Alimodiananon, We Still Are, We Still Will Be, No matter where we are..

Alimodiananon, We Still Are:
Twenty Summers ago, two dozen town mates, with families in tow and with two special guests, one a dear cousin of mine Father Antonio Anino and our Guest for his first trip out of the country ( he was not in a good term with the Marcos Regime) and the other Father Gil Alinsangan a visiting town mate from Rome, gathered at our town mates Dr. & Dra. Guangco Estate at Connecticut, USA for a welcome treat to our two Special Guests. For three days (some stayed longer) we reminisced about the good old Alimodian and how we all miss the town we all grew up, played hooky, experienced our first love; the first pain of so many after ...how we enjoyed the town surrounded by natural mountains, which the strong winds and typhoons just passed over our heads blocked by hills and mountains on all sides. Yes that is our town.. http://www.alimodian.net/
One night after the usual Mass and Thanksgiving, we sat and drank and ate, the two priests suggested to us to Organize Ourselves so we can coordinate whatever project and gathering and can easily contact each other for news and updates regarding the town and our town mates.
We did, and for starter, we decided to call ourselves Alimodianon sa Amerika (ALSA). The acronym is apropos since it means "to lift." That was before the advent of PC and Internet and I remember Dr. Gemma car cell phone as big as a "knapsack" and it got to be plugged into to car battery. Thinking about it now, was funny. Click "about us" and you may even find out my full name. That’s ok, got nothing to hide except my "pocket rocket" or I may not be able to blog no more. Or do it in the "dog house".
A few years later as our number grew in Toronto Area and in Canada, we decided to open our separate chapter as our East Coast Association, our mother Organization. Same thing with Alimodianon in the West Coast. Ours we named it ALSACAN (Alimodiananon sa Canada) and our West Coast town mates named theirs AAA (Alimodiananon Association of America).
As we go along, we are as modern as any associations now. We have our own website, chat, even our own blog. , but we remain true to our original aim and purpose-to raise funds to help our town and our town mates, especially the children of Alimodian. If you take a peek at our homepage, you will see right away how one of our townmates, single handedly awaken the awareness of the state of Connecticut and its residence and they flooded our association with donation of books of all kinds. Our younger town mates now are very active in the internet. We even have "answer on demand", where students from home can post and ask for answers on their school works on a one to one basis with our volunteer"professionals" or reference to their specific works. At the moment we are also gathering books for school use and for reference at all fields of knowledge.
Aside from the intangibles, the education and the knowledge, we also raise funds for the ‘tangible projects," like the improvement of our parish church, schools and more.
But most of all, we look after our town mates who also need some help Right HERE. Most of them are the new arrivals, who may not know the way around in the new world; who may need some immediate needs inside the new place or for some, that may need some financial help to start (very rare, but it’s good to know). We also celebrate our "town fiesta" at the nearest weekend to the actual date. With the same menus on the table. We gather and celebrate together our Christmas. And once in while we celebrate milestone with our sisters’ associations(the mother) in the East Coast. In April 24, 2006, the whole Association celebrated our 20th Anniversary in New Jersey (I was in the Philippines for Emergency) and that was one big party, so I’d heard. Click the Gallery...
So, in closing, I and my hundreds of town mates, maybe half the world away from our dear Alimodian, may be some of us decided to make where we are now, our final home. Maybe some of us will split our time between our two homes during our retirement years (if health allows). And may be a few of us has completely forgotten the town (unlikely). For us who were born in the town, we will be forever an "alimodiananon" and for those, the next generation and the next one after, we are trying our very best, through this association and its activities to pass it upon their bloodline and to encourage them to perpetuate what we have started Twenty years ago for the sake of those who are still in our town and for those who chose to stay. Wherever we are, We are Alimodiananon, Always will Be True and Faithful..

