Sunday, 14 December 2025

Gaffes Prompt Intense Interest in Filipino Centre Toronto


Volume 7, Issue No. 30
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 Sunday, December 14, 2025 

~ With millions of dollars in its possession and hundreds of thousands more in money grants, it seems inconceivable that Filipino Centre Toronto would not have a decent, interactive website with readily available information about its financial situation and other relevant data. Its existing website is like a pit of misspelled words, awful grammar and bad syntax. It calls its archive "Filipiñina Heritage Library." 

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WHERE ARE YOUR MILLIONS, FCT?
Gaffes Prompt Intense Interest 
in Filipino Centre Toronto
 

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ 
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel


“Things fall apart and happen out of stupidity and carelessness."  – John Sandford  


TORONTO - Ever heard of these words: Filipiñina, Filipinana, generstions, frabric, undering, Phillippines, opporitunities, harmonius, sprit? Or, do you care about grammar, syntax, diction?

The answers to the questions are articulated in the website of the well-endowed Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT), the Scarborough-based non-profit which "envisions a harmonius (sic) blend of tradition and progress . . . "


The misspellings and other gaffes don't inspire confidence in the organization founded in 2000 and whose aim is "to enrich lives, bridge generstions (sic), and contribute to the vibrant multicultural frabric (sic) of the GTA." In truth, they invite mockery.

To attain one of its stated goals, FCT quite possibly, put up what it calls a "Filipiñina (sic) Heritage Library." FCT claims it's "a first in the Greater Toronto Area, and possibly in Canada! The Filipinana (sic) Library, a proud joint project of . . . " Another goal, the website states, "is to develop community sprit (sic)."

I visited the FCT website this week, prompted by a sudden jump in readership of the articles I've written from 2019 and up to August 2025 (the list is below), and to my horror, I thought I was viewing a startup website created by juveniles. 

This was no different from its old website of five years ago where one finds cartoonish images of officials in all manner of poses. Maybe after realizing the illustrations only incited contempt, the images were taken down. (Full story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2020/12/fct-tries-to-be-funny-amidst-pandemic.html).

Of the top 20 stories in Filipino Web Magazine, seven are about FCT. That shows deep public interest in the affairs of FCT and its officials. High on that list are these stories: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2022/02/deception-at-filipino-centre-toronto.html and https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/01/filipino-centre-torontos-arrogance.html.

With its millions and as a public service, I suppose FCT could subsidize publishing them all in a book and be required reading at its "Filipiñina" or "Filipinana" library. The articles are here:


It's possible FCT could do it as my - our - contribution to enriching "lives, bridge generstions (sic), and contribute to the vibrant multicultural frabric (sic) of the GTA." I mean it, if only for the cause of transparency.

FCT is a wealthy non-profit org. It's literally awash in millions after it sold its "dingy and smelly" building on Parliament St. in downtown Toronto for $5.9 million and bought a one-story fixer-upper for $1.9 million. Without attempting a hocus-pocus by some itchy hands, there's $4 million left, presumably. 

Once FCT got the proceeds from the sale, some monetary claimants emerged and asked to be compensated for supposedly "services rendered." At least $678,000 were paid out to nine people. (Full story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/10/fct-opens-its-mouth-with-warning-to.html).

So, the $4 million has been reduced. Then the FCT leadership decided to renovate its Scarborough property and spent at least $1 million. Which means, the leftover money is again depleted. Question: how much is left now of that $5.9 million?

The website says Mary Ann San Juan, to quote verbatim, "the current President & CEO of Filipino Centre, Toronto from 2017 and serving her second term, was one of the founding members of FCT." Take note of the use of "was" in that sentence. Is she still with us or is she gone?

It seems at this juncture that FCT doesn't know what to do with its money. But if it could allocate $1 million or more for a facelift, why not hire a knowledgeable professional to create a website that would uplift?

Its "Filipiñina Heritage Library" looks nice and cool but its book collection of Filipino authors appears wanting. Without meaning to boast, I have more books about the Philippines and its history than I could find in FCT. And I don't have millions of dollars in my pocket! (Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved).

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Thursday, 11 December 2025

Leisurely Ride Aboard Finch West Light Rail Transit


Volume 7, Issue No. 29

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, December 11, 2025 

~ The opportunity was missed to join provincial and city officials in the inaugural run of Toronto's newest transport system - the Line 6 Finch West Light Rail Transit. So on our own, we ventured to see what's the big hullabaloo was all about. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, we took the train from Finch West to Humber and back in under two hours. One's got to enjoy the leisurely pace by which the ride took us to Toronto's northwest region. 

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LINE 6 FINCH WEST - NEW WAY TO RIDE
The Leisurely Midweek Jaunt 
Aboard Light Rail Transit


By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ 
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel


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


TORONTO - A good two hours before the forecasted light snowfall and subzero temperatures on Tuesday, December 9, I ventured out of the house fully bundled in four layers of clothing carrying three cameras in my backpack.

I had missed the Dec. 7 grand opening of the city's latest transit route - Line 6 Finch West - the new gateway to Humber College in the northwest, and wondered why this time I didn't get an invitation to cover it. (Related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd87hZPkhh0).

I like to be there for events such as this for its significance to the bigger community than to Filipinos alone. Besides, where it takes place, progress affects everybody and should be recorded. That would be something to look back to. (Related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mk1I0UfRRA)

Provincial officials led by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow officiated the Dec. 7 ceremony and even took a ride aboard a gleaming LRT (light rail transit) from Finch West station.

