pinoytimes.ca » Publisher’s Note

Publisher’s Note

nenette — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 23:47:12 +0000

It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, that was in 1996. So I promised myself that when I am more stable in my new environment and have the stability to raise my children, then I might be able to do a community paper for the Filipinos. After 12 years of living in Calgary, I started to conceptualized my own community paper by the name of PINOY TIMES. I remember knocking door to door at different Filipino businesses and business people ot support my launching of PINOY TIMES on August 15, 2008. I was amazed at the support I got and it paved the way to have PINOY TIMES in circulation. From 24 pages we are now 32 pages and sometimes we go as much as 40 pages at one point. Yes, isang dekada na po ang PINOY TIMES. Spending late evenings during deadlines and even working on the paper when I’m out of the country, I should say this is my passion and I love what I’m doing. I just want to be of continued service to the community as a way of saying THANK YOU CANADA for giving me the opportunity to shine which I was given back in my home country. To all my followers and readers, thank you so much for you presence. And to all my advertisers, A BIG THANK YOU, for without you, I won’t stay in circulation for 10 years. Looking forward to another 10 years of continued service to the Filipino community. I humbly dedicate my 10 years of PINOY TIMES to my late husband, Henry Kriaski! To God be the glory!

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Publisher’s Note

nenette — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 14:00:41 +0000

Hello dear readers,

Time flies so fast when life is so busy. 24 hours in a day is not enough for most people with all the things that they have to deal with in a day. But we should never forget that we should get at least 8 hours of sleep at night in order to make our self ready for the next day. But what’s important is learning how to prioritize which things should be done first and which one can be the last one to do. In that manner, we will have a schedule of priorities and not just doing what you want to do and be a scattered brain and then complain that 24 hours a day is not enough. Learn to prioritize and avoid the procrastination of what you should do so that you don’t end up achieving nothing in the end.

The month of June just flew by and now we are starting the 2nd half of 2018. July is of course one of the best months that there are tourists all over the world coming to Calgary because the festivities during the 10 day Calgary Stampede festivities. We have been getting good weather this year and the parade last July 6 was a success. There were lots of people who watched the parade from young to old. And lots of pancake breakfast all over and the biggest one so far was the one at the Chinook Centre were people lined up early in the morning so they wouldn’t miss this exciting part of the festivities. So make sure you check the stampede breakfast happening and it might be just around the corner.

After a year and 5 months of becoming a widow, I’ve always thought that my life will be filled with sadness because losing a loved one is very hard to take. But as time goes by, especially this month of July, I became a Lola again to my 5th apo (grandchild). It just gives me that different kind of joy to see a newborn coming into my life. Even if I am just the Lola, it gives me reason to live a long life so that I can see all my grandchildren grow. It makes me feel complete and fulfill now that I see my own children having their own families. Success is not all about being rich or being a CEO or president of a company or being a superstar, but success is having a simple but happy life that you can sleep in comfort at night. Sucess is just being you and not stepping on someone else’s toes. Success is having humility, perseverance and determination. So just be you coz there’s nobody who can be you. Live your life the way you want to live it because it’s your life. Be happy with yourself, because not everyone will be happy for your achievements.

In closing, remember, YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE, so live your life to the fullest, take time to travel to places you’ve only seen in your history books. You will find joy and fulfillment when you do this. And most of all, do not forget to give thanks to the Lord above for He sees everything in everyone. Until next issue, enjoy the summer and God bless everyone!

C.K.

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Publisher’s Note

nenette — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 13:53:51 +0000

Hello dear readers,

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Publisher’s Note

nenette — Tue, 22 May 2018 17:10:35 +0000

by C.K.

Now that winter is over and spring had finally sprung, it’s time to spend more outdoors than indoor activities. I’m sure that even the pets we have wants to wonder around in this wonderful weather. I just got a glimpse of the crocuses on our rock garden and a few perennials coming back from being winterized. There’s more greens in our surroundings, which makes our environment more lively than just all white.

What are the fun things we can do during spring? Well I got a few to help you with having fun during springtime.

1) fly a kite

2) have a barbeque party

3) go biking

4) go hiking

5) take the children to the playround

6) on a nice day, go to the lake

7) go camping

do your spring clean-up

9) time to re-decorate a few things in and out of the house

These are just a few things you can do with the family during springtime. Don’t miss your dose of Vitaming D on a nice sunny day. It’s good for your health.

