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MetroVanIndependent.com
May 2015
Lifestyle/entertainment
Marissa Magcawas.
It's great to be me
By Marissa Magcawas
On January 11, 1964, a precious child
was born to proud parents - Osias and
Ernita Magcawas... and that's ME, a happy,
playful girl named Marissa. I am the sixth
child of eight siblings. I was born in San
Diego, Philippines.
I'm so thankful for my childhood
and family. Although, we grew up poor,
our parents instilled into our minds the
importance of education. They made sure
that all of us finished a university degree.
I graduated at The Philippine Women's
University with a degree of Bachelor of Arts
major in Communication Arts.
My birth month, January seems to be
very significant in my life. It was January,
1989 when I first left my family to go to
Japan to work. My experience in Japan
was a bit challenging as I did not know the
language and yet very meaningful. I love
Japan.
After 2 years, again in January, I landed
in this beautiful British Columbia, Canada
which I now call home. I came here as a
live-in caregiver or nanny. It was a shock
at first but I just have to accept my present
circumstances. Once I embraced my
reality and not in denial mode anymore,
things become effortless.
Last March 28, 2015 marked my first
year anniversary since I was diagnosed
with breast cancer – a shocking news
that carry with it a lot of mixed emotions,
uncertainties, fears and even depression.
I was in denial and in solitude for a while.
Some things did change with this
epic battle that calls to question my very
survival. I realized however the truism that
what matters more is not how I stumble
and fall. What matters more is how I get up
and get back to the game called life.
This reality together with my strong faith
in God and the great support system that
I have – my wonderful family and friends –
my whole experience became easier and
the healing gets faster.
I bounced back beautifully and shifted
my mind creatively. I turned worries
into opportunities. My upcoming book
entitled “The Runner Stumbles: Life’s Great
Lessons in Overcoming Challenges, Trials
and Pains” is one of the best outcomes.
Over the years, I learned just to be
spontaneous, to be bold and courageous.
I practice being in the now, to live one day
at a time, seize and enjoy the moment. Life
is short.
It is with great pride and honor that
I continuously involve myself in various
comm unity projects to inspire future
generations and to help support those who
are in need. I know that in my own little
way, I am making a difference. There is no
greater pleasure than making a contribution
to a community with meaning and passion.
I'm grateful for all my experiences,
good or bad -- for the amazing people I
met, for the beautiful places I've been to,
for my wonderful friends, my loving family.
Without them, I will not be the kind of
person I have become. I'm so proud to
say "It's great to be me. I'm a super, single
Mom to my only son, Tyrell.”
Philippine Veterans Celebration of Bataan day
“ARAW NG KAGITINGAN” (A Day of Valor)
THAT'S THE WAY IT IS FOLKS
By Papa Bear
We had a blast. Thank you so much
for inviting us. Congratulations Philippine
Veterans (PhilVets) for the very successful
2015 Bataan Day- Araw ng Kagitingan -- (A
Day of Valor) Celebration.
PhilVets Memorial and Cultural Society
of British Columbia (originally the Philippine
War Veterans & Ex-Servicemen Society of
B.C) celebrated Bataan Day- A Day of Valor
“Araw ng Kagitingan” on April 5, 2015 at the
Vancouver Alpen Club, 4875 Victoria Drive,
Vancouver, B.C.
It was a unique celebration in honor of
the defenders of Bataan and the survivors
of the infamous Death March. Hon. Don
Davies, Member of Parliament, VancouverKingsway, and Mrs. Sheryl Davies were
guests of honor. Also present were
leaders of the Confederation of Filipino
Canadian Associations (CONFICA), Mr.
Romy Mercado (Forever Young Seniors
Society), Ms. Celyna Sia Sherst (Filipino
Seniors Club of BC), and Ms. Ching Hipol
(Filipino Zodiac Circle of BC Society).
PHILVETS President Fernando P.
Salanga, in a welcome address said: “This
celebration is our way of paying tribute
and expressing our sympathy, eternal
gratitude and affirmation that we have
not forgotten the thousands of Filipino
and American soldiers who displayed
extraordinary gallantry and courage
beyond the call of duty in defending Bataan
and Corregidor in 1942.”
One of the highlight of the celebration
was the coronation of PhilVets Queen of
Valor, Ms. Imelda Espejo Canlas.
A Spring Free Style Fashion Show
directed by Marilyn Cabico & Ofelia Padua,
was likewise featured, with glamorous
models on parade, added zest to the
celebration. The models were Jasmine
Cabarrabang, Kristine Palomares, Angel
Anselmo, Rochelle Canlas, Jasmine
Stacey, Merlina Fayusal, Celyna Sherst,
Ms. Imelda Espejo Canlas, PhilVets Queen of
Valor.
Virgie Flores, Mitzi Echague, Virgie Archie,
Narcy Vinluan, Luz Stacey, Rose Tedlie,
Nelia Asutilla, Helen Villarico, Leocy dela
Cruz, Rose Taruc, Gloria Lorenzo, Daria
David, Linda Gonzales, Genie Lactao,
Erlinda Urrutia, Domeng Bagunu, Puring
Salazar & Raymond Lam.
The Zambales Line Dancers featuring
Merlina Fayusal, Angelina Balaong and
Carmelita Claudio opened the program
with a lively dance number.
Another group, The Philippine Tapestry,
presented a cultural show choreographed
by Leny and Letty Arboleda.
A mini concert featuring FilipinoCanadian artists headlined by versatile
performer and enter tainment
host Papa Bear, Master Musician Raffy
Swap-One, singer JJ “Wonderboy”
Cepeda and singer Jasmine Stacey rocked
the house.
Attendees were extremely entertained
and took home not only a feeling of
satisfaction at having taken part in a
successful and inspirational community
event, but also wonderful memories of time
spent with PhilVets.
Mimi Reginaldo, host and program
coordinator provided the report for this
veteran’s affair.
That's the way it is folks, till next time
-- Mabuhay!
Ria Jade hosts Miss
World Canada’s
Q&A portion
Singer and songwriter Ria Jade is all set
to create buzz for the Miss World Canada
and Mister World Canada 2015 on May 16.
Ria Jade will be hosting the question
and answer portion of the world-renowned
beauty pageant to be held at the Queen
Elizabeth Theatre.
Ria Jade is a 17-year-old singer/
s o n g w r i te r/m u s i c i a n a n d h o s t of
eve R I At h i n g o n S H AW T V/ S H AW
Multicultural Channel. Her career highlights
include hosting and performing at the
Miss World Canada Pageant in 2014. She
performed at the RBC Bluesfest Ottawa
for She’s The One Emerging Female Artist
in 2014. She also did guest appearances
on TV shows ‘The Rush’ (2014), ‘Go West
Vancouver’ (2015), ‘Simply The Best Luisa
Marshall Show’ (2013), ‘The Express’ and
‘Close Look’(2012); and a feature on the
One Direction website as a favourite cover
(2012).
One of four Wild Card Auditions among
4000 hopefuls across Canada for YTV
The Next Star Season 5, Ria is also Ridge
Meadows Got Talent Youth Champion
Ria Jade.
(2012). A regular Main Stage performer
at TeenFest, she also judges at talent
competitions.
A dedicated humanitarian, Ria is
founder of the Paint It Purple movement
in support of mental health, equality and
body positivity.
She was nominated for a Youth
Leadership Award by think-tank Canadian
Centre for Policy Alternatives in 2014. For
more of Ria and her show, please visit www.
riajade.com and www.everiathing.com.