FOLLOW US ON

March 16 - 31, 2023 VOL. 25 no. 06

PANT Digital Copy

It’s a go! Fiesta Arlene T. Magno is new Philippine Consul General Extraganza arrives in Surrey on July 22-23 in Vancouver PAGES 12-13

PAGES 12-13

2023 Budget: To build a stronger and more resilient economy for everyone P. 4

Safe money services protect people P. 4

Juan on Juan with

Armor Valor Corrales - Kaon Ta

Rosette Correa Talks one on one with Outstanding Filipino Canadians and Friends of the Filipino Community P. 8 MS. PNT

Michi

PAGE 23

2

March 16 - 31, 2023

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

3

4

March 16 - 31, 2023

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

2023 Budget: To build a stronger and more resilient economy for everyone

By Jerica Gelle Mariano

(Senior Advisor, Outreach, Diversity, and Inclusion Liberal Research Bureau)

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, tabled our Budget 2023: A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future in the House of Commons. 2023 Federal Budget outlines the next steps in our government’s plan to build a stronger and more resilient economy for everyone.   I want to take this opportunity to share with you an important update that is beneficial for the Filipino community (and many others). The federal government will provide up to $467 to help eligible families with the cost of groceries, and a tax-

free payment of $500 to help low-income people who are struggling with the cost of rent. This budget will deliver $198.3 billion to reduce backlogs, expand access to family health services, and ensure provinces and territories can provide the high quality and timely health care Canadians expect and deserve. It also introduces a new Canadian Dental Care Plan, to benefit up to nine million Canadians and ensure that no Canadian has to choose between taking care of their health and paying the bills at the end of the month. These will strengthen Canada’s universal public health care system and will provide you and your family the relief and support to address the rising cost of living.

  The federal government will also improve foreign recognition for credential internationally educated health professionals and advance multi-jurisdictional credential recognition so that health care professionals can work wherever there is a need.   Lastly, today’s budget announced an investment of $49.5 million over five years for the Security Infrastructure Program to address the evolving security needs of diverse communities. This

enhanced program will be launched later this year as part of Canada’s new Action Plan to Combat Hate.    Today’s budget announcement responds to top concerns shared by members of our community. I look forward to working with all of you to continue supporting our vibrant Filipino community.   For more information, please see the news release in English, French, and Filipino on 2023 Federal budget.

Province takes actions to prevent shortage of diabetes drug The Province is taking actions to ensure that diabetes patients in B.C. do not experience a shortage of the diabetes drug semaglutide (Ozempic) in an environment where surging demand in some jurisdictions is creating shortages. Ozempic is an injectable prescription drug designed to treat Type 2 diabetes mellitus and contains the active ingredient semaglutide. To date, British Columbia has not experienced any shortages of the drug. B.C.’s PharmaNet data indicates that an unusually high percentage of the dispenses of Ozempic are being purchased by U.S. patients from pharmacies located in British

Columbia. In January and February 2023, 15% or 15,798 of Ozempic dispenses in B.C. were sold to U.S. residents. U.S. residents made up 19% or 12,816 of all patients who were dispensed the drug by a pharmacy in the province. The average of other drugs sold to Americans is 0.4%. “The purpose of procuring the drug Ozempic for British Columbia is not to turn around and export it to Americans. It is to make sure patients in British Columbia and Canada requiring the drug to treat their Type 2 diabetes can continue to access it,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “For this reason, we are taking action to ensure Type 2 diabetes

patients maintain access to Ozempic.” To protect the supply of this drug for residents of B.C. and Canada who need it, the Province intends to amend regulations to limit the sale or dispensing of Ozempic to nonCanadian residents in situations where there are potential supply issues. BC PharmaCare provides limited coverage for Ozempic as a second line therapy for Type 2 diabetes to help patients manage blood sugar levels when metformin, another diabetes drug, is not effective. Ozempic is not approved for weight loss. Given the significant dispensing volumes, the Ministry of Health is asking the respective colleges

to ensure that physicians prescribing and pharmacies dispensing Ozempic are compliant with the product’s approved indication and that they are meeting the colleges’ clinical practice requirements for prescribing and dispensing medications. “The number of prescriptions emanating from one or more practitioners in Nova Scotia is concerning. As a direct result of the review of PharmaNet data, I am writing to all provincial and territorial health ministers in Canada, as well as the Minister of Health for Canada, Jean-Yves Duclos, to review and take appropriate actions,” Dix said. (news.gov. bc.ca)

People in B.C. can be confident that money services businesses they use will have greater oversight by the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) as a new provincial regulator. Money services businesses that deal in foreign exchanges, wire transfers, money orders, traveller’s cheques or similar

services outside of traditional financial institutions have been vulnerable to money laundering and other financial wrongdoings. To help address this, the Province is introducing the Money Services Businesses Act to monitor and regulate these services through BCFSA. “These businesses play an important role in B.C.’s

financial system, and they provide accessible services to people with limited financial options, including low-income households and migrants sending money to their families in their home countries,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Finance. “By appointing a provincial regulator, we can monitor the local industry and

keep bad actors out, so that people can have confidence in the services they’re accessing.” Money services businesses will be required to register with BCFSA, which will require background checks and annual

Safe money services protect people from money laundering

NEXT PAGE PLEASE....

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

5

SAFE MONEY ....FROM LAST PAGE. reporting, and will have investigative and enforcement powers to help protect people from unknowingly working with unregistered or criminally linked businesses. “BCFSA is pleased to be working closely with the Ministry of Finance to establish provincial regulatory oversight of this segment of B.C.’s financial services sector,” said Blair Morrison, CEO, BC Financial Services Authority. “Although it’s early days, we anticipate bringing forward more detailed background checks, increased registration criteria and other measures to safeguard confidence in money services businesses.” Money services businesses are regulated federally for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing purposes by Canada’s financial intelligence unit, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). Money services businesses are also required to register with FINTRAC. The Province’s work will enhance these existing protections. Through the new regulatory system, BCFSA will work to ensure that only suitable individuals and businesses participate in the industry, helping to prevent money laundering in British Columbia. It addresses a recommendation in the Cullen Commission Final Report to expand the mandate of BCFSA to include the regulation of money services businesses. Legislation is the first step in creating a new regulatory system. Details, including

the deadline to register with BCFSA, are to be determined. The Province and BCFSA will work with businesses to prepare them in time to register as required. (news.bc.gov.ca) *****

Can your home be a caregiver home for 1 more? Open your home and hearts to earn up to $6,000 monthly Last year, as part of PLEA Community Services’ Family Caregiver program, 125 families and individuals across the Lower Mainland opened their hearts and homes to 146 adults who, due to complex challenges and health conditions, cannot live on their own. These family caregivers come from a range of health and community care backgrounds. Often they are licensed nurses, healthcare workers or they have strong skills and experience in providing community and health services.

We have found that caregiver homes work best when the entire family gets involved so they are encouraged to have family members apply to become respite workers so they can all work together as a family to provide the care needed. They are also equipped with all the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in the role. As well, there is support available to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

This rewarding experience can mean that the entire family becomes an important part of the care team that works to support adults to live comfortably and independently, and they witness the positive They were able to put their impact they have on the life of healthcare skills to good use another, each and every day. without leaving the comfort of their own home and create a If you are interested in getting new or second income for their more information about this family in the process. Currently, unique and rewarding job family caregivers earn between opportunity, please call Laura $3,200 - $6,000 per bed, per at 236.333.2682 or email month to provide a warm and [email protected] safe home for their clients.

