President's Report

(by Michael Guterres, President)

We have always maintained that our newsletter should be used to impart news to our members and to the Macanese Community at large.  We have opposed using these pages to "air our dirty laundry", so to speak.    However, as we have received feedback that certain sources are trying to place the blame on our shoulders for the breakdown of the talks, it was felt necessary to clarify this matter, not only for our Members, but also for the rest of the Macanese Community in Vancouver and elsewhere around the world.

 Members may recall that we had an ongoing dialogue with the Macau Cultural Association (the “MCA”) up until May of this year.  An earlier meeting in April concluded with the mutual agreement to meet again in May, same time, same place.  Just prior to this May meeting, a fax was received from the President of the MCA advising of a postponement due to unforeseen circumstances.  We replied to acknowledge receipt of this notification and mentioned that we were eager to set an alternate date so that the talks could resume.  We had no response nor communication from them on this matter.  On July 12^th we decided we could wait no longer and sent the following letter to the MCA.   As each of these letters is self-explanatory, and due to limited available space within this newsletter, we have omitted other "background" information.    We are leaving it to you, the reader, to draw your own conclusions based on the evidence of these writings.

 July 12^th, 2000 - Letter from Casa de Macau to MCA

 "……….  It is therefore in the interests of all the Macanese people in Vancouver that we appeal to you to resume our discussions and meetings in order that we can find an end to our differences and move ahead toward the goal of securing a clubhouse for our community.

 As you will recall, the meetings in Lisbon touched on unity on a number of occasions and as leaders of our respective communities, you and I have a responsibility to promote this unity rather than stand in the way of it.

 Further, as these discussions are of great interest to the members of both of our clubs, we suggest that we “open” these talks so that any interested party from either club may attend and witness the discussions firsthand in order to form their own opinions on the progress being made. Guests observing these talks will form an “audience”, so to speak, but will not have any participatory role other than to observe.  This is an important element to the resumption of our meetings as anything we discuss and decide will affect every member of both clubs and we certainly have no objections to having any or all in attendance ………………….."

 We did not receive a reply until finally, on August 29^th, a faxed letter was received from the MCA which is printed below for your information:  

 August 29^th, 2000 - Letter from MCA to Casa de Macau

 "…..In view of the correspondence we had recently with Ms. Gabriela Cesar we are proposing the following:

 Charles Curry and Sergio Pina, in their capacities as Treasurers of Casa de Macau Club and the Macau Cultural Association respectively, will hold, one on one exploratory talks; OR

Our Association Building Sub-Committee will hold discussions with your Building Sub-Committee for exploratory talks.  Our Building Sub-Committee is made up of individuals who are not members of our Executive Council………."

 We were encouraged by this response, despite the fact it did not make mention of our July 12^th letter nor did they comment on or confirm our request to "open" these meetings to members of both clubs.  They seemed willing to meet, so we replied as follows:

 Sept. 15^th, 2000 - Letter to MCA from Casa de Macau

 "……………….Upon review of your two suggestions, we provide the following responses:

 Suggestion 1:  Your suggestion that the treasurers of our respective clubs meet is not possible.  Our Treasurer is not authorized by our members to act on behalf of our club.  The only elected officer permitted to do so is our President.

 Suggestion 2:  While you may appoint a "sub-committee" to represent your executive board, our club has chosen to retain the committee we presently have in place for these meetings.  Our committee is the same committee who met with you on three previous occasions over the past year.  Should you wish to retain your sub-committee to meet with our Executive Board, please confirm your agreement to meet and we shall make arrangements for a suitable venue for subsequent talks.   As mentioned in our July 12th letter to you, all subsequent meetings will be opened to our members and their guests to observe and witness the proceedings.  We feel it is important that the members of our community find out what is transpiring in the matter of a clubhouse here in Vancouver.   We had hoped to discuss this option with you but as you had not responded to our aforementioned writing, we have exercised our option to open the meetings to "our" members and their guests. It is entirely at your discretion as to whether or not you wish to invite your members and their guests to attend in similar fashion.

