Hawaii Filipino Chronicle - January 20, 2024

JANUARY 20, 2024  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  1

JANUARY 20, 2024

CANDID PERSPECTIVES

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

Defending Jo Koy’s Golden Globes Performance Q&A

Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii Welcomes Incoming President Dr. Rainier Bautista

Through The Wilderness

HAWAII WORKERS’ CORNER

What’s Happening in Gaza?

2 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  JANUARY 20, 2024

EDITORIAL

We Are Proud of Jo Koy, A Trailblazer Who Has Done Much for Our Community’s Empowerment!

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t the heart of ethnic media -- including here at the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle -- is a goal of reporting on and advocating for community empowerment, for our community to inch or leap forward. There are times when progress has been slow and incremental, for example, Hawaii Filipinos’ gains in higher education. There are other times we have made tremendous gains and feel empowered, for example, politically to be at the table of decision-making in Hawaii.

How we measure community empowerment comes in many forms and all of them are important to look at from Filipinos working hard to realize their dreams of homeownership in Hawaii to who in our community is trailblazing new fronts, making history and inspiring our Filipino youth whether it is in the field of medicine, academia or even entertainment.

Progress on all fronts is worthy of serious coverage and shouldn’t be selectively dismissed because one trailblazer is holding a scalpel or another a microphone on stage. Bringing attention to trailblazers is how we support each other and rise as a community. With again, as a goal, toward enhancing community empowerment.

Jo Koy the trailblazer Comedian-actor Jo Koy believes in this idea of empowering our community. He not only talks about it in interviews highlighting the need for representation and being a role model, but his career is built on telling our stories, the immigrant experience, our desire to move ahead through education and the challenges we face like discrimination.

So, when Jo Koy was invited to host the 81st Golden Globe awards as the first solo host of Asian American descent, many in our community felt his career milestone of reaching this height of success is also a part of our own success. His hosting The Globes was a trailblazing moment for Koy and a leap in our community’s journey towards greater empowerment as well.

When Jo Koy trailblazed in his blockbuster Easter Sunday, the first major Hollywood-produced and Hollywood-distributed movie starring a Filipino lead and mostly an all-Filipino cast -- for many of us, it was more than a movie. It was seeing us, our community, accepted and validated in the greater American society. This was a leap in community empowerment.

Certainly, there are several Filipino stars in entertainment like H.E.R., Bruno Mars, Olivia Rodrigo that Filipinos are proud of. But arguably Jo Koy is the most visible among these stars who is a storyteller of the Filipino experience, a storyteller of the immigrant experience. Albeit it’s within the framework of comedy, which is really a powerful and underrated genre of storytelling that effectively reaches a broad audience. It also brings attention to uncomfortable truths that can be disguised as a joke.

Lessons from the fallout The fallout of what occurred following Koy’s performance at The Globes reveals the opposite of community empowerment. We are reminded that the crab mentality still exists. It’s one thing to find Koy’s monologue unlikeable or crude even.

This is fair. But using this one moment to throw Koy under the bus and go as one poster on social media said from “Pinoy Pride” to “Pinoy Shame” – that’s not how we move towards community empowerment. (continue on page 3)

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

rom the start of the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle, besides reporting on serious issues that impact our community which is what we’ve become known for over the decades, we’ve always also had as a mission to highlight trailblazers who inspire us, leaders who capture the attention and admiration of our people, leaders who show love to our community.

Comedian-actor Jo Koy, as a trailblazer in Hollywood and a storyteller of Filipino culture certainly fits the bill. For our cover story this issue, associate editor Edwin Quinabo reports on Jo Koy hosting the 81st Golden Globe awards as the first “solo” host of Asian American descent. He also highlights Koy’s successful career and why Filipinos find him relatable and enthusiastically support him. The additional incentive to feature Koy in such a high-profile matter is to draw attention to what many of you already have been reading about in social and mainstream media, his performance and ensuing coverage. Did the mainstream media treat Koy fairly? What do Filipinos think? We felt since the mainstream press gave so much attention in casting a one-sided perspective on Koy, it was incumbent that we in the Filipino press raise awareness and provide an alternate viewpoint. In many ways, this is why ethnic media exists, to counter when needed, an unfair portrayal in mass media of our people and individuals when they occur. In the cover story we provide a global response from Filipinos locally, the mainland, the Philippines and Middle East.

On the same subject, HFC columnist Emil Guillermo contributes “Defending Jo Koy’s Golden Globes Performance.” He writes, “Koy didn’t really bomb as much as some are saying” – which is a popular sentiment many are saying.

Speaking of leaders in our community, HFC editorial assistant Jim Bea Sampaga presents a Q & A with Dr. Rainier Bautista, the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii’s (PMAH) incoming president. Rainier earned his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. He is currently practicing as a Primary Care Physician at Primary Care Clinic of Hawaii.

PMAH has a long and rich history of serving our community. We wish Dr. Bautista much success.

Also, in this issue we have a touching and inspiring story for the new year. Our international correspondent-columnist Seneca Moraleda-Puguan who is originally from the Philippines but has been reporting from South Korea is now living in Switzerland. She shares her story of how she got there. Through prayers and a determination to return to Europe where they previously had lived, her husband eventually landed a job at Adolphe Merkle Institute of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. The story is one of faith, hope and change -- fitting for a new year. We look forward to Seneca’s columns from Switzerland as she represents the spirit of many global Filipinos and the diaspora of our people.

Lastly, turning to one of the most compelling and heartbreaking news of our time, the dire situation in Gaza, HFC columnist Arcelita Imasa, M.D. reports on the Hawaii Workers Center’s position on what’s happening there. Like many unions and organizations throughout the world, the HWC is calling for a permanent ceasefire. “Workers’ interests include not only winning higher pay and better living and working conditions but also securing a safer and peaceful world so all can prosper and fewer die from disasters and war,” the HWC said in a statement.

We hope you enjoy these stories and our other columns and news. A reminder: Filipino, civic and professional organizations can submit your events for our Community Calendar to the filipinochronicle@gmail.com. Be sure to visit our website to get the latest and archived issues. Until the next issue, Aloha and Mabuhay!

Publisher & Executive Editor Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D.

Publisher & Managing Editor

Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Associate Editors

Edwin QuinaboDennis Galolo

Contributing Editor

Belinda Aquino, Ph.D.

Design

Junggoi Peralta

Photography Tim Llena

Administrative Assistant Lilia Capalad

Editorial & Production Assistant Jim Bea Sampaga

Columnists

Carlota Hufana Ader Rose Cruz Churma Elpidio R. Estioko Willie Espero Perry Diaz Emil Guillermo Arcelita Imasa, M.D. Seneca Moraleda-Puguan J.P. Orias Charlie Sonido, M.D. Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq.

Contributing Writers

Clement Bautista Edna Bautista, Ed.D. Teresita Bernales, Ed.D. Sheryll Bonilla, Esq. Serafin Colmenares Jr., Ph.D. Linda Dela Cruz Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand Amelia Jacang, M.D. Caroline Julian Max Levin Raymond Ll. Liongson, Ph.D. Federico Magdalena, Ph.D. Matthew Mettias Maita Millalos Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. Renelaine Bontol-Pfister Seneca Moraleda-Puguan Mark Lester Ranchez Jay Valdez, Psy.D. Glenn Wakai Amado Yoro

Philippine Correspondent: Greg Garcia

Neighbor Island Correspondents: Big Island (Hilo and Kona) Grace LarsonDitas Udani Kauai Millicent Wellington Maui Christine Sabado Big Island Distributors Grace LarsonDitas Udani Kauai Distributors Amylou Aguinaldo Nestor Aguinaldo Maui Distributors

Cecille PirosRey Piros

Molokai Distributor Maria Watanabe Oahu Distributors Yoshimasa Kaneko Shalimar / Jonathan Pagulayan

Advertising / Marketing Director Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Account Executives Carlota Hufana Ader JP Orias

JANUARY 20, 2024  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  3

EDITORIAL

Getting A College Education Is Still Worth the Cost

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t’s a new year and typically a time of anxiety, hope and change. Among the goals many have this year is to improve their personal finances – that single mom balancing work and raising her children, the middle-aged worker who lost his job due to industry obsolescence, the young adult who went straight to work and foregone college.

Change is always greeted with apprehension but perhaps one way to improve your personal finances is to consider going back to school to get that college degree. A University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) report, titled “Estimating the Returns to Higher Education Using Administrative Data: A Case Study of the University of Hawai‘i System,” shows a degree from the University of Hawaii system raises wages, increases intergenerational mobility and reduces labor market obstacles that those from poorer households face.

This report confirms what many other national studies have about the benefits of having a college degree. But the report is significant to locals in Hawaii because it shows you don’t have to go to the mainland for a college education and incur higher out-of-state tuition costs.

But that your college degree earned from the University

of Hawaii system will have the same or similar benefits as most mainland college degrees.

Nationally, we see that college enrollment has gone down since the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Student Clearinghouse reports undergraduate enrollment dropped 8.9% in the past four years. UHERO reports this trend is also true in Hawaii.

