Filipino Star - August 2017 Editionfilipinostar.org/issues/fstar-aug-2017.pdf · Samahang Makabayan...

Volume XXXV No. 8 August 2017 Montreal, QC www.filipinostar.org

Manuel becomes FAMAS presidentin another controversial election

Cesar Manue l(standing behind, 2nd from right) with his friendscelebrating at his Pinoy Pansitan restaurant. (Photo posted on Facebookby S. Suarez)

Dante Tabamo (on the left) shown here with his team in front of Famasbuilding (Photo from their Facebook page)

W. G. QuiambaoSamahang Makabayan

presidential candidate Cesar Manuel,whose term as FAMAS vice presidentends this month, defeated DanteTabamo of the MalayaTeam by anarrow margin of 22 votes.

He was involved in acontroversial election for president in2011. Although he garnered morevotes than his opponent, Au Osdon, hestill lost because of the implementationof the 150-vote deduction. One of hisdirectors violated the COMELEC’s

Rules and Regulations.The August 6 election which

was marred with allegations ofirregularities and cheating was a déjàvu of what happened in 2011. Thecontroversy started to brew when JulieParado, the COMELEC chairman,discontinued the traditional advancevoting without notifying thecandidates. They found out about herdrastic decision only after signing andsubmitting their candidacy forms. Thereason given for discontinuing theadvance voting was the high cost of

doing it. Parado did not heed theappeal of the candidates and voters toreconsider her decision. Instead, shesaid that the COMELEC could notbreak its own rules but ironically, shebroke them on the day of the election.For example, she had an altercationwith Joseph Gonzales, a Malaya Teamcandidate for secretary. TheCOMELEC’s Rules and Regulationsstated that the election should startfrom 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but she allowedthe people to register and vote beforethe scheduled time. Besides, she

ordered another COMELEC memberto distribute official ballots withnumbers. She should not do thisbecause the ballots could bephotocopied and used illegally.

“The COMELC is ill-prepared,” said Gonzales, shaking hishead in disgust.

Budz Sarmiento, COMELECchairman n 2011, posted his personalopinion in his Facebook. “The FilipinoCommunity in Montreal has knownbetter than expect any sound ,

See page 4 FAMAS

Kian buried amid calls to end drug killingsBy Ghio Ong (The Philippine Star) |Updated August 27, 2017 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - Kian Loyd delosSantos was laid to rest yesterday atthe La Loma Cemetery in Quezon Cityas thousands joined the funeralprocession that called for justice forthe 17-year-old student and an end tothe drug war killings.

Delos Santos was dragged byplainclothes policemen to a dark,trash-filled alley in Caloocan Citybefore he was shot in the head andleft next to a pigsty, according towitnesses whose accounts appearedto be backed up by security videofootage.

The death of the Grade 11 student hasdrawn attention to allegations by

critics that police have beensystematically executing suspectedusers and dealers, a charge theauthorities deny.

Mourners, some of them wearingwhite shirts displaying the words“Justice for Kian,” held flowers andsmall flags and placards denouncingthe killing, as the procession movedout of Delos Santos’ home in LibisBaesa, Caloocan City to the La LomaCemetery.

Activists came in groups to expresstheir support and sympathy.

Some people whose relatives were alsokilled by police joined calls to stop thesummary killings under the war against

See Page 4 Drug war killings

Protesters against human rights violations joined the funeral process-ion for Grade 11 student Kian Loyd Delos Santos yesterday in CaloocanCity. They demanded justice for Delos Santos, who was slain in a drugoperation last week. Boy Santos

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August 20172 The North American Filipino Star

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Opinion, PerryScopePerryScope - By Perry Diaz

Duterte-and-the-MarcosesIn a majorsetback for Ilocos Norte Governor ImeeMarcos, she failed to secure immediaterelief from the Supreme Court (SC)against the House of Representatives’(HOR) inquiry into the Ilocos Norte’salleged misuse of P66.45 million intobacco excise tax funds.

While the SC did not specifically rejectImee’s petition, it was re-raffled sincethe justice in charge of the case,Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta,recused himself from the case.Interestingly, it was Peralta whoadministered the oath of office of formerfirst lady Imelda Marcos and her sonFerdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. asIlocos Norte 2nd District representativeand senator, respectively, in 2010. But

here’s the rub: Peralta is a relative ofIlocos Norte 1st District representativeand Majority Leader Rodolfo “Rudy”Fariñas, one of the respondents in thecase.

In addition to Peralta, Chief JusticeMaria Lourdes Sereno and newlyappointed Associate Justice AndresReyes Jr. inhibited themselves from thecase. No reason was given for their

recusal.

With the three magistrates inhibitingthemselves from the case, there will onlybe 12 justices who can vote on the case,which would require seven votes forapproval of the petition. Does Imee havethe support of at least seven justices?The fact that majority of the SC justicesvoted to allow the re-burial of theremains of the late strongmanFerdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan ngmga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery),indicates the strong influence ofPresident Rodrigo Duterte on the HighCourt. The interment of Marcos at theLibingan would certainly helpBongbong in his quest for thepresidency. Indeed, Duterte had made itknown that Bongbong was his preferredsuccessor. But that was before the“Ilocos Six” scandal erupted, pittingImee Marcos against Rudy Fariñas.

Ilocos Six

Majority Floor Leader Rudy Fariñas andSpeaker Pantaleon Alvarez.Majority Floor Leader Rudy Fariñas andSpeaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

The “Ilocos Six” controversy mightseem complicated and complex in legalterms; but one can see politics at thecrux of the matter. There are two groups

of very powerful politicians who areinvolved in the imbroglio. One group isthe powerful Marcos political clan ofIlocos Norte, which is led by the formerFirst Lady and Ilocos Norte 2nd DistrictRepresentative Imelda Marcos, herdaughter Governor Imee Marcos, andher only son, former Senator BongbongMarcos. The other group is led by atriumvirate of the top HOR leaders

consisting of Speaker PantaleonAlvarez, House Majority Leader RudyFariñas, and Surigao del Sur Rep.Johnny Pimentel, chair of the HOR’sCommittee on Good Government andPublic Accountability.

While the Marcos siblings defer to theirmother Imelda Marcos, who is used towielding the power that she and her latehusband had during the heyday of theirconjugal dictatorship, the HOR triumvirs

are political protégés of the “Godfather”in Malacañang, President RodrigoDuterte. They occupy their highpositions because the Godfather placedthem there to make sure that he has agrip on the HOR. Although nobodywould admit to it, they serve at thepleasure of the Godfather. That is thereality of Philippine politics.

The system of “three independentgovernment branches,” as stipulated inthe Constitution, doesn’t work inPhilippine realpolitik. What works is the“padrino” system that we had inheritedfrom the Spanish colonizers. Duterte isthe padrino or godfather of the HORtriumvirs. And by the same token,Imelda Marcos is the padrina orgodmother of the Marcos clan.

Now the picture is crystal clear: the

Is the ‘Ilocos Six’ aproxy war?

Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta administers the oath of office of former firstlady Imelda Marcos and her son Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as IlocosNorte 2nd District representative and senator, respectively.

Duterte and the Marcoses

August 2017 3The North American Filipino Star

www.filipinostar.org

“Ilocos Six” is a proxy war betweenDuterte and Imelda Marcos. But what isnot clear is why are they fighting eachother when not too long ago they werethe best of friends?

There is chatter in the grapevine thatthe Marcoses and Duterte had a fallingout. Speculation is rife that a “brokenpromise” might have been the cause oftheir estranged relationship. Well, likethey say, “In politics you don’t knowwho your friends or enemies are.”

The presidential election is still fiveyears away and loyalty could shift fromone side to the other at the drop of ahat. And as usual there would be the

balimbings – political opportunists –who would jump sides if it satisfiedtheir own agenda.

Political opportunism

In my last column, “The politics behindthe Ilocos Six” (July 21, 2017), I wrote:“It’s interesting to note that both Imee[Marcos] and [Rudy] Fariñas will betermed out in 2019. Which makes onewonder what their political plans are inthe 2019 midterm election? Imee couldrun for Fariñas’ 1st District seat, after allshe’s now officially a resident of LaoagCity, which is in the 1st District.Bongbong’s eldest son Sandro is nowprimed to run for office in the province.Why not the governorship that Imeewould be vacating? Bongbong’ssecond son, Joseph Simon would be ina position to run for mayor of Laoag Cityagainst incumbent Chevylle Fariñas.And Bongbong’s youngest son Vincent

would qualify to run against LaoagCity’s incumbent vice-mayor andChevylle’s husband, Michael Fariñas.That would certainly stack up the cardsagainst the Fariñas clan right in theirown backyard.

“Meanwhile, Bongbong’s electoralprotest against Vice President LeniRobredo is now before the SupremeCourt convened as PresidentialElectoral Tribunal (PET). If Bongbongwins and takes over the vice presidency,it would certainly make the Marcos clanthe preeminent political body in IlocosNorte. And this could cause thedownfall of the Fariñas clan.”

Duterte vs. Marcos

With the elimination of the Fariñas clanfrom the political power structure ofIlocos Norte, Bongbong can then workin securing the support of the SolidNorth. And with the Visayas andMindanao getting behind whomeverDuterte fronts in 2022, Bongbong isprobably salivating right now becausehe is very confident that he isDuterte’s candidate – or as they say in

the street, “manok,” a fighting cock — inthe 2022 presidential election. And hewas. What happened?

With the proxy war that is going onbetween Duterte and Imelda, thecalculus for the presidential election in2022 is going to change. And this begsthe question: If Bongbong were notgoing to be Duterte’s candidate, whowould it be? Last June, amidspeculations about his health, Dutertestressed that Vice President LeniRobredo will be his “only constitutionalsuccessor in case his term endsprematurely.” Is that a veiledendorsement that Leni could be hisanointed successor to the presidency?Why not?

And what’s in store for Rudy Fariñas,who has loyally stood by his godfather?

([email protected])

Third generation of Marcoses:Bongbong Marcos,sons, and wife.

Majority Floor Leader Rudy Fariñas and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

August 20174


encouraging and tenable Julie Parado,who last August 6 brazenly andunmercifully made a mockery of the2017 FAMAS biennial election bytaking to her home the ballot boxeswithout providing an ironcladprecautionary measure againstfraudulent activities on said ballotboxes. That is the latest distressingepisode of her long history of sinisterbehaviours. Actually, this is more asearch for the truth, particularly for anhonest and clean election that willeventually redound, hopefully, to a trulyprogressive FAMAS, in particular, asignificant peaceful and united Filipinocommunity.“ Here are commentariesfrom Dick Ribaya, former COMELECchairman, “In the 2013 and 2015FAMAS elections, after all the ballotswere counted, ballots were placed intheir respective boxes, sealed withtapes, and signed by a representativeof all political parties, the ballot boxeswere stored in a room in FAMAS officeand locked. Only the COMELECchairperson can open the room whenrequested by a political party andwitnessed by representatives of thepolitical parties. In this manner, all thepolitical parties were assured of thesecurity of the ballot boxes andavoided suspicion of tampering ofelection results. The advance voting inthe 2011 FAMAS election provided thevoters with more time and opportunityto vote. Why was the regulation notadopted and implemented in the 2017FAMAS election?

From the McKenzie King park where theelection was held, the ballot boxeswere brought and counted at FAMAScentre. According to the disgruntledMalaya Team supporters, the series ofthe events that took place at about 8a.m. the following day cast a cloud ofsuspicion. When all the votes werecounted, the people waiting outside forthe result of the election heard Paradomaking an immediate announcementthat the Malaya Team won by alandslide. Tabamo beat Manuel by 101.In addition, the scoreboard showed thatTabamo won. Parado congratulatedand hugged Lulu Dahiroc. She even

announced that she would attend theinduction of the officers. In a hurry, shesent people home and asked DannyFlorentino, a COMELEC member, tohave her car loaded with ballot boxesafter they were sealed and signed. Shedrove home with Angie Ogerio. Therewas a rumor that she was with CharitoCanivel but that was not confirmed.Parado and Svetlana Suarez, theSamahang Makabayan vicepresidential candidate and close friendof hers live in the same building.Canivel and Marlene Birao, a memberof the COMELEC, live in the same area.It was also found out that oneCOMELEC member is a “kumpare” ofManuel. In her August 8 email to DickRibaya, Suarez said, “Both politicalparties were present, SamahangMakabayan and Team Malaya, whenDanilo Florentino who is a staunchsupporter of Team Malaya and amember of the COMELEC, put all theboxes of the counted ballots in the carof the COMELEC chairman Ms. JulieParado. “There were no questions ofcomplaints coz at the time, we knewwho won and lost because we have theunofficial counts provided by the Pollwatchers.” Did she mean after Paradoannounced the victory of Tabamo? Butwhy was it immediately posted on herfacebook that Manuel won? Where didthe 22 votes come from, asked manyMalaya supporters.

