Hawaii Filipino Chronicle - September 4, 2021

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  1

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

FEATURE

BOOK REVIEW

Honoring the Late Buddy Gomez – A Man of Vision and Action

A Question of Heroes

CANDID PERSPECTIVES

Manny Pacquiao Retired?

I’ll Fight Him for LGBTQ-Rights; Plus, My Filipino/Afghan Thoughts

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Kaiser Permanente Provides Free Vaccine Clinics at YMCA Honolulu Centers

2 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

EDITORIAL

Having Gratitude and Optimism Can Be A Healthy Practice in this Latest Covid Surge

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t’s been a roller coaster ride, going into over one and a half years since COVID-19 broke out in the US. A high point came in late December as the FDA approved Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, later followed by the J&J one-shot vaccine. Soon after the number of Covid cases dropped in communities and the rollout was seen by many as the beginning of the end to the pandemic.

The decline in infections prompted states and city officials to lax regulations, boosting further a confidence that normalcy was on a fast track.

No more surges, no spikes of Covid to plague our cities and towns with vaccinations finally available – so was the conventional thought.

Then as the rate of vaccinations peaked and added to that plateau, a much more contagious strain of COVID-19 in the delta variant hit the US – we saw yet another, disappointing surge starting in July. Unexpected. Deflating.

Currently in some states and communities, Covid cases are at an all-time high (at rates greater than before vaccinations were available). Hospitalization due to Covid are up once again, pushing hospitals nationwide to near-capacity or full capacity levels.

Human spirit is resilient and adaptable Perhaps the noticeable difference in this latest surge is a sense of familiarity and positivity.

The pandemic has been around long enough for many to adapt to it and to find a silver lining to the abject conditions brought on by COVID-19. Specifically, many are looking to all the things to be grateful for to get them through the day.

Being Thankful Many people talk about an enhanced appreciation for life, for their families and friends. And it’s not just a feeling, but people say they more frequently express their appreciation to their loved ones.

What people are thankful for runs the gamut – thankful to have a job, for technology like Zoom and other apps that enables visual communication while in quarantine (at this time for those infected and must be in isolation), for their pets that kept them company, for the extra time with families that have produced tighter bonds.

A common reply people say they are thankful for is the obvious, the Covid vaccinations. Even though the vaccines do not protect at 100% those vaccinated from contracting the virus, the vaccines (in breakthrough cases) have been found to be effective against severe symptoms developing that would require hospitalization.

Psychologists are not aware of the full extent Covid-produced trauma will have in the long-term on younger generations, as opposed to adults who are more emotionally mature to deal with trauma.

As adults, perhaps opening up channels of communication with our children, encouraging them to talk about their fears and anxiety, could be healthy.

Taking on a positive outlook of finding a silver lining and being grateful for the good things in life could also teach children to cope better with adversity. (continue on page 3)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

T

he latest COVID-19 surge brought about by the highly infectious delta variant tells us that we still have work to do to get through this pandemic.

Our assumption was premature that the virus would quickly go away as vaccines rolled out late December 2020.

No one expected the delta variant then. But what was expected – as earlier surveys showed -- is getting vaccination rates high enough to achieve herd immunity. So, at this very moment, we find ourselves in yet another coronavirus surge.

For our cover story this issue, associate editor Edwin Quinabo, reports on the latest surge that started mid-July in Hawaii, by the numbers, and the response state and city officials have made. The outbreak of the surge occurred about the same time restrictions were laxed. The low case count back then, warranted that we lift restrictions to give way for our economy to rebound. But Gov. David Ige and county mayors say if the situation worsens in this latest surge, they might be forced to reinstate some of those old restrictions once again. For this cover story, we also wanted to focus on how some members in our Filipino community are finding a silver lining during the pandemic. How in the face of adversity and anxiety, people are finding ways to keep optimism and hope. We’ve found a common thread among those interviewed – that many are embracing gratitude, being thankful for life itself, thankful for the enhanced relationships they share with family and friends, and with God. We have a mix of respondents: two Hawaii-based healthcare workers, several people in the Philippines (younger adults), and two local seniors, one of whom, shares a tragic story of having lost four extended family members in the last month during this surge.

Related to the cover story, in our news section, Kaiser Permanente will be providing free vaccine clinics at YMCA Honolulu facilities from August through October 25. Clinics are open to the public and free of charge. Walk-ins are welcome. Get the locations, dates and time in the article.

Also in this issue, our contributing editor Belinda A. Aquino, Ph.D., gives us a feature on Tomas “Buddy” Gomez III who recently passed away. In 1986, President Cory Aquino appointed him Consul General to Hawaii and he later served as her Press Secretary. During the Ramos administration, he was chairman and president of state-owned IBC13 Network. After government service, he became an OFW in the US. The article is an in-depth accounting of Gomez’s fascinating life and body of work.

In his Candid Perspectives column, HFC’s Emil Guillermo contributes “Manny Pacquaio Retired? I’ll Fight Him for LGBTQ-Rights; Plus, My Filipino/ Afghan Thoughts.”

Evocative headline? Anything Pacquiao-related will draw interest because he’s such a larger-than-life figure. But it’s not all praises for Pacquiao from this columnist.

The biggest topic in today’s news cycle is the US withdrawal of Afghanistan. Read HFC columnist Elpidio R. Estioko’s article on this subject that focuses on US Rep. Kai Kahele’s (HI) proposed site of Guam to house displaced Afghans.

Lastly, HFC’s Rose Cruz Churma does a book review on “A Question of Heroes,” a compilation of essays on 10 Philippine national heroes. This is an excellent book for students. Be sure to read our other columns and news.

Thank you for supporting your community newspaper.

Please visit our website for past issues. Be safe in this latest COVID-19 surge. Until the next issue, warmest 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 Shalimar Pagulayan

Editorial Assistant Jim Bea Sampaga

Columnists

Carlota Hufana Ader Elpidio R. Estioko Perry Diaz Emil Guillermo Melissa Martin, Ph.D. Seneca Moraleda-Puguan J.P. Orias Pacita Saludes Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. Charlie Sonido, M.D. Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq.

Contributing Writers

Clement Bautista Edna Bautista, Ed.D. Teresita Bernales, Ed.D. Sheryll Bonilla, Esq. Rose Churma Serafin Colmenares Jr., Ph.D. Linda Dela Cruz Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand Amelia Jacang, M.D. Caroline Julian Raymond Ll. Liongson, Ph.D. Federico Magdalena, Ph.D. Matthew Mettias Maita Milallos 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 Jonathan Pagulayan

Advertising / Marketing Director Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Account Executives Carlota Hufana Ader JP Orias

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  3

EDITORIAL

US Exit From Afghanistan Was Tragic, But There Are Other Lessons to Learn From

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he swift recapture of Afghanistan by the Taliban came as a shock after two decades of American presence in that country training Afghan soldiers, providing high-tech weaponry, establishing a stable government and some semblance of women and religious minorities rights absent in the country for ages.

As soon as the US withdrew militarily, American intelligence had not anticipated the Afghan secular government set up by the US would fall as quickly as it did.

The speedy take over leaves questions about the efficacy of American intelligence, how much of an asset really were our allies there whom we trusted and helped, and finally were the Taliban already set and ready (enemies already outside the “Trojan horse” mingling among Kabul and key areas) to strike.

There are many theories that will be examined why Afghanistan fell. But the fact will remain in the history books that the US exit was tragic and will be reminiscent of the US exit from Vietnam, both were chaotic and full of painfully lasting imagery of American allies desperately fleeing.

Collapse inevitable Perhaps the hope after the US left was for the Afghan government to be in power long enough for the new model of governance to be accepted, respected and valued enough for the Afghanistan people to fight and defend it.

It’s arguable that all along the regular Afghan masses saw the US-backed Afghan government as a proxy, foreign US government. So when the US left, there was little confidence in it to survive, which could explain the little to no resistance put up against the Taliban.

Clearly, the US had prepared soldiers and the US had equipped them to mount a formidable defense. It could be fair to say, given the literal sidestepping of Afghan forces to the Taliban, there wasn’t enough of a will to maintain what was set up by the US. Why? Change, values, and revolution (cultural transformation) must always come from within, from the people among their own community.

History shows foreign occupation, no matter how long, it’s usually temporary.

Some historians would say the recent fall was inevitable and that people of any region -- who share cultural, historical connections – always must set up their own government for it to be lasting.

In other words, the Afghans ultimately must determine their own destiny.

The US had already been there for two decades. And staying there any longer then eventually leaving, most likely, wouldn’t have changed much in results.

At the same time, there is always the possibility from our two decades there, enough Afghans have come to appreciate their new rights and could perhaps mount a challenge to take back Kabul.

Leaving was the right move In the end, though, the US presence there was long enough. And President Joe Biden was right to begin our withdrawal. President Barack Obama talked about withdrawing, then later actually did the opposite and ordered a surge of soldiers to Afghanistan. President Donald Trump signed a peace deal with the Taliban in 2020 for a complete withdrawal last May. President George W. Bush, who led the US there in the first place, wasn’t very clear about what conditions would warrant a withdrawal.

All the US presidents who led during the Afghanistan war -- our longest war in US history that cost more than $2 trillion and at least 2,448 American service members’ lives – share in the blame that radical forces, the Taliban, eventually did and arguably would have taken over as

soon as US forces left.