After the pandemic the U.S. college enrollment rate fell by 4 percentage points, to 62%. In Hawaii it fell by 5 percentage points. “The Hawaii public school college entrance rate currently sits at 51% — the lowest point since 2010,” the report said.

College is too expensive The biggest obstacle that many say to getting a college degree is cost. According to College Board data, in 2023, the average cost of attendance at an in-state, four-year public institution was about $23,000 a year. At private colleges that amount is typically more than $53,000.

Why is college so expensive now? Experts point to several reasons: 1) many state legislatures have slashed education funding, according to the National Education Association; 2) student services – on-campus healthcare, mental health services, career counseling, etc. – while valuable they increase college’s operational costs, according

to the American Council of Trustees and Alumni; and 3) the post pandemic recession has made everything more expensive, including the cost of education.

Strategies to get a college degree at a lower price The sticker price of tens of thousands of dollars for one year of education looks daunting and impossible for some to pay for. But there are strategies that could help.

1) Get federal student aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A Brookings Institute report found that one in seven students enrolled in a college were eligible for financial aid but never completed FAFSA. 2) Attend a local college that is reputable and proven to be worth the money.

Again, this is where the UHERO report proves to be invaluable. In-state tuition cost and not having

Experience over education There is a growing belief that job experience would produce greater returns and fewer costs than higher education, the UHERO report

said.

This belief is particularly true among many working in Silicon Valley and other tech hubs. Many well-known billionaires and not-so-well known multi-millionaires are college dropouts. In the tech industry, it’s true that experience at the right companies can in fact be more valuable than a college degree. But how many of us are tech geniuses? Really!

Today’s job market is changing at a dizzying speed.

In a practical world perhaps the tech industry is right – that skills-based hiring through experience makes more sense and could be more valuable than skills acquired in college. Furthermore, there is validity to criticisms that over certification is at times ridiculous for performing tasks that can obviously be learned on the job.

But most industries still require a post-secondary education as the gateway for advancement, higher pay and job opportunities even in today’s increased capital on skills-based hiring.

To our Filipino parents, keep encouraging our youth to pursue higher education because as the cliché goes, it still pays off in the long run.

But students must be smart about choosing a career that you’re both passionate about and that will be financially relevant in the next 20, 30 years.

To those saying, who cares? It’s unimportant. It certainly does. Community empowerment requires that we care about uplifting each other, especially those who are trailblazers inspiring our youth. Historically, we’ve seen how the mainstream press has done a disservice to our community. Locally in Hawaii, there have been vast improvements. But nationally, as we are seeing in this incident, we still have work to do, which is another reason why bringing this to the forefront in a highly visible way is imperative for the Filipino

ethnic press.

It would make no sense that the mainstream media will find it newsworthy to bash a host relentlessly (when the real story of The Globes should be in the winners) and that we in the Filipino press relegate this story to a small news.

That’s not going to happen. Thank you, Jo Koy, for your trailblazing efforts once again by accepting the challenge to host The Globes in such short notice. We stand beside you and hope for bountiful future success to come your way.

to move (which can be very expensive) can save a student a lot of money.

3) There are many scholarships and grants available to all kinds of students – needs based, merit based, background-based, industry-based, etc. One local program to look into is the Hawaii Promise.

More than 2,200 students from seven UH community colleges benefited from almost $5 million in Hawaii Promise scholarships in the school year 20212022.

4) Work study programs.

There are federal workstudy programs through FAFSA. There are many jobs on campus or work study programs through nonprofits.

5) Employer tuition assistance. Some companies will help pay for your tuition for a commitment that you stay with that company upon graduation for a specific number of years. For certain tech and healthcare majors, whether you are currently employed in that industry or pursuing it, employer tuition assistance could be available.

(EDITORIAL: We Are Proud.....from page 2)

Then there are others who like to ignore the bad press as if it didn’t exist. That’s denialism and does nothing for community empowerment if we don’t address head on what everyone else is being exposed to by the mainstream press and we in the Filipino community look the other way.

Poor performance or not, Koy did not deserve the level of vicious hammering he’s received from the press. It was beyond normal criticism, excessive and unfair. The context and traditional role of a comic invited to host an award

show involves roasting celebrities. This is what all former hosts have been doing. Why is it that Koy was made to be the vilified host for poking fun at celebrities when comparatively others like Ricky Gervais did far more caustic and biting put-downs in previous Globes and hardly called out on it by the press?

Double standard? Yes. So, the question is why did the press feel so emboldened to exact such a punishing campaign? This needs to be explored more. Some Filipinos on social media have been saying the degree of

media-bashing Koy received is racism. That’s debatable.

Some Filipinos say the bad press Koy got was entirely deserved. That’s also debatable.

Support Jo Koy Looking at Koy’s full body of work and his contributions to uplifting our community cannot be dismissed over one monologue. That’s ludicrous.

Now more than ever, our community should be supporting Jo Koy whether we liked his GG stint or not. Ten minutes should not define, make or break Koy’s career.

4 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  JANUARY 20, 2024

COVER STORY

Jo Koy Sets Another Trailblazing Moment at The Globes, Filipinos React to His Performance growing up watching award shows he never saw someone like him take up the anuary is the start of the cin- mantle of a big Hollywood ceremony ematic and TV awards season like The Globes. He said representation with the Golden Globes, the is all about seeing oneself in the media, Emmy’s and People’s Choice and perhaps someone will see him hostAwards which ceremonies to ing who identifies with him in some way honor the best in entertainment of the and will feel more inspired and seen.

He said being a role model, especially previous year will cap off with the annuto the youth who look like him, “Now al Oscars-Academy award in March.

All these shows draw in millions of they get to see me in the best seat in the viewers not just in the U.S. but glob- house. And I know that they’re watchally and their hosts traditionally have ing, they’re gonna be like, ‘All right, been A-lister comedians or actors like well, maybe I can do this [too].’ And Joan Collins, Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, that’s what I want. I want more of us Billy Crystal, Johnny Carson, Whoopi [Filipinos and those underrepresented] Goldberg, Jimmy Kimmel, Steve Mar- in Hollywood.” tin, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres, Alec Baldwin, Jon Stewart, David Letterman, Not everyone gets a fair shake Like many celebrities from minority Robin Williams, Glenn Close, Michael backgrounds who describe the difficulDouglas, to name a few.

Award shows hosts are almost always ties of making it in Hollywood and the household names so when comedian-ac- entertainment business, Koy also often tor Jo Koy was selected by the Holly- talks about this challenge.

Asio Romelito, said on his social mewood elite to host the 81st Golden Globe awards on January 7, the global Filipino dia page, “I’m not just a Jo Koy fan, but community buzzed in anticipation who also a Jo Koy believer. Let me explain saw this moment as their fellow Filipi- this. In one of his Netflix specials Jo Koy: no’s crowning moment of personal suc- Live from the LA Forum, there was a cess. But many say it also was a poten- part in it, a teary eyed Koy said, ‘Not evtially watershed moment that Hollywood eryone gets a fair shake.’ He was talking (widely criticized for being exclusively about the mistreatment and judgement white) is more receptive to diversity, es- he got because he’s an Asian American pecially among minorities grossly under- dreaming of becoming a famous standrepresented in Hollywood -- Asians and up comedian. This is before he became Jo Koy – the Filipino American who is Latinos.

No Latinos have been invited to host now filling up arenas jam-packed with The Globes and Jo Koy was the first audiences enjoying his stand-up gifts.

“And now, he’s getting that not-so(Sandra Oh was previously a co-host) solo host of Asian American descent. In fair shake again and receiving unfair rethe current era of wokeism and repre- views even from fellow Filipinos just besentation-matters, the talented and wild- cause na offend ang idol nilang si Taylor ly popular Jo Koy, who has been selling Swift. Sad, diba? I could feel the sharp out arenas and grabbing mainstream stares of these Hollywood celebrities at America’s attention was to be that celeb- the Golden Globe Awards, staring at Jo Koy as if saying, ‘Who is this Filipino rity to quiet such criticisms. comedian on stage roasting us?”

Joel Montiel Cabrera was also It’s not just about entertainment, but representation moved by Koy’s Los Angeles stand-up In pre-Globe show interviews, Koy special. On his social media account, he spoke of the importance of representa- said, “Koy tells the story of how Netflix tion. Koy told Entertainment Tonight rejected him several times and how he

By Edwin Quinabo

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had to deal with racism and how some Filipinos are discriminated against because of their accents. Koy then started to break into tears and said, ‘Not everybody gets the same shake.’”

Finding an audience, finding his Filipino-ness and loyal crowd

Koy said because he didn’t have role models who looked like him in comedy coming up in the entertainment scene, content for his stand-up in the beginning was difficult in trying to be relatable. Some say his earlier work resounded to a broader, universal crowd, and was met with marginal success and tepid enthusiasm.

Koy is of mixed race. His mother is Filipino and his father white American.

