VOL 38 NO 30 | JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

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VOL 38 NO 30 JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

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FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM 8

37 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Chinese American veterans honored at last Photo courtesy of Ed Gor

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

The team that lobbied Congress, from left: Ed Gor, past national president of C.A.C.A., Wilson Lee, C.A.C.A. Boston Lodge, Kristin Lee, policy analyst, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI), Maj. Gen. (ret) Robert G.F. Lee, Chair of the CGM Design Committee, Cdr. (ret) USN, Evelyn Moy, USN (ret) Alexander Cha

API defenders of affirmative action try to persuade opponents

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Facing a referendum that could overturn a new affirmative action law, prominent Asian Pacific Islander (API) Democrats defended the law to the group of new Chinese immigrants that oppose it.

Affirmative action is a legal requirement to give marginalized groups encouragement and in some cases advantages in education and business to redress past and current discrimination and oppression in order to create a level playing field.

While the history of affirmative action is fraught with highly charged political struggle, today 61 percent of Americans support it, according to a recent Gallup poll.

Speaking at a briefing at China Harbor on July 10, former governor Gary Locke, state Rep. Sharon Tomiko

Dr. Leana Wen

see I-1000 on 16

NEW YORK (AP) — Planned Parenthood’s president has been forced out of her job after only eight months as the organization faces unprecedented challenges related to its role as the leading abortion provider in the United States.

Dr. Leana Wen said in a statement posted on Twitter on July 16 that she had “philosophical differences” with the new chairs of Planned Parenthood’s board regarding abortion politics. see WEN on 14

■

see CACA on 16

Photo by Mahlon Meyer

Planned Parenthood president Leana Wen forced out after 8 months

The oldest Asian American civil rights organization in the country is spearheading an effort to award Chinese American World War II veterans and their families Congressional Gold Medals. It is a way to honor their devotion to a country that, at the time, discriminated against them and other Asian Americans.

The awarding of the medals, which required intense lobbying of Congress and which will take place in spring of next year, also comes at a time when many veterans in general are discouraged with their healthcare.

“When people get excited about the little things, they have the confidence to take on greater things,” said Ed Gor, former president of Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA), which was established in 1895.

Still, enabling Chinese American

veterans to receive Congressional Gold Medals is hardly a small matter.

While other Asian Pacific Islander groups have lobbied for and received medals, it took Gor years of keen observation, investigation, and lobbying to make it happen.

As president of CACA, from 2013 to 2017, he found that many Chinese American World War II veterans paid their dues, but did not come to meetings.

His own father was a World War II veteran, maintaining engines for P-40 airplanes used by the Flying Tigers that helped protect China, and he was curious.

He found that many aging veterans had joined CACA in the first place because they had been excluded at the time from joining the American Legion due to their race.

Now even at their advanced age, they still worked long hours, 12 to 14 hours a day, as small business owners or grocers, and

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, former governor Gary Locke, and former Seattle City council member Martha Choe speak about I-1000.

Andy Chan dies

Former owner of Sun Ya Restaurant

Andy Chan and wife, Shang

A memorial service will be held on July 21 for Andy Chan, who passed away on July 10.

Chan was born on October 27, 1946 in Toi Shan, Canton, China. He immigrated to Hong Kong, attended college in Alberta, Canada, and moved to the United States in the early 1970s.

Chan opened up a restaurant at Seatac Mall, called Peking Express in the late 1980s. He sold that business in 1995 and took over ownership of Sun Ya Seafood Restaurant in Seattle’s

Chinatown. That restaurant has since sold twice and is now known as Ocean Star.

He died on July 10, at the age of 72, surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his wife and three children. A July 21 memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. in Sunset Hill Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Bellevue.

The following is a eulogy prepared by Chan’s daughter, Cynthia. see CHAN on 15

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37 YEARS

JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS

Sculpture Garden, part of the Smithsonian Institution. At the Hirshhorn, Yang led a national and global fundraising initiative, increasing both awareness and involvement in the museum beyond its Washington, D.C. home.

She also previously led the membership program at the New York Philharmonic.

Yang received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Violin Performance. She will begin her new post in August. 

Photo by Assunta Ng

Nora Chan gets Citizen Award

Pig roast

The Seattle Police Department (SPD)’s West Precinct Community Police Team presented Nora Chan with its 2019 Outstanding Citizen Award on July 11.

“This is in appreciation for her helping SPD in a meaningful way that resulted in an enhanced SPD understanding and ability to deal with issues of community concern. Nora has consistently made herself available to myself and other officers as a liaison between and a voice for businesses in the CID,” said Officer Carry Godeke in an email.

Chan founded Seniors in Action Foundation in 2006 to promote civic involvement and community service among the seniors in the Chinatown International District. 

Maria Kanakis Yang joins Seattle Symphony

Maria Kanakis Yang

Seattle Symphony President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan announced on July 10 that Maria Kanakis Yang will join the organization as Vice President of Development.

Most recently, Yang was Director of Advancement at the Hirshhorn Museum and

Community Employees Integrity Service

Photo by George Liu

Nora Chan holding her award with SPD Capt. Thomas Mahaffey.

Bill Lee (left) and Marcus Clark were in charge of roasting the pig

Dozens of people turned out for the 44th Annual Pig Roast in the Danny Woo Garden on July 12 and 13.

The food was donated by CID businesses. Some guests brought a dish to share. Pork and rice and vegetarian options were served on July 13.

The annual summer event, organized by InterIm, celebrates 44 years of community resource and 44 years of the pig roast. 

Dancing til Dusk

Northwest Asian Weekly staff members spotted people dancing on July 11 at Hing Hay Park. It was part of Dancing til Dusk 2019—13 summer evenings of music, free dance lessons and dancing in downtown Seattle parks.

The first hour is a beginning dance lesson—you don’t need to have any experience or even a partner.

Saigon Park design

Seattle Parks and Recreation partnered with the Little Saigon community on July 14 to host a barbecue and design review for the new park in the Little Saigon neighborhood.

Community members got the opportunity to provide final input on the project, and learn about the construction timeline. The new park will be located across from Lam’s Seafood Market at 1224 South King Street.

The proposed design by Murase Associates includes an informal open lawn event/ performance space, play area, a ramp with seating opportunities, and a plaza on the Jackson Street side. 

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Participants enjoyed live music from Curley Taylor and his band, Zydeco Trouble from Louisiana on July 11 and Sean Donovan gave the dance lesson. He has been on faculty with Northwest Dance Network since 2004.

For information on future Dancing til Dusk opportunities, go to danceforjoy.biz/dancingtildusk. 

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YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

asianweekly northwest

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Baybayin script still alive in app

By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Christopher Castillo

Growing up in the Central District of Seattle, Christopher Castillo came upon a play about the Filipino Revolution at the Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center. The play’s program included “curious characters,” which spurred Castillo’s interest. It led to a phone app that has gained a swell of popularity.

The characters were written in Baybayin, a well-known ancient script of the Philippines, mainly used by those speaking the Tagalog dialect. It is an indigenous indic that pre-dates the Spanish rule over the islands. Fortunately, the ancient script has been preserved throughout the years, enabling the passage of the script to go from one generation to another.

Two sets of documents have been preserved.

There is extensive documentation made by the Spanish, which were preserved by the Spaniards in their native language. Then there are archival documents showing the original handwriting of the script from as far back as the 1600s. The term baybayin literally means “to spell, write, and, syllabilize,” in Tagalog.

There has been an effort to preserve the script as one of the last bastions of Filipino history without Spanish influence.

Years after watching the play, Castillo came across a feature article in Pilipinas Magazine about the script. Wanting to know about this part of Filipino culture, Castillo kept track of

the script.

Castillo went on to Mercer Island High School and Bellevue Community College.

He then went on to work in the software industry as an IT project manager.

Through his vocation, he was able to write computer programs. During the early days of the internet, Castillo came across a website with information on the Baybayin script, in which you could download the font.

Castillo decided that he could write an application to provide a keyboard, in which users could type out Baybayin

script.

“I just did it just to do it,” said Castillo of writing the application. He says it took him a weekend to come up with the majority of the app. He released it and it received a lot of coverage on blogs.