 As you are aware, we tried to contact you, unsuccessfully, in mid August 2000 for the purpose of merely meeting to open a joint bank account in order to receive the moneys awarded to us for the clubhouse. A joint account was a necessary element to the terms of the grant.  In our telephone discussions with FCDM all that was necessary to have the money transferred to Vancouver was a joint letter signed by our two Presidents providing details of the account along with a request for FCDM to make the transfer………..   We had hoped to accomplish this before Mrs. Cesar's effective resignation date as that would have eliminated much of the red tape we expect to encounter now that she has been replaced as Chair of the Foundation.  Had the funds been transferred here at that time, we would now be enjoying a monthly income of roughly CDN$7-8,000 per month which, over time, would add a substantial sum to the clubhouse fund in Vancouver while negotiations between our two clubs progressed………….  This can still be achieved and we appeal to you again to:

 1.  Meet at a Bank for the purpose of opening a joint account. If you wish to chose your present Bank, we are agreeable.  We had originally hoped to select any branch of the HSBC for ease of electronic funds transfer.

2.   Once the account is opened, the two Presidents would jointly sign one letter to FCDM requesting that the funds be transferred.

3.   Once the money is here it will continue to earn interest (and allow the fund to grow) while our two clubs carry on discussions as proposed.  We are aware that FCDM will be merged with another Foundation shortly and a re-allottment/re-justification of unused grants will undoubtedly take place and it is in our best interests to do all we can to transfer the funds to us before this re-assessment takes place.

 We ask that you put aside our differences for this one occasion and allow common sense to prevail.  In this way we can reap the benefits of a growing investment for our two clubs and hopefully bring some semblance of unity to our fractured community.  As stated in our letter of July 12th, ".....as leaders of our respective communities, you and I have a responsibility to promote this unity rather than stand in the way of it....."

 To date, we have not received a response, which is puzzling, given the last paragraph of their August 29^th letter which states in part "….. If you agree with any of the two options as set out above, please confirm in writing; and fax your reply to our Secretary, Ms Natercia da Rosa at (fax#provided) or to our Treasurer, Sergio Pina at fax (fax#provided).     We hope that you will co-operate in our joint endeavour to pursue the possibility of establishing a clubhouse or "sede" to be shared by the two casas, and for the development of cultural activities for the Macanese community in Vancouver….."     One can only draw their own conclusions as to the real motivation of the writer, if he/she does not respond after inviting a response from us, which we did.

 Given the present turbulence at the MCA (their President and 1^st Vice President both resigned during the month of September) and the countless delays and non-responses we have faced, it has become fairly obvious that we must wait until the members of the MCA select a democratically- elected President and Board before we can see the clubhouse issue being resurrected again.   It is our hope that a new President and Board will consistently demonstrate that they can distinguish between personal differences and what is best for the entire community.  We had hoped the new interim-president would step to the plate and get matters moving, but unfortunately, this has not been the case, and we are not optimistic that a meeting will come about any time soon.

 We regret having to take this route to publish the actual occurrences occupying your Executive this past summer, but we felt it important to disclose these matters in order that our entire community can be aware of both sides of the story and decide for themselves which of the two Vancouver clubs really has the best interests of the Vancouver Macanese community at heart and which of the two clubs is actually stalling.

 EDITORIAL

 “The Games bring us together.  The joy unites us.”  (from the Home Depot Olympic television commercial, September 2000)

These words indeed could also be applied to the Macanese Community worldwide: one could say the Encontros bring us together and our culture and heritage unite us.  On the home front, one could say the Casas bring us together and our fellowship unites us.  If this is true, why then does our local Macanese Community still stand divided?  

I know, I know:  you readers are probably going to tell me the same old story that, because of all that has transpired between the two Vancouver Casas since the birth of our Casa, a united Macanese community here in Vancouver is just a dream! 

Hey, it does not matter how many Casas there are in Vancouver - this is not the issue.   There could be any number of Casas, each retaining its own “Casa” identity.  What matters is that the people who belong to any Casa de Macau also belong to the Macanese Community as a whole, and further, even if one did not belong to a particular Casa, this does not make him or her less Macanese than his “Casa” counterpart.    Our local Macanese Community is not dependent on how many Casas there are, but rather on the strength of the people who make up our local Macanese Community, Casas or no Casas! 

Love is not dependent on marriage, but marriage is dependent on love.  It could therefore be said that the fate of the Macanese Community is not dependent on a “marriage” of the Casas, but dependent on the love of the Macanese people for each other, whether or not they belong to a Casa.   If there were only one Casa in Vancouver to which every Macanese person belonged, but no love nor mutual respect and understanding existed between the people of that one Casa, then the Macanese Community as one community would still stand divided!

The Olympics provides the opportunity for people of many different countries to unite in the joy of amateur sport and of sportsmanship.  Some 50 and more countries are represented.  The Olympics is a time when battles are set aside, when politics are set aside, when the best sports people in the world take centre stage for the one same reason, that is, being the best they can be so that, to the best of their abilities, they can share their amateur sport with the rest of the world for the universal good and future development of amateur sport and of sportsmanship, leaving family, friends AND personal differences, feelings and matters AT HOME.   

