CANDID PERSPECTIVES
ReMeMbeRing
pReSident caRteR aS 2024 coMeS to an end
EDITORIAL
FEATURE paciFic centuRY FellowS and pReSident MaRcoS
put an end to illegal FiRewoRkS – thiS iS the leSSon to take FRoM the new YeaR’S eve tRagedY
AS I SEE IT
Steven Raga: FiRSt Filipino elected in the State oF nY
One clue that the reelection of Donald Trump to a second, non-consecutive presidential term was a real possibility early on in 2024 is because unlike in 2020, not all supporters of Trump could be pegged as White men, red hat-wearing, fringe conspiracy theorists who hate government. And unlike in 2020 when a vote for Trump was practically done in “secret” as many dodged and disassociated themselves with the likes of QAnon, the Proud Boys, right-wing radicalism, or Sen Lindsey Graham -- there were enough non-partisans openly endorsing him. There were Trump “main street” supporters who didn’t cower or feel embarrassed to say this time that they were voting for Trump.
It’s not that in 2024, Trump rebranded himself, abandoned his xenophobic policies and strongman persona. The MAGA savior was all that, still ferocious, whose ill rhetoric once again made it easy for Democrats to point their finger at him as the second coming of a would-be dictator out for revenge.
The problem is the finger-pointing didn’t work. Why? Because 2024 was not just about an election between Trump, the angry Teflon Don whose legal mires couldn’t keep him down versus the Biden-Harris tandem. 2024 had inflation on the ballot.
The top news for 2024 was the presidential election –and all the topsy turvy events, Biden flops in debate, Harris replaces him in the 11th hour, Trump survives a near-death assassination attempt, the exhausting punditry and polling –that is a given.
But a close second in top news for 2024 undeniably was the stubborn inflation which arguably determined the outcome of the top news, the presidential election, and to boot Republicans also garnering a trifecta, winning both houses of Congress.
Voters didn’t care why inflation was high, the economic intricacies of it all or that Biden and Harris were or were not fully or partially responsible for it. Voters could care less that the media kept reporting how strong the economy is, that Wall Street is robust, how employment is high. It was all doublespeak to many voters who went into grocery stores sticker shocked at rising prices and left grocery stores feeling cheated, and self-loathed over it because they weren’t making enough money to comfortably put food on the table.
This is why Trump won at the margins. The 2024 election was a referendum on inflation. And when you look at history, for example in the French Revolution, when conditions get to a point when people cannot afford food, that’s a kind of impoverishment that demands change. Harris in her internal polling obviously gaged inflation to be a top concern among Americans, but she failed to make it a centerpiece and increasingly ducked out of articulating enough her plans to combat inflation. The answer to why this happened is obviously linked to the big monied donors who supported her. Democrats now are relegated to the proverbial dustbin for at least two years until the midterm. Have they learned their lesson of ignoring Americans’ calls for a better economy, one that’s not just for the big corporations? Have Democrats learned that to mimic Republican unbridled capitalism and embracing elitism is a losing position that does not separate themselves from the GOP, but will leave the party out of the halls of power? Will they go back to their roots
GPublisher & Executive Editor
reetings to all our readers and supporters on this New Year. We hope your holiday season went well and you’ re excited as we are for 2025. As we usually do, our first cover story of the year is to recap the top 2024 news we covered of the previous’ year. HFC associate editor Edwin Quinabo gives us a top 10 list. Can you guess what some of them were? Find out in the article. The compilation includes our cover stories, editorials, news articles, and column contributions, all of which can be accessed in their original form on our website: thefilipinochronicle.com. We are pleased to announce that our digital presence has been expanding as more readers discover that a complete digital copy of each issue is available online, in addition to hard copies available at the stands.
One of our top stories for 2024 featured Filipino American winners in the Primary and General elections locally and nationally. HFC Elpidio Estioko interviewed one of them for this issue, Steven Raga, the first Filipino American to hold the Assembly seat for the New York Assembly (their state legislature), District 30. This Ivy Leaguer-Harvard and Cornell University graduate - has not only a long history of advocacy and public service in New York’s greater community, but he’s also been active in the Filipino community, serving on boards like the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and National Urban Fellows Alumni, and Pilipino American Unity for Progress (UniPro). Congratulations to Steven on your reelection.
Also in this issue, we have a Hawaii-Philippines news feature contributed by Sandra Sagisi Moser on Pacific Century Fellows (PCF) visit to Malacanang Palace on November 13, 2024, to meet with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to forge stronger cultural and economic ties between the Philippines and Hawaii. Among the delegation at this meeting was former Mayor Mufi Hannemann, now the Board Chair of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA).
In national news, HFC columnist Emil Guillermo shares his personal experience with former Pres ident Jimmy Carter who recently passed away at age 100. HFC columnist Rose Cruz Churma contributes a book review on “Hawaii A Pilipino Dream” authored by Virgilio Menor Felipe.
For those who are or plan to be moving to another geographic location this year, we have an inspirational story by HFC columnist Seneca Moraleda-Puguan “From Porridge to Peaks: A Journey of Faith Through 2024,” reflecting on her move from South Korea to Switzerland. Like many Hawaii residents on the move or the Filipino diaspora like Seneca, she speaks of doubts, uncertainty and a blurred path. Her family’s reliance on trust in God kept them poised during this transition . Find out how this journey developed.
We hope you enjoy these stories and more. May your New Year be filled with joy, prosperity and great health. Thank you for your support. For your advertising needs, contact us at: filipinochronicle@gmail.com. Until the next issue, Aloha and Mabuhay!
of being the party for the people? They have two years to work all that out. But the fact that Democrats have chosen to keep the same leaders of the party to remain in the Senate and House, it’s likely that Democrats are still more interested in pleasing big-monied donors over main street Americans.
2024 had encouraging moments – the Hawaii State Legislature and Gov Josh Green gifted the largest income tax cut in state history that could leave as much as $5.6 billion in the pockets of Hawaii taxpayers through 2031. The Governor said the new law will reduce state
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The New Year’s Eve fireworks accidental explosion in Aliamanu, Oahu that killed three women, a threeyear-old boy and injured dozens was bound to happen. For years illegal backyard shows, illegal aerials and other contraband fireworks have been going off in nearly every neighborhood on Oahu.
Let this sink in -- the Aliamanu explosion could have happened in your neighborhood amid the fireworks lawlessness everywhere. And to those stockpiling and lighting up illegal fireworks each year, take this New Year’s Eve devasting explosion to heart and consider yourself lucky that you’ve escaped such a tragedy.
For years there has been a push to stop illegal fireworks, mostly based on health issues for those having breathing difficulties or threats of fire breaking out. Contraband fireworks have gotten far more dangerous than say 30-40 years ago when aerial fireworks were fairly uncommon. But greater demand for aerials and their increasing popularity have made New Year’s celebrations exponentially more
(Recapping ....from page 2)
income taxes for 70% of working-class families and eliminate the state income tax entirely for about 40% of all state taxpayers by 2031. This is significant for many Hawaii families struggling with the high cost of living and those thinking to leave the state because of unaffordability.
It was also another vibrant and celebratory year for Hawaii’s Filipinos who enjoyed several community events from the annual Flores de Mayo & Filipino Fiesta to Filipino Food Week. Our community also took delight in cultural and religious practices like Holy Week and Undas. On elections and empowerment, Fi-
dangerous, and we now know, potentially deadly.
In the Aliamanu explosion, reports say a party attendee lit an ariel “cake” which is a series of fireworks that go off into the air in quick succession, creating the colorful displays high in the sky that people enjoy watching, However, the cake tipped over, instead of shooting into the air, the fireworks shot into nearby crates in the garage containing other fireworks, which all then ignited into a massive bomb-like inferno.
It’s important to emphasize here the type of illegal fireworks that caused the explosion and to comment there is a reason why certain fireworks are considered illegal, and others are not. State law prohibits possession of aerial devices and display fireworks. These fireworks pose a danger because they unpredictably propel to places and distances far from the confines of a limited, controlled environment. Not only can aerials set off an explosion as in the Aliamanu incident, but they could also potentially ignite fires to homes and brush.
Additionally, given the Maui wildfires, shouldn’t we all know better not to
lipino candidates in Hawaii and on the mainland garnered some representative wins for our community.
Our Filipino community in Maui also received welcoming news that a $4.037 billion Maui Wildfires Global Settlement had been reached, pending final legislative and judicial review. This could go a long way towards rebuilding their lives and transitioning into normalcy. The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle will work to provide updates on resources and assistance as they are made available.
Looking forward to 2025 2024 could be characterized as a transition year as
put our communities at risk? The Aliamanu home looks to be made mostly of concrete. But what if it was constructed of wood like many homes around Oahu, particularly in newer communities. An entire neighborhood or neighborhoods could have gone up in flames.