Dual Citizenship..Time for Revisit..
Canada has been allowing its new citizens a choice to keep their citizen of entry and Canadian citizen to become citizen of other countries without giving up their citizenship, unless otherwise required to renounce as pre-requisite of the process.
Lately, during the crisis in Lebanon, an angry debate among the Canadians at home, regarding the complaints and criticism leveled at our government for the rescue effort that some (a lot) said is not fast and comfortable enough, forgetting that in a war zone, they were lucky to have been rescued and out in just a matter of days. The debate is about the wisdom of dual citizenship and how, so many people use them just for convenience and a "free ride" in time such as this..
O’ how easy it is to become a Canadian, get a passport, get back to the old country and still enjoy the right and privileges accorded to all Canadians, irregardless if you pay a cent in Taxes or Not. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t seen Canada in the last twenty years or so, just send your children up Here and when it’s time bombs and shells are falling from the skies and if it’s time no longer safe to stay around, flash your passport and Canada is going to rescue you just like the rest.
But please don’t scream and swear at our Public Servants; complaints about our half hearted efforts, and criticize our government for not doing enough just because you don’t get a "first class" accommodation and treatment during the rescue. Yes, we did everything possible under the circumstances. The PM even gone to the Region himself to pick some of our fellow Canadians; the country mourns for the Seven Members of a Canadian Family who were the innocent victims of the conflict and we want every one out of the country before another one falls victim to the cruel reality of war.
We can not dwell on the merit and the abuse of our Dual Citizenship at the Moment. But when time is back to normal, we will revisit the issue...

Bibz and Pao Visit..

And who said Human is smarter than the Ape?
Nature's way of Delicing...

Me and the Bibs taking a shower by the falls

Mist.. Niagara Falls.. July 11, 2006..

Big Brother Pao (Popularly known as Jinggoy)

and Baby Iya ( Name Jinggoy calls Her- from Day One)

Both were back now back to their "home" in Northern California to enjoy the rest of the Summer. They also have a large family in California, on the Father side. Both grandparents, in the 80 s now and still in good shape and the kids and gradparents enjoy each others company.

Also Babe have to catch up on some summer reading assignment. Transferring from one school system to another, is a lot of adjustment on three of them, and the eldest who had already completed a two years college education has to take a year community college to qualify for university..that is to compensate the difference between our " grade 10" pre-college and the "grade 12" in most states and in Canada. Well, my say-- why rush? You only are an undergraduate once and postgraduate forever.. Take your time, I'd rather be an undergraduate forever...Working is hard and makes you age fast everytime finding out nothing to show after every hard day's work...

The Babe is Here

The Babe is Here..

Who is Babe and who cares? Well, Babe is just your own average l6 years old, all Filipino Girl who just immigrated to the U.S. of A., December 2005 with her Mom, Dad, Elder Brothers Mik and Pao. But Babe or Bibs or Bibz is not your average l6 years old, she’s my niece, my Baby sister’s baby daughter and the darling of my four other sisters who happened to have no daughter of their own, but have plenty of love for a few daughters of someone and even sons.

Well, it’s school break and kids are restless just staying home. Though Babe’s parents can’t yet afford to send them anywhere, except some nearby dept. stores for maybe some window shopping, the Babe and his brother Pao deserve a nice leisurely trek during the break and see lots of places America can offer. So July 2nd they both landed at JFK to spend a little over a week with Auntie and Uncle (Mom’s twins) and watch for the first time a stage musical (the Phantom of the Opera) and tour most of Manhattan, Queens and Philadelphia to see cousins and other relatives. Altogether it was a memorable tour of the East.

July 11th bound to Toronto via Buffallo Airport. Why Buffallo? Much, much cheaper to fly within the U.S, border than to fly directly to any Canadian destinations, then just travel overland to the final destination..Money is hard to come by nowadays, you know.. I have to Pick them up at the Airport and it took me almost three hours drive for the usual two hours trip, because of the delay at U.S. crossing. What with all the securities concern and cross border smuggling of elicit drugs and the recent “terrorists” arrest in Toronto area.. Next time better bring in some portables with us..It’s kind of hard to line up for an hour with a full bladder.

It was also a very convenient flight plan since Niagara Falls, a “must see” for any tourist within the area is on the way to Toronto. What to do in Niagara? Plenty..Picture taking is number one. Then there is a tour of the Queen of the Mist as close as possible to the ‘falls’. Museums to visit and for the Gamblers in you, The Niagara Casino. Even Superman came to visit.
Babe and brother Pao enjoyed an afternoon at Niagara Falls.