Some of the troubling questions thatneed to be answered are: Why didParado keep the boxes at her place,instead of a safe and neutral place?

The FAMAS computer was hacked July27 (?). Why was Julie allowed to bringthe boxes at her place? There wasenough time to bring the ballot boxes ina safe and neutral place before theAugust 6 election. The boxes weresealed and signed but nobody knewwhat transpired at her place? In a fewhours, rumors circulated that Manuelwon by 22 votes. Where did she get thisfigure? Did Manuel ask for a recountthat the figures were changed when allthe people had gone? Why would he doit? If he ever asked for a recount, didParado open the ballot boxes ? Did shedo it or with the help of other people.Mercy Sia, Malaya’s vice presidential

candidate, pummeled Suarez, theSamahang Makabayan vicepresidential candidate, by staggering353 votes. Could it be possible thatTabamo did not get at least 25 votesfrom Sia’s supporters? Why did theCOMELEC decline to grant interviewsto the North American Filipino Star andNorberto Mandin and his wife of theCanadian Pinoy Radio? The unofficialresults were released August 8 and theofficial results only August 13. Thenumber of people who cast their ballotsis 2866.

The latest report as of this writing is thatParado received a letter from theMalaya Team lawyer to answer theirquestions on what happened on theelection day. Despite the controversyand the lawyer`s letter, she proclaimedManuel on August 13. In attendancewas Pia Bautista, the only director fromthe Samahang Makabayan who won.

Bert Abiera, FAMAS erstwhile president,drew a conclusion, “As chairman of theCOMELEC, Julie assumes that shemakes all the decisions withoutconsulting any of her members. Thatmeans she has the final say. She wantsto beat Budz Sarmiento’s record. Shewants to make history, and she made it.She will be remembered for what shedid this election. It’s a fiasco. ”

The election was held August 6 but theofficial results were released onAugust 13. The list is as follows:

PRESIDENT –Dante Tabamo

TM 1422 votesCesar Manuel

SM 1444 votesVICE PRESIDENT (Int.)Mercy Sia

TM 1583 votesVICE PRESIDENT (Int.)Svetlana Suarez

SM 1230 votesVICE PRESIDENT (Ext.)Romeo Remigio

TM 1462 votesVICE PRESIDENT (Int.)Rey Balansi

SM 1228 votesSECRETARY

Joseph GonzalesTM 1445 votes

Cristine TocaSM 1210 votes

TREASURERSalvador Cabugao

Ind. 352 votes

Lorenza PenularTM 1244 votes

Jeanette CortezSM 1057 votes

AUDITOREdwin Rosete

TM 1480 votes

Marieta VinasSM 1144 votes

ACCOUNTANTCynthia Eau

TM 1303 votes

Pia Dulce BautistaSM 1306 votes

PROLeah Baldelovar

TM 1417 votesDexter RossEstinozo

SM 1274 votesDIRECTORSPinky Pellejo

TM 1345 votesEvelyn Calusa

SM 1274 votesGlenda Lasaten

TM 1488 votesRaquel Trinidad

SM 1111 votes

Emely BoadoTM 1377 votes

Bryan PeronaSM 1261 votes

Alona AmanoTM 1385 votes

Rowel PanganibanSM 1258 votes

Michael SupanTM 1414 votes

Marc Alvin SimbulanSM 1262 votes

-o0o-

From Page 1 FAMAS

drugs.“I came to support the family. I

want justice for Kian and all victims,including my son,” said KatherineDavid, whose 21-year-old son was shotdead by police with two other men inJanuary.

Delos Santos’ flower-drapedcoffin passed slowly through narrowstreets on a flat-bed truck with twoblack and red colored tarpaulinscontaining the words “Run, Kian, Run”and “Stop the killings” displayed oneach side.

The cortege made a brief stopin front of the Caloocan policecommunity precinct where three policeofficers involved in the killing of DelosSantos were assigned beforeproceeding to the Sta. Quiteria Churchwhere the funeral mass was held.

The militant group BagongAlyansang Makabayan (Bayan) led the

protesters shouting “Justice for Kian,justice for all!” in front of the policeprecinct.

“The thousands who lined thestreets and joined the funeral march ofKian delos Santos is a strong protestagainst Rodrigo Duterte’s war ondrugs and the poor,” the group said ina statement.

“It is a sign that the peoplehave had enough and are indignantover the impunity that prevails today.We call for accountability of the policeofficers directly involved in the killingsas well as accountability of thecommander-in-chief who sanctionedthe killings.”

At the funeral mass, CaloocanBishop Pablo Virgilio Davidcondemned the killing of Delos Santosas well as other victims of summaryexecutions.

He said Delos Santos was notthe only victim of the war on drugs ashe mentioned by name the others who

also fell victim to suspected vigilantegroups carrying out the killings for thepolice.

“Most of the families did notfile cases… To whom would theycharge if the suspects are wearingbonnets?” David remarked.

“Most of them, even if theywitnessed that the victims were shotdefenselessly, would be recorded onpolice reports that they fought back.Most of the witnesses would not daretestify for fear that they could be thenext victims. Stop the killings, starthealing.”

David comforted the grievingparents during his homily.

“Not only your family, but theheavens also cried for you early thismorning,” David said.

“Aling Lorenza and MangSaldy, you are not alone. With you areparents who also lost their children.”

Saldy thanked the crowd whojoined them in mourning their loss. “I

have nothing else to wish for but forKian to get justice and for his killers topay for what they did,” he said inFilipino.

He also hoped that his son’sfate would not happen to others.Protesters against human rightsviolations joined the funeral processionfor Grade 11 student Kian Loyd DelosSantos yesterday in Caloocan City. Theydemanded justice for Delos Santos, whowas slain in a drug operation last week.Boy Santos

“So that they would never feelhow to lose a child as good as Kian,” hesaid.

Public Attorney’s Office (PAO)chief Persida Rueda-Acosta assisted thefamily during the funeral procession.

Among those who attendedwere former Education secretary ArminLuistro and Fr. Robert Reyes, the“running priest” who concelebrated thefuneral mass with David.

David believes the response toDelos Santos’ killing marks a turning

From Page 1 Drug war killings



Philippine teenager's burial turns into protest vs killings

point in the opposition to the drug war.A member of Rise Up, a Manila-

based coalition of church-related groupsopposing the drug war, said families ofabout 20 victims joined the funeralprocession.

“There’s been a big change.Before, police could kill and nobodypaid attention. Now people are startingto show support and sympathy,” shesaid.

The Philippine Council ofEvangelical Churches (PCEC) issued astatement denouncing the killing ofDelos Santos.

“We denounce in the strongestterms all unjust slayings and the risingculture of senseless killing and impunitythat, to our very deep regret, haveaccompanied from its very inception thePresident’s well-intentioned campaignagainst illegal drugs,” PCEC nationaldirector Bishop Noel Pantoja said.

OutcryPAO led the Delos Santos family

in filing charges of murder and tortureagainst the policemen involved in thekilling.

Police claimed Delos Santostried to flee when he saw the lawmenapproaching him during a drug sting inhis neighborhood on Aug. 16.

Policemen gave chase butDelos Santos allegedly pulled out ahandgun and opened fire, triggering abrief firefight.

Delos Santos was killed duringthe exchange of fire, according to policewho added Delos Santos had a .45automatic and two sachets of shabu.

His relatives, however, disputedthe police claims, saying the gun andthe drugs were planted.

The relatives showed abarangay security video showing twomen dragging Delos Santos.

Witnesses said the policemenhanded the handgun to Delos Santosand ordered him to run before shootinghim down.

The three policemen involved –PO3 Arnel Oares, and PO1s JeremiasPereda and Jerwin Cruz – were chargedwith murder and torture of a minorbefore the Department of Justice onFriday.

Their superior, Chief Insp. AmorCerillo, commander of the PoliceCommunity Precinct 7 of Caloocan City,was included in the charges under theprinciple of command responsibility.

The complaint followed at least

two cases filed last year against policeover President Duterte’s war on drugs,which has killed thousands, outragedhuman rights groups and alarmedWestern governments.

The Unity of Child RightsAdvocates Against Inhumane Treatmentand Neglect of Children (UNCHAINChildren) said more than 30 childrenhave already died in connection withDuterte’s drug war.

Duterte has expressedextraordinary support for policeenforcing his crackdown, promising topardon them if they are convicted tokeep them out of jail.

Amid the growing outcry,however, Duterte ordered the arrest of

the policemen linked to the killing ofDelos Santos.

Malacañang gave assurancethat the proper authorities wouldinvestigate the killing of Delos Santos.

Presidential spokesmanErnesto Abella on Friday said Dutertehas ordered an investigation into thekilling.

He said the killing of DelosSantos is a wake up call for the policeand other state agencies to review andreform their law enforcementprocedures. – With Janvic Mateo,Emmanuel Tupas, Rhodina Villanueva,Reuters

Saturday, August 26, 2017 10:15 AMESTBy BULLIT MARQUEZ, AP

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — AFilipino teenager at the center of thelatest outcry against the president'sbloody crackdown against illegaldrugs was buried Saturday, withmourners turning his funeral into aprotest against thousands of drugkillings.

Hundreds of mourners andleft-wing activists carried placards thatread "Stop killing the poor" and"Justice for Kian" during a kilometers-long (miles-long) funeral march beforeKian Loyd delos Santos was interred ata public cemetery in the Manilametropolis.

The 17-year-old student, whowanted to become a police officer, wasone of more than 80 drug and crimesuspects who were killed in purportedgunbattles with police over three daysthis month in the bloodiest few days ofPresident Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drugcampaign. The killings sparked alarmand official investigations.

During a funeral Mass at achurch, Roman Catholic Bishop PabloDavid urged authorities to "stop thekillings and start the healing."

The Rev. Flaviano Villanuevasaid that the slain student had becomea symbol, and that his death and burialhad "burst open the sleeping heartsand consciences of the Filipinopeople."

"This is proof that the countryitself is screaming enough is enough,and we should end these killings," he

said.Murder and torture complaints

were filed Friday against three policeofficers and their commander in theAug. 16 shooting death of delosSantos in suburban Caloocan city.

"The thousands who lined upthe streets and joined the funeralmarch of Kian delos Santos is a strongprotest against Rodrigo Duterte's waron drugs and the poor," left-wingleader Renato Reyes said. "The peopleare saying, 'Enough!'"

Police say delos Santos was adrug dealer who opened fire with apistol during a raid. His family,however, says he was mercilessly

killed by police as he was pleading forhis life.

During a televised Senatehearing this past week, Commissionon Human Rights Chairman ChitoGascon expressed astonishment atpolice claims that most of the morethan 3,200 drug suspects they havegunned down since the crackdownbegan last year fought back,prompting law enforcers to shootthem.

Aside from those deaths, morethan 2,000 others have died in drug-related killings, including attacks bymotorcycle-riding masked gunmen,who human rights groups allege are

policemen in disguise or their civilianhit men. Police deny such claims.

Delos Santos's grievingparents and some neighbors havepointed to a village security cameravideo that shows a man, who they saywas delos Santos, being held by botharms and dragged away from near hishome shortly before he was shot in adark, muddy alley near a canal. Theysaid the video showing him in policecustody belies the police claim that hetried to escape and that he had a pistolwith him.

Police officers linked to thekilling acknowledged in the Senatehearing that they were the ones in thevideo, but said the man they weredragging away was a civilian informantwho was trying to hide his face fromvillagers out of fear.

Duterte has expressedextraordinary support for policeenforcing his crackdown, promising topardon them if they are convicted tokeep them out of jail. Amid the growingoutcry, however, he ordered the arrestof the policemen linked to the killing ofdelos Santos and ordered aninvestigation.

"The president has clearlystated that the war against drugs is nota license to break the law," presidentialspokesman Ernesto Abella said. "Thisincident, however, would not deter theadministration from the task ofreducing criminality and illegal drugs."

"The campaign against illegaldrugs would continue," Abella said.

Residents watch the passing funeral procession of slain Kian Loyddelos Santos, a 17-year-old student, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, insuburban Caloocan city north of Manila, Philippines. The killing of Kianby police has sparked an outcry against President Rodrigo Duterte'santi-drug crackdown, which has left thousands dead since assumingoffice in June of last year. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

SOCO probes into thecontroversial case of 17-year-oldKian delos Santos who was shotdead in a police drug operation.

