Toronto
Oct. 10, 2008

Toronto
Oct. 10, 2008

Pageants
• April 24, 2009 –Mrs. Philippines PIDC
Venue: Rembrandt Banquet Hall, 930 Progress Ave., Scarborough

• May 2 2009 – Little Miss Philippines and Miss Philippines PIDC
Venue: Korean Cultural Centre, 1133 Leslie St., North York

• Pageant Director – Rosemer Enverga, tel.# 416 284-2810 or e mail: littlemissphilippines@gmail.com/missphilippinespidc@gmail.com/mrsphilippinespidc@gmail.com
• Accepting candidates for ‘2009

Jun 6 2009 – Independence Day Gala
• Venue: Doubletree by Hilton, 655 Dixon Road, Toronto

Jun 13 2009 – Salu-Salo sa Earl Bales Park (Community Picnic)
• Venue : Earl Bales Park, Sheppard & Bathurst

Mabuhay Cup Basketball Championship Tournament
• Venue: Hoop Dome, 75 Carl Hall Rd., Toronto

• July 18 2009 – Mabuhay Festival
• Venue: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Bldg., -Hall D

Aug 16 2009 – PIDC Mabuhay /ANCOP-GK Parade

Oct 3 2009 Dancing to be a Star
• Venue: Sts. Peter & Paul Banquet Hall, 231 Milner Ave. Scarborough, ON

Please call Ben Corpuz (PIDC PRO) 416-690-2116 if you have any question on this press release.

Mr. Mukherjee’s report does not provide any legal basis for his
recommendation, instead indicating that the recommendation is being made
after “discussions” with Chief Bill Blair.

Anna Rosenbluth, a member of the Immigration Legal Committee, states that
“The Immigration Legal Committee is dismayed by the recommendation that
the TPSB continue to deny safe access to police for persons without
immigration status. This recommendation flies in the face of the legal
research before the TPSB and it is made without providing any legal basis
for the conclusion. We remain very concerned for the safety of
Torontonians without immigration status who will be unable to access
police protection from violence if this recommendation is accepted.”

A “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy would mean that police do not ask for
immigration status and should they discover a person without status they
will not tell federal immigration authorities.

Mr. Mukherjee’s report further recommends that the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
working group established by the Toronto Police Services Board be
disbanded on the basis that its mandate is “concluded”. On May 22, 2007
the Toronto Police Services Board approved a motion that the working
group, in consultation with the community, would conduct a review of the
feasibility of including a “Don’t Tell” component. To date, community
groups advocating for a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy have not been
contacted by the working group for consultation on this issue.

Mohan Mishra of No One Is Illegal had this reaction to the Board’s report:
“This is terrible, Toronto Police are already distrusted by immigrant
communities of colour in this city, this report will just add to the anger
and distrust in those communities. Already women in those communities who
are assaulted cannot call the police, this will make it even harder. I can
promise the Board that we will re-double our work to fight for a full
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, they have not heard the last of us.”

Members of the community will be attending the Toronto Police Services
Board meeting on Thursday November 20th at 1:30pm at 40 College Street
(2nd Floor Auditorium) to make their anger and dismay heard. We invite
members of the media to attend.

PRESS RELEASE, Nov. 18, 2008

Rene Calalang at book launch on Nov. 15, 2008 at the Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.

Rene Calalang, a staff writer/regular contributor of literary works to Balita (a Filipino Canadian newspaper published and distributed in Greater Toronto Area) and Munting Nayon (an English/Tagalog Filipino magazine published in the Netherlands and circulated in Europe and North America through hardcopies and its website: http://mnnetherlands.com) launched the publication of his first book during the fundraising dinner/dance Christmas Party of the “Malolos Group” last Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.

The book, titled “Sa Aking Dalawang Daigdig”/”In My Two Worlds” was inspired by the author’s life experiences and observations, and is a collection of his early short stories. It is written in both English and Pilipino and is similar in format to that of Canadian government documents.

The book sells $12.00 per copy.

To order, you can call Rene Calalang at 416 286-7524 or you can e-mail him at rene_calalang@hotmail.com or at renecalalang@rogers.com.

