BIBAK Youth in a cultural dance.

FIFTH ANNUAL Cordillera Day in Toronto

By Beatrice S. Paez

More than a 100 people gathered under the banner of strength in unity to honour the departed human rights crusader, Macliing Dulag. The outspoken defender of Igorot self-determination was killed under the Marcos regime, for mobilizing opposition against the World Bank-funded Chico River Dam. An annual commemoration of his leadership and courage was held in Toronto, at the Northminster United Church.

Diverse human rights organizations took part in the festivities, an evening that delivered messages in support of indigenous solidarity, a documentary screening and multiple Cordillera dance and musical performances. Toronto’s Cordillera Day entered its fifth year, and was organized by Binnadang, a member group of Migrante Canada and co-sponsored by the Filipino Christian Fellowship.

The indigenous groups of the Cordillera region have long struggled to protect their native land from “aggressive development” projects, namely mining operations, which threaten their traditional livelihood, change the environmental landscape and militarize their lands.

The search for common ground among Filipino-Canadians, Igorots and Canadians is not hard to find: Canadian mining corporations are involved in resource development and displaced communities leave for countries like Canada in search of opportunities.

“A lot of migrant workers come from the Cordillera region, so we support them,” said Joe Calugay, the Deputy Secretary General of Migrante and a keynote speaker. “The whole reason why a lot of migrant workers come from the Cordillera region, is because of what is happening to their ancestral land. There’s a lot of land grabbing and development, and there are no jobs.”

Vernie Yocogan-Diano, Executive Director of Cordillera Women’s Education Research Centre (CWEARC)

“We are not opposed to development,” said Vernie Yocogan-Diano, the Executive Director of Cordillera Women’s Education Research Centre (CWEARC), who also headlined the event. But resource development should be carried out with respect for the environment, and must involve the consent of indigenous groups, she added.

Yocogan-Diano urged the audience to mobilize in support of the Cordillera people, and asserted that Filipinos share a common interest in returning to their homeland, and also have a stake in protecting its bountiful resources. “In order for you to have a place to go home to, you will have to join us in struggle to protect our land and resources,” she told the Philippine Reporter in an interview.
The plight of migrant workers has also become intertwined in the pursuit of self-determination and the struggle for an equitable stake in development.

The event also featured a skit staged by the iWworkers, an organization of Filipino live-in caregivers, which depicted the daily routine of a domestic worker. It’s a story that also speaks about the hardships and aspirations of Filipino migrant workers, who long for a time when they can return to a more prosperous nation, Maru Maesa, the Chairperson of iWworkers explained.

In keeping with theme of unity, there were also messages about standing in solidarity with the First Nations people in Canada.

Binnadang song presentation: “Globalisasyon and Salidumay”

Throughout the evening there were bursts of lively performances to mark the occasion. Youth dancers from the Cordillera provinces represented their hometown in dance and dress; the troupe embellished their heads with beaded crafts and was clothed in their distinguished skirts or tapis.

For Filipino youth Cordillera Day is an occasion to take pride in their heritage and display the cultural diversity of the region.

Two different dances were prepared to represent the Mountain Province and Kalinga.

One of the dances depicts a courtship, the union between two tribes, explained Julie Ann Doligas, one of the organizers of the youth dance group.

“We’re showing people that we’re trying to unite the provinces,” said Syria Felua, who helped coach the young performers and is from the Mountain Province and Kalinga. “Cordillera Day is an opportunity to share one’s culture and to show that each province has its own dance.”

“I wanted to teach people who grew up here the culture from back home,” said Doligas, who represented the Mountain province. “Once you come here you tend to forget where you come from.”

Cultural presentation by BIBAK Youth-Toronto

BIBAK Youth members in full Igorot dress and trinkets

Jenny Owatan, Chair, Binnadang, delivers welcome address

Jerry Doligas, auditor, Sagada Organization of Canada

Nicole Oliver, ILPS Canada. PHOTO: R Sevilla

Rhea Gamana, Chair Anakbayan

Paulina
Corpuz,
President of
PATAC.
Benson
Corpuz,
PATAC youth, recited Amando V. Hernandez’s “Lumuha Ka Aking Bayan”

Connie Pooten, President of Tadian Federation of Canada, introduces keynote speaker Vernie Yocogan-Diano.

