Hawaii Filipino Chronicle - December 4, 2021

DECEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  1

DECEMBER 4, 2021

LEGAL NOTES

BOOK REVIEW

Know Your Estate Plan

Filipinx—Heritage Recipe from the Diaspora

CANDID PERSPECTIVES

As 2021 Winds Down, the Ahmaud Arbery Trial Gives Us a Lesson in How to Get Racial Justice

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Hawaii DLIR is Now Back Open for In-Person Services

2 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  DECEMBER 4, 2021

EDITORIAL

Merry Christmas, Maligayang Pasko!

Be Safe and Enjoy Our Pasko Traditions

I

t is a sacred time of the year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and contemplate God’s presence in our life. It’s the time of year when collectively we embrace our better selves and express that through kindness, and as best possible -- even through tough times brought about the by pandemic – by giving.

In time our expressions of goodness during Christmas have become treasured traditions. For Filipinos our devotion to Christ eventually became the traditions of simbang gabi (attending Christmas masses) and Misa de Gallo (Christmas Eve mass).

Our sharing of ourselves, our love and food developed into the festive Noche Buena (Christmas Eve Dinner).

Soon enough our traditions are observed as a way to remember those who’ve passed in our lives, those who’ve taught us these traditions in the first place.

We hold on to these traditions because they warm our hearts remembering that we once shared many Noche Buenas and Simbang gabis with our deceased loved ones. We honor those traditions because deep down it is like honoring those we love. The next generation, almost instinctively, will do the same for almost the same reason.

Christmas is also a time of positive self-reflection. We think about life and those who’ve been there for us during critical moments, which leads us to yet another Filipino tradition during Christmas, the custom of sending remittances to our family and friends in the Philippines.

The Tradition of Remittances During the holiday season each year, the Philippines gets an additional boost in remittances as Filipinos around the world practice a long-held tradition of sending money as gifts to our loved ones in the mother country. The tradition goes deeper than the monetary value. It’s an obvious expression of love, of solidifying bonds of friendship and of blood-relations.

For some, sending remittances is rooted in the Filipino value, utang ng loob (debt of gratitude). How does this work? More prominent in older generations but still common today, Filipino families in the Philippines (more so than Fil-Ams) act as one unit. Siblings will make sacrifices for usually a younger sibling with educational costs when their parents’ incomes are insufficient.

If the sibling who received assistance becomes an OFW or a permanent resident-citizen in another country, that sibling feels utang ng loob or debt of gratitude to pay back those family members who’ve helped.

It could be money is needed for those receiving it. Or it could be that those receiving money do not need it at all. The remittance is more a symbol of appreciation and acknowledgement for the role a dear family member has played in the person’s earlier life.

And sending remittances matches up so well with the Christmas spirit of goodwill and giving which is why it’s become so popular among Filipinos around the world.

But sending remittances is not the only way to show appreciation to our family in the Philippines or mainland. Setting aside time for a lengthy conversation via Zoom to catch up on life is a wonderful idea and could become a new tradition in the age of high technology. It’s far more personable than the old-tech holiday phone calls we’d make and rushed to get through because of pricy long-distance calling fees. (continue on page 3)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

T

he difference going into the Christmas season this year compared to last year is like dusk to dawn (but not the fullblown contrast of night and day). We are still in transition (like dusk and dawn) where we can practice almost all our holiday traditions and feel safe doing so, but we must still make modifications because variants still pose a threat, including the latest omicron variant being closely watched. Unlike in 2020, we’re ecstatic we do not have to cancel our holiday events, celebrate with only the people we live with or just shop online. Thanks to all of you, it’s really beginning to look a lot like Christmas – much closer to our pre-pandemic Christmases.

But as associate editor Edwin Quinabo reports in this issue’s cover story, the Pasko (Christmas) events our community usually would be enjoying at about this time, some of them are either being held virtually for a second year or postponed. This is not just Hawaii’s Filipino community being overly cautious.

It’s a trend for Filipino communities nationally. The good news is that we can still celebrate our Pasko traditions like Simbang Gabi (daily masses Dec. 16-24) and Misa de Gallo (midnight mass) because our churches are opened with modifications. We can still enjoy our Noche Buena (Christmas Eve dinner) with our family and close friends. One Pasko tradition that is back practically in full-effect is the practice of sending remittances to our loved ones in the Philippines. Our jobs situation and economy are enabling us to be charitable once again. Read how some members in our Filipino community locally and in the Philippines are celebrating Pasko 2021, what they’re thankful for and their lingering reservations.

On the same subject, HFC columnist Seneca Moraleda-Puguan contributes “A Merry Christmas?” in which she reports similar concerns over the holidays in South Korea.

Switching gears, HFC columnist and veteran reporter Emil Guillermo contributes “As 2021 Winds Down, the Ahmaud Arbery Trial Gives Us a Lesson in How to Get Racial Justice.” In it, he makes the argument that Asian Americans should not only be grateful that justice was served in the Arbery trial because we are members of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) community, but also the Arbery verdict is potentially a precursor to upcoming trials where Asian Americans have been killed allegedly because of race, as what had occurred in Georgia in the Asian spa killings.

Also in this issue, HFC contributor Rose Cruz Churma reviews a book co-authored by Ligaya Mishan, born and raised in Honolulu, and is a regular contributor to the New York Times.

She and co-author chef Angela Dimayuga (a James Beard Rising Star finalist and awarded Best Chef by New York Magazine) put together a book of recipes of Filipino dishes, but from the perspective of Filipinx – the gender-inclusive term for people of Philippine descent, who are American-born and raised. Interestingly this book is in many ways related to the reason why each Christmas we cover our Pasko traditions. The reason? For our Filipinx generation – like what Mishan and Dimayuga are doing – to appreciate, practice and promote our culture passed down to us by our ancestors.

Lastly, besides keeping safe from contracting the COVID-19 virus, another caution this holiday season is to be careful of the scams rampant during this time related to gift buying, gift cards and gift delivery. Get more details on these scams in this issue, along with other valuable information in our columns and news.

On behalf of Dr. Charlie Sonido and our staff, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Rejoice, Christ is risen. And thank you for supporting our newspaper for yet another year. Until 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

DECEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  3

EDITORIAL

Scammers Love the Holidays Too, Protect Yourself and Your Money

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his Christmas holiday shopping season opened with a spate of smashand-grab burglaries in many cities across the nation. High-end to main street stores and big box retailers have all been hit by brazen thieves that rush in as a group, wear face masks, grab merchandize and run away.

But the FBI and consumer watch groups warn that the usual uptick in crimes and scams during the holiday season do not only happen at retail stores or on the streets from criminals demanding money. Many crimes happen online or via the telephone.

These crimes are not so obvious which is what make them more widespread and effective in bilking tens of thousands of unsuspecting consumers and elderly during the holiday season.

Authorities say scammers work year-round, but prey on the increased online payments and web usage during the holidays. Often people will lose money that aren’t recovered, and more seriously, have their identity stolen which opens

up a victim to multiple crimes against them.

Know the popular scams out there We want everyone to enjoy a safe and fun holiday season so we we’re raising consumer awareness and exposing specific holiday scams that the FBI, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) warn us to look out for.

Secret Sister Gift Exchange BBB warns of the “Secret Sister” gift exchange that will appear each holiday season on social media. How it works? It promises participants they’ll receive up to 36 gifts in exchange for sending one gift. A participant is asked to provide his name, address and information about friends.

BBB says what happens is “You give away your personal information, and you’re left with buying and shipping gifts or money to unknown individuals, in hopes that the favor is reciprocated by receiving the promised number of gifts in return. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen.”

Often your personal infor-

mation given is sent to other scammers.

What to do? Don’t participate in any buy-to-get online scams. If this popular holiday “Secret Sister” pyramid scheme shows up on your social media feed, BBB advises us to report it immediately.

Christmas Gift Card Scam It’s common for people to buy gift cards from stores to give as gifts. People will often receive offers in their emails to buy gift cards. The scam?

Criminals tell people to pay a small fee or discounted price for a gift card from a popular store. But it turns out the gift card is not legitimate.

Under this scam thinking to save money will end up you losing money instead.

What to do? Don’t buy gift cards outside of a physical store selling gift cards. If there is a deal you see online, be sure that the website you are visiting is a legit website.

Holiday package delivery scam Online shopping took off even before the pandemic. It’s

(Merry Christmas....from page 2)

Christmas Pandemic Year #2 While sending remittances appears to be headed to normalcy status this holiday, other Christmas traditions that involve getting together might still be scaled back due to the coronavirus still being present and that there are some among us still not fully or even partially vaccinated.

The omicron variant just days old from South Africa could pose potentially new problems as early reports show. Not enough is known about omicron which could be enough reason for some to be extra cautious. Perhaps not to the extent as in Christmas 2020, but enough to make sure precautions are in place and safeguards practiced to protect hosts and guests.

For many families this second pandemic Christmas year is already different with having lost a family member due to covid. Even though the death toll has dropped considerably with the widespread distribution of covid vaccines, many have died earlier in the year waiting their turn to be vaccinated or just died refusing to be vaccinated.

One thing we should remember, especially to those 40% of Americans still unvaccinated – vaccinations work; 89% of the covid fatalities this year are people who are unvaccinated.