His father left his family when Koy was 10-years old and Koy says he was raised in the Filipino culture. It is when Koy brought his personal stories and upbringing as a Filipino to his standup acts that his career took off and he found his niche, loyal audience among Filipinos who found him relatable.

In 2022, Koy would take that same theme – growing up in a Filipino household – to the big screen in the movie Easter Sunday, which had modest to moderate box office success. It was the first big budget Hollywood-produced and Hollywood-released movie that starred a Filipino American and had a Filipino theme.

Since Easter Sunday, he’s appeared in two movies Haunted Mansion and (continue on page 5)

JANUARY 20, 2024  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  5

COVER STORY (Jo Koy Sets.....from page 4)

Leo, and will be in the Tiger’s Apprentice that’s currently in production. He has appeared on shows like The Late Late Show with James Cameron, Last Call with Carson Daly, and The Breakfast Club. His stand-up comedy album, Live from Seattle reached number one on the Billboard Charts.

Koy has six stand-up specials (two Comedy Central and four Netflix Originals). According to Forbes, the Filipino American comedian made around $12 million for his first Netflix specials which

What Filipinos say about Jo Koy and his comedy Rose Cruz Churma is one among the thousands who watched Jo Koy in Honolulu. “I enjoyed the concerts I attended—had a few belly laughs—but I felt uncomfortable with the sexual innuendos in some of his jokes. It certainly was not meant for the entire family.

I like his book! [Koy released three books: Jo Koy Mixed Plate, Jo Koy Don’t Make Him Angry and Jo Koy Lights Out] The jokes I enjoyed the most were those that poked fun at his ‘Filipino-ness’ or his travails as the son of an immigrant single mom. What he has done was to show the universality of the immigrant experience trying to fit in white America. In the concerts I’ve attended—the audience was a mixed bag of Hispanics, locals from Waianae, recently arrived Chinese, Koreans and hapa-haoles. All seem to laugh at the same jokes as us. My daughter watches his concerts in most cities whenever she can. Friends who worked for him (behind the scenes at his Hawaii concerts) talk of his kindness and down-to-earth nature despite his success as a performer. I’ve watched some of his Netflix shows but not his movie (which I thought was too predictable).”

Jim Bea, Manila, Philippines said she’s not really a fan of Koy but enjoy watching some of his materials. “I remember watching clips of his stand-up shows on YouTube with my family in Ha-

began with Jo Koy: Comin’ In Hot in 2017 and was followed up by Jo Koy: In His Elements in 2020. His last one, Live from the LA Forum (released in 2022), was filmed at his biggest venue yet that seats 17,000 people. All his specials were hits and received critical acclaim.

Comics say these specials are great for marketing and getting their name out, but the real money is earned during shows. And Jo Koy is unique in that most comics’ national tours are held in clubs and small venues, while Koy’s

waii and it was hilarious. It’s because his jokes about his Filipino mother resonated with fellow Filipino Americans. Sometimes, his jokes would remind me of my own Filipino relatives who live in the US. But over time, Jo Koy’s jokes about his mother felt excessive and overused. So, in recent years, I haven’t really been tuning in to his content.”

Paul Martin, Ewa Beach, said “Although I’m not a fan of Jo Koy’s comedy, I do appreciate that he brings visibility to the Filipino American community. His jokes about his life with his Filipino family are relatable, and so it’s nice to see someone who relates to me on the big stage.”

Beth Jenkins was among tens of thousands chiming in on the Golden Globe fiasco on social media. She said on social media, “as a half-Filipino, half-white person living in southern California, I see many biracial people embracing their white side and half heartedly their ethnic side. My background is similar to Jo’s in that my father left when I was young so I was raised in a Filipino household with Filipino culture. What I like about Jo is he’s fully proud of his Filipino heritage and has decided to focus on his Filipino-ness as the bulk of his comedy, but in a way that’s funny and respectful. Compare that to fellow comedian Rob Schneider, who is also half-Filipino, but most people hardly know this because he had downplayed that for most of his career until re-

stand-up acts are usually held in arenas and large auditoriums. CBC reported that he broke the record at Winnipeg’s Club Regent Event Centre in 2018 with the Break the Mold tour for four sold-old shows.

While in Hawaii in 2017, Koy broke the record for the most tickets sold by a single artist, selling over 23,000 tickets and had 11 sold-out shows at The Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu.

The previous record in Hawaii was set

by Mariah Carey.

“The writing team wasn’t selected until eight days before the show, and they didn’t get into a writer’s room until two days prior.

We were still writing up until they said we’re live. The writers and I did cold reads, never got a chance to work out anything. And this is not an excuse, I am just trying to paint the picture because I don’t think people understand, in any situation, how is that geared towards winning? If you were to write that situation down on a piece of paper and go, ‘Do you want to do this?’ I guarantee everyThe Golden Globe and ensuone would be like, ‘No.’ [BUT] I am happy I ing fallout Koy’s opening mono- did it because I did accept that challenge.” logue of the Golden Globe – Jo Koy, on his Golden Globe Award was met with harsh critishow performance cently when he’s seen what Jo Koy has done and received acclaim for it. Koy has a huge following also among immigrants of all backgrounds. Stories of immigrant parents awkwardly assimilating to the U.S. and the topic like being frugal with money, these are all part of the immigrant experience we can all laugh at and relate to.”

cisms from the Los Angeles Times to the New York Post.

The Post’s headline read: “Jo Koy Bombs at the Golden Globe, blames writers: ‘You want a perfect monologue?

Yo, shut up.’” Typical words used in reviews were “painful,” “cringeworthy,” and “unqualified.” Among the barbs that drew most criticisms were arguably sexist jokes involving the movie Barbie and Taylor Swift and the NFL. Jenkins said the criticism was brutally overdone.

“I wonder how much of the reviews were really what critics thought originally and how much of it was just copying the sentiments of critics from the legacy papers that tend to set the trend. I also wonder if Jo Koy were white or black if critics would be as bold to be downright vicious. He was savaged by the press because many probably thought they could do it without much community pushback. ‘It’s

the Filipino community.

Who cares, right?’ They probably thought. Why not focus on the winners of the awards? Instead, all I saw as headlines were of how terrible Koy was.

“Swift is the current media darling. I think rousing controversy with Koy’s harmless jab at her was purposeful for grabbing readers attention, but at the expense of Jo, unfairly. He was fodder for the press. And we see on social media a backlash as thousands of Filipinos have been coming to his defense,” Jenkins said.

“Why does all this matter? Because as I said, the press figured Filipinos don’t care. It’s unimportant. But you know why they can’t do that to say the Black community, because the Black community makes noise when they see unfairness,” Jenkins said. “I bet critics did not anticipate social media blowing up with anger from

the Filipino community. We were underestimated and marginalized.”

Bea saw Koy’s opening monologue but not the entire show. “The press’ reaction to him is both fair and unfair. Fair because it was evident that Jo Koy’s monologue was awkward, and it did result in some awkward interactions in the Golden Globes room. The monologue part was pretty bad in the sense that it was so awkward in that room. However, the constant bombardment of columns sharing their endless stand on Jo Koy was getting out of hand. I follow this one online news/media organization that published and posted three or four columns regarding Jo Koy’s hosting gig. Four columns on the same subject within seven days. It felt excessive.

“The news and press around Jo Koy didn’t really affect me as a Filipino. I (continue on page 6)

6 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  JANUARY 20, 2024

COVER STORY (Jo Koy Sets ....from page 5)

know that we Filipinos tend to take things to heart when the news mentions Filipinos. However, the people from the West criticizing Jo Koy didn’t really affect me.

But fellow Filipinos throwing hate at Jo Koy, this one I kind of take personally. In my view, American audiences criticize Jo Koy as a comedian. Meanwhile, I feel like Filipinos criticize Jo Koy’s hosting gig because he is Filipino American. But he was our Filipino American representation in such a prestigious event. I am basing my opinion from the comments I’ve read and heard.”

Cabrera shared a similar view calling excessive criticism on Koy by Filipinos as a form of crabs in the bucket mentality. “The guy has one bad day and suddenly he goes from Pinoy Pride to Pinoy Shame. He drops the ball once, and suddenly Pinoys drop him just like that.

Never mind that he has promoted Filipino life and culture in every single Netflix show he has had. Never mind that he has vocally dedicated his life’s work to helping other Pinoys make it as well in the U.S. entertainment arena. He has been fighting tooth and nail for years for any kind of Filipino representation. He even wore the Philippine flag in one of his first gigs at the Tonight show in 2005. Jo Koy is vilified in an event, mind you, wherein the hosts have historically roasted the celebrities in the audience. He’s done nothing out of the ordinary here. The

real shame is every Filipino who has been bashing him for having a bad day. A bad day that was just 10 days in the making. It’s simply not enough time. Not enough time to even watch the movies to write about.”

Was short notice responsible for Koy’s performance quality?

Koy defended his performance, telling the Los Angeles Times that he gives himself “an A-plus just based on the courage” to host the ceremony given the tight turnaround.

He told the Times that with 10 days to prepare, the writing team wasn’t selected until eight days before the show, and they didn’t get into a writer’s room until two days prior. We were still writing up until they said we’re live.

