EXCLUSIVE
Lorna Tolentino's body burned;
ashes to arrive in RP Feb. 3
By Alex P. Vidal
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Efforts to bring home in the Philippines the body of dead cancer victim Lorna Tolentino failed to materialize after authorities led by the Migrant Workers’ Ministry of St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Joyce St. decided to cremate the 39-year-old former caregiver and nanny from San Miguel, Bulacan in the Philippines.
In an exclusive interview on Tuesday evening (January 17), Philippine Consul General Jose Ampeso confirmed Tolentino, who died of cervical cancer past noon on New Year's day, was burned in a mortuary in Burnaby at around 2 p.m.
"No family member was present and those who prepared the cremation wanted it done privately and refused to open it to media," Ampeso disclosed.
The consul general said Dr. Dan Vargas, of the Canadian Medical Mission Society (CMMS), will bring Tolentino's ashes to the Philippines to be turned over to her family on February 3.
'BEST OPTION'
"Cremation was the best option because bringing Tolentino's cadaver to the Philippines would cost about $15,000," Ampeso explained.
Ampeso also confirmed that one Elizabeth Malihan, who earlier warned to sue journalists, specifically this writer and Philippine Asian News Today senior editor Ted Alcuitas, if they continued to write a story about Tolentino, is Tolentino's former employer.
Tolentino did not have insurance thus Multicultural Helping House Society (MHHS) president Tomas Avendano said they found it hard to bring the body for a funeral in the Philippines for lack of funds.
Avendano, who earlier confirmed they could only give Canadian $200 for Tolentino's hospital expenses from MHHS's welfare fund, refused to further comment about Tolentino's case saying he did not attend the cremation.
MEETING
Avendano and Tolentino's former employer, together with a representative from the office of Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mable Elmore, met at the MHHS office days before a decision was made to cremate the body which had been kept at the morgue of the Burnaby General Hospital.
Tolentino arrived in Canada on June 2008 to work as a caregiver under Canada’s Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP). In October last year she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and admitted to the Burnaby Hospital, according to Alcuitas who visited the patient before she died.
"While she came to care for others, she was alone in a hospital bed except for the occasional visits from friends and others who came to know her. Lorna, like millions of Filipinos in the Diaspora, left the Philippines to search for the proverbial 'better life' abroad," narrated Alcuitas.
THREE YEARS
"She came to Canada three years ago to care for two young children of a family friend and townmate from San Miguel, Bulacan. She did that for over two years – taking care of the children, feeding them, taking them to school and perhaps putting them to bed. And oh yes, and cooking, cleaning and other mundane chores a domestic worker is expected to do."
Alcuitas added that Tolentino "came under the much-touted Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) to work and live with her employer for five days a week for a minimum of 24 months. The deal is that if you’re lucky to work continuously for 24 months, you will be rewarded with the opportunity to apply for Permanent Residency (PR)."
"It used to be called 'Landed Status’ but perhaps the powers-that-be figured that these women (who constitute a majority of LCPers) were not ‘floating’ up in the air before they were allowed to land, so to speak. (Lorna got her PR at the hospital weeks before she died.)"
'Hindi kita maintindihan
(I don't understand you)'
By Alex P. Vidal
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Although most of them have been living in Canada for the past 20 to 30 years now, some Filipino-Canadians are very much aware of showbiz and political events in their native land in the Philippines; they are shoo-in in every no-holds-barred discussion about current events involving sports, entertainment, business, and political figures.
They know that a showbiz matinee idol is a closet gay; that the former girlfriend of President Nonoy Aquino will soon marry a congressman; that a mestizo football player linked to a popular actress is a "mama's boy"; that the daughter of a defeated presidential candidate has nixed the proposal of a former congressman jailed in Hong Kong for illegal drugs for a romantic reunion, among other juicy tidbits.
Here are some of their thoughts about the ongoing impeachment case against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona:
"It is a waste of taxpayers' money because the main problems the Filipinos are facing today are poverty, unemployment, calamity, graft and corruption in the government, not whether the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is evil." SAMANTHA ILUSTRE-FOUCH, 44, Fouch-Juab Realty general manager, Abbotsford, B.C.
"President Nonoy Aquino's policies and programs to rid the government with undesirable characters must not end with the impeachment of Chief Justice Corona. The Bureau of Customs, DPWH, DepEd, PNP also need a major shake-up." A CERTAIN "GENERAL", 68, a former Army major and Vietnam War combatant, Surrey, B.C.
"The impeachment of Chief Justice will set a bad precedent because it is common knowledge that it was instigated by the President of the Philippines who does not see eyeball-to-eyeball with the Chief Justice. Who will stop every President at odds with the Chief Justice in the future to do the same thing?" RICARDO AMAMANGLON, 39, Thrift Store staff, New Westminster, B.C.
