Filipino Web Magazine : July 2025

Thursday, 31 July 2025

The Gift of a Widening Readership

Volume 7, Issue No. 5

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 Thursday, July 31, 2025

~ Looks like readers of this online magazine have gifted me with something priceless on this seventh year of serving the community through news reporting. Much to my big surprise is the steep rise in readership, from 5,251 in June to nearly 8,000 and counting this July, so far away from the monthly average of 1,000 plus. I suppose the numbers speak of trust and reliability of reporting.

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READERS FLOOD FILIPINO WEB MAGAZINE

Sea Change in Reading Habits

Notable Is the Big Jump in Numbers

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

"Journalists should be watchdogs, not lapdogs." - Newton Lee

TORONTO - A heartwarming development happened these past two months, i.e. an avalanche of readers is swamping this online Filipino Web Magazine (FWM).

To naysayers, I'm just too happy to invite you all to take a look and find out for yourselves why thousands, repeat thousands, are taking time to peruse the articles I've written about our community and our people.

Without sounding too boastful, it's only in FWM that readers could get some enlightenment in what's happening in our neighbourhood and why our performative role-players shy away from investigative journalism.

Most, if not all, of our community periodicals (or at least those that still exist) focus on socials and entertainment, basically ignoring meaningful developments impacting our lives.

It seems to me there's a realization going on that news coverage by the local media, superficial as it is, is devoted to the same organizations and group of people who are forever addicted to seeing their names and faces splashed in the papers.

FWM does not do that as a matter of editorial and personal policy. Positive online exposure is limited to people deserving recognition for their accomplishments.

And for those who engage in scams and perpetrate fraud, there is no stopping in highlighting them even at the risk of physical threats and lawsuits. That's how investigative journalism works.

I launched the online magazine in 2019 after losing the print platform I thought was home for seven years. I stood for principle, and that was not good enough unless I also succumb to lying and rumor-mongering.

That was a big fat no-no in journalism. I still believe in what Virgil, the ancient Roman poet, said: "The noblest motive is the public good." It was the motto of the Manila Chronicle, the daily newspaper that gave birth to my journalism career.

This month and last, I found it exhilarating when the numbers from Google analytics came in. For June, for example, the number of readers stood at 5,251 which was way above the previous months.

FWM was averaging a little over a thousand a month. So, the June figure was quite astonishing. But wait, a big surprise was coming to upend that number. Now it's July, and the number keeps rising, settling at 7,892 as of this writing today, Thursday, July 31.

I was happy with having an average of 1,000+ readers a month. But to see nearly 8,000 readers this month alone spending time to digest the articles is truly fascinating! It's a sea change by all means.

I can only see that as an indication of a growing multitude seeking factual, honest, and trustworthy journalism about the community and the issues affecting them.

The general feeling, I believe, is that FWM is filling a vacuum in information not readily available in Filipino periodicals. As it is, our media is engrossed in shallow entertainment fare which has no redeeming value.

People need to know, want to know, credible answers not only to the who, what, when, where, and how queries, but more importantly, to the why question. For example, how can one trust a person with four aliases posting to social media exaggerated claims about Taste of Manila?

That's where it matters. The why question usually unlocks secrets and selfish, even criminal, motives; that's the reason persons in authority avoid being pegged for an exhaustive interview.

This shift in readership implies that confidence is being placed on the FWM articles to such an extent one can talk about them in good authority. There's certainty in the facts, an assurance that readers are not being lied to.

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Were Hermie and Mila Garcia Ousted from Ethnic Press?

Volume 7, Issue No. 4

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

Our latest as of Tuesday, July 29, 2025

~ The National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada appears to be withholding the names of its new board of directors by limiting its release only to members. The preceding board had two officials - Hermie Garcia and Mila A. Garcia - who were exposed for their lies and deceptive schemes on their two staff writers, on a federal agency and on the organization itself. Were they ousted, and the press group now tries to cover it up?

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THE CASE OF HERMIE AND MILA A. GARCIA

Did NEPMCC Oust Them?