Fireworks is a long-held deeply rooted tradition in Hawaii. Almost everyone who grew up in Hawaii has participated in lighting fireworks or gathered in front of a family fireworks backyard show at some time.
But it’s now time, perhaps long overdue, for our communities to come together to stop “illegal” fireworks. And this could mean doing perhaps what Hawaii folks don’t like doing, and that is reporting our neighbors who set off illegal fireworks. This is a tough call to make but think about the alternative disaster that could happen.
Gov. Josh Green said in light of this tragedy, he plans to stiffen penalties for those who possess fireworks contraband. The current state law is that unauthorized possession or use of fireworks is a Class C felony carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000. This is already a
most election years are. There are obvious profound lingering problems ahead that Trump must deliver on his promises – lifting the burden on the crushing inflation is one. Locally, the Hawaii State Legislature must tackle in 2025 the homeowner’s insurance and maintenance fee crisis affecting tens of thousands of Hawaii locals.
The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle staff and management begins 2025 as we’ve always done with hope and optimism. We ask for your continued support and are committed to excellence in journalism and serving our community. Happy New Year to all!
stiff penalty but has not deterred illegal fireworks use.
The state’s Illegal Fireworks Task Force established under Green in 2023 has reported seizing large quantities of illegal fireworks, and its efforts include intercepting shipments of illegal fireworks, often from overseas, and disrupting the supply chain. In its first year, a total of approximately 93.5 tons of illegal fireworks were confiscated, followed by more than 20 tons in 2024.
Clearly, there has been action taken on multiple fronts by law enforcement and lawmakers, and the existing penalties arguably are already stiff. What needs to happen? Education of the risks and penalties needs to better reach our communities. But more importantly, we need to realize ourselves that we no longer want to use illegal and dangerous fireworks, stop buying them and cut the demand. This is how to stop shipments of illegal fireworks.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi was right when he said, “No one should have to endure such pain due to reckless and illegal activity. This incident is a painful reminder of the danger posed by illegal fireworks. They put lives at risk, they drain our first responders, and they disrupt our neighborhoods. But most heartbreakingly,
this tragedy was entirely preventable. New Year’s Eve should be a time of joy, not danger. Yet the growing prevalence of illegal fireworks on our island has turned it into a night of risk and devastation. Year after year, this threat persists, and it must stop.”
It’s unrealistic nor is it necessary to ban fireworks altogether. Tradition can still be observed with “legal” use of consumer fireworks such as sparklers, fountains and those deemed legal under state law.
It’s no secret that our Filipino community loves the fireworks tradition given the abundance of fireworks in our neighborhoods like Waipahu, Kalihi and Ewa. We have work in our own Filipino community to educate each other of the risks, as well as the rest of our Hawaii communities.
Let’s finally put an end to illegal fireworks. It’s encouraging to hear the Governor and Honolulu Mayor come out strongly with an action plan going forward. But really, it will take the entire community working together to put a stop to it. Don’t buy into the argument that this was one careless bad apple spoiling it for the rest of us. The accidental explosion could have happened to anyone stockpiling illegal aerials.
By Edwin Quinabo
YEAR-IN-REVIEW: The following is a recap of top stories the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle covered in 2024 as cover stories, editorials, news or column contributions.
#1 Roller Coaster Election: Trump Wins, Harris Replaces Biden, Trump Survives Assassination Attempts, Biden Bombs in Debate
Topping the list of news in 2024 is the presidential election which ultimately landed in Donald Trump’s favor, setting to place the 45th president once again in the White House to become the 47th president. It is the second time in U.S. history for a president to win two non-consecutive presidencies. Speaking on stage the night of election from West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said, “We’re going to help our country heal. We have a country that needs help, and it needs help badly. Every single citizen, I will be fighting for you and your family, every single day.
This will be truly the golden age of America.” Trump is scheduled to be inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2025.
Backtracking to the events that led to Trump’s historic victory were two historic moments of their own.
First, at the June 27 presidential debate, then Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s incoherence and multiple loss in train of thought led to big donors in panic and eventually them bolting from his campaign. Prior to the debate, Biden was already slumping in polls over the course of almost a year and looked preordained for a shellacking. Due to enormous pressure from donors, Democrat establishment leadership and grassroots supporters, on July 21, the then 82 years old stepped down and endorsed vice president Kamala Harris as his successor. By July 22, Harris had secured enough delegates
to become the Democratic party nominee.
Second, politicos agree that Trump got a boost in his campaign from two failed assassination attempts that created a heroic aura of invincibility, specifically the first assassination attempt in Pennsylvania at a Trump rally when a bullet grazed the former president’s right ear, causing blood to drip down his face. His response, a searing, indelible image, had the president pump fisting the air while surrounded by secret service, saying, “Fight! Fight!” Nearly two months later, Trump survived a second assassination attempt while he was playing golf in Florida.
Harris’ short run after Biden’s withdrawal produced record-breaking donations. Politicos say she also scored a win over Trump in the two candidates’ only debate. She had a blitz start, upshot in the polls compared to where Biden laid low, but she eventually hit a plateau, polls showed. Contrary to most experts that had the two neck-and-neck going into the General, the election night wrapped up neatly with Trump sweeping the battleground states Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Trump won 312 to Harris’ 226 electoral votes. He also won the popular vote with 77,284,118 votes, or 49.8% to Harris’ 74,999,166 votes or 48.3%.
Struggling
2024 saw inflation –linked to the post-pandemic
recovery period – stubbornly high despite attempts by the Federal Reserve to tame it. There are many reasons experts point to why inflation is still hoovering – a strong economy and employment, concentration of industries, corporate greed, bottlenecks in supply chains. Whatever the causes were, Americans had an axe to grind and took out their ire in what politicos say is the main reason Trump trampled on Harris, who while vice president, paid the incumbency wrath.
While traditional measures showed the U.S. economy is strong, Americans weren’t convinced. Economists use mainly the gross domestic product (GDP) or total output of goods and services to measure economic strength. But GDP has biases and evades the complete economic outlook. It could be that wealthy sectors of society are boosting GDP while large sectors of Americans are struggling, which could be one explanation why many Americans report difficult financial times despite reports of a fairly robust economy, experts say. Inflation -- when the value of the dollar falls, and the price of goods rises – is only one snapshot of the economy, but it was the one that matters most to average Americans.
The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) reports Honolulu’s inflation rate this past March rose 4.8% over the previous year, which is 34% higher than the national rate. The Fed’s 11th annual Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking found half of adults didn’t have money
left over after paying their monthly expenses. There were also higher instances of not having enough money to eat, not covering bills in full and skipping medical care. Childcare has gone up and amounting to some 50% of what parents shelled out for their monthly housing payment, according to the survey. Rising gasoline and housing costs accounted for 70% of the price increases, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“For the last couple of years, the economy has been driven by household spending and now people are starting to say, ‘Let’s retrench here,’” said Jeffrey Roach, chief economist for LPL Financial. “The pressure from inflation has finally started to hit even upper-income households.”
Fidel Hufana, retired healthcare worker, Waipahu, told the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle, “The value of the dollar has decreased so much that being a consumer is taking a toll on daily expenses. Everything has gone up significantly. If you compare grocery items like a bag of chips from $3.50 to $4.98, that is significant. Essentials like bread and toilet paper have increased in pricing over $2.00. When I look at my current grocery bill, I pay more for less items. Healthcare rates have increased, as well. If you look at your utility bills, and compare the rates, you will see those prices have increased.”
Hawaii residents received one of the most welcomed news to grace the state in July. The 2024 Hawaii Legislature passed, and Gov. Josh Green signed into law the largest income tax cut in state history that could leave as much as $5.6 billion in our pockets through 2031. The Governor predicts the new law will reduce state income taxes for 70% of working-class families and eliminate the state income tax entirely for about 40% of all state taxpayers by 2031.
He said the tax burden for a median-income Hawaii family could be cut by nearly $20,000 over the next seven years. It will also reduce state income tax collections by a total of $5.6 billion by 2031. Tax savings could come as soon as early 2025. The State worked to modify the tax withholding tables used to calculate how much money is taken out of each paycheck for taxes, and employees should begin receiving more take-home pay in each paycheck in January.
“These were the changes that we had to have because we’ve seen an exodus of people who are living paycheck to paycheck,” Green said. “We’ve seen an exodus of those individuals going to the mainland, working families, because they just can’t afford rent.”
Some community groups are worried how the
decreased revenues will affect needed social services, but Green declared that “we won’t be cutting services,” in part because he predicts the tax cut will grow the state economy. A larger economy would translate into increases in other kinds of tax collections, such as the general excise tax. He also said some state jobs that haven’t been filled in 3-4 years could be cut. “We expect to present a budget to the Legislature next year with fewer positions overall so that we get rid of some of what has been perceived as waste.”
