In the North American context, mistressing has become a verb, a launching pad for reality TV careers, an entrepreneurial venture, and a sexually liberating medium for women. Ashley Dupre and Tiger Woods's many mistresses, most notoriously Rachel Uchitel and Jamie Grubbs have claimed their humiliating fame by being "kept women." Moreover, riding the mistress commodity and spinning on the BBC success of the dramatic series, Mistresses, ABC recently launched the American version of the same name starring 80s teen star Alyssa Milano and produced by Gossip Girl creator KJ Steinberg.

Proclamations and election mania aside, families may have to hold their breath long after the party hats are put away, the platforms are dusted off, and campaign offensives are silenced into temporary stalemate before any genuine childcare programs are implemented.

The mere fact that the media has zeroed in on Tagalog as the fastest growing immigrant language, and the public's surprise of this so-called linguistic phenomenon, is telling of the social insignificance of Canada's third largest ethnic group. Sure, Filipinos are common props in fast-food restaurants, hotels and homes, but their lack of political and economic weight renders them invisible despite their large presence and 24/7 work cycles.

It's pretty safe to say that when most folks think of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos and her legendary shoe collection takes centre-stage. A new musical not only glorifies the Iron Butterfly's Cinderella story but threatens to romanticize martial law and its militaristic orders.