Koy said he and the writers did “cold reads, never got a chance to work out anything. And this is not an excuse, I am just trying to paint the picture because I don’t think people understand, in any situation, how is that geared towards winning? If you were to write that situation down on a piece of paper and go, ‘Do you want to do this?’ I guarantee everyone would be like, ‘No.’ I am happy I did it because I did accept that challenge.”

Martin said, “10 days to come up with jokes for a wide audience seems daunting. He did what he could and I’m proud of him. I think some celebrities that reacted harshly to his performance don’t understand how hard it is to prepare for hosting an award show in 10 days. I’d like to see them try.”

Bea said, “The timeline was just too tight. It definitely feels he was set up to fail. I sympathize with him for having too little time. If he had more time, he would have been able to connect better with the nominees, write better jokes and a better monologue.

“But I disliked that he

was blaming his writing team for the bad jokes he pulled during the show. He had a recent interview where he said that the bad jokes were because of his team.

This was pretty low of him,” said Bea. Gilbert Magat, a Filipino podcaster in the United Arab Emirates, said he is proud of Jo for being a professional and dedicated to his craft.

“He still took this daunting hosting task and prepared himself in only 10 days prior to the event while others are given months to prepare for this role. That takes a special kind of bravery. This alone should have silenced, or at least, softened, some of the hard blows from the press.

Seriously, who is given that kind of notice and is expected to hit a homerun? That’s unheard of.”

Churma, who did not watch The Golden Globe said, “It is not the time frame for preparation. He simply did not understand his GG audience. The groups that laugh the loudest at Jo Koy’s concerts are the immigrants, working class folks who understand and can relate to his jokes. The GG audience is mostly white, upper middle class—people of privilege.

How can they understand Jo Koy’s jokes? They are used to folks fawning over them.”

Fellow entertainers Kevin Hart, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg and Howard Stern all came to Koy’s defense, saying it’s a tough crowd and that Koy was not given enough prep time.

“Jimmy Kimmel who hosted the Academy Awards in 2017, 2018 and 2023 gets six months of prep for his hosting duties. 10 days? You’re doomed. Tell-

ing those jokes to a bunch of people who don’t wanna be laughed at is the biggest bummer in the world. Hollywood has no sense of humor about itself,” Stern said.

“Comedians are supposed to be funny. And the only way to be funny is to be cynical.

So why would you want to go to an event where you can’t be cynical?”

Hart said he will never host the Oscars, saying the days of comedians taking those gigs are over. “Those gigs aren’t good gigs for comics. Those just aren’t comedy-friendly environments anymore.”

Monique Seneres, a Filipino, said on social media, “Was Koy visibly nervous?

For sure. Did he awkwardly navigate through jokes aimed at the wrong audience? Yup. Did he crack a few that didn’t land because the conversation has changed in these modern times? Absolutely. But, come on, he had a couple of gems. And, in spite of being a last-minute choice, he accepted the hosting gig, relentlessly pulled something together with a team that was assembled during the eleventh hour, faced that tough room, and he went for it.“ Future for Koy An overwhelming majority of Filipinos on social media do not believe Koy’s career will be hurt by The Globes performance.

Koy started his world tour in January 2023 and has 51 shows booked for 2024 to close that tour. According to Ticketmaster shows scheduled for January have not sold out, which could be a temporary reaction to The Globes. But his website shows that his February 17

show in Los Angeles at the Kia Forum has been sold out, with another show added due to demand.

Jenkins said she doesn’t believe Koy’s loyal fans will be swayed from supporting him. “My concern is the media. They’re unrelenting and I don’t think Jo should be doing any super high-profile gigs for a while until things cool down. It’s important during this time that Filipinos support him. I don’t think some fully grasp what’s at stake here. Koy has been a trailblazer with his movie Easter Sunday and this Globe awards. He is one among only a handful of highly visible stars in U.S. entertainment industry of Filipino ancestry. We cannot allow his legacy to be a flop at The Globes. His success is our success.”

Martin said, “I think any publicity is good publicity. He just added a pretty big honor to his resume. I think this will propel him forward not set him back. If people didn’t know him before watching the GG, then now they do. And that gives them the opportunity to get to know him better.”

Churma also agrees the GG gig will not affect his career, “but how he deals with it, could.” She said Koy “is a survivor—will bounce back to anything because he has grit, perseverance, endurance for the long haul—all ingredients for success and staying power. What, a frown from Taylor Swift (notably the most famous pop star now) will keep him down? I don’t think so. He’s had worse experiences than that.”

Comedian Steve Martin who congratulated Koy for taking on the “toughest gig in show business, said Koy “now has 20 minutes of new material for his stand-up.”

Bea affirms Koy is one of the top comedians in Hollywood right now. “Even though this was definitely a bad experience for him, Jo Koy can learn from this and do better moving forward,” she said.

JANUARY 20, 2024  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  7

CANDID PERSPECTIVES

Defending Jo Koy’s Golden Globes Performance

By Emil Guillermo

S

ocial media was brutal.

Even among Filipinos.

Media commentators were no better.

The overwhelming majority crucified comedian Jo Koy for his jokes at the Golden Globes on Jan. 7.

But I will not.

Koy, who was born Joseph Herbert in the Philippines to a Filipino mother, has made a name for himself telling Filipino stories, and I shall defend what he did that night.

But first, is anyone surprised there were no real political speeches given at the awards event?

Not a peep for the earth, global warning, or any of the

world’s geopolitical hotspots, pro or con. No calls for a ceasefire.

Not even in Koy’s case, a cease-monologue.

There were only words of gratitude from the winners and those lucky enough to be in the room.

And that’s OK, because the crucial political speech we need for 2024 may have been given by President Joe Biden on the eve of Jan. 6— the third year after insurrection day in America, the most threatening anti-government violence in the U.S. since before the Civil War. “Whether democracy is still America’s sacred cause is the most urgent question of our time,” said Biden. “And that’s what the 2024 election is all about.”

Make no mistake. Democracy is on the ballot, and so is your freedom, the pres-

ident said. “The alternative to democracy is dictatorship.

The rule of one, not the rule of we, the people.”

The rule of one? That would be the former president who wants to be president again. “[Donald Trump] is willing to sacrifice our democracy to put himself in power,” said Biden as he contrasted Trump’s campaign with his own.

“Our campaign is about America. It’s about you. It’s

about every age and background that occupy this country.”

Which means America is all about diversity, equity and inclusion. And guess which end of the political spectrum is mounting a full-scale attack on that?

The history of Jan. 6, 2021 is a somber one with more than 1,200 people charged with assault, and nearly 900 of them convicted or pleading guilty.

“The whole world watched in disbelief and Trump did nothing,” Biden said as he went over the history, noting how Trump calls insurrectionists hostages and patriots.

Like I said, if you haven’t read or watched the speech, do so now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jobw57hsu6w. Biden’s not acting but deserves a Golden Globe.

The situation is for real.

In 2024, if you make every day a commemoration of

Jan. 6, you’ll never forget the importance of your vote this coming November.

No shortage of freedom and diversity at the Globes and Jo Koy led the way I’ve been covering representation issues for years in my “Amok” columns. This was one of the few awards shows where diversity was on full display from start to finish.

Perhaps the most historical award went to Lily Gladstone, the female lead actress in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

ICT-Indian Country Today called Gladstone the first Native woman to win the Golden Globe award for best actress in a dramatic film.

Latinx? Barbie’s America Ferrara was in our faces as nominee and presenter.

African Americans?

From Da’Vine Joy Randolph in “The Holdovers” to Ayo (continue on page 12)

8 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  JANUARY 20, 2024

BOOK REVIEW

TEACHER BOY, A Memoir

By Rose Cruz Churma

T

eacher vacancies in public schools are increasing in all states nationwide.

According to online news organization NewsNationNow.com, “there are 36,000 teacher vacancies, from kindergarten through high school, and another 163,000 teachers aren’t qualified for their jobs, according to data collected by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University.”

The situation is so dire that some schools have implemented “untraditional” concepts such as switching to a shorter school week— from five to four days.

The situation is similar in Hawai’i.

According to the Hawai’i State Teachers Association, as noted in the same article “more than 60,000

children are not taught by a Hawai’i-qualified teachers each year, and that the number of educators leaving Hawai’i has increased by more than 70% since 2012.”

The Hawai’i Department of Education (DOE) has resorted to recruiting teachers from the Philippines under the J-1 visa classification since 2020.

In school year 20232024, a group of 74 Filipino teachers arrived in Hawai’i with the majority fielded in Maui County. Another 100 are expected to join the roster of J-1 teachers in the school year 20242025.

Because of my involvement as one of the advocates for the J-1 teachers here, I was intrigued by this book

by Mike Henrich—a career educator and first-time author—and the terms he describes himself on the back cover.

To be an effective advocate, it is necessary to understand the conditions and issues that our public school teachers go through daily— and in describing that—this book delivers.