In Toronto, they climbed to the top of CN tower not by ladder but by elevator, the world’s tallest free standing structure. The Lion Safari where they met most animals of every corners of the world in their man made “natural”habitat. And Babe together with Auntie and few town mates with birthdays within days celebrate hers in a “grand” our own way of Celebration (with Lechon, arroz con caldo, pancit, siopao, bitso bitso, and many more Manilenos like both of them had not even tasted during their growing up years in P.I.). For Birthday gifts, I give her one of her lists I spied on her “space” that she not aware of, 15.4 inches lcd screen all singing, whistling, and dancing “laptop” so she can post on her space without anyone trying to take a sideway look at their Desk P.C.. ,especially mom and dad. And Babe being Bibs, she just took it without even showing any emotion or excitement. Just like your average teenagers, very typical, sensitive, not wanting to be bothered, but bothers everyone at their convenience.. But we love her and her brothers and she is not your Average teenager, she’s my Niece and her name is Bibs, Bibz, Iya,Baby Iya,Ria and you can call her any of those, chances are she’ll ignore you anyway, just like she ignores me..but that's the way our Babe is, and we just Love Her the way she is..

The Land Reform. Was it worth the Effort?

My own brother worked for the DAR, and during all the years he had been harassed, threatened, and been in legal limbo, for being charged civilly and administratively by some very wealthy land owners, that years back I have to supply him with 9mm parabellum for his protection. The stress and the frustrations of dealing with both the Land Owners and the Beneficiaries, finally did him in recently from a massive heart attack. Against our advice of retiring early, he told us his legal problems with some landowners that has been dragging for several years prevented him from doing so.
1. And here are my observations during my two weeks of stay during my brother's wake and funeral in Davao.
I talked to several land owners, and one of them agreed to the principles and aims of land reform and told me that the funds he got from selling most of his land holdings are now successfully invested in insurance business. But he told me who's stopping the Beneficiaries of selling back the land to him after the period of I believe it's seven years that the title legally becomes theirs?
I also had a talk with a local mayor and he bragged at me that he usually assigned police bodyguards for my brother, but he was abducted by the rebels quite a few times and released after "interviewing" on some of his decisions. But my brother dismissed all these personal threats as just part of the job. He was a marksman just like me. But luckily not fired at anyone in anger, not like the killers that are roaming the streets and mountains and murdering their victims only cowards and low life will do.
I also talked to many beneficiaries of the Land Reform, met their leaders. the conversation was in the context of mostly tribute to the Man we're grieving, but you can feel and see for yourself, the plights and the hardships this group has to endure to finally own a small piece of land, they can call their own. Most of them are Muslims, and I have no problem or being comfortable with anyone of different faith, religion or belief, for I have been dealing the same every day in this multi cultures, tolerant society we have here.
For my brother, he to the last day of his life, believed in his works.

Today, in the pages of pcij.org blog is the peril of those who work with the implementations and enforcing the spirits of Land Reform, and the NGOs workers who had been hurt or murdered as they acted as watchdogs against the abuses and corruption within the System, and for advancing the interest of those whose ideals and purpose of the Land Reform should have benefited.

This is my own personal take on the subject, which for all intents and purposes have reached "home" for me; which I will forever remember the sacrifice and dedication of the man I always hold dear in my heart, in life and in death.

The Root of it all..the Democracy that is the Philippines.

Here is an instant recall from my file and I believe also published in Talking Points section of the INQ 7 in which I cited the “real” problem that seems to have been overlooked because of the crisis after crisis that are the resultant effects of the root cause, that is being ignored since the very people that ruled the country ever since belong to the Elites or if not want to become one at the expense of the ‘masses’ and I quote from my own.
“The biggest problem that besiege the country is not the current crisis that hunts the government of the day, but the same one that has been there from the start. It is the economic inequity between the majority — the masses — and the very few in the “ruling class” who control just about every aspect of the economy and thereby control the political landscape.

The government keeps changing hands among limited groups in the “ruling class.” These are the only ones who can contest the positions and, hence, maintain the status quo. And so the problem continues. While the population (thanks to the “church”) has doubled or tripled, the same “rule makers” control most of the agricultural land, the mega-businesses and the political parties to protect their interests.

Tackle this “crisis” and everything will just fall into place.”….

What name shall we call 'ye'?

Is that your child? Question often asked by curious onlookers to mothers of "mixed breed" children. Experts are telling us that in the next generation, major cities of Canada, Toronto in Particular, will be populated by a majority of mixed race citizens that until now has no "label" yet on how to call themselves, when asked: what's your race? or what's your nationality?

In 17th century many offspring were born as the result of mingling by the European Fur traders and the Native Indian Women. Their children are called "metis" and is now officially recognized as one of Canada's three aboriginal "people". The Eskimo or Inuit, The Canadian Indian or the Natives, the other two.

