VOL 36 NO 45 | NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

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VOL 36 NO 45 NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017 FREE 35 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Filipino veterans

Martial arts studio owner arrested, investigated for child rape

Photo by Jason Cruz/NWAW

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Region 8 Washington State representatives, of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, in Washington, D.C.

By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Seventy-five years is a long time to wait.

Filipino veterans finally received their just due at a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on Oct. 25, honoring those brave fighters who risked their lives during World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal. It is the highest award given to a civilian.

Elderly gentlemen dressed in their military best waited outside the Capitol before the ceremony on a brisk, sunny morning last week. Some were in wheelchairs, had canes, or had walkers, but none minded the wait to get inside. I was there with my sister on behalf of our late father, Johnny Casabar Cruz. He served in the Army during World War II. Many younger military members, volunteering for the event or family see CRUZ on 16 See related article (A Guerilla’s Dream) on page 9.

Renton, Wash. — Police in Renton arrested a man suspected of having sexual contact with an underage female student at his martial arts studio on Oct. 11. The suspect is the owner of the studio, which is located in the Cascade neighborhood of South Renton.

On Oct. 25, a search warrant was executed on the studio in question.

Parents who may be concerned that their children may have also been victimized are asked to contact Det. Tracie Jarratt at 425-430-7526 and reference case 17-12449.

The investigation began when the girl disclosed inappropriate sexual activity to her parents, and they in turn reported the allegation to the Renton Police. The complaint alleges that the suspect engaged in sexual activity with the 10-year-old at the studio on several occasions. ■

Elderly Chinese woman injured in home invasion robbery

By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY THE FOREIG

NER » 7

RAFAEL LAMARCA » 9

PUBLISHER’S BLOG » 10

A- POP » 8 Skyway, Wash. — Investigators are looking for three men who terrorized an elderly Chinese woman in her own home on Oct. 13.

The entire ordeal was caught on camera.

Three men kicked in the back door of her home, along 59th Avenue South in Skyway around 1 p.m., according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Sgt. Cindi West said the woman started screaming and she ran towards the front of the house to try to get out. West said one of the men hit the woman, 74, with a handgun and held her mouth shut so she couldn’t scream.

“I've seen the video of the woman in the house running, scared,” West said. “When you listen to her scream and you watch these guys — what they’re doing — it’s just absolutely

■

see ROBBERY on 6

Gurriel banned five games in 2018 for racist gesture at Darvish

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP SPORTS WRITER HOUSTON (AP) — Yuli Gurriel will have to sit out for making a racist gesture toward Yu Darvish — but not during the World Series.

Major League Baseball suspended the Houston Astros first baseman on Oct. 28 for the first five games next season. The punishment came a day after Gurriel’s actions toward the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher during Game 3.

“I understand that people

may have different views,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “But it was my best judgment that this timing was appropriate.”

“I wanted the burden of this discipline to fall primarily on the wrongdoer,” he said.

The Cuban-born Gurriel pulled on the corners of his eyes after homering off Darvish during Houston’s 5-3 win on Oct. 27. He also used a derogatory Spanish term in reference to Darvish, who was born in Japan. see GURRIEL on 14

Yuli Gurriel

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35 YEARS

NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Gov. Jay Inslee announced the appointment of Blaine Tamaki to the University of Washington (UW) Board of Regents last month. Tamaki graduated from the UW in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and is also an alumni of the UW Law School, where he received his Juris Doctor. Tamaki is a longtime resident of Yakima and has practiced as a trial lawyer for 35 years. He Blaine Tamaki founded Tamaki Law in 1994 and has record-breaking settlements in cases throughout the Northwest.

Blaine is currently vice president of the Washington State Association of Justice (WSAJ), and in 2012, he received the distinguished “Trial Lawyer of the Year” award. 

Samuel E. Kelly award at the University of Washington (UW)’s annual MAP Bridging the Gap Breakfast on Oct. 28.

Dr. Stephen Sumida was also recognized at the event with a Distinguished Alumni Award.

Founded in 1994, the Multicultural Alumni Partnership (MAP) is dedicated to promoting diversity at the UW and in the UW alumni community.