If you are not vaccinated yet (for whatever reasons), perhaps the most meaningful and biggest gift you should consider giving is to get yourself vaccinated. You may not want to do it for yourself, but do it for your loved ones who already got vaccinated or your community wanting all this to be done and return to a normal life, a wish for a normal Christmas in 2022.

Whatever tradition you and your family decide to practice this Christmas, fully or partially or virtually even, we hope you have a wonderful, safe and joyous time. Even while we might elect to suspend some of these traditions close to our hearts, the “reason for the season” -celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and God’s presence in our lives – remains.

From our family at the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle to yours, may you all have a very Merry Christmas. Maligayang Pasko! Christ is risen.

gotten even more popular now. Tracking our packages online or through text messages is something most of us have done. The scam? Criminals will send out text messages or call to say you have a package then lead you to a website to enter your personal information to track a package. They will either use that information to commit identity theft crimes or the website will have a malware to gain access to your personal information.

What to do? If you sent a package, be sure to keep your tracking number. If you haven’t sent a package, clearly it’s a scam and ignore the text or voice message.

Non-delivery payment crimes A non-delivery scam involves consumers purchasing items online from a fake business. This type of holiday crime is one of the biggest scams and growing, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

What to do? Check each website’s URL that you plan to buy something from to make sure it’s legitimate and

secure. A site you’re buying from should have https in the web address. If it doesn’t, don’t enter your information on that site. If you’re purchasing from a company for the first time, check reviews, verify the legitimacy of a seller before buying anything.

Charity Scam Lastly, many of us have open hearts and wallets particularly to aid in pandemic efforts.

What to do? Be sure to do your research on the charitable organization. Or consider helping someone you know directly in dire need and would be willing to accept assistance. In this case, you know exactly where that money is going.

Preferred, Never-do and ToAvoid Payment method The preferred method of payment during the holiday season is by credit card, especially for online purchases.

This way, consumers are able to track their purchases when receiving their credit card statement and dispute any un(continue on page 6)

4 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  DECEMBER 4, 2021

COVER STORY

Filipinos Ready to Resume Pasko Traditions, Almost Back to Pre-Pandemic Days

by Edwin Quinabo

O

n this second Christmas year since the outbreak of COVID-19, already we see a return of some pre-pandemic Christmas traditions, but modified due to the ongoing pandemic. Black Friday returned.

But retailers were sensitive to packing crowds for a one-day massive sale and potentially putting customers at risk that they’ve extended Black Friday discounts for one week. The result, wideopen store aisles, lots of parking, and a much more pleasant shopping experience, Black Friday enthusiasts say of this year’s set up.

While the commercial side of Christmas is making a comeback, the Christmas festivities Hawaii’s Filipino community normally celebrate have still been put on hold or will continue virtually.

The Annual Pasko sa FilCom! (Christmas at the FilCom) that normally would Tradition of Remittances to the Philippines One Christmas tradition many Hawaii Filipinos plan to restart to pre-pandemic form is sending Christmas remittances to family and friends in the

be an all afternoon-early evening event with Christmas choral performances, festive food like linubian, or mashed cassava, tupig and bibingka, children’s games like pabitin and Pasko bingo, and a parol-making contest and table top Christmas tree contest will instead be held virtually for a second year.

The 15th Annual Pasko sa FilCom! will be streaming live on FB (everyone is invited), Sunday, December 12, 2021, 4-5 pm, Hawaii Standard Time. This year’s theme is Ngayong Pasko, Regalo Ko’y Kayo! (This Christmas, My Gift Is You!). There will be pre-recorded videos shown, submitted by members in our community, individuals, families, community and student organizations, and churches.

The other major Pasko event in Hawaii presented by the Filipino Association of University Women (FAUW) and the Honolulu Museum of Art (HMoA) is put on hold for a second year. HMoA is

Philippines. Uncertainty of the pandemic and joblessness kept some Hawaii Filipinos from practicing this tradition last year.

In Hawaii there were over 67,000 people unemployed in December 2020 or a 10.3% unemployment rate. Of those unemployed, only about half or 32,000 Hawaii residents were able to collect unemployment, according to the US Dept of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In comparison going into the holiday this November 2021, the Hawaii unemployment rate was 6.3% or 41,000 people were jobless.

The improvement in employment should have outgoing remittances from Hawaii on the rise again.

Leonard Polanco, 56, Pearl City, an executive chef at one of Waikiki’s largest hotels, was able to send remittances last year and plans to do it again. He says some of

his Filipino staff who were on furlough now are back at work so those who normally would send remittances can continue this tradition.

“This year my last aunty on my mother’s side passed away from COVID-19. She lived on the mainland so that means one less in our family in the US sending money back to our family in the Philippines.

But we have several of us still carrying on this tradition, besides myself, my siblings also do it. My sister collects our donations and she sends it all in one remittance. We might decide to pick up the slack from our aunty who passed away.

Leonard said he’s happy that he has other relatives in the United Kingdom and Italy who grew up in the Philippines but are now citizens of England and Italy.

“I’m certain they will also be sending money. I only have a few cousins left in the Philippines. But since I became an

Early Christmas shopping in the busy Divisoria area in Manila is now a tradition for Filipinos in the Philippines.

holding one Christmas event this year, it’s premier fundraising event (already sold out). Normally Pasko at HMoA would have parol-making demonstrations, Christmas trees decorated with indigenous Filipino materials, a Noche Buena table, entertainment and a tour of HMoA’s Art of the Philippines gallery. HoMA is the only museum outside of the Philippines to have a full gallery dedicated to Philippine art.

Besides Hawaii, community Pasko events are being pushed back for another year by most Filipino organizations from California to New York.

adult and earned an income, my mother would ask me and my siblings to donate to our relatives back in the Philippines. My mother passed away seven years ago. But we’ve been doing this every Christmas for decades now and we don’t plan on stopping.

My parents would want us to continue this tradition,” said Polanco.

This year’s holiday remittances already are back on track from the pandemic, according to government data.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reports that money remittances sent to the Philippines is up from last year. The latest reporting this past September showed a 4.8% climb from last September, standing at $3.02 billion. The cumulative total in the first nine-month period this year is $25.69 billion — a 5.7% growth.

The vast majority of this money are sent to the Philippines from Overseas Filipino

Workers (OFWs) -- workers from the Philippines living and working in another country, typically on a temporary basis.

But from Polanco and tens of thousands of Filipinos around the world including expats and their descendants, the Philippines historically gets a large boost during the holidays beyond OFW remittances to their family.

Dr. Celia Lamkin, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ( CNMI) USA, said she remits to the Philippines even if it’s not Christmas.

“I send remittances to my siblings as their Christmas gifts, relatives, and to people who are in need, especially the sectors in the West Philippine Sea such as our Scarborough Shoal fishermen in Masinloc, Zambales, Kalayaan fishermen, the military and civilian residents in Pagasa Island, Kalayaan, and the brave military (continue on page 5)

DECEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  5

COVER STORY (Filipinos....from page 4)

men at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Like last year, Dr. Lamkin plans to remit more because of the pandemic. She said those who receive remittances from her are grateful and appreciative. “The remittances [I send] have helped them and have put smiles on the children, for example, the students of the Pag-asa Elementary School in Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan Island Group ( KIG) in Palawan, West Philippine Sea.” Philippine Monetary authorities forecast remittances to grow by 4% this year, an optimism based on reopening of economies around the globe and continued demand for OFWs, many of whom are professionals in the medical field.

Joshua Labung, 23, Cainta, Rizal Philippines, said he receives remittances from his family in the U.S. For Labung, receiving a Christmas remittance, he says, “means that even though my family in the US is far from us, on Christmas, they still haven’t forgotten us. It doesn’t just ease spending for the holidays, but it’s [the remittance] their way of saying they love us, and that they’re sorry that they are not here with us on Christmas.”

Remittance services There are many companies in Hawaii that offer remittance services to the Philippines. Of those listed in Yelp with Hawaii ratings, PNB Remittance Center received the highest number of stars. But the sampling is too few to make a judgement based only on this rating alone. There are independent reviews on money transfers like nerdwallet.com, Investopedia.com, money.com and others. When looking over reviews, it’s important to know who is conducting the review to ensure it is an independent source.

There is a fee for each remittance usually under 6% of the total amount being sent.

Some banks will offer this service. There are large money transfer companies like Western Union and Paypal services like Xoom. Remittance transfers have gotten so efficient that cash pickup in the

Philippines could be available as soon as one hour or sooner.

There are also remittance apps for those who send money on a regular basis. There are also reviews on these apps as well; this is an indicator of how large the worldwide remittance industry is.

Money transfer experts suggest a few things to ask a company representative (besides fees) to help you make the right decision for you: Can you send money directly into a bank account in the Philippines? What is the nearest pickup location relative to the person you are sending it to?

Do they have a door delivery service? It’s recommended that you jot these answers down and don’t make an immediate decision until consulting with the person who will receive the remittance.

It’s recommended that you do your own research and ask family and friends which companies they trust and use. You should also familiarize yourself with the platform-method the transfer is being done and feel confident about that mode.

It could range from very lowtech (that usually means more people involved and it will take longer) to very high-tech as simple as depositing money into an account (but you also don’t know who has access to that specific account besides the intended recipient).

The best choice is to find the optimal combination that will work for you and the person receiving the remittance, experts say.