FOR MORE INFORMATION , CALL : SALVE DAYAO 778 688 9643; JEN SOLIS 778 833 0314

6

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

Respite despite the times Coming home from a vacation not only brings a grounding knowing that you are back in your comfort zone, but it also gives you a sense of stability. After two weeks of being away, there is always a moment of reflection, a time to analyze the experiences from the different places you visit, and an opportunity to recalibrate your lenses back to what is familiar and comforting.

When you’re in tune with your surroundings and not let time just pass you by, you get a better sense of the world and the normalcy underneath the chaos and confusion of today. Going into a museum, for instance, sets you back decades, even centuries, as you immerse yourself in the milieu. You stop to think, “How did people live during this time? What made them happy? What made them sad? What did they do to pass the time without a device in their hand?” Then you realize, they were better off than us.  There is certainly so much to appreciate about the past and those who lived in it, how their inconveniences were blessings as they would be content with what they had. People back then didn’t have to scramble from one job to another so that they could pay for things that they didn’t need or were in excess of their necessities. Mothers stayed home, some homeschooled their children, cooked heart-warming meals, took care of their husbands and homes - ran a tight ship.

sound science. Authorities on subject matters not known to one were respected and their pronouncements were justified by their education, and no one with simple popularity of cult or clout ever questioned it. No one questioned or imposed their own interpretation of matters they were not knowledgeable The mundane to us was a daily about on others.  experience for them, one that took into consideration every Under normal circumstances, single person’s needs and the world today could still look comfort in the family and in like this if we didn’t have the sothe community. There weren’t called conveniences we have. In any mental health issues, no the old world, one has a glimpse pandemics to worry about (at of the past and appreciates its least not the abject fear of one, lessons. I commented to my as they were realists who took 17-year old that kids in the new plagues and diseases as part world may not truly have an of life, an inevitable occurrence appreciation of history because because of man’s mortality and it has affected them the least. limited existence on Earth), and no social media to look good For example, on our museum on. visits in Hamburg, Brugge and London, there would be school Their normal was everybody’s groups of children going normal, truth was not subjective through the museum learning but objective based on timeless about history with the actual moralities, philosophies and artifacts right in front of them.

Free family-friendly outdoor programming makes it fun to connect with nature. Surrey, B.C. – The City of Surrey invites the community to get outside and take part in the Environmental Extravaganza, a seven-week series of free family-friendly events and

programs that celebrate nature in Surrey. Explore at your own pace with self-guided activities or take part in group activities such as walks, talks, hands-on stewardship programs, stories and more.    This year’s Environmental Extravaganza highlights opportunities

Fathers attended to their livelihoods to provide for their families, then played with the children at the end of the day and on weekends. Sundays were days of prayer and worship, and whole families would go to church to give praise and homage to God.

At the Imperial War Museum in England, school kids were being taught about the poppy and it resonates with them well because they see actual soldiers’ lives, planes, tanks and armoury accompanied by photos and videos of the devastation in Europe. Much as we try here in Canada, Remembrance Day seems to only be a piece of information we recall every November, but there is no true effect of it on our school kids because they do not see the evidence in front of them.  How do we remedy this? I don’t know honestly, but I know that raising two daughters appreciating history by bringing them to museums and old churches made them realize that the world is much much bigger than they are, and that others have been affected by history more than they have; thus, they truly understand the importance of preserving these reminders for the next generations to see and learn from.  We treat our vacations always as opportunities to learn, not just a reason to take a break and shop til you drop. We don’t have that kind of money anyway. When you do spend time to look at and to reflect on history and what it has taught us and continues to teach us, a respite can become a timeless reminder that despite our dour situation today, there is hope that people in the past have paved the way for us, either knowingly or unknowingly. 

Registration is now open for Surrey’s Environmental Extravaganza   to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day by joining one of three different bird walks; support Invasive Species Awareness Month by removing invasive plants at a Nature Work Party; participate in Arbor Day by helping plant native trees and shrubs; and celebrate World Ocean Day by

choosing from an entire week of oceanthemed activities.    For a full listing of all the events and activities, pick up a copy of the Get Outside Guide at your local

recreational facility or visit surrey. ca/extravaganza.  

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

7

PCHC-MoM Society Presents

Hearts of Freedom: Stories of Southeast Asian Refugees

Pat Parungao is the President of the Pacific Canada Heritage Centre – Museum of Migration Society (PCHC-MoM), a nonprofit dedicated to promote mutual understanding and respect among all people living in Canada, by cultivating a wider and more inclusive understanding and appreciation of the history and heritage of Pacific Canada and beyond, with emphasis on the histories of previously silenced or marginalized groups and Indigenous peoples. Pat is grateful to the First Peoples for the opportunity to live on the ancestral, and unceded territory of the speaking people.

Pacific Canada Heritage Centre – Museum of Migration Society (PCHC) is pleased to bring the Hearts of Freedom: Stories of Southeast Asian Refugees (HoF) national travelling exhibit to BC from April 24 to July 6. The HoF exhibit is the third phase of a multi-year community project to collect and preserve the personal histories of refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia who came to Canada between 1974 and 1985, and the Canadians who assisted them. During phase one, approximately 175 video-recorded interviews were conducted. Phase two included the creation of a book, educational materials, website and documentary film. Phase three is the HoF digital and national travelling exhibition. This display will be in BC (Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria) from April 24 to July 6, then travel to several other Canadian locations, including The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax. Find BC locations and dates at https://www.pchcmom.ca/hearts-of-freedom. PCHC invites folks who are interested in learning about partnering and volunteering with this exhibit, to register at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/hearts- of-freedomi n f o r m a t i o n - s e s s i o n - f o rvolunteers-partners-tickets598009641937 for the HoF Information Session (on Zoom) on Tuesday April 4, from 6:00

Dr. S. Stobbe, a principal researcher for HoF, at the HoF exhibit, Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, Quebec.

City of Vancouver Transit Shelter poster. Image composition courtesy of Alick Yeung.

to 7:00 pm. Please invite your friends and colleagues. National Poetry Month (April) PCHC Board Secretary / Director and poet Tariq Malik graciously granted his permission to share a portion of his poem “Midnight on Turtle Island” from his new poetry collection Exit Wounds: During the third quarter of the night a Raven delivered us onto the shores of Turtle Island We arrived inked in melanin immersed in full body rash our black and blue tattoos chronicling our diurnal entanglements and everywhere we looked lifeblood was red and everywhere we saw there was light spilling bending around edges and everywhere we looked all living things were in a state of worship and all living things were worthy of worship

It pays to advertise… Call 604-588-6397 or email

Tariq Malik is a Vancouverbased, Pakistan-born, serial volunteer/social worker/ teacher/listener/mentor, BIPOC author. More about Tariq at https://www.pchc-mom.ca/ board-of-directors . Photo credit: https://www.pchcmom.ca/board-of-directors ********

info@ philippinenewstoday. com for all of your advertising needs!