Americans who feel that our soldiers’ lives lost were in vain – that’s understandable given the results. Americans feeling that the $2 trillion spent went to waste – that too is understandable given the outcome.

For an idea of how much $2 trillion is, the American Rescue Plan (latest Covid relief bill) which was touted as the most expensive in stimulus ever in US history, was $1.9 trillion. We see how much of a relief the ARP provided to Americans through direct stimulus, aid to our businesses, hospitals, state government, the unemployed, and so forth.

What did Americans benefit from Afghanistan?

Lessons learned Specifically, with regard to the fall of Afghanistan the lesson learned is there must be a well-prepared and executed exit strategy in any future American occupation. It’s fair to note that evacuations are still in progress so our allies have not just been left behind.

It’s also fair to note that the Taliban are assisting in the evacuation process.

The larger lesson learned: there must be greater forethought and stating of a clear mission before committing US troops to war in the first place.

Twenty years of presence there was unacceptable. There was also ample historical precedence by other empires that

(Going Back....from page 2)

Silver Lining/Optimism Exercise There is a silver lining exercise developed by researchers at the University of Berkely, California that is said to achieve a healthier balance in life. It wasn’t designed specifically to cope with Covid, but the exercise could be helpful.

It only takes 10 minutes.

Four Steps Process: 1. List five things that make you feel like your life is enjoyable, enriching, or worthwhile at this moment.

These things can be as general as “liking your job” or as specific as

“working on your garden.” The purpose of this first step is to help you shift into a positive state of mind about your life in general.

2. Next, think about the most recent time when something didn’t go your way, or when you felt frustrated, irritated, or upset.

3. In a few sentences, briefly describe the situation in writing.

4. Lastly, list three things that can help you see the bright side of this situation you came up with.

For example, if you do not like using a mask when in

public is an answer, these could be three ways to look on the bright side of this situation: 1. Wearing a mask will help to stop the spread of the virus and could save lives. 2.

You’re fortunate that you did not contract Covid as others. And it could be due to wearing a mask. 3.

There will be a time when wearing a mask will not be needed.

The results of this exercise was published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Participants who completed a set of

optimism exercises daily for three weeks reported greater engagement in life and less dysfunctional thinking. Participants who had a tendency to be pessimistic especially benefited from the exercise and showed fewer depressive symptoms afterward. However, if needed, the exercise could be repeated for best results.

We must endure yet another Covid surge. But besides prevention (what we’re probably very proficient in by now), we can also practice good mental health and be grateful for all the good in life.

we could have learned from.

Empires have fought long drawn out wars in Afghanistan only to leave feeling defeated.

The original mission to invade Afghanistan was to capture Osama bin Laden who was deemed the architect of the 9/11 attacks. When that was accomplished, at that very moment, there should have been a careful, well-thought out withdrawal process put in action. If that had happened then, perhaps the war there would have felt more worth the sacrifice.

Another lesson: the US leading a foreign government in nation-building must not be repeated.

We have so much of nation-building of our own to work on from updating our infrastructure, transitioning to smarter energy, providing greater access to affordable health care coverage, improving our education. The list goes on and on. We have rampant violence of our own in epidemic gun violence.

We must reprioritize our values. We must enlist our NATO allies to take on a greater burden when international crisis occurs that would require a military response. We must not give into the war hawks’ (many of whom profited from the Afghanistan war) expediency to continue this US never-ending war cycle. Let’s work on nation-building domestically. It’s long overdue.

4 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

COVER STORY

Keeping Optimism in the Face of COVID-19’s Latest Surge

By Edwin Quinabo

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adalyn Cachola, 61, Pearl City, says she is much more afraid of COVID-19 now with the delta strain even as vaccinations are now available.

“Since the outbreak of Covid hit Hawaii and the mainland, I never knew anyone personally who’ve contracted the virus.

“My cousin, a former California resident who chose to retire in the Philippines, died from Covid there about one month ago. Then just two weeks ago, my aunty, uncle and cousin in Las Vegas died also from Covid. It’s tragic. They lived in the same house and were 83, 81, and 65 years old. It’s believed that they were infected by family members (they live with) that work at casinos where there are only central air conditioning.”

Out of respect for her family, Cachola refrained from saying if they were vaccinated or unvaccinated.

Health experts say because of the highly contagious nature of delta, they Avoid Traveling Now Through October One month later, Hawaii officials are not just targeting Las Vegas as a place for Hawaii residents to avoid, but they’re recommending all non-emergency travel be postponed.

At a media briefing on Aug. 23, 2021, Governor David Ige called upon Hawaii residents and visitors to delay all non-essential travel through the end of October 2021 due to the recent, accelerated surge in COVID-19 cases. He also urged tourists to stay away temporarily.

“Our hospitals are reaching capacity and our ICUs are filling up. Now is not a good time to travel to Hawaii,” said Gov. Ige. Lt. Gov. Green also appealed to visitors to pause on traveling to Hawaii. “As a physician, I’m seeing the impact

are seeing more household infections to where families in some cases have all fallen to Covid, or two or more individuals dying from the same household.

“Absolutely, household infections are the beginning of this pandemic [phase], that is a major driving force in the spread of infections. We see it often within households, parents to children,” said Dr. Jim Versalovic, the chief pathologist and interim chief pediatrician at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.

Unlike the original COVID-19, health experts are seeing more spread of Covid onto children because of delta.

Las Vegas, where many Hawaii transplants now live, is a frequent destination for Hawaii residents visiting families there. Because of the rise of COVID-19 infections in Las Vegas, in July this year, the Hawaii State Department of Health Kauai District advised against traveling there. Lt. Gov. Josh Green also warned against travel to that city.

“You’re taking a huge risk, and you will very likely catch COVID if you go

on our hospitals. Our hospitals are now full in the state of Hawaii because we’ve had a large surge since July 4,” Green said.

“And when I say full, I mean so full with COVID patients that we don’t have any access to transfer other patients, like heart attack patients and stroke patients that I see in the hospital, because we don’t have ICU beds.”

Dr. Elizabeth Chair, director of the Department of Health, attributes this latest surge of COVID cases “to community spread, followed by residents flying to hotspot areas abroad and bringing COVID back into their households and community.”

The Surge Beginning in July Hawaii has entered their latest coronavirus surge. Last Friday, the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,035 new cases and nine new

deaths. It’s the highest case count and death toll recorded in a single day since the start of the pandemic.

The start of the surge could be traced to when the State lifted its requirement for US travelers to show a negative test before coming to Hawaii. The new requirement is for travelers to just show they’ve been vaccinated in place of a negative test. Right before the change in traveling rules, the State averaged about 50 cases a day. Compare that to the current daily average of more than 700 daily cases.

Hawaii went from being at the bottom 5 states in numbers of COVID-19 infections. Now it is ranked 17th in the nation for average seven-day daily new infections at 49.2 cases per 100,000 (the national average is 43.1 cases per 100,000), according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Registered Nurse Andrea Herana of Ewa Beach

to Las Vegas,” Green said. “You’re in restaurants or in a casino where most people are not wearing masks. That’s what’s going to happen. You will definitely catch COVID. Then you’ll come back, you’ll be asymptomatic for a few days, you’ll test positive for COVID, and you’ll give it to your whole family,” said Green in July.

Response to Surge On Aug. 10, 2021 Gov. Ige reinstated several of the restrictions on social gathering, including limiting gatherings of 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors.

State and county officials say travel restrictions could possibly be reinstated if the Covid spread gets worse – potentially requiring travelers to get pre-travel Covid clearance again (including those vaccinated) or requiring the 10-day quarantine for visitors and local residents returning from traveling.

The danger of reinstating that level of travel restrictions could harm tourism just as it is making a recovery, some say. And a downturn in tourism means a slowdown to the State’s overall economy.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he is in favor of the City continuing to crack down on large gatherings and

promoting vaccinations. The Mayor announced starting on Sept. 13th, you will need proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours to enter restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment establishments on Oahu.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino asked residents to participate in a voluntary 21day lockdown -- voluntarily restricting activities to getting essential needs only like grocery shopping or doctor visits.

Victorino echoes the importance of getting vaccinated. He did warn that if case counts do not drop in the coming weeks, he would impose more restrictions as possibly limiting bar operation hours and reducing or canceling elective medical procedures to increase hospital capacity. (continue on page 5)

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  5

COVER STORY (Keeping Optimism....from page 4)

Vaccination, where are we at?

As of Aug. 27, 2021, Hawaii had a statewide vaccination rate of 62.6%, according to data from the Hawaii Department of Health.

Officials are encouraged that Hawaii leads the nation at 87% of adults having already received at least one dose of vaccination. It will take time to see the benefits of this, but the public must follow through and get that second shot in order for community spread to decline, officials say.

Gov. Ige’s original goal in order for all state restrictions to be lifted was to have 70% vaccination. But recently the governor said he might need to reevaluate that vaccination percentage due to the delta variant. Some health experts say in order for herd immunity to kick in, the vaccination percentage needs to be closer to 100% because of the new variant. The original 70% vaccination target for herd immunity was for the original COVID-19.

Grateful for a lesson learned, and a chance to get vaccinated for my Family Cachola is one of those who is waiting to get a second vaccination shot. “After the deaths of my extended family members, I got my first shot.

It is late, but it’s better than never.

