Filipino Web Magazine

Monday, 9 February 2026

Sweet Sunday Aboard the Eglinton Light Rail Transit

Volume 7, Issue No. 38

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . .

Our latest as of Tuesday, February 9, 2026

~ A joyful ride it was for the most part of this free ride on Sunday, Feb. 8, aboard Toronto's newest light rail transit servicing the east-west section of the city. There were minor glitches for the inaugural run, but passengers and their families didn't seem to mind as they cheered and sang on the west-bound trip from Eglinton Station.

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EGLINTON CROSSTOWN LRT

Joyride to Toronto's

East-West Region

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

“You can't understand a city without using its public transportation system.” ― Erol Ozan

TORONTO - Enthusiastic crowds on Sunday, Feb. 8, thronged each of the 25 LRT (light rail transit) stations along the 19-kilometre route from Kennedy in the east and Mt. Dennis in the west.

The day was free ride day to mark the official opening and inaugural run of the much-delayed LRT. "It's a major milestone for commuters in the Greater Toronto Area," the Ontario provincial government said in a press statement.

Known as the Eglinton Crosstown LRT or Line 5 Eglinton, it runs between Kennedy and Mt. Dennis stations along Eglinton Avenue, linking 68 routes, three TTC subway stations and two GO transit lines.

"The Eglinton LRT will connect people and communities across the city, helping thousands commute each day and reducing congestion on our roads," Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said.

I had planned to start my news coverage from the west end at Mt. Dennis, but skipped it and the five stops in between since Cedarvale, the station nearest to me, was along the way anyway.

A sizable crowd had already gathered at 9:30 a.m. and shortly after 10 a.m., we were at Eglinton station, which was five stops away. We stepped out here to take photos and videos.

A while later, we boarded the next train. It was jampacked; one could hardly move. Everyone with a cell phone was taking pictures. At Laird station where the train stopped for nearly 10 minutes, the operator announced the train was "out of service."

Apparently somebody had jumped the tracks, and once the sensors had felt it, the train automatically stopped, according to the operator. All through the ordeal, however, no transit official made an effort to explain what happened.

The inconvenience it caused - a delay that set back our timetable - was the only problem we encountered on the way to its terminal at Eglinton station. Besides, the atmosphere was a bit subdued.

In contrast, the travel back west to Cedarvale was upbeat as passengers, evidently enjoying the free ride with their families and pets and the scenic route above ground from Kennedy to Laird, cheered and sang. Ten kilometres of the rail tracks - from Laird to Mt. Dennis - are underground.

Wednesday, 4 February 2026

Film Documents Melania's Journey to Becoming FLOTUS

Volume 7, Issue No. 37

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

Our latest as of Wednesday, February 4, 2026

~ Slovenia-born Melania Knauss (formerly Knavs) entered the United States on an EB-1A visa, commonly known as the "Einstein Visa," reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability. Her journey to citizenship and to being US first lady is one of glamour reenforced by her marriage to Donald Trump, the 45th and present (47th) president. A documentary titled "Melania" is currently showing in theatres in the Greater Toronto Area. The number of moviegoers is below expectations. Yesterday at Scotiabank Theatre in downtown, 19 people turned up, which was a big improvement from the day's opening with only seven souls in attendance.

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MELANIA THE DOCUMENTARY

An Immigrant's Journey

to Becoming FLOTUS

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” ― Jim Rohn

TORONTO - Social media is awash with stories and memes about Melania, the eponymous documentary featuring Melania Knauss Trump, the 55-year-old Slovenia-born third wife of US President Donald J. Trump.

Critics had a field day mocking the movie which is currently showing in two theatres here in Toronto - Scotiabank Theatre on Richmond St. in downtown, and Cineplex Cinema in Scarborough.

(Related video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ6Sq7fpF4Q).

Its dismal performance during the weekend kindled my interest in watching it, just to find out for myself why, despite the huge budget totalling US$75 million - "the highest price ever paid for a documentary" - lavished by Jeff Bezos and MGM Studios.

Melania Trump reportedly made $28 million from the film, which chronicles the 20 days prior to her transition, again, from commoner making a living as a model to first lady of the United States, being the wife of Donald J. Trump who was going to be sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 47th US president.