Names of New Board Released Only to Members

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

"To say nothing is saying something. You must denounce things you are against or one might believe that you support things you really do not." - Germany Kent

TORONTO - Of the 2,116 words contained in 142 sentences that make up the Statement of Principles of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) there's not a single mention of the word "transparency."

So there's no mistaking what it means, the Cambridge dictionary defines transparency as "the quality of being done in an open way without secrets" or "the characteristic of being easy to see through."

None of those definitions appear in NEPMCC. I read the Statement five times and combed through every sentence in hopes of finding justification of why the organization seems to have resorted to self-censorship in not releasing names of a new board of directors for 2025-2027.

At best, transparency is inferred in this wise: "Journalists must be free to comment on the activities of any publicly elected body or special-interest organization."

In the June 9, 2025 minutes of its meeting published recently on its website, NEPMCC announced, and I quote: "The List of the new Board for (sic) Directors for 2025-2027 was mailed to all the members."

That aroused my curiosity. Why was it mailed instead of posting the contents to its website where anyone can see it?

It is significant when viewed in light of questions surrounding two NEPMCC officials, namely, Hermie Garcia and Mila A. Garcia, the conjugal owners and editors of The Philippine Reporter (TPR), the left-leaning tabloid that appears to have shutdown.

The couple are members of the board for the term 2023-2025, he, as one of the 13-member executive board being senior VP, and she, as one of the 20 vice presidents. (Related story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2023/05/hermie-and-mila-garcia-freedom-fighters.html).

Withholding names of board members for scrutiny does not speak of transparency. Taxpayers like us have every right to know how their tax dollars are being disbursed by the federal government to recipients like NEPMCC.

I am now prompted to ask: could the Garcias have been ousted, dismissed, thrown out, punished, or sanctioned by NEPMCC because of what they did to their TPR reporters Michelle Chermaine Ramos and a writer based in Edmonton, Alberta?

Is NEPMCC trying to protect them by not releasing the names of the new board because the Garcias are probably no longer there, although they remain NEPMCC members for their defunct (?) newspaper?

"They were sanctioned," was how Maria Saras Voutsinas, executive managing director, described what the NEPMCC purportedly did to the couple in a brief talk in May at Toronto City Hall. And that was all, no further explanation.

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Buyers Want ToM, the Cash Cow, Says Official

Volume 7, Issue No. 3

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

Our latest as of Wednesday, July 23, 2025

~ The chatter goes that the former driver at the Philippine Consulate who claims he founded the Taste of Manila (ToM) festival now wants to cash in on the questionable asset he and his household now run as a family enterprise. A ToM partner, however, denies the story but says there are parties interested in buying it. Money problems and distrust by corporate and local vendors appear to be the reasons for wanting to unload it.

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MONEY, DISTRUST AMONG PROBLEMS CITED

Taste of Manila Is For Sale

But SPARC's Sani Baluyot Denies It

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

"A miser and a liar bargain quickly." - Proverbs

TORONTO - The chatter around town is that the Taste of Manila (ToM) festival is for sale. But a contractual organizer says it is not.

Those are the two conflicting takeaways in the progression of ToM from a purported community undertaking to a family-owned business.

Now that it's a commercial enterprise that benefits one family and its appointed managers, should the community continue to patronize it? Would that not be like the public subsidizing a private venture with no accountability?

ToM had a lot of promise at the beginning. It was marketed as an endeavour to help transitioning Filipinos and the growing Filipino community with placement assistance. It never materialized. (Related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR8XMVd5dT4).

But once it had established itself after a financial debacle in 2018 that almost ended its life had not then-Mayor John Tory intervened and waived fees, ToM seems to have forgotten its promise and mandate.

Government grants - that's our taxpayers' money, folks - amounting to at least a quarter of a million dollars, had been pumped in to keep ToM alive. (Related story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2024/11/non-profit-org-blamed-for-video-theft.html).