“My son was really shook up by the deaths. He tried to convince me before the deaths on several occasions to get vaccinated. But truthfully, I was scared. In our last talk on the subject, he laid out the situation convincingly. ‘You will catch Covid, potentially die from it, or if you survive, could have respiratory problems for a long time. But if you get the shots, you might just get a fever at most or feel badly for a day or two.’”

Cachola said she already knew these scenarios her son laid out. “But what really convinced me to get vaccinated this time was his deep concern I saw in his face. I thought, I am so lucky not to have contracted Covid because I waited so long to get vaccinated.

“The deaths of my family in Vegas and the Philippines, I take them as lessons for me to learn from. And I got vaccinated because I want to do it for my family. Just the idea of them suffering if I were to die made me sad. I’m so grateful to have had this second chance of sorts, to finally get vaccinated and be around to enjoy my family. Unfortunately, my other extended family’s lives were cut short,” said Cachola.

Grateful for life, family, health: tomorrow is not promised Andrea Herana, Ewa Beach, registered nurse, works directly with COVID-19 patients. Her husband is also a frontline worker.

“This pandemic is emotionally draining since it made us deal with so many deaths.

It has showed us how precious life is and that tomorrow is not promised. The fact that the patient you were caring for and come back the next day with a new one because the previous patient passed away breaks my heart. It makes me think a lot; and I get scared for my loved ones, friends and every person around me. I have learned to pray more and enjoy life. I have been more grateful to God for waking me up, my family and friends every day. I also learned to appreciate often overlooked things in life such as health.”

Herana said in her reflections she also realized that time and health are far more precious than wealth and material things. For her, during the pandemic she’s worked on having more quality time with loved ones and making personal relationships stronger.

“The upside of this pandemic is strengthening and emphasizing on the family unit. Before the pandemic, everyone had a place to go to and commitments to attend to.

Now, all non-essential commitments came to a halt. It made us enjoy the company of everyone within the same household more. It brought deeper relationships by discovering new family routines such as regular family backyard barbeques and having productive conversations be-

tween family members,” said Herana.

Grateful to Jesus Christ Judy V. Ilar, Waipahu, registered nurse/realtor, said her experience during the pandemic had the power to move her in a direction towards spiritual transformation. It has drawn her closer to, as she says, “our lord and savior Jesus Christ, and to love.

“From the beginning of the pandemic, we have decided as a family to bless others, in our private and quiet ways.

Giving came in many forms.

It may be a gift of time to encourage in the moment, a gift of prayer, a gift of kind words or kind acts and so much more,” said Ilar.

Her advice to others: “During this time of uncertainty, confusion, and fear, I encourage you to fix your eyes and heart on Jesus. He is our source of peace, comfort, joy, and our hope. May our faith intensify and be perfected. As a community, I pray that we can help each other during this tough time. Be the hand, feet, and voice of Jesus to each other.”

Grateful for personal improvements Levi R. Sy, 29, San Juan, Philippines, says during the pandemic he was forced to get out of his comfort zone in search for opportunities in different businesses for the benefit of his family. Like in the US, the economy has slowed down in the Philippines that often has driven people to seek income opportunities outside of their careers or skill set.

“It made me more independent and made me a critical thinker in times of need.”

Grateful for perspective to think of others besides myself Like Sy and also from the Philippines, Joshua Buenaventura, 26, Taguig, said “right now we are having difficulty practicing our profession [due to a down economy and quarantines].” But he says he has learned how to manage his time better accomplishing things from home.

“The deaths of my family in Vegas and the Philippines, I take them as lessons for me to learn from. And I got vaccinated because I want to do it for my family. Just the idea of them suffering if I were to die made me sad.

I’m so grateful to have had this second chance of sorts, to finally get vaccinated and be around to enjoy my family. Unfortunately, my other extended family’s lives were cut short.”

— Madalyn Cachola, Pearl City He says the time and distance apart had an effect that actually strengthened relationships. The conventional thought is time and distance apart weakens relationships.

In his reflections during the pandemic, Buenaventura said he realized he spent a great deal of time not just thinking about himself and his own needs, but of those around him.

Grateful for broadened perspective Lloyd Dela Cruz, 21, Pateros, Metro Manila, Philippines, talked about the changes in school brought about by the pandemic. “It is hard to accept that all of the lessons that should be hands-on are now done through simulations and observations. For engineering studies, this is even

more difficult.”

In engineering where there is great emphasis on the physical and things tangible, Dela Cruz says the pandemic has broadened his perspective beyond what he can see, but to look at the spiritual and mental aspects of life, a more balanced outlook.

Grateful to not be alone Estella Soria, 65, Waipahu, lives with her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend.

Soria’s husband passed away from a heart attack at 62 just before he had planned to retire.

“For me the death of my husband is still fresh. He died about two years before the pandemic. Sometimes I feel very alone when I think that he is no longer with me. With (continue on page 6)

6 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

FEATURE

Honoring the Late Buddy Gomez – A Man Of Vision And Action

By Belinda A. Aquino, Ph.D.

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entioning the name of the late Tomas Gomez does not ring a bell with readers and most people. Most are probably too old or too young to know or remember who he was. But I am assuming that some still do remember who he was because he was a man with many talents and skills, especially political and social ones. He was a man of conviction and leadership. He was known to his friends and peers as a man with many facets to his unique public persona.

In 1986 in the Philippines, particularly in the longest highway in Metro Manila called EDSA, the People Power Revolution started with a silent action among

the country’s militants against the Marcos dictatorial regime, which had started since the mid-1960s when the then legal President Ferdinand Marcos, finished his second term as president at age 55. Philippine presidents then were only allowed a constitutional term of one year and another year for one re-election totaling eight years.

But Marcos thought he was too young to retire from national politics at such a young age. He thought he was still young and vigorous to be out of power knowing he could still do so much for the country. So, what should he do to stay in power for, say, another term?

Being an astute politician, he studied the Philippine Constitution which was adopted in 1935 to define the limits of

The late Tomas “Buddy” Gomez III (seated middle) during his last visit to Honolulu a few years ago during a get-together with friends and members of the Filipino Association of University Women. Seated beside Buddy are Patti Lyons (left) and Lindy Aquino (right).

the presidential term for any sitting president. He found out that the Constitution allowed the declaration of martial law if there was any clear evidence that the country was in danger of being invaded by a foreign power or by internal aggression which meant that Filipino radical groups like Communists or Muslims, or a combination of both, would have the ability to overthrow a sitting President by force of arms.

But this provision had never been used in previous Philippine history and Marcos tested its application to the now independent Philippines, which regained its independence in 1946 following the end of World War II. He slowly worked to call a Constitutional Convention with delegates from the entire country to discuss the possibility of setting up an alternative legal government.

He used internal or external aggression, or a combination of both as a reason(s) for this new set up.

To cut a long story short, the 197I Convention that Marcos convened was tumultuous and confusing. Some thought it would be extremely difficult to obtain a consensus that would agree to such an alternative since the political system had no precedent for such a possibility, let alone a probability.

It turned out that Marcos and his henchmen had a plan to obtain this probability easily. And that was to buy votes by distributing money to some delegates who would agree to such a proposition.

In the end, a courageous delegate from the Visayas by the name of Quintero squealed to the media that Marcos was buying the delegates by dis(continue on page 12)

MAINLAND NEWS

Pistahan Virtual Parade and Festival Celebrates Culture and Community Building Amid Pandemic

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osted by the Filipino American Arts Exposition (FAAE), the 18th Annual Pistahan Virtual Parade and Festival celebrate

the rich Filipino history, culture and art this past August 14 and 15.

The virtual event was livestreamed on Facebook,

Youtube and Kumu (Philippine social media platform) and garnered thousands of viewers worldwide. This year’s theme was “Renew, Recover, and Rise Together.”

The celebration had star-studded celebrity guests such as singer and actress Lea Salonga, boxer Manny Pacquiao, comedian Rex Navarrete, Filipino singer Russell Reyes, author Danabelle

Gutierrez, Jeppy Paraisa aka Tita Che. Along with entertaining performances in cultural dance, art, music and cuisine, the virtual Pistahan also discussed issues relevant to Filipino and Filipino American communities. FAAE’s PistaHands Challenge received support from community members and politicians such as California Attorney

General Rob Bonta.

“The Filipino community is rooted in resilience. We are motivated by our pride in our rich cultural traditions and history,” said FAAE President Al Perez. “When we uplift one another and work together, we can do great things.”

To catch up the Pistahan fun on August 14 and 15, visit pistahan.net for the round-up videos. For the full streams, visit Pistahan Parade & Festival on Youtube. 

(COVER STORY: Keeping Optimism....from page 5)

the pandemic, maybe that feeling is stronger that I miss him because I always relied on him to look after me when I am afraid.

“I am very grateful I have my daughter here and her boyfriend to keep me company. I cannot imagine how it would be if my husband passed on and I did not have my daughter. It makes me think that there are many other older folks who might be alone going through this scary time by

themselves,” said Soria.

Soria said she wants people to get vaccinated because she wants families to be able to be with each other. “It’s very hard on old people. I live with my daughter, but older folks who live alone in the early pandemic days didn’t have their family visit them often because their children and grandchildren would be afraid to infect them.”

The latest COVID-19 surge has come as a surprise to

Hawaii residents and the rest of the nation because of the high optimism surrounding the rollout of vaccines. Filipinos, like other communities, are trying to find a silver lining amid the uncertainty.

Health experts and government leaders remind the public that there are tools available to beat Covid. The obvious one is to get vaccinated. Lt. Gov. Green said. “Ultimately, vaccinating is what will end this pandemic.” 