"No comment. My mother is a clerk of court (in Malolos, Bulacan) and she might not like my statement."JOSEFINA PAGDILAO-TAMOR, 32, a nurse, Vancouver, B.C.
"(Chief Justice) Corona should be impeached because he is a thorn in the throat of the Aquino administration and he can never have a good working relationship with the executive branch." RIZALITO GEMORA, JR., 30, Tim Hortons staff, Burnaby, B.C.
"The political crucifixion of the head of the Supreme Court will give the Philippines a bad image abroad. It will scare the investors. This is purely a political maneuvering. Nothing more, nothing less." REBECCA ANGELES, 54, a nanny and passenger of SkyTrain in Nanaimo Station, Vancouver, B.C.
"I will just watch Tom Cruise' latest movie where he climbed the tallest building in the world in Dubai. I'm not interested about Philippine politics. Sorry, brod." ALEJANDRO "ALE" SEVILLA, 48, a caregiver and member of security in the "Damayan Concert" for typhoon "Sendong" victims in the Philippines, Surrey, B.C.
"Hindi kita maintindihan (I don't understand you)." AN ELDERLY MALE PASSENGER on corner Main and 12th Streets, Vancouver, B.C.
What do Filipino-Canadians think
about the Corona impeachment
By Alex P. Vidal
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Although most of them have been living in Canada for the past 20 to 30 years now, some Filipino-Canadians are very much aware of showbiz and political events in their native land in the Philippines; they are shoo-in in every no-holds-barred discussion about current events involving sports, entertainment, business, and political figures.
They know that a showbiz matinee idol is a closet gay; that the former girlfriend of President Nonoy Aquino will soon marry a congressman; that a mestizo football player linked to a popular actress is a "mama's boy"; that the daughter of a defeated presidential candidate has nixed the proposal of a former congressman jailed in Hong Kong for illegal drugs for a romantic reunion, among other juicy tidbits.
Here are some of their thoughts about the ongoing impeachment case against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona:
"It is a waste of taxpayers' money because the main problems the Filipinos are facing today are poverty, unemployment, calamity, graft and corruption in the government, not whether the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is evil." SAMANTHA ILUSTRE-FOUCH, 44, Fouch-Juab Realty general manager, Abbotsford, B.C.
"President Nonoy Aquino's policies and programs to rid the government with undesirable characters must not end with the impeachment of Chief Justic Corona. The Bureau of Customs, DPWH, DepEd, PNP also need a major shake-up." A CERTAIN "GENERAL", 68, a former Army major and Vietnam War combatant, Surrey, B.C.
"The impeachment of Chief Justice will set a bad precedent because it is common knowledge that it was instigated by the President of the Philippines who does not see eyeball-to-eyeball with the Chief Justice. Who will stop every President at odds with the Chief Justice in the future to do the same thing?" RICARDO AMAMANGLON, 39, Thrift Store staff, New Westminster, B.C.
"No comment. My mother is a clerk of court (in Malolos, Bulacan) and he might not like my statement."JOSEFINA PAGDILAO-TAMOR, 32, a nurse, Vancouver, B.C.
"(Chief Justice) Corona should be impeached because he is a thorn in the throat of the Aquino administration and he can never have a good working relationship with the executive branch." RIZALITO GEMORA, JR., 30, Tim Hortons staff, Burnaby, B.C.
"The political crucifixion of the head of the Supreme Court will give the Philippines a bad image abroad. It will scare the investors. This is purely a political maneuvering. Nothing more, nothing less." REBECCA ANGELES, 54, a nanny and passenger of SkyTrain in Nanaimo Station, Vancouver, B.C.
"I will just watch Tom Cruise' latest movie where he climbed the tallest building in the world in Dubai. I'm not interested about Philippine politics. Sorry, brod." ALEJANDRO "ALE" SEVILLA, 48, a caregiver and member of security in the "Damayan Concert" for typhoon "Sendong" victims in the Philippines, Surrey, B.C.
"Hindi kita maintindihan (I don't understand you)." AN ELDERLY MALE PASSENGER on corner Main and 12th Streets, Vancouver, B.C.
'Canada's policy is
cultural preservation'
By Alex P. Vidal
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Here is an intelligent presentation of the side by those advocating for the creation of "Pinoy Town" on Fraser Street led by Filipino-Canadian artist and event organizer Jojo Quimpo shared to us by Reyfort Media Group chairman Rey Fortaleza.