PHOTOS: HG

VERNIE Yocogan-Diano (right) spoke at the “Women of Courage: Gendering Reconciliation” panel at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in Montreal.

Indigenous activist Vernie Yocogan-Diano said she started as a late bloomer. Early in her career she pursued human rights work, but her commitment and passion grew with time.

“I was doing the work, but I felt more of an employee,” she recalls. A decision to volunteer with the Cordillera Peoples Alliance, a coalition of organizations dedicated to defending the ancestral lands of indigenous communities, changed her perspective.
Since then, she has been at the forefront of campaigns waged in the name of self-determination for indigenous people. This spring, she is embarking on another leg of her advocacy journey in Canada, with a focus on building linkages with the First Nations people in Canada.

Yocogan-Diano spoke at the “Women of Courage: Gendering Reconciliation” panel at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in Montreal, at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. The TRC was established in 2009 to record the systematic abuse faced by aboriginals who were torn from their families and sent to residential schools.

As part of the Canadian government’s policy of assimilation, more than 130 church-run residential schools were set up across Canada. Over 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children were placed in these schools to sever ties to their cultural heritage. In many instances, students were often prohibited from speaking their mother tongue and carrying out cultural traditions.

The schools were in operation from the 1870s until the last one was shut down in 1996. Residential school survivors from Quebec and their families were in attendance at the national event to tell their stories.

The “Women of Courage” panel was co-sponsored by KAIROS, an ecumenical aid organization to build international linkages with indigenous communities.

At the event Yocogan-Diano expressed her solidarity and illuminated the similarities in their struggle to defend their culture.

“Congratulations to you for having the courage to fight for your dignity, pushing the Canadian government to apologize for the injustices caused by the residential schools,” she said. “My ancestors resisted colonization. The Spanish used the sword and the cross, and were followed by the Americans who used the cross and welfare.”

The ancestral land of the Igorot people is as rich in natural resources as the land on which Canada was built, and is what drew foreign interest then and is what is driving economic development now, she noted.

Mining operations that blanket the land now have come at an unrecoverable cost, and threaten their sustainable practices. Indigenous women have been displaced from their primary source of livelihood, agricultural production and resource management, she explained. “We’re told [by the government] to sacrifice for the majority.”

Foreign resource development corporations, many of which are Canadian-run, have plotted out projects that cover 60 per cent of their land. Fierce resistance and opposition to these developments have been met with militarization, she told her audience.

The Philippine government, she argued, has not made a concerted effort to protect their rights and interests ahead of the investors’ agenda. Similarly, she noted that much work lies ahead for the Canadian government and its citizens in efforts to give First Nations a more prominent voice in politics and society.

With respect to the reconciliation process, she said, it cannot be defined on the government’s terms, but needs to be based on respect and grounded in the principle of self-determination.

“Canadians need to recognize this as part of the history of Canada, all Canadians should know about the residential schools and be involved in rectifying this [historical wrong],” she told the Philippine Reporter in an interview.

She first learned about the residential schools scandal in Canada through her organization, Innabuyong’s partnership with the United Church of Canada and KAIROS.

Her ties to these organizations have provided an invaluable experience in learning and connecting with other indigenous groups, to hear their testimonies and gain a broader perspective of the varying issues they face.

The activist hopes that Filipinos will also take an interest in understanding the impact and legacy of the residential school system, and that they do more than simply trace their roots.

“There are common issues. We need to build solidarity with indigenous people all over the world,” she said. “The voice becomes stronger when indigenous people come together.”

The city of Baltimore is world-famous for its crab houses, not to be mistaken for pubic lice or “crabs,” a common form of STD. Freshly-steamed blue crabs has been very much a part of Baltimore tradition.

But in the Philippines, the kind of crustacean that is the most well known is the two-legged variety that lives on land – Filipinos with a crab mentality.