Let the Games begin!  If the Olympics is the cue, then maybe there is a chance that our local Macanese Community will no longer be divided, and then maybe issues like a “sede”, a joint social function, etc. will no longer be “just a dream”!

This issue of The Voz has turned out to be a spotlight on our young adults.  As you can see, each one is different, and yet, each one is the same because of culture, heritage and values, not because they happen to be members of the same Casa.  Being different means variety, but at the same time, being the same means unity!  “United we stand, divided we fall!” 

 “O.K., O.K. already!!!!!!” ---  here is my disclaimer:  yes, it is absolutely true that the foregoing are only the views and opinions of your Editor  (but I sure wish I did not have to write this disclaimer)! 

NOMINATIONS – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The time has come yet again!   All five (5) offices of the Executive Committee are “up for grabs” at the next Elections.

In accordance with the by-laws of our Casa, nominations shall be accepted from the floor at the last General Meeting of each calendar year, this being our forthcoming November 11, 2000 General Meeting, and thereafter, nominations will be accepted up to six weeks prior to the date of our Annual General Meeting, which meeting is scheduled to take place on the first Saturday in April, 2001.  (Note:   the second Saturday in April, 2001 is Easter Saturday, so the Annual General Meeting had to be pushed forward.)

NOMINATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT OUR GENERAL MEETING ON NOVEMBER 11, 2000 AND THEREAFTER FROM THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE.

ALL NOMINATIONS (OTHER THAN THOSE ACCEPTED AT THIS GENERAL MEETING) MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE USING THE PRESCRIBED NOMINATION FORM – NO EXCEPTIONS PLEASE.

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR YOUNG ADULTS

 AMANDA BOURSICOT – ARTIST

(by Boca Tanto, from information supplied by Mariazinha Rozario Duguay and Amanda Boursicot)

            Mandy, as she is known to our Casa, is a graduate of the Emily Carr School of Art in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and has been invited to exhibit her Macanese artwork in Macau in early October this year.  This eagerly-awaited event has special significance for our Casa because this is probably the first time that a member from any of the Casas de Macau worldwide has been invited by the Macau Government to hold an art show.

The show is called A Macanese Story and will run from October 9, 2000 to October 16, 2000 at the Centro UNESCO in Macau.  The opening reception will be held on the evening of October 9, 2000 and will be presided by the Portuguese Consul General to Macau.  It will be attended by other dignitaries including the Canadian Cultural Attache to Hong Kong and Macau.  The show is an official function, generously sponsored by the Fundacao Macau.

           A Macanese Story includes work that has previously been presented to the

Casa, including An Unwritten History of Macau, Portrait of a Lineage, Mothers of the Empire, Caldo Verde, Trade Winds and Tea in China, amongst others.  In 1998, Mandy presented two slide shows to our members, tracing the voyages, discoveries, and settlement of Portuguese explorers, from Portugal to Macau. 

“I will of course be wearing a Casa de Macau (Vancouver) lapel pin!” says Mandy.   Thank you, Mandy!

Our Casa wishes Mandy a very successful art show in Macau and looks forward to many more presentations of her work to our Casa.

For further details and information about Mandy and her artwork, readers may refer back to the August 1999 issue of The Voz.

ANNE-MARIE DA COSTA – CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANT

(by Boca Tanto, from information supplied by Anne-Marie da Costa)

The following are the "trials and tribulations" on the way to a “CGA” as told by Anne-Marie: 

“Well, after graduating from the BCIT Financial Management Advanced Accounting program in 1994, I entered the CGA program and began working full-time for KPMG Chartered Accountants (the CGA program requires that you work full-time while enrolled in the program).”

“Although the full course load is three courses per year, for the first four years, I

only took two courses at a time because the third course would have fallen during tax season, and due to the overtime hours I was required to work, the load would have been too much to bear.  I still found it very draining though, because after putting in a full day of work (sometimes more), I would have to go home and study for another three to four hours each night and do homework assignments on a weekly basis, which meant giving up most of my weekend time too.  At one point, I actually began to burn out and didn't manage to pass any of the exams that I wrote one year, but the next year with the support from my family, friends and co-workers, I managed to gather myself back up and complete the last of my exams.”