Now, the beggarly organizers at that time led by ToM's self-named founder Rolly "kabise" Mangante, a former driver at the Philippine Consulate, have become so arrogant especially with the inclusion of so-called "artists" (or is it con artists?) into its fold.

I asked the triad currently running ToM, namely Mangante, Danilo "Sani" Baluyot, and the online troll with four names, that's Rose To aka Marites Tolits aka Rose Ami aka Rosemarie Ami-Seaborn, how much the festival made in revenues since the alleged non-profit SPARC took over.

Baluyot, one of only two people who composed SPARC (Society of Philippine Artists, Recreation and Community), the other being the four-dimensional person, replied (note: writing in all caps is the equivalent of shouting and shows a lack of decorum):

"WE HAVE NDA CLAUSE AND YOU ARE NOT PART OF EITHER PARTY TO KNOW SUCH CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SAME WAY I SHOULD NOT BE ASKING YOU ON HOW MUCH YOU MAKE IN A YEAR IN WRITING NON VERIFIED EDITORIAL ARTICLES."

Well, I told him that I don't mind being asked questions about my well-researched, highly verified, cross-checked facts in my widely read articles at the Filipino Web Magazine which averages 1,000 (one thousand) readers a month.

That figure, I explained for his ignorant mind to understand, is from Google analytics. On the other hand, my flagship Filipino Web Channel has 3,171,642 (three million one hundred seventy one thousand six hundred forty two) views as of this writing.

Baluyot didn't say a word when I inquired if his emailed statement also reflected the position of Mangante and the four-in-one person who were both copied with my questions. (Related story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2024/12/for-some-money-tom-and-sparc-went-rogue.html).

My usually-reliable sources within the secretive SPARC and ToM informed me that Mangante was selling his professed proprietary right over the ToM festival for at least $600,000 because he was facing mounting money and legal problems.

To this, Baluyot said "NOT TRUE." He added: "THERE ARE PARTIES SENDING THEIR INTENTION TO BUY, HOWEVER TOM IS NOT FOR SALE."

The story going around is that Mangante could not bear the shame of being linked to a number of alleged illicit activities, including, one, the installation of a steel fence blocking establishments that refused to pay grease money (Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btf2yoU4AaE and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLl_ud3-Xew); two, the theft he allegedly masterminded of pictures and videos from The Filipino Web Channel; three, the non-fulfillment of a promise to plough back to community projects revenues from ToM.

Baluyot responded: "NOT TRUE. IM CURIOUS WHERE ARE YOU GETTING SUCH FAKE NEWS. PLS DO PROPER DUE DILIGENCE AND REFRAIN FROM MAKING ASSUMPTIONS BASED ON HEARSAY."

Mangante is presently embroiled in a contentious lawsuit. He has been sued for allegedly breaching his three-year contract with Cecille Araneta's International Entertainment Company (IEC) and entering into another contract with Baluyot's SPARC. Asked if that lawsuit has been settled out of court, Baluyot replied:

"ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THIS MATTER DOES NOT CONCERN YOU. IF YOU WANT TO INSIST, WE CAN DIRECT YOU TO OUR LEGAL TEAM."

I told him I'd appreciate it if he would direct me to their "legal team" if such existed at all if only to get answers to my questions. Baluyot never replied back.

After Baluyot denied Mangante is financially hard-up - which could mean lots of money are oozing from his ears - I asked if Mangante will now pay for the photos and videos he stole from my YouTube channel. There was no reply.

Despite the documented wrongdoings Mangante and his cohorts committed in ToM's name, a dubious foundation had recognized him with its "community service award" in September 2024. (Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKKviJ2tEn4). It's nauseating to say the least. (Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved).

Friday, 18 July 2025

Writing for E-Zine Has Its Upside

Volume 7, Issue No. 2

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of Romar Media Canada, 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 Friday, July 18, 2025

~ The proliferation of mindless festivals that rely on crackpots to entice public support - in fact, one just ended and another one is coming up soon - does not speak for the well-being of the Filipino community. There are other less touted but more substantive attributes with redeeming values. In reviewing the past six years of this online Filipino Web Magazine, sentimental stories of love, family, community, the homeland, and our adopted home, occupy a significant part of our readers' attention.

