PCCT erupting anytime!
Community news columnist Jess Cabrias was in joyful mood during a pose with Jaya Ramsey during the press conference at the Gold Ribbon restaurant in Scarborough. Photo by Larry Torres, PPCO.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce, Toronto is like a volcano about to erupt. Not that they did something wrong but the election on December 12 has generated a lot of heat from aspiring directors who will eventually elect the next President and the rest of incoming officers for 2005-2006.
The most coveted posi-tion is the Presidency to which, in my opinion, three are vying for the post. These three peo-ple are doing their homework well and their feasible strategies give them high hopes that they can muster the simple number of 8-9 directors to gain the majority.
The question however is what have they got? If any of the three can garner at least 70 votes, then he or she can be assured of winning. Any num-ber below 25 votes could make this person a director but may not be elected as an officer. If supposing the 8-9 directors get 20 votes each and they stick together, there is a possibility they’ll win. Whatever combina-tion comes up, the rule is that the 150 of the total members (assuming this is the number of members showing up on No-vember 30), 70 votes must be in the hands of one candidate or the 100 votes in the hands of 8-9 members.
So whoever has a line up will win. A group of 10 or less with a sizeable voting number will definitely win. The only de-bacle could be a potential breakdown of the group through intrigue and loss of trust. Good luck to every one. I will surely enjoy the show.
Willy, Jaya and Basil, simply great!
The spectacular presen-tation last November 13 by the Western Union public relations crew was a powerhouse featur-ing the mimicry by Willy Ne-pomuceno, the vibrating voice of Jaya Ramsey and the soul searching style by the legen-dary Basil Valdez. The well-attended affair was a first to be held at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.
The very successful show was sponsored by the Western Union and supported by Philippine Airlines and UMAC.
What really attracted my attention was the powerful voice of Jaya. When inter-viewed, she claimed that her poverty as a kid and personal heartaches has served as her motivation to sing in this style, which is singing sad melodies but intense and scaling high octaves. She is proud to be known as the daughter of the famed Elizabeth Ramsey.
The personification of various personalities done by Willy Nepomuceno was simply authentic, specially the Erap part where he really copied the voice and facial attributes of the deposed President. He is a good singer too.
The never fading nostal-gic mood of Basil Valdez is something to be desired. His melodious singing will inspire you into a sober mood and be romantic. When he came to Toronto in the 1980’s, I was happy to hear him then. Today I can console myself that I again heard the soul searching voice of Basil. I will cherish this opportunity for many years to come and I wish they will back and do a show again.
Is winning good for him?
The election of George W. Bush was not a surprise to me because he had the backing of not only his father but by the numerous corporations owned by his dad’s friends like Dick Cheney, the late Ronald Reagan, Brian Mulroney, Fidel Ramos and many more. The Consortium controls almost every living man in business in the face of the earth.
But I will not dwell on the consortium business. I wish to be clear on the problem of 2000 Filipino workers working for the Kellog, Brown and Roots and Halliburton Group of Companies who are facing numer-ous setbacks and court technicalities on back pay for almost 21 years, salary differential and pension of the retired employ-ees as well as the 160 de-ceased ones who were not able to get any benefit from the corporation. The 42-page book-let was the bible of benefits that lured our countrymen to work in Bahrain and Middle East.
The alleged mismanagement by KBR and Halliburton regarding the Filipino workers deserves a closer scrutiny and action for the Philippine government who gave very little to hang to and nothing to hope for. The Bush administration must be serious with his heal-ing process and his relationship with former allies in order to attain a fruitful second term. I hope that our President Arroyo will get assurance from Mr. Bush when they meet in Chile.
This will be a good chance for President Bush and President Arroyo to reconcile and give justice to the Filipino workers. KBR and Halliburton group of Companies got $2.2 billion from the Bush Administration. Maybe now they could pay the alleged discrepancies on the back pay and differen-tials for the retired and amelio-ration for the dead employees. The Filipino workers around the world should be careful of their knowledge of the benefits and pay. “Kapit sa patalim ng taong nagigipit” must be avoided and resolved through numerous agencies that are there to help.
Discover Paradise see Isabela!
The people of Isabela, a province on the northern part of the Philippines, are probably happy to know their govern-ment-approved mission to North America are doing good with the presentations of their Business Mission to Canada.
The Radisson Hotel To-ronto East in Scarborough was the scene of the forum hosted by the Consulate General of the Philippines-Toronto and co hosted by the Office of the Phil-ippine Tourism Representative; Office of the Philippine Labor Representative; Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto and the Santiago City and Vi-cinity Association of Canada.
The morning session speakers were Consul General Alejandro B. Mosquera; PCCT President Rafael Nebres; Santi-ago City and Vicinity Associa-tion of Canada President Bayani Aban.
Congressman Edwin Uy of Second District of Isabela headed the delegation and spoke on investment opportuni-ties in Isabela; Atty. Ma. Esperanza C. Bañares, Regional Director-Dept. of Trade and Industry, was happy to explain the investment opportunities in the Cagayan Valley Region 11.
Their mainstream coun-terparts were Peter Dawes, Managing Director-Warrington International Import/Export Trade Consultant, Inc. who ex-pounded on the demand of how to approach the Canadian marketplace; Dough McIntyre, President-York Technology As-sociation and Director-Financial Mentor Team, Innovation Syn-ergy Centre in Markham who spoke on the information tech-nology; and Dennis Young, Programs Officer, Canadian Food Inspection Agency who was very clear in explaining the importation requirements of CFIA.
The one-on-one meeting with Isabela Mission officials and the mainstream counter-parts was the last portion of the forum. The meeting was em-ceed by Vice Consul Indira Bañares and was supported by staff from the consular Office.