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  7

WHAT’S UP, ATTORNEY?

No Jab, No Job in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

By Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq.

D

id you see the Afghan president flee Afghanistan with a mask on and in all likelihood after having been vaccinated against COVID-19?

Did you see the Taliban occupy the presidential palace laughing without masks and in all likelihood without having been vaccinated?

Who says the Taliban don’t believe in civil liberties?

In America, the so-called “land of the free and the home of the brave,” the burning question is whether all residents should be forced to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

There are compelling reasons for or against it. Those who believe that the residents of America should all be vaccinated argue that vaccination is effective and the unvaccinated spread the virus and kill others. Those who are against vaccination argue that the vaccine was not approved by the Federal Drug Administration and if so FDA must not believe in its efficacy; that the vaccine has not been fully tested; that it can lead to complications like erectile dysfunction, miscarriage, birth defects, and sterility; that once injected it is irreversible and ask what will happen if the vaccine is found later to be defective; and most importantly that a person has a right over his own body based on natural law and the constitutional provision against deprivation of liberty without due process of law.

Scores of cases have been filed relating to COVID-19.

In this article, we shall focus on whether an employer can compel an employee to be vaccinated under the threat of being fired for refusing to do so.

Employees have filed lawsuits against their employers challenging employer mandates for vaccination. The lat-

est case was filed in Hawaii on August 13, 2021, when city and county workers instituted a class-action lawsuit against the state in U.S. District Court challenging a mandate that such workers must be vaccinated by a certain date otherwise they can be suspended without pay or even fired, subject to medical and religious exemptions.

Pro-vaccinationers cite a 1905 U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that local governments may impose criminal sanctions against a person who refuses to be vaccinated against smallpox. Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (1905).

Their reliance on this decision is misplaced, to use a familiar phrase used by judges in pooh-poohing court decisions cited to support an argument where the facts are not similar to the case at bar.

Jacobson involved smallpox where the consequences are more deadly, and the effect is more glaring because it leaves pockmarks on the face.

There is a town in Ilocos Sur, Philippines where many inhabitants have pockmarks on their faces evidencing that they suffered from smallpox but survived. Smallpox is the only disease known to have been eradicated by vaccination.

COVID-19 does not leave a mark. COVID-19 vaccine has not eradicated the disease because a number of people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 suffered from COVID-19 anyway.

Jacobson involved the police power of a State pursuant to which a state may issue reasonable regulations to protect public health and safety.

Massachusetts had enacted a law providing that the board of health of a city if it is necessary for the public health or safety, shall require and enforce the vaccination and revaccination of all inhabitants and provide them free vaccination, and whoever refuses or neglects to comply with such requirement shall forfeit five dollars.

In Hawaii, there is no state

legislation requiring inhabitants to be vaccinated. The Governor simply issued a proclamation imposing the vaccination mandate for state and county employees. The Governor is not a legislator. Massachusetts did not require the invasion of the body of an inhabitant by injecting him/her with a needle to administer the smallpox vaccine. There was no deprivation of liberty. Massachusetts simply imposed a $5 fine if an inhabitant refused or failed to be vaccinated. In Hawaii, the body of an employee will be injected with a vaccine against his/ her will because if the employee refuses the employee will be suspended without pay and eventually fired.

We found a U.S. District Court for Southern District of Texas order dated June 12, 2021, dismissing an action by hospital employees challenging the hospital’s policy of requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by June 7, 2021, which sought to block the injection requirement and the termination of the employees, alleging that the hospital is unlawfully forcing its employees to be injected with one of the available vaccines or be fired. Jennifer Bridges, et al. vs. the Houston Methodist Hospital, Civil Action H-21-1774.

The Court said that Texas law only protects employees from being terminated for refusing to commit an act carrying criminal penalties to the worker. The court said that Bridges did not

specify what illegal act she has refused to perform. The court pointed out that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is not an illegal act. The court rejected Bridges’ argument that the injection requirement violates public policy, saying that Texas does not recognize this exception to at-will employment, and if it did, the injection requirement is consistent with public policy.

The court rejected Bridges’ argument that she is being forced to be injected with a vaccine or be fired, saying that “this is not coercion.” The court explained that the hospital is trying to do its business of saving lives without giving them the COVID-19 virus.

It is a choice made to keep staff, patients, and their families safer. Bridges can freely choose to accept or refuse a COVID-19 vaccine; however, if she refuses, she will simply need to work somewhere else.

The court concluded: “If a worker refuses an assignment, change office, earlier start time, or other directive, he may be properly fired. Every employment includes limits on the worker’s behavior in exchange for his remuneration.

That is all part of the bargain.”

However, until the Supreme Court decides the issue, the question of no jab, no job remains unresolved in the United States. (continue on page 12)

8 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

PERRYSCOPE

Can 1Sambayan Unite the Opposition? tioned integrity to lead the new group, particularly in its task of nominating prospective national candidates.

By Perry Diaz

I

n September 2020, election lawyer Atty.

Howard Calleja spoke with Jesuit priests Fr. Albert Alejo and La Salle Brother Armin Luistro about the urgency of preparing for the next election.

The three of them agreed that something must be done to stop the economic recession and unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had set in. The number of infections had kept on rising, and the Duterte administration had shown itself incapable of responding effectively to the crisis.

Consequently, their movement began to grow, attracting patriotic personalities who wanted to find a way of restoring good governance in the country.

They spoke with government officials, politicians, sectoral group leaders, and businessmen, who all agreed that Filipinos deserve much better leadership than the current regime.

They knew that the battle would be in the May 2022 national elections. They then decided that their group must fall behind a single slate of national candidates – president, vice president, and 12 senators – to ensure victory.

The next step was to enlist the help of prominent, credible personalities with unques-

Carpio joins 1Sambayan First to come to mind was retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, legal luminary and champion in the fight for the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. He agreed to join the group and proposed to make it an inclusive coalition of democratic forces.

Justice Carpio was joined by retired Justice and former Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario. Together with Atty.

Calleja, Fr. Alejo and Fr. Luistro, they formed 1Sambayan on March 18, 2021. Justice Carpio was chosen chairman.

They believed that the foremost qualification for their nominee is someone who has a clear, upright stand against the atrocities of the current regime.

The key to all this is UNITY. All the groups and political parties that are part of 1Sambayan have agreed to abide by the selection process, and to support the coalition’s single slate of candidates, whoever they will be.

1Sambayan immediately began forming chapters around the country. Chapters have been organized in different provinces as well as overseas chapters such as the U.S., Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Benelux, Hong Kong, Bahrain, and Australia.

More countries are in the pro-

cess of organizing.

The final filing date of candidacy for the 2022 elections is October 8, 2022. At that time, we will know who the presidential, vice presidential, and senatorial candidates are. We know for a fact based on her latest disclosure that Sara Duterte-Carpio is running for president, presumably as the administration candidate, while her dad, President Rodrigo Duterte, would be running for vice president presumably to avoid prosecution for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The nominees Last June 12, 2021, 1Sambayan announced six nominees for president and vice president who would go through its selection process, which has yet to be determined. The six nominees are: Lawyer Chel Diokno (Liberal Party), Sen. Grace Poe (Independent), Congresswoman and Deputy Speaker Vilma-Santos Recto (Nacionalista Party), Vice President Leni Robredo (Liberal Party), former Sen. Tony Trillanes (Magdalo), and Congressman and Deputy Speaker Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas).

Of the six, only Trillanes has so far announced his presidential bid; however, he said he would give way should Robredo decide to run for the post.

The rest haven’t announced their electoral bids but supposedly have committed

to being a part of 1Sambayan’s selection process.

Poe, Robredo, and Trillanes were already part of the coalition’s initial choices for its nominees when it launched in March. Robredo is the leader of the opposition Liberal Party, while Trillanes is one of Duterte’s fiercest critics. Poe said she’s not running for president. But would she settle for vice president?

Recto and Villanueva are both deputy speakers, which means they are part of the Duterte-allied supermajority bloc in the House of Representatives. But Recto told the media she has “no plans in 2022.”

Villanueva’s son, Senator Joel Villanueva, was also against his father’s participation in 1Sambayan, saying “obviously we are not interested to embark on a journey to the presidency.” Diokno, a respected human rights lawyer, is a neophyte in politics.

He said he is not aspiring to become the next president or vice president of the country.

There you go. There is your shortlist – Trillanes would run if Robredo were not running. However, he might settle for vice president under a Robredo-Trillanes tandem. This means 1Sambayan seems to have achieved what it wished for: a single slate for president and vice president. And there shouldn’t be any problem filling the spots for 12 senatorial candidates.

The candidates Meanwhile, on the administration slate, President Duterte recently announced that he could be running for vice president to avoid prosecution by the ICC. It’s going to be Duterte-Duterte vs. Trillanes-Robredo or Robredo-Trillanes for the

opposition, assuming nobody would change their minds and get back into the presidential race. But like they say: in politics, anything is possible, including reneging on your word.

It has happened too often.

With the anticipated presidential candidacy of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., he’d get the backing of the Solid North, without which, a Duterte-Duterte tandem would lose because to win the presidential election, you must get two of the four major political/geographical subdivisions: Solid North, Central Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Solid North would go for Marcos, Mindanao would unite behind the Dutertes, the Visayas, and Bicolandia, which would go for Robredo-Trillanes, who are both from Bicol. Robredo is also strong in Central Luzon and the Visayas.