Sylvia Ramos, 59, Makakilo, sends about $500 each Christmas to relatives in the Philippines. She pays a fee of $10. “It’s so convenient with Western Union. My cousin in the Philippines is able to pick up the money at a Western Union outlet within an hour of me completing the transaction.

I used to go through a small remittance company in Kalihi years ago. They charged not much more but because they would deliver the money via door-to-door services, the delivery time would take two days.”

Ramos said the $500 she sends is for a few relatives, but one person receives it to

be distributed as she instructs.

“Hopefully they can use that money for a Christmas gift.

With the pandemic hurting the economy there, may be the money this year could go to something more essential like to pay bills.”

Sylvia said she sends remittances because she is reminded of the three kings bearing gifts to the Christ child. “It’s something I think of when giving aguinaldos (gifts) during the Christmas season. For her, Christmas is foremost a religious holiday.

“This is something taught to me by my parents and something I emphasize to my children. This holiday is about Christ being sent by God into the world. And for this we are thankful and we celebrate,” she said.

Simbang Gabi, Misa de Gallo, Noche Buena – all deep in religiosity The three most prominent traditions of Pasko or Filipino Christmas -- the Simbang Gabi, Misa de Gallo and Noche Buena -- are anchored in religiosity.

While commercialism is fun, it takes a backseat to the religious significance of Christmas, for Filipinos like Sylvia and millions of others.

“My mother would tell me stories of what Christmas was like when she grew up in Ilocos Sur, Philippines.

She said her family and neighbors would wake up early before sunrise, walk to Saint Augustine Church for Simbang Gabi (Christmas masses held from Dec. 16 through Dec. 24).”

Simbang Gabi is a distinctly Catholic Christian tradition held in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“Now we can ease up a bit and enjoy each other for the holidays. This is our reward, our gift this Christmas for doing the right things like getting vaccinated. What would be a bigger gift next year this time around Christmas is if we no longer have the pandemic. We would be able to have our Noche Buena completely as it used to be before covid, be with as many of our loved ones we want and just have fun with no worries.”–

—– Leonard Polanco Pearl City “My mom said the masses were very early so that the people could attend them then go to work in the fields. If it was at night or late afternoon, it would be harder for workers because they would be too tired. Farmers have to get up early anyway, my mom would say.”

The Simbang Gabi acts as

a prelude or spiritual preparation for the Misa de Gallo (Christmas Eve mass) that signals the birth of Christ. The Simbang Gabi is similar (but much more abbreviated) to how the Lenten season prepares Catholics for the culmination of Easter, the day of Christ’s resurrection. Misa de (continue on page 6)

6 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  DECEMBER 4, 2021

LEGAL NOTES

Know Your Estate Plan

By Sheryll Bonilla, Esq.

I

f you’ve watched TV shows or movies, you will notice that most of their story plots include people fighting over a person’s will. But do you really know what a will is? How about planning the future of your assets once you have passed?

Will A will sets out how you want your assets divided and distributed after you pass away, and names the person you want to implement those instructions. It also gives you the chance to identify the family member or friend you feel is best to raise your children if you and your spouse die before they grow up.

Even if you’ve taken care of property ownership through other means, if you die in a car crash, for example, a will directs who gets the settlement money from it.

Without a will, the settlement money is divided by the state’s intestacy laws.

Revocable Living Trust A trust has advantages beyond a will. It protects your privacy by not having to go through probate court. Wills

go through probate court, which means you lose your privacy since the will and all the documents in the probate file become public record that anyone can see. It preserves your tax exclusions if you have significant assets; without a trust, your exclusion (in 2015, $5.43 million) dies with you. It avoids the cost, delay, and hassle of probate by authorizing someone you trust (your successor trustee) to manage your estate at your death. It may cost more upfront, but it saves money in the long run.

Funding Your Trust If you made a revocable living trust, it’s vital that your assets be placed in the name of your trust. Your successor trustee cannot manage the property that was not put into the trust and may have to go to court to have the property put into the trust so that it can be administered or distributed according to the directions you gave in your trust. That costs money and takes time.

Your trust package comes with a document titled “Short Form Trust” or a similar name.

This is the document you use to take to your stockbroker, insurance agent, bank, and other financial advisor or institution to register your asset in the name of the trust, which

“puts” it into the trust so that your property is governed by your directions in the trust.

your will or trust, make sure to take these into consideration to make it consistent with your overall estate plan and personal goals.

Example: even if your will evenly divides your assets among three children, if you make one of them a joint tenant on your bank account, name another on your retirement benefits, and designate the third on your life insurance, all of those assets will go to them outside of your will or trust. This may result in an uneven distribution that they are unhappy about, especially since there’s nothing that can be done to reverse the inequality.

come disables such that you cannot take care of your financial assets. You appoint a person you trust to act as your agent to make financial decisions and carry out those decisions, so that your financial obligations and management continue intact.

Advance Directive for Healthcare This used to be known as a “living will.” In it, you appoint a person you trust to make medical decisions for you if you cannot do so and set out your directions for end-of-life decisions if you cannot communicate it. These decisions included whether to give you pain relief even if it hastens your death; to give or withhold tube feeding; what facility to admit you; and others.

Designating Beneficiaries Some assets pass automatically at your death to the beneficiary you name, regard- Power of Attorney less of what you direct in your This legal document gives will or trust. Examples are life you protection in case you beinsurance, retirement benefits, and some bank accounts. This article is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as offering legal advice. Please consult an attorney for your When thinking of the distri- individual situation. The author is not responsible for a reader’s relibution instructions you put in ance on the information contained here.

(COVER STORY: Filipinos....from page 5)

Gallo is the last day of Simbang Gabi but it is celebrated at or near midnight.

The beloved parol, the star-shaped Christmas lantern that Filipinos cherish, also has a religious significance.

It represents the Star of Bethlehem that led the three kings to Christ’s manger. In the Philippines, the parol is arguably more popular than the Christmas tree.

Christmas Eve events, traditional vs modern sequence In the Philippines, the traditional sequence on the Eve of Christmas would be for Filipino Catholics to attend the Misa de Gallo then return home for

Noche Buena (full Christmas Eve dinner) that most likely would include the celebrated national festive dish, lechon (succulent pig).

Prior to the Misa de Gallo (to prevent hunger pangs) families would partake in sweet treats, rice cakes and festive desserts like cassava cake, maja blanca, halayang ube. During this time carolers would make their rounds around the neighborhood. By the time Noche Buena starts, everyone would have built up a big appetite.

For Labung and his family, they celebrate the main traditions on Christmas Eve, but like most Americans, the

(EDITORIALS: Scammers....from page 3)

authorized charges. Consumer watch groups say to never wire money directly to sellers. And to avoid paying with pre-paid gift cards. Why? Sellers could ask you to send them a gift card number and PIN, but instead, they could steal the funds and never send you your item.

Cautious

The holiday season will bring out our most trusting side in light of the spirit of Christmas and goodwill spreading abound.

With smart, common sense

shopping and vigilance against scammers, we can avoid losing our hard-earned money and our valuable time reporting scammers and recovering our losses.

When you see a potential scam, do the right thing and report it.

You might have been cautious enough to avoid being duped, but someone else might fall prey.

The golden rule of thumb this holiday shopping: “If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.” Move on, be cautious and enjoy the season of giving. Happy holidays.

Labungs follow a different sequence, by having the Noche Buena then attending the Misa de Gallo the next day, early morning of Christmas. Another popular alternative is to have the Noche Buena early evening and still have enough time to attend midnight mass on the eve of Christmas.

He said, “On Christmas eve we prepare food for the family and prepare the gifts we would give to each other. We then eat together as a family and bond until the clock hits midnight. On Christmas itself, we go to mass to thank the Lord for another Christmas, and for the blessings we have received. After mass, we then hangout together and maybe go to the mall.”

Dr. Lamkin usually has her Noche Buena at midnight on Christmas eve. She said her typical Noche Buena would have pancit, buko pandan, gelatin, halaya or ube jam, fruit salad, chicken noodle soup (sopas), chicken adobo, lumpiang shanghai, ham, suman or rice cake, puto.

Pandemic still a concern For the same reasons Pasko celebrations in Hawaii have been put off for a second year, (continue on page 15)

DECEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  7

WHAT’S UP, ATTORNEY?

Will Disqualification Case Against Marcos Fly? rious question that Marcos, Jr. meets these requirements.

By Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq. The Philippine Constitution – like the U.S. Constituive petitions tion - is silent on the eligibilhave been filed ity of a person who has used to have Ferdi- prohibited drugs or commitnand R. Marcos ted crimes.

Thus, Clinton’s candidaJr.’s certificate of candidacy can- cy was not challenged even celed or denied due course, or though he admitted having that he be disqualified, or that “experimented” with marijuahe be declared a nuisance can- na during his student days at didate. The principal case is Oxford, England (sounds faBuenafe vs. Marcos, Jr., SPA miliar?) but coyly explained No. 21-156, filed on Nov. 2, “I didn’t inhale.” Comedian Johnny Carson quipped: 2021.

The main issues are: (1) “That’s the trouble with the whether Marcos, Jr. is eligible Democrats. Even when they under the Constitution to be do something wrong, they elected President, (2) whether don’t do it right.”