(Read story…)

OTTAWA–Last year was a banner year for the world’s billionaires. In 2012, the world’s super-rich saw their net worth skyrocket by 16% – at a time when all major wealth indicators (GDP, currency, equity and combined wealth) were down, according to the 2013 World Ultra Wealth Report Outlook.

The latest figures about global wealth clearly demonstrate a tremendous income and wealth gap that exists between the world’s super-rich and the rest of us.

In 1950, top executives earned 24 times the average worker’s pay, 122 times in 1990 and 550 times in 2009.

Today, the individual wealth of the world’s super-rich is millions of times greater than their fellow citizens.

Total wealth of the world’s billionaires vs. the median wealth of their fellow citizens:

All amounts are in US dollars.

North America

Canada’s richest person is David Thomson with a net worth of $20.3 billion, which means he has 248,744 times more individual wealth than his fellow Canadians, whose median wealth is $81,610 per adult.

Mexico’s richest person is Carlos Slim Helú with a net worth of $73.0 billion, which means he has 5,585,310 times more individual wealth than his fellow Mexicans, whose median wealth is $13,070 per adult.

The richest family in the United States are the Walton’s – who control Walmart – with a net worth of $100.0 billion, which means the Waltons have 2,578,249 times more wealth than other Americans, whose median wealth is 38,786 per adult.

South America

Brazil’s richest person is Jorge Paulo Lemann with a net worth of $17.8 billion, which means he has 3,041,695 times more individual wealth than his fellow Brazilians, whose median wealth is $5,852 per adult.

Chile’s richest person is Iris Fontbona & family with a net worth of $17.4 billion, which means she has 1,330,987 times more wealth than her fellow Chileans, whose median wealth is $13,073 per adult.

Europe

France’s richest person is Liliane Bettencourt with a net worth of $30.0 billion, which means she has 369,122 times more individual wealth than her fellow citizens, whose median wealth is $81,274 per adult.

Spain’s richest person is Amancio Ortega with a net worth of $57.0 billion, which means he has 829,778 times more individual wealth than his fellow Spaniards, whose median wealth is $68,693 per adult.

Africa

Nigeria’s richest person is Aliko Dangote with a net worth of $16.1 billion, which means he has 42,705,570 times more individual wealth than his fellow citizens in Nigeria, whose median wealth is $377 per adult.

Asia

India’s richest person is Lakshmi Mittal with a net worth of $16.5 billion, which means he has 17,590,618 times more individual wealth than his fellow Indians, whose median wealth is $938 per adult.

Russia’s richest person is Alisher Usmanov with a net worth of $17.6 billion, which means he has 13,891,081 times more individual wealth than his fellow Russians, whose median wealth is $1,267 per adult.

Australia

Australia’s richest person is Georgina Rinehart with a net worth of $17 billion, which means she has 87,785 times more individual wealth than her fellow Australians, whose median household net worth is $193,653

UFCW Canada Human Rights Department Release  

(Source: Forbes, 2013 World Ultra Wealth Report Outlook)

By Manuel Papa

“The Building of a Nation”,  an educational and cultural Tableau about the Philippine History, was presented by the Knights of Rizal Toronto Chapter at the 519 Community Centre in downtown Toronto. These volunteer actors demonstrated their “thespian skills” when they  turned this educational and cultural Tableau into a very  entertaining show.

Rizal Region Council acknowledged the Producer Sir Manny Bade, the narrator Sir Voltaire de Leon, the historical adviser  Sir Joe Luzadas, executive director Sir John de los Santos, coordinators Sir Ronnie and Lady Susie de Leon;  the actors (many of them played multiple roles) include: Sir Mario Alpuerto, Sir Manny Austria, Sir Verth Bugtong, Sir Jun Calaguio, Sir Luis Carragan, Sir Frank Crawford, Sir Ariel Felix, Sir Ben Ferrer, Sir Ronnie Gonzaga, Sir Jimmy Lupango, Lady Mila Lupango, Lady Linette Perez; plus guest actors SK Pors Canlas, Lady Mitz Canlas, Abe Gutierrez and Bonnie Cabradilla.

