UM-SIGAW

(As printed in the Filipino Journal: Sept. 05 – 20, 2011; Volume 26, Number 16)

Happy new school year! 2010-2011 has come and gone and as 2011-2012 rings in we would like to celebrate with the announcement of the 2011 UMSigaw “Tinig ng Pilipinas” Bursary and the 2011 UPAA-UMSigaw Bursary: Katrina Mae Soriano and Coleen Isabel Valdez.

Katrina Soriano hailed from Shaftesbury High School, graduating with an honour in distinction in chemistry and pre-calculus and received an MTS Scholarship as well as a U of M Entrance Scholarship. Having been involved with the Envirothon and Shaftesbury High Altitude Robotics Project, she will be entering the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba with a focus on Electrical Engineering. Currently, Katrina aspires to continue on to pursue a master’s degree upon graduation. Having been involved in these academic competitions and already in a extra-curricular program at the U of M, the bursary committee deemed Katrina most qualified for the UMSigaw “Tinig ng Pilipinas” Bursary.

2011 UMSigaw “Tinig ng Pilipinas” Bursary winner, Katrina Mae Soriano

Coleen Valdez graduated from Sisler High School as an honours-level student with glowing recommendations. Before coming to Canada, of which she has only been here for a year and a half, she was involved in many humanitarian activities such as the Pontifical Mission Societies and aiding in the Typhoon Ondoy relief. After University 1 at the University of Manitoba, Coleen intends to obtain a degree in Economics or Global Political Economy in order to enter the Faculty of Law. Being previously erolled at the University of the Philippines, we found Coleen most fitted for the new joint UPAA-UMSigaw Bursary with the UP Alumni Association of Manitoba.

2011 UPAA-UMSigaw Bursary winner, Coleen Isabel Valdez

We wish Katrina and Coleen all the best in their scholastic endeavours, and hope that their promising beginning would help them to be the role models the Filipino community in Winnipeg will be looking forward to hear about in the future.

UMSigaw officers and AMF ambassadors (L-R): Linger Aragon, Celine Jimenez, Jay Jimenez, Geraldine de Lemos, Brian Babaran, Maan Manaol, Rojuane Aragon, Agnus-Mariae Lucas

UMSU’s Asian Movie Festival Presents: the Philippines
by Celine Jimenez

Once again, the University of Manitoba Students’ Union livened up the back-to-school-season with its annual Celebration Week. From January 24 to the 28th, an array of events was lined up all in celebration of “life and learning” (UMSU.ca).

Included was the Asian Movie Festival which showcased the cultural diversity of Asia through cinema and cuisine. Various Asian countries participated, such as Korea, India, the Philippines, and several others. Each country showed a movie which portrayed an aspect of their culture while serving their delicious native foods.

The University of Manitoba Filipino Student Group (UM Sigaw) was proud to present Sharon Cuneta’s, “The Caregiver”; a compelling story about the hardships and sacrifices faced by many Overseas Filipino Workers. Many OFWs today still find themselves in plights of unfair treatment and unequal opportunities for employment. “The Caregiver” successfully addresses this problem, while showing that hope, hard work, and integrity can see us through tough times.

The event was a success and by the end, there was still enough karyoka and empanada for everyone to take home!

Although Celebration Week has come to an end, everyone is welcome to come join us next year for another celebration of cultural pride, diversity, and togetherness!