So yesterday (Tuesday, Feb. 3) afternoon I went to watch it at Scotiabank Theatre, and paid $5.65 for a seat for the nearly two-hour long movie. Many of the scenes were already familiar to me, having watched the extensive news coverages by the major networks of Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025.

* * * * * *

Here's how the blurb goes:

Offering unprecedented access to the 20 days leading up to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration — through the eyes of the First Lady-elect herself — step inside Melania Trump's world as she orchestrates inauguration plans, navigates the complexities of the White House transition, and reenters public life with her family. With exclusive footage capturing critical meetings, private conversations, and never-before-seen environments, Mrs. Trump returns to one of the world's most powerful roles.

* * * * * *

Thirty minutes before the main feature, I was already in the theatre. I felt a little disappointed to see empty seats knowing that on Tuesdays, ticket price is much lower than on other days and on the weekend. I was actually the fifth patron there.

Towards the showing at one o'clock, more people came in. I had positioned myself at the top of the stairway so I could count, and by the time Melania started, the number of moviegoers had grown to less than 20. Later I asked the concierge how many people actually paid and watched. "Nineteen," he said. That confirmed my own account.

Compared to genuine documentaries that I've watched as a student of history, there's nothing memorable about Melania. The ostentatious gold-plated settings everywhere one looked at are cruel, at least to my eyes. But Melania Trump clearly enjoyed the glitter.

For me, two statements from her stand out. One is when she said in a pre-recorded voice-over: "Everyone should do what they can to protect our individual rights. Never take them for granted, because in the end, no matter where we come from, we are bound by the same humanity."

It sounded so deceptive, like she was not aware of what the administration of her husband Donald Trump, a convicted felon and adjudicated sexual offender, is doing against immigrants like herself, in Minnesota, California, Illinois, Texas and across the country.

I wish she would tell him: Donald dear, remember that I come from Slovenia, and your parents are immigrants from Germany and Scotland, and therefore "we are bound by the same humanity." So ease up, please.

Incidentally, multiple news reports claimed Donald Trump's name appeared at least a thousand times in the Jeffrey Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice. But that does not imply wrongdoing, authorities said.

The second noteworthy remark at that juncture when Melania Trump was being escorted to the stage by a Marine, she quipped: "Here we go again" and flashed a contemptuous smile.

The comment caught my attention for its flippancy, perhaps her attempt to humour moviegoers or the people attending the inauguration ceremonies at the White House.

"Here we go again" is an idiom defined by the dictionary as "something familiar, and often familiar or unwelcome, is happening again. The phrase usually emphasizes the speaker's frustration or annoyance that this is the case."

The documentary failed in many respects, in my opinion, as a moviegoer and journalist. Not once did Melania Trump miss the opportunity to inspire beyond the glamour of her position.

I was expecting to see some kind of justification for her alleged genius implied in being a recipient of the Einstein Visa. Maybe her constant discussion with designers and dressmakers manifested that "genius" if that's what it is.

(Additional information: What Is the Einstein Visa and Who Can Qualify?)

What Is the Einstein Visa and Who Can Qualify?

Explore the “Einstein Visa,” a U.S. green card for top-tier talent. Understand the requirements and process for ...

I got tired watching her walking back and forth, trying customized dresses with a retinue of assistants, traveling by plane and car from one destination to the next, talking flimsy with aides, dancing a bit to the tune of YMCA.

But I had to endure all the hoopla and fancy accolade bestowed on her by Jeff Bezos and MGM Studios' $75 million ($40 million for production and $35 million for promotions) gift - some critics say it's a bribe - to confirm my doubts.

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

PM Mark Carney's Speech at Davos Makes Canadians Proud

Volume 7, Issue No. 36

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

Our latest as of Tuesday, January 27, 2026

~ One fine moment when the world looks up to the True North happened last week in Davos, Switzerland where Prime Minister Mark Carney basically defined what Canada is and what Canadians are. It instantly awed his listeners and jolted the convicted felon and adjudicated sexual offender in the White House.