They survived the six weeks of intense practices. As Sir Manny Bade said, the fruits of their “Labor of Love” was realized on this spectacular evening Their precious volunteer time and effort contributed to the success of this presentation. Continuous applause from the audience was graciously acknowledged by the volunteer actors.

Rizal Canada Region Council, Rizal Toronto Chapter and Producer Sir Manny Bade, KCR gave special thanks to the United Aklanon Association of Toronto for their participation in this Tableau. They played the role of the Datus and Queens: Datus Boyet Belen, Mario David, Nap de la Cruz, Rudi Dodido, Dionex Zarate, Ralph Bastareche; Queens Beverlyn Bastareche, Herminia Baby Ibadlit, Cristina Belen; Singer Tisza Maravilla; The Ati-atihan Dancers; and the Drummers John Maravilla and Boyet Enero.

Audience clamor for an encore.

Over 160 people crowded the 519 Community Center, in downtown Toronto. Performers were given a standing ovation. Sir Manny Bade was so happy with the success of the show. Guests wants to know when is their next performance. (Sir Manny said that they will try to accommodate the Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show invitation on June 22, 2013). Another full show is planned for the Fall of 2013.

“AWARDS of APPRECIATION”  were issued by Rizal Canada Region  to the special people who greatly contributed to the success of this Tableau presentation.  They are:

• Nora Dabu Taculad of  Silayan Community Centre, for their sponsorship of this presentation. They provided the facilities, dinner and their officers and Ladies served the guests.
(Lady Cristy Ferrer and Lady Susie de Leon and their team from Silayan, were  hostesses to the guests on this evening of entertainment.)

• Sir Manny Bade, KCR, the “Producer/ Director” of this Tableau. He developed the  “Concept”, and  his untiring effort working with the volunteers made this Tableau a reality.

(This Educational and Cultural presentation about the Philippine history, include events with the arrival of the first settlers, the founding of the Philippines by Magellan and many historical events, involving Andres Bonifacio, Lapu-lapu, Legaspi, Agoncillo flag making, martyrdom of our national hero Dr. Joes P. Rizal, up to the June 12, 1898 declaration of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite.)

• Sir Mario Alpuerto, KCR, Toronto Chapter Commander, for his leadership and persuasive effort, encourage the Toronto Knights, Ladies and guests to work voluntarily together.

Guests include: Hon Consul General Junever Mahilum-West and Sir John West, Hon. Senator Sir Tobias C. Enverga, Jr.; Sir George R. Poblete, Sir Lapulapu Cana, Sir Jaime T. Marasigan and Sir Jojo Taduran of Rizal Canada Region Council; Rizal Knights and Ladies: Lady Rosemer Enverga, Lady Dolly Poblete, Lady Bing Marasigan, Lady Fe Taduran and Lady Irene de los Santos of the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal; Lady Rose Cruz, Estella Bischop and Lady Sonia Crawford of Kababaihang Rizalista; Lady Asuncion Ramos of the Aspiration of Rizal; Scarborough Deputy Commander Sir Bert & Lady Nellie Mondragon, Lady Emy Amante, Lady Angie Luzadas, Sir Sol and Lady Agnes de las Alas of his Chapter; Editors from the local media; Seniors from the Silayan Community Centre and  guests from other organizations.

(St. Jamestown News Service)

A Spanish conquistador (Verth Bugtong), right, meets a native chieftain.

Nora Dabu Taculad, Silayan
Community Centre

Girls in a lively regional dance.

Congen Junever Mahilum-West (center) and Rosemer Enverga in an ethnic dance.