The BAMBOO CONCERT TOUR AND THEY SANG IT ALL 2018 did it’s first leg of the tour in a back to back concert in Calgary and Edmonton. With the following of BAMBOO, it never missed a beat! Bamboo fanatics were screaming and dancing to his rock music. The Voice coach never lose it’s magic to his followers. It’s really something that his followers are waiting, when he will be back again for the next concert. Congratulations to the organizers both in Calgary and Edmonton for a job well done!

Happy Mother’s day to all nanay, mama, mommy, mom, inay, ina and whatever term you use to call your mother.

Until next issue, God bless everyone and enjoy the spring time!

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Publisher’s Note

nenette — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 15:20:00 +0000

Hello dear readers,

It’s been a long winter that even in the springtime, the snow continues to fill the ground and still we cannot put away our winter clothes and winter boots. We should be cleaning our yard at this time of the year but the weather has been very unreliable and everyone feels miserable because of this long, cold and snowy days and nights. We have been waiting for spring so that we can smell the flowers again. Hopefully, it won’t be that long and we will enjoy the rest of the spring when it comes.

In less than 15 days, our rock icon, BAMBOO will have a concert tour and the first stop is in Calgary on May 5th. Bamboo as you all know has been a household name especially during THE VOICE competition as he is one of the judges. So for those who do not have their tickets yet, get them while they last. Check out the poster on page 5 and call one of the ticket sellers to buy your tickets now.

I heard from the grapevine that Consul General Julius Torres was given a despedida meaning to say that he left his post as Consul General for the Philippine Consulate for Alberta and Saskatchewan. Definitely, there will be a new Consul General to take his place and when we are able to make a courtesy call to the new guy, we will have him feature in Pinoy Times. Since we were not invited in the despedida, I wasn’t able to wish Mr, Julius Torres all the best in his future endeavors. I can’t remember when he started to serve the Filiipino community but I hope that the new Consul General will make the Filipino community happier with his services as Consul General with equality to everyone.

LINGGO NG WIKA will be held on August 31, 2018 at the Marlborough Park Community Hall and this will still be under the PLCSA (Philippines Languages and Cultural Society of Alberta. Watch out for more details as we will be looking for people who would like to help us in the goal of preserving the use of our national language and to show others that our culture as Filipinos are very rich.

Until next issue, God bless everyone!

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Publisher’s Note

nenette — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 06:37:36 +0000

The first quarter of the year is almost coming to an end. We’re back to our daylight savings time which means we’re now an hour ahead since they say SPRING FORWARD. We just all hope that we don’t get that dump of snow that we had last February. Although we know that our weather is very changeable, do not put away your winter gears yet. Now the snow started to melt, and of course some roads are clear and some are quite slippery. So we still have to watch our driving skills. Always be careful when you’re on the road. We do not want to see accidents here and there. Hopefully SPRING will be around the corner and soon we will start working on our gardens.

The month is St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 17. One of the longest-running and largest St Patrick’s Day parades in North America occurs each year in Montreal. In March 2009, the Calgary Tower changed its top exterior lights to new green CFL bulbs just in time for St Patrick’s Day. Part of an environmental non-profit organisation’s campaign (Project Porchlight), the green represented environmental concerns. Approximately 210 lights were changed in time for Saint Patrick’s Day, and resembled a Leprechaun’s hat. After a week, white CFLs took their place. The change was estimated to save the Calgary Tower some $12,000 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 104 tonnes. (source: wikipedia)

March is the month of the Lenten season. It is the time for us to reflect and meditate to be forgiven for all the things we did wrong not just to ourselves for also to others. It is a common practice amongst the Catholics to do the WAY OF THE CROSS as one way of recollecting what Jesus has done for us to save our sins. During Good Friday, St. Mary’s Cathedral always hold the STATION OF THE CROSS outdoor and lots of people, mostly Filipinos participate. It has been a tradition for quite a long tome There are lots of places we can go where we can reflect and see huge statues of the WAY OF THE CROSS like by Radium BC. But it’s more fun in the Philippines when people do the VISITA IGLESIA where you visit at least 7 churches, mostly the old churches. I plan to do this when I visit Manila one of these days. I might not be a very good person in the eyes of other people but what matters is how God will judge me at the end of time. For all I care is what God sees in me and now how other judge me. Be a good Christian, do not do unto others what you do not want other to do unto you.

So much for this month, stay tune for more events coming up your way here in Calgary and also in Edmonton!