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday went to Caloocan City to visitthe wake of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos. Office of the Vice President/Released

August 20176


The North American Filipino Star

Tagalog Seksyon

Opinyon/Komentaryoni Willie Quiambao

ANG KAHALAGAHAN NGKOMUNIKASYON SA BUHAY NG TAONoong Pista sa Nayon ay sinabi sa akinng isang kandidato ng Malaya Team nahindi alam ng dalawang partido nawalang advance voting sa FAMASeleksyon. Pinatunayan ito ng isangkandidato mula sa SamahangMakabayan. Na-fill out na niya atnapirmahan ang candidacy form nangsabihin sa kaniya ni Julie Parado,COMELEC chairman, na walang advancevoting. Sa pagkabigla niya, hindi na siyanakapagtanong kung bakit at hindi na rinsiya nakatutol. Dahil halos may tatlonglinggo pa bago mag-eleksyon, pinayuhanko sila na sabihin sa FAMAS ExecutiveBoard at COMELEC ang kanilang isyu.Hindi naman nila kailangangmakipagsigawan o makipag-away.Idinagdag ko pa na ito ang pagkakataonupang ipamalas ang kanilang pagigingider. Maging assertive sila.

Minsan, tayong mga Pilipino aynahihiyang magsabi ng ating saloobin.Pero kung kinakailangan, dapat tayongmagsalita kung alam nating tama tayo.Kung hindi tayo magsasalita, paanomalalaman ng iba ang ating saloobin.Hindi sila manghuhula.

Naalaala ko nang itulak akong magingkandidato ng FAMAS sa pagkadirektormaraming taon na ang nakalilipas. Nangbasahin ko ang candidacy form, sinabi kosa COMELEC chairman na hindi kosasagutin ang ibang personal na tanong,tulad ng Have you been convicted of acrime? Do you have any police record?Have you filed for bankruptcy? Puro “No”and sagot ko sa mga ito pero hindi ko ma-fill out ang candidacy form dahil kahit sajob application form, hindi na itinatanongang mga personal na bagay na tulad nito.Sumagot ang COMELEC chairman naformality lamang ang mga tanong naiyon pero pinangatawanan ko ang akingdesisyon. Hindi na siya nagpilit dahilsiguro , naisip niya na tama ako. Isa panghalimbawa ng kahalagahan ngkomunikasyon ay nang tulungan ko angisang kaibigan na mag-appeal saUnemployment Insurance Commission.Natanggal sa trabaho ang aking kaibiganna caregiver dahil napagbintangansiyang nagnakaw kaya hindi siyabinigyan ng benepisyo ng UIC nanghalos limang buwan. Binasa kong mabutiang regulasyon ng UIC na nagsasabingwalang benepisyong makukuha angisang taong natanggal sa trabaho kungsiya ang may kasalanan. Sinamahan kosa tribunal ang aking kaibigan upangmag-appeal. Ang argumento ko ay hindipa naman napatunayan na maykasalanan ang aking kaibigan. Mayabogado siyang nagtatanggol sa malingbintang sa kaniya. Pagkalipas ng mgadalawang linggo, binigyan siya ngbenepisyo.

Kung hindi ako nakipag-usap saCOMELEC chairman, hindi akonakatakbo bilang direktor ng FAMAS at

hindi ako nagkaroon ng personal nakasiyahang isipin na kahit pala bago paako sa komunidad, naging pang-labintatlo ako sa tatlungpong kandidato.Kung hindi ako nakipag-usap sa UIC,hindi nakakuha ng benepisyo ang akingkaibigan.

ANG DESISYON BA NG FAMASEXECUTIVE BOARD AT COMELEC NAHUWAG MAGKAROON NG ADVANCEVOTING AY SA KAPAKANAN NG MGAKANDIDATO AT BOTANTE O SAKAPAKANAN NILA?Nagulat ang mga botante ng FAMASnang malaman nila na walang advancevoting noong bago mag-eleksyon. Ayonsa kanila, ngayon pa lamang mangyayariito. Narinig ko na ang dahilan na ibinigaysa mga kandidato ay ang malakinggastos. Tinanong ko ang isang datingopisyal ng FAMAS kung totoo ito at sinabisa akin na halos meal allowances lamangang gastos. Marami ang nagsasabi namakatitipid nga ang asosasyon peromalaki rin ang mawawalang pera dahilmarami ang hindi makaboboto. Iniisip konaman na puro pera, hindi ang karapatanat kapakanan ng mga kandidato atbotante ang hangad ng FAMAS. Sang-ayon ako sa mga dahilan ng mgakandidato at botante na magkaroon ngadvance voting: Marami sa mga tao angnagbabakasyon pa, marami ang mag-tatrabaho at magsisimba muna at hindinila magagawang bumoto kung isangaraw lamang at ilang oras gagawin angeleksyon. Uunahin muna nila angmahahalagang bagay sa kanila kaysapagboto. Mahihirapan din ang matatandaat may kapansanan sa mahabang pila.

Nang mag-email ako kay Julie Parado,COMELEC chairman, upang ipaalam angpagtutol ng mga kandidato at botante saginawa niyang walang advance voting,sinabi niya na igalang ang kanilangdesisyon. Sumagot ako na paano naminigagalang ang kanilang desisyon at angmga taong gumawa nito na sa amingpalagay ay mali. Sinangguni ba nila angmga kandidato at mga botante nanggumawa sila ng mahalagang desisyon?Sa mga naririnig ko, ang Executive Boardat COMELEC lamang ang nag-usap.Sinabihan din ako ni Julie, “We can notbreak our own rules”. Ganoon pala, bakitnilabag nila ang konstitusyon ng FAMASna nag-appoint sa kanila. Sinasabi sakonstitusyon ng FAMAS na ang isa mgakarapatan ng mga miembro aymakaboto. Paano nga nila magagawaiyon sa isang araw at ilang oras lamangna botohan?

Na-insulto pa ako nang sabihin ni Julie nabasahin ko ang FAMAS Constitution naparang hindi ako nagbabasa. Ilang ulitko itong binasa pero talagang walanamang nakasaad doon tungkol saadvance voting. Ang argumento ko: Kungwalang nakasaad na magkaroon nito,may karapatan sila at ang ExecutiveBoard na hindi gumawa ng advancevoting. SUBALIT may karapatan din ang

mga kandidato at botante na humiling namagkaroon nito. Ito ang sinasabi kong isasa mga loophole na puedengpagdebatehan. Ang anumang bagay nadapat at hindi dapat gawin ay kailangangnakasulat nang malinaw. Dapat ay inblack ang white. Dahil nga walangnakasaad tungkol sa advance voting, sapagkakataong tulad nito, common senseang dapat pairalin o mangibabaw. ISIP.Mas mahalaga nga ba ang napakalakinggastos ng FAMAS na matitipid kungwalang advance voting kaysa sakapakanan at karapatan ng mgakandidato at botante? Napakababaw ngkanilang dahilan. Baka may gustongpatunayan ang Executive Board atCOMELEC na sila ang makapangyarihano mas marunong sila.

Ayon sa nakaraang administrasyon, walangang nakasaad na walang advancevoting sa konstitusyon pero nag-usapsila, ang COMELEC at mga kandidato.Lahat ay nagkasundong magkaroon ngadvance voting. Tama ang ginawa nilapero ang kasalukuyang administrasyon atCOMELEC ay hindi isinaalang-alang angmga kandidato at botante na nagbayadng candidacy at membership fees. Nag-email ako kay Julie bilang kinatawan ngmga kandidato at maraming botante na i-reconsider ang desisyon ng ExecutiveBoard at COMELEC pero hindi pa rin silanakinig. Ipinaalaala ko pa sa kanila nabaka maulit ang nangyari noong 2011 nanagkagulo. Sa gobyerno, maaaring mag-appeal ang isang tao tulad ng akingkaibigan na noong una ay hindi nabigyanng unemployment benefits pero angFAMAS at COMELEC ay hindi manlamang binigyan ng pagkakataon angmga kandidato at botante na mag-appeal.Sinabi kaagad na hindi nila mababagoang kanilang desisyon. Hindi manpinagbigyan ang aming kahilingan, angmahalaga ay nasabi namin ang amingargumento at bahala ang mga bumabasana magsabi kung sino ang tama o mali.

Gusto kong maniwala sa sinabi ni BudzSarmiento, dating COMELEC chairman,na ang desisyon ng Executive Board atCOMELEC ay batay sa kanilang “whimsat caprice”, hindi sa kapakanan okarapatan ng mga kandidato at botante.

Sa bagong administrasyon na nakaupongayon, maraming pagbabago silanggagawin. Kung magta-trabaho sila. Angisa sa mga ito ay kung paano nilamaibabalik ang pagItiwala ng mga tao saFAMAS. Pero sa nangyayari ngayon,mahirap na o matatagalan pa.Nagsasalita na at sawa na ang “madlangbayan.”

MGA KOMENTO AT OBSERBASYONNG MGA TAO SA NAKARAANGELEKSYON

Nagtatawa si Budz Sarmiento, COMELECchairman noon 2011, kapag nababalitaanniya ang gulong ginawa ni Julie Parado,COMELEC chairman ng FAMAS ngayon.Ang hindi lamang gusto ng mga taonoong chairman si Budz ay ang ginawaniyang pagbabawas sa boto ng mgakandidato na nakalagay naman sa Rulesand Regulations. At binigyan niya ngpagkakataong magkaroon ng hearingang mga kandidato. Bukod doon,organized ang eleksyon. Sa eleksyonnoong Aug. 6, hindi kaagad sinabi ni Juliesa mga kandidato at mga tao na walangadvance voting. At hindi niya pinakingganang kanilang appeal. Sa nakaraangeleksyon, umaga pa lamang ay

nagkakagulo na ang mga tao.

Ang mga sumusunod ang ilan sa mganakita ko at sinabi sa akin:1.Pagkakalituhan – Pagkatapos kongmag-register, hinihintay kong maymagturo sa akin kung saan pupunta.Wala kasing sign. Pinagsabihan ako ngpresidente ng FAMAS, “Umurong ka,Willie.“ Para bang nakasasagabal ako samga nasa likuran ko. Sumagot ako,“Walang nagsasabi sa akin kung saanpupunta.” Itinuro ako sa kasunod na tentsubali’t hindi naman pala doon. “Akala koba ay trained na ang mga staff,” nasabiko na lamang.” 2) Pagsisigawan – Nangsumulat ako sa COMELEC upang ire-consider ang desisyon na walangadvance voting, ang sagot ni Julie, ”Wecan not break our own rules andregulations.” Nakatatawa dahil noongaraw ng eleksyon, siya ang lumabag sasarili niyang rules. Ang simula ngbotohan ay 9 a.m. hanggang 5 p.m.Nagsisigawan si Julie at JosephGonzales, kandidato ng Malaya Team,dahil pinabayaan ng una mag-register atbumoto nang maaga ang isang grupo ngmga botante kahit wala pang 9 a.m. Nag-utos siyang mamigay ng mga officialballot sa labas. Dapat gawin iyon sa loobng tent, pagkatapos mag-register ng mgabotante. 3) Pagtulong ng kasalukuyangpresidente sa pag-paparegister -“Conflict of interest,” sabi ni Fredo, isangmiembro ng FAMAS na madalas makitasa mga pagtitipon. “Marami namangmakukuhang volunteers. Ang dapat aymagmasid na lamang ang presidente.” 4)Paghahanapan ng mga nawawalangregistration cards. - Malas na lamangkung kaninong team ang nawalan ngmga registration cards. Kung nag-registerng personal ang isang botante, nawalaniya ito. Bakit hahanapin sa COMELEC?Matagal ko nang sinasabi na dapat aypersonal na mag-reregister ang botanteupang matiyak na siya nga ito. 5)Pagbabago sa lugar ng botohan -Papasok na ako sa video store ni EdDumandan nang may tatlong lalakengtumatakbo at nagtanong sa akin kungsaan ang botohan. Naalaala ko na dapatay sa Van Horne nga pala pero na-ilipatsa MacKenzie King Park. Ang pagbabagoay nalathala sa isang diaryo pero hindi saNorth American Filipino Star. Hindi palumalabas ang NAFS nang malaman angpagbabago ng lugar at may panahon paupang ilathala ang bagong impormasyonsa NAFS. 5) Pagsisikap ng may mgakapansanan na makaboto – Nakita ko atnakausap ang isang supporter ngSamahang Makabayan na may hospitalbracelet pa pero lumabas para lamangmakaboto. Isa namang matanda na hirapna hirap sa paglalakad ang akay ng anakang papunta sa tent ng Malaya upangmakaboto. 6) Pagpapaalis sa media –Hindi raw pinapasok ni Julie si NorbertoMandin ng Canadian Pinoy Radio 7)Pagpapa-guilty kay Dick Dahiroc nadating miembro ng SamahangMakabayan pero lumipat sa Malaya Team8) Pagtatanong sa akin ng isang botantekung posibleng magkaroon ng dalawangpuso ang isang tao. “Willie, pareho kongkaibigan ang dalawang kandidato sapresidente ng FAMAS. Anong gagawinko? Ang aking sagot, “Magtanong ka samga tao kung sino talaga angmagtatrabaho. O kaya, huwag ka nangbumoto para hindi ka guilty. Itago mo nalamang ang $7 mo.” 9) Pagkawala ngkaranasan ng COMELEC – Sabi ng isangnagmamasid, “Dalawa sa miembro ngCOMELEC ang naging presidente ngFAMAS kaya dapat alam na nila anggagawin ng COMELEC sa eleksyon. Pero



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disorganized pa rin sila.”