Two convicted felons ran he is disqualified under Section 12 of the Omnibus Elec- for the U.S. presidency. The tion Code (OEC) for having first was Eugene V. Debs who been sentenced for a crime in- was convicted under the Esvolving moral turpitude, and pionage Act of 1917, Debs (3) whether he made a false v. U.S., 249 U.S. 211 (1919). material representation within The second was Lyndon the meaning of Section 78 of LaRouche who was convicted the OEC for having allegedly of securities law violations. marked [x] NO in his Certif- They campaigned for the icate of Candidacy in answer presidency in prison. Their eligibility for the presidency to Question 22.

“Have you ever been was not challenged.

The framers of the U.S. found liable for an offense Constitution wanted almost which carries with it the accessory penalty of perpetual everybody to have a chance disqualification to hold public to become president – even office, which has become final those who are “weak”. (Wise, Energetic, Amiable, Kind). and executory?”

Marcos, Jr. has reported- They did not expect a Presly filed an answer to the pe- ident to be perfect like God. titions. The report does not They believed in “Let the peostate whether he raised affir- ple decide.”

The framers of the Philmative defenses like laches ippine Constitution were inand acquiescence. spired by the same beliefs and I. Marcos, Jr. is eligible un- made the qualifications for the der the constitution to be Presidency almost similar. elected president.

The Philippine Constitu- II. Marcos is not disqualified tion of 1987 provides in Arti- under Section 12 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) cle VII, Section 2: “No person may be elect- for having been sentenced ed President unless he is a nat- for the crime of not filing ural-born citizen of the Philip- income tax returns because pines, a registered voter, able it is not a crime involving to read and write, at least for- moral turpitude.

The Omnibus Election ty years of age on the day of Code of the Philippines (OEC) the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten effective December 3, 1985 years immediately preceding (B.P. Blg 881) provides in Section 12 that: “Any person such election.”

There appears to be no se- who has … been sentenced .

F

. .for a crime involving moral turpitude, shall be disqualified to be a candidate and to hold any office.”

A. The OEC does not supplement eligibility requirements for President Since the OEC became effective on December 3, 1985, it does not supplement the 1987 Constitution. If the framers of the Constitution had intended to let Congress modify the eligibility requirements for President by engrafting the provisions of statutory enactments they would have provided in Article VII, Section 2, that these eligibility requirements may be supplemented “in the manner provided by law” or “unless otherwise provided by law” as it has done in other constitutional provisions. See, for example, Art. IV, Sec. 3 (relating to Philippine citizenship), Art. VI, Sec. 8 (date of election).

B. Failure to file income tax returns is not a “crime involving moral turpitude” Marcos Jr. is not disqualified under OEC Sec. 12 because it does not define what constitutes a “crime involving moral turpitude”. Therefore, like beauty, a “crime involving moral turpitude” is in the eye of the beholder. This makes the statute unconstitutionally void for vagueness and violates the due process provision of the Constitution “by taking away someone’s life, liberty, or property under a criminal law so vague that it fails to give ordinary people fair notice of the conduct it punishes, or so standardless that it invites arbitrary enforcement.”

Johnson v. United States, 576 US 591(2015).

Most importantly, the Supreme Court specifically held in 2009 that Marcos Jr.’s “‘failure to file an income

tax return’ is not a crime involving moral turpitude,” and therefore he was not disqualified from being an executor of his father’s will. Republic of the Philippines vs. Ferdinand R. Marcos II and Imelda R. Marcos, G.R. Nos. 130371 & 130855, dated Aug. 4, 2009.

C. Disqualification is removed after five years from service of sentence.

OEC Sec. 12 provides that the disqualification of a candidate shall be deemed removed after the expiration of five years from his service of sentence. Marcos Jr. was sentenced by the Court of Appeals on October 31, 1997 to pay a fine without any imprisonment for failure to file his income tax returns and to pay the taxes thereon from 1982 to 1985. People v. Marcos, Jr., CA-G.R. CR No. 18569.

Marcos paid the fine and penalties to the BIR on December 27, 2001. Therefore, his disqualification is deemed removed since a period of five years has expired from the service of his sentence.

III. Marcos did not make a false material representation within the meaning of OEC Section 78.

The Certificate of Candidacy form asks in Question 22. “Have you ever been found liable for an offense which carries with it the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office, which has become final

and executory?”

Marcos, Jr. allegedly marked the box [X] NO. A. Question 22 is not relevant to the eligibility requirements for President which are specified in the Constitution, because a conviction for any offense does not bar eligibility.

Presidential Decree No. 1158 (Internal Revenue Law of 1977) which was signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on June 3, 1977 is the law allegedly violated by Marcos Jr. from 1983 to 1985. Ironic, isn’t it? This decree antedates the 1987 Constitution. Therefore, the Decree cannot supplement the Constitution. The Decree’s penalty provision in Sec. 252 (which includes disqualification from public office) is not engrafted into the eligibility requirements for President.

So why is the Certificate of Candidacy form asking about liability for perpetual disqualification to hold public office? The Certificate of Candidacy does not ask questions that disqualify a candidate for more serious matters as provided in OEC Sec. 12, such as being insane, incompetent, or convicted for subversion, insurrection, or rebellion?

B. Question 22 is tricky.

What does “carries with it” mean? An offense does not “carry” anything. An offense is punished with something.

Can someone be blamed if (continue on page 12)

8 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  DECEMBER 4, 2021

BOOK REVIEW

FILIPINX – Heritage Recipes from the Diaspora

By Rose Cruz Churma

T

his book contains recipes that Filipino immigrants brought with them when they left their country of birth to be part of the Filipino Diaspora. Usually, these dishes are prepared from memory and passed on to their children.

As Chef Angela Dimayuga says, “Writing this book has been a form of coming home – a way to get to know my family better and have them get to know me.”

The recipes that comprise this book speak of the heritage that the authors share with more than four million Filipino Americans.

Originally from California, Angela Dimayuga is a chef, creative and cultural tastemaker who has been named to Zagat’s “30 Under 30” list

and honored as James Beard Rising Star Chef finalist. She was also awarded Best Chef

by New York Magazine.

Co-author Ligaya Mishan was raised in Honolulu and graduated from Punahou School. She writes for the New York Times and T Magazine.

She was a finalist for the National Magazine Awards and the James Beard Awards. She has also written for the New York Review of Books and The New Yorker.

Ligaya dedicates this book to her Filipina mother and writes: “For my mom, who waited so patiently for me to find my way home.”

Although touted as a cookbook of heritage recipes, the book is also a socio-cultural commentary on the journey of growing up Filipino in the Diaspora. It also provides historical nuggets that describe back-stories to how certain

dishes evolved.

Although Angela’s voice and culinary perspective provide the basic framework for the book, this is the collective story of the Filipinx – the gender-inclusive term for people of Philippine descent, who are American-born and raised, but whose knowledge of Filipino cuisine and culture was not directly experienced from the Motherland but secondary sources, from parents and grandparents, cousins, titos

and titas, ninongs and ninangs who left home for economic opportunities elsewhere.

The recipes are grouped into nine chapters starting with “Turo-Turo” specialties; soup and vegetables; rice and noodles; merienda items; breakfast things; dishes for celebrations; condiments (sawsawan); kakanin and pastries; and cold things (such as halo-halo) and drinks. Pretty comprehensive.

All the dishes have spectacular photos you want to reach out and pull a piece from the page and taste them. The ingredients are readily available and the instructions for preparing the dishes are detailed and described lovingly like a ritual.

The segment on how to make chicken relleno tops them all. It includes a very detailed step-by-step narrative on how to debone and stuff the chicken, accompanied by photographs of the chicken as it gets trussed up.

The biggest surprise was the recipe for homemade Spam. I had to do a double-take. What? a recipe for making Spam? This food item is a staple in Hawaii pantries – a versatile protein that can be an ingredient for anything – by just opening a can. But, I guess it is good to have a healthy alternative to the can – even if it takes more effort.

As we approach the holiday season, this is a good book to acquire or to give as a gift. It can serve as a roadmap to a Filipino-inspired allday feast, or as a collectible to have around, to skim through when one is homesick for anything Filipino. It is available at Amazon.com.

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.

DECEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  9

CANDID PERSPECTIVES

By Emil Guillermo

I

‘m still digesting all that’s happened this Thanksgiving holiday. I’m vegan, so it was all fake turkey.

But the justice was

real.

And boy, did we get a major helping of it this year when a jury found Travis McMichael, Greg McMichael, and William Roddie Bryan all guilty of felony murder in the Ahmaud Arbery case.

It almost didn’t happen.

Remember, when no arrests were made in this case until after 74 days after the crime was said to occur. It seemed like we’d be stuck with the smalltime justice of 19th century Jim Crow America.

But fortunately, prosecutor Linda Dunikoski knew how to get a nearly all-white jury

As 2021 Winds Down, the Ahmaud Arbery Trial Gives Us a Lesson in How to Get Racial Justice to find three white defendants guilty of killing an unarmed black man in the Deep South.

Sadly, even in 2021, the odds of that are not good. But then Dunikoski showed us all how to do the near-impossible: achieve a sense of racial justice without alienating latent white supremacists.