Parada ng Parol!
The Silayan Community Center will hold the Christmas lantern parade and party on Dec. 4, Saturday at 4:00PM emanating from Gerrard to Par-liament streets ending at the Rose Avenue Community Centre (675 Ontario Street).
Toronto Mayor David Miller is expected to be there and spread the blessings of Christmas. Silayan President Rose Tijam and the new offi-cers and members of the board will be on hand to welcome the Mayor and some community leaders and personalities.
The joyous gathering will be highlighted by Filipino folk-dances and songs. The affair is sponsored by Canadian Heri-tage, community leaders and residents of Toronto. For all inquiries call 416-926-9505 ask for Gene Lara or Grace Medel; 416-857-3545 ask for Nori Mel-garejo; 416-926-9606.
Good luck to Rose Tijam, a dear colleague and Lady Gene Lara. More power to such a timely parade of lanterns.
My column is extended to my radio program at 101.3 FM RADYO PINOY to fully impart to the community the need to be informed. I would therefore request all those with questions to call me at 416-441-2887 (conversations are taped) or send me your detailed email at jesscabrias@hotmail.com or fax me at 416-441-3070. I will an-swer your questions either at the radio show or in my col-umn.
Living Arts Concert to help build community
As part of its twentieth year anniversary celebration, Culture Philippines of Ontario (CPO), together with its Filipino Singing Idol 2003 and 2004 winners and candidates, and some musical talented groups in the community, is putting up a benefit concert at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.
Net proceeds of the con-cert will be used to boost the building fund of Kalayaan Cultural and Community Centre (KCCC) in Mississauga, and to contribute to the AN-COP fund that are being used to build small communities of homes and schools for the poor in strategic locations in the Phil-ippines and other third world countries.
Let all Filipinos show their “bayanihan” spirit by support-ing CPO’s benefit concert on January 15 at the Living Arts Centre. A 20% discount is available for group purchase of at least twenty tickets. This was made possible with the support of our sponsors, namely, PNB Remittance Company of Canada, Dr. Solon C. Guzman &Associates, Dr. Vicky Santiago &Associates, Dr. Loida M. Coronel & As-sociates, Yvette Mondragon Dionne, mortgage manager at TD Canada Trust, and Reliable Cargo Express.
This could be a good fundraiser opportunity for vari-ous community organizations and groups wherein they can arrange with their group/ticket buyers to keep the 20% dis-count on their group ticket or-ders. Also, this could be in time for your Christmas gift giving where both the giver and the receiver can feel good to have contributed to a good cause in community development. Order your tickets for this concert by calling the Living Arts Box Office number 905-306-6000, or 1-888-805-888. Please visit:
http://livingartscentre.ca/event_calendar/performance_glance.php”
Culture Philippines of Ontario has been specially blessed these past few years. Paramount Canada’s Wonder-land allowed it to hold an an-nual Filipino Day celebration at its modern theme parks after much prodding from Luz Del Rosario, CPO past president and Chair of this special com-munity talent development event.
The CPO Children per-formers were able to enjoy su-perb workshops at Walt Disney World in Florida in 2002 and again in 2004. A grant received from The Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2003 allowed CPO to replace its worn out costumes and props. There was a marked improvement in the level of dance performances by Culture Philippines of Ontario when Ms Maria Laset handled the dance instruction in 2001.
The dance performance was brought to professional level in 2002 when Ms. Ma. El-eanor Mescallado-Kalash, a former Bayanihan director-dancer, joined Culture as its Artistic and Dance Director. Ms. Kalash introduced indigenous and novel folk numbers, new staging and choreography, au-thentic costumes, and Philip-pine inspired contemporary dance numbers. The children performers went on to assume leadership role among their peers.
Today, CPO performers delight its audiences and the communities with its colourful and vivid array of repertoires.
Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre (KCCC) has been a benefactor of Cul-ture Philippines. KCCC then president Carlos Padilla, was able to borrow, manage and maintain a place using it as a Filipino Centre in Mississauga.
KCCC renovated and generously opened the place for use by Filipino community groups and individuals alike. It has since been a Centre that is shared economically by every-one. Culture Philippines was one of the many users of the Centre.
It made a big difference in CPO’s effectiveness in the delivery of folk dancing and music instruction to its mem-bers and youth performers. CPO ceased to be a nomad after years of moving from place to place for its weekly dance rehearsals.
At least for the past four years, KCCC has been a shared home of Culture Philippines. Since the place is only bor-rowed from a generous spon-sor, the time to move out is fast approaching. It is for the interest of CPO and everyone who have used the temporary KCCC facility to join hands in raisings funds so that KCCC can buy its own place we can collectively call our own.
Those wishing to contrib-ute directly can obtain a chari-table tax receipt from KCCC. Please call KCCC president, Ms. Ching Quejas, at (905) 629-0099 and ask for a donation form.
ANCOP International (Canada), a registered chari-table non-profit Canadian or-ganization, has an alternative solution to the blatant poverty throughout the world. It help build communities in sustain-able units that will provide not only shelter but also education, health and livelihood program run by it’s the community’s own neighborhood association. Culture Philippines of Ontario believes in this movement and initiatives.
Let us all pitch in to help in our own small way. Collectively and with pooled re-sources, we can make a difference. Please visit the ANCOP website at www.ancop.ca/help.html
To sponsor this event and for further inquiries, please call Dan &Leni Gutierrez at (905) 949-0037, or Resty and Luz Del Rosario at (905) 542-8747.
For group ticket order control form, please email
dtgutierrez@sympatico.ca