8

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

Juan on Juan with Armor Valor Corrales Kaon Ta

-

By Rosettte Correa “Juan on Juan – One-on-one - Talks with Outstanding Filipino Canadians and Friends of the Filipino Community.” street food, we want people, especially those who have never been to the Philippines and those who are from the Philippines, to experience the Philippines through nostalgic street food.”

Second generation FilipinoCanadians who know their roots well wear their heritage with fervour and honour. This is evidence that when parents raise their children knowing where they came from and how that heritage makes them unique, the children take pride in their beginnings and share this with everyone. In Armor Valor Corrales’ case, food is his vehicle, and the love with which he prepares it is his homage to his homeland.

Instagram stories and immediately people were asking where we were eating. I said it was my house, however, my sister began taking orders without me knowing, and all of a sudden we had a small inasal business coming out of our home.” And the rest, they say, is history. 

The day after Lunar New Year the following year, a spot opened up at a commissary kitchen near their neighbourhood and they brought their inasal into the mainstream. Armor was born and raised That’s how KaonTa Chicken was in Vancouver and graduated born. highschool from Winston Churchill Secondary. He decided The novelty of sharing food with to attend culinary school at others was initially a part-time Vancouver Community College, endeavour.  and decided to pursue another area of studies, that of Political “While I was at home, this was Science at Langara College. At definitely a part-time business,” Langara, he serves on the Board of Armor says. “But after setting Governors, and he also previously up shop in a legitimate setting, it served as a student representative definitely has to become a full-time at VCC. From food to politics to job. With any business, especially food once again, Amor’s passion food, for it to work, kailangan mo for anything culinary has given ibigay buong sipag mo araw-araw (you have to give your diligence him inspiration to do both. everyday.)” “To be honest, this business came into fruition by surprise, by Armor wanted to share something chance,” Armor shares. “Back that was unique, which is why he in 2021, whilst my mother was chose inasal.  recovering from a trip to the hospital, she requested that I “For me, I tried to offer products prepare chicken inasal for our that are not often seen in other dinner. After plating everything, Filipino business abroad. With my sister and I posted this to our the take of modernizing Philippine

When I visited the Philippines, I felt like a foreigner. On the other hand, I also didn’t feel I belonged in Canada, because I also feel like a foreigner here. But now for us to understand what it means to be Filipino-Canadian, we need to understand that our culture is different and we need to embrace it. I think that’s the most important legacy we can give to the future generations.)

The first product they offered was Chicken Inasal, but slowly in the last two years, they have added items that can not be found anywhere else, but are nostalgic to those who know what they are and unique to those who do not. Armor doesn’t not find challenges “For example, our Chicken Pastil when selling the product to nonFilipinos, especially once they is a Maguindanaoan classic, but so far we are the only tasted the food and crave for ones to provide this dish. I really more.  wanted to specialize sa mga pagkaing na Pilipinong Pilipino, “My true goal with the food that pero uniquely relevant din.” we offer at KaonTa Chicken is to provide products that are uniquely One of the biggest takes Armor Filipino, but can not be found has with opening Kaon Ta is that in any other Filipino restaurant. he is slowly starting to know his We focused on the dishes that culture more. would set us apart from everyone else. Pagdating naman sa mga “Growing up Filipino-Canadian, kababayan natin, the joy of giving I was not sure of my culture. a product that makes them re-live Sometimes referred to as the third yung panahon nila na kumakain culture, noong bata pa ako di ako either sa Manokan Country o kaya marunong mag-Tagalog o yung sa kanto kung saan may nagtitinda mother tongue ko of Ilokano. ng kung ano ano, dun nagiging Kaya pag bumibisita ako sa Pinas masaya po ako.” (For me to see noon, feeling ko nga parang our kabayans to re-live the times dayuhan lang talaga ako. On that they ate at Manokan Country the other hand naman, I felt or in the corner stores that sell like I didn’t belong din dito sa everything is my happiness.) Canada, kasi feeling ko uli na parang dayuhan ako. But now With that attitude, Armor has for us to understand what it certainly paved the way for means to be Filipino-Canadian, Kaon Ta to make its way into kailangan intindihin natin na iba the mainstream of the Canadian talaga yung kultura natin and we palate.  embrace it, I think that’s the most important legacy we can give to (KaonTa Chicken is located at the future generations.” (Growing #107-8811 Laurel St in Vancouver up Filipino-Canadian, I was not BC, and we give updates through sure of my culture. Sometimes our Facebook and Instagram. We referred to as the third culture, are available for delivery through when I was young, I didn’t know our delivery partners and also how to speak Tagalog or Ilokano. available for pickup orders.)

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

9

Plan Ahead for Property Tax & Home Owner Grants Property Tax Deferment Plan Ahead for Property Tax and Home Owner Grants BC has two Property Tax Deferment programs for home If you’re a home owner in owners in the province who British Columbia, you will qualify. soon receive a reminder about The first is a regular program your municipal property taxes. for property owners who are Paying property taxes is an • 55 years or older, annual cost of home ownership. • a surviving spouse, or The money goes toward many • a person with disabilities. of the public services we enjoy The second is for property owners who financially support in our communities. Property tax bills British will be a dependent child. arriving in the mail shortly. In Municipal taxes are based independent property most towns and cities across on the province, annual property assessments done by BC taxes are due on the first Assessment. Notices are sent in business day after July 1. This December each year to home year, the due date is Wednesday, owners, who have until January July 2. In some cities, such 31 to appeal the assessment. as Vancouver, advance taxes Home owners can learn more are paid in February, with the about how their property taxes balance collected on the July are calculated by contacting their local municipal tax office. deadline. Information may also be available on your municipality’s Home Owner Grants When your home is your website. Planning Ahead principal residence, you have the opportunity to claim the Property tax season is a good Home Owner Grant, a provincial time to remind people of the program that helps reduce the annual costs that come with amount of residential property home ownership. While there tax you pay.  An additional are many benefits to owning Grant is available for BC Seniors a home, it is important to consider all the costs. Whether who live in their home.  Review your Tax Notice or visit you are house-hunting or have the Ministry of Finance website been living in your own home for more information on these for years, experts suggest grants. It pays to advertise… Call 604-588-6397 or email [email protected]

for all of your advertising

setting aside enough money on a monthly basis to cover all your annual costs. Costs can include the following. • Property Taxes and Civic Utilities • Property Insurance Fees (if • Condo/Strata applicable) • Repairs and Maintenance • Lawn Care • Utilities (Telephone, Cable, Internet, Heat, Hydro) • Furniture and Appliances If you are buying a home, there are a number of one-time costs to consider. • Home Inspection • Land Transfer Tax (where applicable) • Legal Fees • Adjustment for Prepaid Property Taxes or Utility Bills • Mortgage Loan Insurance (if necessary) • Title Insurance • Moving Expenses

prepare and plan for on-time payment. That will help you enjoy the benefits of home ownership with confidence. For more information on some of the costs and for help with a new home purchase, please contact your BC Notary A Canadian Certified Immigration Consultant, Certified Senior Advisor and a Notary Public in the City of Burnaby, Editha Corrales Nelson’s preferred areas of practice are Powers of Attorney, Wills Preparation, International Legal Documents, Name Changes, Affidavits, Letters of Invitation, Statutory Declarations, Drafting of Business Contracts and other notarial services. For an appointment, please call: 604-7772757. The following should not be construed as providing legal

advice and information in this column is intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to specific circumstances without further consultation. For more information on the subject, contact Editha Corrales Nelson at 604-777-2757 or email: home [email protected].