“It was interesting to see the amount of downloads,” Castillo said, who charges $1.99 for its use. The coverage gave Castillo’s app publicity and drew many to purchase his app. Although it’s been five years since its debut, he releases updates see BAYBAYIN on 15

Hail Mary in Tagalog written in Latin Alphabet and Baybayin, from the Doctrina Cristiana 1593

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asianweekly northwest

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JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

37 YEARS

■ NATIONAL NEWS

Investigators: Restaurant fires caused by sushi ingredient

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Madison Fire Department says the spontaneous combustion of a sushi ingredient is being blamed for two separate restaurant fires.

Authorities tell Wisconsin Public Radio that an April 5 fire at Sumo Steakhouse and Sushi Bar and another May 10

at the Takara Japanese Restaurant both started after deepfried tempura flakes caught on fire.

The ingredient is used to add crunch to some sushi rolls.

But heat generated from the process can build to the point that the crunchy, cooked batter can ignite.

Authorities say surveillance footage and other evidence confirmed the source at the Sumo restaurant.

Fire investigator Kara Nelson says her department is seeking to get the word out to prevent future sushi fires. 

Number of Chinese visitors to Alaska growing in recent years

Hawaii protesters vow ‘prolonged struggle’ against telescope

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska is a tourism destination for a growing number of visitors from China.

The Anchorage Daily News reports Alaska received relatively little notice from Chinese travelers until recent years.

The number of Chinese visitors has jumped because of social media and increasing interest in winter tourism tied to the Aurora borealis.

State figures show an estimated 5,000 Chinese travelers visited Alaska in 2016, compared with 2,000 in 2011.

MAUNA KEA, Hawaii (AP) — Protesters vowed to continue demonstrating against the construction of a giant telescope on top of a mountain some Native Hawaiians consider sacred after they spent the day blocking the road to the project site.

About a dozen elders, or kupuna, sat in chairs at the start of the road on July 15, committed to being arrested if need be.

Another eight shackled themselves to each other over a grate in the road.

They acted after state officials announced they would close the road to the summit of

A similar count has not been attempted since then, but travel industry representatives estimate at least 10,000 Chinese travelers visited the state in 2018.

Sarah Leonard, executive director of the Alaska Travel Industry Association, says “China is definitely the emerging market right now.’’

Minghui Dong, a Beijing nurse and tour guide, says through an interpreter that Alaska left a “beautiful impression’’ on her. 

Mauna Kea so they could begin bringing equipment to the construction site in the coming days.

The confrontation was a dramatic start to what could be weeks or more of protests pitting scientific discovery against cultural preservation and indigenous rights.

“We understand that this is going to be a prolonged struggle,’’ said Kaho’okahi Kanuha, one of the protest leaders. He said he was confident the telescope wouldn’t be see TELESCOPE on 15

YOUR VOICE

■ WORLD NEWS

JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

asianweekly northwest

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China billionaire reportedly arrested over child molestation BEIJING (AP) — Prosecutors in Shanghai have formally arrested two people over child molestation allegations, with state media identifying one as a prominent real estate developer.

The case has received prominent coverage in state media, including on national broadcaster CCTV on July 11, highlighting what is believed to be a widespread but underreported crime affecting millions of children in China.

A brief notice on the Shanghai prosecutor’s office’s microblog said the Putuo district branch had ordered the formal arrest on July 10 of two people, identified only by their surnames, Wang and Zhou.

The official Communist Party newspaper Global Times identified Wang as Wang Zhenhua, formerly chairman of Seazen, one of China’s largest developers. The company

announced that Wang’s son Wang Xiaosong had been appointed chairman in his place after the father resigned “for personal reasons.’’

That announcement came on the same day that Shanghai police reported Wang and Zhou had been detained and an investigation opened into allegations that a girl had been molested at a hotel in Shanghai.

Police cited the girl’s mother as saying that Zhou, 49, had taken her daughter from Jiangsu province to Shanghai on June 30. Zhou surrendered to police on July 2, a day after Wang, 57, was placed under investigation.

The Shanghai city’s official government advisory body announced it had expelled Wang Zhenhua, depriving him of political connections that could affect any future prosecution.

On its website, Seazen issued a lengthy apology that said

in part, “We, just like the public, believe that minors are the future. Anything that harms a minor is a severe offense.

Seazen absolutely supports and agrees with the authorities in handling this case.’’

Child molestation can be punished by up to 5 years in prison, although longer sentences can be issued for additional charges. Chinese media in recent years have reported cases of children being attacked by teachers, relatives and neighbors, although a reluctance to report such incidents by children and their family members, and a lack of resources for conducting investigations, have limited prosecutions to just a few thousand cases per year Among the most vulnerable are the estimated 69 million children left with grandparents or other relatives in rural areas after their parents move to cities to find work. 

Philippine leader signs law punishing sexual harassment

By JIM GOMEZ ASSOCIATED PRESS MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine president has signed a bill into law penalizing a range of acts of sexual harassment including catcalling, wolf-whistling and persistent telling of sexual jokes, which pro-women’s groups have accused him of committing.

On July 15, Philippine officials released a copy of

Republic Act 11313, known as the “Safe Spaces Act,’’ which Duterte signed in April. The reason for the delay in its public release was not immediately clear.

The bill’s main author, opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros, has called the law a “massive victory’’ against a growing culture of rude sexist actions.

“This is a big victory and a major push back against the growing ‘rude culture’ in our streets and communities,’’ Hontiveros said. “With this law, we will reclaim our streets

In loving memory of Andy Chan Kwan Chan was born on October 27, 1946 in Toi Shan, Canton, China. He immigrated to Hong Kong in 1954 with his mother and brother, where he finished up his primary, secondary, and high school education. For college, he attended a college in Alberta, Canada where he obtained a degree in chemical engineering.

In the early 1970s, Kwan moved to the United States. He began his life in the United States serving in the army as a combat engineer. Through this time, he was able to travel to Europe and gain citizenship in the United States. Not long after being discharged, he met his wife, Shang Chan in Seattle, Washington. He later went on to go further in his studies at the University of Washington and obtained a Master of Economics. Soon after, he had his first daughter, Anita.

To support himself and his family, he worked as a waiter and bartender at South China Dolls.

Kwan was called by his older

brother to open up a restaurant in the Tri-Cities in the early 1980s. It was there that his son, Kenny, was born. Eventually, Kwan decided to return back to Seattle in the late 1980s and opened up a restaurant at Seatac Mall, called Peking Express. In 1990, his last daughter, Cynthia, was born. He decided to sell the business in 1995 and took over ownership of Sun Ya Seafood Restaurant in Seattle, Washington. He became a big part of the Chinatown community and did not retire until 20 years later.

Kwan Chan passed away peacefully on July 10th, 2019 at the age of 72. He was surrounded by friends and family until his last breath. Memorial service will be held on July 21, 2019 at 11:00 am in Sunset Hill Memorial Park and Funeral Home ( 1215 145th Pl SE, Bellevue, WA 98007).

Thank you for all of your thoughts and support. He will be forever and dearly missed. Thank you and God bless.

from sexual harassers and gender bigots and make public spaces safe for all.’’

The law defines a range of offensive acts, including catcalling, wolf-whistling, intrusive gazing, cursing, misogynistic acts, sexist slurs and persistent telling of sexual jokes in public, including in streets, workplaces, vehicles, schools, recreational areas, bars or online. see LAW on 13

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JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

37 YEARS

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR JUL 18 ALI WONG: THE MILK & MONEY TOUR Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle 7-10 p.m. stgpresents.org RVC’S FELLOWS GRADUATION New Holly Gathering Hall, 7054 32nd Ave. S., Seattle 5-8:30 p.m. rainiervalleycorps.org JAMFEST 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle 5-9 p.m. wingluke.org MAYNARD ALLEY PARTY Maynard Alley, 670 S. King St., Seattle 5-8 p.m.

HAPPY HOUR FOOD WALK Seattle’s Chinatown-ID 4-7 p.m.

REDMOND MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E., Bellevue 5:30-8:30 p.m. cisc-seattle.org

20 2019 SEATTLE BON ODORI Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple, 1427 S. Main St., Seattle 4-8 p.m.