Quimpo, a native of "Ati-Atihan Festival" province of Aklan in the Philippines, disagreed with Multicultural Helping House Society (MHHS) president Tomas "Taytay Tom" Avendano and Filipino Zodiac Circle of British Columbia former president Nemecio "Mang Nemy" Cepeda Sr. who called the move to create the "Pinoy Town" as "divisive" and "lacking the proper study and consultation with the Filipino-Canadian community."
Here's Quimpo's side of the issue: "I watched Balitang Canada news and also read the article in PNT newspaper entitled 'Pinoy Town idea divides community'. The opposition in the designation of Pinoy Town was mainly based on the reason that it will cause division in the community and as immigrants we should integrate and assimilate to Canadian culture.
"I respect the opinion of Tatay Tom Avendano and Mang Nemy Cepeda but I respectfully disagree with them. I think there is some misunderstanding in the interpretation of the policy of Canada in terms of multiculturalism. If we read the laws of Canada particularly the 'Canadian Multiculturalism Act' it is very clear that the Multiculturalism Policy of Canada is to PRESERVE, ENHANCE and SHARE the cultural identities and heritage of all communities. The policy of Canada is NOT Cultural Assimilation rather it is Cultural Preservation. Canada is a mosaic, not a melting pot nation.
"And this is the reason why I love Canada. Canada allows us to embrace, celebrate, develop and share our culture with others without contempt and discrimination. Our Canadian multicultural society will continue to be a success because of tolerance and respect to cultural diversity.
"Our Petition to designate Pinoy Town is justified under the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. Just like other ethnic groups we Filipino-Canadians also deserve to have a place to celebrate and showcase our culture. This Petition is not meant to exclude others or create division in the community in fact this will strengthen the multicultural fabric of the city. It will also help revitalize businesses through cultural tourism which will benefit our local economy.
"Before we will submit our proposal to the City Council we will conduct full consultation to all sectors of the community within the area, Filipinos and non Filipinos alike. So everyone will be given the opportunity to express their opinions - for or against the Petition. That's the beauty of democracy we have the right to freedom of expression. My only request is to respect each others opinion. We can agree to disagree by not being disagreeable personally. Mabuhay! Be Proud to be Pinoy. Onwards to the Pinoy Town Petition!"
By Alex P. Vidal
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- As a "news hunter," I normally start my day with a 10-minute bus ride to the Surrey Central Station where I take a 45-minute ride in the SkyTrain (this train indeed lives up to its name because it really "passes the sky" when crossing the Fraser River to New Westminster vice versa overlooking the arch-shaped Pattullo Bridge).
I did not have to go far last Sunday afternoon, January 8, to search for news.
The scene inside the train I boarded at Broadway Station after leaving the recording studio located somewhere in the corner of Terminal and Main Streets, was already news.
BOARDED
Hordes of passengers boarded the SkyTrain without pants.
If you did not know that they were participants in the third annual global No Pants SkyTrain Ride in Vancouver, you would think they were bums, lunatics and exhibitionists.
There were mixed reactions from from other riders but none negative.
Vancouver event organizer Laurent Piche said, "Most are surprised and kind of like 'this is strange," but not much more than that.
It's Vancouver and it's not that uncommon, it seems.
The Flash mobbers met at 1 o'clock in the afternoon at Broadway Station and were instructed to board a train toward Waterfront, remove their pants, pretend not to know each other, (try to) keep a straight face and act casual throughout the ride.
'TOO WARM'
"It's too warm in here" or "my pants are uncomfortable" were some of the excuses participants made when asked by fellow passengers why they had removed their pants.
Sunmedia.ca's Erica Bulman reported that even transit police joined in -- maybe not removing their pants, but posing for pictures with mobbers.
"Vancouver's event was just one of many staged on subways across Canada and 23 other countries," Bulman reported. "Improved Everywhere started the phenomenon in New York in 2002." The event has no real point other than to cause "scenes of chaos and joy."
By Alex P. Vidal
VANCOUVER, Canada -- With the skyrocketing popularity of his only son, 12-year-old Nhemy J.J "Wonder Boy of British Columbia" Cepeda, Jr., many experts here believe it's only a matter of time before Nemecio "Mang Nemy" Sr., 68, and son will achieve stardom in music and entertainment world.
Filipino-Canadian junior Cepeda has been chosen as the lone teen singer from Canada to perform in a big celebrity concert for leukemia to be showcased by the world's most popular and leading recording artists led by Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez in Times Square, New York on April 23 this year.
The young singing sensation from Surrey, a main-stay in the "FYE (For Your Entertainment) Live," Vancouver's version of ABS-CBN's "ASAP," is being supervised hands-on by his parents, Hannah Domingo, and the senior citizen Cepeda; but the father, a retired military officer in the Philippines, who served in Vietnam War, is touted to be a "disciplinarian" father who wields "iron hands" on his son to ensure that the singer, who has evolved into an all-around musician (he now plays piano like a professional singer), does not skip practice sessions "or else."