Until next issue, God bless everyone and enjoy each day with your loved ones!

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Publisher’s Note

nenette — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 01:58:47 +0000

Hello dear reaeders,

Love is in the air now that it’s the month of February. Although we should always love one another any time of the year. I wish everyone a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Whishatever you are doing on this special day with your loved ones, enjoy it and cherish the memories.

This year is the first it my 22 years in Canada that instead of love, I’m sure I will feel the sadness in my heart. It was last year when my husband was in the ICU where we spent our Valentine’s day. I was surprised that even if he is in the ICU, he asked one of his daughters to get me a box of chocolates and a card. He managed to scribble on the card just to make sure that I feel how much he loved me. That was our last Valentine’s together. Sad but all I have to do is accept the reality that one day we will all go. I’m just thankful that I have my children and grandchildren who keeps my loneliness turn into a brighter day.

Well, so much for my sobbing story, what is happening in the community? Pinoy Times just concluded its’ 6th Outstanding Pinoy Awards 2017 last January 20, 2018. Congratulations to all the recipients and we hope to have a bigger and better awards night for 2018. This year is also PINOY TIMES’ 10 years in the publication industry. ISANG DEKADA na po kami. Thank you to all the support from our sponsors and to all our readers and contributors. I remember the days when people try to put me down, but as the saying goes, you cannot put a good man down. For as long as you are living with your principles intact, you just keep on dreaming and moving forward.

We would like to thank the Diamond Seniors Club for inviting us to attend their Valentine’s Gala and the Coronation night of their beauties. It was indeed a very enjoyable evening with great food, great music and beautiful people. Congratulations to the committee for organizing such a wonderful event.

In the next 2 1/2 months you will hear the promotion for the upcoming concert of the year, AND THEY SANG IT ALL BAMBOO TOUR 2018 LIVE IN CALGARY on May 5, 2018. Please mark this on your calendars, one big event that you should never miss.

Until next issue, God bless us all! Happy Valentine’s to my Henry in heaven!!!

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Publisher’s Note

nenette — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 01:29:08 +0000

It’s been 22 years ago, when I finally took the risk of a big CHANGE in my life. From being an executive secretary in a German company, I didn’t know what will happen to my career when I decided to immigrate to Canada. No one knows our future except our maker up above, but it is also our desire to strive harder in life that keeps us going. From cleaning, to working in daycare, working at Wendy’s, working graveyard shift for data entry and taking courses at SAIT and raising three children on my own, I learned to embrace the change in my life. The hardships, the sacrifice and the pain that is part of living,

When I met my late husband, I learned from him that the only constant in this world is CHANGE. And if you cannot keep up with the changes that’s happening in your life, you might as well not live at all. He will always tell me that nobody’s going to do it for you but just you and you alone. Another thing I learned from him was that you are only good at your job the day you go to work for you never know what tomorrow brings. And I had that experience when I came back to work after stress leave that I was not needed by the company anymore, after working there for 14 years. Again I have to accept that change in my life I believe that things happen for a reason.

After being out of work for a year, I had to accept another major change in my life. I lost my husband from PARKINSON’S DISEASE. This was totally something I was not ready for but I had to embrace this change in my life. Every now and then I can feel his presence, it’s going to be a year next month but it just feels like yesterday.

CHANGE is something that we cannot run away from. We either take it as it comes or we refuse to go with the change. For me, I have to accept change the way I did it 22 years ago, when I decided to change not just my future but my children’s future,

Now it’s 2018, let’s all work towards CHANGE FOR A BETTER LIFE!!! Do not dwell with things that you cannot change, but rather change your attitude towards these things. Live your life to the fullest for you ‘ll never know what tomorrow brings. God bless everyone!

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Publisher’s Note

nenette — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 15:21:10 +0000

This is it!!!! We’ve reached the last month of 2017 and everyone is getting ready for the most awaited celebration of the year, CHRISTMAS DAY! Filipinos are very traditional when it comes to Christmas season even if they have been in Canada for ages. It will never be Christmas without the SIMBANG GABI so even if we cannot do it at 5 am in the morning as traditional as it is, we celebrate it on a regular Sunday but with singing the Christmas Carols prior to the mass itself. And in Calgary there several parish churches that participate. And there’s of course, food to share with everyone who attended the SIMBANG GABI at the parish hall after the service. That’s the spirit of Christmas. Most of the Filipino restaurants are taking orders for the Noche Buena, the midnight dinner for the entire family.

