The people who attended the dinner were Father Frank Alvarez and Bernadette Jalea of the Filipino Catholic Mission, Doctor Ed Sideco, Mryna Francisco past president of Novo Ecijano, Flor Rillo past president of Famas and his wife Rose, Nelson Alvaro Knights of Colombus at St. Malachia church, Dolly Villarino of People Helping People, Fred Villarino past officer of Kalihukang Bisaya, Mary Dufresne secretary of Kalihukang Bisaya, Nida Quirapas of the Ilocano Organization, Grace Yip President of Filpino Canadian Trade and Commerce and member Liza Lanuza, Riza Esmeralda past president Philippine Folk Art Society and officer of Federation of Filipino Canadian Association of Quebec and Bicol Association, Darnell de Guzman of IKEO, his wife Fredahlia and Mike all members of Mely’s family, Narcing Sarmiento,  Amy and Michel Bensmihen,  Romy Merjudo of Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and Cheng.

             The dynamics of the evening revolved around pleasantries as the Ambassador made his usual rounds of engaging every cluster or group into animated conversation and his sincere concern over their interests or their challenges. The crowd mingled with a feeling of camaraderie enjoying the sumptuous menu elegantly served with taste and a touch of glass from the generous heart of Mely de Guzman. The ceremonial part of the evening was the final words of gratitude expressed by everyone leaving a few teary eyed and the Ambassador reflective and somber over his feelings of departure from a place he treasured.

              The tenure of Ambassador Jose Brillantes was a call of duty but how he lived that calling in Canada among the Filipino communities in the different provinces were etched in colorful moments of posterity. The community in Montreal will always remember him as that diplomat who was approachable, flexible, kindred, familial and totally concern over  the interests and well-being of his fellow humans. He was a face in a crowd as well as a face of position and authority but he is a man with a soul and a heart that feels his purpose and his Filipino values. He is valued and remembered as a kindred spirit.

           The bakery serves pastries like turon or fried sweet banana, bibingka, glutenous rice, pandesal or Filipino bun to name a few. Take home or take out is the common request from the regulars as well as the curious and satisfied customers.

             The owners Alex and Nely Sy ended up in this busy section of the city because Alex decided to give his industrious wife her own place to cook and serve her interesting menu to a bigger crowd of people. It also gave him the space to enjoy a cozy evening after a long day at work without the boxes and brown bags of home orders all over their house from Nely’s home business.

             Effectually Alex had to participate in the business from the kitchen of Bahay Kubo where he wore the apron and left his job to help Nely. The success of the business kept their hands full with the brisk orders and milling crowd all day long.

             Nely migrated in 1981.  In 1988, she got married and lived in Montreal. But they moved to Ottawa in 1989 until 1995 they finally decided to go back to Montreal. They have two children Mark Justin born February 1988 and Christine who was born in October 1996.

            Alex was a design engineer in Kone Wood, then NLK Consultants Inc as Material handling specialist, followed by BMH Wood Technology as a Project Engineer. Then he became a self-employed owner of ANSY Engineering and finally owner of Bahay Kubo.

            Alex believes in hard work and commitment to a life of responsibility and sound ethical values. He has great respect and gratitude to the devotion of his mother in raising her children.  He was motivated by the unconditional love of his parents. It spurred him to seek higher goals to improve his life and to provide the best for his family.

           Nely, on the other hand turned her cooking interest into a hobby. It was a passion that she pursued with dedication.  Alex supported her and made it a family business. Together they created a landmark in the city where community bonding among the Filipino community and other communities are experienced around food and friendship.

        People Power known as the EDSA Revolution or Yellow Ribbon Revolution in 1986 was a non-violent and prayerful revolution in the Philippines. It was a nation’s struggle to depose and end the dictatorial regime of President Ferdinand Marcos.

            People Power is a Carlos Bulosan Theater Production written and performed by the CBT collective. It is directed by Nina Lee Aquino a recipient of the John Hirsch Prize 2008 from Toronto.

            Teesri Duniya Theater team namely, Rahul Varma the artistic director and co- founder of Teesri Duniya believes that a true artist must be someone who steps away from convention. He must be self –directed and confident to ask questions. He must speak, create and act in the artist way.

           The objective of the theater group to bring the message to all communities and open doors for all artists to come in and share in the dynamic process.

           Emilee Veluz is a RAPT (Rapid Action Performance Troupe) team leader at Teesri Duniya. She made her debut appearance at FAMAS / Talk and Dailogue about the Philippines / last June and at the Pista sa Nayon last July. She played the role of Twinkle in Teesri’s production of Miss Orient( ed ) where she was nominated second best local Actress 2005.  She is the first Filipina professional stage actress in Montreal.

             Linda Levesque is the general manger of the theater and is a graduate of University of Regina and began her career with CBC Radio. People Power presentation is on September 16-October 2-10 at Studio Hydro-Quebec Le

Monumnet National, 1182 Blvd. Saint Laurent. Box Office: 514-871-2224

Her guiding philosophy was her adherence to the thought of simply believing in herself no matter what other  people say.  This motivated her to act on her goals and she tenaciously stayed in the paths of practical choices which led her to the right direction.

Graduating as a nurse from Far Easter University and Sta. Rita were challenges she faced with bravado despite the discouraging realities of financial limitations at that time. She managed to rise above it and made it to her goal. It was not surprising for her intention was to better her life and help her siblings and her beloved mother.

She migrated to Canada in 1966 and worked as a nurse at Winnipeg General Hospital. It was in the Filipino community in Manitoba that she served as director of the Kayumanggi Filipino Association and she also became a member of the Kagumanggi  Dance Troupe. In 1968 she organized the first Miss Philippines- Manitoba to raise funds for the association.

Family life is the top of her list of priorities. She is married to Satish Kumar Vohra  from New Delhi India, who she met in Winnipeg , an electrical engineer by profession. They have two children Sanjib and Reena both professionals in their respective fields.

In 1970 she moved to Montreal and worked as assistant head nurse at the Jewish General Hospital. While working as a nurse she took post graduate courses in McGill University. Norma has always been fascinated with the dynamics of beauty pageants. Her early exposure to this was back home among her sisters and nieces. She had a natural flare for she was endowed with the stature and fashionable taste for what is essential to be a contender in activities such as beauty pageants.

It was not common knowledge among the Filipino community in Montreal   that she was one of the founding members of FCAWI and one of the organizers of Miss FCAWI. She also served as director of FAMAS and there she initiated the idea of organizing the Miss Philippines- Montreal as a fundraising activity. She helped out for the first few years in the process of the pageants. She became Mrs. Philippines- Montreal in 1997. In the same year her daughter Reena won the title Miss Philippines – Montreal and she eventually became the finalist in the Canadian Search for Miss Universe. She was the international director of the Bb. Pilipinas of the World in Toronto.

In 1998, she co-founded the first Miss Global Beauty Quest an international pageant in Montreal. 

In 2000, she accompanied Miss Global Canada as part of the Miss Millennium beauty pageant in Helsinki, Finland.  Her experienced as a international and local pageant organizer she  was named as the regional director for the Canadian Search for Miss Universe by T-era Productions.  She served as the official chaperone of Miss Canada in Puerto Rico during the 50^th anniversary of the Miss Universe pageant. She is often invited to be a judge various beauty pageants in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver and New Jersey.

Now in her retirement years she generously gives her time to community work like being a member of Philippine Foundation of Quebec where she participates in fundraising activities.  She is still an active volunteer organizer and adviser with Miss Earth Canada and is always there as mentor and coach for aspiring candidates. In the year 2002 she was awarded one of the Most Outstanding Filipino Canadians in Toronto.

Her life story revolves around service to humanity and dedication to her family. Family unity and solidarity are very important to her. Being the youngest of thirteen children of Marcelo Villanueva and Asuncion Tugade, she helped her sisters, nieces and extended families to come and work here in Canada. She is very generous and guides the young members of her family to develop their potentials and skills.

She graduated in 1977 with the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Education major in Physical Education and minor in Library Science from the National Teachers College, Manila, Philippines. After graduation, she was employed at the Lake Shore High School, Biñan, Laguna and Tondo High School, Manila.

As early as 1968, she was already involved in her barangay in the Philippines. She was president of Kabataang Barangay in San Juan, Metro Manila. She also organized the Santa Cruzan, the PABASA and Junior Legion of Mary in San Juan where she lived.

Life brought her to distant shores and that feeling of humanism and benevolence prevailed in all the paths she took. She arrived in Moncton, New Brunswick in August 1986 and after eight months she moved to Montreal, where she has lived for twenty-four years. She has always reached out  and assisted the less fortunate members of the Filipino community. She provided transportations to Filipino seniors, visiting Filipino dignitaries in Montreal and drove her kababayans to renew their passports to Ottawa. Her home is always open to stranded Filipinos, providing them food and shelter while in transition.

Besides helping others, her main focus is the interest of the youth. She organized different sports such as basketball, tennis and volleyball. She has also promoted young celebrities in Montreal. She is a fundraiser and sponsor.

Being the founder and first president of the Philbecan Association and Manileño Association, she organized Miss Philbecan, Miss Teen Philbecan, Little Miss Philbecan, Mrs. Manileño, Miss Teen Manileño, Little and Queen Manileño, Hataw Na and Sayawit. She was also a member of various organizations such as FFCAQ, FAMAS director, QACFT vice-president and director, PBSSQ, Filipino Caregivers Association, FILGA secretary and Philippine Folk Art Society Vice president for Culture. She organized garage sales for St. Kevin’s Church since year 1992 up to the present.

For her acts of kindness, benevolence and service to the Filipino community, she was recognized and awarded by the Binibining Pilipinas of the World in Toronto on September 2001 as one of the ten outstanding Filipino Canadians. She was also given awards of recognition and appreciation by the following Quebec Association of Canadian Filipino Teachers (QACFT), certificate of Appreciation award by Philippine Benevolent and Scholarship Society of Quebec (PBSSQ) and Philippine Folk Art Society of Quebec (PFASQ). Being a vice president for culture of Philippine Folk Arts Society in culture, she was given a certificate of appreciation by the society.

Being a graduate of Early Childhood Education from Vanier College, Montreal. She is the owner and founder of Villacanas Family Daycare I & II since 1993 to present. Awards and accolades are not the driving force behind the story of her life. It was a relentless energy to be of service to others. It was a feeling of compassion that brings tears in her eyes whenever she sees them in need. She has to act on it and make a difference.

Litto Lagasca president of Binibining Pilipinas of the world has been the vehicle of opportunity for young women all over Canada and USA in the yearly competition. It opened doors of growth and development as well as friendships for the many young women who have traveled to Toronto and joined in the competition. It led them to greater ventures for personal goals and aspirations.

Samnatha East , Binibining Pilipinas of the World  2006 won 1^st runner-up in the Mutya ng Pilipinas National Pageant in Manila, Last year Kesiah Papasin, Bininbining Pilipinas of the World 2007 competed in Manila for the Tourismo Pilipina pageant , and she garnered two special awards and was one of the semi-finalist. Eliza Estrada from Vancouver is a recording artist and a Juno nominee, Riza Santos from Calgary, runner up in the Teen category won Miss Earth Canada and represented Canada in Manila for the Miss Earth Pageant.

In Montreal, Philbecan is one of the organizations that contributed many years of benevolent projects for the development of the youth.

The organization   focused in their creative talents, self-expression and self-confidence. The founder Jayjay Villanueva and president Jason Mayuga are always ready to explore new ideas and projects for the betterment of our youth and children.

Manileño a young organization has the same objectives as the Philbecan and children at their formative years are given the chance to express their creative talents.

Events such as these are only a few examples where self-esteem and personal growth become fields of motivation for our youth today. Talents and potentials are harnessed and participation become a joyful experience for them. It gives them the feeling of confidence as competitors and helps them see their limitations and capabilities.

Raindrops made its melodious patters on the rooftops and vehicles took their positions in the crowded streets blending with voices of people and sounds of life.

But the downpour made an eerie activity from the heavens, it was relentless. It progressed to days of torrential rains that left everyone unprepared for the deluge that took the major part of metropolis and the adjoining areas inundated. It became a river of floating vehicles, humans traversing the rushing waters in all directions, rooftops of diverse materials from shanties to elaborate designs but they were roofs that housed families from the poor to those who were rich.

Typhoon Ondoy, tropical storm Ketsana, raged in with a fury that left the affected areas in Manila and its environs homeless and stranded in all corners of the land.

The downpour lasted for hours, but the misery will last many, many days. There were so  many  who perished ,  so many stranded, so many have lost so much, and so many, even if safe, are consumed by worry and fear for loved ones or the frustration that comes from wanting to help, but not knowing how.

There   are many heroic stories of people who rose to the call of saving lives and lost theirs in this colossal calamity.  The global community responded with compassion and concern. It is nature reminding us, that human activity and indifference can make an ordinary day, a day to remember and a day we realize that to be alive means to value life.

Who is Doctor Jesus P. Pelausa ?

Did anyone of you enjoy his company and shared a table with him in one or several Filipino community events and listened to his countless stories woven in cerebral fluidity and bravado?mWere you invited to his home and broke bread with his loving family and felt their unique Pelausa hospitality?

Allow me to be your storyteller and indulge me with your time as I take you into the world of a man whose life is as interesting as the chapters in the book of Philippine history. The Philippines and World War II, the infamous DEATH MARCH, a day in the  lives of countless innocent Filipinos weakened by hunger , fatigue and sickness fighting for freedom with a spirit unbroken and alive with faith in their hearts  walked the parched roads after the Fall of Bataan when General Edward P. King surrendered leaving the 66,000 helpless Filipinos in the hands of the Japanese.

The infamous DEATH MARCH started from Mariveles Bataan to Capas Tarlac , a five days and six nights  march  where most of the prisoners met their end on the waysides.  Many more would have died but the compassion of  townfolks  who witnessed the suffering risked their lives and provided food, fruits and water.

Jesus Pelausa was among the prisoners. He was   emaciated and gaunt   his energy enlivened only by his alert mind and firm faith in God’s power and miracle. He walked like a warrior and inched his way with the sharp sense of survival. Every step meant life or death for everyone but Jesus had more to expect it was his belief in miracles and their realities.

A bottle of cod liver oil manifested a few steps before him and he reached out for it.  Every day he took a teaspoon and shared it with his companions.  Eight of them survived with that elixir along the bloody trodden paths.

The summer heat was becoming unbearable and more fell to their deaths like flies on volcanic ground. Jesus moved on his eyes alert like an eagle surveying distance and ground. He noticed a vine close to the road. He made his way towards the path of vines and pulled it with his dwindling strength.  His miracle has called him once more. It was a bundle of ‘singkamas’ a summer fruit luscious with water content. He shared it once more with his companions.

In the town of Carmen Pangasinan , the prisoners were met by the populace who darted towards them with packed food of hard boiled eggs, adobo and water. Jesus partook of the fare with gratitude and concern over his fellow prisoners.

In San Fernando the cadaverous and listless prisoners   were all pushed inside boxcars for the Concentration camp at Camp O’ Donnell, Capas, Tarlac. Inside the packed boxcar Jesus gasped for breath and kept himself alive by lying facedown on a cracked floor of the train taking in air to be alive.

Jesus made it to Camp O’ Donnell where he cured himself of dysentery by drinking the tea water from boiled guava leaves which they harvested every day from the vast land in the area. At night, malaria took him to a bout of fever and chills.

But life was bigger than the shadow of death for Jesus. He was prompted to act with a sense of vision, resourcefulness and alertness. His release out of the concentration camp was directed by his devotion to a life written from a person’s sense of worth and purpose. Thus life in return guided him to the right direction. After all he firmly believed that GOD always provides for his people.

We all have stories to tell and all of them are meaningful for why we are all here. Jesus wrote his story with a sense of defined purpose well taken every step of the way towards the bigger chapters of his life. The defining moments of his life were companioning chapters   in  Philippine History .  Dr. Jesus P. Pelausa MD, FACA, CSPQ (Anaesthesioloy ) retired , was a teacher and a soldier and  lived it in outstanding levels.

As your storyteller, I was there listening to Dr. Jesus P. Pelausa, the storyteller of his life his alert mind weaving every sentence with clarity and enthusiasm for the choices he made along the milestones of his life.
His wife Natalie a retired high school teacher and well respected community leader was right beside him in the dining table paraphrasing my questions to her husband when he failed to hear me.
Ermelinda their daughter a medical doctor in Paediatrics –Neonatology would remind him of a time in his life when events were succinct but hazy to Dr. Jesus Pelausa when I posed a question.
Ermelinda was on her way to visit Edilberto her brother who is a MD, FRCS-ENT Surgeon and MC in Otolaryngoloy in Suffolk Virginia, the day I came by to conduct this newspaper interview.
The Pelausa family is a traditional Filipino family whose community spirit is felt with a warmth of hospitality and deep faith in God and his loving protection.
I closed my journal and as a final question I asked the couple a candid question.
“What is your favorite song?
“Love Story “, Dr. Pelausa uttered in a dash.
“It is Sunrise Sunset. Natalie chimed in with certainty.
And as my romantic mind concluded: This is a couple with a love story that is lived from sunrise to sunset.