This memoir is the story of his education over the last 40 years—as both a student of the public schools, and eventually one of its teachers.

Born in the late 1970s to

parents who served as US Peace Corps Volunteers, Mike Henrich was born in the Philippines and spent his first few years in Dagupan City, a coastal area in the Philippines.

He was the youngest guest at our wedding—at a month old—where his father served as the best man.

On his second visit to Hawai’i, he had just completed his stint as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific, where he taught in the island’s public schools.

During his short visit to Hawai’i, he was invited to be a guest lecturer at King Intermediate School in Kaneohe, where his skills in establishing rapport with young people were already evident.

A multi-awarded educator, his inclination for the profession was probably influenced by his parents, par-

ticularly his dad who also is a retired public school teacher in Virginia.

The book “illustrates the potential to serve or fail families” in his various roles as an educator—as a substitute teacher, after-school tutor, middle and high school classroom teacher, and behavioral interventionist in the richest and poorest parts of the world.

In the early 2000s, he married an immigrant from Cebu, and a few years later returned with her to the Philippines to finish his master’s degree and complete his thesis on Filipino education and history.

In that chapter, his keen observations on the differences between the American and Filipino educational systems are thought-provoking.

In one private school, he marveled as the teacher’s 50 students “stood reverently to greet her in unison…in their neat uniforms, the moment she entered the classroom.” (continue on page 11)

JANUARY 20, 2024  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  9

Q&A

Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii Welcomes Incoming President Dr. Rainier Bautista

By Jim Bea Sampaga

I

nspired by his childhood doctor’s kindness and expertise, Dr. Rainier Bautista hoped to provide the same care to others.

Born and raised in Quezon City, Philippines, Bautista grew up with a fasciation with science, biology, and human anatomy. He studied Psychology at Ateneo De Manila University and went to earn his Doctor of Medicine at University of Santo Tomas, Manila.

Expanding his care overseas, he moved to the United States as a Family Medicine Resident at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Eventually, he found his way to Hawaii where he is currently practicing as a Primary Care Physician at Primary Care Clinic of Hawaii.

As a young child envisioning a future in healthcare, Bautista has come a long way in providing care, comfort, support and expertise to fellow Filipinos in Hawaii and the Philippines.

In an upcoming January 27 gala titled “Kasaysayan at Kinabukasan: A Gala of Legacy and Promise,” the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii (PMAH) will be welcoming and inaugurating Bautista as its upcoming President.

Ahead of the gala, Hawaii Filipino Chronicle reached out to Bautista for an exclusive interview to learn more about him, his plans for PMAH and his thoughts on Hawaii’s medical professional shortage.

Hawaii Filipino Chronicle: Any anecdotes from your school years that inspired you to pursue medicine?

Dr. Rainier Bautista: Born in Quezon City, my early years were steeped in the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines.

My fascination with science, particularly biology, was evident early on. I recall a school project where we explored human anatomy, which mesmerized me and revealed the intricacies of life.

Additionally, visits to the doctor as a child were always intriguing. I remember being comforted by the doctor’s kindness and expertise, which inspired me to envision a future where I could offer the same comfort and care to others.

HFC: What made you choose to practice medicine in Hawaii and the United States?

Bautista: The United States, known for its medical innovations, was a natural choice for me, especially with family ties already established here. My initial exposure to Hawaii was transformative.

My bond with Hawaii began under Dr. Charlie Sonido’s preceptorship program, where I experienced the aloha spirit intertwined with medical practice. The state’s beauty, coupled with its unique cultural tapestry, resonated deeply with me.

Hawaii felt more like home than any other place, and the opportunity to serve our kababayans as well as the rest of the community, utilizing my cultural insight and language skills, was a compelling factor in my decision.

HFC: Do you have any anecdotes or experiences of practicing medicine in Hawaii that are memorable to you?

Bautista: Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic as a physician has been one of the most formidable and impactful experiences of my career.

The early days of the pandemic brought unprecedented challenges: we grappled with a largely unknown virus,

while continuing to provide care as the world retreated into quarantine.

My role extended beyond medical treatment to educating the community on critical health measures like social distancing, vaccination, and masking.

This period not only tested our resilience and adaptability but also brought to light the crucial role of healthcare professionals in society.

One aspect that was particularly striking was the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on the Filipino community. This highlighted the importance of addressing healthcare disparities and the need for targeted patient education and support.

The pandemic underscored the significance of social determinants of health and the necessity of a more comprehensive approach to healthcare. It reinforced the need to focus on broader factors that influence health and well-being, especially in vulnerable communities like ours.

These experiences have been instrumental in shaping my approach to medicine, emphasizing the need for cultural sensitivity and equity in healthcare.

HFC: As the incoming president of PMAH, what was your reaction when you found out about it?

Bautista: Learning of my election as PMAH president filled me with a profound sense of honor and responsibility. It’s a role that carries the weight of expectation – to spearhead initiatives, uphold the association’s values, and

Incoming PMAH President Dr. Rainier Dennis Bautista

build on the legacies of those who led before me. I am eager to lead with a vision that encompasses both honoring our traditions and embracing innovative approaches to healthcare challenges.

HFC: Can you tell us about PMAH? What makes this organization special?

Bautista: The Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii (PMAH), founded in 1978, has been instrumental in advancing healthcare, advocacy, and cultural connectivity in Hawaii.

It began as a collective of Filipino-American doctors aiming to improve community healthcare and has since grown to include a diverse group of physicians serving Hawaii’s multicultural population.

Our mission is to deliver exceptional healthcare services to all in Hawaii, regardless of their background.

PMAH is distinguished by its

commitment to healthcare excellence, cultural sensitivity, and community outreach.

We’ve provided free medical care to thousands, organized international medical missions, and fostered educational opportunities for future medical professionals.

PMAH also emphasizes professional development and community bonding through various events and initiatives, making it a unique blend of a professional association and a cultural community hub.

HFC: What drew you to this organization?

Bautista: What drew me to PMAH was its dedication to serving not just the health needs but also the cultural well-being of our community.

The organization’s commitment to cultural sensitivity in healthcare resonated deeply with my own values as a physician. (continue on page 10)

10 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE JANUARY 20, 2024

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Joje May Mizuno Appointed to House District 29

O

n January 17, Governor Josh Green appointed Joje May Mizuno to House District 29. The district covers parts of Kalihi, Kalihi Valley and Kamehameha Heights.

She replaces her husband, lawmaker John Mizuno, in the position. He left his post as Representative to serve as the governor’s coordinator on homelessness. He was previously the House vice speaker.

“I worked closely with her on health care initiatives over these years,” Green said.

“I was absolutely excited, when I took a moment and let people weigh in, to see this outpouring of support for her to enter into this House of Representatives seat.”

Mizuno’s appointment just came in time for the open-

ing of the legislative session on the same day. In House Speaker Rep. Scott Saiki’s opening remarks, he emphasized Mizuno’s knowledge of the community.

“Mizuno has deep roots in her community, in her experience serving as Office Manager for the District 29 office,” Saiki said. “[She] is a dedicated member of the Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board No. 16. Her dedication to the constituents will continue in her role as House Representative.”

Green emphasized Mizuno’s experience of 17 years as the District 29 office manager. “My suspicion is May told John what to do more often than not, and she appropriately then knows everything about this district, inside and out,” he said.

Additionally, Mizuno worked as a legislative aide for former Rep. Jun Abinsay and drafted House Bill 274 which established Hawaii’s “Patriot Day” that honors the victims of the 9/11 attacks.

Moreover, she’s an active part of various organizations such as the Congress of Visayan Organization and Hawaii Outstanding Advocates for Children and Youth Day and Month.

“I am grateful for the appointment by Governor Green as State Representative for District 29,” Mizuno said.

“I want to thank my husband, John Mizuno, the Representative for Kalihi Valley for the last 17 years, for providing me with the necessary foundation to serve in public office.

“I am an immigrant from

This technological integration will not only enhance our internal operations but also extend our outreach and impact.

response needed during events like the Lahaina wildfire in Maui. This would involve collaborating with local authorities, healthcare providers, and other organizations to ensure a swift, coordinated, and effective response to crises, thereby enhancing our community’s resilience and safety.

Joje May Mizuno and Gov. Josh Green

the Philippines, and female. I never anticipated I would ever be appointed to serve as a State Representative. To all people of color, immigrants, women and girls, please never give up in all your life’s endeavors as you aspire to serve your purpose.”

As the new District 29 representative, Mizuno shared she will prioritize affordable housing, healthcare, and crime.

“With gratitude and one obligation to best serve the people of District 29 and the state, I will work to serve the people. Mahalo to Governor Green for this trust and belief in me,” she shared.

Mizuno will be serving the entire legislative session, noting that all House members will be up for reelection this year, Star-Advertiser reported.

care professionals in Hawaii.

ance and compassion will be your greatest assets. The road is long, but the ability to contribute to the betterment of society makes every step worth it.

(Q & A: Philippine ....from page 9)

I was particularly inspired

by PMAH’s role in healthcare advocacy and its efforts to bridge healthcare disparities.