(PRESS RELEASE)

UP Outstanding Graduates were honored by fellow alumni. From left: Noel Cruz, UPAA president and awardees Romi MananQuil, Dr. Nanette de Villa, Nena Maneclang Nera, Dr. Herbert Gaisano, daughter of awardee Dr. Leticia Rao representing her mother, and Dr. Francis Rementilla.

Two presidents at the podium: Former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos and UPAA president Noel Cruz at the UP centennial ball.

UPAA president Noel Cruz addressing the centennial celebrants

The Philippine national anthem and UP Beloved are usually sung in energetic voices, but at the night of their Centennial Ball, in October 25, 2008, UPians sang them in hushed, solemn voices — this is not in character with the usually rambunctious, exuberant UPians. The air was heavy with emotion and eyes glistened in quiet reverence as they sang. This event is special to them – they are celebrating their Alma Mater’s 100 years of academic excellence, leadership and service. They are aware of their history, and the role of their Alma Mater in their lives and in their home country and elsewhere. More than 350 alumni and their loved ones came; they gathered to salute the University of the Philippines, and each other.

Noel Cruz, president of the UP Alumni Association, Toronto, stated that the highlight of their celebration is the presentation of the UP Centennial Distinguished Graduates Award to six outstanding alumni who have achieved excellence in their professions. They are Dr. Maria Antonia de Villa (BSc, Doctor of Medicine) – Clinical Practice of Medicine; Romeo C. MananQuil (Bachelor of Fine Arts, cum laude) – Visual Arts; Nena Maneclang Nera (BSc in Psychology, MA in Social Work) – Public Service; Dr. Herbert Y. Gaisano (BSc, magna cum laude; Doctor of Medicine) – Scientific Research and Academic Pursuits; Dr. Leticia G. Rao (BSc in Chemistry) – Scientific Research and Academic Pursuits; and Dr. Francis Rementilla (BSc in Physical Therapy) – Business and Entrepreneurship.

Dr. Antonina de Villa is assistant professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, and member of the active staff in the department of medicine of St Joseph Health Centre for more than 20 years, nine of which was as chief of the cardiology division. She was one of only four pioneering women cardiologists in Greater Toronto. She introduced the Cardiology Journal series and the evening Cardiology Round series as part of continuing education for cardiologists at St Joseph Health Center. Dr. de Villa has been giving seminars for family doctors and residents and foreign medical students applying for elective rotation through the university. Her commitment to teaching and education has enabled her students to make their mark in medicine.

Romi MananQuil was assistant professor, chairman of Visual Communications, and artist-in-residence at the UP College of Fine Arts. He was commissioned by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to design the 1983 series of Philippine bank notes and coins, which included the 1000-peso centennial note, a Guinness Book of record holder. He co-founded the prestigious Philippine Artists Group of Canada and its president for 14 years. He had over a hundred art exhibitions in the Philippines, Australia, and North America, and he represents the Philippines and Canada at the Bridges Gallery of Fine Arts in Illinois. He is a member of the prestigious Portrait Society of America and is recognized as one of the leading Filipino artists in Canada today.

Nena Maneclang Nera retired last year from Health Canada after 26 years of service at age 74, probably a Canadian record as the oldest public service retiree. Earlier, she was Health Canada’s first Special Advisor on Diversity for three years, and had represented Canada at the World Health Organization in Switzerland, and at conferences on HIV/AIDS in North America, Europe and Asia. Before this, she was a senior community and hospital social worker for 17 years. A multi-awarded professional and community leader, she received last month the Ten Outstanding Filipinos Abroad Award in Washington, DC. She recently launched a fundraising drive to improve and maintain balance in performance and rejuvenation, environment and lifestyle at long-term health care facilities.

Dr. Herbert Y. Gaisano is professor of medicine and physiology at the University of Toronto, staff physician in gastroenterology at Toronto’s University Health network, faculty member in the Institute of Medical Science at U of T faculty of Graduate Studies, and associate member of the Fundamental Neurology Group at the Toronto Western Hospital Research Institute. For the past 17 years, Dr. Gaisano has lectured at the U of T on gastroenterology. He has received various honors and awards that include the Most Outstanding Researcher Award from the UP Medical School Alumni Association, Mary Jane Kugel Award from Canada’s Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and Young Investigator award from the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. Dr. Gaisano holds a US patent on a new molecular target of anti-diabetic drugs.