This early, observers have already seen some similarities between Cepeda Sr. and the late popstar Michael Jackson's father, Joseph "Joe", whose image as a father became tarnished from the late 1980s onward, as the media reported stories told by his children that he was heavily abusive toward them. When he managed his family, he allegedly ordered each of them to call him "Joseph", which contributed to several siblings being estranged from their father. Joseph is also alleged to have engaged in several extramarital affairs; two affairs resulted in the birth of two other daughters, Tawanda and Joh'vonnie, born in 1972 and 1974, respectively.
Q: How do you see J.J. 10 years from now?
A: I hope I will live that long to see him reap the fruits that we have planted today. He will go places, for sure.
Q: Are you a tough father?
A: I love my son. That's it.
Q: How do you feel when some people compare you to Joe Jackson?
A: Joe Jackson is a good father. If he is evil as what most fans of Michael Jackson have been trying to portray him, do you think Michael Jackson would become who he was? Micheal Jackson owed his success to his father whatever the critics of his father have been saying about the old man.
Q: Michael Jackson claimed that from a young age he was physically and emotionally abused by his father, enduring incessant rehearsals, whippings and name-calling, but also admitting that his father's strict discipline played a large part in his success. Do you do the same to J.J.?
A: As I said, I love my son. No father in his right mind in this world will do something to his son that will ruin his son and the name of the family.
UnionBank storms Canada
-Reiterates corporate vision, achievements before Fil-Can leaders
By Alex P. Vidal
RICHMOND, British Columbia -- Executives of the UnionBank of the Philippines led by President and Chief Operating Officer Victor B. Valdepenas and Executive Vice President Genaro V. Lapez flexed their corporate muscles before leaders of the Filipino-Canadian community in British Columbia in a conference at the River Rock Hotel last January 10 even as they reiterated the bank's corporate vision and achievements in information technology.
As "enabler of the customers investment needs in the Philippines," the bank is prepared to assist on entrepreneurship opportunities, financial advise, and safe and reliable payments for beneficiaries or Philippine companies and organizations, said Lapez.
As seventh larget private domestic universal bank in the Philippines, Lapez disclosed that UnionBank has assets of P253 billion, deposits of P192 billion, and capital of P36 billion.
"We provide a wide range of commercial, retail and corporate banking products and services, including loan and deposit products, cash management services, credit and debit cards, treasury activities, and electronic banking," Lapez explained.
SHAREHOLDERS
He revealed that Aboitiz Equity Ventures or Aboitiz, is the major shareholders among owner stakeholders with 43.3 percent shareholdings as of September 2011. Aboitiz is one of the largest conglomerates with interests in power generation and distribution, banking and finance, transportation and food, Lapez said.
It is followed by the Social Security System (SSS) with 21.5 percent shareholdings as of September 2011. The state agency manages the pension/social security fund of workers in private sector, wage earners as well as the self-employed.
Lapez said Insular Life Assurance Company is third largest shareholder with 16.1 percent shareholdings as of September 2011. It is the Philippines' leading and largest Filipino life insurance company with asset base of P72 billion as of 2010, he added.
"Our diversified customer base allows us to tap into different growth segments and to cross-sell across each segment," Lapez stressed.
INNOVATION
Valdepenas, who assured their customers they will continue to push for product innovation in cash management, debit and credit cards, business and trust banking businesses "to strengthen foothold in all market areas and gain competitve edge," emphasized they were the first Philippine bank to achieve the ISO 2700:2005 Information Security Management System (ISMS) Certification from TUV Rheinland.
The bank's Technology Management Services (TMS) Unit is the first Information Technology Group among local banks in the Philippines to obtain certification for its specific ISO standard, boasted Valdepenas.
"We will intensify efforts in the management and disposal of our non-performing assets," the president vowed. "Cost management will focus on technological advancements and business process improvements through six sigma initiatives."
CERTIFICATIONS
Valdepenas said they will continue to obtain ISO certifications in the different processes across all business segments. "Risk management in all processes must be enhanced," he averred. "We will continue to engage more of our customers and employees and ensure that every UnionBanker internalizes and lives our UnionBank brand of smart banking."
He added: "Our bank's corporate vision is to become one of the top three universal banks in the Philippines, with a full range of financial products and services for which we shall be the acknowledged leader in service, innovation, value-for-money, conveniently accessed anytime, anywhere by delighted customers, for whom we shall be a dominant financial service portal, all enabled by bold, smart and self-driven professionals."