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AT DAVOS, SWITZERLAND

PM Mark Carney's Speech

Makes Us Proud Canadians

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim.” ― Tim Field

TORONTO - The day after Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland last week, I feel a sudden surge of pride in being Canadian. That's not to say I abandon my heritage either, just to be clear.

I'm no political partisan. Come election time, I vote my conscience. Whoever conforms with my fundamental principles gets my vote regardless of party affiliation.

I know Mr. Carney is a Liberal, but it is not because of that which prompts me to write this bit of praise for him as Canada's top leader.

Perhaps it's in my nature to resist being bullied. Threats, intimidation, name-calling, the whole nine yards of personal and verbal attacks - they don't work with me; rather they are my triggers.

Having said that, I feel a certain affinity with how Mr. Carney delivered a scathing blow to our neighbour to the south.

Friday, 16 January 2026

Taste of Manila Festival in the Crosshairs

Volume 7, Issue No. 35

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

Our latest as of Friday, January 16, 2026

~ After nearly four months of waiting, City authorities finally gave the go-signal to release financial information about the Taste of Manila (ToM) festival. Last year, the City withdrew from taxpayers' money and gave $34,000 to the street fest. Officials never made any announcement of the grant, and why ToM, seemingly awash in cash already and despite documented wrongdoings, was selected.

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TASTE OF MANILA IN THE CROSSHAIRS

City Authorities Okay

Release of Info About ToM

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

“People have evolved into something selfish, greedy and intolerant. People are unaccepting because of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation.” ― Gerard Way

TORONTO - Did organizers of Taste of Manila (ToM), notably the former Philippine Consulate driver Rolly Mangante and his so-called "artists" of SPARC, lie to City authorities to secure funding for the street festival?

We may finally be able to get some answers to this and to many other questions surrounding the staging of ToM in August last year where one of its guests was a comedian from Manila.

Brought here to perform acts aping Taylor Swift, the guest was perhaps the best representation of what ToM has become all these years - the continued dumbing down of the Filipino community reliant on pretend artists and questionable leaders.

It's not fun to be presented with a festival that has no redeeming value except to perpetuate mediocrity in a country that values intelligence and hard work. Which leads us to another question, thus, what made ToM qualify for a $34,000 grant money from taxpayers?

This week, City authorities emailed their response to a FOI (freedom of information) inquiry I filed in September. "Access is granted in full to the requested records," the decision reads.

As a journalist, I had asked for records linked to ToM's solicitation for assistance amounting to $34,000, including information about ToM's financial status before the $34K was granted and after the festival ended in mid-August 2025.

The decision to grant access to those information reflects the results of the search conducted by staff of Economic Development & Culture Division, City authorities explained.

Pending those information, it escapes me why the City of Toronto would extend, as it did in 2025, financial aid to a festival that -

1. Steals copyrighted photos and videos from a website (that's Filipino Web Channel) to promote Rolly Mangante's wife; his business partners and political backers. (Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_398v7dDQhQ&t=10s and related story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2023/05/fake-congen-triggers-dispute-over-taste.html).

2. Extorts, or tried to extort from onsite vendors who refused to pay up grease money, and once rejected, blocked public access to their stores. (Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btf2yoU4AaE&t=15s).

3. Betrays allies and colleagues in favour of another, resulting in a lawsuit. (Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGVqgszwyYA&t=29s starting at the 3:24 mark).

4. Makes empty promises to the community to win public and corporate support. (Video at: The Unredeemed Promise of Taste of Manila; Is the Money Gone?).

The Unredeemed Promise of Taste of Manila; Is the Money Gone?

Perhaps the City was not fully informed of the wrongdoings ToM and its alleged founder and associates have committed with impunity. The festival might just be a cover to deflect their real intention, which is to reap huge amounts of money from unsuspecting public.

Meanwhile, City authorities have given ToM and its organizers 30 days to appeal the FOI decision granting this reporter access to all ToM's records. "If no appeal is received, then the records will be released to you after February 13, 2026," authorities said.

Festivals are supposed to be a joyous celebration of culture - art, food, music, values, people, the community, and not a mindless circus that commemorates idiocy embodied by comedians.