Calculating your ownership costs will help you

10 

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

FILIPINO SAINT PEDRO CALUNGSOD MOVIE TO BE FEATURED IN THEATRE The story of you Filipino martyr and saint who died defending his faith will be featured at the upcoming in-theatre film screening on April 1, 2023 at Landmark Cinema in Guildford Surrey. The story of Pedro Calungsod, a young Filipino man, leaves his Visayan native roots to join the Spanish Jesuit priest Father Diego de San Vitores in his mission to the Marianas Islands (Guam) in 1668. The San Diego Mission arrives in the Marianas where the young Pedro, a trained catechist and mission assistant, begins working for Father Diego de San Vitores in baptizing the Chamorro natives, preaching the holy gospel and spreading the good news of salvation through the Christian faith amidst paganism, doubt and disbelief. Christianity…it’s about our behind Jesus Christ. Hindi yung   The Pedro Calungsod: Batang relationship with Jesus Christ. separate or distinguish one ang daming Christian group from the other,” Martir film was made by Director Nowadays, Francis Villacorta for the Metro approaches to the Christian faith, explains Direk Francis. and [Pedro Calungsod: Batang   Manila Film Festival in 2013. “The film is a celebration of Martir] aims to rally everyone Amidst all the challenges of

coming up the film—from researching to shooting difficult scenes—Direk Francis says the hand of God was at work every step of the way. “Everything just happened in the right time at the right place. It’s really God’s will that [the film] is done this way. I leave it to Him kung saan talaga mapupunta yung project,” says Direk Francis who also wrote the script for the historical drama film. Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir is one of eight official entries to MMFF and was shown to other film festival in several countries. It also gained a lot of nominations and awards from various entities. Direk Francis remains hopeful for the support of the Christian church. “I hope the church will look at this film that can help elevate Christianity and put it back where it used to be. We want to unite behind the Christian faith,” he concludes.   The event will be hosted by the PIFF Management and proceeds will benefit the Fr. Edwin Sager Memorial Foundation.

SHROUD EXHIBIT COMES TO ST. ANTHONY’S – VANCOUVER Having been cancelled three years in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Man of the Shroud Exhibition finally opens this Lent at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Vancouver. Opening this Wednesday, March 29th and closing on April 2nd, Palm Sunday, the exhibit explores the history, significance, and scientific aspects of the Turin Shroud, widely believed to be the authentic burial cloth of Jesus. Father Justin Huang, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, invites everybody to come to the exhibit and see how this mysterious and controversial artefact, a 14-foot-long linen cloth has captivated scientists, scholars, and people of various faiths all over the world.

be held inside St. Anthony’s Church (8891 Montcalm St, Vancouver), thus providing a setting which is conducive to prayer as well as observation. The main feature of the exhibit is the 14-foot-long photographic replica of the Shroud of Turin. In addition, replicas of the crucifixion instruments such as the crown of thorns and the nails and spear will also be displayed, together with a series of professionally prepared museum boards.

One major complement to Saint Anthony’s Man of the Shroud Exhibit is a series of presentation talks by Shroud scholar and historian, Dr. Cheryl White who will speak on the latest evidence and new technologies proving the authenticity of the Shroud of “By hosting the Man of the Turin. Shroud Exhibit we see an opportunity for evangelization,” Dr. White is a professor of history says Fr. Justin. “We want to at the LSU in Shreveport where welcome audiences beyond she holds the endowed Hubert our Catholic community Humphrey’s professorship. She since interest in the Shroud is currently serves on the Board universal, even among our non- of Directors of STERA (Shroud Christian brothers and sisters.” of Turin Education Research Association) and has published A fitting spiritual preparation and presented original research for Holy Week, the exhibit will from the Vatican Secret

Archives related to the history of the Shroud for international journals and conferences. Dr. White also served as historical consultant on the Shroud of Turin Exhibit developed for the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. EXHIBIT SCHEDULE (Inside the Church): March 29 (Wed): 6:30 pm to 9 pm March 30 & 31(Thu & Fri): 10 to 4 pm and 6:30 pm to 9 pm April 1 (Sat): 10 am to 4 pm, and April 2 (Sun): 1:30 pm to 6 pm PRESENTATION TALKS (Church Lower Hall) by Dr. Cheryl White March 30 and 31 (Thu & Fri): 10 am and 1 pm – for Grade 6 and older students 7 pm – for adults Photo courtesy of Mr. Barrie April 1 (Sat): Schwortz of STERA, Inc.) 1 pm and 7 pm – both sessions for adults

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

11 

Borders and Barriers: “Kapit sa Patalim”

Migrante Canada, the alliance of Filipino migrant organizations across the country, joins the other migrants’ organizations in condemning the recent agreement made by Prime Minister Trudeau and United States President Joe Biden to have asylum seekers turned back at irregular border crossings, including Roxham Road. Roxham Road, a popular crossing on the Quebec-New York border, was closed with very little notice on March 25, 12:01 am. This border deal would apply the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA), a bilateral agreement between US and Canada, across the entire border. It now allows Canada to send back refugee claimants who have crossed irregularly, i.e. used unofficial, irregular border crossings, back to the United States to make their asylum claims there. It used to be that refugee seekers who made the crossing to Canada from the U.S. through Roxham Road were able to claim refugee status in

Canada and have their appeals heard in Canada. This route has helped thousands to reach safety, many from Haiti, Turkey, Colombia, Chile, Pakistan, and Venezuela.

The Migrant Rights Network, a Canada-wide coalition of migrant-led organizations, described the border closure as “unprincipled and dangerous”. In its media release, it added that “Closing it will only force migrants to take even more dangerous routes because the Safe Third Country Agreement and other immigration laws do not allow migrants more dignified or safer ways of crossing to travel or seek asylum in either country, a right that is protected under international law. “  Lawyers, human rights groups, migrant organizations and migrants’ justice advocates have raised that this agreement

SEE PAGE 14...

12 10

March 16 - 31, 2023

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

Arlene T. Magno i Consul Genera it has a new head of mission.

That’s Arlene T. Magno, who succeeded Maria Andrelita Austria, now Philippine Ambassador to Canada. Magno is no stranger to the Filipino community. She has been a consul in Vancouver since 2017. The consulate general shares the following information about ConGen Magno: “Consul General Arlene T. Magno is a On March 27, 2023, the Philippine Consulate General second-generation diplomat in Vancouver announced that who began her career with

It’s a go! Fiesta Extraganza arrives in Surrey on July 22-23 that he and his team will “continue to raise multicultural awareness and appreciation of our culture that can deliver lasting impacts to more Fiesta Extragavanza will be held Filipino-Canadians”. at the Surrey Civic Plaza near city hall for two days on July 22 Canton added: “We will also continue to provide you with and July 23. non-stop entertainment, good The main highlights of Fiesta food, and the overall joyous Extravaganza are non-stop Filipino fiesta experience. entertainment, musical Through these efforts, our goal performances, cultural to build a stronger community presentations, games, exhibits, in all major cities of Canada is achieved.” and lots and lots of food. Mark your calendars! The biggest celebration of Filipino heritage and culture is coming to Surrey this summer.

