials to dropbarriers that drive away many foreigngraduates and stop squandering avaluable talent pool that could add asmany as 30,000 skilled immigrantsannually.

Some institutions have tendedto neglect inter-cultural requirementsuntil recently. However, a very positivedevelopment has evolved and I ampleased to introduce the InternationalEducator Association of Canada, as arelatively new legal entity, whosepurpose is to foster professionaldevelopment in support of internationaleducation. For further informationplease visit IEAC at: www.ieac.ca

Isaac Goodine may be reached at:[email protected]

Rendez-vous November 2007—a jointeffort of the Government of Canada,the Government of Quebec, the City ofMontréal, the Board of Trade ofMetropolitan Montréal, and CultureMontréal—seeks to make the vision ofMontréal as a cultural metropolis of the21st century a reality, based first andforemost on the city’s creativity,originality, and diversity.

* For more information

News

* Montréal, cultural metropolis –November 2007 Rendez-vous – 2007-17 Action Plan released to the public.

* The Board of Trade of MetropolitanMontreal and the Conseil des arts deMontréal unveil the finalists of the 2007Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal {inFrench}

* The Canada Council for the Artshas released its 2008-2011 StrategicPlan, the result of what the councilbelieves to be the largest and mostextensive consultation in its history.

* The mayor of Montréal is nowresponsible for culture, heritage anddesign within the city administration {inFrench}

* The Conseil québécois du théâtre(CQT) will hold its Second GeneralAssembly of Professional Theatre inQuébec on October 17-20. {in French}

* The Ninth Annual Public LibrariesWeek will be held from October 20 to27. This year's theme is "In Action forYou!" {in French}

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee for theRendez-vous November 2007 consistsof:

Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montréal,Chair of the Rendez-vous November2007

Hon. Michael M Fortier, Minister ofPublic Works and GovernmentServices Canada and Ministerresponsible for the region of Montréal

Hon. Josée Verner, Minister ofCanadian Heritage, Status of Womenand Official Languages

Raymond Bachand, Quebec Ministerof Economic Development, Innovationand Export Trade, Minister of Tourismand Minister responsible for the regionof Montréal

Christine St-Pierre, Quebec Minister ofCulture, Communications and Statusof Women

Isabelle Hudon, President and CEO,Board of Trade of MetropolitanMontréalSimon Brault, President of CultureMontréal and Chair of the SteeringCommittee

It was the best of times…It was the worst of times.

Rendez-vous Montrealto be held at Palaisde CongrèsNovember 12-13, 2007

October15-31 200718



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TEXTcontinuted from page 5 ‘Elections’

Ms Arroyo No. 8 voter

Another reelectionist village chair,Hadji Alih Salasin, was shot andwounded by armed men believed tobe followers of his opponent near aschool in Lamitan town, also inBasilan.

An Army soldier was shot andkilled allegedly by a policeman after aquarrel inside a precinct in Talipaotown, Sulu province.

Arson was suspected in theburning of a school building inPantabangan town in Nueva Ecijaprovince at 4 a.m. Monday, three hoursbefore precincts opened.

Instead of declaring a failure ofelection, the board of electioninspectors held the balloting in otherschool buildings in the town.

Police said supporters of acandidate for barangay chair in thearea could have started the fire.

In Pampanga, Ms Arroyo cast hervote at Precinct No. 1 at the LubaoEast Elementary School.

She was accompanied by hergodson, Mayor Dennis Pineda,president of the Pampanga MayorsLeague (PML).

Ms Arroyo, who arrived in a blackMercedes Benz at 9:25 a.m., waited for15 minutes for her turn because shewas the eighth voter in line.

Violence, harassment

Writing behind a secrecy folder,she referred to a codigo (preparedlineup) of her favored candidates,spending two minutes to fill up theofficial ballots.

She left at 9:50 a.m. and did notgive any statement to reporters.

Police arrested six men caughtputting up campaign materials at theDau Central Elementary School inPampanga’s Mabalacat town.

In Cagayan province, a policemanwas killed after passengers of a vanthat drove past a police checkpoint inAlcala town shot him on Sunday night.

Police said Police Officer 1Jackson Casil was hit in the chest.Three suspects were arrested, one of

them a candidate for village chair inBarangay Afusing Daga.

In Nueva Ecija, a resident was shotand wounded by a candidate in Laurtown on Monday morning.

Police said Leonardo Bitor, areelectionist council member ofPinagbayanan, allegedly shot BenignoFronda.

In Abra province, a candidate forvillage chief in the capital Banguedtown was shot and wounded by agroup of men on Sunday night.

Vote-buying

In Bulacan province, police wereinvestigating a certain Colonel Salemwho entered a polling precinct inBarangay Lawa in Meycauayan townwith four police escorts at past 3 p.m.