The inclusive and welcoming nature of PMAH, which extends beyond Filipino physicians to embrace medical professionals from all backgrounds, aligns with my belief in diversity and inclusivity in healthcare.

Joining PMAH felt like aligning with a movement that not only values medical excellence but also cherishes the cultural and communal aspects of healthcare, which are crucial in a diverse state like Hawaii.

HFC: As the new president, what are your plans in the PMAH organization?

Bautista: My vision for PMAH includes not only continuing our legacy of excellent medical education through our CME programs but also fostering stronger ties within our community through diverse events and initiatives.

We’ll focus on expanding our reach across the Hawaiian Islands, tapping into technology to revolutionize how we connect with members and the broader community.

HFC: Do you have any projects in mind you’d like to pursue in PMAH? Bautista: Absolutely. One of my key objectives is to broaden PMAH’s reach across the Hawaiian Islands. By hosting some of our annual events in Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island, we can enhance our visibility and engage more directly with communities there.

This will not only expand our impact but also foster closer ties with the diverse populations of these islands.

Another goal of mine is to create opportunities for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in Hawaii. Taking inspiration from Tennessee’s HB1312 law, I aim to advocate for a pathway for IMGs who have passed all USMLE steps and completed a residency abroad, to practice in Hawaii.

Additionally, I am eager to establish robust partnerships and internal procedures to enable PMAH to respond effectively to emergencies and other challenges, akin to the

HFC: Physician and medical professional shortages are an issue that is facing Hawaii. What are your thoughts on this? What can PMAH do to help resolve this issue?

Bautista: The shortage of medical professionals in Hawaii is a complex challenge.

It affects patient access to both primary and specialized care. PMAH plays a crucial role in addressing this through our mentorship program, which aims to guide local students into the medical field.

Additionally, our efforts in assisting International Medical Graduates to find residency placements have seen positive outcomes, with some returning to serve in Hawaii. We’re also engaged in legislative advocacy, aiming to create a more supportive environment for health-

HFC: How can our readers support PMAH’s mission?

Bautista: Community engagement is vital for PMAH’s mission. We encourage medical professionals to join us and participate in our various initiatives. Community members can support us by attending our events and spreading awareness of our work. This collective effort is key to achieving our goals and enhancing healthcare in Hawaii.

HFC: What is your message to fellow Filipinos in Hawaii and the Philippines that are aiming to serve the community by becoming a doctor?

Bautista: Pursuing a career in medicine is undoubtedly challenging, but it’s a path of deep fulfillment.

As doctors, we have the privilege to make a significant impact on individual lives and our community. The journey demands dedication and resilience, but the reward is the opportunity to engage in a noble profession that not only heals but also inspires.

To those embarking on this journey, your persever-

HFC: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Bautista: Thank you for the opportunity to share the mission and vision of the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii with your readers. I would like to emphasize the commitment of PMAH to not just healthcare excellence, but also to nurturing a sense of community and cultural connection in Hawaii.

We are dedicated to continuous improvement in medical services, advocating for health equity, and fostering the next generation of medical professionals. As we move forward, our focus remains on strengthening our outreach, enhancing collaborative efforts, and embracing innovative practices to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our diverse population.

I invite the community to join us in this journey, to be part of the change, and to contribute to a healthier, more connected Hawaii.

JANUARY 20, 2024  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  11

AS I SEE IT

Visit to the Statue of Liberty: A Rare Experience

By Elpidio R. Estioko

P

eople all over the world have been wanting to visit an important landmark that symbolizes freedom and hope: the Statue of Liberty in New York.

In fact, even when I was still in the Philippines, I already wanted to visit the statue after hearing its greatness and a lot of praises as the symbol of the United States.

So when my family immigrated to the U.S. in 1997, I thought I would be able to visit and see the Statue soon to appreciate its significance and symbolism.

But 24 years past, I haven’t been to New York and had no chance of seeing and visiting the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and adjoining

Ellis Island.

However, at the end of the year 2023, a perfect seven-day holiday vacation for the family was organized and funded by my children to visit New York, New Jersey, and Atlantic City.

From Dec. 25-31, we rented two vehicles with a total passengers of 12 which are my wife Deli and me, five of my six children, two son-in-laws, and three grandchildren.

We drove to New York from South Carolina, home of my daughter Tweety, her husband Jonathan and their threeyear-old daughter Ellie.

We checked into our hotel in New Jersey, just in time for the weekend escapade to New York, Atlantic City and New Jersey.

From there, we appreciated and witnessed in person the singular symbol of hope and spirit: the Statue of Liberty.

We were part of millions of visitors from all over the

globe, who lined up for the cruise every day. Security checks were done just like the immigration procedures when one is boarding a plane.

I learned that the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation honors the American experience through its preservation and support of these two great monuments and restoring the Statue to creating a world-class museum and much more.

My Hawaii-born granddaughter Ellie enjoyed seeing the statue standing at 305 feet (93 meters) high including its pedestal. Her mom Tweety explained to her what the woman holding a torch in her raised right hand and a tablet bearing the adoption date of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) in her left represents.

My wife Delia said “Awesome” seeing the torch which measures 29 feet (8.8 meters)

(BOOK REVIEW: Teacher Boy....from page 8)

But when he introduced himself to other teachers in the staff room hoping to learn something for his research—they waved off his research questions and asked him to find them work in the USA instead!

The most intriguing segment for me was the chapter called “Teacher Inactivist.”

He relates how many of his students felt directly threatened by then-President Trump’s rhetoric and dismayed by the terms “Muslim Ban” and “Build the Wall.”

His internal monologue on what to do when one of his American-born students called a Muslim classmate a “terrorist” was unforgettable, as with the incident when another student had her hijab removed by a fellow teacher.

His experiences in dealing with gender neutrality and the use of proper pronouns, or using “preferred names” versus “dead names” were thought-provoking, and his relief was that his students responded with “Oh, hell no” if they wanted their teachers to be issued guns.

He found comfort in the fact that his students provided a daily reminder that the country’s political and social divisions weren’t as

gloomy—illustrating it by the dayto-day process of getting along with one another and not taking themselves too seriously!

At the end of the book, he notes that “dedication to what you love is worth it even if just barely…” and to be a teacher is to be a student— forever.

The book is not only a journey into the complexities of our education system, but also a window to how a GenXer brought up in a family with progressive views would assess the world during the past half-century.

It is a heartfelt testament to his parents for producing an awesome teacher with multiple awards to his name, but more importantly—an outstanding human being.

For those considering teaching as a lifelong profession, this is certainly a book to read and cherish. 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.

from the frame tip to the bottom. My son Paul from Hawaii explained the statue commemorated the friendship of the peoples of the United States and France.

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States and is one of the most universal symbols of democracy.

With our visit to New

York, New Jersey and Atlantic City, I had a taste of history which I have been longing for!

Thank you, my children!

Happy Holidays! 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

12 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE JANUARY 20, 2024

PHILIPPINE NEWS

79% of Filipinos Favor US Partnership Amid Heightened Tensions in WPS — Pulse Asia

By Gaea Katreena Cabico Tuesday ‫ ׀‬January 16, 2024

M

ANILA, Philippines — Eight in 10 Filipinos want the Philippines to work with the United States as tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea continue to escalate, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey.

The December 3 to 7 poll, commissioned by think tank Stratbase Institute, showed that 79% of Filipino adults believe the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should cooperate with the United States amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea. Only 10% of Filipinos favored working with China.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have flared up in recent months, with the Southeast Asian nation accusing the China Coast Guard of aggressive maneuvers toward Filipino boats during resupply missions.

Marcos has veered away from the pivot of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte to China and has strengthened the country’s alliance with

the United States.

The Pulse Asia survey also found that 43% and 42% of Filipinos want the Marcos administration to work closely with Australia and Japan, respectively.

Thirty-four percent chose Canada, 22% the United Kingdom, 17% the European Union, 16% Russia, 15% President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and US President South Korea and 4% India.

Joe Biden walk through the colonnade of the White House.

The 1,200 respondents of the survey were allowed to ippine Sea from illegal and holding the 2016 Arbitral Triaggressive actions of other bunal ruling and promoting a select up to three options. rule-based international order Stratbase President Dindo states.

Only 10% answered they are the most important reaManhit said that the results of do not believe the govern- sons for defending the West the poll highlighted the need for the Marcos administra- ment’s commitment, while Philippine Sea. Other key reasons include tion to bolster its partnerships 35% were unsure.

For 31% of Filipinos, up- maintaining the Philippines’ with like-minded countries.

“These countries have (CANDID PERSPECTIVES: Defending....from page 7) continued to voice their support for the Philippine po- Edebiri in “The Bear,” new news show), I was cheering sition and have condemned emerging talent was honored him on.

The dude was funnier Chinese actions against Fili- that night.

And then there was than people give him credit pino vessels,” Manhit said.

“Beef.” for being. Review the video.