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ON FWM'S SEVENTH YEAR

Brighter Side of News Reporting

There's a Deep Appreciation for Positive Stories

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust

TORONTO - Lest our Filipino community might be mistaken as sheltering all kinds of impostors, crooks, and wolves in sheep's clothing, a brighter side exists that actually elevates us.

In a previous article, I purposely avoided lumping several most-read stories I wrote and published on this online Filipino Web Magazine (FWM) with articles involving personages of dubious if not criminal motives.

Those are real downers who deserve their own category inasmuch as they perpetuate the notion that Filipinos, with some notable exceptions, are prone to commit fraud on their own people. To a large extent, that perception is true.

Some of the exceptions to this prevailing sentiment are validated, not by me, but by readers who silently applaud the effort to highlight their works . . . indeed, works that show Filipinos are endowed with knowledge, talent and skill matching those in the mainstream community.

My story about the Philippine Artists Group (https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2023/06/pags-art-exhibit-celebration-of.html) illustrates this sentiment as it garnered an all-time high in number of readers at FWM.

The seven news videos I created for my YouTube channel (here's one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kpW15YmWFg&t=599s) complemented the story. However, the number of views is a little lower than those who read the article.

Then there's my commentary on a feature article by artist and journalist Michelle Chermaine Ramos of her co-artist, Mogi Mogado, who she calls "Markham's self-taught Michelangelo" for his sculpture of Jose Rizal, among others. To many readers, that was an awe-inspiring moment unseen in these parts. (https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2024/01/portrait-of-artist-in-eyes-of-another.html).

We all love to be loved. And what better way to express that sentiment than in essays revealing our inner feelings. My feature (https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2023/02/valentines-day-feature-love-takes-flight.html) charmed readers to make it on top of the list.

And so does another article I wrote for Valentine's Day (https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2024/02/notes-on-valentines-day-love-lasts-lust.html) which strengthens my belief that we're slaves to what our hearts say.

Filipinos are generally affectionate and family-oriented people. They're sentimentalists, which explain why they're tethered to the homeland however long they've stayed out and lived in adopted lands.

My personal tribute to a mother who I endearingly call my "Inang" (https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2020/05/tribute-to-gloria-mendoza-my-inang-in.html) has warmed the heart of hundreds of readers enough to be high on the list.

The remarkable gift to the community by the late Ambassador Leslie B. Gatan (https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2024/06/thanks-to-ambassador-gatan-he-gave-us.html) firmly established, though unofficially, the Filipino presence in Toronto through the commercial and residential hub called Little Manila.

The recent greed-driven festivals in that small enclave do not do justice to what the diplomat had envisioned for the Filipino community. It's a pity there's nothing edifying in that stolen idea of Taste of Manila.

Music runs in the blood of Filipinos, that's why it's a necessary component of any celebration. Accountant and music lover Cielo Ramos has proven it twice already in a gathering of Filipino artists (https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2023/11/toronto-pianist-sparks-renewed-interest.html).

My videos of her playing Filipino love songs on the piano has amassed an almost cult-like following. Here are some:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74OZCliSBEU

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqfFzi5xZHA

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hc6qAcr708

The essence of how Filipinos celebrate an authentic fiesta has been captured by FUN Philippines (https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2023/07/fun-philippines-authentic-fiesta-for.html) and has gathered positive responses, especially from homesick folks.

Our belief in the justice system is buoyed up in a decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice clearing businesswoman Liwayway Miranda of any wrongdoing alleged by her detractors (https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2019/12/liwayway-miranda-aka-lily-hammer-gets.html).

And finally, the very first column I wrote for FWM after I struggled to find my footing again as a community journalist enjoyed enormous readership, indicating a favourable response to my commentaries. (https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2019/07/writing-column-quarter-of-century-on.html).