New taxes deliver intention to cool real estate boom
New taxes implemented to reduce foreign buyers entering Vancouver’s real estate market is working. Latest figures showed that the taxes curtailed foreign investment in residential real estate in Metro Vancouver. There was a rush of land title office registrations in the days leading up to the B.C. government’s August 2 introduction of a 15% foreign ownership tax.
The total value of all Metro Vancouver residential property investments by foreign national from June 10 to August 1 was $ 2.2 billion and August 10 was $ 17 million. It’s believed that the Chinese government is taking serious steps to curb capital flights from China. And that China’s foreign exchange regulator is stopping Chinese firms and individuals from moving assets out of China by making investment overseas.
Filipino cooking classes at Langara College
Filipino cuisine remains under the radar in British Columbia after a brief period when an up-market Filipino fusion restaurant (Recados) opened after a short period of recognition outside the Filipino ethnic community. What’s wrong with Filipino restaurants is they don’t aggressively attract non-Filipinos and rely on the turo- turo concept. There’s no elegant sit down restaurants to appeal to other ethnic groups and and the mainstream market.
It was a surprise to learn that there are now Filipino cooking classes offered by Langara College. Students will learn how to prepare Filipino dishes ( lumpia, adobo, pancit, etc.) and also get insights into Filipino culture and history. The instructors, Kaye Banez and Sharlene Eugenio call themselves Kusinera. The course, according to Georgia Straight newspaper ends in Kamayan.
Guess we will not yet graduate to fine dining experience elegance and the point-point way of dining will continue while other Asian cuisines continue to rise to another level of excellence. Barong Filipino (Mindanao) at the consulate general of the Philippines Vancouver The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines Vancouver in collaboration with ACAT ( Anyone Can Act Theater) is presenting an exhibition of Barong Tagalog from Davao and a fashion show this coming October 6, 2016. ACAT is an active Filipino theater group. It continues its mission of presenting different art forms that portray human creativity. This creativity utilizes theater, classical music, dance, art, literary works, the human voice and fashion as channels of expression.
The Barong Filipino is from the private collection of Michaelangelo Ebro Dakudao ( Arch. P. H. D.) who hails from Davao. He is a Davao celebrity, architect, theater actor, columnist, lifestyle and travelwriter and publisher. The Barong Tagalog from Davao is also known as Barong Mindanao. The highly anticipated special event was organized by Davao- native, concert pianist Dorothy Uybuco Uytengsu with the full assistance of the Philippine Consulate headed by Consul General N. Ferrer, Deputy Consul General A. Mandap and cultural Information Officer Cham Guevara and Jo Nas and staff and community leaders Eleanor Guerrero Campbell, Esmie Cayo Mclaren, Leo Cunanan Jr., Danvic Briones and Romina Urra Gonzales.
Okanagan wines want world stage
British Columbia wines from Okanagan wineries have already been acclaimed but has yet to attain global recognition. Hopefully, they will get the boost from the Royal visitors in the province.
Mission Hill Family Estate near Kewlona played co- host to an afternoon event for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Mission Hill wines will be paired with the culinary menu prepared by celebrity Vancouver chef Hidekazu Tojo.
There are now 120 wineries in the Okanagan Valley and each winery produce 10 to 20 wines.
The region’s international reputation has blossomed over the years and helped the tourism industry flourish. The B.C. Okanagan and Ontario’s Niagara region are determined to be major players in the wine industry and raise Canada’s profile. The major targets include the US markets and Asia.