12 work-related killings under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III

• Miguel Belen (dwEB, Camarines Sur, July 31, 2010)
• Gerardo Ortega (dwAR, Palawan, Jan. 24, 2011)
• Marlina Flores Sumera (dzME, Malabon, Mar. 24, 2011)
• Romeo Olea (dwEB, Camarines Sur, June 13, 2011)
• Niel Jimena (dyRI, Negros Occidental, August 22, 2011)
• Roy Quijada Gallego (dxSF, Surigao del Sur, October 14, 2011)
• Antonio Silagon (Bohol Balita Daily News, Bohol, December 15, 2011)
• Aldion Layao (dxRP, Davao City, April 8, 2012)
• Rommel Palma (dxMC – Bombo Radyo Koronadal, April 30, 2012)
• Nestor Libaton (dxHM, Davao Oriental, May 8, 2012)
• Julius Cauzo (dwJJ, Cabanatuan City, Nov. 8, 2012)
• Edgardo “Egay” Adajar (101.5 Hot FM, San Pablo City Laguna, Jan. 2, 2013)

Cases of attacks and threats this 2013
• Philippine military, police, harass human rights defenders, journalists  (Apr. 23, 2013)
• Radio manager receives threatening text (Apr. 22, 2013)
• Covering or seeking cover?: The curious cases of blocktimers in Negros Occidental (Apr. 18, 2013)
• Broadcaster assaulted for “negative” commentaries (Mar. 20, 2013)
• Reporter threatened, informed of new plan to kill him (Mar. 13, 2013)
• Government agents use reporter to access Sulu Sultan’s home (Mar. 11, 2013)
• Reporter survives slay attempt (Mar. 8, 2013)
• Mayor files libel complaint vs. blocktimer (Mar. 8, 2013)
• Correspondent mauled for alleged ‘bias’ (Mar. 1, 2013)
• Malaysian police detain Filipino journalist, news crew in Sabah (Feb. 25, 2013)
• Court orders arrest of reporter, editors over libel case (Feb. 22, 2013)
• News correspondent forced out of board meeting (Feb. 5, 2013)
• Broadcaster receives threatening text messages (Jan. 29, 2013)
• Community journalist found guilty of indirect contempt (Jan. 18, 2013)
• Journalist accused of indirect contempt jailed prior to hearing (Jan. 17, 2013)
• Anonymous text message alleges plan to kill journalist (Jan. 16, 2013)
• Cebu opinion column disappears, suspended gov eyed (Jan. 14, 2013)
• Publisher lodges complaint vs local government employee (Jan. 11, 2013)

Ampatuan Massacre (November 23, 2009)
• 58 killed including 32 journalists and media workers
• 197 total accused [1 dismissed, 1 died (allegedly committed suicide)]
• 105 arrested; 90 at large
• 95 arraigned (2 Ampatuans); 10 detained but not arraigned
• 56 filed a petition for bail

The Philippine Reporter along with other ethnic newspapers at the exhibit at Toronto City Hall

Rathika Sitsabaiesan, MP, Scarborough-Rouge River

Thomas Saras, President of National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada

Hon. Jim Karygiannis P.C., M.P. Scarborough-Agincourt

Hon. Michael Coteau, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration

John Cartwright, President, Toronto and York Region
Labour Council

Eric Jolliffe, Chief of Police, York Regional Police

Tony Ruprecht, former MPP

Maria Voutsinas, MC at the event. PHOTOS: HG

By Beatrice S. Paez

“Graceland” is a high-octane thriller that shows the great lengths a father will take for his family. Three fathers face the unthinkable: their daughters fall prey to unscrupulous men willing to exploit them at whatever cost. Surprising twists abound in a film that drew inspiration from headline-grabbing kidnapping incidents in Manila.

This time writer-director Ron Morales is the one making headlines for his second effort, earning critical acclaim in the international indie film circuit and beyond.

Morales delivers an arresting thriller that puts a man’s ethics to the test. The film tackles the issues of human trafficking and crime with sensitivity, instead of using it as a device to escalate the drama for cheap thrills. The hype is in the tricky scenarios that unfold and the competing motives that frame the kidnapping.

The city’s underbelly is exposed at every turn, swaths of land swarming with waste and strips of land with rows of brothels set the film’s dark tone. In this morality-packed flick, the moral compass is skewed: deceit becomes second nature, principles dissolve under pressure and no one is left unscathed.