Americans’ pocketbook woes drew fierce opposition to the wars the U.S. has been funding by the billions. Money wasn’t the only concern for Americans opposed to the ongoing conflicts, they questioned the danger of American support for Ukraine against another nuclear power in Russia, as well as the moral degradation in the Middle East that some have called a genocide by Israel in which U.S. arms have been used to kill a large civilian population around 45,000 with almost half being women and children, and bombs responsible for the destruction of most infrastructure, hospitals, schools and churches in the occupied territory.
The Biden and Congress approved foreign aid package totaled $60.8 billion in aid for Ukraine; $26.4 billion to support Israel, along with humanitarian aid for Gaza; and $8.1 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific. Each year U.S. foreign aid has risen from $56.3 billion in 2021 to $70.4 billion in 2022 to the current numbers stated above.
A Rasmussen Reports Poll, which was conducted April 16-18, found that 57% of the respondents believe the aid packages provide too much money to other countries. Only 10% believe the funding is not enough, and 23% believe the funding is the right amount.
Hawaii residents Drs. Arcelita Imasa and Seiji Yamada, both members of
the Hawaiʻi Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (HICHRP), told the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle, “This [foreign aid package] is a prime example of misappropriation of funds but also a not surprising move by the Biden administration. This military and foreign aid budget is outrageous and should be condemned. HICHRP is concerned about the use of our tax dollars to support wars abroad.”
Hawaii resident Kami Yamamoto, MPH, Education Officer, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), told the Filipino Chronicle, “Amidst ongoing economic issues such as inflation, joblessness, and unlivable wages, allocating billions of dollars towards war, foreign aid, and trade agreements with allies like NATO is a mis-prioritization of public funds. NAFCON along with other allied Filipino grassroots organizations maintain that our government should prioritize spending for social services like accessible education, healthcare, and other social services, instead of funneling taxpayer money into budgets for the military.”
A dust storm of anti-war protests swept across the U.S. on college campuses that was reminiscent of the 1960s college anti-Vietnam war movement. Protests erupted at colleges and universities from Connecticut to California. To name a few: Columbia, NYU, Harvard, Yale, MIT, Princeton, Brown, University of Michigan, University of Chicago, University of Texas at Austin, Stanford, UC Berkely, UCLA, USC. Thousands of students were arrested. Social media was also abuzz in protests as livestreams showed horrific atrocities in Gaza. The war in Gaza started after Hamas launched a terrorist attack in Israel killing 1,200 on Oct 7 the previous year.
2024 saw the price of homeowner’s insurance in Hawaii skyrocket due to global disasters, including the 2023 Maui wildfires.
and regular homeowner policies in Hawaii were already on the rise as insurers had to pay more in the global reinsurance market, but with the Maui wildfire last summer, some companies say they are having to charge more because of greater exposure and that Hawaii is now seen as a wildfire state, at least temporarily.
For many condominium and townhouse owners it was a double whammy. The Hawaii Condominium Associations say the price of master insurance policies increased by 300% or more in one year, some buildings seeing premiums increase by as high as 900-1,300%.
This forced some building and townhouse associations to raise their maintenance fees by hundreds of dollars leaving thousands of unit owners in a financial bind. In addition to a sharp rise in monthly maintenance fees, some condo and townhouse owners were assessed special fees of thousands of dollars to help their associations pay the gap for master insurance policies. Because lenders require that their mortgage holders have enough homeowner’s insurance to pay for a complete rebuild of their home, there is no way around paying for all these steep insurance costs.
Sue Savio said she has seen extreme scenarios of condo insurance rising by 1000%. “I tell anybody who has insurance premium, who has property, and their insurance payments only doubled to consider themselves lucky.” In one extreme case, an $800 condo policy has jumped to $8,000 a year.
The 2024 Hawaii Legislature attempted to bring relief to the condo insurance problem with a bill that aimed to revive the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund that would allow condos to get coverage. But that bill failed to pass in the last days of the session. Experts say this situation could last for years and it could deepen its impact on Hawaii’s real estate market.
#6 Hawaii Filipino Community Events: Filipino Fiesta & Parade, St. George Parish 70th Anniversary
and First Grand Santacruzan, Ohana Medical Mission Charity Ball, Filipino Food Week 2024 was another vibrant year for Filipino community activities. The annual Flores de Mayo & Filipino Fiesta took place on May 4, at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu. As usual, it was a one-day extravaganza of Filipino food, entertainment, culture and history that thousands took part in celebrating what’s considered the Hawaii Filipino community’s flagship event.
On June 15, St. George Parish in Waimanalo celebrated its 70th anniversary and launched its First Grand Santacruzan in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as a part of the year-long anniversary festivities. The Santacruzan is a Filipino Catholic tradition that commemorates and retells the story of Queen Helena or Reyna Helena, mother of Constantine the Great who found the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
The Ohana Medical Mission held its Charity Masquerade Ball/ Fundraiser on October 26. Part of the proceeds of the Charity Ball will go toward OMM’s 2025 Medical Missions. Ian Guerrero, M.D., President of OMM, said “Through the years since its inception in 2009, Ohana Medical Missions Inc, has been innovating ways in soliciting help from donors and the community. And the Charity Ball is by far the most enjoyable and fun-filled way of gathering donors, sponsors and the community all sharing the common passion of helping OMM realize its goals. The Charity Ball’s proceeds go directly in procuring much needed medications, medical supplies in support of the nature of our missions that will benefit the underserved areas in the Philippines and beyond.”
In the same month of October, the highly anticipated Filipino Food Week (FFW) returned for its 6th iteration on Oct 15-21 to coincide with Filipino American History Month. Restaurants across Hawaii served up savory, delectable “Ilonggo Cuisine” of the Visayas region of the
Philippines, which is a new culinary theme selected by FFW’s organizer, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu. Hawaii Filipinos from the Visayas region –whose ancestors arrived in Hawaii along with Ilocanos in the pioneering years as sakadas – were pleased that their regional cuisine received widespread exposure this FFW.
Unions: Unite Here Local 5 and Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children Strike
Hawaii Filipinos for Truth, Justice and Democracy, Anakbayan Hawaii, and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Hawaii joined the hundreds of Filipino workers on the picket line in the Unite Here Local 5 members strike supporting the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Sergio Alcubilla, Esq, labor leader, said the “1,800 hotel workers at Hilton Hawaiian Village, the world’s largest and most profitable Hilton resort, won a new labor agreement after 40 days on strike.” Workers called for fair wages to keep up with inflation, proper staffing and fair workloads.
Unite Here Local 5 workers also ratified the Hyatt Waikiki contract Dec. 9, the last contract to settle of eight hotels where union workers authorized strikes this year.
Filipino pro-labor activists also joined the picket lines where hundreds of nurses at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children were on strike in September. Labor supporter Raymund Liongson, who joined striking nurses on Sept. 23 and was arrested that day, along with other community activists said, “It was a peaceful, non-violent civil disobedience demanding that people are placed first before profits.” He said, “neither of the demonstrating nurses nor the Kapiolani-10 [community activists] obstructed any patient, their families, or hospital vehicles like ambulances.”
Hawaii Nurses’ Association union members at Ka-
By Will Espero
appy New Year! The holidays are over, and I hope everyone had a blessed, safe, and fulfilling Christmas season. May 2025 bring you joy, peace, friendship, and love.
HDonald Trump will soon be our 47th president, and many people anxiously await what the next four years will bring. Whatever is on the agenda will be watched and spoken about in many corners.
The media, world leaders, and the entertainment industry will monitor the president closely for his policies, actions, behavior, and words.
No major protests are expected by the opposing party or losing side, as was the case after the 2020 presidential election.
Hopefully, no January 6-like assault will happen on the United States capitol grounds which led to multiple arrests, convictions, and prison terms for those who participated in this shameless historic event.
The confirmation of several key loyal Trump supporters is one of the big issues currently playing out.
Former United States Representative Matt Gaetz withdrew his controversial nomination as U.S. Attorney General due to strong opposition from both Democrats and Republicans. This was good.
Matt Gaetz had no business being appointed to attorney general, and the House committee investigation and report about Matt Gaetz detailed why he withdraw.
Allegations about sexual misconduct and paying women for sex were not helpful.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is now fighting for his appointment as head of the Department of Health and Human Services.
His controversial or questionable stances about vaccinations, fluoride, raw milk, AIDS, and other substances have brought a focused light on his position.
With RFK Jr., the famous political Kennedy family once again has someone in the national spotlight. Who thought Robert Kennedy, Jr. would be the one to garner such attention?
Kennedy was a candidate for president before he dropped out of the 2024 race.
It was reported he approached the Kamala Harris campaign with an offer to endorse her if she gave him a job if she won.
The request was turned
(COVER STORY: News Story ....from page 5) piolani Medical Center for Women & Children ratified a new three-year contract Oct. 2 after strikes, a lockout by management and two rounds of negotiating efforts with federal mediators. The new agreement includes raises and the creation of a staffing council to address staffing issues. Safe staffing ratios were one of the key concerns.