FOOD TRUCK FEST 2019 Wright Park, 501 S. I St., Tacoma 12-8 p.m. metroparkstacoma.org BITE OF SEATTLE 2019 Seattle Center 11 a.m.-7 p.m. biteofseattle.com

RAGIN’ VIET-CAJUN Pho Bac Sup Shop, 1240 S. Jackson St., Seattle 12 p.m.-12 a.m. vietcajunseattle.bpt.me BOOK SIGNING WITH AUTHOR NOLEN LEE, “PANDA IS STILL FAT “ Kinokuniya Seattle, 525 S. Weller St., Seattle 1 p.m.

20 & 21 NATSU MATSURI OUTDOOR SUMMER FESTIVAL Uwajimaya, 5th Ave., Seattle 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

21 SEAFAIR CHINATOWN PARADE Seattle’s C-ID 7 p.m.

23 REFLECT & REMEMBER DONNIE CHIN VIGIL Canton Alley 8 p.m. donniechin.vigil@gmail.com 206-838-8713

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27 & 28

CRAZY WOKE ASIANS’ FIRST TOUR Unexpected Productions, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle $20-$25 https://bit.ly/2JWTN59 crazywokeasians@gmail.com

ETHNIC FEST Wright Park, 501 S. I St., Tacoma 12 p.m.

25 CRAZY WOKE ASIANS’ FIRST TOUR Laughs Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way N.E., Seattle 8-9:30 p.m. $15-$20 https://bit.ly/2JNIBY7 crazywokeasians@gmail.com

26 CRAZY WOKE ASIANS’ FIRST TOUR Jai Thai Comedy, 235 Broadway E., Seattle 9-10:30 p.m. $15-$20 https://bit.ly/2SmSFv9 crazywokeasians@gmail.com

30 RAINIER VALLEY HIRING FAIR Rainier Community Service Office, 3600 S. Graham St., Seattle 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. rainiervalleyhiringfair. eventbrite.com

AUG

27 2019 WRBT BON ODORI FESTIVAL White River Buddhist Temple, 3625 Auburn Way N., Auburn 4-9:30 p.m.

SAAFF’S C-ID SUMMER CINEMA SERIES Hing Hay Park 7:30 p.m.

Full schedule at seattleaaff.org/2019

5 19TH ANNUAL KIN ON GOLF TOURNAMENT Washington National Golf Club, 14330 SE Husky Way, Auburn 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. kinon.secure.force.com

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BAMBOO CIRCLE CELEBRATION Seattle Chinese Garden, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., Seattle 5 p.m.

RSVP to info@ seattlechinesegarden.org 206-934-5219

FROM HIROSHIMA TO HOPE Green Lake, Seattle 6-9:30 p.m.

26, 27, 28 2 BELLEVUE ART FAIR 2019 Bellevue Square & Bellevue Arts Museum 9:30 a.m. bellevuearts.org

3, 10, 17, 24

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PING PONG TOURNAMENT Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle 2-5:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

3 CID BLOCK PARTY 2019 Seattle’s C-ID 3-9 p.m. cidblockparty.com

DA 4TH ANNUAL SPANAWAY ISLAND FEST Sprinker Recreation Center, 14824 C St. S., Tacoma 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

HELLO KITTY CAFE TRUCK WEST Westfield Southcenter, 2800 Southcenter Mall, Seattle 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

11 SCAC CITY SERVE DAY Dearborn Park International School, 2820 S. Orcas St., Seattle 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

View the solution on page 14

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YOUR VOICE

■ AT THE MOVIES

JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

asianweekly northwest

7

‘Stuber’ is a delightful old school-style buddy cop comedy (with three Asian American leads!)

YOU’LL ALSO SEE A PENIS

By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Y’all, “Stuber” did not get good reviews at all, and it also bombed at the box office over the weekend.

Which is a terrible shame because this Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista team-up is utterly wonderful!

Nanjiani plays Stu, a retail store employee and an Uber driver (the eponymous “Stuber”) who is in love with his female best friend and business partner.

Bautista plays Vic, a tough-as-nails-to-the-point-ofbeing-foolhardy cop who was deeply traumatized on the job and handles the trauma by just suppressing the crap out of his feelings.

In the movie’s opening, Vic gets Lasik surgery for his eyesight and then spends most of the rest of the movie legally blind. He can’t drive, which is why he calls an Uber — Stu! — and together, they spend the remainder of the movie tracking down and stopping a super bad guy, Oka Teijo, played by Indonesian actor and stunt choreographer Iko Uwais. This means that, OMG, three of the lead roles in this Hollywood action-comedy flick are inhabited by actors of Asian descent. (Bautista is half Filipino.) This is a big deal!

“Stuber” has all of the underpinnings of a late ’80s, early ’90s buddy cop comedy. Vic is the wizen curmudgeonly man’s man who can probably bench press a million pounds, who’d rather take a bullet to the gut than talk about his feelings. Stu is the fish out of water ingenue who is constantly in disbelief at the action-packed events that are happening around them, who can’t stop emoting and talking about his feelings.

There is a fond sort of nostalgia for those of us who

grew up watching Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte solve crimes together. “Stuber” is really violent, for one. It’s full of car chases, fist fights, huge explosions — as well as a quick visit to a strip club. But “Stuber” is also an interesting update on the genre, kind of always selfaware as it marches its story forward.

Sometimes, it feels a little skeevy to watch the movies we loved so much when we were younger — movies made before #metoo and before we elected a racist maniac as president. I often refrain from watching my very favorite movies because I know that they haven’t aged well and that there are probably loads of problematic things in them — like casual sexual harassment in the workplace and a great tolerance for villianizing people who look like they could be from the Middle East.

“Stuber” has an awareness of this and does a few genre-subverting things. Like, Stu and Vic go to a male strip club to shake a source down for information, for instance. Rather than see the nude female body a whole bunch, we are treated to some male full-frontal nudity. see STUBER on 13

Washington employers: Report and submit premiums

by August 31.

Phuong Tran, Owner, Lava Java

Employers of all sizes – including small businesses – are part of the new Paid Family & Medical Leave program. Is your company ready for the August 31 deadline?

Learn more at paidleave.wa.gov/reporting

asianweekly northwest

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37 YEARS

JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

Foster Grandparent Program Intergenerational and cultural exchanges

In order to help preserve the culture of intergenerational relationships and increase cultural awareness, the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) helps build connections between kids and the elderly.

According to the Serve Washington website, the FGP began in 1965 and provides loving and experienced tutors and mentors to children and youth with special needs. There is currently only one FGP in Washington state.

Adelheid Arbogast, coordinating director of FGP of Homage Senior Services, compared FGP to the mentoring program that Big Brothers Big Sisters provides, but instead of meeting at people’s homes, the volunteers meet at schools and daycares. The program is funded by a federal grant through Homage Senior Services, an organization that promotes independence, preserves dignity, and enhances the quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities.

There are several Chinese-speaking volunteers who provide support to the kids.

“Our American culture is slowly losing that multigenerational family situation, so we love that we can introduce this to schools, programs, and daycares to have volunteers be there with the kids. Infants and toddlers have a lot of emotion and they need that extra attention,” Arbogast explained.

She said that most of their Chinese volunteers work in the infant and toddler centers to help with supervision and play time. The staff also benefits from the program because the foster grandparents can act as an extra set of hands and eyes to care for the kids.

“They’re there to help, but also to give attention and care, as well as provide international and intergenerational experience that a lot of kids may not have access to,” Arbogast said.

Volunteering with FGP Currently, there are about 30 volunteers in King and Snohomish counties. Staff provides two hours of training each month.

Homage Senior Services is actively seeking volunteers to help with the program.

Volunteers must be 55 or older and in the low-income bracket. They must commit to eight hours or more a week, and they can work at whichever center they prefer. They can also volunteer for up to 40 hours per week. They also earn a stipend of $2.65 an hour.

The great thing about the stipend is that they earn it for any time spent volunteering, including orientations, trainings, or monthly meetings, and the amount isn’t taxable, Arbogast said.

Photo provided by Kate Gavigan of Homage Senior Services

By Nina Huang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

see FGP on 13

■ BRIEFLY S King St neighborhood greenway construction

The Seattle Department of Transportation is installing a neighborhood greenway on South King Street, from 5th Avenue South to 18th Avenue South, to enhance safety for people walking and biking.