But there are other wannabes who have been dreaming of becoming president like Senators Ping Lacson, Vic Sotto and Dick Gordon, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

The 2022 election could turn out to be like the 1992 election in which seven heavyweights competed for president. The winner, Fidel Ramos garnered 24% of the vote followed by Miriam Defensor Santiago (20%), Danding Cojuangco (18), Ramon Mitra (15%), and Imelda Marcos (10%). Surmise it to say, if Imelda did not run, Danding would have won with the combined votes of Cojuangco and Imelda (28%). Speculation was rife that Ramos paid Imelda to run, which divided the pro-Marcos voters; thus, assuring Ramos of victory.

As they say, history has a way of repeating itself. Could 2022 be like 1992? Watch how Robredo and Trillanes do the tango in 2022. As partners, they would be formidable. As opponents, they could self-destruct. PERRY DIAZ is a writer, columnist and journalist who has been published in more than a dozen Filipino newspapers in five countries.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  9

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

It Is Well With My Soul

By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan

F

inding the words to pray for the past few days has been very difficult. My prayers come with tears and with a heavy heart.

As I present my requests to God and seek His face, visions of suffering people from all corners of the world fill my mind – children contracting the virus, families mourning for the loss of their loved ones, Afghans trying to escape from their country, and so much more. Everything seems to be overwhelming; the burden is just too heavy to bear.

Just the other day, we received the news of a very close friend, someone we look up to as a spiritual father, succumbing to COVID-19. He left a wife and a young daughter.

My heart aches for his wife whom I dearly love as a friend. She just lost her father

a few days before her husband died. And at the moment the love of her life passed away, she was in the hospital taking care of her mother who is also battling for her life.

Unfortunately, her whole family contracted the virus, including their daughter. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the pain and the despair she’s feeling for the great loss she experienced. I wanted to hug and cry with her but I can only do it from afar. I can only pray for God to sustain, comfort and give her peace.

She’s just one of the millions around the world who had to endure the terrible pain this pandemic has inflicted.

Every single day, we receive messages from close friends asking for prayers for their family members exhibiting symptoms of the virus.

Every now and then, we see profile pictures on Facebook changing to black, that send-

ing condolences has become frequent.

We can feel the spirit of anxiety, worry and fear in the air. Death is hovering over the earth. It’s a very difficult season, indeed. Just when we thought that things are going to get better, it seems like, it’s the other way around.

For the past weeks, my family has been bombarding the heavens with prayers of

healing, protection and provision for families and friends.

Even if it seems like nothing’s happening or our prayers are unanswered, our hearts are certain that our God is at work. He never stopped and He never will. We may not see his hands with our physical eyes, but we are assured that He who gave His promise of salvation is faithful.

Though many times it’s hard to find the words to pray, and the only thing I can offer are tears, heart and ears have learned to receive the truth of God’s mercy and grace and shut the lies of the enemy telling me there is no hope. The pandemic may have locked us down, but the great news of God’s rescue through Jesus Christ can never be trapped and it continues to do its powerful work in people’s lives.

Remember my friend who lost her husband and father? In the midst of the darkness she’s

in, I am greatly encouraged by her response. She said: “Though I am sad, I am at peace that he has fulfilled his purpose here on earth. I am thankful to our Lord for the wonderful years we were able to spend with him. I can truly say, it is well with my soul.”

What a powerful display of grace and strength at a time of grief and mourning.

For the whole week, before we start with our homeschooling lessons, my children and I would sing and dance the very popular and powerful song written by Horatio Spafford at a time of loss and grief: When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll.

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul.

It may be hard, but I pray, that you too, will have the strength to say that it is well, it is well with your soul.

10 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

AS I SEE IT

Hawaii Lawmaker Bats For Guam Option For Displaced Afghans

By Elpidio R. Estioko

I

n light of the Afghanistan crisis, I surfed the internet and found out that there are no Afghan Americans in the Pacific Islands, more specifically in Hawaii. There is a heavy concentration of Afghan Americans in Fremont, California, but none in Hawaii.

However, U.S. Representative Kai Kahele, a Native Hawaiian who is serving his first term in Congress representing Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District wants the Guam option to be the site of the Afghans who were displaced by the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

Rep. Kahele is a combat veteran, pilot and a commissioned officer in the Hawaii Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force where he continues to serve as a lieutenant colonel at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules pilot in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In a Honolulu Civil Beat article, he mentioned that veterans say Guam is the best option, in fact, the last chance to save Afghans who helped the US in the 20-year stay in Afghanistan.

“Empty hotel rooms in the Pacific island territory could serve as a way station for Afghans fleeing the Taliban,” the advocates say.

The U.S. military is

more than halfway through its withdrawal from Afghanistan, which is set to be complete by no later than August 31, the deadline for evacuation. But many who fought in that war are worried about leaving behind thousands of Afghans who worked with the United States as interpreters and in other roles during the U.S. stay in the country.

One popular solution, according to Rep. Kahele, is the so-called Guam option — airlifting the Afghans to the Pacific island territory to provide a safe location to screen applicants for resettlement across the country.

“I am deeply concerned about our Afghan partners who risked their lives to assist and support the U.S. mission in the region,” Rep. Kahele said in an email.

“We must do everything we can to provide immediate assistance and ensure their personal safety.”

Chris Purdy, Director of Veterans for American Ideals said: “We need a plan to get these people out now, there’s no time. We have until early July at the absolute latest to execute a plan, otherwise, thousands of people are going to die. We are rapidly running out of time for a solution while we have resources in the country.”

The advocates are saying that if the military temporarily housed thousands of South Vietnamese refugees on Guam as they were processed for resettlement after the 1975 Fall of Saigon, then the U.S. can do it again for the Afghans today.

“If we did it then, we can do it again,” Pedro Terlaje, a senator in Guam’s legislature and a Vietnam veteran, said in an email.

But he acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic poses problems, saying the “federal government must properly plan for COVID and social distancing of Afghan evacuees.”

Lawmakers who support the Guam Option say they want urgent action. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in collaboration with the Biden administration to support an immediate evacuation,” said Rep. Kahele.

Military officials did not respond when asked for comment on whether Guam is being considered. Some advocates have suggested alternatively using a Middle East country aligned with the U.S. such as Jordan or Kuwait.

But there’s no indication the Biden Administration is considering them either.

“Should Guam be called on to save these people upon the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, Guam will answer that call because we understand personally the toll of war,” said Terlaje.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, is dealing with a wave of COVID-19 deaths as vaccines that were supposed to arrive in the mountainous country in April have been delayed until at least August.

Also, some Guam residents worry that without careful planning, an influx of Afghan refugees could spread the disease throughout the small island. Just over 45% of Guam’s 167,230

population has received the vaccine.

“Decisions made by previous and current administrations have put the United States in a calamitous situation and swift, decisive decisions must be made immediately,” Rep. Kahele said in a press release as the situation deteriorated.

“I urge the administration to airlift our Afghan partners, their families and those who applied for Special Immigrant Visas to the United States Pacific Territory of Guam as was suggested two months ago.”

Over the weekend Biden ordered the evacuation of personnel from the embassy and sent 6,000 troops back to Afghanistan to secure the airport — more troops than were in the country when he took office.

In a public address, Biden stressed that his first priority is the evacuation of American diplomats, aid workers and other citizens. He defended his administration’s handling of the situation.

“I know there are concerns about why we did not begin evacuating Afghan civilians sooner. Part of the answer is some of the Afghans did not want to leave earlier,” Biden said.

Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono said in a press release: “We must prioritize the evacuation of American citizens and our Afghan partners and their families who supported us during this 20-year war.

Afghan women and girls who will be targeted by the Taliban also urgently need our support. We should take whatever action is necessary to protect them.”

The Afghan situation is becoming worse, but there is hope at the end of the tunnel! ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist here in the U.S. For feedbacks, comments… please email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com).

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  11

CANDID PERSPECTIVES

By Emil Guillermo

M

anny Pacquiao is the most unique Overseas Filipino Worker ever.

He makes millions in his underwear right here in America, where he lives and trains as a boxer.

At the same time, he’s a Filipino Senator.

It means I have a love/hate relationship with Pacquiao.

Because he’s Filipino, I always want him to win. Or do better.

But I abhor his homophobic stance on LGBTQ-plus issues. I’m not gay, but I have LGBTQ family and friends.

And I’ve publicly denounced Pacquiao for his bigotry.

He could and should do a lot better.

That’s why I don’t see Manny ultimately as a politician/holder of high office.

Read that as “president of the Philippines.”

You can’t govern even as a senator while being zealously bigoted against some of your people.

Quite simply, Pacquiao is a boxer. That’s it. Or at least he was a boxer.

Now, he’s merely the global ambassador/metaphor for Filipinos all over the world.

You can box your way out of the barrio.

He’s kind of like an exhibitionist on a pedestal. You can’t knock him down. Not like Yordenis Ugas did on Aug. 21.

That’s why title fights are no longer in his future. Exhibitions are. Wouldn’t you pay to see him go toe-to-toe with the Filipino drug vigilante, President Rodrigo Duterte?

Or maybe a 3-D hologram of Ferdinand Marcos?

So, here’s my courageous proposal. I’ll fight Manny. He can build up to Duterte. After Pacman’s loss to Ugas in the welterweight title fight in Las Vegas, Manny’s done fighting real boxers.