Just before the one-year mark of the Maui wildfires that happened on Aug. 8, 2023, Gov. Josh Green announced a historic $4.037
down, and Kennedy went to speak with the Trump campaign.
As predicted, Trump rewarded Kennedy for his loyalty and support. Lucky Kennedy; What a turn of events.
It will be interesting to see if Kennedy can be confirmed, and if he will run for president in 2028.
Trump’s relationship with Russia’s Putin has many people and world leaders concerned. Their perceived friendship and closeness are contrary to former presidents’ relationships with the Russian dictator, and it will be interesting to see if Trump can end the Ukraine war soon.
This will be a test and indication of Trump’s influence on Putin.
Putin is a threat to many European countries, and with North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine for Russia, tensions are high and intense. Can Trump put Putin in his place or will Putin play Trump with Ukraine?
The role of billionaire Elon Musk in the Trump
billion settlement to resolve claims or compensation arising from the wildfires, including the approximately 2,200 affected parties who filed roughly 650 lawsuits.
The seven defendants – state of Hawai’i, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum/Charter Communications – “undertook significant efforts to find a resolution that addresses the needs and ensures the well-being of plaintiffs, all affected individuals, and their families,” according to a press release from Green’s office. Once a final settle-
administration is also under the magnifying glass.
The two seem to have become best buddies attending functions together and being seen in a positive light.
Musk is a key advisor to the president and is co-heading an effort to look into government efficiency and government waste. Some have even jokingly called Musk co-president.
The influence of the richest man in the world (Musk) to the most powerful man in the world (Trump) must be watched and scrutinized closely.
Is this a case where money has brought Elon Musk access, or does Musk truly have the interests of all Americans at heart?
The Congressional spending bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives showed the influence of Musk on spending issues. The first original draft was criticized by Musk and Trump, and the first vote did fail.
After give and take by both sides, the House did pass a bill to keep the government open. Trump and Musk did not get everything they wanted, but with a very slim two-vote margin in the House, Republicans will have to work with Democrats to get things done.
Donald Trump wanted to raise the national debt ceiling in the spending bill,
ment agreement is signed and approved following judicial and legislative review, payments are expected to start as early as mid-2025.
The County is continuing to work with wildfire victims and their representatives to provide services and resources throughout the recovery period. The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle has been reporting on updates throughout 2024. Close to 40% of Maui’s population is of Filipino ancestry.
#9 Filipino Culture Perpetuated: Filipino Easter Practices and Undas Filipino cultural practices were highlighted in 2024.
but the House voted No. This is a good sign and shows the president will not get everything he wants, and the Republican-led Congress will not or cannot be a rubber stamp.
Elon Musk and his many companies already have federal government contracts worth millions so we will see if he continues to enrich himself.
Since Trump’s win, Musk’s personal wealth has increased considerably.
It would be nice if Musk thought of and cared about the poor, low-income, and needy. There has to be a way to uplift all Americans to eliminate or minimize the national poverty level and improve the quality of life for all, and Elon Musk should pivot in this direction.
If Elon Musk can shift his thinking, his involvement can be a big plus.
If he only looks out for corporations and high-income citizens, he will epitomize the symbolic perception of Republicans as being for the rich and wealthy.
WILL ESPERO retired from the Hawaii legislature after serving 19 years in the state House of Representatives and State Senate. He is currently a novelist, poet, and supporter of the arts. Lingering Thoughts provides a glimpse of his perspective on current events and issues
Two among them were the Holy Week and Easter observances as well as the Undas or All Saints and All Souls days. As a majority of Filipinos in Hawaii, the Philippines and diaspora are Catholic-Christians, both the Easter and Undas traditions were popular observances this year as they have been for centuries. They’ve become a part of Filipino culture and identity.
On Holy Week, Edna Bautista, Ewa Beach, a Catholic-Christian, said she and her husband attend all masses during the Easter Triduum--from Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to either Holy Saturday or Easter Sun-
day, along with her parents who serve as eucharistic ministers at church. “It’s refreshing to witness the Elect get baptized into the Catholic Church on Easter Vigil [Holy Saturday]. We see the salvation that Christ brings to souls, and I pray that more find and practice the faith, especially in a time when many people have sadly fallen away and become easily susceptible to twisted and misguided influences,” Bautista said.
Commenting on Undas, Fr. Jason Laguerta, parish priest of St. Maria Goretti Parish in UN Avenue, Manila, described Undas, “It’s (continue on page 14)
By Emil Guillermo
President Jimmy Carter at age 100, didn’t make it to the new year, nor the next presidential inaugural.
I’m guessing the thought of a second Trump presidency may have been too much for him to bear. We know who Carter voted for, and it wasn’t Trump, unless he was the one in a pantsuit.
I’ve always been a big Carter fan, so when the news hit of his passing, I was brought back to a happy place.
Plains, Georgia, 2016. I was visiting family not far from the land of presidential peanut farmers. What else do you do in Plains on a Sunday? I found myself the only full-blooded Filipino in the room at Maranatha Baptist Church, the spiritual home base for Carter, No. 39.
And when the president looked into the pews and asked from where people hailed, I proudly declared, “California,” where most Asian Americans live.
As I said, President Carter looked fine that Sunday in Plains. But especially fine for his job on that day– to give the Sunday school lesson on what coincidentally was the 15th anniversary of 9/11.
Carter, you’ll recall, made headlines in 2015 when he disclosed having both brain and liver cancer, and thought he had just two or three weeks to live.
Everyone’s always underestimating Carter. After treatments, Carter’s forecast turned out not to be true. When I saw him, Carter seemed spry and quick-witted as he began his talk with an update.
Carter said he’d just returned from San Francisco where he had “supper” with
wealthy tech giants, including the widow of Steve Jobs, Laurene Jobs, as well as the first Asian American power couple of the world, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan.
“She’s Chinese,” Carter said to his 99 percent white audience.
And then he said how the Facebook couple planned to give away 99 percent of their $50 billion fortune to charity.
“Only gives them $500 million for personal expenses,” Carter joked, drawing a big laugh from the crowd.
I’m guessing he wouldn’t have been so pleased at the tech community’s capitulation to Trump. Zuckerberg gave a million dollars to the next inaugural.
All the tech talk was just the warm-up for his Sunday school talk, something Carter started that year and continued doing for a few months.
The former president wore a bolo string tie anchored by an eight-stone turquoise clasp that dangled below the neck, as he began the lesson on the subject of grief.
He mentioned his health news, but also the the death of his 28-year-old grandson.
Drawing from scripture (on this particular day, a passage on the persecution of the Thessalonians), Carter said such moments of grief were simply tests of one’s faith, endurance, and hope.
He said overcoming all that was a matter of self-confidence and relying on our god-given talents, but that it was difficult in all phases of life.
“We lack inspiration, we lack the idealism to set our goals high. We’ve been satisfied with mediocrity. And I include myself,” Carter said.
People want an average life, instead of aspiring to be, “outstanding, or superb or brilliant or exceptional. And that is a problem we have,” said Carter. “We set our goals too low, we’re complacent, we’re satisfied with where we are.”
And then he applied the lesson to the historic day of 9/11. We’re diminished as a country, and our goals for our nation’s future are set too low, he said.
“I’m afraid that our country and its effect on people of other nations has suffered from the aftermath of 9/11,” Carter said.
He “didn’t want to brag,” but said his goal for the country was always to be “superb and be a country that promoted peace and human rights…While I was in office, we never dropped a bomb, lost a missile, or fired a bullet.”
Too much has changed, he said.
“Since 9/11,” Carter said, “we’ve pretty much abandoned our commitment to human rights as we reacted to terrorism.” He lamented that Afghanistan had become the longest war in American history, a direct outcome of 9/11, as well as the invasion of Iraq, which Carter called “unnecessary.”
Carter, whose administration took us out of an energy crisis, also pointed
Republicans in the Senate and House as I did the Democrats,” Carter said.
“Now if you’re a Republican, you don’t speak to Democrats, or support a Democratic president, or vice versa. And many Americans are embarrassed by the presidential election this year.”
Carter’s Sunday School lecture was turning into a mini-State of the Union address.
out how the U.S. is still suffering from a financial crisis that has exposed a deep inequality that has divided us as a people.
“We’ve become distrustful of people who are different from us,” Carter said. “We used to be a proud heterogeneous nation…and now we are fearful…and we’ve become poorer as a country.”
In the pews, along with my mixed-race family (Asian, white, Latino), was another Asian American family, Tim Phan and his three-generation family of Vietnamese Americans.
Phan, a computer engineer with the Air Force, came as a refugee with his sister, Heidi Phan, and his mother, Ha Ly. The native of South Vietnam was with her four grandsons, natives of the American South.