We inherited Nochebuena (literally “the Good Night”) is the Spanish word for Christmas Eve from the Spaniards. In Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines, the evening consists of a traditional family dinner. Roasted pig, or lechón is often the center of Nochebuena for feasts around the world. And Christmas day won’t be complete without the gift giving to our family and friends. It will be a sad day for me this Christmas because I will not have Hank with me this year. He’s celebrating Christmas with the angels in heaven, I’m sure he’s having a blast with his new found friends up there. But nevertheless, my life is now full of children, having 4 grandchildren of my own and 2 grandchildren from my stepdaughters. They are the ones that fill my heart with joy and help me overcome my sadness. I am also thankful for the my immediate family, my children and their family, my brother and his family, my in-laws and my friends who stood by me thru my ups and downs this year, thank you very much!

Last month was a very busy month with a lot of happenings in the concert scenes and the fashion scene as well. Congratulations to Lydia Jimenez of Palabok House Restaurant for winning Gold in Edmonton Journal 2017 Readers’ Choice Winner in Best Filipino Restaurant! And not only that, ONE WILD NIGHT in Edmonton was such a blast. Look for the concert in review in the inside pages to see more of what happened and how exciting that night in Edmonton with Maja, Joseph, Wendell and Pooh. On the other hank, in Calgary, we were serenaded by non other than the concert King, Martin Nievera. Martin’s front acts were also excellent, Garry Cruz and L.A. Santos from Manila and Mary Kate Aquino and Kate Lynn, our local singing stars here in Calgary. And November ended with a big bang from none other than the lead vocalist of Journey, ARNEL PINEDA! It was another big blast as Calgary was the 5th city on his album tour. Thank you to MCY Entertainment and Grey Eagle Resort and Casino for bring Arnel Pineda to Calgary! Better watch out for 2018 for bigger shows coming up!

By the time you read this issue of PINOY TIMES, we would like to greet each and everyone MERRY CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE BEST IN 2018!!! And I would like to thank all those who have supported us thru the years because 2018 is the 10th year of our publication and without your support we will not make it a decade in the print media. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!!! And more power to all of us! Live life to the fullest and love life!

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Publisher’s Note

nenette — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 12:18:57 +0000

Hello dear readers,

Were now in the middle of November and of course we all know that this month started with Trick or Treat!!! Happy Halloween All Soul’s day and All Saints Day!!! This time it was quite different at home when the lights are out and no goodies handed to trick or treaters. It felt sad but I’m still going thru the change in my life as I’m the only one home now with just my cat and my dog. Aside

Just a week ago, the Filipino community had a blast from the back to back shows that was held in Edmonton and Calgary. Pinoy Times and Pinoy Times on Air were proud media partners of the said events. Just last October 13 we had Ely Buendia rocked Calgary with his music but this time in Edmonton, the cast of Wildflower Maja Salvador, Joseph Marco and Wendell Ramos came not just to entertain the Filipinos with the dance and song numbers but also a night full of laughter with Pooh. Indeed it was a sold out show and congratulations to Ms. Lydia Jimenez and Ed Gonzales for this big hit. We will give you a review of this event at some point. On the other hand, in Calgary, we enjoyed an evening of music from none other than the concert king himself, Mr. Martin Nievera, Martin is a very down to earth guy and yes, he has been in the music industry for over 3 decades and he seems to sound exactly the same from back them. No wonder, he still hold his title up to this date. Thank you to producers from Manila who brought him over and did shows in Edmonton and Calgary. With his music, we started to miss home where our hearts and souls belong. And not to forget that on November 26, another Filipino icon in the music industry will be at the Grey Eagle Casino to entertain us with his voice and that is none other than ARNEL PINEDA, the lead vocalist of the popular band, JOURNEY. If you did not get your tickets yet, please visit the events centre of the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino or visit their website to order tickets online.

“This month we also celebrate REMEMBRANCE DAY (sometimes known informally as Poppy Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth of Nations member states since the end of the First World War to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Following a tradition inaugurated by King George V in 191. The day is also marked by war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November in most countries to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month”, in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning. (“At the 11th hour” refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 am.) The First World War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919. That is why you will see most people wearing the poppy on their shirts as a sign of Remembrance day. ”

Until next issue, GOD BLESS EVERYONE!

“Remembrance day” – source: wikipedia

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