That’s why when a friend asked me how I would spend the four-day weekend, I said I’d be meditating. Truthfully, it was more like savoring what I had just seen of the trial on TV. It’s just not every day you get to see how difficult it is for justice to prevail.

Asian American Filipinos know how hard it is to come by. Just look at the Vincent Chin case. No one has ever served time for Chin’s murder nearly 40 years ago.

This is our common ground with all BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities – our united struggle for justice in America.

So, when it happens like it did in the Arbery case, it’s our cue to bow our collective heads in gratitude. Justice is real.

Lord knows the Arbery trial was not easy.

I mean you were watching the trial, weren’t you?

When I asked Prof. Dan Gonzales, of the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University if he thought Filipinos and other Asian Americans were paying attention to it, he said probably not.

“I think it’s relatively few,” Gonzales told me on my Emil Amok Takeout program No. 187, “They don’t see their situation as being similar to that of African Americans, that also suffer those kind of confrontations, those kind of crimes. They just see them in reference to themselves and their own experiences.”

In other words, our racial empathy, just isn’t what it should be.

Time to turn it up. There are lots of reasons we all should’ve been paying attention to the case that is the latest and most ingenious way to

beat a common form of white privilege – white defendants who escape conviction in crimes against BIPOCs.

Justice in the deep south The case was in Georgia, where racism runs deep, and Asian Americans are among the fastest-growing groups in the state. We’re the new minority.

It’s the place where Robert Aaron Long, the shooter already convicted of four of the eight Atlanta spa murders, coincidentally made an appearance in court in Fulton County last week for the other four people he’s accused of killing.

In all, six of the eight dead in the spa shootings were Asian Americans, a case that was a milestone in anti-Asian scapegoating during the pandemic.

To date, the number of (continue on page 14)

10 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  DECEMBER 4, 2021

AS I SEE IT

COVID-19 Fails To Stop TGU’s Pamaskong Handog 2021

By Elpidio R. Estioko

C

hristmas is the time for people to rejoice, have fun, bond together, reunite, and enjoy each other’s company. So, despite the pandemic, the spirit of Christmas must go on anywhere, everywhere… including in Hawaii, of course.

As early as my birthday on Sept. 1, the start of the “ber” month, my wife Delia put up in our Milpitas

home our traditional 7.5 feet Christmas tree, adorned with her decorating skills.

Many believe the Christmas season started when the “ber” months came. So, I started the season on my birthday, right?

That day was a blessed day, and to me signaled the holiday season is here with our tree (and gifts underneath it), standing tall for us to enjoy all season long!

Gift-giving is just incidental during Christmas which really serves as a reminder for us to reflect on the Three Kings presenting their gifts to Jesus who was born in a manger.

During this season, it is also a time to remember what we did earlier in the year, and perhaps to reflect on what lies ahead.

The prevailing spirit this time of the year is to take joy in giving. And since the pandemic started, most of us agree large gatherings are to be discouraged. As we celebrate in our own more restricted way this year, let’s remember that we still need to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

The Global Urdanetanians (TGU) Giving back to the community is what The Global Urdanetanians (TGU) is known for during the Christmas season.

TGU is a non-profit organization based in Southern California, but its membership is global. What they all have in common is their roots from Urdaneta, a city in Pangasinan.

Foremost among their “giving back” community projects is the scholarship program, the Help the Kids program or Handog Pamasko, and the Medical/Dental services or Alay Pangkalusugan.

TGU’s Pamaskong Handog 2021 will help 200 indigent families (instead of just kids this time) in the barangay of Oltama, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, according to TGU president Yvonne San Juan-Sera.

“The Handog Pamasko this year will be a food relief to impoverished barangays.

We will be giving away 200 food baskets to our poverty-stricken townmates for them to have a happy meal in celebration of the birth of our dear Lord Jesus Christ. This is a way to share our blessings to our brothers and sisters who need compassion and love during this pandemic,” she said.

The food baskets to recipient families will be distributed at the Oltama Elementary School by TGU-Urdaneta officers VP Raei Soliven Es-

cudero, Rockin Ramil San Juan, Dr. Fe Sumera Ranada, Engr. Elpidio Angeles, Jr., TGU Scholarship Chair Dr. Clare Adalem, TGU President Yvonne San Juan-Sera, Ron Sera, Greta Manaois Ricarte, Menchu Madriaga, Fe Gonzales Sepulveda, Evelyn Duzon, Dado Fabro, and Lolay Celeste, among others.

They will be assisted by 13 of TGU’s 24 scholars. The one-day distribution will be on December 18, 2021.

The annual Handog Pamasko to children from indigent barangays duly chosen and recommended by the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) started in 2014.

The first barangay recipient was San Vicente with about 250 indigent kids as beneficiaries. In 2015, about 366 kids benefited from the program, all coming from barangay Lananpin.

Then in 2016, about 500 kids were recipients from barangay Badipa. For 2017, there were 350 plus kids from barangay San Jose Leet and for 2018, barangay Sugcong was the recipient barangay.

In 2019, about 500 students from the Urdaneta Central School were recipients of the program. All the recipients were treated with Jollibee lunch, gifts, plus a lot of entertainment/parlor games courtesy of the Help the Kids Program of TGU. The success of the Christmas for Kids program and previous Handog Pamasko was made possible through the

challenging work and dedication of TGU-Urdaneta coordinators who sacrificed their time, treasure, and talent (3 Ts) in reaching out to people in need.

Bringing joy this Christmas knows no boundaries!

TGU’s HKB Pamaskong Handog is now on its 7th year.

The board pledged that the joy of giving will shine for as long as there are kids/families needing their assistance. This will be an annual activity of the global organization.

As to the scholarship program, currently, the non-profit organization has a total of 24 scholars.

The first scholar graduated with a degree in Nursing and is now a registered nurse working at the University of Derby and Burton Hospital in the United Kingdom. He was joined by his family in less than a year.

Moreover, 12 scholars recently graduated. The remaining eight are in their junior and senior years.

Thank you so much for the sponsors who are making the program possible until the scholars graduate from their four-year degree courses.

If not for them, the poor but deserving scholars would not be able to go to college and earn their college degrees. Indeed, TGU’s scholarship program is one antidote to poverty!

Merry Christmas to all members and officers of TGU. You did a very noble gesture this Christmas and in your previous projects, especially the scholarship program!

Despite the pandemic, let us enjoy the Christmas season and prepare for the coming New Year!

Gift-giving knows no boundaries… so kudos to TGU’s Handog Pamasko 2021! ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist in the US. For feedbacks, comments… please email the author @ estiokoelpidio@gmail. com.

DECEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  11

PERRYSCOPE

Defenders of Sierra Madre

By Perry Diaz

S

ince 1999, a World War IIera navy ship lay aground off Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), an uninhabited atoll near the Kalayaan group of islands in the Spratly archipelago.

The ship, BRP Sierra Madre, was purposely grounded by the Philippine Navy to serve as an outpost in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) after China had grabbed and occupied the Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) in 1995.

Since then, China had progressively fortified Panganiban Reef with permanent buildings, naval guns, and a detachment of military personnel.

To defend the Sierra Madre, a detachment of nine marines is rotated every five months. The grounded – and rusting – Sierra Madre is used as their makeshift garrison. With no landing strip on Ayungin, the only way to bring troops and food rations to Sierra Madre is by sea.

Some years ago, China unilaterally imposed a 60mile restricted “no entry” zone around Panganiban Reef, which is within the Philippines’ 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). That placed Ayungin Shoal, which is only 25 miles southeast of Panganiban Reef, inside the restricted “no entry” zone.

Since Ayungin Shoal is only 105 miles from Palawan, and within the Philippines’ EEZ, it would give China a geostrategic foothold on Philippine territory if China took possession of Ayungin.

And because of its strategic location, Ayungin is considered the gateway to Recto (Reed) Bank, a proven oiland gas-rich region coveted by energy-hungry China. If China had taken Ayungin, her next logical step would be to take full control of the oil and

mineral-rich Recto Bank.

In early 2014, China started blockading Ayungin to put pressure on the Philippines to abandon the Sierra Madre.

On March 9, 2014, Chinese Coast Guard ships blocked two attempts by the Philippines to resupply the garrison. Three days later, the supplies were airdropped.

But the troops persevered and continued their vigilance in defending the Sierra Madre.

China’s claim On March 13, 2014, China held a media briefing in Beijing to further her claim on Ayungin.

According to spokesperson Hong Lei, then incoming President Joseph “Erap” Estrada made an “unequivocal commitment” to China in 1999 that the Philippines would tow away the grounded ship. Hong also said that Estrada’s successor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, reiterated Erap’s “solemn commitment” in 2003.

Since then, China had aggressively intruded and conducted military activities in the West Philippine Sea despite the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling that debunked China’s ninedash line claim in the West Philippine Sea. Fast forward to 2021.

China once again repeated its claim. On November 16, it sent coast guard ships to block, and it used water cannons to spray a powerful stream of water at two Philippine boats carrying supplies to troops deployed to the Sierra Madre.

The water cannon attack prompted the Philippine government to order China’s ships to back off and warned that the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) covers the supply ships.

Consequently, U.S. and Philippine military officials held initial talks to assess the future of their countries’ 70year MDT, including revising it in a possible move, which made China wary.

The 1951 treaty commits the United States and the Phil-

ippines to come to the aid of the other in case of an attack.