Phan pointed out that Carter won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, a fact that belies how many conservatives see his efforts to find a peace in the Middle East as “anti-Semitic.”
Jimmy Carter’s sense of America and the world requires open minds to come together.
Too often these days, that seems near impossible.
Carter’s complaints spread to politics, in general.
“When I was president, I got as much support from
“We’ve had a deterioration in the quality of life and the relationship between different people that now has become almost acceptable,” said Carter, who added the nation had changed so much it would be near impossible for the current Republican and Democratic candidates to declare their top priority to live in peace or to promote human rights.
“That was my inaugural speech, I only spoke 15 minutes,” said Carter, who noted that this vision wasn’t just his but shared by the American people who had “idealism and high standards and moral values… and now we’ve lost that.”
Of course, in Sunday School, you know how all that can easily be found again.
As Carter ended his lesson, the service with all the hymns and the doxology began.
And the promise was simple.
Stay and pray, get the photo op.
So this suddenly Filipino Baptist prayed and was justly rewarded.
I’ll miss Carter the day I met him on 9/11.
We sure could use his calming wisdom for the new year. That would be preferable to the chaos to come.
In spite of that, remember President Carter. And have a Happy New Year.
EMIL GUILLERMO is a journalist and commentator. His talk show is on www.amok. com.
By Sandra Sagisi Moser
Awarm greeting between world leaders from the Land of the Golden Sun and the Aloha State has set the stage for a promising collaboration in tourism. President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. expressed his affinity for Hawaii during a recent meeting with former Mayor Mufi Hannemann, now the Board Chair of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). “It is always a pleasure for me to welcome our friends from Hawaii, especially when the purpose of your visit is to continue to find ways to interact even more closely with the Philippines, considering, of course, that the Filipino population in Hawaii is a significant one,” said President Marcos Hannemann and the delegation from the Pacific Century Fellows (PCF) returned to Hawaii from that meeting with a deeper appreciation for the land that has fostered the fastest-growing segment of Hawaii’s population. According to Hawaii Business Magazine, “367,525 people in Hawaii have Filipino ancestry, in part or entirely.
That’s 1 in every 4 residents.”
The PCF’s visit to Malacañang Palace on November 13, 2024, was monumental, as the delegation met with President Marcos, affectionately known as “Bongbong” among the Filipino community. “In our meeting with President Marcos, we forged a connection that promises to illuminate the path for deeper cultural and economic ties between the Philippines and Hawaii,” said Hannemann, who spearheaded the trip. The PCF comprises a diverse mix of seasoned and emerging leaders from the 50th State,
including notable figures of Filipino ancestry such as State Senator Henry Aquino, Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, State Representative Trish La Chica, emerging business leaders Ben Ancheta, Clarice Casamina, Lincoln Jacobe, and Grelyn Rosario, along with many other community leaders.
This initiative was launched by Hannemann, who founded the PCF and currently serves as the president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association. “It was truly remarkable to observe the two exceptional leaders brainstorming and engaging in such open and candid discussions. Their shared vision for the future of tourism and economic and cultural exchange serves as a testament to the strength of collaboration,” said Mike Rompel, a third-generation Filipino and owner of Domino’s Pizza franchises and PCF board member.
Recognized as the world’s tallest honorary former Filipino mayor, both in Hawaii and the Philippines, Hannemann, who is not of Filipino heritage, has traveled there over a dozen times. He has cultivated a close relationship with the community in the islands and their motherland. Marcos expressed gratitude to Hannemann for the visit and acknowledged that Hannemann supports numerous projects promoting Filipino leaders and has appointed many individuals to his mayoral cabinet and various boards. During his tenure as Honolulu Mayor, Hannemann was also embraced and adopted by over a dozen provinces in the Philippines.
At Malacañang, President Marcos recalled that Hannemann made a last-
ing impression during their first meeting on one of Hannemann’s many trips to the Philippines, where he discussed the Pedro and Inez Resurrection family’s impact on his life.
Hannemann said, “Erwin Resurrection was one of my closest friends during my childhood at church, and the many new experiences I had with Filipino lifestyle and culture in Kalihi, which have remained with me throughout my life, stemmed from this friendship.” Upon hearing this, President Marcos indicated that it was at that moment he recognized the former Mayor’s sincerity and true commitment to the Filipino people. This historic meeting between Marcos and the PCF marked a significant turning point in enhancing the relationship between the Philippines and Hawaii, particularly within the tourism sector, which serves as a vital economic engine for both regions.
President Marcos expressed his enthusiasm for cultivating deeper connections with Hawaii, acknowledging the substantial Filipino population that calls the islands home. “So, thank you for making time to visit with me. And I hope we will have a fruitful discussion where we can explore what we can do to
further what already are close relations between not just the United States but specifically Hawaii and the Philippines,” said Marcos. The Philippine president’s appreciation for Hawaii dates back to his time residing here during his late father Ferdinand Marcos’s exile, and he remains grateful to the Hawaii Filipino community for its support during his family’s darkest moments.
The PCF delegation had an opportunity to engage the President and others they met throughout the trip in discussions that ranged from climate change, renewable energy, and sea level rise to sustainable agriculture, military security, humanitarian aid, trade, investment opportunities, and a deep dive into the history of the Philippines. Daphne Okunaga, an educator and current member of the PCF, said, “This was my first international trip and my very first stamp in my passport. I couldn’t have asked for a more enlightening educational adventure that vividly highlighted the unique bond between this vibrant part of the Pacific Rim and Hawaii!”
In an economic session sponsored by Michael Marcos Manotoc, the Governor of Ilocos Norte,
Hannemann and Honolulu Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam expressed their willingness to collaborate on establishing direct air service from Honolulu to Ilocos and Manila. Manotoc had previously invited Hannemann to bring the Fellows to his province. Joining the discussion were PCF business supporter Vanessa Tam, State Senator Aquino, and PCF alum Leonard Tanaka. Senator Aquino emphasized the importance of heritage, stating, “Given that a large majority of Filipinos trace their heritage to the Philippines, it’s a natural relationship that we should build upon and grow in the years to come.” In support of this, Tyler Dos Santos-Tam added, “What I gathered from all of our meetings is that the concept of cultural, educational, and government exchange programs will benefit and highlight the unique heritage and attractions for both the Filipino people and the residents of Hawaii.”
Another highlight of the trip was a special meeting that included the Philippine Secretary of Tourism, one of two cabinet members who sat in on the discussion with President Marcos. Malia Sanders, executive director
Native Ha-
(continue on page 10)
By Elpidio R. Estioko
o you know that Steven Raga was the first Filipino American, the first Southeast Asian, and the first person of color ever to hold the Assembly seat for the New York Assembly, District 30?
In addition, I would say that he is a down-toearth public official because when I emailed him requesting an interview, he immediately responded and without hesitation directed his scheduling team to find time for the interview.
Dolma Lama, District Director in the office of Assemblymember Raga, patiently went through his availability and scheduled the interview outright. Thank you, Dolma!
In the interview, he told me that he could not refuse the multiple calls from community leaders and elected officials urging him to run for the Assembly. The support was overwhelming, he said.
“At the time, I was the Executive Director of Woods On the Move, the non-profit organization
for my neighborhood in Queens, which is home to “Little Manila” and the largest concentration of Filipinos in New York City,” Raga said.
“Once the sitting Assemblyman announced he was not running, I received multiple calls of support from both community leaders and elected officials. I ran and became the first Filipino American (and Southeast Asian) to win an elected position in New York State history, as well as the first person of color ever to hold the Assembly seat for the 30th district.”
He has a long history of advocacy and public service and has committed to be an accessible and responsive representative of the people he serves.
Steven Raga was born in Queens, New York but after only a few months, he was sent to the Philippines to live with his dad who was waiting to complete his immigration process to the United States.
His mom, a long-time resident of Woodside, Queens, is from Alaminos, Laguna and his dad is from Lumban, Laguna. His dad passed away when he was just 7 years old, and his
mom passed away recently in 2019.
While in the Philippines, he lived in San Pablo City, Laguna until elementary school, when he moved back to New York. He often visits the Philippines, and his last visit was in December 2023.
Raga is a well-rounded professional and a well-educated public official.
As to his educational attainment, he graduated from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government’s Senior Executive in State & Local Government Certificate Program.
He has an MBA at Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business; a Master’s Degree (MS) in Healthcare Leadership at Weill Cornell Medicine; MPA at Baruch College’s Marxe School of Public and International Affairs; has a Graduate Diploma
(FEATURE: Pacific ....from page 8)
waiian Hospitality Association, and PCF alumni Mahina Paishon, HTA Vice Chair, found the experience particularly impactful due to their backgrounds in tourism. Paishon expressed their aspiration, “We are eager to explore how we can collaborate with Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco to establish an educational exchange program between the UH Travel Industry Management School and the Philippines.”