To Biden’s earlier point He got laughs. And he got unProtecting WPS The results from the same about democracy and dicta- der the thin skin of many an survey also showed that the torship, would a “Beef” be Ozempic-addled starlet in the majority, or 55% of Filipinos, even possible in, say, North audience when he poked fun at Taylor Swift. believe the Marcos adminis- Korea?

Nope. But look what “We came on after a foottration can fulfill its promise of protecting the West Phil- happens when South Kore- ball double-header,” joked an director/writer/ executive Koy. “The big difference producer Lee Sung Jin col- between the Golden Globes laborated with Asian Ameri- and the NFL? On the Golden cans like Ali Wong and Ste- Globes, we have fewer camven Yeun. era shots of Taylor Swift.”

It was historic with GoldIt was a current barb woren Globes for all. thy of satire and would have The only thing I didn’t like been a solid 3- or 5-second about “Beef” was its repeated laugh, if Koy hadn’t out of references to “the Filipinos.” nervousness cut the bit short But that’s OK. David Choe and started apologizing for the was fearful of them. It was a joke. joke. About Filipinos. I get it.

He did that for a few of Which brings us to the his jokes. But that one hit night’s host, Jo Koy. hard. Proof? Off stage, reNever met him. But I’m ports say Emma Stone, a defending the brother, the Globe winner, felt compelled first Filipino Asian Ameri- to rally to the defense of her can ever to host the Golden sister Swift, calling Koy an Globes. That’s not insignifi- “a-hole.” Stone should know cant in show business. better. It’s a joke.

As a fellow firster too (I Other journalists and was the first Filipino Asian writers are out there piling American to host a national on, one says Koy was the

sovereign and territorial integrity (27%), and protecting marine resources (23%).

To assert the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea, 67% of Filipinos said the government should strengthen the capabilities of the Philippine Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard.

Reinforcing the country’s alliances with like-minded nations through joint patrols and military exercises (56%), establishing a stronger military presence in the West Philippine Sea by repairing the grounded BRP Sierra Madre (52%), and improving the cooperation of agencies involved in maritime security (52%) are also seen as crucial steps. (www.philstar.com)

wrong host for the show.

Caribou manure.

They don’t understand comedy.

After Ricky Gervais hosted the Globes, the celebrities should know, when you go to the Globes, you’re fair game, Hollywood elites lined up as ducks in a row for the host’s monologue.

The only thing that would have made Koy’s appearance perfect was if Swift’s suitor, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce were actually there to do a Will Smith number.

He could have said, “Get my Pop Star’s name out your mouth,” or some such. Then he punched him out.

Now that would have blown up the internet.

I don’t condone it. I just mean to point out that Koy didn’t really bomb as much as some are saying.

A Vanity Fair headline, “Jo Koy’s Jokes Draw Stony Silence at the Golden Globes 2024,” doesn’t apply to his whole ten-minute set. Some received less than enthusiastically, but having been in (continue on page 13)

JANUARY 20, 2024  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  13

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

Through the Wilderness

By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan

I

t’s 3 o’’clock in the morning.

As I write these words, I am still fighting jetlag.

We flew for 22 hours from our beloved South Korea, a place we will always call home, to Switzerland, our new home.

Yes, after a decade (13 years for my husband) in South Korea, we are now in Switzerland. It feels so surreal. Switzerland is a country on many people’s bucket list.

It is on ours too.

Never did we imagine that we get to stay here as residents, not just tourists,

that we get to have enough time to fully explore and take in the beauty of this country and not just pass by to have a glimpse of it.

How did we end up here?

God must have heard a passing thought I had while watching a video about Switzerland with my husband one night. “Lord, how does it feel living there?”

Anyway, let me tell you my family’s story.

We have been enjoying and loving our time in South Korea. It was where I said ‘yes’ to my husband. It was where we started and built our family.

We have gained covenant relationships and a wonderful community, both with locals and co-expats. It was home. It still is. It will always be.

But from the very beginning, we knew that our stay in Korea was just temporary.

It was just for a season. And the end has come.

A year before the pandemic, JM and I have been

(CANDID PERSPECTIVES: Defending....from page 12)

standup situations myself, you just keep throwing punches.

He even landed a few.

I guess it’s all about taste.

It’s why you say “Oppenheimer” and I say “Barbie.”

If you analyze that monologue, Koy did an admirable job given he was just announced in December as the host.

He wasn’t as controversial or insulting as Ricky Gervais in the past.

Koy’s nerves did seem to get the better of him, as he went on playing up how he’d watched the Globes growing up, and gee, look at all the stars in the room.

Instantly, he became an uncomfortable gawker. He acted like he didn’t belong.

But he did. It was almost like a case of comedian imposter syndrome.

Koy scored when he was edgier.

When he joked about “Killers of the Flower Moon,” director Martin Scorsese’s Native American drama, Koy praised the cast, including Gladstone, who would by night’s end become the first Native American to win best actress in a motion picture. A big deal.

“The one thing I learned about that movie is that white people stole everything,” said

Koy to more laughs. “100 percent of everything. You took the land. You took the oil. You took the premise of the movie.”

That was a solid 4-second laugh, which ended abruptly when someone in the crowd, maybe Scorsese sitting in the front, said it was his premise.

“That was your premise?”

Koy asked aloud. “It’s just that the room is really white.”

But Koy struck a nerve.

That used to be known as a comedian’s job. But apparently, not in the age of cancel culture.

So Koy may not have been as great as he’s been as when he’s sold-out theaters in Hawaii and around the country. But Koy just wasn’t as terrible as some reports are saying the morning after.

He did get in a Filipino accented joke talking about his mother’s love for Meryl Streep. He proclaimed his Filipino-ness in a joke about how “the Golden Globes wanted to honor my culture, so for the very first time they served sushi.”

Then the punch. “But I’m Filipino. We cook our fish.”

He even got a solid laugh when he went back to Streep mimicking a comical what-if scene where she proclaims, “Wakanda Forever.” That vi-

sual got a big laugh.

Jo Koy acknowledges it was a rough night, in an interview with the LA Times.

He still would give himself an A+ for courage. No loss of self-esteem there.

But I agree. He even closed the show the way I close every one of my Emil Amok’s Takeouts. (You can listen at YouTube.com/@emilamok1) It’s a Filipino thing?

There really are too many positives about the night that drew a record 9.4 million viewers on CBS. That was several times more than last year.

The Globe’s diverse winners had that look of our American democracy.

That’s what we should be talking about, how the show represented the diverse voices in showbiz.

Not about whether Jo Koy was the right choice to host the show. Or whether he was funny.

Of course, he was. The Filipino guy.

It’s just a new era of comedy, where people—if they don’t agree with your premise—are quicker to debate than laugh. EMIL GUILLERMO is a journalist and commentator. His talk show is on www.amok.com.

contemplating moving. For a long time, the desire to move to Europe had been in my heart. Having lived in London for two years, my very first out-of-the-country experience, I knew I would get back to that lovely continent.

So, we talked about the possibility of moving there.

We prayed about it, did some research, and shared it with our friends and family who can stand with us in prayer.

But it was only in December of 2022 that we started to step out in faith and apply for opportunities in Europe.

Every day, my husband would send out his CV to job openings in different universities and research institutes across Europe, specifically in Germany, Sweden, Spain, the UK, and Switzerland.

Every day, before sleeping, he would look for job openings and would sometimes sleep at 3 am sending his CV. He had sent dozens of applications.

But among his applications, he only had 4 interviews.

The first one was a university in Belgium. They wanted to hire him, but the salary was only enough for a single person to survive so my husband declined.

He was interviewed by a university in Germany and another in Estonia, both of which hired another applicant. One door after another would close.

There were many times in our waiting that we would both cry in exhaustion and anxiety. Sometimes doubt fills our minds.

But in these moments, we would pray together and set our eyes on the God who holds all things together and works things out for our good.

He would always remind us that great are the plans He has for our family.

One day, he received an email. An invitation for an interview from an institute he’s been praying for and really wanted to be a part of, the Adolphe Merkle Institute of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.

Just when our hearts were down after a rejection, a glimmer of hope brought life to our souls and a smile on our faces.

The day of the interview came. We were both nervous (continue on page 15)

14 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE JANUARY 20, 2024

HAWAII WORKERS CORNER

What’s Happening in Gaza?

By Arcelita Imasa, M.D.

I

heard the Hawaii Workers Center has a position on what’s happening in Gaza. Can you please share? Why do we need to get involved if we are so far away?

– Reader Dear Reader, Thank you for asking this question. We appreciate that the community is reaching out and eager to learn about what’s happening in Gaza.

Recently, the Hawaii Workers Center released a statement calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Below is the full statement: The Hawaiʻi Workers Center joins with many unions, workers, and human rights organizations across the country and internationally in calling for a perma-

nent ceasefire in Gaza and the protection of Palestinian rights.

At this point after weeks of heavy bombings, over 22,000 civilians have been killed in Gaza, many of them children and women.

Thousands more have been injured and many thousands more are buried in the rubble. There is no safe place from the bombing by the Israeli government.