Latest statistic shows that of Toronto and Area approximately 3 and half million residents, close to half million are in mixed race relationships, married and common-law. Not only that they are in mixed relationship from one single identifiable race, but from already mixed race, making the offspring with a mixtures of several races. That is not a problem to deal with in a country, now at the time when multiculturalism is alive and well, and the Equality Rights are guarded by each and everyone as one among the greatest virtues of being a Canadian, but unlike the Metis which can easily be identified by their parentage, the question that could be for now be a guessing game, what shall we call our super-breed, mixed- race Canadians that will surely inhabit this Strong North Strong and Free in the Future??

On Inquest and Enquiry:y july 8,2006

Enquiry for the purpose of this discussion is defined as Formal Investigation to determine the facts of why things have gone wrong.

Inquest is defined as an investigation of the facts of a situation, particularly one that had an undesired outcome ( literary ). ; An official enquiry in front of magistrate, coroner, or jury into the facts of a case such as a sudden unexpected death.

Both processes have been the norm every time there is such on occurrences or events that criminal investigation may have been initiated and launched on entirely different angle. Or most often after the conclusion of the criminal investigation to further answer the questions that were not brought out or not relevant to the criminal case.

In most cases an Enquiry or Inquest is called not to find blame or fault but to find out how things gone wrong so corrective measures will be figured out, guidelines and preventive measures will be put in place or Laws be passed to avoid the same from ever happening again in the same situation, and situation if possible, be altered to the point that the event will not happen at all... again.

Sometimes, but only rarely, it is called to find out who are responsible for the wrongdoing so punitive action can be pursued from evidence gathered.

How's the process launched and conducted: Either an Inquest or Enquiry is initiated by any authorities directly responsible and under which jurisdiction the investigation be conducted. For local municipal matter, a municipal council can order such, for provincial, the Premier or the Provincial Parliament, for Federal, the PM or the House.

Who composes such Body: For Judicial Enquiry, it is headed by a judge. Before the start of an Enquiry a mandate which defines the power, limitation, and duration (estimated) is handed down by the passing of appropriate bill or law calling for such. Then, the Head, will set up the venues, the conduct, and will issue summonses, and
notices to all legal participants and consider those with legal standing and then set up the starting date and scheduling of witnesses. And the hearing begins. After the conclusion of the hearing, granted it was not called off or suspended for any reason, the Head of the Enquiry will prepare a report as to Enquiry findings and submit it to the Authority who called an Inquest or to the Public at Large. And if mandated to recommend corrective measures, or actions to be taken, then the Inquiry will also submit reports to the effect following the "findings".

For Inquest- usually is undertaken by coroner for cases of sudden and unexpected death as a result of: Police Officer(s) action; Public Safety (water supply, hydro accidents, recreational facilities failures, medical institutions unexplained or misdiagnosed cases, etc). The process of calling it is about the same and the conduct and manner is also similar. But the inquest usually concern of the findings the faults and causes resulting to the tragedy rather than the person or persons involved. But blames and faults as a results of the inquest are often unavoidable. Sometimes, the whole exercise can only point to the negligence or criminal intent of a single party or limited number of person.

Both Processes, done in the context of law, and proper procedures, are two greatest tools in correcting the mistakes and wrongdoings that could sometimes crop in the business of Government and people interacting with each other. Some of these mistakes are innocents, committed without malicious intents, some are criminal negligence, some are downright criminal. Relying on the Present set up of our justice system alone can not cover and see all these activities in our ever complex and evolving society

Canada's Parliamentary System As I see It

Posted july 25 10:28 am

Canada form of Government is the Parliamentary System patterned to that of the British P{arliament, but with slight modification to reflect realities that are unique in Canada.
Canada is a Democratic Country, Fully Independent, and the power of the Government emanates from Her citizens.

The structure of Government:
Head of Canada---Queen Elizbeth II ...Represented by the Governor General Appointed to the post by the PM to the term of five years..Any citizen may qualify.

Head of Government---The Prime Minister...The Leader of the Political Party who was declared a winner in the last election and sworn in by the Governor General to Form a Government.

The Prime Minister will form a Cabinet to head various ministries of the government with the title of "cabinet minister" and will be assisted by deputy cabinet minister which is usually a civil servant, to adminster and run each ministry and implement the programs, policy, and enforce the law.

The Parliament---The Parliament is both the Executive and Legislative branch of the Government.. It compose of the House of Common and the House of Senate.

House of Common---This is the seat of all the elected members that represent the Total of 308 ridings comprising the 10 provinces of Canada and 3 territories.