SA PAGBABAGO NG PANAHON,KAILANGAN PA RING SUNDIN ANGBUSINESS AT SOCIAL ETIQUETTES(PERO HUWAG SOBRA)

Kamakailan ay ginamit ng pamangkin koang aking komputer upang gumawa ngsulat sa pag-hahanap ng trabaho. Hindiman maganda ay sumilip ako. Nakita kona walang salutation at complimentaryclose ang kaniyang ginagawang sulatkaya hindi ko napigilang magtanong, “ Isthat how you do it now?” “Yes, uncle.”Napailing ako. “When you enter a house,don’t you knock first and when you leave,don’t you say goodbye as signs ofrespect?”

Hindi sumagot ang pamangkin ko at hindina rin ako kumibo. Siguro, talagangganoon ang uso ngayon lalo na haloslahat ay ginagawa sa komputer.Maraming pagbabago sa paligid na hindiko na alam pero para sa akin, may mgabagay pa rin, tulad ng business etiquette,na dapat mapanatili. Ang paggalang ayhindi dapat nawawala lumipas man angpanahon.

Sa Pilipinas, noong kapanahunan ko,maraming babae at lalake ang nag-tatrabaho bilang sekretaryo. Tulad ko, itoang stepping stone nila para magka-trabaho habang nag-aaral. Karamihan sakanila ay graduate ng dating PhilippineCollege of Commerce kung saan itinuturoang steno-typing. Hindi ako kumuha ngkursong ito pero self-study ang ginawako. At bumibili ako ng mga libro tulad ngHow to Compose Effective Business andPersonal Letters. Isa sa mga natutuhan ko

sa paggawa ng business letters ay angpaggamit ng salutation at complimentaryclose. Kadalasan ay ginagamit sa pormalna sulat ang Dear sir at punctuation markna colon. Pero hanggat maaari, alaminnatin ang pangalan ng iyong susulatan.Halimbawa, Mr. Smith. Mas may appealiyon sa kaniya kaysa Dear sir o To whomit may concern. Kung impormal opersonal ang sulat, tulad ng Dear John,ang punctuation mark ay comma.Kailangan din ang salutation atcomplimentary close ay magkatugma.Halimbawa, kung gumamit ka nginpormal na Dear John sa kaibigan,huwag kang gagamit ng pormal nacomplimentary close na Yours truly oRespectully yours. Tama na ang Bestregards o Sincerely.

Ang isa pang natutuhan ko ay angtamang pagsagot sa telepono sa opisinana hindi na binibigyan pansin ng maramingayon. Kailangan sabihin ang pangalanng kompaniya, Good morning or Goodafternoon, at pangalan ng sumagot. Angilan sa mga dahilan ay upang kung angsumagot ay bastos o nagbigay ng malinginpormasyon, madali siyang matunton ngtumawag.

Subalit kung minsan, hindi lahat ng tamaay mabuti. May nagkwento sa akin nanagpunta siya sa bahay ng isang datingopisyal ng FAMAS. Nang mag-ring angtelepono, sumagot ang opisyal, “Goodmorning, it’s John,FAMAS vice president(hindi totoong pangalan at title).”Kamuntik nang matawa nang malakasang aking kaibigan. Pati pala sa bahay,kapag sumasagot, ginagamit ang title saasosasyon.

Fight for Natural Beauty

Tenne Rose Dayandante sampling the latest beauty technologycalled LPG

ANG MAGANDANG KULTURANGPILIPINO AY GINAGAWA PA RINNoong Pista sa Nayon ay nabigla ako ngbiglang nagmano sa akin ang isangdalagita. Natatandaan ko na nakita ko naito sa FAMAS centre noong mga direkctorpa sina Joseph Gonzales at RomyRemigio. Tinanong ko si Joseph kunganak niya ito. Sinabi ni Joseph na bakanga sa kaniya o kay Romeo dahilparehang nagmamano pa rin angkanilang mga anak. Ang pagmano ayisang kulturang Pilipino na tanda ngpaggalang sa matatanda. Bagamatnabigla ako sa pagmano sa akin ngdalagita dahil hindi ko inaasahangmayroon pang gagawa nito, hindi komapigilang humanga sa kaniyang mga

magulang. Ito ay pagpapatunay namaganda ang pagpapalaki sa kaniya ngkaniyang mga magulang.

KUNG MINSAN, KAUNTING PRENO SAATING BUNGANGAKatatapos lamang ng eleksyon kayanaalaala ko ang isang pangyayaringnagpapangiti sa akin tuwing sumasagi saaking isip. Nasa isang pagtitipon ako ngmga Pilipino at kasama ko sa mesa siBudz Sarmiento na dating COMELECchairman. Isang kaibigang babae angnakaupo rin sa aming mesa. Masayanaming pinag-uusapan ang malapit na

See Page 13 Tagalog Seksyon

Filipina nurse Angelita Velez demonstrating LPG Endermologie

August 20178



Ask theVideo Guy

Technological Tidbitsby

Al Abdon

What are high definition?

What are HD: high definition, or HD,generally refers to images displayedin a 16:9 aspect ratio at a size of 1280pixels by 720 pixels or 1920 pixels by1080 pixels.

The images can be displayed in eitherinterlaced (alternating upper and lowerfields playing sequentially at a speedgreat enough to trick our eye intoseeing one image – commonly referredto with an “i”, e.g. 1080i), orprogressive (showing a full image ineach frame – commonly referred towith a “p”, e.g. 1080p). Common HDdisplays include plasma, LED and LCDtelevisions, flat panel computermonitors, and most mobile devices.

Standard definition, or SD, isn’t as wideand sexy as our current flat screentelevisions and monitors. It is generallyan interlaced image with a muchsmaller number of pixels – in NorthAmerica it is 640 pixels by 480 pixels tobe exact (480i). When imagining a 4:3viewing area, think back to your old,wood-cabinet television in the attic. Itnot only contained a cathode ray gunor three and weighed as much as myAunt Edna, but it also had a screen thatwas pretty darn close to square, right?That’s a standard definition screen.Though there has been a shift towardsdigital, high definition and TVbroadcasting, both HD and SDstandards still exist. Depending on theservice provider and delivery methodthey use, 1080i or 1080p.

What that means to videoprofessionals, is that the shift from SDto HD and the lack of a single videostandard has forced us to becomemasters of many aspects of shooting,editing, converting, encoding, deliveryand transmogrification, OK, not somuch that last one, but we’ve definitelyhad to embrace a steep learning curveto keep up with formats, pixel aspectratios, codecs, and a multitude of Web,film and broadcast technologies andstandards.

Let’s try to shed some light on oneaspect of this challenging changeover,and that is learning a bit about editingHD video for SD delivery.

Before we get into the editing, however,it’s important to know why one mightchoose to shoot HD video when he orshe knows it’s only going to see thelight of day as SD video.

Why Choose HD Footage for SDProjects1. Color depth and compression –newer HD cameras capture more colorper pixel, offering options to recordtheir footage fully uncompressed2. Zooming and panning – when weput our videos together there are timeswhere we wish we framed a bit tighter,zoomed in a bit on the action, or wereable to do a slower zoom in or out. HDfootage will allow editors to zoomin and out and pan side to side withoutfalling out of the SD frame.3. Cost – the equipment is so cheapand so good now, it doesn’t makesense to spend good money on oldertechnology. The reality is that moststudios want to stay on top of the latesttechnology, and simply learn how tomeet the needs of different clients asprojects come in.4. Learning – clients looking for SDnow will likely be looking for HD in thefuture, and in the meantime you canlearn to refine your HD workflow for SD.So what part of the workflow needsrefining?

Highway to the Safe Zone

The most obvious thing we noticewhen comparing HD and SD footage isthat SD is far narrower than HD. Evenin HD there are boundaries for what issafe to display. These are called thetitle safe and action safe zones, andthey sit 10 percent and 5 percent fromthe edge of your footage, respectively.There is also a third zone, called thecenter cut safe zone. The center cutsafe zone refers to the 4:3 section of avideo frame that fits inside the center of16:9 HD footage. We’ll get into these ina sec.

When discussing shooting, center cutsafe shooting describes shootingfootage in HD, but keeping your area ofinterest centered in the middle 4:3section of your shot.

Sounds easy enough, but as an editorhow do you make sure you’re playingwithin the barriers? Let’s take a closerlook at these safe zones. Start byturning on the action safe and title safeguides in our editing software. Whilethese are for HD footage, they can helpus.

The outside rectangle is called the“action safe” zone, meaning you aresafe to have your action (actors acting,pipers piping, geese a laying, etc.),take place within this zone without riskof losing it on certain screens or

monitors.The inner rectangle is called the “titlesafe” zone. For television you’ll want tokeep all of your titles within this zone toavoid them disappearing off the side ofcertain displays.

Note: For Web the rule of thumb is tokeep your title text within the actionsafe zone versus the title safe zone fortelevision. Most hosting sites won’tcrop videos.

Slightly within the title safe zone thereis our center cut safe zone. Manyshooters and editors will use the titlesafe zone as their center cut safe zone,but the true 4:3 area sits within the titlesafe zone.

An Editing Software has historicallyincluded center cut safe guides, so ifyou’re using a current editing programor earlier, you should be able to turn oncenter cut safe guides and adjust yourfootage within that zone. As of thisprinting, it seems that more editingpackages than not, no longer ship withthese safe guides. They will, however,include title and action safe guides,and a quick look online should helpyou track down a guide image with analpha channel to drop over yourproject layers to use as a guide.

Handling FootageWorrying about all of these safe zonesis enough to give us wrinkles, so let’sworry about something simpler: editingand cropping footage.

Assuming that your footage is centercut safe you’ll have a straightforwardjob as an editor. It is then as simple ascreating a standard definitionsequence in your editing software,dropping your HD footage dead centerof the frame, and then editing as usual.Your action should look just fine for SDoutput, and the HD edges will becropped away.

Things aren’t always as simple ashaving perfectly shot footage, butthat’s OK - HD footage in an SDtimeline can be a good thing for a fewreasons. As an editor, no matter howthe footage has been shot you may notwant what landed in the middle of theframe. Maybe you want to punch in ona shot. Maybe you want to do a milddolly motion. Not only will you havelatitude to slide your footage in anydirection without falling out of frame,but you will also be able to zoom in abit on shots without worrying too muchabout image degradation.

What if you still want to present yourfootage in glorious widescreen, butyou are required to output to SD?Again working in an SD timeline, dropyour HD footage in and scale it to theSD frame width. You’ll see animmediate drawback, which is theintroduction of black bars top andbottom, meaning your footage doesn’tfill the entire frame. Regardless, somecontent providers may choose thisformat. I guess it’s why VHS tapesused to come in full screen andwidescreen. It’s nice to have choices.An added bonus is that as editor youcan use the black areas to include text

or graphics. Lower thirds, subtitles andother content can go in these spaceswithout being superimposed over animage.

FLICKERSAt some point you’ve probably comeacross one or more of the commonissues with interlaced footage, such asinterlace flicker or combing. Maybeyou’ve transferred old VHS tapes todigital and watch them on aprogressive display, or maybe youhave an older interlaced camcorderand edit the footage on a currentlaptop. Either way, you’ve seen flickerand/or combing.

An Interlaced Flicker is also calledinterline twitter. Therefore, in 140characters, interline twitter is “thealiasing effect created by fine lines andcertain details in great enoughfrequency to be near the horizontalresolution of the display.”To get around the issue of flicker orinterline twitter, fine and ultra-sharpdetails are generally avoided whencreating or broadcasting interlacedcontent.