That’s not to say the

Manny Pacquiao Retired? I’ll Fight Him for LGBTQ-Rights; Plus, My Filipino/ Afghan Thoughts Ugas fight wasn’t close. It was close enough that if the boxing judges and the boxing gods conspired, the flurries of past greatness that Pacquiao flashed throughout that night still could have justified a split decision for Manny.

But integrity reigned. (Not like it did in that first Pacquiao Bradley fight, remember?)

This was for real. The judges and the fans saw the same fight. Ugas was bigger, stronger, and seven years younger.

Ugas jabbed with his left and countered with right. Manny couldn’t penetrate.

Pacquiao was still the best 42-year-old fighter that night.

But he wasn’t good enough to strap in the belt for the win.

Pacquiao said afterward, “he wasn’t young anymore,” and that he’d take a while to decide his next move. So, I’ll make it for him.

I’m the same size as PacMan, based on standing next to him a few years ago in San Francisco. Better yet, I’m also likely not as strong, and maybe a dozen years or older than Pacquiao. Perfect.

I’m just what the doctor ordered Pacquiao. I’m the ideal opponent—a Pinoy Palooka.

I’ve taken some boxing courses, online.

And I know the difference between a Philly shell and some shellfish. I’m not a total boxing ignoramus. I just know I’m Pacquiao’s ideal payday.

He could fight me, and three hours later, without a scratch, show up comfortably hit the karaoke bar.

Let’s put it on pay-perview. He’ll get his big cut.

I’ll take a fraction of my hospital expenses and my own retirement. And then the bulk will go to help further LBGTQ-rights in the Philippines and in the global Filipino community.

I’m serious. Manny as a competitive fighter is done.

But Manny is still his own cash cow.

The fight against Ugas was

Sen. Manny Pacquiao

originally against Errol Spence Jr. And that came with a $5 million guarantee. When Spence got injured Ugas stepped in. Manny might make a little more when all the pay-perview is done. But whatever it is, it won’t be like the $160 he made while dancing in the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2015.

He can still make good dollars fighting a nobody like me who has publicly called him a bigoted homophobe.

And what a weigh-in it could be. He could read the bible cursing me. And I would trash talk him on behalf of my gay brothers and sisters.

It could be part of his global “all-comers” farewell tour fighting all principled palookas.

And then we can test Pacquiao’s humanity. On Saturday, Manny and Ugas were hugging at the end like lovers, not fighters. We’ll put his homophobia to the test and fight for gay rights.

If the deal is right, it’s for Pride month 2022. In Honolulu even.

I’ll start the rope skipping and road work now.

Politician in the ring I admit being taken in by Pacquiao as he rose up in the ranks around 2009. It was the same time as Obama was flashing his smile and brand.

And in one of my columns, I even said that Pacquiao was like the Philippines’ Obama.

It was an audacious claim.

His charisma fooled me. There wasn’t much else. The other things a pol needs like good policy sense was not. I now readily admit I was wrong.

Manny was just a figurehead.

A hood ornament-type rock star. How good a policy person could he be? Depends on whom he surrounded himself with.

And then there was the homophobia.

Just watching him in the ring since before the Mayweather fight has made me wince. And then that Ugas fight. A public official during a pandemic with more than 16,000 people in an indoor arena? How responsible is that?

That was all Manny the exhibitionist, not the pol. He’s got his priorities as a working multi-millionaire boxer.

Meanwhile, between COVID-19 and the power shift in Afghanistan, the world is in crisis.

Filipino/Afghans The crisis at the Kabul airport coincides with my memory of another crisis at the airport in Manila in 1983.

Sen. Benigno Aquino was assassinated on August 21 that year from a gunshot to the head as he stepped off a jet at the Manila International Airport.

Aquino was returning home after years in exile to facedown the dictator Ferdinand Marcos since sanfitized

by Duterte as a hero.

But it was my cue to visit the Philippines as a journalist to witness the remarkable funeral procession for Aquino, a harbinger of the People Power to come.

That’s why every August around this time, wherever I am, I feel the rainy season near and feel more Filipino than ever on the insides.

This year, the season coincides with Afghanistan and the “handover” to the Taliban that was not supposed to be a handover. The civil war nev-

er materialized and instead, we’re left seeing our Central Asian brothers and sisters in Afghanistan left stranded trying to get out.

I can’t help but think of Filipinos at the start of World War II. That’s when U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt called on Filipino scouts to join the U.S. and fight side by side in the Philippines. In exchange for their service, the U.S. promised citizenship and military benefits.

After the war, the U.S. turned the promise into a lie. President Harry Truman signed the Rescission Act of 1946, and that was that. No citizenship, no benefits.

That was way more formal than the current situation in Kabul. But ask any Afghan who risked their lives as a collaborator and interpreter for the U.S. these last twenty years, and the betrayal is about the same if all isn’t done to get Afghans safe haven to America.

Right now, the suicide blasts this week at the airport prove that everyday life is a life and death matter in Afghanistan with the Taliban in control.

If Pacquiao were serious about being the president of an established democracy like the Philippines, he might have made a passing statement about World issue No 2. (He already whiffed on Covid with the massive, maskless indoor crowd).

Make no mistake, Manny is not really a political leader, nor a global leader. He’s a boxer. Just not an elite one anymore.

Exhibition and karaoke tour, here he comes. Duterte can get in line. I’m feeling that August sense of Ninoy’s courage. I got next. For LGBTQPlus rights. EMIL​ GUILLERMO​ is a veteran journalist and commentator. He was a member of the Honolulu Advertiser editorial board. Listen to him on Apple Podcasts. Twitter @ emilamok.

12 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

BOOK REVIEW

A Question of Heroes

By Rose Cruz Churma

T

he last Monday in August is known in the Philippines as Araw ng Mga Bayani. It falls on August 30 this year, a day to honor the bravery of all Filipino heroes who struggled for the nation’s freedom, including those who vanished into anonymity.

The date chosen is intended to mark the Cry of Pugad Lawin in August 1896, which was the first act of insurrection against the Spanish colonizers by the Katipunan, a secret Filipino revolutionary movement.

In commemoration of the Philippines’ National Heroes Day, this issue’s featured book review is on Nick Joaquin’s compilation of essays on ten heroes namely Fr. Jose Burgos, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Antonio Luna, Gregorio del Pilar, and Artemio Ricarte.

Through his critical essays on these heroes of Philippine history, Nick Joaquin provides a unique point of view on their roles in the fight for independence, first against Spain and then with the Americans.

Of the two essays on Rizal, “Anatomy of the Anti-Hero” was a comparative analysis of Leon Maria Guerrero’s The First Filipino and Ante Radiac’s Rizal from Within.

The Guerrero book, in English, is written in the “modern manner where the details are massed not for their scholarly but their emotional value…” and is a massive publication of over 500 pages.

The Radiac study, written in Spanish, can be considered an extended essay and is subtitled “An Introduction to a Study of Rizal’s Inferiority Complex” and is barely 70 pages long.

Radiac’s work is a psychoanalysis of Rizal with emphasis on his formative

years. He suspects that Rizal suffered from bouts of inferiority due to his puny physique. Guerrero’s view of Rizal on the other hand is colored by his life history as a fellow illustrado and member of the bourgeoisie.

The author also devoted two essays on Andres Bonifacio. In “The Eve of St. Bartholomew” he describes the uncertainties of pinpointing exact dates when the revolution by the Katipunan started but agrees with researchers

fuses to be vaccinated retains the right to file a case against the employer for illegal suspension or illegal dismissal.

The information provided in this article is not legal advice. Publication of this information is not intended to create, and receipt by you does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. ATTY. TIPON has a Master of Laws degree from Yale Law School and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines. His current practice focuses on immigration

aged Rizal to excel in intellectual pursuits. That was not the case with Aguinaldo who failed at the private school he was sent to in Binondo.

He was then enrolled in Letran but had to be taken out and placed with tutors. Because of the cholera epidemic, he was able to go home to Kawit and abandon formal schooling totally when he was only 13.

Yes, the first president of the Philippines was a drop-out!

In his memoirs, Aguinaldo writes about his dislike for learning that “It’s bad to be learned; you’re either hanged or exiled.”

In this collection of essays, the author reduces the heroes into regular guys and brings out facts not usually found in history books. Another classic Nick Joaquin publication. ROSE CRUZ CHURMA is a former President of the FilCom Center. She is also the co-owner of Kalamansi Books and Things, an online bookstore promoting works

by Filipino Americans. For inquiries, email her at kalamansibook@ gmail.com.

(FEATURE: Honoring....from page 6)

(WHAT’S UP, ATTORNEY?: No Jab, ....from page 7)

No jab, no job in the Philippines In our beloved native land, the Department of Labor and Employment advised employers against a “no vaccine, no work” policy. The Department’s Labor Undersecretary said, however, that the Department had not yet received any formal complaint that a company has adopted the “no vaccine, no work” policy. He said that an employee who is suspended or terminated because such employee re-

that “The Revolution began in Balintawak in the last week of August 1896.”

What is interesting to note is that St. Bartholomew or San Bartolome in Tagalog is the patron saint of Malabon, now a city within Metro Manila. In Philippine folklore, August is a red month or amok month.

One school of thought was that the KKK revolt was proclaimed on the eve of San Bartolome’s day, August 23 and that the bolo-wielding saint aided the bolo uprising by making it much easier for Katipuneros to pass through Spanish lines by using the excuse that they were on their way to attend the fiesta of San Bartolome de Malabon.

