In the popular movie “Pretty Woman”, there was this final scene of millionaire Edward played by Richard Gere climbing the fire escape of the apartment to claim his lady love, Vivian, (Julia Roberts) the former prostitute . At the same time a man crossing the street exclaim” This is Hollywood, the land of dreams. …. Some dreams come true some don’t. Keep on dreamin” “.
And Hollywood is in America, the land of promise, where dreams are nurtured and realized.
The late Martin Luther King uttered this now historic line “ I had a dream“ and so Barack Obama dreamt.
King also said, ”We shall overcome “and Obama did.
History, circa 2008 is etched and written indelibly. America now has a First African-American black president in the person of rookie Illinois senator Barack Obama, who in only two years in Capitol Hill had radically changed the face of American politics since Abraham Lincoln.
Not only did he end the vise-like grip of the Clintons in the Democratic Party, he won the highest position in the most powerful nation on earth, the USA in Cinderella fashion, defying all odds thrown against him.
After the voting results were all in, surpassing the required 270 electoral votes, the Obama juggernaut and locomotive of “yes we can change“ had swept not only the entire USA but had spread like wildfire across other continents worldwide.
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If you had heard defeated Presidential candidate senator John McCain’s concession speech, you could only admire the magnanimity and graciousness of his words and the sincerity it imparts.
How I wish, politicians of all stripes in the Philippines can take a lesson and inspiration from this.
Sa atin, pag may natalo sasabihin kaagad, “I wuz robbed “ dinaya ako! and the loser would move heaven and earth to lodge a protest until all legal and other extra legal means are exhausted to prevent the winning candidate from assuming his position. Sadly, we have yet to reach the level of that maturity like the USA.
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Speaking of levels, its unfortunate that Mr. Mon Torralba said he would not speak to members of the community media because he doesn’t want to stoop to “our level”.
Whether we’re up to your level or not, let me remind you Mon, that it was the media who
stood by your many projects like making waves and your concerts.
With your kind of statement, we are now rethinking our position.
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Dr. Francisco Portugal claims that the Filipino Center of Toronto (FCT) is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy as shown by their financial report and fiscal condition.. He has shown several documents to buttress his claim .
Portugal, who lost his membership with the FCT a day before the holding of the organization’s annual general assembly meeting alleged that the 2007 financial statement showed the center’s assets are way below than the total liabilities as shown by the many losses it had incurred.
Dr. Portugal, together with some other members of the FCT, is embroiled in a bitter and contentious controversy against the present board of the center, which had resulted in court battles over the years and thousands of dollars spent for litigation fees , money that could have been spent in many projects for the center.
It’s about time that serious and constructive talks should now be initiated if the center is to move on. There are no winners and losers in this long-drawn feud but the ultimate victim will always be the community.
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MILESTONES: Happy birthdays to Ace Alvarez, publisher of the Manila Media Monitor, Canadian Ethnic Media President (CEMA) and Vice president of the PPCO and Ms. Evelyn Asensi, our long-time family friend,. Both observed their natal day on Nov.11.
To Consul Imelda Panolong, belated congratulations on your confirmation and promotion as chief of mission. Way to go Ambassador Panolong !
PPCO “Starnight “ premiere: The Philippine Press Club of Ontario (PPCO) held its first
Version of Celebrity night Nov.7 at Casa Manila with Josie De Leonm Darius Curia and Ely Torrenuevo as our featured artists. Thanks to all of you and to our guest organization the Filipino-Canadian Realtors Association (FILCREA) led by Benny Jose, Larry Bercasio. Ruby Talavera among others. Thanks also to Chat Bautista and her group of Studio Six talents.