The event is a family-friendly festival that appreciates and recognizes the Filipino culture, and it is open to everyone.

Fortaleza, for his part, said that he is deeply honoured to bring Fiesta Extravaganza to British Columbia.

This is the first time that Fiesta Extravaganza will be held in British Columbia, thanks to the partnership of Rey Fortaleza, CEO of ReyFort Media, and Ontario-based festival founder Von Canton.

“The Filipino community is raring to connect again with each other and share joy and happiness as the pandemic recedes further,” Fortaleza said.

In 2022, Fiesta Extravaganza was held in Toronto, Vaughan, Niagara, Hamilton, and Montreal. In a message thanking everyone for the success of 2022 Fiesta Extravaganza, Canton wrote

More details to follow soon.

FOR INFORMATION ON BOOTHS, FOR ENTERTAINM FOR OTHER INFOR

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

is new Philippine al in Vancouver the Department in 1997, after passing the Foreign Service Officers’ examination.  Since then, she has held positions as Principal Assistant and Assistant Director of the US Division (1998-2000) at the Office of American Affairs and Director of the Personnel Management Division (2007-2009) of the Office of Personnel and Administrative Services (now Human Resource Management Office) at the Home Office in Manila. “Her previous foreign assignments were at the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam (2000-2007) and the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. (2009-2015).  Before coming to Vancouver,

Consul General Magno was Director of the Canada Division in the Office of American Affairs.

“Prior to joining the Department, Consul General Magno worked at the Philippine National Bank for nine years and the Foreign Service Institute, the Department’s training arm, for four years. “Consul General Magno has a degree in AB Economics and Master’s in Public Administration, both from the University of the Philippines.  She is married to Edwin Lester Magno and together they have two children, Jen David and Kira Gwendolyn.”

CALL : SALVE DAYAO 778 688 9643; JEN SOLIS 778 833 0314 MENT , CALL : JOJO ALPUERTO 604 616 1953 RMATION, CALL REY FORTALEZA 778 895 6667

March 16 - 31, 2023

13 11

14 12

March 16 - 31, 2023

The conversation at the Vancouver Art Gallery proved to be up close and personal. The zoom event was not an art lecture but, as promised, an “impromptu, unrehearsed conversation” between the Offsite artist Lani Maestro, artist Michael Fernandes and the people joining them by Zoom. At least 40 people watched the big screen at the Vancouver Art Gallery and 52 participants joined from different parts of Canada and the world, across different time zones.   Guest curator Makiko Hara introduced Lani and Michael to all of us. Lani joined the conversation from France and Michael, from Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was a bit unconventional perhaps, unpredictable maybe. But that was the beauty and simplicity of it all.   It would be the type of conversation around the dining table, or in a café, or an art gallery. The image of the car that was on the VAG website and shared on the screen was that of a battered car lying on its side on a snow-covered field. Lani was driving her car, hit a stretch of black ice, couldn’t stop until her car landed on its side.  And Lani managed to snap this photo after she was helped out of her car, after a good half hour!   That started the conversation

Letting Go with Lani Maestro & Michael Fernandes

with the theme of “letting go” in life, living, and death, however way we define death, …. with the theme of “letting be” in the matter of focusing, of being present…. And with “let it be”, as a person from the audience said. There was some personal sharing and it felt it was a room filled with friends, or at the least, a room that felt safe. The exchanges  segued into the offsite neon artwork of Lani: No Pain Like This Body.  She talked about the origin of the neon text and the places where the site-specific work has travelled.   Lani shared on the screen a couple of images and a very short video of her work that was commissioned by a defunct jewellery factory in Ardeche, France. This was her neon artwork If You Must Take My Life, Spare These Hands which included the installation of the tools of the factory workers on their worktables. She said, “The arrival of globalization had forced many industries to rely on cheap labor in the third world and caused the death of local livelihoods in the French countryside…. Perhaps, this sentiment is also appropriate in the context of certain struggles within artistic production.”     I raised the accessibility of the Offsite art of Lani to the public, to the everyday passersby along W. Georgia Street, to the bike riders on that strip, to

Borders and Barriers...FROM PAGE 11 goes against international conventions Canada has signed which provide that refugees should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. This principle is considered a rule of customary international law, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.   The Canadian Council for Refugees, Amnesty International and the Canadian Council of Churches have long opposed this STCA because the United States is not a “safe country” for claimants to be sent back to.  Their documentary evidence showed that the US system fails in many ways to protect refugees, and therefore the US cannot properly be considered “safe”. Many people who meet the international refugee definition are denied protection and refouled (or forcibly returned) to the home countries where they

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

face persecution, torture and even death.  Sending refugee claimants back makes Canada complicit with the refoulement of these refugee claimants.   In 2020, Federal Court Justice Ann Marie McDonald said the STCA violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in that sending back asylum seekers to the United States would make them vulnerable to detention and other human right violations to life, liberty, and security.   Closure of border crossings will not prevent migrants from coming in, or trying to come in. Borders, checkpoints, loss of status, rules of exclusion, and other barriers will not solve the problem of the influx of refugee claimants.   The stories of people making the journey to border crossings

the people in their cars. While Offsite is temporary exhibit space, I  expressed my thanks to the Vancouver Art Gallery for that Offsite space for artists and the public. Having that space helps to dismantle barriers of accessing the Gallery for many people.  There were people in the audience who had seen the exhibit of Lani in 2010 at the Centre A Gallery.  I told the story that for the majority of our community who were there at Lani’s art opening of No Pain Like This Body, it was the first time that they had stepped inside an art gallery, the first time that they had been at an opening reception. There are as many reasons as there are barriers: admissions, class, cultural barriers, language, representation, and ex/inclusion, etc. But for that opening night, those barriers were down.   I used to be a children’s librarian and it was important to have books and stories for all children, and for children to also see themselves, or people who looked like them in the stories and in the books. It is the same in art galleries, I believe. People would like to be able to visit galleries and see themselves represented too.   Thank you, Lani and Michael, Makiko, Lynn, Julie and Lucie and the Vancouver Art Gallery. And to MLA Mable Elmore for being there!

Tour of the Offsite after the Artists’ Talk. Photo with MLA Mable Elmore, Makiko Hara and others.

and risking their lives are also the stories of their migration from the countries that they left behind -- wars and occupation, natural disasters, gang wars, poverty, fascism, environmental destruction, gender violence, crackdown on migrants, and many others.   Filipino overseas workers may not use these border crossings, but they do take other crossings to come to work in Canada. Our kababayan are pushed out by poverty, landlessness, lack of jobs, lack of basic social services, the Philippine Labor Export Policy, and they leave a country best characterized by its semi-colonial and semifeudal systems.

run with it. In the process and because of Canada’s flawed immigration system, many of our kababayan become people with no status, no papers, and described as “undoc” and many risk this so their families back home do not go hungry.   Until there are jobs to be had in the Philippines where our kababayan are able to live and work decently, until there is land that can be tilled by families, until rights and freedoms are for everyone to be enjoyed and not just by those in power, there will be always be borders to cross, checkpoints to go through, and families to be left behind. 

Lani in France. (Photo: Courtesy of Lani Maestro)

  Offsite: Lani Maestro can be seen at 1100 West Georgia (between Thurlow and Bute Streets), just west of the Shangri-La Hotel. The Offsite art exhibit is on until April 9, 2023.   