Emilio Aguinaldo was also accorded two essays, one of which is titled “Our Second Greatest Anti-Hero,” of which the first anti-hero was Jose Rizal.

The author notes that both Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo shared the same physical “defect” – in that both were very small in stature. His physical smallness encour-

law and appellate criminal defense.

He has written books and legal articles for the world’s largest law book publishing company and writes legal articles for newspapers. Listen to The Tipon Report which he co-hosts with son Noel, the senior partner of the Bilecki & Tipon Law Firm. It is considered the most witty, interesting, and useful radio show in Hawaii. KNDI 1270 AM band every Thursday at 8:00 a.m. Atty. Tipon served as a U.S. Immigration Officer. He co-authored the best-seller “Immigration Law Service, 1st ed.,” an 8-volume practice guide for immigration officers and lawyers.

Atty. Tipon was born in Laoag City, Philippines. Tel. (808) 800-7856. Cell Phone (808) 225-2645. E-Mail: filamlaw@yahoo.com. Websites: https:// www.tiponlaw.com.

tributing cash in envelopes to buy the votes of those who agreed to be “bribed.”

It was not long before the people around the country learned about this Marcos scheme. The then-Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, who was the major presidential opponent of Marcos, delivered a speech on the Senate floor that Marcos was perpetrating this nefarious plan of subverting the Convention.

The country went into a period of turmoil that escalated into a major disaster when people began to get restless and began gathering around the Metro Manila, particularly at EDSA, day and night to condemn the Marcos regime.

It was nearly the end of the old era and the beginning of a new one.

The People Power Revolution Towards the third week of September 23, 1972, Marcos declared Martial Law throughout the whole country. Among other things, this

meant the abolition of Congress, the suppression of the freedom of speech, press, and assembly, and individual rights.

Marcos’ reason for his drastic decision was the threat of internal aggression by the Communist Party of the Philippines, along with the National Democratic Front, or CPP/NDF for short.

Aquino was the first Marcos opponent to be imprisoned in solitary confinement for the next seven years. Other prominent opponents were thrown in jail likewise like Lorenzo Tanada and Jovito Salonga.

To shorten the story line, martial law was “lifted” and Aquino was allowed to travel to the US for medical treatment. Upon his return to the Philippines in 1983, he was assassinated right on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport, which escalated the People Power Revolution which had begun earlier. (continue on page 13)

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  13

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Kaiser Permanente Provides Free Vac- Justice Antonio Carpio cine Clinics at YMCA Honolulu Centers to Deliver Plenary tarting this month until October 25, Kaiser Permanente is offering free Pfizer COVID-19 Address at Aloha & vaccine clinics at YMCA Honolulu facilities. The clinics are open to the public and are free of charge. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Mabuhay Conference The Pfizer vaccine is administered to 12-year-olds and above. To receive a COVID vaccine

S

shot at the clinic, please take note of the following: - Valid photo I.D. - Medical insurance. However, uninsured participants are also welcome.

- If below 18 years old, please be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

- If you are receiving your second dose, please bring your vaccination card with you.

- Wear a mask at all times.

Here is the full list of locations and dates for the free Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinics: • Kaimuki-Waialae YMCA: 4835 Kilauea Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816 - Monday, August 30, 1 pm - 4 pm - Monday, September 20, 1 pm - 4 pm • Mililani YMCA : 95-1190 Hikikaulia St, Mililani, HI 96789 - Sunday, September 12, 10 am – 12 pm - Sunday, October 3, 10 am – 12 pm - Sunday, October 24, 10 am – 12 pm - Sunday, November 14, 10 am – 12 pm • Nu’uanu YMCA: 1441 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96813 - Monday, August 23, 1 pm - 4 pm - Monday, September 13, 1 pm - 4 pm - Monday, October 4, 1 pm - 4 pm • Windward YMCA: 1200 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734 Clinic Located at Windward Y Back Parking Lot adjacent to Ulupo Heiau - Tuesday, August 24, 1 pm – 4 pm - Tuesday, September 14, 1 pm – 4 pm - Tuesday, October 4, 1 pm – 4 pm - Tuesday, October 25, 1 pm – 4 pm 

R

etired Justice Antonio T. Carpio will deliver the opening plenary address at the Aloha & Mabuhay Conference on October 13 and 14.

According to the press release, he will discuss the Ret. Justice Carpio “importance of cultivating maritime domain awareness for the effective management of the security, safety, economy, and the environment of the Philippines and Hawaii.”

Justice Carpio is a strong advocate of using international law as the best and peaceful means to protect and enforce one’s rights, the release stated. They added that he helped with the case that the Philippines brought against China at the International Court of Justice in 2013, which ultimately ruled in the Philippines’ favor in 2016.

The Aloha & Mabuhay Conference is a project of the Hawaii Philippines Business & Economic Council. The non-profit organization hopes to create a forum between Hawaii and the Philippines to promote business and economic development.

To learn more about the virtual conference, visit hpbec.com.

(FEATURE: Honoring....from page 12)

Aquino’s assassination marked the beginning of the now famous Revolution by People Power which ended with the downfall of the Marcos regime and the assumption of Corazon “Cory” Aquino as the incoming President of the country in February 1986.

Enter Buddy Gomez It was in this context that Buddy Gomez was assigned as the Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu

by President Cory Aquino after the dramatic downfall of the Marcos regime in the 1986 People Power Revolution.

“It was a time of the historic ‘People Power’ euphoria,” recalls Lillian Ramirez Uy, longtime resident of Honolulu who is a lawyer and former Judge who was to become a central figure in Buddy’s project to restore the Consulate as an “iconic symbol of the Philippines in Hawaii.”

It was here that a small group of women, predominantly composed of the FAUW (Filipino Association of University Women), also played a

major role in restoring the aging white colonial-style function to its former shining glory, according to Lillian. She was designated chairperson of the Philippine Consulate Restoration Project.

The following account is drawn verbatim from the text sent by Lillian and describes the beginning of this ambitious dream to become a reality: “A portion of the first floor of the aging Consulate to be devoted to a mini-museum and library of Filipino materials. The preliminary work entailed consulting with Glenn Mason, a local architect known for his work on restorations of historic buildings. Gladly and without remuneration, he provided us with much-needed valuable information.

“Secondly, a lady doubter did research at the state archives and supplied us with original photographs of the first-floor layout, and of the hallway leading to the stairwell up to the second level. These were priceless in-

formation in guiding the project.

“Thirdly, we explored the availability of workmen and craftsmen including possibly recruiting skilled workers from the Philippines. Fourthly, the group solicited donations and conducted fundraisers, including formal dinners at the Philippine Consulate porch and another at the Ilikai Hotel ballroom (in Waikiki) which included a full band.

Needless to say, funding was an enormous problem.”

Lillian’s account continues, which concludes with what was accomplished during the “short life” of the project.

“The first floor was beautifully sanded and the hallway was cleared to provide an inviting space graced by a lovely carved table with a gorgeous floral centerpiece, much like in the old glory days. The wall in the hallway had art works (among which was an acrylic painting of ‘Binasuhan’ by Corky Trinidad (who was the editorial artist of the Honolulu Star Bulletin at the time). Old

historical pictures and articles were provided.

“Also on the first floor was a refurbished waiting room leading to the spacious office of the Consul General, complete with a display cabinet adorned with what appeared to be antique ceramic pieces recovered from the

Philippine Government from the Floirendo (actually owned

by Marcos) in the property.

There were also other Philippine artifacts and Filipiniana donated by the group and their groups.

“A portion of the second floor was used to house a desk (continue on page 14)

14 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

PHILIPPINE LANGUAGE

Tapao Sinait: Ona, O, Ilik ILOKO By Amado I. Yoro

K

et taliawenka saan kadagiti balligik Wenno dagiti saanko a balligi

Sublianka a sika ti nagramutak Ti daga a nagkaradapak iti kinaubing Mariknak, wen, mariknak bara ti saklotmo Iti sang-aw dagiti hibiscus

wenno gumamela Ket artapan latta ti ayamuom ti sampagita Ket no dagiti lei a mayukkor kaniak, saan A para kaniak laeng: sika, Ina Balligim met dagitoy, saan a siak laeng.

iti pagarosan.

Ket sublianka, wen, umayak, saan a ti iliw Umayak gapu iti pategmo, iti nakairuamak Nga indayon ta kayatko latta iti paindayon Iti pallayog kas iti pendulum

Kanayon nga addaka iti lagip Saanka a ganggannaet, kasta koma met kaniak Pasetka kas iti kapessat ti kurdonko Pasetka kas iti kinasiak, kasta koma met kenka Ti pakabuklak, sika, Ina, ti nanginaw ken nangipasngay Iti kinanumok: idaydayawka, Ina A sika ti kayaw, ti kibin, ti kired Ket iti yaadayok sika ti tampok

diate family and other loyalists like General Fabian Ver and his families and other cronies of the regime including other military allies.”

The rest of Lillian’s narrative ends with the following hope for the unfinished work of restoring the Consulate after the Marcos overthrow.

“On the unfinished work, needless to say, the bulk of he envisioned work remained undone and the project came to an abrupt halt with the ‘changing of the guard,’ which rang the death knell of the ambitious project when Buddy was

recalled to the Philippines to assume the position of Press Secretary of then President Cory Aquino.”