Combing, is the result of viewinginterlaced footage on a progressivemonitor. What you are actually seeingis the movement of content ininterlaced footage containing the twodistinct fields that would be alternatedwhen viewed on an interlaced display.The two fields are technically capturedat a different time and then playedsequentially fast enough that wecannot differentiate them and see onlysmooth playback, progressive displayswith little or no de-interlacing and haveno option but to show both fields at thesame time.

Fortunately, there are great options foreditors who need to deal withinterlaced footage on a regular basis.Every major editing platform has atleast one tool - and sometimes morethan one – to reduce or eliminateissues arising from interlacing. Anyencoding or compression suites offerthe option to de-interlace footage whenre-encoding your footage as well.

ConclusionSD or HD, interlaced or progressive,action safe, title safe, center cut safe,flicker, combing … there are a lot ofthings to learn about footage and howto interpret and work with it. This articleis by no means the definitive guide, buthopefully the next time you’re facedwith a project requiring you to takehigh definition footage and edit it fordelivery in standard definition, thatlump won’t form in your throat.

As in life, with every editing project it’salways up to you which route you taketo achieve your goals. Some will work,and some will need some tweakingalong the way, but these journeys arewhat define us as editors. HappyEditing Folks

The Video Geeks of Arizona

WHAT ARE HD & SD?



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Happy LaborDay Weekend!

Recipes compiled from Philippine cuisine sites byZeny Kharroubi

Simply delicious recipes

Ingredients2 lbs. chicken, cut into serving pieces1 head garlic, crushed1 tablespoon crushed peppercorn2 cups coconut milk5 pieces dried bay leaves6 tablespoons soy sauce5 tablespoons white vinegar3 tablespoons cooking oilInstructionsCombine chicken, soy sauce, half of thecrushed garlic, and crushedpeppercorn in a bowl. Mix well.Marinate the chicken for 20 minutes.Heat oil in a cooking pot.Once the oil is hot enough, saute theremaining garlic until it turns lightbrown.Add the chicken (including all themarinade ingredients) and dried bayleaves. Cook until the chicken browns.Pour vinegar into the pot. Let boil. Stirand continue to cook for 5 minutes.Pour the coconut milk. Let boil. Coverand simmer until the chicken becomestender. Note: you can continue cookinguntil the sauce reduces to your desiredconsistency.Transfer to a serving bowl.Serve.

Ingredients:2 kg pork, balanced fat:meat ratio,preferably from the shoulder, cleanedand cut into 2 inch thick cubesMarinade1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce1/4 cup soy saucea dash or two of freshly cracked pepperSauce:oil for frying2 tablespoons red pepper flakes(optional; I like mine with a subtleamount of heat)three 200 gram packs tomato sauceone 425 gram can whole or dicedtomatoes, drained1/4 cup breadcrumbs, or more ifdesired2 whole garlic bulbs, minced1 large onion, sliced2 medium-sized carrots, cubed5 small potatoes, cubedone 113 gram can pimentos, drainedand roughly chopped (optional) OR 2 –3 large red bell peppers, sliced into thinstripssalt and pepper to tasteInstructions:1. In a large bowl, combine themarinade ingredients. Mix in the porkand leave for at least 30 minutes.2.In a frying pan, heat enough oil tocoat the bottom of the pan. Add thecarrots and potatoes and fry untilslightly brown and potatoes are tender.When done, remove from heat and setaside.3.In a large pan or wok, heat oil andadd the garlic and onions over mediumheat. Fry until garlic is slightly toastedbut not brown, and onions are slightlylimp. Add the red pepper flakes.

4.Add the pork with the marinade. Mixeverything together. Cover and allow tocook over medium heat for around 30 –40 minutes or until pork is tender. Ifeverything dries up too soon, add a fewtablespoons of water.5. When pork is cooked and tender,add the tomato sauce and tomatoes.Using your spatula or spoon, crush thetomatoes. Stir everything together. Addthe potatoes, carrots and pimentos.Reduce heat to medium – low.6. Add the breadcrumbs and stir toincorporate. Adjust taste by addingmore salt and pepper. Adjustconsistency by adding morebreadcrumbs or water. Cover and cookfor another 15 – 20 minutes withoccasional stirring.7. When done, remove from heat. Placeit in a large bowl, garnish with more redpepper flakes and serve it with an evenlarger bowl of rice. Enjoy!

IngredientsIngredients2 lbs. beef chuck sliced into cubes2 medium carrots, sliced1 large potato, sliced into cubes1 small green bell pepper, sliced1 small red bell pepper, sliced1 Knorr Beef Cube1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce5 tablespoons liver spread3 cloves garlic, crushed1 medium yellow onion, chopped¼ teaspoon red pepper flakesSalt and ground black pepper to taste1 ½ cups water6 tablespoons cooking oilInstructionsHeat a pan or wok and then pour 3tablespoons cooking oil. Stir-fry the bellpeppers for 3 minutes. Remove the bellpeppers and put in a plate. Set aside.Using the oil in the pan (add more ifnecessary), pan fry the carrots andpotato for 3 to 5 minutes. Put these in aplate and then set aside.Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oilin a clean pot.Sauté the garlic and onionAdd the beef. Cook until it turns lightbrown.Pour –in tomato sauce and water. Letboil.Add the Knorr Beef Cube. Stir. Coverthe pot. Continue to cook in low heatfor 60 minutes or until the beef getstender. Add more water if needed.Stir-in the liver spread and then addsome salt and pepper.Put the pan-fried potato and carrots inthe pot. Stir. Add the bell peppers.Cover the pot. Continue to cook for 5minutes.Add the red pepper flakes. Stir andcook for 3 minutes more.Transfer to a serving plate. Serve.Share and enjoy!Nutrition InformationServing size: 4

Chicken adobo with coconut milk

Pork Estofado

Beef caldereta


www.filipinostar.orgwww.filipinostar.org

The North AmericanFilipino Star Photo Gallery

The happy couple, Ding & Randy on the dance floor Selfie photo of the newly wed couple, Randy and Ding Alzatewith Zenaida Kharroubi, a guest at their weding.

Maria Criselda “Ding”Alzate and Randy Guerzon WeddingAugust 18, 2017 Reception at Plaza Volare, Crowne Plaza

From left- Philip Masse, his wife Malin Dizon, Budz Sarmiento, SteveAustin and Mary Joy Lizarondo. Occasion: Budz’ 70th birthday onAugust 20th. Many happy returns of the day and best wishes, Budz.

The traditional throwing of the bouquet - Ding getting ready tothrow the bouquet to a line up of young and single ladies.

Third group of photography students with the QACFT president TransLiganor and Vice-President/Instructor, Al Abdon during their graduationon August 25, 2017 at Gilmore College International

Second group of photography students with the guests during theirgraduation on May 18, 2017 held at Gilmore College International



Date: Saturday, Sept. 23rdDeparture time: 9:30 A.M.Return: 3:00 P.M.Instead of bringing your own food, youcan have lunch at the Restaurant. Early reservation required - first come,first served. Or bring your picnic basket.

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Annual trip to the Apple Orchardorganized by Gilmore College

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of 10 lbs or 20 lbs est. $10-$18Call 514-485-7861 orCell: 514-506-8753

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SocialTidbits

Fely Rosales Cariño

Be Happy ! Finally, summer is here !It’s time to enjoy backyard barbecues.If you pass by Mackenzie King parkdown Decarie way, you’ll see differentFilipino associations havingbarbecues in different corners andpockets of the park.

Did you know that for the last 2 or 3months, the favorite subject of Filipinosis about politics ? Having beenrequested and appointed by theExecutive Board of the FilipinoAssociation of Montreal and Suburbs(FAMAS) to serve as a member of theCommission on Election (COMELEC)for the past 3 consecutive electionyears, I have witnessed a lot of things.If I were to write a book, my treasuretrove of memories would include thegood, the bad, the beautiful, and theugly people I have met. But for now Iwill leave the Filipino Montreal politicsand go to our own native Philippinepolitical news. A recent visitor from thePhilippines was Cabinet SecretaryLeoncio Badilla Evasco Jr., Chairmanof Housing and Urban DevelopmentCoordinating Council of PresidentRodrigo Duterte’s administration.Secretary Evasco was born inMaribojoc, Bohol. He graduated with aBachelor of Arts Degree in Theology inSeminario Mayor de San Carlos inCebu City. He was ordained asPRIEST and served as a parish priest in

three different towns (Dauis, Baclayon,and Catigbian). An interesting notewas a moment in 1974 when hisconvent was raided. He was capturedwhile he was performing a weddingceremony by the Communist Party ofthe Philippines.

Secretary Evasco was the principalspeaker at a forum held at the 6767Community Center at Cotes desNeiges, Montreal. After his speech,there was a question period wherepeople wanted to know what’s goingon in their individual provinces. Heanswered their queries successfully.And he elaborated on some of theachievements of President Duterte.On the war on drugs, 1,007,153 drugusers and pushers surrendered to thegovernment. On transportation, 401colorum vehicles were impounded and5738 sidewalk vendors were cleared.On labor, 2,531 workers found to beunder abusive and end-of-contractsystem were helped. In foreignrelations, the Department of ForeignAffairs secured the release of fiveFilipino seafarers among the crew ofOmani ship hijacked by Somali pirates.In education, 600.000 out-of-schoolyouths were allowed to complete eitherhigh school or college under theAlternative Learning System Programof the Department of Education. Insocial welfare, 9.1 million pesos worth

of relief assistance were given tovictims of national disasters. I have yetto hear about negative reports fromfriends who recently visited thePhilippines. Actually, upon theirreturn, they only have high praises onthe positive changes they have seen athome. Everyone should visit thePhilippines to see the beauty of ourhomeland. On this note, why not jointhe annual Winter Escapadesponsored by the Philippine Embassythis coming February 2018!

Back to the local scene. Let me startwith the summertime Social Bingofundraising sponsored by theFederation of Filipino CanadianAssociations of Quebec (FFCAQ)under the leadership of FederationPresident Ed Tupaz. The Social Bingois always held at Centre de ResourcesCommunitaire at 6767 Cotes desNeiges. Prizes were awarded andeverybody had a fun time. Watch forthe next one!

My social calendar is full of happyevents of my favorite people. First,there was the beautiful 25th weddinganniversary of Larry and Alice Panadolast July 23, 2017. It was held at theFilipino Mission Church in the east.The sanctuary looked ethereal with thetastefully decorated aisles. Receptionfollowed at the church’s social hallwhich was elegantly decorated! Informal attires, the very young lookingcouple could pass for beingnewlyweds !!! Their three childrengave individual testimonies about theirparents’ devotion to each other. Theyspoke lovingly of their differingpersonalities. The whole evening wasto recreate their wedding day and Imust say, mission accomplished !!!The traditional money dance was heldafter which Larry dedicated a lovesong to a smiling and beautiful Alice.The audience felt their love as theygazed at each other as if they were the

only two people at the moment.What a ROMANTIC evening !

Another wedding anniversary wascelebrated August 13, 2017 at theresidence of Mr. & Mrs. Mario andPuring Bamba in Dollard desOrmeaux. This began with a rosaryprayer followed by one of the mostdelicious barbecues I’ve ever tasted.There was more food than we couldhandle. Some of the invited guestswere Deacon Pete Tapia, Carlito &Thelma Arlegui and their friends Dulceand Helen, Espie Marcos, and ever-loyal friend Maria K. HappyAnniversary, Mar & Puring !

Not to be forgotten is the newly formedCanadian Filipino Seniors of Montreal(CFSM) headed by President JosieTapia. Luz Domingo, the founder,remains as one of the Vice Presidents.Guests were requested to come inwestern garbs. Every officer wasassigned a certain task. Little did Iknow that Delia Daniel of the Ladies ofthe Knights of Rizal was the caterer.She delivered a gourmet fare! Andone of the highlights of the eveningwas the line dancing. Everybody lefttheir chairs when they heard the linedancing music was on! Prominentguests were mostly from the Knightsof Rizal. Sir James de la Pazintroduced Councilor Lionel Perezwho came to say hello. Also presentwere Sir Felix de Luna, Sir RamonPosadas, and Sir Bert Abiera, amongothers. Ladies present were LadyRose de la Paz, Lady Marilyn de Luna,and Warly Basbacio , among others.Invited friends were Adoree Silva,Hans Hilgehoff, Ciony Nueva, ValentLloyd Hughes, Cesa Gladych, CelyDagsaan, Lilia Avendano and JohnMegley. Luz Domingo, thanks for theinvitation!