A.J. Halagao, president of the Hawaii Leadership Forum and PCF delegate
in International Human Rights Law at the American University in Cairo; a BA and MPP at Stony Brook University; a Certificate of Philippine Studies at the University of the Philippines in Diliman; and a holder of Professional Certificate of Global Affairs at New York University.
Steven Raga is a public official par excellence, I would say!
Asked what his priorities are for the incoming Legislature, he said:
“I am excited to join the Executive Board of the Assembly and the Senate’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, as well as serving as the Chaplain.”
For the upcoming legislative session, he continued:
“My top priorities are to increase government transparency; secure funding for Mitchell Lamas and alleviate Medical Debt for New Yorkers. I am excited to be working with the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project to pass a bill that would make it easier for people to request agency information that is not publicly accessible. I also plan to continue championing for increased
who helped organize the trip, expressed his enthusiasm, “Visiting with many institutions, including the U.S. Embassy, Asian Development Bank, and Consuelo Foundation, as well as cultural and historic sites, made this a well-rounded and unforgettable experience for the Fellows.” The delegation also enjoyed a wide range of activities, from indulging in delicious Filipino cuisine and touring museums to attending a Dua Lipa concert, exploring the Suba, Paoay Sand Dunes, and, of course, shopping!
funding to our Mitchell Lamas as they are an affordable housing option for our low and middle-income residents.”
Additionally, he said: “I am also looking forward to working with Undue Medical Debt to alleviate $1 billion worth of medical debt for low-income New Yorkers with just a $15 million investment from the state.”
As to his message to his constituents, he said:
“Our office is always here to support you –please email me at ragas@ nyassembly.gov. I will make myself available and accessible to you. My website serves as an important resource for you. Please visit it more often. If your need is outside our jurisdiction or work scope, we will be happy to refer you to someone who can help. We also have employees who can converse in Tagalog and Cebuano if that is your preference.”
Congratulations, Assemblymember Steven Raga! More power to you! Proud to be a Filipino! Mabuhay!
ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and a multi-awarded journalist here in the US. For feedbacks, comments… please email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com
With a renewed commitment to work together, both President Marcos, Hannemann, and the PCF leaders aim to maximize their unique strengths to create impactful initiatives and drive positive change in the future. In a world where travel and cultural exchange can bridge even the widest divides, it seems both Hawaii and the Philippines are ready to elevate their relationship to new heights— after all, when it comes to tourism, it’s not just about the destination, it’s about the journey and the partnerships forged along the way.
By Sheryll Bonilla, Esq.
For some of us, 2024 was a year when we said goodbye to someone we loved.
The passing could have been expected if the loved one was in poor health or it happened suddenly.
Family members left behind are often grieving while trying to take care of this final care of the person’s earthly frame.
If you did any preparation for your own passing, it might help to leave information for your family when the time comes.
Here are some items to help with those plans.
Organ and body donation is only done if in-
dicated on your driver’s license or state ID, or if you registered with Legacy of Life. Marking a direction on your advance healthcare directive does not authorize a donation.
If you want to do this, please make sure you register with Legacy of Life or update your driver’s license or state ID.
If you paid for a plan, let your family know which mortuary and leave them a copy of the plan documents.
Do you have a burial plot already purchased or a cremation plan? If you are a veteran and are eligible for VA benefits, give your family the doc-
uments they need to show you qualify for burial benefits.
Do you have funds saved up to pay for your funeral? Let your family know which account is available for these expenses, as they can quickly add up to thousands of dollars.
Do you want to be cremated or buried?
If you want to be cremated, do you want to be placed in an urn that’s kept with a family member or friend? Who do you want to keep your urn?
Do you want your urn to be placed in a family burial plot or other location? Do you want your urn to be placed in a certain columbarium? Did you already pay for a niche somewhere?
Let your family know which columbarium. If
you want your ashes scattered, where?
Burial
Do you already have a family burial plot? Where? Did you already pay for a casket or funeral plan? With what mortuary? Do you have preferences as to the cemetery your casket is placed in?
Do you want to have a private memorial service with only family and close friends? Do you want to have a memorial service open to everyone who knew you and wants to say their last goodbyes? Remember, there may be more costs for feeding more people. Do you prefer a non-religious service? Do you want a religious service? What religion? Do you want your pastor or priest to perform the fu-
By Dominique Nicole Flores
MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are set to see an increase in their monthly contribution to the Social Security System (SSS) as the state-run pension fund implements a 15% contribution rate hike starting in January 2025.
This will be the final scheduled increase, according to the Social Security Act of 2018. However, the rate hike can be deferred or rescheduled if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. chooses to do so.
Civil society groups, former SSS President Rolando Macasaet, and some lawmakers are calling for the suspension of the rate hike.
On January 4, Macasaet urged Malacañang to delay any premium increases, arguing that the SSS’ fund life would not
be significantly affected.
“The SSS had an income of over P80 billion in 2023 and a banner year of over P100 billion in income for 2024,” he added.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Monday, January 6, that the “increase in premium contributions does not lead to increases in members’ benefits,” agreeing with calls for immediate suspension.
“SSS should be fully transparent on the bonuses that they give to their bigwigs. The performance of the board as well as the funds must be audited and assessed, judged by the members themselves,” he said in a statement.
Former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, who pushed for the increase in SSS pension, also
said that the rate hike is “an additional burden” to Filipino workers who have
to face price increases in basic goods and services.
He stressed that the new rates should be suspended, especially when SSS “has not even ex-
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neral services or do you have preferences about who does this?
Are there friends who you want to be notified of your passing? What is their contact information – phone number, address, email?
Is there anything you want to be said in your eulogy? Leave your notes with your family. Do you have any preferences for who reads at your memorial service?
When your family has lost you, they will be grieving and dealing with notifying your pension plan, the Social Security office, and creditors, that you passed.
Discussing these matters with your family can help with the tasks of closing out your life.
plained its current collection rate.”
“It’s absolutely unconscionable that SSS implements another premium increase while its pensioners receive a measly P1,200 monthly pension
(continue on page 13)
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By Rose Cruz Churma
On December 21, 2024, “Sakada Day” was commemorated at the Hawai‘i Plantation Village to honor the Filipino plantation workers who were brought to Hawai‘i to work in the sugar and pineapple plantations.
In 2015, former Governor David Ige declared December 20 as “Sakada Day” to memorialize the date that the first 15 Filipinos set foot on Hawaiian soil in 1906, the anniversary of the arrival of the first OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers).
The Filipino Curriculum Project used this year’s commemoration to showcase the artistic and literary creations of the social studies classes at various Hawai‘i high schools that were first introduced to the Filipino curriculum, where they explored the Sakada legacy and its relevance to today’s issues.
The event was presented by the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee (PCCCH) chaired by Gladys Menor in collaboration with the Filipino Curriculum Project and the University of Hawai‘i’s Center for Philippine Studies (CPS).
It is just fitting to revisit Virgilio Menor Felipe’s book, Hawai‘i A Pilipino Dream, the memoir of Bonipasyo, a Filipino sakada who arrived on the islands in 1924.
As a graduate student in history at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa (UHM), Felipe decided to do an oral history project
for his master’s degree thesis, influenced no doubt by the context of the times when UHM’s Ethnic Studies was being established in the 1970s.
During those years, Hawai‘i’s economic progress was fueled by the Vietnam War and tourism which caused rapid urbanization and threatened the old natural Hawai‘i and the eviction of local-style communities.
Felipe also notes in his introduction: “There was a lack of literature and written history about Filipinos, therefore making my choice obvious… to find a regular person to interview—someone from the lot of the little people.”
It took him a long time to find his subject, but through chance and a series of coincidences he found Bonipasyo, a single elderly male living in a converted garage in Waimanalo.
Armed with a tape recorder, he recorded their conversations as they went holo-holo around Waikiki or in Chinatown, or when they parked the car in the middle of the cane fields in Waialua, Waipahu, and Ewa plantations.
He listened and took notes as Lilo Bonipasyo (Lilo means Grandpa) weeded his vegetable garden or washed the dishes after a meal. One night, they even went to Club Hubba Hubba on Hotel Street, watching the burlesque dancers do their thing as they talked story by the bar.
Bonipasyo spoke mostly in Ilokano, pidgin En-
glish sprinkled with Hawaiian words which the author translated and edited into standard English.
But there are segments in the book where Bonipasyo’s dialogue was retained as it sounded to maintain the tone of his conversations. The vignettes were then arranged in sequence to follow Bonipasyo’s life story.
What emerged is a fascinating story of a Filipino contract worker who experienced Spanish colonization and American rule in the Philippines before arriving in Hawaii in 1925 to work first at the Naalehu Plantation on the Big Island and in other plantations around the state. He never went back home.
The first four chapters—about half of the book describe his life in the countryside of Ilocos Norte, covering his childhood during the last phases of Spanish rule (Chapter I) to the arrival of the Americans (Chapter II).