Filipino overseas workers do not find it hard to understand why refugee claimants make these crossings at great risk because there is no other option. We have the term for it, in desperation, “You will be returned immediately we take the double-edged to the USA.” Photo Credit:  Rebekah blade (kapit sa patalim) and F. Ward/Times Union

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

15 13

Fluent in Tagalog, English, Mandarin and Fookien Dialect We Accept Most Dental Plans Monday-Saturday Convenient Private and Public Parking RICHMOND DENTAL BUILDING Suite 100 - 6480 Buswell Street Richmond, B.C. V6Y 2E9

Dr. Florence C. Uy Family Dentist

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

604-278-9877

16

March 16 - 31, 2023

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

Moira Live in Vancouver!

Moira Live in Vancouver had a press conference at Grandt Kitchen on March 27. Get ready for a night of love and music with Moira Dela Torre, TJ Monterde & Zephanie Dimaranan! Catch them Live in Vancouver on Friday March 31, 2023 at Aria Banquet Hall & Convention Centre. Don’t miss out on this

unforgettable concert filled with original OPM sound, love songs and movie themed songs. the producers of Moira’s Vancouver concert, is anticipating a sell-out crowd. Moira expressed her love for Filipinos in Canada and their support for Filipino talent and OPM songs. attended by ABS-CBN, OMNI,

and Reyfort Media Group. Moira is bringing her powerful voice and heartfelt music. Don’t miss the chance to be serenaded by the amazing Moira Dela Torre, together with TJ Monterde & Zephanie Dimaranan. Doors open at 6pm, and the show starts at 7pm.

Moira Dela Torre, TJ Monterde & Zephanie answering questions from the Press.

Grandt kitchen owners and staff photo with Moira Dela Torre

Concert Producers Rae Villanueva. Chezzalon Manlapig, Berna Escudero, Evelyn Lopez of Grandt Kitchen, Producer Jeff Toledo, Bing & Alex Antonio of Grandt Kitchen.

Media Guests - Reyfort Media group (Rey Fortaleza, Christian Cunanan,  and Roy Bonghanoy) together with OMNI’s Mariton Pacheco, TFC and ABSCBN’s Rowena Papasin with Evelyn Lopez, owner of Grandt Kitchen.

17

Get ready to be entertained by amazing guest front acts including Harianne Alindogan-Onil, Billy Cruz, and Mc Cartel. This event is brought to you by Perspective Studios in cooperation with Sterling Recruitment. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime concert experience! #MoiraLiveinVancouver #OPMmusic

Photos by Christian Cunanan

18

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

RP NEWS ...AND MORE.....

US set to transfer 2 patrol ships to PH

MANILA, Philippines — The United States Navy is set to transfer two Cyclone-class patrol ships to the Philippine Navy to further boost its capabilities in guarding and patrolling territorial waters. Both the USS Monsoon and USS Chinook were officially decommissioned in a ceremony held in Bahrain on Tuesday after 28 years of coastal patrol service. The US Naval Forces Central Command itself announced that the vessels designed for shallow-water operations “are slated for transfer to the Philippine Navy.” USS Monsoon was initially commissioned in 1994 and was recommissioned in 2008 after serving four years in the US Coast Guard, while the USS Chinook was commissioned in 1995. The US Navy said the two are the last of a group of 10 ships designed for shallow-water operations that were stationed in Bahrain. Last year, it decommissioned and transferred five patrol craft to the Royal Bahrain Naval Force and just last week, three more were decommissioned and transferred to the Egyptian Navy. The US Navy said Bahrain, Egypt and the Philippines are members of the largest mul-

tinational naval partnership in the world called Combined Maritime Forces. “Led by the United States, forces from the organization’s 38 nations operate across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international water space in the Middle East. The partnership ensures maritime security and stability in some of the world’s most important shipping lanes,” it said. PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. met with Coast Guard commandant Admiral Artemio Abu and discussed how to improve their partnership, including enhancing intelligence sharing, during a meeting last Monday. They also talked about conducting joint maritime patrols and common advocacy in environmental safety and security as well as the conservation of marine life. “The Philippine National Police will always put a premium on the partnership that we have with the Philippine Coast Guard not only because of our shared history but also because we serve with the same intensity and sincerity, always on alert, ever ready to serve, to secure, to protect,” Azurin said in a statement. Azurin also expressed his

MANILA, Philippines — While there are no plans yet to revert the schedule of the school break to April and May, the Department of Education (DepEd), said it would study the proposal of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and other education stakeholders. “At the moment, there are no plans to revert. As mentioned in a previous statement, school heads have the discretion to suspend in-person classes and immediately switch to alternative delivery modes or blended learning if the environment is not conducive to learning,” DepEd spokesman Michael Poa told reporters yesterday. “We will take note of the suggestions and study the matter,” Poa added. He was responding to Gatchalian’s proposal to revert to the previous school calendar, as the senator cited the impact of extreme heat on students. Last week, more than 100 students in a school in Laguna were rushed to hospital after experienc-

ing symptoms of heat exhaustion during an unannounced fire and earthquake drill. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers, citing an online survey of over 11,700 teachers, also noted support for proposals to revert to the previous school break schedule. In a statement last Tuesday, Poa said schools may suspend classes if the conditions become unbear able, such as the occurrence of extreme heat. “Subject to reportorial requirements with the division office, our school heads/principals have always had the discretion to suspend in-person classes if the environment is no longer conducive to learning. That’s on a caseto-case basis,” he said. “Further, it is already our SOP (standard operating procedure) that whenever in-person classes are suspended, learners are immediately switched to blended learning or ADMs (alternative delivery modes),” he added.

US 5th Fleet leaders and sailors during a decommissioning ceremony in Bahrain for the USS Chinook on Tuesday. Apart from the Chinook, another patrol ship, the USS Monsoon, will be transferred by the US government to the Philippine Navy to boost its maritime capabilities. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Vernier gratitude to the PCG for actively In a television report, fisherman working with police units to pro- Larry Hugo said the incident only vide conditions for marine safety, showed that the PCG and the PN security, law enforcement and are safeguarding Philippine waeven search and rescue opera- ters being claimed by China. PCG adviser for maritime tions. In another development, security Commodore Jay Tarriela Filipino fishermen in Pag-asa Is- refused to comment when asked land have expressed gratitude to for his reaction as he emphasized the Philippine Coast Guard and that they do not have information Philippine Navy for reportedly yet on the incident. ( M. Punongdriving away a Chinese maritime bayan with E.Tupas, R. Ramirez, militia vessel loitering in Philip- PhilStar) pine waters.