God Bless ! See you next issue !!!

CTVNews.ca Staff Published Friday, August 25, 20172:20PM EDT

A Quebec woman has become the firstin her province to receive “a bioniceye” implant that lets her see light andshadow where once she saw onlydarkness.

Sandra Cassell was diagnosed 16years ago with retinitis pigmentosa, orRP, a rare incurable eye disease thatslowly took away her eyesight.But last spring, Cassell underwentsurgery at Maisonneuve-RosemontHospital in Montreal to implant adevice called the Argus II RetinalProsthesis System.

The system has two parts: the first is aprosthesis the size of a pencil eraserthat was surgically implanted ontoCassell’s left retina. The second partinvolves a pair of eyeglasses that havea built-in video camera.Information from the camera iswirelessly transmitted to electrodes in

the implant and converted intoelectrical pulses. These pulses areturned into images, which are

transmitted to the brain, explainedophthalmologist Dr. Flavio Rezende.“It's like a piece of computer that weput in the retina, and then according towhatever stimulus she is receivingfrom her camera, the electrodesstimulate the retina cells and this

impulse is sent to the brain and patientunderstands as images,” he said.

The four-hour operation to install thedevice is a medical first in Quebec.Now, thanks to the implant, Cassell

can see light for the first time in years.She doesn’t have full vision but shedoes see things in black, white andgrey, much like an ultrasound picture.“I can finally see the silhouettes of mychildren for the first time. That has noprice,” she said in a statement.

The device will now assist Cassellwith everyday tasks, helping herrecognize people and distinguish theoutlines of large objects.For Cassell, who had known onlydarkness for more than a decade, re-learning to see again was not simple.She needed to work with a rehabteam for weeks to learn how to makesense of what the implant wasallowing her to see.Because of the amount of rehabinvolved, only a few patients with RPwould make good candidates for thebionic eye, which costs more than$150,000 per patient to implantDoctors at St. Michael’s Hospital inToronto have also successfullyimplanted the device in patients.Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital saysthey are now searching for the nextpatient with the right cognitive andvision characteristics who wouldmake a good candidate for thedevice.With a report from CTV Montreal’sVanessa Lee

Blind woman becomes first inQuebec to try 'bionic eye'


Giuseppe Valiante, The CanadianPress Published Friday, August 25, 201710:25AM EDT

MONTREAL -- Following the PartiQuebecois' first election victory inNovember 1976, editorial cartoonistTerry Mosher drew premier-designateRene Levesque, his right handstretching out holding a cigarette,saying, "O.K. Everybody Take AValium!"

Mosher's cartoon in the English-language Montreal Gazette reflectedthe fears of anglophones, many ofwhom assumed the worst: thatQuebec would soon be leavingCanada.

While that scenario never materialized,the PQ victory did lead to the landmarkCharter of the French Language, whichbecame law on Aug. 26, 1977.

Commonly known as Bill 101, thecharter was widely seen as either acornerstone piece of legislation thatwould ensure the survival of the Frenchculture and language, or thecementing of second-class citizenstatus for hundreds of thousands ofpeople.

And while Bill 101 was a continuationof previous legislation seeking tostrengthen the French language, it wasalso a radical departure from the statusquo.

French was to become the officiallanguage of business, government,commerce and the courts. Immigrantswould only be able to school theirchildren in French, including out-of-province Canadians moving toQuebec, and commercial signs wouldbe in French only.

"Bill 101 dramatically altered themindset and psyche of theanglophone community, which hadnever seen itself as a minority," saidRobert Libman, a leading anglophone-rights advocate in the '80s and '90sand a former member of the legislaturefor the Equality party.

"The law clearly, clearly, establishedthe fact that we were now second-class citizens."

But Bernard Landry, who was a cabinetminister in the Levesque governmentin the '70s and '80s before eventuallyserving as premier between 2001 and2003, said Bill 101 was a much-neededpiece of legislation.

"I remember from that time, practicallyall the children of immigrants went toEnglish school," he said an interview."It was bad for them, bad for us, badfor Quebec society. It was time to act."Francophones, who had begun takingover the levers of power during theQuiet Revolution of the '60s, believed ifnothing was done to stem theinfluence of English, Quebec wouldbecome anglicized -- and become anorthern Louisiana.

Forty years on, Pauline Marois, PQpremier between 2012 and 2014, callsBill 101 a partial success.

"It perfectly reached its goal ofintegrating, welcoming and educatingyoung kids of immigrants," she said inan interview.

"It partly reached its goals ofpreserving the French nature of societyand French as the common languagebecause there is a decline in the use ofFrench."

Marois' comments represent theongoing legislative and cultural battlebetween the province's linguisticgroups over Quebec's identity.The fight started with a series of courtchallenges almost as soon as the lawwas adopted.

In 1984 the Supreme Court ruled it wasa violation of the Canadian Charter ofRights and Freedoms to force childreninstructed in English elsewhere inCanada to be forced into Frenchschools in Quebec. The court alsoruled that same year Bill 101's rejectionof English storefront signage was aviolation of freedom of speech.

In 1985, Quebec's anglophonesthought they had "dodged a bullet"when the Liberals were ushered backinto power under Robert Bourassa,said Libman.

"There was a sense of relief," he said."People thought the tide had stemmedand the Liberals would undo someaspects of Bill 101."

In fact, Bourassa did the opposite.The premier used Canada'snotwithstanding clause -- which allowsprovinces or the federal government tooverride the charter -- to maintainFrench-only outdoor signs."Bourassa and his wife wereprofoundly francophone andQuebecois and they saw thecatastrophe that was coming," Landrysaid.

The premier's actions reinforced thenotion that regardless of the politicalparty -- sovereigntist or federalist -- thelanguage laws were there to stay.Bourassa's government relentedsomewhat in 1993 and passed a lawallowing English to be included on

outdoor signs -- but only if the Frenchlettering was at least twice as large.Libman said Anglo-Quebecers had twochoices faced with the consensusimposed by the majority: fight back or

leave.

"Very few fought back," he said. "Andas it wore on, those who stayed justdecided to roll over and play dead."

Many anglophones did end up leaving.A 2016 study by the Fraser Instituterevealed that between 1971 and 2015,roughly 600,000 more people leftQuebec for other parts of Canada thanmoved in.

Libman says today's anglophones aremore bilingual, but the community "hasbeen decimated."

He said Mosher's cartoon wasinterpreted correctly by those whofeared the worst.

In 1971 there were 250,000 children inEnglish schools across the province,while today there are fewer than halfthat number.

"Friends, relatives, our best andbrightest left," Libman said. "And theopportunities here are limited foranglophones."

But Marois says she isn't worried aboutQuebec anglophones, for whom shehas "profound respect."

"They are part of a large majority on thecontinent, which is not the case forfrancophones," she said.

If Jean-Francois Lisee, the current PQleader, had his way, Bill 101 wouldsoon be a thing of the past because itwould be replaced by tougherlegislation.

Lisee said recently that if his party winsthe 2018 election, it will introduce anew, stricter language law -- within 101days -- to stem what he called aworrying trend in the use of French inQuebec.

The legislation would be called Bill 202and would force all companies inQuebec with 25 employees or more toconduct all business in French, whichis currently the case for firms with 50people or more.

Concerns about the perceived decline

of French in the province are alsoshared by Partenaires pour un Quebecfrancais, a group that defends theFrench language and is urging theQuebec government to do more toenforce Bill 101.

It argues the government is failing in itsmission to adequately defend thelanguage.

"Unfortunately, the government isdoing nothing to make sure thatFrench is the language of the state,"said Christian Daigle, head of theunion that represents civil servants invarious departments and governmentagencies.

"On paper, everything is fine anddandy, but in reality it's not."

Quebec's language law, Bill 101, turns 40

Quebec Premier Rene Levesque attends a meeting in New Orleans,Wednesday, Jan. 10, 1979. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP)

eleksyon ng FAMAS noong 2011 nanggalit na itanong ng aking kaibigan, “Sinoba ang luku-lukong gumawa ng Rulesand Regulasyon na iyon na gawingindoor ang eleksyon.” Nabigla ako athindi kaagad nakasagot pero nangmakita ko si Budz na nakatawa lamangay natawa na rin ako. “Itong katabi ko,”itinuro ko si Budz sa kaniya. Namula sahiya ang aking kaibigan. Hindi namannagalit si Budz lalo na at babae angkatabi niya. Humingi ng paumanhin atnagpaliwanag ang aking kaibigan kungbakit niya nasabi iyon. “Sanay na rawkasi ang mga tao sa Mackenzie Park ,”sabi niya. Si Budz naman aynagpaliwanag din kung bakit ganoonang kaniyang ginawa bilang COMELECchairman.” Gusto kong magingpropesyonal ang botohan. Mabawasanang dayaan,” sabi naman niya. Hindiiyon ang naging huling pag-uusap ngdalawa pagkatapos ng nakahihiyangpangyayari. Hanggang ngayon aymagkaibigan pa rin sila. (Paalaala samga botante ngayong buwang ito: Mag-iingat kayo ng pagsasalita kung hindininyo nagustuhan ang trabaho ngCOMELEC ngayong eleksyon dahil bakakatabi ninyo ang isa sa mga miembronito.)

MANGAHAS AT AGUIRRE NG FCCSCNANALO SA CHESS TOURNAMENTSA TRI-CITY Maligayang bati sa Filipino-CanadianChess and Social Club of Montreal nananalo sa ikatlong sunud-sunod na taonsa chess tournament na ginawa sa LongSault, Ontario. Ang iba pang kalahok satournament ay galing sa Ottawa atKingston, Ontario.

Ang mga sumusunod na manlalaro ngFCCSC na nanalo ay sina: RonMangahas, 1st place at Jojo Aguirre, 2ndplace. Ang masipag at matiyagangpangulo ng FCCSC ay si MannyLagasca.

From Page 7 - Tagalog Seksyon

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Let’s hear it from Miko & Gab

When was the last time youheard about a popular singing duo inthe country? Perhaps, the mostrecent was in the early ‘90s when Anaand Soraya, popularly known simplyas Fire, were dominating the airwaveswith their hit songs aside, of course,from their live stage performances onTV and on the concert stage. Fire waslast heard during a reunion concertnine years ago.

Nowadays, singing duo isseemingly not under the radar of thisgeneration called millennials. That’sbecause boybands have become thecenter of adulation of musicaficionados. No problem about thatbut still, it would be a welcomeaddition in the music scene to hearthe refreshing voices of Miko Juarezand Gabriel Umali or simply knownas Miko and Gab.

Miko and Gab are the newestmembers of the Asian Artists Agency,Inc. (AAAI) family who recentlysigned a recording deal with StarMusic. The contract signing was thefirst public appearance of Miko andGab as a duo.

Miko and Gab are nostrangers to vocal performing. Thosewho tuned in to Pinoy BoybandSuperstar on ABS-CBN will definitelyremember them. Gab reached theTop 20 spot in the competition whileMiko lasted until 12 aspirantsremained. Both never stopped tryingto realize their dream after they bidthe contest goodbye.

“We’ve become close duringthe contest because Gab was withmy siblings watching me performafter he got eliminated,” Miko shares.“Then nung ma-out ako madalas nakaming magkasama manood ng mgashows and we do covers togetherwith my brothers and sister.”

Miko belongs to a musically-inclined family with his dad as hisgreatest influencer. His aunt frompaternal side, Beverly Juarez, was apopular singer in their hometownCebu before she settled down.Dionne Monsanto (known for her roleas Lucy Villadolid in Tubig at Langisfor which she earned the moniker,“Bida sa Sampalan”) is Miko’s auntfrom his mom’s side.

Entertainment ( Article MRec), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1“Bata pa lang talaga kami, ang hilignaming panoorin ay hindi cartoonskundi mga MTV. Lahat kamingmagkakapatid ganun at kahit noongnasa Canada pa kami hilig langnamin gumawa ng covers sa bahay,”relates Miko. “We also perform duringCanada Day.”

He was in Canada when helearned about the singing search onthe Kapamilya network. He wasted notime flying back to Manila to audition,hoping to get a spot and realize hisdream to be a singing star.

“When I got eliminated, I toldmyself to continue because maybethat’s not for me until fate led me tobe an Asian Artists talent. Naglakas-loob akong magpresinta ng sarili ko(laughs). I’m happy where I am now.”

Gab, on the other hand, wasa member of a dance troupe in hisschool in Quezon City. They weresupposed to join in a dance contestin Sydney then but the group lackedin funds. Gab had no money for anairfare. “It was my team captain whosuggested to me that I audition inPinoy Boyband para kung manalo,may pang ticket na ako,” Gab says.