Chapter III expands on growing up Ilokano during the early 1900s while Chapter IV describes his early years as a young man and his experience working on a sugar plantation in the Philippines (mostly in Pampanga).
That experience and the anecdotes of relatives who had returned from Hawai’i encouraged him to sign up because they said, “Kasla glorya ti Hawai‘i.”
Chapter V describes in detail the ocean journey to Hawai’i. When the ship arrived in Honolulu Harbor:
“…there was a band of Kanakas playing. We disembarked alphabetically, and as we came down the gangplank they asked us where we were going, and we shouted the plantation of our destiny…I shouted Naalehu, Hawaii and they lei’d me with a yellow paper lei with Hilo on it.”
In Chapter VI, he reminisces about his first days and years working in a sugar plantation, while in Chapter VII “Lucky-Lucky Life in Hawai‘i” he confesses participating in “koboy-koboy” when “you just took out a woman. Even if you had to tie up the husband if he happened to be there, you took her for a ride like a cowboy.”
He reflects on the number of religious groups conning them to pay dues, and his views on the unions and labor commissioners (like Ligot who he describes with colorful curse words).
Chapter VIII depicts the islands during the war years where “Pilipinos were suddenly looked upon with prestige” unlike the Japanese. Chapter IX “Nowadays” is a reflection of his life during the postwar era as plantations slowly shut down.
In the epilogue titled “Up to You,” Felipe retains Bonipasyo’s pidgin English. One has to read it aloud to get the gist of what he’s saying.
But like the previous chapters, his unvarnished descriptions of life in the Philippines or the plantation days in Hawai’i is candid and graphic.
His vivid recollections document the struggles and harsh realities that the sakadas experienced, but also the relationships they
forged that enabled them to survive—even thrive in their adopted land.
The author, Virgilio Menor Felipe, was born in the Philippines but immigrated to Hawai‘i at age 12.
He and his family lived at Mill Camp 8 at Waialua Plantation. He attended Castle High School in Kaneohe but graduated from Kailua High School. He received his M.A. in History from UHM where he helped establish the Ethnic Studies Department and Operation Manong (now renamed Office of Multicultural Students and Services).
His scholarly background is tempered with his experiences as a yardman and community organizer. He also taught at all school levels including stints teaching at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and at the University of California in Berkeley.
The book includes photographs from the Hawai‘i State Archives and the Kauai Museum (cover photo) with illustrations from Mario Orbito.
The late Emme Tomimbang, in her commentary on the book reflects that the story of Bonipasyo: “...helps us to understand ourselves, our own Filipino identity and what our lives in America and Hawai‘i is all about.”
For those curious about life in rural Philippines especially the Ilocos region in the early part of the 19th century, or our history as Filipinos of Hawai‘i—this book is a must-read.
ROSE CRUZ CHURMA established Kalamansi Books & Things three decades ago. It has evolved from a mail-order bookstore into an online advocacy with the intent of helping global Pinoys discover their heritage by promoting books of value from the Philippines and those written by Filipinos in the Diaspora. We can be reached at kalamansibooks@gmail.com.
By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan
On the first day of January 2024, our family welcomed the new year in the simplest yet most unforgettable way.
It was our last day in the apartment we called home in South Korea- a place filled with memories, laughter, and growth.
Instead of the traditional countdown with friends, we spent the night clearing the rooms and packing our remaining things into boxes, preparing for the next chapter.
Our daughter, Callie, was down with a fever, adding another layer of worry to an already bittersweet moment.
The apartment was empty, stripped of the furniture and appliances that had been part of our everyday life. Our first breakfast of the year was humble: porridge from the nearby convenience store warmed in their microwave.
As we ate, the air was thick with anticipation, not only for the year ahead but also for the uncertainties it held.
My heart was heavy with questions: Where would this year take us? What challenges would we face? Could we find the strength to navigate the unknown?
Sitting on the floor with
for those with 10 credited years of service, or P2,400 for those with 20 years,” Colmenares said in a statement on Monday.
Labor union group SENTRO described the rate increase to 15% “unjust” and “ill-timed” amid the salaries of Filipino workers that remain stagnant.
“The government must recognize that workers cannot be made to pay the price for systemic failures. This premium hike will
my family, I felt the weight of the unknown pressing down on me.
Little did I know, this simple start was setting the stage for a story of faith, perseverance, and grace that would unfold throughout the year.
As the months went on, our family experienced both challenges and victories living in Switzerland. There were moments of doubt when it felt like the path ahead was blurred.
Yet, in those moments of uncertainty, we were reminded to take things one step at a time and trust that God was guiding us- even when we couldn’t see the full picture.
Eventually, we began to see the unfolding of God’s plans as we experienced one breakthrough after another.
Slowly, the anxiety that marked the start of the year gave way to quiet confidence – a growing assurance that God is at work behind the scenes.
Fast forward to December 31, 2024. There we were, standing in awe before the majestic Matterhorn, the iconic Toblerone mountain in Switzerland.
strip families of their hardearned income at a time when every peso counts,”
SENTRO said in a statement on Monday.
What can the president do? Colmenares told Philstar.com in a message that Marcos could issue an executive order or administrative order detailing the reason for a suspension, indicating what kind of calamity the country is facing.
Republic Act 11548,
As the sun set on the year, we were overwhelmed with gratitude, amazement, and humility.
The beauty before us mirrored the goodness of God we had experienced throughout the year.
The journey that had begun on the floor of an empty apartment with convenience store porridge had led us to this breathtaking moment of awe and thanksgiving.
God had carried us through every trial, every fear, and every question, turning our doubts into declarations of His faithfulness.
Looking back, it became clear that the very struggles we faced earlier were shaping us for the blessings we would later receive.
Our family grew closer, our faith deepened, and our hearts expanded with gratitude. The lesson was undeniable: God’s plans are always greater than we
which was signed in 2021, grants the president the ability to defer increases in SSS contributions during a state of calamity.
While no suspension has been implemented, how much of a Filipino worker’s salary will be deducted monthly solely for the SSS contribution following the rate hike?
How much will you contribute? The 15% contribution rate will be split
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can imagine, even when we can’t see them in the moment.
If you’re starting this year with a heart full of anxiety, wondering what lies ahead, I want to encourage you: no matter how dim the future may appear, God has already gone ahead.
Faith requires us to trust in what we can’t yet see. It’s in those moments of waiting, praying, and hoping that God is preparing something good.
He sees your struggles, hears your prayers, and holds your future securely in His hands.
In every season of my life, I’ve held onto a theme song to encourage myself and remind me of God’s promises. This year, it’s Danny Gokey’s “Haven’t Seen It Yet.” The lyrics resonate deeply, offering fresh hope and anticipation for what’s to come:
“It’s like the brightest sunrise
Waiting on the other side of the darkest night. Don’t ever lose hope, hold on and believe—
Maybe you just haven’t seen it yet.”
Perhaps you’re in a season of waiting and praying like we were at the start of 2024.
Maybe you’ve been pouring out your heart, hoping for a breakthrough and still see no answers. But I urge you to hold on.
God’s promises are true, and His love never fails. He is faithful. He is the God of breakthrough.
As you step into 2025, my prayer for you is this: may you find renewed hope, joy, and anticipation for the blessings that are ahead.
May you discover that God is working all things together for your good, just as He did for our family in 2024.
The pain and uncertainty of today may blur your vision of tomorrow, but remember that in the darkest moments, God’s faithfulness shines brightest.
He is working behind the scenes in ways you can’t yet comprehend. Just as He brought our family from a season of packing and porridge to one of peaks and praise, He will carry you through. Hold on. Greater things are coming. Your breakthrough is closer than you think.
By Dr. Arcelita Imasa
In our October 6, 2024 column, we discussed what domestic work is and who the domestic workers are.
To review, domestic workers provide care for individuals, whether children, adults, or elderly, serve as companions for those who are sick, clean houses, or perform laundry, cooking, or other domestic services.
Domestic workers are primarily found in longterm care facilities such as adult residential care homes, foster homes, and nursing homes.
There are 3 main categories of long-term care facilities:
1) Adult Residential Care Homes (ARCH) are licensed and regulated by the Hawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Care Assurance. ARCH homes can either be regular (providing minimal assistance with activities of daily living) or expanded (providing 24-hour assistance or skilled nursing services). Only expanded ARCH
homes may choose to accept Medicaid patients, but they are not required to.
2) Adult Foster Homes are licensed and regulated by the Hawaii State Department of Human Services and are formally known as the Community Care Foster Family Homes (CCFFH) program. Foster homes are designed to be a less expensive, family-home setting alternative to institutional nursing homes. Foster home residents must be at either Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) level of care or Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) level of care, and at least one resident must be under Medicaid. All residents in a foster home must have a Case Management Agency licensed by the Department of Human Services to coordinate their healthcare requirements. Note: There are around 30 licensed home and community-based case management agencies in Oahu.