The work is expected to take place in mid-July, depending on weather conditions and coordination with nearby

private and public construction.

During construction, expect intermittent parking, vehicle, and bike lane restrictions. Some sidewalk work may require detours.

Normal work hours will be between 7 a.m.– 5 p.m,. Monday through Friday, with some night and weekend work. 

YOUR VOICE

■ AT THE MOVIES

JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

asianweekly northwest

9

“The Third Wife”

A Vietnamese tale of duty, sacrifice, and strength

By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Ash Mayfair, born and raised in Vietnam and schooled in film at New York University, chose a story from her own family tree for her striking debut feature, “The Third Wife.” Her own great-grandmother was one of several wives to her great-grandfather.

While not, strictly speaking, a true story, the film takes inspiration from that story, and that era, during the 19th century. It becomes a meditation on what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what lasts.

May, the main character, is played by a young lady named Nguyen Phuong Tra My. As the film opens, we see her situation: She’s been married off into a rich family, and she’s the third bride to a much older man. Although she’s not much more than a child herself, she’s expected to serve this man, cater to him in bed, and most importantly, bear him at least one male child.

As she adjusts to her new life, she learns the rules. Her husband (Le Vu Long) has his own customs and his own expectations—a male child is only one of many. The oldest wife (Nu Yên-Khê Tran) gave her husband a male heir. The second wife (Mai Thu Huong Maya) has only birthed daughters, so far, which leaves her in a precarious position.

May does what she can to conform.

But gradually, because everything in this film happens gradually, she discovers a few things about her circumstances, and herself. She will try to do her duty as a wife. But she conceals a rebellious nature, even if that doesn’t seem to have any way to break through.

And her heart does not lie with her husband at all. Her heart lies in a dangerous place, one that could eventually destroy more than one life.

■ BRIEFLY Donnie Chin vigil

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

A vigil to remember Donnie Chin will be held on July 23, four years after he was murdered. Hosted by the Chin family, International District Emergency Center (IDEC), and the Wing Luke Museum, the vigil will take place at Canton Alley at 8 p.m.

In 2015, Chin was killed suddenly in the early hours by gunfire between two rival gangs. The case remains unsolved.

The vigil will provide an opportunity for community members to gather and remember Chin, to mourn, and to share

their stories.

Chin, considered by many to be a community hero, founded IDEC 51 years ago in 1968. IDEC grew over the years, but Chin was always its cornerstone and he brought a sense of safety and stability.

People were accustomed to seeing him run by in his khaki uniform and first aid kit. Chin saved hundreds of lives over his decades of service, and was usually the first person residents and business owners called when they needed help.

Organizers say Chin was not fond of candles, and they are encouraging vigil participants to bring glow sticks or electronic candles instead. If you do bring wax candles, organizers request that these be carried inside jars, mugs, or cups to minimize wax drip and fire risk.  For more information, contact Jamie Lee at Donniechin.vigil@gmail.com or call 206-838-8713.

But try as she might to toe the line, she can’t deny what she feels inside.

The film is hardly brazen or blazing.

Watching it casually, you might think not very much happens at all. Mayfair, working adroitly with female cinematographer Chananun Chotrungroj, and with awardwinning director Tran Anh Hung as adviser, finds Vietnam a perpetually gorgeous place. Sometimes the trees, skies, foliage, and rushing water distract from May’s

discreet struggle. Sometimes they reinforce what the humans go through. Like human lives, nature cycles. The living landscape dies in time, then become reborn. Birth comes, and the pain and the urgency birth brings, against the impassivity of all else.

Quiet moments, loud moments. Insects and animals struggle to be born, to live, to find a place in the grand design.

Except, of course, that by conventional wisdom at least, animals and insects, plants and trees, cannot push back against their nature, cannot push back against what they’re given. May, taking stock of her situation, might have that power. But what will she choose?

The director/writer points out in interviews that arranged marriages for young females still exist the world over.

She’s quite right, and that’s a situation that needs changing.

But artistically, she’s gone beyond politics and culture. She’s authoritatively painted a life. A small life. But a full and rich life, with its own dignity. Its own worth. Its own fire.  “The Third Wife” opens July 26 at the SIFF Cinema Uptown. For prices, showtimes, and other information, visit siff.net/year-round-cinema/the-third-wife.

Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

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37 YEARS

JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

■ AT THE MOVIES

In ‘The Farewell,’ a family drama straddling East and West

By JAKE COYLE AP FILM WRITER NEW YORK (AP) — Film director Lulu Wang knew her pitch for “The Farewell’’ was unconventional.

She wanted to make an autobiographical drama about the time when, in 2013, her family learned that her grandmother in China, affectionately called Nai Nai, had stage 4 lung cancer and was given three months to live. The grim diagnosis was kept from Nai Nai, a somewhat common approach to death and dying in China.

Wang, whose family had moved from Beijing to Florida when she was 6, had doubts. Still, she reluctantly went along with the well-intended deceit, flying back for a cousin’s wedding hurried along as an excuse to reunite the family before Nai Nai was expected to die.

Wang first told the story for a 2016 episode of “This American Life.’’ She envisioned a movie about grief and identity and family, riven with cultural and ethical divides between East and West, parent and child, set largely in her grandmother’s hometown of Changchun in northeastern China.

“When I was first pitching it, it’s almost like you want to start by saying, ‘I know this sounds crazy, but I want to make an American film—meaning tonally American, American financed—that’s like 100% Asian or American-Asian cast and 75% in Mandarin with subtitles. Cool, right? Green light? Where’s the money?’’’

Wang recalls, laughing.

And yet “The Farewell’’ not only eventually got a green light (“About a Boy’’ producer Chris Weitz happened to hear that “This American Life’’ episode), but after Wang unveiled it earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, it sparked a bidding war. On a wave of teary-eyed responses from moviegoers and raves from critics, “The Farewell’’ emerged as one of the breakthroughs in American independent cinema this year. Even if the movie still eludes classification for some.

“People are like, ‘Is it an American film?

Is it a Chinese film?’ It’s an American film as much as I am American,’’ Wang, who lives in Los Angeles, said in an interview in early June.

“The Farewell’’ released in select theaters on July 12, stars Nora Lum (aka Awkwafina) as Billi, a stand-in for Wang. One of the costars, Nai Nai’s sister Hong Lu, plays herself.

Several of the locations are where Wang’s family drama actually played out. Wang’s parents visited the set, as did (spoiler alert) the real Nai Nai, who at 86 has far outlived her original prognosis but remains in the dark about her family’s 2013 scheme.

“She would come to set but she didn’t really know what we were doing so we had to kind of protect her,’’ says Lum. “It was like ‘The Farewell’ in real life.’’

“It’s very meta,’’ Wang grants.

As personal as “The Farewell’’ is to Wang, it has been deeply felt by a broad spectrum of viewers who see in it a reflection of the harmony and discord that hum through families. Wang captures the tender, bittersweet relationship between Billi and her grandmother, and, with wide lenses, the celebrations and pains of the extended family. “I wanted to put the grief and the humor all in one frame,’’ says Wang.

The movie has special resonance for

many Asian Americans who see in “The Farewell’’ not just characters and faces seldom found on American screens, but a recognizable familial world that straddles borders. That’s especially true for Lum, who was raised in Queens, New York, by her grandmother after her mother, a South Korean immigrant, died when she was 4.

“When the script came to me, it was called ‘Grandma’ and it was about this very special relationship between a girl and her grandmother that I never thought I would see in a movie—especially one that was Asian American and so close to home,’’ says Lum. “I had to do this for my grandmother.’’

This was before Lum’s breakout performance in last year’s “Crazy Rich Asians,’’ and Wang grants that the “rappercomedian-influencer I knew from music videos like `My Vag’’’ wasn’t the obvious choice for such a dramatic role. But she was convinced by a self-taped audition that Lum, who had to improve her Mandarin for the part, could skillfully render Billi’s conflicted emotions with subtlety.

“I wanted the part so bad,’’ says Lum. “I hired a voice coach and everything.’’

Lum’s initial fears about things like crying on camera quickly receded once she was in China for the production.