The Senate ---Members are appointed by the PM of the Day to the term of up to retirement age as speified by the law. The senate function are mostly perfunctuary, so it ist not very relevant to the overall governance. (There is a plan that get floated once in a while to abolish it entirely as it becomes the favourite patronage retirement employment for those has-been politicians who could no longer win an election). and I agree.

Political Parties ---Canada's political parties so strong that no personality is above the party. A charismatic and smart leader may help propel the party to lead a government, but never in her history that a party was taken over by personality.
Any citizen or group of citizen can form a political party for the purpose of contesting an election. There are currently numerous parties like the Communist Party, Socialist, Green, but the most remarkable Protest Party (now disbanded) was the Rhinoceros Party of Canada. Now instead, a Protest vote can be done by just crossing your ballot accross without checking a particular candidate. And it is tallied like any other vote.

Currently there are Four (4) major Political Parties that represent all 308 seats.

Conservative Party-governing Minority
Liberal Party --official opposition..
Bloc Quibecois--only represent the province of Quebec and don't run candidate anywhere else.
New Democrats-- A socialist party always the last but has the same rate of hardcore supporters. (a little up and down according to the promise of its compaign)

A STRONG party system of electing a "government" is based on the premise that the voters as a whole is sending a political party to lead a government based on the party's principles, ideologies, programs of government, and promises laid down during the set time period of campaign. And a charismatic, powerful communicator of a leader may help the party sometimes despite of all the premises. But not for a long term gain.
An individual voter choice ---Individually a voter has a few options of electing the candidate to represent him or her in the House.
1. vote for the party--according to the voter own's ideologies and views, thoughts and principles. a party member not only vote for a party candidate, but usually campaign for the whole party (this blogger is a card-carrying member of Conservative Party)
2. vote for the best among the candidates.. according to your judgement (may not agree with your partner or neighbor).
3. vote for the party whom you believe the LEADER isthe best to be the Prime Minister.
4. vote for the one who first knocked on your door and told you your lawn is the greenest in the neighborhood or vot for his/her opponents if you believe and you can see the grass is greener on the other side.

Campaign and Source of FUNDS:

Political party funds for elections campaign and all other expense can legally come from only these three (3) sources.

1. Citizen--Every citizen is allowed to contribute to any party or candidate up to a maximum fo $5 thousand of which the ffirst $5hundred is tax deductible up to 70% up to the maximum of $650. This amount is going to be reduced under the new Accountability Law the currrent govt. is introducing.
2. Corporation and Labor Unions- -Maximum of $1 thousand. Big loophole on this one. Corporation and Union can over ride the limit by using the citizens (or persons) to do the contributions. Proposal under the above Accountabilty law will elliminate entirely corporate and union donation and a quideline to make sure that person under the employ or families of business owner may not abuse the citizens privilage by requiring politcal parties and candidates to submit all the names and amount of political contributions to Election Canada for Audit. And That Man we Call our Chief Electoral Officer is a very serious man. He has been around for a while and not a single issue had been said about him except that he is the Best there is. You can check this Brag yourself and come back to me..
3. Government (Taxpayer) For every cast vote to a Political Party Candidate or an independent candidate, the government will pay $1.75 (one dollar and seventy five cents). Note: Every candidate must put up a "nuisance" deposit that will be forfeited if said candidate cast less than the minimum as specified by the Eelction Officer according to the accepted formula. This measure is to discourage a lineup of candidates, since there is no minimum qualification for elected office. none whatsover..exept that you are a qualified voter, not serving a prison sentence (tha's obvious) and is not im bankruptcy proceedings (not being discharge) and not an officer of Election Canada (same as comelec).

Enough for now.. kind of hard to blog all from memory..this is all written without the aid of research or search engine but just by simple re-call from all the observations and experiences any one can accumulate as we go along the daily business of living.. thanks and I'll try to refresh sometime when this heat and humidity somehow cool down..

more on State and Church

Posted July 2, 5:00am eastern daylight

Whereas Canada is founded upon the principles that recognize the Supremacy of God and the Rule of Law”. >>> Preamble to Constitution Acts of l982.
---
Fundamental Freedoms

Fundamental freedoms 2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
(d) freedom of association.