Family man Marlon Villar, portrayed by Arnold Reyes, scraps by as a chauffer to corrupt politician Chango (Menggie Cobarubbias), driving the boss’s daughter to school and working after hours to facilitate Chango’s sexual exchanges with underage girls.

Villar finds himself complicit in Chango’s repugnant pursuits, unable to break his silence, to protect a job he desperately needs to finance his terminally ill wife’s hospital stay as she waits for an organ transplant.

He is confronted with the grueling task of rescuing his daughter held for ransom while keeping under wraps the full details of her captivity. A botched kidnapping takes place while he is on duty, taking his daughter, Elvie (Ella Guevara) and Chango’s daughter, Sophia (Patricia Ona Gayod) home from school. The kidnappers mistake Elvie for Sophia, grab her instead and kill Sophia in the process.

To ensure her safe return, he is forced to pretend both have been captured and must convince Chango to pay the ransom. Fingers try to pin the blame on him as the likely suspect: the sex scandal is leaked to the press and Villar is sacked for failing to cover their tracks.
The parts are convincingly acted with restraint, and never veer into hysteria despite the unbearable dilemma the actors must endure. There are no heroes in this film, only characters with tragic flaws. Villar begs for the audience’s sympathy in his efforts to get his daughter back alive. But he is hardly a sympathetic character, as he is partly responsible for setting the circumstances in motion.

Poverty is not the prime motive but is the precipitating cause of the kidnapping. The culture of impunity and corruption leave little recourse for justice for the poor. Those without means are forced to concoct twisted plots to mete out their idea of justice.

But money as a currency to escape scandal and exploitation has it limits. Guilty parties and innocent bystanders must pay for the actions of a few with punishing consequences.

CATS, the show that revolutionized musical theatre around the world is making its triumphant return to Toronto.

The 20-member company features Eric Abel as “Alozo/Coricopat,” Charles Azulay as “Old Deuteronomy,” original Canadian company member Susan Cuthbert as “Jennyanydots/Griddlebone/Jellylorum,” Ma-Anne Dionisio as “Grizabella,” Michael Donald as “Mungojerrie,” Marisa Falcone as “Demeter,” Kalie Hunter as “Tantomile,” Neesa Kenemy as “Rumpleteazer,” Judy Kovacs as “Bombalurina,” Michel LaFleche as “Munkustrap,” Lily McEvenue as “Victoria,” Cory O’Brien as “Gus/Bustopher Jones/Growltiger,” Phillip Payne as “Plato/Macavity,” Jaime Reid as “Cassandra,” Martin Samuel as “Rum Tum Tugger,” Jay T. Schramek as “Skimbleshanks,” Ashley St. John as “Sillibub,” and Devon Tullock as “Mr. Mistoffelees.”  Christy Adamson is the Dance Caption/Female Swing and Robert Yeretch is the Male Swing.

Directed by Dave Campbell, CATS will have Music Direction by original Canadian company member Lona Davis, Choreography by Gino Berti remounting Gillian Lynne’s original Broadway choreography.

In addition, Toronto-based technology company Rose and Thistle’s patented hologram technology Holographic Paramotion is being utilized in the set design, adding multiple layers of depth into the live production by integrating holographic images.

CATS, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’ and other poems” by T. S. Eliot, opened in London in 1981 where it ran for twenty-one years.  The Broadway production, which opened in 1982, ran for eighteen years.  Both set long-run records: CATS is the second-longest-running show in Broadway history, and the fourth longest-running West End musical.
Produced by Nu Musical Theatricals Inc., in association with Classical Theatre Project and Starvox Entertainment, this is the first resident Canadian production in Toronto since the original Canadian production opened in 1985 launching the age of the mega musical in Canada.

• Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge Street, Toronto

• Previews begin Tuesday, May 28 @ 7:30pm

• Official Opening Night, Tuesday, June 11, 2013 @ 7:30pm

• Ticket prices range from $40-$110.

(PRESS RELEASE)