U.S. officials have repeatedly assured their Philippine counterparts that they would honor their treaty obligations if Philippine forces, ships, and aircraft come under attack in the disputed South China Sea or anywhere in the world for that matter.

Recently, China raised the ante by demanding that the Philippines removes the grounded BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, saying it should “honor its commitment.” But Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said there is no such agreement. But China said that its “position remains unchanged.”

However, there is no record that either Estrada or Macapagal-Arroyo had ever made any commitment to remove the Sierra Madre.

But granted that they made such a commitment, it was never executed during their terms of office; thus, any subsequent president can negate such commitment, which makes one wonder: Why didn’t China force the removal of the Sierra Madre? Was it because the MDT was and is still in force?

And since the Sierra Madre is still an active commissioned Philippine warship, either party could invoke it?

Obviously, China doesn’t want to provoke Uncle Sam.

Life on the Sierra Madre Meanwhile, life on the Sierra Madre goes on.

The marines keep themselves busy by diving, fishing, and watching DVDs. Their only communication with the outside is through a radio communication system and satellite phones. Occasionally, they have contact with Filipino fishermen who would swap DVDs with them.

What these marines are doing is over and above their normal duties and responsibilities. Under constant threat of Chinese invasion, they’re prepared to fight to death.

They’re also aware that if they were attacked, they would surely perish defending their garrison.

Indeed, they’re like the Texans who defended the Alamo in 1836 in a fiercely fought 13-day battle against Mexican President General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna’s army.

Outnumbered and outgunned, the approximately 250 Texans fought the 1,500 Mexicans to the last man.

Their brutal defeat inspired and rallied the Texans under Sam Houston, who went on to defeat Santa Anna a month later.

It is interesting to note that back in April 9, 2014, then

President Benigno Aquino, spoke during the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) in Mt. Samat in Bataan.

He paid tribute to the brave marines of the Sierra Madre who are defending their nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity just like the American and Filipino soldiers who made a heroic stand in Bataan to defend the Philippines from Japanese invasion in World War II. “Day and night, on board the stranded BRP Sierra Madre, their dedication was anchored on keeping watch over and safeguarding our territory. This is why, together with our veterans, soldiers like them are among those we honor today. The Filipino nation salutes all of you,” Aquino told the marines.

If Gen. Douglas MacArthur were alive today, he would be smiling listening to Aquino’s praise for the marines. After all, it was MacArthur himself who immortalized the bravery of Filipino soldiers during the Korean War when he declared: “Give me ten thousand Filipino soldiers and I will conquer the world.”

A few brave marines But for Aquino, the nine marines are all he needed to stand guard in a remote and lonely garrison in the middle of West Philippine Sea surrounded by marauding Chinese naval vessels.

But just like the 300 Spartans who defended Thermopylae in 480 BC against the invading 150,000 Persians, (continue on page 12)

12 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  DECEMBER 4, 2021

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

A Merry Christmas?

By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan

C

hristmas is just around the corner. Just as the song says, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Families and friends gather, give gifts to each other, sing carols together and just enjoy the festivities of the holiday.

But with the pandemic still ravaging many people’s lives, will Christmas this year be merry and bright?

The pandemic has caused lockdowns, extreme measures of social distancing and physical isolation. With Christmas being a holiday enjoyed by being together, this worldwide crisis will surely dampen the joy that this season brings.

It’s the second pandemic Christmas and this contagion still has no end in sight. Many countries in Europe are experiencing their nth wave of cases, reaching up to tens of thousands of cases per day. Their

health care systems are at a breaking point.

Even here in South Korea, where more than 70% are already vaccinated and things seemed to be getting better, the number of Covid-patients is again on the rise.

There are days we can see the light at the end of the tunnel but then reports of virus mutations, waves of cases, tightened government restrictions bombard us yet again.

The light diminishes and the tunnel gets longer and longer.

It’s heartbreaking and rather discouraging to be in a seemingly never-ending cycle of winning and losing against the virus.

Are we to hope only to have our hope deferred over and over?

My family and I are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas this year. Though we tried to enjoy our celebration last year, the first year of the pandemic, the holiday wasn’t as fun as the usual Christmases we had because we didn’t get to enjoy it

with the people we love.

We are hopeful that this year will be different, but it seems like it will only be the four of us again. With the number of cases still rising by the day and travel still difficult, we’ll just have to make do with what we have and choose to embrace the season despite the challenging times.

The other night, my 6-yearold daughter Callie told me that she doesn’t feel like Christmas is coming soon because there are not enough lights, no big Christmas tree, and no parties here and there.

She doesn’t feel the joy of Christmas. I was stunned that it came from such a young girl.

I was reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. With all my heart, I told her, “Christmas is not about the lights, gifts and parties. It’s about the baby Jesus Christ who had come so we can have life and hope.”

I prayed that her young mind would comprehend.

You see, Christmas is not about parties, it’s about a Person.

It’s not about material gifts, it’s about the gift of life.

It’s not about food and fun, though they are all good, it’s about the Father’s love expressed through His Son, the Christ.

The pandemic caused our eyes to see only the darkness in this world, and our souls have been crushed by hopelessness.

And just as I’ve asked a while back, are we to hope only to have our hope deferred over and over? Yes, we can hope against hope.

Christmas is a season of hope. It’s not just a season of hope, it is a story about hope.

(PERRYSCOPE: Defenders....from page 11)

(WHAT’S UP, ATTORNEY?: Will Disqualification....from page 7)

the nine Filipino marines wouldn’t have a chance of surviving a Chinese assault.

But like the 250 Texan volunteers who gave their lives to defend the Alamo, and the 300 Spartan warriors who died defending Thermopylae, the nine Filipino marines defending Ayungin are

they answer “NO” to a tricky question?

The question could have been more artfully asked thus: “Have you been sentenced by a final and executory judgment to perpetual disqualification to hold public office?

C.A misrepresentation in a certificate of candidacy is material when it refers to qualification for elective office and affects the candidate’s eligibility.

Lluz v. Comelec, G.R. No. 172840, June 7, 2007. Having been convicted for failure to file income tax returns does not refer to qualification for President and does not affect the candidate’s eligibility for President.

Furthermore, the misrepresentation must be deliberate and willful. Fornier v. Poe, G.R. No. 161824, March 3, 2004. There is no evidence that Marcos, Jr.’s marking “NO” to the irrelevant and tricky question of “perpetual disqualification” was deliberate and willful.

D. The accessory penalty of disqualification from public

ready to lay down their lives for their Inang Bayan.

These are the defenders of Sierra Madre. PERRY DIAZ is a writer, columnist and journalist who has been published in more than a dozen Filipino newspapers in five countries.

office was not ordered by the trial court when it sentenced Marcos, Jr. on July 27, 1995 nor did the Court of Appeals order it when it sentenced Marcos, Jr. on October 31, 1997.

People v. Marcos, CA G.R. No. 18569, Oct. 31, 1997. Therefore, he is not disqualified from public office.

After a defendant is convicted, the judge will set a date for sentencing. “Before that time, a pre-sentence investigation will take place to help the judge determine the appropriate sentence from the range of possible sentences set out in the statutes.

The pre-sentence investigation may consider the defendant’s prior criminal record, family situation, health, work record, and any other relevant factor.”

Perpetual disqualification is an accessory penalty.

It is not self-executing. It is not automatic. The court must impose the accessory penalty during sentencing if it wants the convict to be

A little boy was born to save the world and bring light into the darkness. And the hope that He offers never fails. The light that He brings never diminishes. The joy that He gives goes beyond our circumstances.

The pandemic is one of the most difficult and darkest stages our world has ever faced but we must remember that is in the darkest moment that light shines the brightest.

We may not have the glorious parties and celebrations this year but the joy that this season brings can never be taken away by the virus, it will always be in our hearts.

It will definitely still be the most wonderful time of the year!

punished with it.

Contrast this with another provision in Sec. 252 which says “If the offender is not a citizen of the Philippines, he shall be deported immediately after serving the sentence without further proceedings for deportation.”

Sec. 252 did not provide that the offender shall be perpetually disqualified from holding public office immediately without further proceedings.

[A competent adviser to Marcos, Jr., could have advised him to leave the answer to Question 22 blank and write “See attached” and then attach an explanation such as the one discussed above.]

IV. Are there equitable defenses of Marcos, Jr.?

A. Laches The defense of laches has been successfully invoked in election cases to dismiss challenges to certificates of candidacy. State ex rel. Duclos v.

Hamilton Cty Bd. of Elections, 145 Ohio St. 3d 254 (Feb. 2, (continue on page 13)

DECEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  13

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Hawaii DLIR Is Now Back Open for In-Person Services

O

pen from Wednesdays through Fridays, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) will be available for in-person first-come, firstserved basis services.

The DLIR services for general unemployment insurance claims and employer services are available from 7:45 am to 4 pm.

Individuals must present a vaccine card showing full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test result within

48 hours before entry.

“We will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or testing prior to entry pursuant to Gov. Ige’s Executive Order to help ensure the safety of the public and our workforce,” said DLIR Director Anne Perreira-Eustaquio.

“We have increased security to enforce all COVID-19 safety measures including social distancing guidelines and mask-wearing while inside the offices.”