Now if you look at the Preamble and the Fundamental Freedoms, there seem to be a very serious conflict between them.
How could you have a freedom of conscience if the constitution says that the country is founded upon recognition of God? I think if a case ever come up for the Supreme Court to resolve, the “rule of law” will take precedence.
The Parliament Abolished the Death Penalty (by hanging) in mid-70s for crimes of premeditated murder, rape and murder of minors, and murdering of law enforcement officers and a few more serious crimes, not because of any religious consideration, but the Government of Day believed it doesn't deter crime. And 30 years or provedve prooved them right. Life without a chance of Parole for 25 years ideterrentf deterent than death, which most psychopaths welcome anyways, and the probability of being caught and metted the punishment, whatever the law decrees..

Separation of state and church

true north strong and free and me

So much have been said and written about this subject; but until today, only in this country(the Philippines) that the debate is still raging on. And I can somehow figure why. Whoever affected by the Meddling of either the State or Religion against each other can always suddenly become an overnight expert on constitutional matters. But only depending on which side of the issue his or her interest lie.
This case is a classic example. The Religious Experts, believe that the bishop acted properly as a citizen to lead an impeachment proceeding (forgetting that he is still an active religious leader and has not relinquish his religious influence yet) and the State Experts, believe otherwise.
The State Experts always believe that the doctrine of Religious Freedom means that all Religions are just free to worships which ever God they wish and forget and ignore the Corruptions, the impropriety of Governance, and also “hub hub” with them religious leaders for the “block” votes during elections, and the Religious Experts will say Got You…

The above comment I lifted from my own comment I posted on PCIJ Blog site. The Subject is about Malacanang Palace, Meaning the President, invoking the Doctrine of Separation between the State and the Church, that until now is not clearly defined, or if defined not clearly understood, if clearly undertstood not clearly accepted by the different segments of the so-called enlightened Oligarchs and the Ruling Dominance which are the Catholic Church and the Few "Rulemakers" which for Generations now been passing between themselves the power "to rule and plunder the very own country the professed to love and die for". What a bunch of A--holes...

Canada Day: July 1st

true north strong and free and me:

Canada Day
Background
On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st.
The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.
There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917, at which time the new Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, under construction, was dedicated as a memorial to the Fathers of Confederation and to the valour of Canadians fighting in the First World War in Europe.
The next celebration was held in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. It was highlighted by the laying of the cornerstone by the Governor General of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street and the inauguration of the Carillon in the Peace Tower.
Since 1958, the government has arranged for an annual observance of Canada's national day with the Secretary of State of Canada in charge of the coordination. The format provided for a Trooping the Colours ceremony on the lawn of Parliament Hill in the afternoon, a sunset ceremony in the evening followed by a mass band concert and fireworks display.
Another highlight was Canada's Centennial in 1967 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations with Parliament Hill again being the backdrop for a large scale official ceremony.
The format changed in 1968 with the addition of multicultural and professional concerts held on Parliament Hill including a nationally televised show. Up until 1975, the focus of the celebrations, under the name "Festival Canada", was held in the National Capital Region during the whole month of July and involved numerous cultural, artistic and sport activities, as well as municipalities and voluntary organizations. The celebration was cancelled in 1976 but was reactivated in 1977.
A new formula was developed in 1980 whereby the National Committee (the federal government organization charged with planning Canada's Birthday celebrations) stressed and sponsored the development of local celebrations all across Canada. "Seed money" was distributed to promote popular and amateur activities organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of local communities. The same approach was also followed for the 1981 celebrations with the addition of fireworks displays in 15 major cities across the nation.
On October 27, 1982, July 1st which was known as "Dominion Day" became "Canada Day".
Since 1985, Canada Day Committees are established in each province and territory to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations locally. Grants are provided by the Department to those committees.

Happy Canada Day to All...

Intro to the true north strong and free and me.

I have been commenting on many blog sites, mainly based in the Philippines, particularly the PCIJ, MLQ and Ellen Tordisillas and my comments mostly touched the Politics, Governance and Events that involved Canada, particularly the province of Ontario where I reside. As always comparison between the two countries is unavoidable. I got quite a few flaks for my thoughts on these subjects, especially on the governance between the two Governments. But my aim is not to Brag about the type of Governance we have here, the system of how the Nation as a whole exercise and enjoy the Democratic Society as I believe should be enjoyed everywhere, these already by itself no need to be shout about, it may not be perfect, as no society come close to perfection yet, But to impress to all other society and government striving hard to enjoy the same. The Phrase "True North Strong and Free" is the Slogan we always carry along with our Proud color the Maple Leaf. For we are indeed in the farthest north and free.