A permanent ceasefire would halt the daily death toll and provide an opening for a negotiated peace settlement.

It could also free more hostages and bring about the release of over 6,000 Palestinians in Israeli military prisons, many held without charges.

The brutal seizure and occupation of Palestinian lands since 1948 and the expansion of Israeli settlements, in violation of international law, have eroded Palestinian lands and helped bring about groups like Hamas determined to resist Israel’s illegal expansion and end its existence.

We at Hawaii Workers Center affirm that the Jew-

ish people and all people, including Palestinians, deserve a world where they can live safely, joyfully, and without the constant threat of hate and violence.

The October 7th attack and slayings of over a thousand Israeli civilians

by Hamas were despicable war crimes. But the Israeli government’s retaliatory response of massive bombardment of Gaza, supported and funded by the U.S. government, has been even more murderous and criminal.

It is disturbing to witness the current rise of both antisemitism and Islamophobia in the U.S. and globally, which the continued war is fueling.

This was most grotesquely exemplified by the recent murder of 6-year-old Palestinian youth Wadea al-Fayoume, and the killing of Samantha Woll, the head of the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue.

In Honolulu, authorities are now investigating a recent email threatening to place bombs in every Hawaiʻi synagogue. These threats and crimes of hatred against Jews and Muslims have been fed by the hostilities and killings in the Middle East.

It is not in the interest of working people in this country to support the slaughter in Gaza by our government’s sending bombs, weapons, and artillery shells to Israel.

Over $3 billion of our hard-earned tax dollars go each year to supply Israel’s military. Those monies could be better used to provide

housing, jobs, healthcare, and schools, and address the challenges of climate change.

There is also a clear danger that Israel’s invasion and incessant bombing campaign in Gaza could lead to a much wider conflict in the Middle East, a conflict that could involve more countries and cause even more death and destruction.

Workers’ interests include not only winning higher pay and better living and working conditions but also securing a safer and peaceful world so all can prosper and fewer die from disasters and war.

An immediate and permanent ceasefire is crucial now, and our elected officials at local, state, and national levels should advocate for a permanent ceasefire and work to make it happen!

Thank you for your concern for peace and solidarity with the People of Gaza.

Sincerely, Hawaii Workers Center 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.

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Hawaii Receives $6.9 Million Grant to Improve Hawaii’s Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

T

he U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Hawaii $6.9 million to improve the electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the islands.

The funding from the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator Program will be used to repair or replace broken or non-functioning electric vehicle charges.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz said this will help Hawaii

reach its goals of a clean economy. “This new federal funding will make EV charging more reliable and accessible for Hawai‘i families, and help the State of Hawai‘i achieve its ambitious goals for building a clean economy,” he said.

JANUARY 20, 2024  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  15

COMMUNITY CALENDAR LET’S ZUMBA | Filipino Community Center | Every Monday starting January 8, 2024 at 6:15pm | FilCom Center, Consuelo Courtyard, 94-428 Mokuola Street, Waipahu | Need to unwind in movement and dance after a long workday? Join the community as we Zumba through the evening.

Only $5 per class. Proceeds go to support these program-types for FilCom Center.

STATE OF BUSINESS PRESENTED BY HMSA | Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Service Association | January 26

at 8-10am | YWCA Fuller Hall, Café Julia, 1040 Richards Street, Honolulu | Speakers include, Governor Josh Green, Director James Tokioka, Senate President Ron Kouchi, House Speaker Scott Saiki and more. The Chamber will also debut its 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii’s Economic Future. To register, visit www.cochawaii.org/events.

NATURALIZATION CLINIC, U.S. IMMIGRATION COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM | FilCom Center, NOHA Immigration | February 3, 2024 at 10pm to noon | Flores

DATELINE: LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas Connection With Love, Ditoy Siudad ti Sursurotek Nga Init

D

By Amado I. Yoro

itoy ti kunada a siudad [Ti basol] Pakawanennak, O, Ilik.

Ngem kapanagan iti kinalasbang Ken kinapusaksak ditoy kas iti rimat dagiti bituen ken Iti silnag ti bulan.

Daytoy ti sabong iti malem, sidiran Stober suli ti Sand Creek iti nagsulian ti Mark Twain ken Spring Mountain. ditoy ti kunak a natnag Ti darang ti init Ti daga a disierto ti gumaygayebgeb latta a siudad kas met ti maipalais nga alipaga uray kadagiti naladaw a malem ngem adtoy met ti agkutkutimermer a parbangon: ti lam-ek

ti puyupoy dagiti nalamiis nga agsapa. ditoy, wen, ditoy Cielo Alma O, inay-ayat ken awan patinggana Nga ayatenka iti labes ti kari Ti ayat ken pammateg.

Ditoy nga itugkelko ti muhon Ti baro a tugot ti kayumanggi A dapan, dapandapanak latta A magna kadagiti lansangan Ti Decatur; Lindell, Jones Red Rocks Tropicana, Dagiti nagkurosan ti Blue Diamond Ti Durango ken Flamingo Daytoy ti plumak iti baro a a pannakaparsua iti sabali a punganay. adtoy ti sabong awanan iti nagan adda pusaksak daytoy kas met kaadda ti sugat iti pannakaipusing sadiay

wen, sadiay nagpanawanta.... adda dagitoy: same iliw kawa ken kawaw… sangitak kadi ti kaawanko sadiay… ep-epan koma ti sungdo ken linglingay dagiti pannakaikawa isuda a mangpatibker-nakem ditoyak a mangbirok bubon ti gin-awa ken talingenngen ditoy a suratek dagiti un-unnoy ken an-anek-ek dagiti katkatawa ken dagiti istoria de un amor ti napalabas ti sangalek a kansion kasilpo iti kinasiak duata: sika ken siak iti sirok ti sursurotek nga init a datonko kenka, ken para kenka, O, Ilik.

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Join Social Security’s Free Workshop on Medicare and Social Security Basics

T

he Social Security Administration (SSA) with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is presenting Project Grad 65 presentation, a free virtual workshop to learn more about the basics of Medicare and Social Security.

The free virtual workshop will be held on Zoom on Monday, February 5 from, 10am to 12pm.

In the workshop, Hawaii

SHIP volunteers will present Medicare basics while SSA Public Affairs Specialist Jane Burigsay will present Social Security 101.

Participants will learn about: - The different parts of Medicare - When and how to sign up for Medicare - The different penalties that may incur - Eligibility to receive retirement benefits - When to file for Medicare

-

How to get the most from the benefits How early retirement will affect the benefits The future of Social Security And many more…

To register for the free workshop, visit https:// us06web.zoom.us/meeting/ register/tZMpf-yurTIqG9NQa1R2xJJ9C82hBzGIao03.

For more information, call 808-586-7299.

Ballroom, FilCom Center, 94-428 Mokuola Street, Waipahu | Learn about the steps, eligibility requirements and process to become a Naturalized U.S. citizen. The free event will offer resources to prepare form N-400 and also an Immigration Scam Awareness seminar.

PHILIPPINE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF HAWAII’S 44TH INAUGURATION AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS | Saturday, January 27, 2024 | Royal Hawaiian Hotel-Monarch Ballroom | Formal Attire or Filipiniana. Email pmah-hawaii.org/ pmahinfo@gmail.com for details.

(PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: Through the Wilderness....from page 13)

but excited at the same time.

Little did we know that both of us prayed the same prayer (while he was in the lab and I was at home) that if this opportunity was from God, he would be hired on the spot and not asked to wait. But we both had peace.

It was an hour-long interview. I was praying the whole time.

I was eavesdropping from the other side of the door when I heard that the professor was willing to pull the trigger on him and I coached my husband to say that he would be willing to take the shot. It was a funny moment.

Finally, after 9 long months of waiting and no doors opening, God opened one door and it was wide open.

I can still remember that moment when my husband finally said goodbye to the professor, closed his laptop, and went out of the room to see me and our children, we all jumped and shouted for joy, with tears flowing from our eyes.

For several minutes, we were both on our knees acknowledging and thanking God for His faithfulness and goodness to our family.

We repented of our doubts, anxiety and fear and just released praise and thanksgiving

H E L P

to Him who knew exactly what He was doing in our lives and whose timing is always perfect.

Going through this journey made us feel like being led through the wilderness.

We didn’t know what lay ahead, we just knew that there was a promised destination waiting for us. We had to trust God every step of the way and just wait on Him. He delivered.

As for conquering our Jericho wall and fighting the giants of the land, I will reserve those stories for next time. We have been blown away by God’s supernatural favor and divine intervention, assuring us that He truly is a God who keeps His promises.

So there, here we are now, in Switzerland. And as I write this, everybody’s asleep. And I am about to go back to sleep.

It’s now 4 in the morning.

My body is still tired from the stress of the past weeks, packing and preparing for our move, but my heart is energized with joy and excitement for the great things God has in store for us in this new country and new season.

It’s bittersweet because we love South Korea so much and we miss its beautiful people and the family we have gained there but we know that just as He was with us there, He will be with us here, in our new home. 

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JANUARY 20 2024