3) Full-fledged Nursing Homes are generally licensed under the Hawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Care Assurance as ICF and/or SNF facilities. These homes can have
anywhere from a few dozen to hundreds of residents, many of whom are on Medicaid, although some also pay privately. Note: There are 29 large nursing homes in Oahu alone.
As with many low-income workers, domestic workers are vulnerable to a wide range of violations of their rights, which stem from the informal, undervalued, and unregulated nature of their work.
They are generally paid low wages and face difficulties saving for retirement. Many experience violations related to minimum wage, overtime pay, workers’ compensation, and other workplace benefits, as well as federally supported employment benefits.
They are also at risk of wage theft or illegal retaliation. The nature of their work exposes them to workplace health and safety hazards due to poor working conditions, where they have little
(COVER STORY: News Story ....from page 6)
not that they are dead [our departed],” he said, “because we know they have been in heaven. But we visit their final resting place because human beings that we are, we would like to always remember and we would like to give our respects, and also to connect with them even if they are long gone from us.”
Filipinos were well represented in State Senate and State House races in Hawaii in both political parties, and a
few highlights of those who won in the General include Brandon Elefante for State Senate in District 16, Ikaika Hussey, Shirley Ann Templo, Trish La Chica, Diamond Garcia and Greggor Ilangan for State House seats. Several Filipino incumbents will return to office having been unopposed in this year’s election or won outright in the Primary due to no opposition in the General.
Filipino candidates also won on the mainland. Ysabel Jurado, an attorney and community activist, won as the
Today, Hawaii is one of the dozen states that have passed domestic workers’ bills of rights and protections.
control over their environment.
Employment is often arranged without a written contract, leaving them vulnerable to working long hours without breaks and having responsibilities that prevent them from getting at least five hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Stories abound as well of domestic workers who lack legal protection or job security and are excluded from key provisions of labor and employment laws like the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970 and the National Labor Relations Act.
Workplace isolation and lack of health coverage also affect domestic workers.
Nationally, there has been a long history of pushback against the undervaluation of domestic work and domestic workers. The National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights was introduced in 2021.
first Filipino elected member of the Los Angeles City Council. She will represent District 14 which has a population of 264,751.
Jessica Caloza, also made history as the first Filipino elected to California’s 52nd Assembly District, a district with 465,678 residents that encompasses East L.A. and parts of Glendale, as well as several Los Angeles neighborhoods, including El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Highland Park, Eagle Rock and Echo Park.
Longtime Filipino Congressman Robert “Bobby”
Domestic workers in Hawaii are also protected under the Hawaii Law Act 248, enacted in 2013, which guarantees at least the state minimum wage, overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a week, and protection from job discrimination.
Fortunately, efforts to organize domestic workers are already underway. The Hawaii ILWU Local 1000 organizes over a hundred of independent home care operators.
Many workers at the Oahu Care Facility, a kupuna assisted living home, are unionized under the Hawaii Nurses Association and had their strike in 2023 over fair wages.
UNITE HERE! Local 5 union represents hundreds of certified nurse aides and workers in the dietary, maintenance, recreation, and housekeeping departments at Hale Nani Rehabilitation & Nursing Center (owned by Avalon Company); they had a strike in 2016 to address understaffing and low wages.
The International Labor Organization calls to
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Scott, elected in 1993, won in the General, representing Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District.
Steven Raga, who was the Filipino American elected to the New York State Assembly in 2022, defended his seat and won in the 2024 General Election to represent District 30. That’s a wrap for the year. So long and out with 2024, welcome in 2025.
Editor’s Note: Original articles of these top stories can be accessed in HFC’s archives of articles at www.thefilipinochronicle.com.
A TRIBUTE TO MR. SINATRA AS PERFORMED BY JIMMY BORGES FEATURING JORDAN
SEGUNDO | Hawaii Symphony Orchestra | January 11, 2025, 7:30pm to 9:30pm | Hawaii Theatre, 1130 Bethel Street, Honolulu, Hawaii | A spectacular tribute to the late Gentleman of Jazz, Jimmy Borges. Jordan Segundo joins the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra to celebrate Jimmy’s iconic legacy and 90th anniversary. Be immersed in classic
Sinatra hits. For more information, visit myhso. org.
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By Bermie Dizon
Life is a journey filled with twists and turns, victories and setbacks. Through it all, God is present, guiding us with His loving hand.
This truth inspired my book, “God, In Every Step” as I sought to show how the Lord is involved in every detail of our lives— whether in the mundane or the miraculous.
Every step we take is an opportunity to recognize God’s presence and fulfill His purpose.
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives us the Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
between the employer and the employee. The employer will cover 10% of the monthly salary credit, while the employee will contribute the remaining 5%.
For example, if a Filipino earns a monthly salary of P20,749, their corresponding monthly salary credit will be P20,000.
Employees would be paying P1,000 for the Reg-
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
It’s not a task we carry alone. His promise to be with us “to the very end of the age” assures us that He is actively walking with us.
This mission is not about our own ability or strength but about exalting Jesus and allowing Him to work through us.
There were times in my life when I felt unworthy or incapable of fulfilling such a mission. Yet, in those moments, God reminded me that He equips the called, not the other way around.
ular Social Security program alone. Meanwhile, the employer would be shouldering P2,000.
This would be equivalent to a take-home pay of around P19,749, without other contribution payments like PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.
Contributions for the Employees’ Compensation Program are also being
(HAWAII WORKERS CORNER: Understanding ....from page 14)
make domestic work “decent work,” ensuring that society values domestic workers for their contributions and protects their rights as workers.
In Hawaii, domestic workers are predominantly Filipino migrants and women.
The Hawaii Workers Center aims to be a strong
advocate for domestic workers. To learn more about domestic workers’ rights, contact the Hawaii Workers Center at (503) 967-5377 or (503) WORKERS.
The Hawaii Workers Center also offers “Know Your Workers’ Rights” trainings and can help you learn about your
Every step—whether faltering or steady—is an opportunity for His glory to shine through.
As I wrote “God, In Every Step”, I reflected on the ordinary and extraordinary moments where God’s hand was evident. For example, holding my premature daughter Carmel in my arms was a reminder of His grace in life’s fragile beginnings.
paid for but not part of the 15%. For the Mandatory Provident Fund, contributions for this are being made only by those earning above P20,250 a month.
In other words, more than P1,000 is taken from a Filipino who earns a little over P20,000.
The new schedule of contributions can be found here.
rights and stand up for them. Contact nelson@ hawaiiworkerscenter.org to request training.
Dr. ARCELITA IMASA is a practicing family physician and the secretary of the Hawaii Workers Center’s Executive Committee of the Board. She grew up in the Philippines before migrating to Hawaii with her family more than a decade ago.
hawaiipopcon.com.
HAWAII TRIENNIAL 2025 | ALOHA NO | Hawaii Contemporary | February 15 to May 4, 2025 | Various locations across the state | Hawaii Triennial 2025 is the state’s largest, thematic exhibition of contemporary art from Hawaii, the Pacific, and beyond. For over 78 days, HT25 features 49 artists and art collectives with site exhibitions on Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island. For more information, visit hawaiicontemporary.org.
Losing my voice for three months and waiting on the Lord taught me to trust in His timing.
These experiences weren’t just for my benefit—they were meant to be shared, to inspire others to see God’s hand in their own journeys.
Sharing the gospel is similar. It’s about pointing people to Jesus through our words and our lives.
The mission to make disciples is woven into our daily routines, our relationships, and our willingness to show others how Jesus transforms us.
If you get a chance to get the book “God, In Every Step” from Amazon, you will see the amazing grace of our Lord Jesus in each moment of our lives.
Many have already
How were the increases made? The law mandates the SSS to increase the contribution rate by 1% every two years until it reaches 15%. In 2019, the contribution rate was 12%, where 8% was shared by the employer and 4% by the employee.
Every time the contribution rate increased, both the employer’s and employee’s shares rose equal-
found the book’s message encouraging, especially in distress and challenges.
As you meditate on Matthew 28:19-20, reflect on the steps God has guided you through. Where has He been undeniably present? How has He turned your trials into testimonies? And who around you need to hear the good news of Jesus? Let’s commit ourselves to walking with purpose, recognizing that every step is a part of God’s bigger plan. Let us exalt Jesus in our lives and share His love with others, knowing He is with us always.
BERMIE DIZON is a retired pastor of Grace Communion International at Glendora, California, and a former writer for USA Tribune for 9 years.
ly by 0.5 percentage points. As a result, in 2021, the employer’s contribution rate became 8.5%, while the employee’s share increased to 4.5%.
Rep. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party), one of the first lawmakers to call out the rate hike, called the implementation a “cruel New Year’s gift” for Filipinos. (www.philstar. com)