He continues, “Hilig ko na dindati pa yung pagkanta lalo na mgasongs of One Direction. My parentsare good singers, they were both

Miko Juarez and Gab Umali are the newest members of the AsianArtists Agency, Inc. family who recently signed a recording deal withStar Music

choir members before they gotmarried. My father is now working inAustralia but until now he has yet tofind a regular job there.”

Since Gab and Mikoconstantly meet to do covers at thelatter’s place and both are talented,becoming a duo became a naturalprogression. Their voices blendperfectly well and they have excellentrapport. Miko and Gab have a debutsingle Hugot, released by Star Music.Hugot is now being played on MOR101.9. Soon it will be released onSpotify and iTunes. Also forthcomingis a music video of the song, Hugot.Miko and Gab are also slated to do acampus tour and will be guesting inmall shows of Star Music.

“Hugot is about anything thatcan make you smile,” relates the 21-year-old Miko who already gainedover 20,000 followers on Instagram.“Ito yung mga hugot lines na dinaansa kanta.”

Miko, too, already has fans,the Mikonatics, who share theirhappiness over Miko and Gab’srecording debut.

“We both love pop and R&B.So expect us to be doing more ofthose kinds in the future,” says Gab.

Chris Brown, Justin Bieber,Backstreet Boys, N’sync and OneDirection are on the list of Miko andGab as their musical influences.

Miko also admires his brotherAnton who composed Hugot, andSong for Marawi, a musical piecededicated to the people of the war-ravaged city in Mindanao. The songis set to be performed by Kapamilyaartists, including Miko and Gab. “Ofcourse, we are proud to be singingalongside Kapamilya artists,” addsMiko. �

Miko & Gab (Facebook)



ALDub now action stars

Phenomenal love team“AlDub,” composed of AldenRichards and Maine Mendoza, isgetting out of its comfort zonethrough its new movie, which this

time, is an action flick.“We’re really preparing for

the movie na gagawin po naminthis year. It’s really different fromwhat we’ve done. Hindi na s'ya

rom-com. It involves a lot of actionkasi ayun po yung napagisipan ngcreatives and producers. It is anaction love story,” Alden told in aninterview.

Alden admitted that it is achallenging movie because it isnew to them. “It is a new challengefor us kasi we’ve been used torom-coms. We already did dramadun sa ‘Destined To Be Yours.' Itoyung isang side ng craft na hindipa namin na-explore together.”

The movie, which isplanned to be released later thisyear or early next year, will be shothere in the Philippines unlike theirlast movie, “Imagine You & Me,”which was shot in Italy.

“The film will be shot herein the Philippines kasi theproducers have in mind parangang daming nangyayari saPilipinas. Parang what we can domore for the country is toshowcase its beauty through thismovie,” Alden said.

The “Pambansang Bae”said that he is happy that Maineadjusted well in the industrythrough the projects they did. “S'yatalaga 'yung malaki 'yung tinalon

eh. I’ve been here for years beforewe’ve met and mas nakakabilib'yung adjustment n'ya sa mundonamin...I can’t do what she’s doingnu'ng nagsisimula ako. Kasi anglaki ng tinalon n'ya eh, from aregular girl to an actress. It’s reallycommendable.”

Recently, Alden, togetherwith SnowCaps, treated over 30hardworking street sweepers andtraffic enforcers to a spa to givethem the best day of their lives. Tocap their special day, beneficiarieswent home with the brand'sglutathione supplements.

Alden said that theseunsung heroes deserve to bepampered and more. �

Dressed in understated plain white-t-shirts, both Alden and Maineattract attention without even having to try.

SAngelica Panganibantook to Instagram to express herlove for her Banana Sundae co-star Pokwang, who is celebratingher 42nd birthday on August 27.

She thanked her for beinglike a mother to her and she’svery excited for Pokwang’s babyto arrive.

“Happy birthday mamang@itspokwang27 salamat sapagiging mabuting kaibigan at inasa amin. Mahal na mahal kita. Isa

ka sa mga tao na hindi kohahayaang saktan ng kahit sino oano. Pasensya ka na wala akotoday. Madami lang akonglabada. Para sa ikabubuti ngfuture natin to � magingat ka lagiat konting tiis na lang,makakaraos ka din sa pagbubutis.Excited na ko makita ang kapatidko. Love you mamang!!” -Angelica’s Instagram �

Angelica Panganiban’sheartfelt birthday messagefor Pokwang

Last July 30, actor AldenRichards reportedly ran for his lifeafter a meet and greet with his fansin a mall show. Videos of himrunning away and going out of themall in a haste went viral.

When asked for commentson his viral video where he isshown as running away from fans,Alden told the press: “The securitygot out of hand during that time.Medyo kailangang i-control 'yungsituation."

He clarified that he ranaway not because he is "diring diri"or feeling disgusted with his fans,contrary to reports.

"I was running out from thecrowd to prevent congesting evenmore. It’s the only way that cameout of my mind kasi even thepeople are getting hurt,nasasaktan na sila, naiipit. I optedto do something na mas ma-lessen'yung casualty," he explained. �

After running away fromthem, Alden Richards bondswith fans

To prove that he loves his fans and is not appalled by them, Alden,together with SnowCaps, treated over 30 hardworking street sweepersand traffic enforcers to a spa

August 201716



With the start of the latestseason of her cable reality show ItTakes Gutz to be Gutierrez earlierthis month, Ruffa Gutierrez saidthat she is enjoying keeping her lifeworry free. “You know what I juststay away from negative people. Istay away from negativity. There’salready so much bad thingshappening around the world so Ijust want to surround myself withgood people that will lift me up,amazing people that will bring meto new heights and not bring medown,” she shared during theWatsons Time to Renew event heldlast August 22 in Ortigas.

As a doting mom, Ruffasaid she doesn’t spoil herdaughters when it comes totechnology and wants them tohave a regular childhood. “Lorin isalready 14 and Venice is 12 turning13. Venice doesn’t have Instagramyet and everyone in her class wasactually shocked this year becausethe teacher said, ‘Please bring outyour smartphones’ and she wasthe only one without a smartphone.And so she cried to me, ‘MommyI’m the only one without asmartphone!’ And I’m like, ‘Really?Venice when I was 17 dun lang akonagkaroon ng unang phone.’ Sabiko I was able to live a great life. Iembraced my childhood na walaakong phone. Dapat ikaw din 17.Sabi niya, ‘Mommy that was nung

araw! Iba na yugn panahonngayon!’ So finally I gave her oneof my old phones so ang promiseko sa kanya pagdating niya ng 13ilo-launch na ang kanyangInstagram account,” she shared.

Having also recently moved intoher own home with her daughters,Ruffa admitted they are enjoyinghaving their own personal space.“Yeah they’re enjoying their ownrooms but sabi ko huwag sila mag-lock. Para alam ko rin kung anongginagawa nila sa room di ba? Overy Annabelle Rama right?(laughs)” she said.

When it comes to givingthem advice, Ruffa hopes thatwhen they grow older they will besmarter about their decisionsespecially when it comes to love.“You know what, it’s actually thecourtship, the dating is muchyounger di ba? So naalala ko nungaraw nung 14 ako pinipingot akosa tenga ng mommy ko. So sabiko, ‘Girls, I just want to make surena you guys use your brain.Nagpakahirap ako, nag-sacrificeako para mapaaral kayo kahit akolang mag-isa so gamitin niyonaman yung pag-aaral niyo andhuwag ayo ma-in love right away.’Sabi ko, ‘You can fall in love anytime any day huwag lang bata. Iwant you to learn from mymistakes,’” she added. �

Ruffa Gutierrez shares heradvice for her daughters: ‘Iwant you to learn from mymistakes’

What is Iza Calzado'sbirthday wish?

Ruffa Gutierrez

With her critically acclaimedfilm “Bliss,” her successful TV series“A Love to Last,” and with herhandsome, long-time boyfriend BenWintle by her side, Iza Calzado hasso much to be grateful for this 2017.

With her birthday just aroundthe corner, Iza shares that there isone thing she is wishing for.“Happiness, more projects, and thebest of health, yun lang talaga,”beams the radiant, 35-to-be actresswho graced the World Wide Fund forNature (WWF) Philippines’ recentevent, the Green Wanderer TravelFair.

As one of WWF’s nationalambassadors, Iza also hopes andencourages everyone to take uptheir roles as responsible stewardsof the environment. “I wish for abetter world for everybody, wherenobody has to starve or go throughlife in strife. It makes me so sadseeing (the poverty and the strugglethat many of our countrymen are gothrough.) Bakit kailangan ganitoyung disparity?” she says.

She admits that all of uscould greatly benefit if we were totreat each other with a little morecompassion and kindness –thatgoes as well with how we treat theenvironment. “Thankfully, peoplehave grown more aware aboutenvironmental protection and such,so what we need now is action,” shesays.

It is never easy; making theright choices takes dailycommitment, she reveals. “Even asone of the national ambassadors, Ineed to improve and make moreconscientious choices everyday.Ioften have to remind myself – is thisthe best choice that I can make?”

Whether it is usingsustainable steel straws instead ofplastic ones, or swapping out plasticbags for more eco-friendly canvasbags to carry her gym stuff, she

says, "You can always start small. Istart with small choices that will havea big effect on Mother Nature...If youcan become a more responsible,conscientious consumer, that’s allthat matters.”

At home, Iza practices livinggreen by turning off lights andappliances when not in use, andbeing more conscious of her waterusage. “Running water is myultimate pet peeve,” she reveals.

But even outside of thehome, while exploring othercountries, you can still live out the“clean and green philosophy” as agreen traveler, she insists.

At the Green WandererTravel fair, held last August 11 to 13at Central Square, Bonifacio GlobalCity, travelers, including Iza, weretreated to an exhibit of partners whoare committed to providing an eco-friendlier, sustainable travelingexperience. A project led by theNational Youth Council of WWF-Philippines, in partnership with theSSI Group, Inc., the Green WandererTravel Fair featured sustainabletravel options with uniquely curateditineraries at discounted prices, aswell as products made by localartisans. The three-day affairgathered exhibitors,including ElNido Resorts, Skyjet Airlines,Banana Peel, and the Circle Hostel,among others.

“Travel fairs are common,but WWF-Philippines wanted to put atwist on this one… Travel takes on awhole other level of significancewhen done in a way that not onlyreduces harm, but is beneficial to theenvironment and local people andanimals,” says Nikki Huang, fellowNational Youth Council Member andactive green traveler. “We hopethrough this event we can betterbring together our passions of traveland eco-sustainability,” she ends. �

Iza Calzado loves the great outdoors



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Toni Gonzaga talks about howhaving a baby has helpedimprove her acting

Marami kaming natanggap natext messages mula sa grupo ng mgatagahanga ni Angel Locsin, na angilan sa mga members nito ay mula pasa ibang bansa, na nananawagan saABS-CBN 2 na mabigyan ulit ng seryeang kanilang idolo.

Sabik na raw kasi silangmapanood si Angel sa sarili nitongserye, hindi raw yung guest lang. Andin fairness naman daw kay Angel,lahat ng serye na ginawa nito saKapamilya Network ay laging panalosa ratings. Kaya sana raw aymapagbigyan ang kanlangkahilingan/panawagan.

Ang pagkakaalam namin, anghuling serye na ginawa ni Angel sa

Dos ay ang The Legal Wife naipinalabas noong 2014 pa. Perolumabas sya sa pilot episode ng LaLuna Sangre na pinagbibidahan ngKathNiel.

Oo nga naman, sobrang tagalnang walang sariling serye si Angelkaya sana nga ay mabigyan na siyang ABS-CBN 2.

At tama naman ang AngelLocsin Supporters, na ang lahat ngginawang serye ni Angel ay mataasang nakuhang rating, na hindi natalong nakatapat nitong serye sa Kapusonetwork. Kaya deserved talaga ngmahusay na aktres na magkaroon ulitng sariling serye. �

Fans want to see Angel Locsinon TV; ask ABS-CBN to give hernew show

As one of the country’s mostsought after talents, Toni Gonzagaadmitted there was a completechange in her life after starting herown family. The 33-year-old actresssaid that even her acting haschanged with the arrival of her babySeve. “I think as a person now I havemore depth. Parang everything has anew meaning to me. Parang beforewhen I cry parang I’m crying becauseof the scene. Ngayon yung mga iyakko parang ang lalim na ngpinaghuhugutan. Yung mgapinaghuhugutan ko lahat, yung life natalaga. Kasi I’ve experienced what it’slike to be a mom and what it’s like tolive and live for someone. Alam moyung hindi ka na nabubuhay para sasarili mo, yung there’s finally apurpose. Yung nabuo yung purposeko sa buhay. Kaya ang sarap ngfeeling. Ngayon when I attack a role

parang mas malalim na yungpinaghuhugutan,” she shared.