“In that last year, I also changed jobs and began working for ParkLane where my supervisors made it clear that my priority was to complete my CGA program, even if that meant the job had to suffer.  This went a long way towards making me feel like I had full support.  Another good thing was that both of my employers paid for my studies so that I did not have to also bear the financial burden of being in the program.  That about sums it up!”

Anne-Marie, our Casa joins me in congratulating you on your achievement and in wishing you every success for the future!

ALISON RODRIGUES – A SPECIAL OLYMPIAN

(by Angelina Rozario)                                                                  

            Gold, Silver and Bronze!  These are the medals Alison Rodrigues brought back from the BC Summer Games held in Victoria, B. C. between July 27, 2000 and July 30, 2000.

            Alison, as you may recall from a previous article in our Casa Newsletter, has again made a name for herself in the Special Olympics Team from Coquitlam.   She won a GOLD medal for placing first in the 400 metre race at the University of Victoria on July 28.  This was followed by a BRONZE medal when she competed the next day in the ladies 4 x 100 metre relay race with the Fraser Valley/Delta team.  On the last day of the Games, Alison won a SILVER medal in the Special Olympics 200 metre race.

            It was an honour for me to watch Alison participate in the BC Summer Games as Alison and I have become “good friends” in the last few months.  (Alison’s mother, Marilyn, invited me to accompany her to the Games.)

            Alison, your performance at the Games was “awesome” and I am very proud of you!  On behalf of our Casa members, I would like to say PARABENS and keep up the good work!

CATRIONA HASLAM

(by Boca Tanto)

I am sure Catriona needs no introduction.  Readers know Catriona as the Co-ordinator of our Casa’s cooking classes, which comes under the umbrella of our Cultural Committee.  Read more about Catriona in Maria Antonio King’s article on “How Sweet It Is!” 

TIMOTHY HASLAM and JULES DUGUAY

(by Boca Tanto)

Readers will instantly recognize the two handsome lads in the front in picture on the right.   They are none other than Timothy Haslam (son of Aleixa Haslam and brother of Catriona Haslam) and Jules Duguay (son of  Mariazinha Rozario Duguay).  

And yes, we will say it again:  Tim and Jules – we are all proud of you!  Timothy and Jules participated in the Procession at the Third Encontro in Macau by helping to carry the Statue of Our Lady.  By the way, if you read the last issue(s) of The Voz, you will have learned that Tim is a minchi “master chef” and a writer, and that Jules is a photographer and a writer, although neither has chosen these to be their professions! Qui capaz!

AND OUR SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES ARE:

AMANDA MARIE KING – Budding Archaeologist

(by Amanda Marie King)               

I am Amanda Marie King, daughter of Ken and Maria King.  I graduated from Little Flower Academy in 1999, and at this time am enjoying my second year at Simon Fraser University. I am an Archaeology major and am pursuing a minor in First Nations Studies.

Moving towards my career goals, I work at the Vancouver Maritime Museum in the curation department.  Through the government's Youth Community Action, I gain invaluable experience while earning university tuition credits at the Museum.

I had the time of my life on a pilgrimage throughout Italy, France and Britain in August 2000. 

In my spare time, I adore camping, rollerblading, spending time with Maciek, my boyfriend.

MICHELLE ALICIA HO – Budding Teacher

(by Boca Tanto)

Michelle Alicia Ho is a third year English Major and French Minor at Simon Fraser University.   Her aim is to teach these subjects at the high school level upon graduation. 

Readers will recognize Michelle as one of our Casa singers at the many social functions of our Casa.  Michelle has many years of choral music under her belt and belonged to the Amadeus Children’s (Touring) Choir, which gave her the opportunity to perform in Ontario as well as on Vancouver Island.  She is also a gifted pianist.

Michelle is a Program Assistant for the Sungod Figure Skating Club.  She has a black belt in karate (Guys, beware!) and is one of the top female fighters in the Pacific Northwest! However, she would prefer to let her brother perform this discipline in public!

 BRIAN ANTHONY HO – Budding Businessman

(by Boca Tanto)

Brian Anthony Ho is the other half of the editorial team of The Voz.  He provides the creativity and balance of its layout and renders full technical support to the Editor.  He is in his final year in Economics at Simon Fraser University, and the way things are looking, he is probably going to be a very successful businessman in the computer field and perhaps also in financial planning.

Brian excels in sports, especially in track and field and martial arts.   He competes regularly, both locally and internationally, in karate and is a world champion in the National Black Belt League.  While he would never tell you, he also plays the piano and has sung in the school choir with his sister.  He is a proficient sketch artist as well – just ask him to show you his sketchbook!

