The Canberra Reporter The Canberra Reporter

4 THE CANBERRA REPORTER | October 2016 CAUGHT ON CAMERA Here’s a quick, random survey of Filipino-Australians in the streets of Canberra on a particular subject. The question put by our reporter MARILIE BOMEDIANO for this issue was: Who are the two Australians whom you admire the most? EDITORIAL Money looming large over the deep blue sea T HE political upheaval last month, caused by Senator Sam Dastyari’s $1,600 bill paid by Chinese interests, may have brought to the surface the proverbial tip of the iceberg. What many observers suspect is that something more disturbing lay beneath the measly $1,600 bill: bigger favours for higher stakes. Such stakes may even be connected to disputes over islands and atolls in the South China Sea and Australia’s position on the conflict. That the young senator had indirectly suggested Australia distance itself from China’s refusal to accept the ruling of an international tribunal in The Hague in favour of the Philippines’ case may have said much about China’s approach to seeking favour from Australia. For why would China do such a favour to an Australian politician, if not to expect something in return? Indeed, money looms large beneath the deep blue sea. Only a fool would fail to recognise cashed-up China using the mighty dollar to exert its influence on free-trade-tipsy Australia, not to mention poor countries in Africa and elsewhere, to fund its power and expansion. When China offered to build a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts in the Philippines recently, it melted President Rodrigo Duterte’s heart of stone: “I love China,” he was quoted as saying in return. One more step forward towards China’s expansion in the South China Sea. Australia can not afford to sit by grabbing favours without facing the consequences of returning favours big time. n JAIME K PIMENTEL, Editor JOPER DAVID, 32 Curtin ACT ESEL CABUYA, 43 Queanbeyan ACT GILBERT CALATA, 48 Macgregor) ACT “Hugh Jackman and Anna Maree Meares. Jackman is my idol, an actor, singer and producer who won international recognition for his roles in major films. “Meares’ story is all about grit a of a young woman who overcame major lifethreatening trauma.” “Chris Carlile, 52, and Don Velasco, 42. Carlile treats Filipinos with respect and dignity. “He’s a good motivator and serves as an inspiration to many. Velasco is a good spiritual leader and a nice friend friend.” “Jason Day and Rosie Batty. Day is a great example of a Filipino-Australian who succeeded in his field – golf. Batty, an advocate of women’s rights. “Batty inspires the victims of domestic violence to fight for their rights.” ATING WIKA | sa Tagalog Buhay sa Canberra Ulat ni ARNEL BASAS MULA nang lumipat kami ng Canberra noong 2011, nagustuhan agad ng pamilya ang lugar. Akma ito sa gusto naming pamumuhay para sa lumalaking pamilya. Tahimik ang pamumuhay sa Canberra. Malaking bahagi ng mga naninirahan dito ay pumapasok sa mga sangay ng pamahalaang Australia. Dahil dito mas malalamin ang pangunawa ng nakakarami sa usaping ibang lahi at kultura. Konti din lang ang mga sasakyan kaya walang traffic at mabilis bumiyahe. Sa simula pa lamang ay nagustuhan na agad ng mga anak ko ang mga liwasan at pasyalan. Maraming pwedeng puntahan para maglaro at magtipon-tipon kasama ng ibang pamilya at mga kaibigan. Sa kanilang paaralan, ramdam nila ang pagtanggap ng kapwa magaaral. Hindi rin naging hadlang ang kanilang pinagmulan para manguna minsan sa klase. Sa mga hindi pa nakasubok manirahan ng Canberra, marami ang nagsasabi na hindi ito para sa kanila. Kesyo malamig daw at walang buhay dito.imo) Santos Subalit sa karamihang sumubok na, ayaw na nilang lumipat pa. n Publisher THE CANBERRA REPORTER (ABN 44149329419) Contact 0423 358 747 __________________ Editor-in-chief Jaime K Pimentel Editorial Gloria Ross - News Editor Marilie Bomediano - Features Editor Violi Calvert - Subeditor Photography Dennis Benedictos Gerry Musa Advertising Rina Benedictos - Canberra Josie Musa - Sydney Admin Josie Musa Legal Counsel Libda (Geronimo) Santos Printer New Age Printing, Rydalmere NSW Distributor Wrapaway, Marrickville NSW Waiver: Opinions expressed by writers do not necessarily belong to the publisher. THIS IS THE INAUGURAL ISSUE OF THE FIRST FILIPINO-AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER IN THE THE HEART OF AUSTRALIA

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