Toni also admitted that if everthere was something she missesabout her life before becoming amom, it would be the luxury of time.“Time (laughs). Yung time forourselves. Yung ganun. Wala ng time.Actually eight months na akong hindinakakanuod ng sine. Yung talagangpumupunta sa movie house mag-te-ten months na. Parang hindi na talaganakakapanuod ng sine. Unlike beforena may random kang maiisip and youcan just go out. Ngayon hindi na kasiI have to think of Seve kung sinongkasama niya tapos pag dinala mosiya production number kasi yungstroller, gatas, yung pump, lahat dala.Para kang mag-te-taping so ibang-ibana talaga. It’s different in a good way,”she explained. �

Angel Locsin

Toni Gonzaga


Ariana Grande bringsentire gym to Manilaconcert

Everyone can sing or spin,but not everyone can sing whilespinning, a stunt Ariana Grandeeffortlessly pulled off even if she wasreportedly sick at last night's Manilaconcert at the Mall of Asia Arena.

As part of her "DangerousWoman World Tour," the Americanpop star brought an entire gym intothe stage. She sang her hit single"Side to Side" while spinning astationary bike — on high heels.

While her backup dancersworked on other gym equipment,Ariana wowed the crowd with herpowerful vocals that seemeduninterrupted even as she moved

from biking to dancing. Grande opened the concert

with her more mellow songs like "BeAlright" and "Moonlight" beforetransitioning into her more upbeatand bigger hits "Into You," "BangBang" and "Break Free" halfwaythrough the concert. She sangaround 20 songs both from her thirdand latest album, "DangerousWoman," and second album, "MyEverything." Her collaborators in thesongs such as Nicki Minaj for "Sideto Side" were flashed on the giantLED screen backdrop. Apart from alive band, the concert featuredsmoke effects, confetti and pinkballoons showering over the crowd.

Ari, as she was fondly calledrepeatedly by her fans in the

concert, presented a wide repertoireof songs and hymns for everyone ofall ages to enjoy. Besides dancingto the beat of her "very millennial"and hiphop-rap anthems, she alsosang a lounge-like cover of the JudyGarland classic "Somewhere Overthe Rainbow." She is really amongthose "small girls with big voices"that do not need spectacular sets orcostumes because her talent andbelting prowess alone is enough tomake it all worthwhile to watch heron a stormy day and despitestricter-than-usual securitymeasures. More than half of theconcert was carried out withoutbackup dancers or singers, only Arishowcasing her raw, unedited, livevoice.

Although, of course, peoplealso saw her for her sexy curves,costumes, bit of bravura, andsignature long hair that has a life ofits own. Ariana did not disappointwith her several costume changesthat include her trademark croppedtops and leather knee-high boots.Oversized jackets and bottomsaugmented her stage presence.She looked like as if she won theplum role of Princess Jasmine in thelive action adaptation of Disney's"Aladdin" as her highly pony-tailedhair swagged along with herjodhpur pants. Occasionally, sheindulged fans with a naughtyplaying of her tongue and byrepeatedly sending flying kissestogether with the Filipino way ofsaying I love you, "Mahal kita!"

Entertainment ( Article MRec), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1Judging by the cheers and theactive dance-and-sing-along thesold-out crowd gave back, Filipinosare also so into you, Ariana! �

Romnick Blanco’s story isproof that with hard work andperseverance, dreams do cometrue.

The son of a vegetable andfruit farmer, Romnick did not allowpoverty to hinder him from achievinghis dreams. This year, he gotaccepted to one of the mostprestigious universities in the world -Harvard.

The soon-to-be Ivy leaguestudent came from the foothills ofSierra Madre Mountains. Accordingto GreenEarth Heritage Foundation,Romnick started English andcomputer-literacy lessons inJanuary of 2011 as their beneficiary.He also took Bible lessons. Romnickneeded to brave a bridgeless river to

attend his classes. Despite thedifficulties, he did not give up on hiseducation.

Through the mentorship hereceived from the foundation,Romnick qualified for a scholarshipat International School of Manila(ISM) in 2012 and started schoolingthere.

Five years later, hegraduated from ISM and was offeredfour scholarships for his collegeeducation —Harvard College, theKing Scholarship of DartmouthCollege, the Freeman-AsianScholarship of Wesleyan Universityand New York University-Abu Dhabi.Romnick chose Harvard.

“This is an honor andmomentous occasion for us all whohave been bound together by ourmission/ vision. The Lord has liftedup the entire rural poor communitythat we serve at GreenEarth, ofwhich Rom is a part of. With Rom’senormous blessings, the Lord hasshown us a mere glimpse of whatHe has in store for our people atGreenEarth ahead. The best is yet tocome!” GreenEarth wrote on itswebsite. �

Son of a Filipino farmer getsaccepted to HarvardUniversity

Ariana Grande performing at her Manila concert on Aug 21, 2017

After graduating as a scholar fromInternational School Manila, Romnick Blancowas offered a full scholarship by HarvardUniversity.

Romnick Blanco during his visit to the city of Chicago, USA

August 2017 19The North American Filipino StarThe North American Filipino Star


How asylum seekers make refugee claims, and why they take so longBy Andrea Bellemare (CBC)

Asylum seekers who come toCanada are often able to make their claimfor refugee status on the same day theyarrive. But in Quebec the process hasbeen disrupted by the recent influx ofasylum seekers from the U.S.

Here's a closer look at how thatprocess normally works and how its beenaffected by the sudden increase indemand.

Eligibility interviewsAsylum seekers crossing the

border illegally at Roxham Road are metby the RCMP, and then taken to a CanadaBorder Services Agency office wherethey fill out a Basis of Claim form.

In the past, an eligibility interviewwould usually take place on the sameday to determine if the seeker is able toproceed with their refugee claim inCanada.

But because of the massiveinflux this summer, asylum seekers couldhave to wait up to ten months to havetheir eligibility interview, said Montrealimmigration lawyer Stéphane Handfield.

That eligibility interview isconducted by an officer from either theCanada Border Services Agency orImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipCanada.

The officer's task is to verifywhether the asylum seeker meets certainbasic conditions, such as not havingmade a claim in Canada in the past orhaving a criminal record.

"In almost 98 per cent of files, ofcases, the claim is eligible," saidHandfield.

Once the claim is found to beeligible, it is referred to the Immigrationand Refugee Board (IRB) for a hearing.

Waiting for a hearingUnder normal circumstance,

once a claim is determined to be eligible,a case must be heard by the IRB within

60 days.While they wait for their IRB

hearing, asylum seekers have access toa range of government services."Normally you would then be told youcould do your medical and then afterthat, apply for a work permit," said RivkaAugenfeld, who works with TCRI, a groupof 140 social services organizations inQuebec that help refugees andimmigrants.

But the backlog, she said,"prolongs everything."

It's not clear what governmentservices are currently accessible toasylum seekers still waiting for theireligibility interview.

Asylum seekers are "beinggiven, exceptionally, some health-carecoverage" by the federal government,said Augenfeld.

"All of this is a work in progress,"said Augenfeld. "Literally it's evolving."

Housing and schoolAs they wait for their eligibility

interviews, asylum seekers in Quebecwho don't have family to stay with are putinto temporary housing and can apply for

social assistance.Once they start receiving social

assistance — $649 per month, perperson, or $1189 for a family of four —they are encouraged to find a morepermanent place to live.

But with the government unableto mail cheques to many asylum seekersin temporary housing or shelters, the nextround will be handed out at the Palais decongrès, Montreal's massive conventioncentre.

"Asylum seekers have always receivedwelfare," Immigration Minister KathleenWeil said Friday. "What is exceptionalabout this situation is the number ofpeople that have come in in a very shorttime."

The next step for asylum seekersis to get a work permit, but that can takemonths. Weil has asked Ottawa to speedup that process.

Parents wanting to send theirchildren to school face the additionalbarrier of needing a home address toenrol their children.

Montreal's largest French-language school board, the Commission

scolaire de Montréal (CSDM), said someHaitian families have signed up forschool, and that it was working to ensureothers who have arrived would also beable to register.

At the hearingWhen asylum seekers finally do

get their hearing, they must demonstratethey face a "well-founded fear ofpersecution in their country of nationality"in order to receive refugee status.

According to the federalgovernment, they have to show that ifthey return to their country of nationalitythey face a risk of torture, a risk to theirlife, or cruel and unusual punishment ortreatment.

That could mean they facepersecution because of:

- Race.- Religion.- Nationality.- Political opinion.

- Membership in a particularsocial group, which can include sexualorientation, gender identity, HIV status ordomestic violence.

If the refugee claim is accepted,the person may start the process ofobtaining permanent residency. Ifrefugee claim is rejected, there is anopportunity to appeal to the IRB or theFederal Court, or the claimant may bedeported.

Handfield said many of theclients he works with are getting badinformation in the U.S. about how easy itis to come to Canada.

"The very big majority of thesepeople are surprised when we explain tothem the process they've embarked on,"said Handfield.

"Many were unaware they had toappear in front of a refugee boardmember to explain why they're afraid toreturn to Haiti."

Jacob Serebrin, Montreal Gazette,published August 22, 2017

Members of Montreal’s fashionindustry are trying to make sure they’renot forgotten as the North American FreeTrade Agreement is renegotiated.

“Everybody thinks the industrydisappeared and we’re all off-shore,” saidElliot Lifson, the vice-chair of Montreal-based Peerless Clothing, which makessuits for a variety of brands. “But there’slots of jobs.”

His company employs 1,200people in Montreal and still has a majorfactory here.

Even when manufacturing jobshave moved overseas, administrationand distribution positions have remainedin Canada, Lifson said.

Industry members say the current NAFTAworks for them.

In particular, Lifson said hewants to see a specific provisionmaintained. Called the Tariff PreferenceLevel, it allows Canadian garmentmanufacturers to use fabric, yarn andwool imported from outside the NAFTAzone in Canadian-made clothes.

As long as the final product ismanufactured in Canada and inputs fromoutside the NAFTA zone are within certainquotas, those products won’t incur tariffswhen exported to the United States.

Without that exception, all inputsused to make clothes in Canada wouldhave to come from a NAFTA country forthose clothes to have tariff-free statusunder the agreement.

But Lifson said that’s impossible.Some types of wool, for example, have tobe imported and other inputs just aren’tproduced in North America or are notproduced in large enough quantities.

Lifson said that having aMontreal factory is Peerless’s biggeststrength.

“Your factory is a repository ofknowledge, it allows you to change,move with the times and be swift,” hesaid. “It’s a big advantage to have afactory here.”

In 2015, more than 10,000people were directly employed makingclothing in Quebec, according to aDesjardins Economic Studies report.

That year, the sector exported$420.4 million worth of clothing to theU.S., according to the report.

“For the fashion industry, theUnited States represents a very importantpartner. Between 70 and 80 per cent ofour trade is done with the U.S., so it’s veryimportant to make sure that we have theright conditions to be able to have ourcompanies be prosperous and be able togrow,” said Debbie Zakaib, the executivedirector of mmode, a group that

represents Quebec’s fashion industry.Including retail, the industry employsabout 90,000 people in the province, shesaid.

Zakaib said she’s optimisticabout the NAFTA renegotiations.

“Of course there areuncertainties, but what we have toremember is the measures that are nowin place are very good and positive forboth sides, the companies in the U.S. andthe companies in Canada are verysatisfied and like the agreement as it is,”she said. “I’m sure we’ll come to anagreement that will please both.”

Lifson would like to see sometweaks made to NAFTA. His companyemploys several hundred people inVermont and he would like it to be easierfor people to work on both sides of theborder. He would also like to see theprocess of shipping goods betweenNAFTA countries simplified.

No matter what happens,though, he’s optimistic about the future ofhis company.

“We were in business before the(Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement) andbefore NAFTA,” he said.

© CBC Asylum seekers were allowed to begin enrolling their childreninto Montreal schools Monday.

Montreal's fashion industry hopesto keep NAFTA provision

Khamlay Vongsiprasueuth works at a Canada Goose factory inBoisbriand on June 29, 2017. Other local garment makers are callingon the government to protect a NAFTA provision. DAVE SIDAWAY /MONTREAL GAZETTE


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