Incidents of alleged harassment ofvoters were also reported in MalolosCity and in the towns of Meycauayan,Bustos and Marilao.

While vote-buying remainedrampant in the Visayas, a town inBohol province succeeded inimplementing a covenant against vote-buying.

Some 560 candidates forbarangay and Sangguniang Kabataanin Maribojoc town signed a covenantto eliminate vote-buying.

In contrast, vote-buying wasreported across the Visayas, withvoters reportedly getting from as lowas P10 and as high as P1,500.

An election official in Bacolod Citysaid vote-buying, which started onSunday, was reported in almost allvillages.

In the Eastern Visayas region,reports of sequestering of voters alsomarred the SK elections.

Some parents in Tacloban City andin other parts of Leyte and Samarprovinces complained that personsidentified with politicians brought theirchildren in “holding areas” on the eveof the elections without parentalconsent.

Failure of election

In Eastern Visayas, electionofficials declared a failure of election ineight villages due to the presence of

armed men.In Sulu, a failure of election was

declared in 14 villages in the towns ofLuuk, Indanan and Talipao and in thewhole town of Panglima Estinobecause some barangay electionofficials did not show up for fear ofbeing caught in the crossfire betweenarmed supporters of candidates.

Officials said at least 10,000registered voters failed to cast theirballots in Sulu.

In Midsayap town in NorthCotabato province, voting in the villageof Mudsing was briefly interrupted ataround 8 a.m. when supporters of acandidate fired their rifles.

Police said no one was reportedhurt but the gunfire sent voters todifferent areas to seek cover.

The gunmen fled. Voting resumedshortly after police and militarypersonnel arrived in the village.

In Davao Oriental province,fighting between communist rebelsand government troops broke out inthe town of Lupon on Mondayafternoon.

Police said New People’s Armyrebels were campaigning for theircandidates in Barangay New Visayasin Lupon town.

In Cotabato City, a failure ofelection was declared in nine pollingprecincts after members of the boardof election teller did not show up. a

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo casts her vote at the San Nicolas elementary schoolin Lubao town of Pampanga province, north of Manila, October 29, 2007, during thenationwide elections for village chair and the youth legislature.

October 31, 2007President Gloria Macapagal

Arroyo yesterday said she is notresigning and told those calling for a“snap election” to wait for the nextpresidential election in 2010.

“The constitution clearly sets ournext elections in 2010,” said Arroyo,who has been called the “Teflonpresident” for managing to survivecoup attempts and scandal after

scandal facing her administration.She warned groups opposed to

her administration that the public willnot support unconstitutional means tochange government before thescheduled presidential election.

“Let us not be distracted by theimpatient few who believe they areabove the rule of law,” she said,pointing to the “successful outcome”of the Oct. 29 village and youth councilelections that she said “underscoresthe people’s firm commitment todemocracy and strong politicalinstitutions.”

“That message should not beignored by groups who are out todestroy the gains of a strong economythrough extra-constitutional means,”she added.

Fresh calls for Arroyo’s resignationcame in the wake of allegations thatthe government bribed local officials

and lawmakers to ensure their loyaltyto the president amid a new bid toimpeach her.

The impeachment bid stems fromcharges that Arroyo condoned allegedbribery and corruption involving acanceled $329-million NationalBroadband Network (NBN) contractawarded to a Chinese firm.

Arroyo and her officials havedenied the accusations. She urged thepublic to ignore the noise of herdetractors.

Arroyo has also sparked anoutrage last week after she pardonedformer President Joseph Estrada evenbefore he could started serving his lifesentence for the crime of massiveplunder.

Plunder is punishable by deathunder a Philippine law, but Arroyo saidEstrada has suffered under housearrest while undergoing trial.

The Kilusang MakabansangEkonomiya (KME, Movement for aNationalist Economy) had broachedthe idea of making Chief JusticeReynato Puno head of a caretakergovernment, saying Arroyo was nolonger fit to run the government,especially after her pardon toconvicted former president JosephEstrada.

Puno had turned down theproposal, saying he would ratherremain in the judiciary.

The KME, which counts Catholicbishops as among its members, calledfor Arroyo’s resignation and the settingup of a transition junta headed by thechief justice.

Former Vice President TeofistoGuingona also joined the KME’s callfor the Arroyo’s resignation, saying thepresident has lost her moralascendancy to lead the country. a

Arroyo Rejects Calls for Snap Elections

Ousted former Philippine PresidentJoseph Estrada, who was pardoned byArroyo after his plunder conviction, votesat a school in his hometown of San Juancity , east of Manila, on Oct. 29, 2007.

October15-31 200720



president arroyo pardons estrada · 2 october15-31 2007 the north american filipino star lina v....

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