Winnipeg Ethnic News

Andre Doumbe of ACOMI and his Legacy Levy Abad (September 24, 2017) Courtesy of  Frank Indomi (September 1949-September 2017), September 2017 marked the passing of Andre Doumbe, Chair of the African Communities of Manitoba or ACOMI. It was during the time of his leadership that I got to know ACOMI as an organization that embraces almost all the African Communities of Manitoba. Andre is also a "founding member of Sous le Baobab, Africa-Fonds, the Africa Centre, the African Investment Club, the Youth Investment Club, Folklorama, le Manitoba Immigration Council, the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, United Way-Winnipeg, Cancer Care and la Coalition des parents francophones du Manitoba." African Community in Manitoba In retrospect, reading the lives of Africa's great revolutionary leaders back in  my university  days in the Philippines, the likes of Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela and Patrice Lumumba to mention a few, made me wonder and look f...

Johsa Manzanilla: Songs & Magic Levy Abad  Johsa Manzanilla, Singer-Songwriter Last November, we invited Johsa Manzanilla,  Filipino-Canadian singer - songwriter of Amnesty International to perform at the La Solidaridad Latina organized by the Peace Alliance, Las Americas and Chilean Human Rights Council and Migrante Manitoba. People at the event were surprised when Johsa performed a Violeta Parra song to which most of the Latino participants sang along with delight.  After the event, some comrades in the progressive movement asked if we can invite her to perform at the next event called Al Cafe, which will be at the Hotel Royal Plaza (330 Kennedy St.). Due to the curiosity of activist friends, I decided to send a set of questions to Johsa Manzanilla so she can explain the why's and wherefores  of the songs that she performs and her background as a songwriter. Here are some of her significant thoughts. Tell me about yourself? I immigr...