Lillian’s narrative ends with the “continuing challenge.”

“The group still believes that the Philippine Consulate building can be the majestic face of the country in Hawaii.

The ardent hope is that some other group or individual will soon emerge, who has the same avid interest, dedication, passion, pride and love of country to pick up the project where we left off.”

Ti tuntontonek a kaibatogan Ti pasetmo-pasetko met.

Ket matmatanka, Ina, ammok ti kinasudim Awan mulit dayta rupam Iti awan ganggannaet a rikna Ti sigud a singed ti sigud a talek ammok nga addan nagluposam iti maysa a kinapudno iti napudno a panangimaton iti napudno a panagserbi napimpintaska manen, Ina ket no makasangpetak man

ammok: sika ti Inak, sika ti nangtagibi ken nangubba kaniak itanamitimkonto, iti umel a kararag agbiagka: libnos ti Tapao agbiagka: pusaksak ti Ina agbiagka: ayat toy anakmo, sipapakurang a sumangpet kenka iti man balligi iti man pannakapaay ngem siak daytoy: anak.

Adtoy kenka toy anak!

(FEATURE: Honoring....from page 13)

off the landing. The dining hall and bathroom areas were cleared of clutter. Although not a part of the general plan, a portion of the second floor was concerted into the living quarters of Buddy Gomez and his family after he got assigned to become Consul General of the Philippine Consulate.”

It must be explained that the Marcos entourage composed of some 80 people who fled to Hawaii after the overthrow of the Marcos regime, occupied two houses with their flowers, who included members of Marcos’s imme-

By way of concluding this part of the article, we are really grateful for Lillian Uy’s extensive and detailed account of the Philippine Consulate Restoration Project which should continue as, among other things, a tribute to the vision and hard work that Buddy Gomez had started with his visionary perspective on what the role of the Consulate should be in the context of the whole country – the Philippines.

The concluding portion of this article will involve the observations and perspective of Rose Churma, who was also an active participant in the restoration project which has been a visionary and viable project for everyone involved in the project under the leadership of Buddy Gomez – a man of dreams and vision and action.

Buddy’s untimely passing Buddy Gomez passed away in a charming pensión in the countryside town of Arzúa, Spain.

Typical of Buddy, he left this world for the next in a very unique way – as a pilgrim. In spirit, he concluded his pilgrimage with a special mass at the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of this pilgrimage.

This special mass was possible since the feast of St. James (or Santiago) falls on a Sunday, an event that occurs only 14 times per century.

This year was also the 500year anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines, one

of the reasons why he embarked on this pilgrimage.

In her Facebook post, his daughter Malia notes that Buddy wasn’t religious but “appreciated rich culture and historical connections.”

This is how I reconnected with Buddy in the last few years, when I sought his help and asked him to share his experiences as Philippine Consul General in Honolulu in the late 1980s.

Thankfully he sent me some of his archival files including the final report he sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila and copies of the editorials from Honolulu’s two dailies.

He calls himself a “fiscal freak” and rightly so. When he served as Consul General during the initial years of the Cory Aquino administration, there was a nationally mandated austerity program, consistent with the Philippines’ economic condition then.

He reduced the consulate’s manpower from 18 to 11, surrendered his living-quarters allowance (opting to live on the 2nd floor of the Consulate building) and initiating repairs, renovation and upgrades to the building from community fundraising and from a very generous benefactress – and he notes “at no cost to our government.”

He would be the last Consul General to call the structure at the Pali an “official residence.” Although he scrimped on operational (continue on page 15)

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  15

COMMUNITY CALENDAR VLAING, CEBUANO-VISAYAN LANGUAGE CLASSES | Laing Hawaii, United Visayan Community of Hawaii and Hawaii People’s Fund | Every Saturday of September and October, 2pm to 4:30pm | United Visayan Community Hall, 94-833 Awanei St., Waipahu | Learn the Cebuano Visayan language in this free in-person classes. Social distancing will be observed.

Register through lainghawaii.org/vlaing/.

VIRTUAL EVENT | Hawaii-Philippines Business & Economic Council | October 13-14, 2021 | Learn more about the current business and economic developments between Hawaii and the Philippines. More details to come. To inquire, email Rose Churma at rosechurma@mac.com.

Have your organization’s events listed in our community calendar.

It’s recommended to submit press releases a month in advance of your organization’s event. Send information to filipinochronicle@gmail.com.

(FEATURE: Honoring....from page 14)

costs and gave up his housing allowance, he fought to increase the housing allowance of his staff arguing that the Consulate personnel have no other recourse but to rent at rates more than their housing allowance “putting them under undue and unfair financial strain.”

Interestingly, despite the reduction of his staffing, the post was able to double the tax collections during his incumbency. He also pointed out that aside from the typical workload, the Honolulu post was responsible for the “Marcos Watch,” a task without precedent in the history of Philippine diplomacy.

Despite the lack of guidance from the head office on how to manage “an unrepentant and recalcitrant deposed president” who was forced to seek refuge in Hawaii, he approached the task “with the enthusiasm of a committed missionary’s zeal” which got him in the news frequently, and in trouble with his own bosses in Manila.

His daughter says that Buddy’s favorite saying is: “It is through ad-

versity that we reach the stars.” He had plenty of that, and more.

At the end of his tenure as Consul General, the editors of the Honolulu Advertiser note in January 1990 that “Tomas “Buddy” Gomez did a good job in Hawaii—and now he has gone off to a much tougher one as press secretary to President Cory Aquino.”

Although he left Hawai’i for good in 1990, he stayed in touch.

His last email was in June 27 of this year and mentioned a possible reunion with friends in Hawaii, perhaps after this pandemic is over. He will be missed.

Tomas “Buddy” Gomez III began his professional media career in ABS-CBN’s (previously Chronicle Broadcasting Network) DZQL-Radio Reloj in 1957, after which he spent 25 years with the Ayala Group.

In 1986, the then-President Cory Aquino appointed him Consul General to Hawaii and later he served as her Press Secretary.

During the Ramos administra-

tion, he was chairman and president of state-owned IBC-13 Network. After government service, he became an OFW in the U.S. and moved to San Antonio, Texas. He worked as front-desk clerk and then assistant general manager of a hotel. He also worked as a furniture and antique restoration specialist and wrote for various media outlets.

Honoring Buddy We have succeeded, I believe in capturing the many fascinating facets of Buddy Gomez’s unique persona. He had an unusual, amazing, and awesome personality. Someone like that comes only once in a blue moon.

He was skilled and wellversed in many professional callings. He could shift from one job to another with amazing ease. He had a historic role in Philippine diplomatic history considering he was not trained as a career diplomat. He was not afraid or hesitant to speak his mind and was a great

advocate of equality, peace and social justice.

The Philippine Consulate Project may not have become a reality in his lifetime, but to those he left behind, it will always remain a wonderful tribute to the project he envisioned and moved to reality. Though he did not live long enough to see its full fruition, it will always remain his main legacy as public servant in a society that was difficult to negotiate and navigate during the rough times he lived in.

Aloha and Mabuhay, Buddy! You will remain forever in our hearts, and you will always remain an inspiration and role model to everybody you left behind.

DR. BELINDA AQUINO is Professor Emeritus at the School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she served as Professor of Political Science and Asian Studies and also the Founding Director of the University Center for Philippine Studies. An accomplished journalist, she is currently Contributing Editor to the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle and a frequent contributor to various international, national and local publications.

(Solution to Crossword No. 8 | August 21, 2021)

KROSWORD ni Carlito Lalicon PAHALANG

1. Humihingi ng tulong o

pabor na sinasabi ng salitang-ugat 5. Palihan 11. Laki 12. Umunlad 14. Pagwasak sa puri ng babae 15. Presko 17. Elusidahin 19. Kanta nina Anthony

Castelo at Rico J. Puno 20. Samlang 22. Gayundin 23. Isanib 24. Karakos

PABABA

1. Imposisyon 2. Bahain 3. Impansya 4. Isama 5. Ingat 6. Pinakamaliit na paros 7. Umikot 8. Kuno 9. Di-pagkaka-angkop 10. Namunglay 11. Isa sa gayunding

Blg. 9

26. Paragala 27. Masustansyang inumin 29. Gulo 30. Peluka 31. Antem 33. Manik 36. Gasgas 38. Apog 41. Idipa 43. Balubalo 45. Unlaping ginagamit sa

pagpapahiwatig ng

paghanga sorpresa atb.

46. Kubkob 48. Kanta ni Freddie Aguilar 50. Kanta ng Aegis 51. Isinasalaysay

53. Tabla 54. Kabangisan 55. Hasa 56. Nakahanda sa

lapian o partido 13. Isang uri ng mahal na bato 14. Dail 16. Sinat 18. Damit na yaring abaka na ang habi ay katulad ng sa sinamay 21. Obra-de-mano 25. Gamit sa beisbol 28. Pakikipagsapalaran

30. Lata ginagamit sa 32. Ang malapit na pag piyestahan dating ng takdang araw 40. Tupok ng panganganak 42. Alwan 33. Bukad 44. Salitang binabanggit 34. Sumapi kapag manggugulat 35. Duwende 47. Habid 37. Pamaypay 49. Pagong 38. Alyado 52. Banda 39. Arko o balantok na (Ang sagot ay matutunghayan sa kawayan na karaniwang susunod na isyu ng Chronicle)

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