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Philippine Showbiz Today
By E . Maestro
Eveyen Sobremisana made the Pinoy community proud at the Fresh Voices Awards Ceremony at the Science World Theatre last June 18 . At least 200 refugee and immigrant youth came with their families , friends and community supporters to recognize the leadership of newcomer youth in British Columbia and across Canada in working for social change .
Fresh Voices is a group of young immigrants and refugees who work in their communities to ensure that their voices are heard on the issues that affect them . As an initiative , Fresh Voices works in partnership with the Vancouver Foundation , Michaëlle Jean Foundation , and Vancity Credit Union .
When her name was called , Eveyen Sobremisana was all smiles as she went up to the podium to get her Fresh Voices Award for the category of “ Maintaining Cultural Roots ”. The recognition came with a nicely-designed wooden plaque and a $ 1000 cash award .
Eveyen , whose family comes from Mindanao , is a Grade 12 student at Killarney Secondary School in east Vancouver . The award recognized the young Sobremisana ’ s leadership in working “ to maintain a connection to one ’ s cultural roots and homeland region while raising awareness through campaigns , fundraising and organizing in Canada .”
Sobremisana ’ s nomination blurb described her as someone who “ believes that everybody ’ s story is worth sharing . Soon after arriving in Canada , she became involved in the Engaged Immigrant Youth Program , where she got connected to other young Filipino newcomers . As part of the program , she helped create “ Fresh Start ” magazine , which provides a space for Filipino newcomer youth to tell their stories . She is now a youth Ambassador for the Newcomer Orientation Welcome to BC .”
There were other awards given to six other newcomer youth , in British Columbia and across Canada , for several categories like Family and Intergenerational Relationships , Relationship with Indigenous Peoples in Canada , Leadership in Cross-Cultural Dialogue , Building Bridges and Solidarity and the Use of Arts to address issues of newcomer communities in Canada .
The panels outside of the Theatre displayed the photos of the nominees with the descriptions of their amazing work . Fresh Voices Youth Advisory Team member Yansie Ardon told the audience , “ We had a lot of amazing nominations this year , and we wish we could pick them all !”
The young people in the Theatre that night highlighted the talent and skills that refugee and immigrant youth bring to their schools , communities , and they certainly made their families and communities very , very proud .
It is also noteworthy to mention two nominees who are members of Migrante BC : Visual artist Bert Monterona who was nominated for the Adult-Ally Award and youth leader Mae Lovely Ranges who was nominated for the National Artivism Award . Monterona is a founding member of
July 8 - 21 , 2017 Jan . 22-Feb . 7 , 2015
Eveyen Sobremisana : Making Filipino Youth Proud
Eveyen Sobremisana with her plaque ( centre ) flanked by Fresh Voices Team Members . ( Photo credit : Fresh Voices )
Winners and Nominees . Front row , fourth from R-L is Eveyen Sobremisana with Bert Monterona and Lovely Ranges on either side . ( Photo credit : Fresh Voices )
Migrante BC ’ s art collective and Lovely Ranges is a high student at Moscrop Secondary and a member of the newly-formed Migrante BC Youth .
Congratulations , Eveyen ! ●
Supreme Court ruling affirming Martial Law in Mindanao hailed
Members of the House of Representatives welcomed the Supreme Court ruling upholding President Rodrigo Duterte ’ s Proclamation 216 which declared martial law in Mindanao at the onset of the Maute terror group attack last May .
In a majority vote , the Supreme Court on July 4 affirmed President Duterte ’ s declaration of martial law .
Eleven justices voted to uphold the president ’ s declaration over all of Mindanao , said Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te in a press briefing .
Three others voted to limit the declaration to Marawi City , the conflict zone . A lone justice , meanwhile , voted to nullify the proclamation altogether .
The decision validated Duterte ’ s declaration on May 23 , when he placed the entire Mindanao under military rule following clashes between government troops and Islamic State-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf group terrorists in the Islamic city of Marawi .
It dismissed several petitions that questioned the basis of the president ’ s declaration .
In justifying his declaration , President Duterte had told Congress in a report that the extremists were planning to create an Islamic State province in Mindanao .
Several petitioners- opposition lawmakers , leftist leaders and four women from Marawi City- had asked the high court to invalidate the martial law declaration over all of Mindanao , saying there was no basis for military rule .
They asserted that the President could have addressed the crisis even without declaring martial law , saying the conflict was confined within Marawi City .
During oral arguments from June 13 to 15 , magistrates sought government ’ s clarification on the President ’ s reasons for placing all of Mindanao under martial rule amid clashes between state troops and terrorists in Marawi City .
Solicitor General Jose Calida insisted that “ all the elements of rebellion were present ” when Duterte issued Proclamation No . 216 . The President also suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus to allow police to make warrantless arrests of terror suspects .
Rep . Robert Ace Barbers ( 2nd District , Surigao del Norte ), chairman of the committee on dangerous drugs , lauded the SC decision and commended the 11 justices who saw the light and wisdom in President Duterte ’ s decision in declaring martial law in Mindanao .
“ Being a Mindanaoan myself , I share the President ’ s insight and knowledge of the culture and mentality of the people there . This is a clear vindication
of President Duterte ’ s resolve to crush the Maute rebellion at all cost . Putting the entire Mindanao under Martial Law proved to be a wise move as it prevented possible reinforcements from reaching the rebels in Marawi . This is a victory for every peace-loving Filipino who condemned the senseless loss of lives in that rebellion ,” said Barbers .
Rep . Roger Mercado ( Lone District , Southern Leyte ), chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments , said the Supreme Court has proven that the Filipino people should support President Duterte .
“ Our Muslim brothers must do their part in rebuilding Mindanao in order that the Mindanaoans can see and feel the funds and infrastructure projects of the National Government . It ’ s bringing the government to the people ,” said Mercado .
Rep . Gus Tambunting ( 2nd District , Parañaque ), chairman of the committee on games and amusements , said the Supreme Court ruling is good for the country .
“ It avoids a constitutional crisis . It also recognizes that the problem in Mindanao is complex , and the solution is something that the judiciary must not impede the executive from achieving . Now more than ever , we must rally behind President Duterte and the rest of his government in their efforts to stamp out the Daesh and its attempt to bring radicalism and violence to our country ,” said Tambunting .
Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said that even before the congressional break , he mentioned that the incident in Marawi may be difficult to contain , with the news coming out that there were pre-positioned fighters , well-armed and well-equipped with unlimited supply of ammo . He said the events justified the President ’ s martial law declaration , and the SC ruling settled it .
“ Iyong extension ( ng martial law ) is a call of the House and the Senate , if the President will ask for it . I think it ’ s more of a military decision and the President will be guided accordingly by the decision of the military . I think the situation is still far from being normal . An extension may be in order ,” Suarez said .
Rep . Johnny Ty Pimentel ( 2nd District , Surigao del Sur ), chairman of the committee on good government and public accountability , said martial law in Mindanao may be extended to solve the big problem confronting Marawi City .
“ Nakita naman po natin na almost 400 na ang namatay and marami na ang napinsala sa Marawi , and in fact , kapag hindi pa ito mabibigyan ng lunas baka ma-extend pa ang martial law , I will still support it ,” said Pimentel . ●