 HOW SWEET IT IS!

(by Maria Antonio King)

How sweet it is!…..This just about sums up the Cultural Committee's most recent Casa Cooking class held at the Bonsor Recreation Complex near Metrotown on August 12, 2000.

We were all treated to Rowena Tan's delicious and creamy Mango Pudding that just slides down..oh.. so.. smoothly.  The mango flavour was exquisite and truly a recipe to be handed down to future generations.  

Mariazinha Duguay followed with the truly frothy and rich, yet oh so light,  Pavlova.  The strawberries and whipped cream with the meringue was another great hit.  The toppings for this dessert are infinite - use your imagination and the availability of any fresh or even canned fruit.  

Last but not least, Catriona Haslam's piece de la resistance - Tiramisu.  This decadent and rich dessert looked so easy to make.  As this uses raw eggs, I would caution that the freshest eggs be used and that this dessert be consumed as soon as possible after it is ready. This would not pose any problems based on the speed and gusto of those sampling this delicious dessert.

Our Casa has also benefitted with a recipe for Seafood Combo from the Vasco de Gama Restaurant.  Although they were unable to provide the demonstration, the recipe is in itself a masterpiece.

(Editor’s Note:  Tudo gente ta core baboo ya!)

LETTER TO THE WEBMASTER

 From:      Josefina Ana Placé Estêvão <josie@ip.pt>
Subject:   first contact
Date:       Sun, 30 Apr 2000 20:28:27 -0700

Hi everybody!  My name is Josefina Ana Placé Estêvão, known to my people as "Josie".

Born in Hong Kong on 19.03.49, went to school in Macau: Infantil, Primária e Escola Comercial.

I am living in Portugal, Rua Cidade de Tomar, Lote Norte, No. 14, Parede 2775-183. My ICQ is 40876209.

I am very interested in getting online with friends over there in Vancouver, Toronto and elsewhere because, at this date and age, one feels the need to be in touch and re-encounter old pals and friends.  Although I don´t really know who and where are my pals, maybe your Casa can be my link.  At least, I will feel there are still some roots around. Thanks, and be assured that I will always visit you.

Good weekend and Boa Saúde para todos.  Um grande abraço.

                                                                                                                              Josie

(Editor’s Note:  Teng algun coince Josie, nunca?  Pai-mai sung quing, ha?)

“THE CLASSIFIEDS”

 DATES TO REMEMBER:

  October 7, 2000 (Saturday)

   -  Member Appreciation Dinner/Dance

      Green Acres Golf and Country Club

      commencing at 6:00 p.m.

  October 28, 2000 (Saturday)

   -  Portuguese Lessons*

      Metrotown Community Room

      10:00 a.m. to noon

  November 11, 2000 (Saturday)

   -  Portuguese Lessons*

      10:00 a.m. to noon   

      Eaton Centre Community Room

   -  General Meeting cum Nominations**

      Metrotown Community Room

      commencing at 2:00 p.m.    

  November 25, 2000 (Saturday)

   -  Portuguese Lessons*

      10:00 a.m. to noon

      Eaton Centre Community Room

  November 26, 2000 (Sunday)

   -  Cultural Programme

      Festive Season Baking/Cooking

      Bonsor Recreation Complex

      noon to 5:00 p.m.

  December 16, 2000 (Saturday)

   -  Portuguese Lessons*

      10:00 a.m. to noon

      Metrotown Community Room

  December 31, 2000 (Sunday)

   -  New Year’s Eve Dinner/Dance?

      (T.B.A.)

* subject to confirmation

**last meeting of calendar year

BURSARY APPLICATIONS

   Deadline for receipt of applications is OCTOBER 31, 2000 for courses commencing in January 2001.

   For all information and to obtain application form, contact Anne-Marie da Costa – Co-ordinator  

(464-4007), or Carol Guterres (466-9484), or Catriona Haslam (224-0510).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

            Casa de Macau Club (Vancouver) does hereby express thanks and appreciation to the Fundacao Oriente for their continued financial support to “The Voz”, our Website and our Portuguese Languages Classes.

            The editorial staff of Voz dos Macaneses de Vancouver wish to acknowledge and thank all contributors to this “fall” edition of “The Voz”.

(Editor’s Note:  (1)  Omission of proper accents on the Portuguese words appearing throughout this issue is because my keyboard is not equipped with these.   Desculpe!   (2)  By the way, Boca Tanto* is the pen-name of your humble Editor.)