“There’s a lot of questions that come up when you do a movie like this about your own identity, going back home, what is home. Am I Asian there? Am I not Asian enough? Am I not American enough?’’ says Lum. “These are questions that every Asian American or any dash-American struggles with their whole life.’’

Wang has witnessed the emotional responses her film has engendered. In one instance, she recalls seeing audience members hand tissues to a young, sobbing Asian American man.

“This is why we go to the movie theater.

It’s like a catharsis,’’ says Wang. “That’s kind of how I see the movie now. It’s a communal grieving of both the literal people that we love and the places and ideas that we have to let go of.’’

That belief in the power of the theatrical experience might have had something to do with Wang’s decision to accept A24’s roughly $6 million offer for the film at Sundance even though Netflix offered more than double that. (As an American Chinese co-production, her film will also have a release in China.)

At the time of the offers, she called her parents. They had flown to Utah for the premiere. (After the credits rolled, Wang’s dad could be heard throughout the theater declaring, “Pretty good!’’) Wang, whose 2014 debut “Posthumous’’ didn’t find distribution, was prepared for an argument. But her mother encouraged her to look after “her baby.’’

“I said, ‘I want to go with A24. I think that

they’ll treat the film in a way that will give the film a longer life, a better life,’’’ says Wang. “In many ways I was really proud of myself. You can ask yourself that question on principle but until you’re in that situation you never know what you’re going to do. It was in that moment where I realized I don’t care about that. That’s not how I value my life.’’ 

JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

YOUR VOICE

■ EDITORIAL

asianweekly northwest

11

House denounces Trump for racist tweets Two days after Donald Trump tweeted that four congressmen of color should “go back” to their home countries, the Democratic-led House passed a resolution—240-187—condemning the president for his “racist comments.”

The measure, the first House rebuke of a president in more than 100 years, passed on the night on July 16 nearly along party lines.

Despite a lobbying effort by Trump and party leaders for a unified GOP front, four Republicans voted to condemn his remarks: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Fred Upton of Michigan, Will Hurd of Texas, and Susan Brooks of Indiana, who is retiring. Also backing the measure was Michigan’s independent Rep. Justin Amash, who left the GOP this month after becoming the party’s sole member of Congress to back a Trump impeachment inquiry.

Trump’s criticism was aimed at four freshman Democrats who have garnered attention since their arrival in January for their outspoken liberal views and thinly veiled distaste for Trump: Ocasio-Cortez and Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. All were born in the United States except for Omar, who came as a child after fleeing Somalia with her family.

The four-page Democratic resolution said that Trump’s comments “legitimized and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of color.” It said Trump’s slights “do not belong in Congress or in the United States of America.”

Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence,

said “I don’t think that the president’s intent in any way is racist,” pointing to Trump’s decision to choose Elaine Chao, who was born outside the country, as his transportation secretary. Chao is one of the few minorities among the largely white and male aides in high-profile roles in Trump’s administration. She is the wife of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who declined comment on Trump’s attacks.

Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, called Trump’s comments “utterly beneath the office of the president.”

“The fact that he has since doubled down on these comments is appalling and only serves to embolden white supremacists and sow division in our country,” said Chu. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who co-authored the resolution, said, “Let me remind you that dissent is patriotic and, in fact, a core value to our democracy, enshrined in our Constitution. And yes, I am a proud naturalized citizen born in India, a proud patriot, a proud person who belongs in this country. And it’s not the first time I’ve heard ‘go back to your own country,’ but it is the first time I have heard it coming from the White House.”

Jayapal is among 29 members of the House and Senate born abroad. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Democrat of Hawaii, was born in Japan.

We applaud the House of Representatives for standing up to Trump, and the four Republicans who refused to toe the line. We invite all Americans to join in, in rejecting Trump’s message of hate and division. 

■ LETTER

Concerns about SPS cabinet representation Dear Superintendent Juneau: On behalf of the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition (APDC), thank you again for coming to our meeting this past April.

The members appreciated meeting you, the sharing of your vision for education in Seattle Schools, and the District’s strategic plan to achieve excellence for all students, especially our students of color.

During this meeting, we asked about Asian and Pacific Islander (API) representation on your leadership team, specifically on your cabinet. You told us that although there was no API representation on your cabinet, Kyle Kinoshita served in a leadership capacity as an executive director. We expressed our strong concern that your leadership team, especially your cabinet, should reflect the demography of the diverse students and families served by the District.

We just learned that Kyle is retiring this summer and we truly thank him for his years of service. His API community ties are deep and wide and we have felt fortunate that, in many ways, he represented our community in District leadership. With his departure, however, we understand there will be just one API remaining at the District leadership level. We are alarmed by this, especially in the context of learning that many administrators of color have left the District, feeling marginalized, tokenized, or excluded. We also understand that although new positions and promotions are taking place, it appears from the outside that Seattle Public Schools is not an environment that retains, develops, or

advances leaders of color. Asian students make up approximately 13% of the student population, and Pacific Islanders .04%, possibly higher for both of these groups if we include multiracial students.

As the third largest racial group and for Pacific Islanders greatly disadvantaged by

systemic racism, authentic and community connected leadership is important.

We sincerely request that you will increase the number of APIs in the District’s upper leadership levels. We feel that it is crucial to have our API community reflected in those positions. We look forward to hearing from

you that meaningful progress is being made in a timely manner.

Thank you.  — Janice Deguchi APDC Chair

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asianweekly northwest

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JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

37 YEARS

■ NATIONAL NEWS

Medicare moving toward covering acupuncture for back pain WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare says it’s moving toward potentially covering acupuncture for chronic low back pain as an alternative to opioid painkillers that can become addictive.

The agency announced its initial decision on July 15.

For now, access will be limited to seniors signed up in government-approved clinical studies. Medicare says

more evidence is needed before broad approval can be considered.

A cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is believed to be thousands of years old.

Trained practitioners insert thin needles at predetermined trigger points in the body to relieve pain and treat various conditions.

Acupuncture has gained acceptance in the United States, but insurance coverage remains limited and patients generally pay for it themselves.

Many clinicians in Western nations remain skeptical of acupuncture, but the National Institutes of Health says research shows some pain-management benefits. 

Pepper grower awarded $23.3 million in Sriracha lawsuit

Archaeologists begin 1st excavations of Boston’s Chinatown

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury has awarded $23.3 million to a California pepper maker in a fiery battle with the manufacturer of world-famous Sriracha hot sauce.

The Los Angeles Times says jurors determined earlier this month that Huy Fong Foods breached its contract with Underwood Ranches and also committed fraud.

Underwood, based in Camarillo, was the sole supplier of chili peppers for

By WILLIAM J. KOLE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sriracha for nearly three decades until 2017, when the partnership collapsed following a financial dispute. A lawyer representing Huy Fong Foods says the Irwindale-based company will fight the decision.

The company is now sourcing its peppers from various farms in California, New Mexico, and Mexico. Craig Underwood says his farm was forced to lay off 45 people but it’s recovering and has even begun its own line of sauces. 

National Zoo: DC water dragon dies from blood cancer WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., says the first documented Asian water dragon to be born from the DNA of a single parent has died.

The Washington Post reports the zoo said that the 2-year-old female lizard died from blood cancer in mid-June. The lizard was born in 2016 through a process known as facultative parthenogenesis, which is when female creatures that can produce sexually instead produce offspring on their

own.

The lizard was hospitalized after workers found it struggling to breathe. It was later found dead.

The zoo says water dragons are native to Southeast Asia and have a life expectancy of up to 15 years. They’re named after their defensive strategy that involves submerging themselves in water and holding their breath for up to 25 minutes. 

BOSTON (AP) — Boston is literally digging its Chinatown.

On July 8, city archaeologist Joe Bagley launched the first excavations in Boston’s Chinatown, and he expects the dig to turn up artifacts that will shed new light on immigrants—not only those from China but also Syria, Ireland and England who sought new lives in Boston from 1840 to 1980.

Work began at a vacant lot near the ornate gate to the colorful neighborhood. It’s expected to continue until early autumn.

“We’re excited to conduct the first archaeological dig in Boston’s historic Chinatown,’’ said Mayor Marty Walsh.

“Boston is a city of immigrants, and this is an important piece of Boston’s history.’’

Over the years, Boston has unearthed hundreds of archaeological sites.