Telephone appointments are still available as follows:

• Adjudication: 30-minute appointments Monday through Wednesday • General Unemployment Insurance: 20-minute appointments Monday through Tuesday • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: 30-minute appointments Monday through Wednesday • E m p l o y e r S e r v i c e s : 30-minute appointments Monday through Friday For more information on unemployment insurance appointments, visit labor.hawaii.gov/ui/appointments. 

Filipino Community To Celebrate Virtually The 15th Annual Pasko sa FilCom

T

itled “Ngayong Pasko, Regalo Ko’y Kayo!” (This Christmas, My Gift Is You!), this year’s Annual Pasko sa FilCom will be held virtually on Sunday, Dec. 12 from 4 pm to 5 pm HST. Due to COVID-19 precautionary measure, the Christmas event will be streamed live on FilCom Center’s Facebook page, facebook.com/filcomcenter.

The one-hour long event features performances from the Filipino community, families, student organizations, churches and more. There will also be fun prizes in store for the viewers to win.

To stay updated, visit the FilCom Center’s Facebook page at facebook.com/filcomcenter. 

(WHAT’S UP, ATTORNEY?: Will Disqualification....from page 12)

2016); Liddy v. Lamone, 398 Md.233 (March 29, 2007).

“The elements of laches are (1) unreasonable delay or lapse of time in asserting a right, (2) absence of an excuse for the delay, (3) knowledge, actual or constructive, of the injury or wrong, and (4) prejudice to the other party.”

State ex rel. Duclos v. Hamilton Cty Bd. of Elections, 145 Ohio St. 3d 254 (Feb. 2, 2016).

Marcos, Jr. could invoke the defense of laches. There is (1) unreasonable delay or lapse of time in asserting a right by the petitioners, since Marcos Jr.’s conviction was on October 31, 1997, which is the starting date of his alleged disqualification; (2) absence of an excuse for the delay in challenging Marcos, Jr., (3) knowledge, actual or constructive, of the injury or wrong, since the conviction was well-publicized, and (4) prejudice to the other party, since Marcos and his supporters have spent time, money, and effort in filing a certificate and preparing for his campaign which they could have avoided if Marcos’ eligibility had been successfully challenged when he ran in 1992 as representative of the second district of Ilocos Norte; prejudice to other persons such as his running mate, who would have run for the presidency if Marcos had been declared ineligible in 1992; prejudice to the electorate who could have supported other candidates for the presidency; and prejudice to the Comelec which has already expended time, money, and effort in accepting and processing the certificate of candidacy of Marcos, Jr. and now conducting hearings on the various petitions filed which should have been spent preparing for the election.

The “unreasonable delay can therefore prejudice the administration of justice by compelling the court to

‘steamroll through… delicate legal issues in order to meet’ the ballot printing deadlines.” “Allowing challenges to be brought at such a late date would call into question the value and quality of our entire election process and would only serve as a catalyst for future challenges. Such delayed challenges go to the core of our democratic system and cannot be tolerated.” Liddy v. Lamone, 398 Md.233 (March 29, 2007).

B. Silence means consent According to a Latin maxim: “Qui tacet consentire videtur, ubi loqui debuit ac potuit.” This means “He who is silent, when he ought to have spoken and was able to, is taken to agree.”

After his conviction for not filing income tax returns, which people knew or ought to have known because it was publicized, Marcos was a candidate for and won elective offices for the provincial governor, congressman, and senator. He also ran for vice president.

Nobody challenged his qualification for these offices. The people (including the petitioners in these cases) were silent when they ought to have spoken, even though they were able to. This can be taken as an agreement that Marcos, Jr. was not disqualified.

I know an Ilocano lawyer who once asked a beautiful Spanish mestiza from Metro Manila: “May I kiss you?” After several moments of silence, the lawyer kissed her. “Why did you kiss me?” asked the mestiza. “Qui tacet consentire videtur,” whispered the lawyer.

“Qui tacet whatever,” cooed the mestiza as she kissed the lawyer. They loved happily ever after.

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 con-

stitute 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 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) 2252645. E-Mail: filamlaw@yahoo.com. Websites: https://www.tiponlaw.com.

14 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  DECEMBER 4, 2021

PHILIPPINE LANGUAGE

Idiay Paoay Adda Malacanang Iti Amianan ILOKO By Amado I. Yoro

A

gdindinamag ti ili a Paoay gapu kadagiti adu a banag iti sakupna. Adda dagiti daan a pasdek idiay. Nauneg ken napateg ti pakasaritaanna, mabasa man iti internet ken iti historia.

Subliak man ita ti maysa kadagiti nakalalagip a padasko iti panagbakasionmi idiay ilimi a Sinait ti nagbaetan ti Oktubre 24 ken Nobiembre 20, 2012 a maysa ti ili a Paoay ti nairaman a pinasiarmi idi Nobiembre 15, 2012. [Claveria, Cagayan, Hannah, Pagudpud, Windmill, Bangui, Kapurpurawan, Burgos ti adda iti listaanmi iti dayta nga aldaw.

Innemkami amin a kaduami da kasinsin Letty, kaanakan Allan, appoko Isagani ken Lucia. Ni Jim nga asawa ni Mercy ti nagmaneho.

Iti kaaddami iti Malacanang of the North, impasiarnakami ti security officer A. F. Antonio. Segun ken ni Antonio: nabangon ti Malacanang of the North idi 1976; Limned a Barangay ti dan-aw. [Paoay Lake] Maibatay iti nabasami nga impormasion: Ti balikas a “Paoay” ket naadaw manipud iti binatog ti balikas a “makapaway kami”, a kayatna a sawen a “makapawaykami” [“We can live alone”.]

Kadagidi im-immuna nga aldaw dagiti agindeg sadiay a lugar, masansan a riribuken ida dagiti tirong, isu pay ketdi ti gapuna a napilpilitanda a nagin-inut a nansakup iti bangirna iti daya ti ili. Idi metten a nakitada a ti kaabayda a lugar wenno ili a kaarrubada iti bangirna iti daya, isu ti ili ti Batac.

Adda pammati a saan latta a sardengan a kuriroen

dagiti tirong, isu a namkuatan met dagiti kaarrubada nga ili ti mangguyugoy kadakuada a sumapulda iti kamanganda a lugar a mabalin a nataltalged a nawaywaya iti riribuk.

Ngem kinuna met dagitoy nga agindeg, natalged ken naturedda met latta a nagkuna: “makapaway kami!”

Ket babaen kadayta a balikas kadagidi a panawen, nagin-inut a nagtalinaed dayta a takder dagiti agindeg, ket isu metten a namagbalin a permanente ti awagda: Paoay.

Malagipmi ti nadakamat ni Rudy Evan Calixto iti librona a “Ilocos and Other Reflections” nga insagut kadakami ni Dios ti aluadna a dati a Minister Counselor sa nag-Ambassador Ben Domingo, dati a destino iti Konsulada Heneral ditoy Honolulu, tubo iti Salcedo, Ilocos Sur, librona ti Hawaii’s Eminent Filipinos idi Enero 27, 1987: “Considered the Legendary Town of Ilocos Norte, it remains as it is because of the awesome gigantic structure of the Paoay Church built by the Augustinian monks in the 17th century. Its architectural design is the blending of the east and west making it one of the best churches built in the century.

The lake nearby which draws special interest among historians for it was once a progressive town populated by advanced and scientifically gifted civilization but disappeared in the twinkle of an eye, as the legend goes, because of their evil desires. The now famous Paoay Lake was the exact location of the said community.

Paoay also the seat of government where the Malacanang of the North is situated overlooking the legendary lake, where former President Ferdinand E. Marcos attends to his duties when visiting the province. Paoay is famous for its finely craft-woven inabel. Paoay home of

the Paoay Church. UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Segun ti historia ni Don Martin Guiang first and founding leader iti Paoay.

DITOY met la naputarmi ti ababa a daniw:

ADDA KINADAEG TI LANGIT DITOY (Here, there’s Grandeur in the Sky)

Ditoy, addaak met napno iti kinadaeg a pakasaritaan.

Lakasa ti gameng iti namsek a kinaindaklan.

Ni Ilokano, samtoy a namunganayan Ti lagip ken pakasaritaan ti reyenda ti inna panagturay.

Disso, lugar, daga, ili Pasdek a napno iti pakasaritaan dagiti panawen: Ti gubat, ti kappia, ti progreso ken dur-as A panaglupos ken panagbaliw ti rupa ti pagilian Iti Baro a gimong ken baro a pakasaritaan Ti man Amianan, Abagatan, laud ken daya Iti di mabilang a summit meeting Taripnong dagiti teddek ken naindaklan A tulbek ti turay Iti sangalubongan Wen, ditoyak met, adtoyak maminsan Iti masnop a panawen Iti isasarungkar.

(CANDID PERSPECTIVES: As 2021....from page 9)

transgressions toward Asian Americans across the nation has climbed to more than 10,000, according to the group Stop AAPI Hate – everything from racial slurs to murder.

If you’ve been worried about Asian Americans getting justice in the spa murders, I’d say the guilty verdicts for the Arbery defendants should make us all feel a little better.

Dunikoski, the prosecutor in the Arbery case, was brought in from Cobb County, but spent most of her career in Fulton County. And that’s probably why justice was ultimately served in rural Brunswick, Glynn County, Georgia.