DepEd to study return to April-May summer break During previous administrations, the DepEd had specifically cited extreme heat as a reason for rejecting calls to move the opening of classes from June to August or September. Class disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, however, forced the agency to move the opening of classes to

PNT

October that year. The shift affected subsequent schedules, with classes starting in August last year for the current school year. In an earlier department order, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte also set the opening of the next two school years in August. (J. Mateo with S.Crisostomo, PS)

$1.00 CDN = P 39.92 $1.00 US = P 54.29 Euro 1.00 = P 58.87 D1.00 BHD= P 144.02 R1.00 SAR = P14.46 Yen 1.00 JPY = P. 41

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

19

20

March 16 - 31, 2023

“Bakit pa nga ba ako tinawag na Iron Man kung hindi ko kayang gampanan ang ibig sabihin nito.” Thus, was how Philippine basketball’s ’Iron Man,” LA Tenorio told this writer in an interview a week before Christmas Day three years ago in answer to query why he should not play for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel during a bubble tournament resuming action in the play-for-pay league due the Covid 19 pandemic lockdown. The then 36-year-old Gin Kings point-guard had earlier announced he planned not to join the Kings when they made it to New Clark City for the bubble due to a couple of personal and family reasons. First, his wife Chesca had just given birth to their fourth child, their first baby girl. And second, he has just gone under knife for an appendectomy days prior to the team’s departure to the tournament site. But at the prodding of PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, San Miguel Corp. sports director and Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua and Chesca herself made him change his mind. Came March, 2023, Tenyente, as he is referred to by the country’s basketball community, had, a few days ago, announced that he was diagnosed as to have been suffering from Stage 3 Colon Cancer, leading many to believe that his days of longevity were over and fans, especially, inquiring whether they will be seeing LA coming down the floor again or not? Never see his little grin as he outmaneuvers his defender around like a yo-yo then suddenly

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

PBA Greats wish ‘Iron Man’ LA Tenorio well

bursts with a behind-the-back, no look pass to an open teammate for a baseline jumper? “Never see that again?” asked a fan, a man on the streetfriend and a loyal reader of this sportswriter, via a text message a day after LA’s social media announcement. But based on that interview by this reporter in December, 2020 and recent stories by media men, plus LA statements himself following his announcement, this 17-year pro and father of three boys and a baby girl with wife Cheska won’t leave the sports he loves most and its fans just yet. “I will return to basketball,” the superstar reportedly told PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial two days before the 17-year veteran made an announcement through the league’s website that he will be stepping away as he battles the Big C. And the commissioner of five years believes him as well as fans and members of the basketball community, do, too. “I believe him,” Marcial assured this writer Saturday evening. “LA is the PBA’s ‘Iron Man.’ He owns a legacy that he’s ready to fight for to prove he can go beyond the 744 games he has so far played.” “I am not yet retiring from the game I love, and with the help of the best doctors in the Philippines and Singapore, I believe I can touch a basketball once more and return stronger,” Tenorio himself declared in a statement he released via the league’s official website when he announced his latest off-court battle.

Which, of course, drew elation from PBA legends Alvin Patriminio, Atoy Co and Jerry Codinera, who all expressed happiness to the 36-year-old’s brave heart and love for the sport his countrymen consider theier favorite pastime. Codinera, a longtime bossom friend of Patrimonio at the Purefoods franchise owned by the RSA (Ramon S. Ang) Group of San Miguel Corp. who was diagnosed as suffering from Ulcerative Colitis, an asymtomatic, no cure or prevention disease in the early years of his pro career, cautioned LA in his statement of returning to playing again as soon as possible. “Colon cancer is a stress-related sickness, meds o virus. So, hindi kailangan ni LA na mag-isip na bumalik agad sa basketball, gustuhin man niya,” the now 56 –year-old son of baseball/softball great Filomeno “Boy” Codinera told this writer in a separate conversation, also last Saturday. “My advice to him, therefore, is kalimutan muna niya ang basketball. Let his body recover completely. Don’t stress himself so much by thinking of returning immediately. Baka instead of recovering makasamapa lalo,” Codinera, whose 1.96-meter physical attribute made the owner of the league record 11 block shots in a single game, suggested. To which Patrimonio, one of only two players to have won the league MVP four times

SPORTS

and from whom LA took the ‘Iron Man’ honor, agreed completely to his pal’s observation. “Returning to basketball is easy. Tama si Jerry, magpagaling ka muna fully for your sake, wife Cheska’s and children’s who are all still very young. Kawawa naman sila kung ano man mangyari sa ‘yo.” ‘We’re all athletes and as such, kasama natin ang ating pamilya sa ating career at adhikain. Take it easy, LA, your time to return to the sport we all love will come. Trust the Lord, ibabalik ka niya ng ni hindi mo nalalaman. Kasama sa aking arawaraw na dalanging makabalik ka agad,” Patriminio vowed. One of the legendary Crispa Redmanizers’ greatest products, the 1979 PBA MVP Atoy Co, has this to say: “It’s good to learn mabuti na ang lagay mo, Mr. Iron Man, and that na-agapan agad. But don’t be complacent, mag-ingat ka pa rin lalo for your sake, Kawawa pamilya, especially your children na still very young. Yang sakit na cancer, traydor yan bigla na lang umaatake. Ingat, LA. Stay safe and healthy always!” (Reprinted from philboxing.com)

Team Philippine bags ice hockey crown MANILA, Philippines — For a country without winter season, it’s almost mission impossible to excel in a sport played on ice.

pinos did the unthinkable as they topped the 2023 IIHF World Championship Division IV recently in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

But don’t tell that to the iron- The country routed Indonewilled Philippine ice hockey sia, 14-0, edged Mongolia, 7-6, and dumped Kuwait, 5team. 1, to complete its fairy tale Relying on sheer guts and run that earned the tropical determination, the brave Fili- country promotion to Divi-

sion III B next year. Mentored by Finnish Juhani Ijas, the team was composed of Patrick Daniel Abis, Mikel Sean Miller, Manvil Billones, Carl Michael Montano, Jorell Crisostomo, Jan Aro Regencia, John Steven Füglister, Miguel Alfonso Relampagos, John Glenn Lagleva, Kenwrick Sze, Lenard Rigel Lancero II and Carlo Angelo Tigaronita.

Also part of the squad were Einzenn Ham, Carlo Pastrana, Julius Frederick Santiago, Eishner Jigsmac Sibug, Jann Gerey So Tiong and Carlo Martin Tenedero, and goaltenders Gianpetro Iseppi and Paolo Spafford. (J. Villar, PhilStar) *****

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

21

“MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS” We believe the time is I know the plans I have here, in mind for you, declares When the nations far the Lord; they are plans for and near peace, not disaster, to give Shall awake and shout you a future filled with hope. and sing Jeremiah 29: 11 CEB Hallelujah! Christ is King! We have this hope that burns Let not your heart be within our hearts, troubled; you believe in God, Hope in the coming of the believe also in Me. 2 In My Lord. Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would Jesus is the only hope of have told you. I go to prepare a fallen humanity. He came to a place for you. 3 And if I go this world, which is fall of doubt and prepare a place for you, and fear, of hardship coming I will come again and receive from sickness, death, wars, you to Myself; that where I am, natural disasters, famines and there you may be also. other calamities. When his disJohn 14: 1-3 NKJV ciples asked him a question about his prediction about the The signature song of temple that “there will be no the Seventh-day Adventist stones left on top of each other” church which is sang after the and the signs of his coming, He benediction (prayer after the gave a lengthy discourse found closing song during the church in Matthew chapters 24, and service) was written by Wayne 25, not only about the temple, Hooper a long- time member but about His coming and the of the Voice of Prophecy King’s end of the age. Heralds Quartet. It goes this This old world is getting way; worse. In the Lesson Four of We have this hope that the Adult Sabbath School Bible burns within our hearts Study Guide about the end of Hope in the coming of the world, I found this passage. the Lord. “ The end of the world and the We have this faith that events leading up to it, are, as Christ alone imparts, we know, no joke. The world Faith in the promise of His Word.