“The opening of the Finch West LRT is terrific news for commuters, delivering a fast, reliable and affordable way to travel across Toronto’s northwest,” said Ford in a press statement. For her part, Chow stated: “Line 6 Finch West is here and it belongs to the people who will ride it every day.” 

So, having been passed over the news coverage, I decided to see for myself and traveled to Finch West LRT station where Line 6 originates. Not being here before, I thought the station was impressive, smelled new and looked new. 

After a few minutes of waiting, the train, almost empty at past 10 a.m., started to budge. First stop was at Sentinel. Negotiating the next six stops - Tobermory, Driftwood, Jane and Finch, Norfinch Oakdale, Signet Arrow, Emery - felt like the LRT was lumbering off. 

In fact in one stop, at Emery, I believe, the LRT came to a halt for five minutes without explanation. A guy who said he was a city employee remarked that he was so disgusted it felt what was happening was so unbelievable.

We were clueless. I mean the train was moving leisurely, at a pace tourists would surely love, for it gave them unexpected opportunity to take pictures of the areas, except that the view from the train wasn't meant for photo albums.

Maybe I'm so used to subway trains whizzing through different stations loading and unloading passengers in seconds. In downtown Toronto, if speed be a measure, the streetcars and buses would be preferable than the LRT.

First-time LRT rider Gaelle Burce would give more time for the LRT to improve its performance. "The first two weeks is understandable, quite slow, but who knows, in the next few days, we'll feel the right speed for this train," she says.

Metrolinx said the LRT can carry a maximum of 336 passengers. During this trip from Finch West to Humber and back, there's hardly two dozen riders. It may be because it's not rush hour, or due to the weather, or customers are not aware of the LRT yet since it was inaugurated only two days earlier.

Well, whatever it was, I enjoyed the midweek jaunt if only for the fact that I came to know the northwest end of the transit system through this unhurried train ride. By the way, for our French-speaking riders, the LRT experience would be a delight. (Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved).
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Monday, 8 December 2025

Watershed Moment for Filipino Web Magazine

Volume 7, Issue No. 28

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 Monday, December 8, 2025 

~ A watershed moment is about to happen to this online Filipino Web Magazine as it approaches another year of service. By end December, the number of reads would be well within or way above the 100,000-mark. It's a happy development that indicates appreciation for the illuminating stories and commentaries, both good and bad, we've written for the past seven years. 

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FILIPINO WEB MAGAZINE 
Good and Bad Stories Push
Readership to New Heights


By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ 
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel


“The journey may be tough, but your resilience will shine.” – Isaac Young


TORONTO - The numbers don't lie. They speak for themselves. They tell stories. They are silent expressions of support.

This season of love, peace and joy will soon give way to another year. And so before this one is over, I am just excited to share some bits of blessings that came our way, blessings that are intangible but heartwarming and uplifting, and certainly not material gains.

The years from 2019 to the present - seven years hence - have been fruitful in terms of inspiring readers and figuratively opening minds. 

As writer and editor of this online Filipino Web Magazine or FWM (https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2025/) and other news outlets on YouTube under the umbrella of Romar Media Canada, I am beyond grateful for the public's continued patronage.

By end December 2025, readership at the magazine would well be within or way above the 100,000-mark. In mathematical terms, that would translate to an average of 14,285 reads a month. In practical terms, it means trust and confidence in our reporting.

However, the progression may not be entirely accurate because there are months when stories command little attention, and months when readership surge to high levels depending on the articles written and published. 

For example, stories about Filipino visual and music artists, such as Maestro Romi MananQuil, Michelle Chermaine Ramos, Ignacio "Mogi" Mogado, and Frank Cruzet; Mon Torralba and his Hotdog band, and Belinda Corpuz (videos), have garnered a significant following to boost readership in and outside Canada.

The stories:

In almost equal measure, tabloid competitors Balita and The Philippine Reporter (TPR) have caught public attention for notoriety, thus pushing readers to feast on articles showing how vexatious they are.

Balita, which is run by an EINO or editor in name only, is notable for a string of defamation lawsuits which it consistently lost one after another. On the other hand, TPR has been unmasked for the lies and deception by its conjugal editors leading to its downfall.

The stories:

Remember that old song "Shame and Scandal in the Family"? Its opening lyrics say "Woe is me/Shame and scandal in the family . . . " 

Well, it found its place in Filipino community organizations and events, notably in Taste of Manila and its flash-in-the-pan partners like PCCC, PESO, IEC, and lately SPARC. Not only do they con people, they also steal photos and videos.

The stories . . .

The song may also apply to Filipino Centre Toronto. This month, there's renewed interest in this moneybag of a non-profit so that the number of readers has risen again.

The stories that gained new traction:

The freedom to express opinions on anything, write commentaries about events, critique officials and role players, and expose wrongdoing in government and community organizations funded by taxpayers - these are without question godsend.

Unlike some Toronto tabloids that thrive on gossip, people's vanity, and photo handouts, FWM is intended to be a repository of good and bad times in the Filipino community. That sense of purpose gives it soul.

To quote Philip L, Graham, former Washington Post president and publisher, journalism is "the first rough draft of history," which is also what FWM is doing since its founding.

The focus has always been to uncover hypocrisy that afflicts many of our so-called leaders, fake media, and so-called charity organizations that purport to help the poor and downtrodden. 

One hundred thousand - that's five times the Filipino population in the Greater Toronto Area - is a number difficult to reach unless the stories and commentaries reflect current developments affecting everyone. To me, attaining that huge readership indicates relevance and deep connection with the community. (Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved).
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