It had to be imported.

It was a necessity. Of the two prosecutors previously assigned, one had a relationship with the defendant Greg McMichael, a former police officer there. That DA has now been criminally indicted for her actions in the case. Another prosecutor also recused himself.

Everyone seemed all too willing to buy the story that the McMichaels and Bryan were just protecting their com-

munity.

“Citizen’s Arrest” was the claim, an antiquated law that no longer exists in Georgia, but did during the crime. I had only heard the phrase decades ago on the old “Andy Griffith Show,” when officer Barney Fife used to yell it out loud for laughs.

But this was no laughing matter.

When the phone video William Roddy Bryan took of Travis McMichael was leaked, it was clear.

This couldn’t be swept away, not when the video showed McMichael pointing his shotgun at an unarmed Arbery, who then struggled over the weapon and was shot.

The 911 call also made it clear that Arbery’s only crime appeared to be jogging while black.

Dunikoski used both the leaked video and the 911 call to methodically dismantle the defense. Unless the McMichaels saw Arbery in the commission of a crime, no such “citizen’s arrest” could be made.

Still, even with the evidence and the facts on the

prosecution’s side, I wasn’t sure what the verdict would be. That’s the power of a nearly all-white jury as an obstacle to racial justice.

Appealing to the good in latent white supremacists Some people criticized Dunikoski for not bringing up race more often in the trial.

For example, she could have depicted Arbery as essentially being “lynched” by vigilantes with a mob-like mentality.

But the prosecutor knew how not to alienate a jury that may be sympathetic to the defendants.

“Y’all are really, really smart,” Dunikoski told the jury, appealing to vanity.

“You’re going to determine what really happened based on the evidence and you’re going to apply the law.”

And then she said the magic words, appealing to the potential “good ol’ boy” in all of them.

“This isn’t about whether these three men are good people or bad people,” she said.

“It’s about responsibility. It’s about holding people account-

able and responsible for their actions. When they do something like this, they have to be held accountable and responsible. Who would get a free pass?

Would you get a free pass?”

It was a touch of genius.

No one was passing judgment on racist actions. A black man is dead – who’s responsible?

And then Donikoski assumed the guilty verdict.

“When you come back with a guilty verdict on all the charges,” she said, “what you’re saying is you know who did the crime, now we (all) know.”

She didn’t have to mention race. Not like the defense lawyer for Bryan, Laura Hogue, who described Arbery as a man who was running in shorts, sockless, adding a detail about his “long, dirty toenails.”

Everyone knew Hogue was making a disgusting appeal to the jury on race that might hang the jury.

Prosecutor Dunikoski didn’t need any of that. She just had to mention that the McMichaels and Bryan were good people. Just like the jurors. But that no one gets a free pass. The

jurors wouldn’t get one. Don’t give one to the defendants.

It worked.

It’s the workaround logic that gets justice in the Deep South. Racism? What’s that?

We’re all just good people who can’t escape accountability, remember? That’s how you get a nearly all-white jury to convict three white guys for murder.

After the trial, the Rev. Al Sharpton talked about how this would be a historic trial. It will be historic, in no small part because Dunikoski was strategic and judicious in the use of race to get real racial justice. How do you beat an all-white jury?

Donikoski, the Arbery prosecutor, showed us all the way.

Check out Emil Amok’s Takeout Numbers 185, 186, 187, where I discuss the case with Prof. Daniel Phil Gonzales, J.D., College of Ethnic Studies, San Francisco State University. Click on www. amok.com. 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.

DECEMBER 4, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  15

HAWAII FILIPINO NEWS

Hawai‘i Department of Health Laboratory Detects Omicron Variant nated, wearing masks, distancing ual is an O‘ahu resident with modHealth since the beginning of the pandemic,” in Hawai‘i as best we can and avoiding large erate symptoms who had previoussaid Dr. Chris Whelen, Vice President and Tech-

H

ONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s (DOH) State Laboratories Division (SLD) confirms the SARSCoV-2 variant B.1.1.529, also known as the Omicron variant, has been detected in the islands.

“This isn’t reason for panic, but it is reason for concern. It’s a reminder the pandemic is ongoing. We need to protect ourselves by getting vacci-

crowds,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP. On Monday Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc. (DLS) identified a specimen with a molecular clue indicating it may be Omicron. The State Laboratories Division performed expedited whole genome sequencing and today determined the specimen is the Omicron variant.

The COVID-19 positive individ-

ly been infected with COVID-19, but was never vaccinated.

This is a case of community spread. The individual has no history of travel.

The Omicron variant has been detected in at least 23 countries and at least two other states.

“Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc. (DLS) has worked closely with the Department of

nical Director for Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics.

Anyone contacted by a case investigator from DOH is asked to please cooperate in an effort to slow the transmission of COVID-19.

Anyone with symptoms is asked to get tested and avoid other people. Unvaccinated people who come in close contact with COVID-19 positive individuals are advised to get tested.

Information on free testing and vaccines is available at https://hawaiicovid19.com/.

children which is really sad.”

She said even though they’ll be having a virtual family gathering again, the spirit of Christmas-giving will be the same. “We can always give and help during Christmas and any day of the year because helping other people does not need to be done only during Christmas. We help others to the best of our capabilities [whenever we can]. For me, everyday should be Christmas.”

ready she says things have changed this Christmas season.

“This year, I got to go out. Especially now that I’m planning my Christmas shopping by visiting multiple stores. I’m very thankful that I get to do this mundane task of shopping (or window shopping) just before Noche Buena.”

With the easing of restrictions, Labung said he would like to go out together with his family to Tagaytay or go to the beach to get fresh air and to relax this holiday season. “Having been in this pandemic for almost two years, it really does take a toll on our well-being. But as a family, it helped us become closer and take care of each other more,” he said.

While she and her family stick to the Pasko traditions, Sylvia said ultimately Filipino Pasko has the same meaning that almost every family observing Christmas has which is “to celebrate God in one’s life, celebrate family and friends, and celebrate life itself.”

Leonard said he’s thankful for the gains Hawaii has made in controlling the virus. “Now we can ease up a bit and enjoy each other for the holidays. This is our reward, our gift this Christmas for doing the right things like getting vaccinated. What would be a bigger gift next year this time around Christmas is if we no longer have the pandemic. We would be able to have our Noche Buena completely as it used to be before covid, be with as many of our loved ones we want and just have fun with no worries.”

(COVER STORY: Filipinos....from page 6)

Philippine residents are also having reservations over this holiday season.

Bea Sampaga, 22, Pasig City, said even though the Philippines is starting to lax some of the pandemic protocols, she and her family are still refraining from going out frequently. When they do, they make sure to go to a mall less crowded.

“We will be celebrating Christmas at home just like last year. I plan to shop for food before the week of Christmas to make sure I can avoid the crowd. I’m excited to cook food for my family and we can eat our hearts out during Noche Buena,” said Sampaga.

Dr. Lamkin plans to celebrate Christmas with her two boys in Guam and family members in the Philippines as she did last year, virtually. “This will be the second Christmas that we won’t be physically present with our

Thankful for changes this holiday Bea said she’s thankful this Christmas year for the simple, mundane things like just being able to go out and shop. She described last Christmas as being very lonely and feeling trapped due to the Pasko traditions at core has “stay-at-home” lockdowns. Al- universal meaning

(Solution to Crossword No. 11 | November 20, 2021)

KROSWORD ni Carlito Lalicon PAHALANG

1. Pag-aampon 10. Isang uri ng isda 15. Bantulot 16. Numinipis o

nangangayayat ang katawan 17. Ikabuti 18. Sinabi nila 19. Gayundin 20. Tahing pasalipsip sa

lupi ng damit 21. Isang uri ng isdang

maliit pa sa talilong 22. Alikabok 24. Makisama 26. Basag 28. Napuwersa

PABABA

1. Ipatupad 2. Abakada 3. Kahit na 4. Pantukoy na ginagamit sa pangngalang pambalana 5. Animo 6. Katim 7. Bubuyog 8. Dayami

Blg. 12

29. Iyapak 31. Isang uri ng halaman na kinukunan ng pawid 32. Patumalmal 34. Mahaba at matagal na

pagbagsak ng ulan na

mahina at maliliit ang patak 39. Higop 41. Basta 42. Hinagap 47. Iyak o ungol ng mailap na hayop 48. Borador 50. Kanape 51. Alung-ong 52. Bulaklak ng limon o dalanghita

54. Isang uri ng malaking 58. Bakat sasakyan 59. Pinesa 55. Alerdyi 60. Iga 56. Isabog 61. Anang

9. Kanta ni Pilita Corrales 10. Tiyan o kalamnan ng binti 11. Sinanggi 12. Humigpit 13. Pagsuksok sa baraha 14. Tangisan 23. Kopya 25. Isang uri ng maliit na ibon

27. Ingay na likha ng paggiling ng palay 30. Tanggal 33. Lilo 35. Galit 36. Tayamutam 37. Nganga 38. Kalansing 40. Alisan ng balat o tanggalan ng balat

CLASSIFIED ADS

42. Burak 43. Naaaninaw 44. Bumerang 45. Kainin ng anay 46. Bilang 49. Asukal 53. Bagaso 57. Halap (Ang sagot ay matutunghayan sa susunod na isyu ng Chronicle)

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