“Digging into Boston’s past is an see EXCAVATION on 14

KING COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for C01316C18, Enhanced Wireless Connectivity (EWC) Phase 2 - Work Order; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 1:30 PM on 08/01/2019. Late bids will not be accepted.

The work may include, but is not limited to, the labor, materials, tools and equipment required to complete interior Horizontal Ethernet cable installation, repair, and removal. Installation of RJ45 terminated Category 6A UTP (or better), wall field termination, network rack patch panels and modular cable management systems, including SYSTIMAX; and installation of supplied Wireless Access Points (WAPs) and hardware, including connecting Ethernet cable(s) to the WAPs. Estimated contract price: $600,000 Pre-Bid Conference: 07/22/2019, 9:00 am, Chinook Building, Room 118, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. A site tour will be conducted immediately following the conference. Hardhats, safety glasses, and safety boots are not required for site tour.

Voluntary Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Goal: 10% of the Contract Price Voluntary Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Goal: 6% of the Contract Price.

Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https://procurement.kingcounty.gov/procurement_ovr/ default.aspx

YOUR VOICE

■ ASTROLOGY

JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

asianweekly northwest

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Predictions and advice for the week of July 20–26, 2019

By Sun Lee Chang Rat — A passing comment could be taken far more seriously than you intended. If so, it might be necessary to clarify where you truly stand.

Dragon — Now probably isn’t the ideal time to roll out a major new initiative. Wait until conditions are a bit more favorable.

Monkey — Rather than squandering the latitude that you have been given, use it as an opportunity to show what you are capable of.

Ox — Starting to get cold feet before a major event? Solid advance preparation should mitigate some of the nervousness.

Snake — Someone is inadvertently showing you their true colors. Pay attention as it will inform whether you will be able to trust them on a delicate matter.

Rooster — Are you considering a radical change?

The effects can be lasting, so sleep on it before deciding one way or another.

Tiger — Has recent tension been taking a toll on you? Once you pull through this period, some relief should be around the corner.

Rabbit — It is best to attend an upcoming meeting with some ideas in hand. While they may not be fully adopted, it will show that you are ready to move ahead.

Horse — Your solid efforts upfront should allow you to meet your deadline with plenty of time to spare.

Goat — A glamourous sounding role could actually be very different in reality. Don’t let outside appearances deceive you.

Dog — If you are looking for problems, the chances are high that you will find them. It is prudent to discern how important those issues are in the context of the big picture.

Pig — Your hard work has put you in line for a promotion. Whether you accept will depend largely on if you want the additional responsibilities, as well as the rewards.

WHAT’S YOUR ANIMAL SIGN? RAT 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 OX 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 TIGER 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 RABBIT 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 DRAGON 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 SNAKE 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 HORSE 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 GOAT 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 MONKEY 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 ROOSTER 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 DOG 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 PIG 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.

FGP from 8 Arboghast also said that they hold recognition events twice a year to thank volunteers for their amazing work.

In the past, they’ve hosted nice meals and given out gift cards and goody bags. The volunteers chose to go on an Argosy cruise to the Tillicum Village on Blake Island for their next event.

Homage Senior Services has 28 different programs and holds additional recognition events for volunteers for all programs.

The joy of working with kids One of the volunteers, Guoju Li, 77, has been volunteering with the FGP for eight years.

Li came to the United States in 1999 from Guangzhou, China. She has a son who lives in Renton, as well as a daughter and grandson in California.

She currently lives by herself at a senior living facility,

LAW from 5 Other offenses include stalking, exposing “private parts, groping or any advances, whether verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has threatened one’s sense of personal space and physical safety.’’

Restaurants, bars, cinemas and other places of recreation are required to install clearly visible warning signs against would-be violators, including a hotline number to allow rapid reporting of offenses, and to designate an officer to receive complaints or apprehend perpetrators.

“It is the policy of the state to value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human

STUBER from 7 (I’m pretty sure this is how “Stuber” earned its R rating.)

Can I tell you — it was incredibly refreshing to see a penis in this type of movie instead of a bunch of boobs!

Car chases take place in Stu’s electric car! Stu has a real and honest conversation with a woman instead of just forcing his affection onto her! There are so many talking points and funny jokes around toxic masculinity and how unhealthy Stu thinks Vic’s emotional suppression is.

The chemistry between Bautista and Nanjiani crackles.

It’s electric. I want them to make more movies together.

I also didn’t know that Bautista was an MMA fighter and a former pro wrestler before watching “Stuber.” I didn’t realize Uwais was a martial artist. It was a really nice surprise to watch such real-looking fight scenes between two legit professionals. I winced so many times because

about 15 minutes away from Shoreline Community College, and volunteers four days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Volunteering with the kids, aged 2 to 3, is pure joy for Li. “The kids are very cute and I do this for my own happiness, and the kids love it, too,” she said in Mandarin.

Because senior citizens don’t do much if they stay at home, Li finds a lot of happiness playing with the kids and she looks forward to spending time with them every week.

There is a foster grandparent for each group of around 10 kids. According to Li, there are five Chinese volunteers in the program, including one grandpa.

“It’s nice to get out of the house and volunteer with the kids. They’re very sweet and innocent and they get very excited when they see us, too,” she said.

In particular, the kids love reading the Elephant & Piggie books.

Li explained that she prefers volunteering to staying at home and watching TV all day. Being with the kids helps to lift her spirits and the kids also benefit from her presence.

There’s a mutual exchange of happiness.

“It makes me very happy to see how excited the kids get when reading those stories,” Li said.

Li also said that the teachers and program staff are great to work with—they all respect the volunteers.

Li also explained that FGP staff conducts very thorough trainings for volunteers to teach cultural tips, how to talk to the kids, and other helpful advice when working with the kids.

In addition, the stipend has helped pay for some of Li’s travels, including a cruise to Alaska, as well as household items.

“It’s nice to receive some money, but we don’t do it for the money,” she said. 

rights,’’ the law says.

Punishments include fines and imprisonment depending on the gravity of the offense. Foreign violators would be deported after serving a jail term and paying fines.

Duterte, 74, a longtime mayor before winning the presidency in 2016, has been known for speeches laden with expletives and sexual jokes. Activists have repeatedly accused him of sexism and misogyny but supporters have defended him by saying he has introduced regulations to protect and uphold women’s rights.

Last year, Duterte publicly ordered troops to shoot female communist guerrillas in the vagina to render them “useless.’’ A left-wing human rights group, Karapatan,

reacted by saying Duterte had distinguished himself “as a frothing-in-the-mouth fascist who incites the worst violations of international humanitarian law.’’

Duterte was also criticized for kissing a married woman on the lips in front of a large Filipino audience in South Korea last year. When Duterte asked if she could explain to her husband that the action would be just a joke, she said yes, and the president leaned in and kissed her as the audience erupted in cheers.

“President Duterte acted like a feudal king who thinks that being the president is an entitlement to do anything that he pleases,’’ Hontiveros said then. 

everything looked like it hurt!

And “Stuber” is funny! It is so funny! I pretty much laughed nonstop throughout the whole thing. The humor is this mix between slapstick, physical humor — like watching a can of dog food hit someone’s face really hard — and really dry and deadpan delivery of tragically hilarious statements made by Nanjiani — like when Stu tells Vic he’s a bad father.

“Stuber” doesn’t ever really call attention to the ethnicities of its cast members — though it does make a few nods to race. (Stu mistakes Vic for being white, for instance, and Vic corrects him and says that he’s not white.)

For me, those nods are more than enough within a genre that is designed to be pretty colorblind.

My only quibble is that this genre inherently doesn’t know what to do with women, though it’s really clear “Stuber” made a lot of efforts toward trying to give women

stuff to do besides be a love interest. It’s handicapped by the genre, so it’s only kindaaa successful. Female actors in this movie include Karen Gillian, Mira Sorvino, Natalie Morales, and Betty Gilpin.

For non-fans of this genre, maybe wait and rent this one.

For fans of the genre and of Kumail Nanjiani’s comedic work, def see this in theaters. You’ll be glad you did because you can see an electric car burst into flames on the big screen. 

For more information on FGP or to volunteer, reach out to Adelheid Arbogast at 425-514-3188 or aarbogast@homage.org.