faces the worse faces the most serious crisis since the Flood (Noah’s Flood). In fact Peter himself uses the story of the Flood as a symbol of the time of the end, warning that just as the world of old perished by water, in the end times, “10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [a]burned up.” 2 Peter 3: 10 NKJV Having been warned against what is coming, we need to be prepared for it as well.” The Bible says that all have “sinned and we fall short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death. This is where HOPE comes in. The Bible also says that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. In John 3: 16, “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Here is hope. Even if one’s sickness in incurable in this life, if he or she claims this promise of Jesus, even if he or she dies, she will have eternal life. If we read

our Bibles, we find that it is full of wisdom to guide us through life, promises of eternal life in the hereafter, and warnings to keep us in the “straight and narrow paths that lead us to God and keep away from the broad way that leads to pain, death, and destruction. But there are people who will not believe that the world will end and think that what the Bible says is a joke. Now back to the Lesson. “ Danish author Soren Kierkegaard told a parable about the end of time. It went something like this: A fire broke out backstage in a big theater. A clown, who had been part of the performance, came out to warn the audience.: “Get out! The place is on fire”. The audience thought it was a big joke, part of the show, that’s all, and just applauded. He repeated the warning, “Get out! Get out!’ But the more emphatically he warned. Them, the greater the applause. For Kierkegaard, that is how the world is going to end., that is, to the general applause of wits who believe it’s a joke.” Now the reality. The ancient world did not WISDOM TO PAGE 22 ...

Keep giving

Sign on a shoe repair store: “We will heel you, we will save your sole, and we will even dye for you.” *** In today’s Gospel (John 11:37, 17, 20-27, 33b – 45), Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He showed His power over sickness and over death itself. But it also showed the power of love for His friend Lazarus and compassion for Martha and Mary. It was all about the power of love over any human condition. *** Jesus’ whole life was filled with life-giving and love-giving moments. May our lives, too, be a constant movement toward spreading life and love to as many as we can, in any way we can, as long as we can. *** While we cannot raise people from the dead, let us continue to make people come alive by giving hope, joy, affirmation,

and encouragement. May our encounter with people help them to rise up from their woes, miseries, and sinfulness. How? By radiating the love, compassion, and joy of our Risen Lord. *** Last week, an elderly lady looked at me and said: “Masuwerte ang ilong mo” (Your nose is lucky). I was quite amused and surprised! She told me that the shape and size of my nose is a lucky charm. What?! For the first time, I heard something positive about my nose, which I have always hoped would have been higher and leaner. Wow, it was a life-giving moment for me! I am happy now with my nose, finally, at 69! *** “And Jesus wept.” So consoling to know that our Lord has a heart that feels, a heart that relates, a heart that gets involved with us. Our God is a God who is not cold, distant,

uncaring, or transactional. We have a God who knows, cares for, and loves us. Amazing! *** Live a life filled with life-giving moments. All the work we do, all the services we give, all the talks and wisdom we share, and even the prayers we offer, are empty, vain, and shallow if we do these without love in our hearts. The bottom line question is: Did I fill the world with love? *** “Take away the stone.” Is there any stone (s) that must be taken away from your life so that you can come out from your “tomb”? What is it that imprisons you and prevents you from being truly happy? Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to help us see what we need to let go of and to give us the strength to let God remove “stones” that make us unhappy. ***

“Lazarus, come out!” The Lord calls each one of us every day to come out of our comfort zones and let go of our pride and selfishness. Discipleship is a constant leaving of what is dearest to us and following the Master wherever He leads us. May we trust Him more and worry less. May we follow Him more humbly, more joyfully, more gratefully, and in more hidden ways, like Mama Mary. *** On my recent trip to the US, I sought out and prayed over a friend who had a massive stroke and who lost a lot of his memory. Prior to that, he and his wife had some marital problems. But the wife never stopped loving and caring for him. I just heard the news that the other day, he looked at his wife, mentioned her name, and said: “I MOMENTS TO PAGE 22 ...

22

March 16 - 31, 2023

FULL TIME DENTAL RECEPTIONIST NEEDED IN SURREY!

Have to be friendly, orgnized, neat and able to multitask. No experience necessary. Responsibilities include but not limited to scheduling and booking patients, answering phone calls and emails, checking dental insurance coverages, etc. Good communication skills and fluency in English a must.

Please email cover letter and resume to: [email protected]

GOOD NEWS!!   5th GLOBAL REUNION Of ADAMSON UNIVERSITY ALUMNI will be held in BEAUTIFUL BC, SURREY, CANADA come July 2024 To prepare for this momentous occasion, Vancouver chapter ADUAA, cordially invites all Adamson Alumni residence in Mainland Vancouver to attend meeting on April 15,  2023 noon time at the residence of President Rudy Antonio at 8175 104 A Bear Creek Park Street, Surrey, BC, We shall discuss THE UPCOMING  5th Global Reunion to be held in BEAUTIFUL SURREY, BC. Kindly call any of the officers for more info:   Pres. Rudy Antonio at 604 618-7536;  Vice-Pres. Prima Roine @ 604 8360929 and Sec. Vangie Pagsanhan @ 778 868 2780 Come and join Adamson Falcons in action. See you on April 15th. Bring your former classmates.

MOMENTS FROM PAGE 22 am sorry for hurting you for a long time. I love you.” Just like that! It is love that heals. It is love that remembers. It is love that brings us back to life. *** Inviting you for our first Saturday 9 a.m. Mass at the Sanctuary of the Divine Word on April 1, 2023, at Christ the King Seminary, 1101 E. RoWISDOM FROM PAGE 22

driguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City. *** Warning: Please don’t respond to any appeal for financial assistance in my name, or for Fr. Jerry Orbos Ministry online. Thank you. *** A moment with the Lord: Lord, may our lives be filled with life-giving and love-giving moments. Amen. momentswithfrjerry@gmail. com pulled, they more they laughed at him, and realized what he was telling them was true but they were too late. Jesus is coming soon and this is no joke. When God says He will come, He will do it. Don’t be left outside the Pearly Gates where you will cry and not be heard. Okay?

believe Noah who while building the ark for 120 years was also telling them that a flood was coming, and when it came only 8 people were saved because they went into the boat. The people thought that all along, Noah was kidding them and only To contact us visit pulling their legs. The more he www.abundantlifeadventist. ca

TO ADVERTISE, CALL 604-588-6397

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

CLASSIFIED ADS

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY

March 16 - 31, 2023

23

MS. PNT

Micci Mercado “Michi”

Birthday: November 14, 1994 Place of Birth: Quezon City, Philippines Present City: Vancouver, BC Dream Job:  To become a wellknown project manager, passionate about leading teams and driving projects to success.. Something I love about myself: I love that I have an adventurous spirit and an insatiable curiosity that drives me to explore new places and try new things Role model: I look up to Michelle Obama as my role model because of her intelligence, compassion, and commitment to social justice. FAV. ACTORS: Michelle Yeoh FAV. SINGERS:Lea Salonga, Sitti Navarro FAV QUOTE: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” - Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)   Instagram Account:  @miccimercado

24

March 16 - 31, 2023

PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY