The donation was given by the foundation members, Dr. Gene Santander,  Salve Deprez, Abel Deprez Caring Tabunar,  Dr. Ed Sideco, Norma Vohra, Sioney Nieva, Valent Hughs Loyd and Val Sotero.

Dr. Gene Santander who has been a loyal supporter of the mission and is very thankful for our Filipino Mission because according to her,  since 1981 she and Alvin Veloso were very concerned about the growth of our Filipino community and the need for our own parish priest and our own church.

Father Frank Alvarez invites everyone to visit the church and be part of the community where services are there for everyone. He is very grateful that the Philippine Foundation has started this initiative and hopes it will be an opportunity for the coming forward of other organizations and individuals.

Keeton Clarke is running for City Councilor of Darlington, borough of Cote-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grace under the banner of Vision Montreal.

Mr. Clarke has served for almost four years as president of Union Montreal’s cultural communities commission. He has been a member of LaSalle’s cultural development committee and the intercultural committee for the borough of Cote-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grace.

His position as president of Conseil des associations Caraibes de Montreal was highlighted by his work for the socio-economic development of Montreal’s Carribean community. He has contributed great effort in the promotion of Montreal’s diversity.

UNION MONTREAL

Helen Fotopulos is running under the banner of Union Montreal for Cote-des-Neiges district for Tremblay-Applebaum team. She has been the mayor for two terms of Plateau-Mont-Royal, where she is valued for her devotion to the needs of her municipality. Her leadership and years of experience in the public office have been outstanding and laudable with the Plateau as the seat of the initiated participatory democracy of the people for projects for their concerns. The adoption of the Plateau’s urban transportation plan, which was the first plan for Montreal transportation. She also created a set of urban planning by-laws that moved to a controlling mechanism ensuring a consistent as well as harmonious development for its heritage status. She ran for councilor in 1978 in the Cote-des-Neiges area and became the campaign organizer for Abe Limonchik. She has great projects and plans for Cote-des-Neiges and specially the projects for women.

PARTI MONTREAL VILLE-MARIE

Francine Brodeur is running for the position of City Councilor under Equipe Loiuse O’Sullivan Parti Ville-Marie in the district of Darlington, borough of Cote-des-Neiges/Notre DAme de Grace.

Her platform is focused on a newapproach to municipal governance which means responsible actions that is chosen not after the effect of accidents before intervening, but actions taken to avoid unnecessary accidents due to irresponsibility.

MARLON QUINTOS

Has been a member of the Filipino community and was the accountant for FAMAS in 1992. He was also with the PBAM in 1990. Presently he is a Financial Consultant. His platform is focused in the living environmental conditions in the borough that he aspires to serve.

He is running as councilor for the Darlington district.

ALEX ROBLES

Mr. Robles has been a resident of Montreal for 18 years and has been an adviser for the Tagalog Association in Montreal. He is always a supporter for various events in the community.

His platform is to give opportunities for the district and borough, he aims to serve a chance to hear the potential leadership qualities from the Filipino community. That visibility is a good chance to share views in improving the needs of  the borough and district.

           
             The Philippines has had a long history of political, economic, and cultural colonization.  From three centuries of Spanish domination to decades of American control, Filipino history and culture have all adapted to “Philippinize” any and all foreign values and customs.  But our history is also marked by constant and persistent resistance to the various waves of foreign domination.  Indeed, for every era of domination and exploitation, whether it was at the hands of foreign or native-born agents, the Filipino masses have never bowed down to their fates without organized struggles. 

            The most pervasive era of colonial rule was that of the Spanish, which began in 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived on the Island of Cebu.  Spanish colonization was virtually uninterrupted, from 1565-1898.  During this time, the Spanish consolidated the various independent Muslim sultanates, Buddhist kingdoms, Rajahnates, and Barangays into one national unity named Filipinas, after King Felipe II de España.  With the construction of Intramuros (literally city “between walls”) in 1571, the Philippines became the capital of the Spanish East Indies.  For the next 257 years, the Philippines would be administered as a Spanish colony.

            Although there was consistent resistance to Spanish domination, it was only in 1896 that this revolt became officially organized.  Arguably, the trial and subsequent execution of Dr. Jose Rizal (1861-1896) sparked the formation of the Katipunan and the Revolution.  Rizal was considered a martyr for the cause of Philippine reforms.  His two novels, El Filibusterismo and Noli me Tangere, openly criticized the Spanish colonial government, as well as the Church, which was complicit in the oppression of the Filipino people.  Rather than violent revolution, Rizal pushed for legal reforms that would include more Filipinos in the governmental apparatus and would treat Filipinos and Spaniards equally before the eyes of the law.  This was his agenda when he formed La Liga Filipina, a moderate activist organization.  However, as a result of his connections with members of the Katipunan, he was tried and convicted of committing acts of rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy.  He was sentenced to death.  His last poem, “Mi Ultimo Adios,” written while in prison awaiting execution, continued to invoke patriotism and nationalism.

           The Philippine Revolution against the Spanish was mostly led by the Katipunan, founded by Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897).  The Katipunan can be called a violent militant group.  Its members believed, however, that legal reforms would not suffice in changing the fate of the Filipinos.  They believed that armed revolution was the only answer.  Bonifacio, although coming from very humble beginnings, taught himself to read and write.  Having been fluent enough in Spanish, Bonifacio avidly read Rizal’s works and other great European literature.  He even translated Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios” into Tagalog.

           The Revolution put forth by the Katipunan culminated on June 12, 1898, when General Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964), leader of the Philippine Revolution, declared the independence of the Philippines.  During this landmark event that took place in Aguinaldo’s residence in Cavite, the Act of Declaration of Independence was written and read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista.  The Act explicitly named and denounced the Spanish as the oppressors of the Philippine people.  It explicitly criticized the consistent violations of the Rule of Law, and cited the execution of Rizal as the prime example of the colonists’ injustice.  At the same time, it extolled the virtues of the Revolutionary movement and declared the Philippines to be a sovereign, independent nation.  Having been signed by 94 Filipino revolutionaries and one American official, the Act stood as a symbol of a defiant people vying to control their own fates.

            As well, the modern Philippine flag was unfurled for the first time.  The flag as we know it now was designed by Aguinaldo while in exile in Hong Kong. It was made by Marcela de Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Josefina Herbosa de Natividad (niece of Jose Rizal).  The Philippine flag is rife with symbolism, all of which are tied to the country’s history of rebellion and pride: the three stars represent the three major islands wherein the Revolution first flared – Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao; the eight rays of the sun symbolize the eight original provinces that took up arms against the Spanish – Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas; the blue stripe stands for peace, the red stripe for war, and the white triangle for the Katipunan.  [The Filipino flag is the only one in the world that changes when the country is in a state of war.  When at war, the flag is rotated 180-degrees so that the red stripe is on top.]

            Additionally, the Philippine national anthem was played for the first time on June 12, 1898.  Composed by Julian Felipe, the anthem was originally an instrumental march, entitled Marcha Nacional Filipina (Philippine National March).  However, it was only in August 1899 that the march was given lyrics.  The words to the anthem were written by a young soldier, Jose Palma, in the form of a poem, written in Spanish, named Filipinas. [Interestingly, the anthem was translated in English in 1934, and in Tagalog only in 1956.]

            In December 1898, at the end of the Spanish-American War, Spain ceded the Philippines to the US, thus virtually ignoring Aguinaldo’s declaration of independence.   This transfer of power was not recognized by Aguinaldo and his new government, so by 1899, the Philippines declared independence from the US and declared war.  By 1905, the Philippines was under American colonization.  During this time, the singing of the national march and the flying of the national flag were expressly condemned and suppressed.

          In 1935, the Philippines was given Commonwealth Status, thereby once again denying the Philippines national sovereignty.  It was only on July 4, 1946 that the Philippines was granted full independence, after the Japanese were defeated at the end of World War II.  Manuel Roxas was the first elected President of the newly independent Philippine state.

            For the next decade and a half, the Philippine Independence Day had been celebrated on July 4.  Aguinaldo’s Declaration was commemorated by naming June 12 as Flag Day.  It was only under the leadership of President Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965) that the official Independence Day celebration was moved to June 12.  This was done to reaffirm Philippine nationalism and pride.

            [Although military and political history often focuses only on the actions of the male revolutionaries, there were many women whose participation was pivotal to the success of the Revolution.  Teodora Alonzo (1827-1911) was the mother of Dr. Jose Rizal.  She is credited with having instilled in him the principles and values that he later stood for in his plight against colonization.  As a result of this, she was persecuted and even jailed by the Spanish for the majority of her life. Other women include: Gregoria de Jesus (1875-1943, wife of Andres Bonifacio), Teresa Magbanua (“Generala Isay”), Generale Agueda Kahabangan, and Trinidad Tecson – all of whom fought among and led the male warriors of the Revolution.  Women also played supportive roles, such as Melchora (“Tandang Sora”) Aquino (1812-1919), who selflessly tended to wounded and sick Katipunan fighters.  Without the involvement of both the men and the women, the Revolution of the 1890s would never have been successful.]

            Nowadays Philippine Independence Day is celebrated all throughout the world wherever Filipino communities exist.  Oftentimes the celebrations include a parade, a huge congregation of Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, and large amounts of food.  As well, since we Filipinos are never short of talents, there is often a program featuring songs and dances performed by members of our community. 

           In Montreal alone, there are several different events that occur around the June 12 Independence Day.  The largest Independence Day celebration in Montreal is organized by the Federation of the Filipino-Canadian Associations of Quebec (FFCAQ).  Every year there is a parade, a Catholic mass, as well as a long program featuring the many talents of our community.  Also present are our various associations and organizations.  There are also several Filipino restaurants, serving up their delicious food and refreshments.

           Regardless of how we celebrate our national Independence Day, we must never forget the reasons for which we celebrate: our pride in our culture, our history, and our heritage.  We Filipinos come from a long history of colonization.  However, as a result, we come from a long history of resistance and revolt.  Mabuhay ang Pilipinas on our 111^th Independence Day celebrations!

“I die, without seeing the Day dawning on my country.
You who will see it, greet it and forget not those who fell during the night”
-Jose Rizal

A man true to his word, Michael Applebaum is a self-described “hands on” Borough Mayor.  Devoted to providing quality, first-class community services to residents of Cote-des-Neiges/NDG, Mayor Applebaum sits in and chairs over many different committees and governing bodies that directly affect living conditions within the borough. Although he is saddled with responsibilities and functions, his first priority has always been, and will continue to be, the best interests of his constituency.

Mayor Applebaum’s political career had its jump start in 1994, when the administration of then-Mayor of Montreal, Jean Dore, sought to shut down twenty-nine of Montreal’s public skating rinks.  Rather than allow his local rink to be closed, Applebaum rallied community members to protest the plan.  By volunteering and petitioning, their efforts to prevent the shut-down were successful and the rink was left alone.  As a result of his active involvement in this project, he ran for City Councillor in the 1994 municipal elections, which he subsequently won.  A second mandate as City Councillor began after winning the 1998 municipal elections.

Since then, Mayor Applebaum has earned various appointed titles before being elected as Borough Mayor of CDN/NDG in 2005.  However, as an official dedicated to providing the best services to the citizens, Applebaum is also deeply involved in various other committees and executive bodies.  As the newly appointed member of Mayor Tremblay’s Executive Committee, Mayor Applebaum is responsible for the Sports and Recreation dossiers.  Over a span of eight years, the City of Montreal has spent more than sixty-five million dollars in building and renovating community centres, sports arenas, and parks.  A whopping four parks are renovated per year, not including the renovation of several outdoor pools, wading pools, water play areas, and tennis courts.  Kent Park is perhaps the most obvious example of these renovation efforts: by this coming summer, approximately fifteen million dollars would have been spent on revamping the synthetic sports fields, chalet, and water play area.  He hopes to develop the park chalets into mini-community centres, where community members and families can congregate and hold activities.

Another important issue to Mayor Applebaum is helping to maintain the dignity and serviceability of Cote-des-Neiges’ various multicultural communities.  He tries to provide multicultural communities with the resources and “first-class facilities” necessary to deliver their services.  In our case, Applebaum’s administration collaborated to renovate the facade of the FAMAS community centre, although the FAMAS centre is not a building owned by the City of Montreal.  Plans to redo and beautify the backyard will commence in the spring of this year.  Also, it was at the behest of Mayor Applebaum that the Jose Rizal statue in McKenzie King Park was elevated and surrounded by new and more decorative flowers.  Benches were also added in front of the statue, so that members of our community could congregate there more comfortably.

Multicultural communities are not the only ones receiving support from the Applebaum administration, however. As Chairman of the Housing Commission of the Borough of CDN/NDG, Mayor Applebaum is working with the City of Montreal to protect the rights of tenants and leasees.  In known cases of delinquent landlords and substandard housing, task forces have been sent by the City to investigate and legally enforce changes according to set standards.  Additionally, in order to counter the steady rise of rent in the Cote-des-Neiges area, Mayor Applebaum is currently working with community-based groups to push plans forward for social and affordable housing.  There will be some major development of the Namur and Blue Bonnets areas of Cote-des-Neiges, and he is pushing for the construction of social housing within these areas.

As a frequent consumer and visitor of local restaurants and stores, Mayor Applebaum has also initiated a massive project to completely revamp Victoria Avenue and Cote-des-Neiges Road, both of which are major streets in the Cote-des-Neiges area.  Starting this spring, the City and Borough will embark on an exciting construction project that will beautify Victoria Avenue and expand the local businesses already in place: the roads and sidewalks will be redone; part of the expenses necessary to revamp building facades will be subsidized by the City; restaurants will be given sidewalk space to build terraces in the summer; second-floor businesses will be given advertising space to attract more business.  By the end of the construction, Victoria Avenue will be a modern, refreshed space with a rich, multicultural, local twist.

So, Mayor Applebaum has proven himself to be a capable and dedicated elected official who puts the needs of the Borough’s communities at the forefront of his agenda.  Whether it’s the beautification of the Borough’s parks and streets, the expansion of local businesses, or the protection of residents who pay rent, Mayor Applebaum is aware of pertinent issues and has viable solutions to solve them.