Dr. Leticia G. Rao is associate (adjunct) professor in the Department of Medicine, U of T. She is a staff scientist and director of the Calcium Research Laboratory at Toronto’s St Michael’s Hospital, and a member in the graduate department of the Institute of Medical Sciences at U of T. Dr. Rao has delivered seminars and presentations in Canada, USA, Israel, France, Tunisia, India, Germany and Japan. Her studies include the identification of postmenopausal women who are at risk of bone loss due to osteoporosis, and the effect of long space flights on bone formation with astronauts.

Dr. Francis Rementilla serves as an example for new immigrants hoping to work in their profession. A few months after receiving his degree in physiotherapy in 1990, he left the Philippines for Toronto. He interned at a hospital, and within months, obtained his Ontario license in physiotherapy. In 1995, he struck on his own by opening his first clinic. Since then, he has expanded his business to five companies engaged in foot and postural treatment and sports medicine. He holds a Canadian and US patent on the arrangement and method for producing therapeutic insoles. In 2007, he received his doctorate in physiology from Daemen College in Amherst, New York. Dr. Rementilla is a former president of the UPAA Toronto.

In their brief speeches, all six UP Centennial Distinguished Graduates are unanimous in their acknowledgement and appreciation that the education and training they received from their Alma Mater inspired them to push on their professions.

The program of the evening also includes a mini art exhibit by artists Romi MananQuil and Omel Masalunga., and a lot of musical presentations – piano renditions by Mila Magno and Dr. Edward Lansang, harana by tenor Oswald Magno and songs by baritone Omel Masalunga, folk dance and rondalla music from the Fiesta Filipina Rondalla and Dance Troupe, duet by famed soprano Eleanor Calbes-Thompson and her sister Dr.Delicia Calbes-Asimont, songs by the special Centennial Singers Perla Andres, Gena Baldivia, Olivia Camacho, Guy Camacho, Dr. Perla Lansang, Mila Magno, Oswald Magno, Marietta Poole, Rene Reynoso, Geny Toribio, and Dr. Maselle Virey.

Former president Fidel V. Ramos, himself a UP alumnus, was the surprise guest; he arrived towards the end of the Centennial Ball. He was in Toronto as his first stop in promoting Gawad Kalinga, and the Ramos Peace Foundation. Former president Ramos was proceeding to Winnipeg, then to Vancouver. He took the opportunity to visit with fellow UP alumni and join them at the UP Centennial celebration.

(PRESS RELEASE/Rose Tijam)

CHS North American Foundation, Inc., Canada chapter would like to invite all College of the Holy Spirit alumnae, their family and friends, to celebrate the holiday season at a Christmas Party on Saturday, December 20, 2008, 6:00 p.m., Strate’s Banquet Hall, 365 Evans Avenue, Etobicoke.

To purchase tickets, please contact: (EAST) Maritess Lumanlan: (416) 284-0717/tlumanlan@rogers.com; Melissa Unidad (416) 274-7878; (WEST) Malou Parcero: (416) 897-0204/marilouparcero@rogers.com; Rose Pimentel: (905) 897-7641; rosepim@hotmail.com.

(PRESS RELEASE)

Josie de Leon charmed the crowd with her soulful songs and audience rapport.

Darius Ciria was a livewire with his Tagalog songs.

Zena Zagala rocks crowd with her fare of Elvis numbers.

Rolly Gatchalian performing with a Miss Saigon song.

FILCREA (Filipino Canadian Realtors Association), was the featured organization at the Celebrity Night on Friday (Nov. 7) by Philippine Press Club-Ontario. FILCREA President is Benny Jose, standing right with Eddie Lee.

TORONTO VISITORS Jun Bandayrel (left), National Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Maureen Pagaduan, Professor at the University of the Philippines, dropped by Jet Fuel on Parliament St. for coffee and tea with journalists Mila Astorga-Garcia and Hermie Garcia (not in photo), with Mon Ruiz, Jun’s brother-in-law. Bandayrel worked as an editor of the Philippine Reporter in the early 90s.

LIBEL and copyright were the topics of the seminar held by Philippine Press Club-Ontario last Nov. 15 in Toronto. Victor Opara (center) of Heydary Hamilton, PC, Barristers and Solicitors, was the main speaker. At left is Marla Gold, fitness instructor, at right is Virgil Baisa. PHOTO:HG