One of our good friends from the Philippines, columnist of Vera Files, Ellen Tordesillas wrote in her column that … The truth does not die and has a way to come up no matter how long it has been. I totally agree- Truth is absolute and nobody can change or bend it
It gets me thinking of all the effort we, in this paper, have put in to make people accountable for their actions. So many are taking advantage of our community to line up their own pockets. So many victims are complaining to us. The wickedness and deceptions are simply unbelievable.
We should be thankful that the culprits are exposed before more lives would be ruined. Karma is taking its toll and I hope it also comes this way fast for people that deserved it.
Ambition is a lust that sometimes can drive one to resort to crazy ways to obtain it, or something like that. Using other people to advance one’s interest, or getting ahead at their expense, has been a modus operandi of characters. We have constantly reminded them to clean up their acts.… It is not the amount of money involved but it is the test of integrity and character.
I am sure you will agree with me, there are some in our community we thought had lucrative jobs only to find out that they just have the illusions of grandeur.
And the believers are there adoring and following the pretenders that constantly talk about false achievements, dressed in glittery outfits and dark glasses like they are rock star idols. He gave us a good laugh.
We cannot move forward as a united happy community with a monkey saddled on our backs. The truth of the matter is documented and reported in our pages.
It is now our community history, absolute and cast in stone. It dwells in the hearts of our people and will never go away with constant denial and play ignorance.
***************
Municipal Election is fast approaching.
There are Filipino candidates who are running for various positions. But please do not vote for them just because they are Filipinos.
Check their credentials, if you think they can do the job and will not embarrass the Filipino community once they are seated. We need somebody who understands what is going on and can really make us proud.
In Markham we were represented by the late Councilor Alex Chiu who served for 10 terms. His performance was excellent and Marlene Mogado as Catholic School Board trustee who served for three terms.
They made us proud; they were pride to us Filipinos as they were very well respected by their colleagues in the council and in the catholic school board. People knew they could serve, and they have the brains for it.
There are so many qualified Filipino candidates but do not vote for somebody who is just looking for a job with no Canadian job experience. You can very well tell with their platforms and accomplishments.
Vote wisely, it is not the quantity of Filipino representatives but the quality of the people we will put in those seats.
To the candidates, clean up your records, because the moment you win, the bad deeds have a way to surface.
Winning comes with the good and bad records, but the bad dominates the good, and we are all aware of it. If there were fund raising kupitan, stealing of other organizations finances and human resources, all of those will be known.
The whispers and talks will permeate in people’s minds forever and will go down in the community history. It will follow you around.
So, clean up while you have the time.
********************
Fun Philippines, appreciation dinner and dance
Once again, PLACA (Philippine Legacy and Cultural Alliance) who used to manage Taste of Manila and now organizing Fun Philippines festival has shown their appreciation to the sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and workers that helped them make the event super successful.
The event was held at the Korean Cultural Centre. They thank their vendors for donating the food that was enjoyed by more than 300 attendees.
Kainan Na (a community of food entrepreneurs under one roof) headed by Janet Lim provided all the desserts.
Councilor James Pasternak gave appreciation awards to the organizers and PLACA leaders awarded the volunteers and helpers.
For sure, Fun Philippines is now in the minds of everyone, and the next event will be much bigger to beat the initial undertaking. This year, it is on the list of street festivals to watch out for.
It highlights not just Manila but the whole country, our culture, our music, and dance, and most of all our delicious food. To top it all, are invited famous celebrities from the Philippines to entertain us for two nights.
People will look forward to this event every summer from now on.**
The new Filipina Senator
One of these days, the newly appointed Filipino Canadian senator Dr. Flordeliz Osler will be around to meet all of us. A very accomplished surgeon, somebody that we can immensely be proud to call a kababayan.
Let us thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for appointing Dr. Osler. She will earn respect for our race. Dr. Osler is a high-profile surgeon, the former president of the Canadian Medical Association. The first female visible minority appointed to head the CMA and the first female surgeon and first woman of colour to ever ascend to the role.
We hope that this will finally erased the humiliations and awkwardness we felt and have experienced in the past. ****