Nina can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

“Stuber” is playing at a theater near you. Check local listings for show times.

Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

14

EMPLOYMENT

JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

EMPLOYMENT

37 YEARS

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Wok Chef High-End Asian restaurant looking wok chef to work immediately, Little English ok, Hard working person, team work. Will pay high.

Good benefits, healthcare, vacation and bonus. Call 206-2278000.

CHINESE INFORMATION AND SERVICE CENTER is seeking a CASE MANAGER – ELDERLY CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM in Seattle, WA to assess client’s phys. & mental condition & dev. a svc care plan. Min. Req.: MA in Psych., Counseling Psych. or rel. & 6 mos. counseling or rel. exp. Travel Req. Resumes to Kevin Chan, CISC, 611 S. Lane St., Seattle, WA 98104.

Captain (3 positions) Sal: $7,562 - $10,169/mo ($43$58/hr.). Duties: Master of small passenger ferry, resp. for operating the vessel & leading emergency ops per USCG regs. Job details + appl. (incl benefits): http://kitsaptransit.appone.com/. Deadline: 4:00 PM, 8/2/19, EEO/AA

No time to pick up a newspaper? Find us online on Facebook, Twitter, and www.nwasianweekly.com

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Call 206-223-0623 and ask for John.

WEN from 1 Wen, an immigrant who fled her native China when she was 8, said that abortion is “not a political issue but a health care one.”

She said the board ended her employment at a secret meeting.

EXCAVATION from 12 exciting experience,’’ said Bagley, who has led recent excavations of an outhouse next to Paul Revere’s home and the boyhood home of civil rights activist Malcolm X. Carole Mooney, a volunteer, sifted through topsoil at the site and found pieces of porcelain, other pottery and brick. “It all helps tell the story,’’ she said.

Organizers say the property owner, residents of Chinatown, the Chinese Historical Society of New England and residents of Boston’s Syrian community are involved in the dig.

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Her departure comes as the Trump administration announced it would start enforcing new rules that ban taxpayer-funded family planning clinics referring women for abortions.

Planned Parenthood, the largest recipient of those funds, says it will not abide by those rules.

The organization thanked Wen for her service in a tweet. 

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.

In the late 1800s, the neighborhood—now popular with tourists for its restaurants and groceries—drew thousands of newcomers attracted by cheap housing and plentiful warehouse jobs in the adjacent Leather District.

Because the area was underwater until around 1830, researchers don’t expect to find much of interest prior to then, Mooney said.

But this is Boston, so you never know.

“At the Malcolm X dig, we found a cannonball,’’ she said.

“It shouldn’t have been there—we still aren’t sure how it got there—but there it was.’’ 

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JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

YOUR VOICE BAYBAYIN from 3

as new versions of the iOS comes out.

The app allows users to download a keyboard with the Baybayin symbols on it. The Baybayin Keyboard lets the user type characters on your iPhone or iPad. Castillo says that there is no Android version of the keyboard. The description of the app states that it functions as an alternate system keyboard that can be used within apps such as Messages, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. According to Castillo, many users want to learn how to spell their names in the script. It also helps preserve the history of the script and passes along the learning to another generation.

TELESCOPE from 4 built.

Astronomers are hopeful the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope will help them study the earliest moments of the universe after the Big Bang as well as identify more planets outside our solar system.

They favor Mauna Kea because the clear air and limited light pollution at its summit 13,796 feet above sea level makes it one of the world’s best locations for studying the skies. The peak is already home to about a dozen other telescopes.

But some Native Hawaiians view the summit as sacred, and say the presence of yet another telescope will further damage it.

Richard Ha, a Native Hawaiian farmer who supports the project, said he was encouraged that there seems to be some cooperation between protesters and law enforcement.

He said he sympathized with the protesters, but was hopeful construction will begin.

It can be hard for Native Hawaiians to support the telescope because they fear backlash for being perceived as opposing Hawaiian beliefs, he said.

“It’s very difficult when you have family members on different sides,’’ he said.

The project has been delayed by years of legal battles and demonstrations, drawing attention from the likes of “Aquaman’’ actor Jason Momoa, who has Native Hawaiian ancestry and has voiced opposition to the telescope.

Scientists selected Mauna Kea in 2009 after a five-year, worldwide search for the ideal site.

Protests disrupted a groundbreaking and Hawaiian blessing ceremony at the site in 2014. Attempts to begin construction in 2015 ended with arrests and crews pulling back.

Hawaii’s Supreme Court last year ruled construction would be legal. The project has permits and the state has given the company behind the telescope a green light to resume building. The company is made up of a group of universities in California and Canada, with partners from China, India, and Japan.

The telescope’s primary mirror would measure 98 feet in diameter. It would be three times as wide as the world’s largest existing visible-light telescope, with nine times more area. 

15

Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Andy Chan (left), Cynthia Chan (2nd from left), and family

sponsor cooks and waiters so that they could have a chance to immigrate to the United States. Mostly, I remember me editing and typing them out after he wrote a draft. I cannot count the many times he helped out employees and friends with translating their mail, going to doctor appointments to help translate, and teaching them how to drive.

One time I asked him why he did that, and he said to me, “It is good to give back when they have no one else they can ask. We are all

northwest

The Baybayin Keyboard has two keyboard layouts. One for a beginner and another for those that have mastered the script. The expert keyboard allows for those proficient in Baybayin to type faster and provide more flexibility.

In addition to the app, Castillo, who now lives in San Diego, specializes in ecommerce as he sells products online. He has developed apparel with Baybayin sportswear. He also sells cutting boards made of bamboo, aptly named Kuwaian, which literally means “bamboo.” Castillo is looking to develop more household products on his storefront at Amazon.com. 

CHAN from 1 Funny, kind, smart, and stylish are some words that would describe my dad. He always made us laugh. His personality is what makes my family and I who we are today.

Let me tell you some stories to exemplify this characteristic. One day my mom was nagging about something during dinner and instead of saying anything back, he took a piece of napkin and ripped it into two pieces and stuffed his ears. He showed his fun side, not only with words, but also with his actions.

As many of you know, we had a scare back in 2015 with his heart attack. Let’s just say his humor never went away even when he was sick. After his bypass surgery, the doctors were rounding on him and was trying to gauge on how his brain was functioning.

They asked him to show them one finger.

Guess what finger that was? Yes, the middle finger. Even during the last days of his life, he kept this amazing personality as shown by the many times he would call my brother f***ing Kenny A** as my brother would constantly tease him and ask him who he was out of love.

My father had a very kind heart. I felt that this was his greatest characteristic. He always put others first. He put his community and friends on the top of his priority list.

I remember him writing many letters to

asianweekly

equals and should help one another.” That’s when it dawned on me how much he cared for others and how selfless he was. He was a big part of Chinatown. Everyone knew him. He helped a lot of people out of the kindness of his heart and I think this is the reason why so many people of the community liked him and respected him.

My dad was bright and intelligent. My uncle would always tell me how my dad had been accepted to the top college in Hong Kong, but

eventually was not able to go because of the passed deadline. That is something my dad also never lost, his habit of procrastinating.

Despite this, he went on to test for schools in North America and eventually got into a college in Alberta, Canada. He went on to major in chemical engineering and later mastered in Economics at the University of Washington. He always valued education and certainly had made that clear to my siblings and me. There was no spanking for grades.

Only encouragement. That was an awesome trick of his to make us self-motivated. I will always remember him telling me that I didn’t have to be the best, but I have to choose a route that will make me a “somebody.”

Towards the end of his career, my dad became a hip dresser. He had transitioned from his daily suits to pairs of versace jeans, gucci shoes, and a collared shirt. You would think that his closet was that of a college student. He definitely was the cool dude.

There are so many qualities that my dad possessed and I am proud to say that I am his daughter. He has shaped who I am today and I would not change my father for anyone else. I can speak for everyone here, that Andy Chan was an amazing man that lived an incredible life and has made an impact on his community and the people around him.  — Cynthia Chan

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asianweekly northwest

37 YEARS

JULY 20 – JULY 26, 2019

a million to cover all costs, including purchasing a medal for each veteran — 3,000 in all — paying for travel and a color guard.

Although one national organization has agreed to pay for the first 1,000 medals, raising the rest is still a challenge.

“It will not be easy,” said Gor.

couldn’t come to meetings.

And yet during World War II, many of the veterans had shown unwavering devotion despite outright discrimination.

At the time, the United States had not yet lifted the Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred many Chinese from becoming citizens.

In the United States, on the eve of the war, there were 100,000 Chinese Americans in the country. Out of those, nearly 20 percent, or 18,000, served in the military. And of those that served, 40 percent were not even citizens.

As president, Gor visited nearly every CACA lodge and chapter around the nation to muster support for the project.

“We had people making phone calls, writing letters to congress,” he said.

The turning point came when he enlisted several Chinese American generals who walked through the halls of Congress with him and other CACA activists, making both planned and surprise visits to legislators to push the bill that would grant the medals.

“These young staff members really perked up when these generals came in,” he said.

The generals also helped artists design the picture that will be emblazoned on the medals.

The ceremony to award the medals, which will take place in Washington D.C. followed by a smaller one in Seattle for those too frail to make the trip, is also an acknowledgment at long last that the Chinese American veterans are deserving of equal honor.

“It is more symbolic than anything else,” he said. “But it is a recognition by the U.S. that they dutifully and honorably served alongside everyone else, and this is lost among a lot of

I-1000 from 1 Santos, and former Seattle City Councilmember Martha Choe offered slightly varying rationales for I–1000, which was passed by the state legislature on April 28.

I-1000 overturned I-200, the state’s 20-year-old, voterapproved ban on affirmative action.

While opposition to the law is by no means unanimous among new Chinese immigrants, a highly vocal and activist group, primarily from the Eastside, sees it as part of a failure by politicians to uphold their promises to fulfill the American dream. They see it as a betrayal of the principle of equal opportunity.

“It has shattered my clear expectation of American democracy,” said Qiu Kan, president of American Coalition for Equality, which is gathering signatures for the referendum.

Locke sought to defuse the activists’ fears that it will discriminate against Chinese Americans in higher education.

He argued that the emphasis of the law is to create more opportunities for minority businesses to gain government contracts by allowing the government to reach out and encourage them to apply.

Addressing the major concern of the activists, Locke also said that the state’s schools are already admitting increasing number of marginalized students and so there will be no need for admissions officers, under the new law, to make major changes to their practices.

He said I–1000 merely allows schools to do outreach to those marginalized groups whose students might otherwise not be willing to apply to college.

“I was admitted to Yale University under an affirmative action program,” he said. “I want to know that I am just as good as anyone else, but I am happy that Yale University sent people to all the Seattle public schools, urging the bright kids to apply. I had never even heard of Yale or Harvard until someone came to our school saying, ‘you should apply.’”

I–200 banned any consideration of race, and schools were prohibited from even doing outreach, he said.

Rep. Santos said that many voters were confused by the language of the law when they voted for it, a claim supported by U.S. historian Terry H. Anderson, in his book, “The Pursuit of Fairness: A History of Affirmative Action.”

Locke said, that with the passage of I-1000, admissions officers could now consider multiple factors such as the hardship a student had faced, economic background, and ethnicity.

“Affirmative action is taking a hard look at people you might not otherwise consider,” he added.

But the activists contend that legislators passed the law out of alarm at the growing number of international students from China in the state’s schools.

They say that schools, in considering ethnicity, will lump together students coming directly from China with Chinese American students whose parents are naturalized

Photo courtesy of Ed Gor

CACA from 1

Former CACA president Ed Gor's father, Joe Gor, serviced planes for the Flying Tigers

people who didn’t know the Chinese served.”

Through its campaign, and with the help of the media, over 100 veterans or their family members have registered in Seattle, said Cathy Lee, president of the Seattle chapter of CACA. Two or three will make the trip to the capital for the national ceremony.

CACA has already raised $50,000 towards its goal of half

citizens.

They say this doesn’t happen with white students.

“Imagine if colleges did not make a distinction between those Americans whose ancestors came from England centuries ago and the English students studying here now,” said Qiu. “This law lumps all ‘Chinese’ together—that’s racist.”

During the marathon, Former Seattle City council Martha Choe 3–hour briefing, Locke member responds to a question about stressed repeatedly that I-1000 under I–1000, quotas were still abolished so that schools could not set a fixed number of Chinese students to admit.

However, Locke and the other defenders said that the new law would increase competition for limited spots in the state’s universities.

“There’s an attempt to divide and blame others if kids don’t get admitted,” said Choe, who has served in various political, philanthropic and educational offices. “Well, there isn’t enough room today in universities for every qualified kid, that’s a fact. And we can look and blame others for why that is, and it’s unfortunate.”

“I don’t think you would be upset if more students from other communities applied and they had to compete against your kids,” said Locke.

He repeatedly urged new immigrant Chinese parents to educate their kids in a “holistic” way, emphasizing not just test scores, but sports and social service, saying schools wanted “active” students.

“We have been working on raising kids that are socially active and make a contribution to society for more than a decade,” said Lily Yin, a member of Little Masters Club, which promotes peer education and outreach activities to places like Mary’s Place and Children’s Hospital.

“We felt that this was an old view of us,” she said.

After blank cards for questions were passed out to the audience, Santos responded to one about the difference between ‘equity’ and ‘equality,’ a longtime concern of many of the activists, who opposed equity programs in local K-12 school districts last year.

Santos compared ‘equality’ to a scenario in which she and her cronies had been playing Monopoly for five hours straight and bought up all the property. A newcomer, though getting equal cash, would be shut out from buying any property. ‘Equity’ would involve making compensations to allow a new player to have a fair stake in owning property.

Another question implied that the law was contravening the principles symbolized by the statue of blind justice.

“Let’s not confuse things—blind justice is about the administration of justice,” said Santos. “What we’re talking about here, with Initiative 1000, deals more with the Statue of Liberty than blind justice, and what does the Statue of

Raising awareness for all veterans Through their work, Gor also hopes to raise awareness about other issues facing veterans, such as healthcare coverage.

In recent years, veterans have been committing suicide at a rate one and a half more times the national average, according to a recent article by the New York Times. A spate of suicides has taken place in parking lots outside of the Department of Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals.

At the most recent CACA national convention, Gor invited members of the VA to brief members about how to navigate the system, oftentimes a cumbersome and byzantine process.

“We want to raise awareness and provide encouragement through this process,” he said.

But the challenges are numerous. The VA hospital system has suffered from computer and staffing problems, and is now facing possible privatization under the Trump administration.

Major Weldon Lee, who assisted Japanese American veterans to get a high-ranking speaker for their ceremony to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, said he would be joining forces with CACA.  Families or veterans seeking more information can visit caww2.org or send an email to info@cacaseattle.org.

Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Photos by Mahlon Meyer

16

Audience members listen to defenders of I-1000

Liberty offer? She stands there with a golden torch offering opportunity.”

She then recited part of the poem inscribed on its base.

“That is what America stands for, opportunity for all people, not based on your pedigree, not based on who you know or who your parents are,” she added.

Still another question was whether the law was partisan, to which Locke replied that both Republicans and Democrats supported it, citing former governor Dan Evans.

Qiu later said he found the answer “contradictory” since the vote to pass I–1000 was along party lines, with Democrats in support, and Republicans opposed.

The briefing was held in English with an interpreter translating into Mandarin Chinese.

Many activists seemed to be listening alternately to both languages.

But those in the front row leaned forward and stared raptly at Locke when, speaking now in a hoarse voice at the end of the evening, he told personal stories to illustrate that marginalized students might be dissuaded from applying to college by their families.

“My uncle was the very first Chinese admitted to the University of Washington Medical School,” he said.

“Grandpa had told my uncle, ‘No, just get a job and be a cook,’ but someone had reached out to my uncle and said ‘No, you should have big dreams and apply.’”

Scholars argue that support for affirmative action programs like I-1000 reflects the current demographics of the United States.

“Given the growing diversity within the multi-racial and multi-ethnic population in the U.S., the finding that a majority of Americans generally support affirmative action programs is not surprising,” said Henry Chow, a sociologist at the University of Regina, in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Activists have until July 23 to gather enough signatures to launch a referendum, which would be held in November.

Qiu said his supporters had visited public events and gone door to door.

“We are confident we will get enough signatures,” he said.  Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com