The annual breakfast celebration recognizes the recipients of the MAP scholarship and the service of alumni and friends who have made a difference for diversity at the UW. 

SCIDpda annual fundraiser

Photo by Alabastro Photography.

Tamaki on UW Board of Regents

MAP Bridging the Gap Breakfast

munity Health Services (ICHS), will be honored as one of the Puget Sound Business Journal's Women of Influence on Nov. 9.

The award program recognizes local business women and community leaders who make a difference for others and for our region.

Batayola has been a member of the ICHS Foundation Board since 2007. She also serves on the board of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations. 

Teresita Batayola

Mayoral candidates tour Little Saigon

Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW

2

Executive Director Maiko Winkler-Chin at the podium at SCIDpda’s 2017 Fundraiser “Building Community.”

Photo provided by Lori Matsukawa

Guests enjoyed dinner, entertainment, and an auction at the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda)’s 2017 annual fundraiser on Oct. 6.

Held in the Panoramic Room of Pacific Tower, the fundraiser provides critical support for SCIDpda and its programs, which include senior services (Legacy House), community economic development (IDEA Space), property management (affordable housing and retail space), and real estate projects.

The event raised over $97,000.  Dr. Stephen Sumida and Lori Matsukawa

KING 5 anchor Lori Matsukawa received the Dr.

Batayola named Woman of Influence

Teresita Batayola, the CEO of International Com-

Congratulations to the Northwest Asian Weekly on 35 years of excellence.

Microsoft thanks you for supporting diversity in our local community, empowering people and organizations to achieve more.

Quynh Pham (3rd from left) leads Jenny Durkan’s tour.

Friends of Little Saigon organized separate tours for Seattle mayoral candidates Cary Moon and Jenny Durkan this week. Moon’s tour of the neighborhood was on Oct. 30 and Durkan’s took place the day after. They met with businesses and community leaders of Little Saigon.

Small businesses owners shared with the candidates their concerns and challenges of running their operations. 

asianweekly northwest

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NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

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NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

35 YEARS

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

Washington attorney general joins health subsidy lawsuit

By RACHEL LA CORTE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson joined a multistate coalition on Oct. 13, suing over President Donald Trump’s decision to immediately halt federal payments to insurers under the national health care law.

“President Trump may not like the Affordable Care Act, but trying to sabotage it on the backs of hard-working Washingtonians is wrong - and illegal,” Ferguson said in a statement. The state is among nearly 20 states that has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration.

At issue is a federal subsidy for deductibles and co-pays that helps lower costs for consumers with modest incomes.

The White House says the government cannot legally continue to pay the so-called cost-sharing subsidies because they lack a formal authorization by Congress.

Consumers who qualify will still receive tax credits to help pay their silver premiums, however, millions of others across the country who buy individual health care policies without any financial assistance from the government and could face prohibitive increases.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that premiums for a standard “silver” plan will increase by about 20 percent without the subsidies. In Washington state, the increase is expected to be between 9 and 27 percent, officials say.

Halting the payments would trigger a spike in premiums for next year, unless Trump reverses course or Congress authorizes the money.

“Continuing the federal funding that helps people buy health insurance is critical to maintaining a stable market in Washington,” Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said in a written statement. “This is not a bailout for insurance companies. It’s a lifeline for people

who depend on affordable health insurance.”

A spokeswoman for Kreidler said that more than 330,000 people buy health insurance through the state’s individual market and more than 70,000 qualify for subsidies. However, 40,000 consumers who currently buy silver plans don’t get any financial assistance that would help offset a dramatic premium increase, said spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis.

“President Trump’s decision to stop making the cost-sharing reduction payments is nothing more than a deliberate and unconscionable sabotage of the personal health care of millions of Americans,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a prepared statement. “It will directly harm middle-class families by hiking their premiums, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs, while creating chaos and instability in the marketplace.”

The next open enrollment for the state exchange begins Nov. 1. ■

2017 Seattle Public Safety Survey

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Do you have public safety and security concerns? Seattle University wants to hear from you. It is conducting the third annual citywide Seattle Public Safety Survey to get feedback from those who live and/or work in Seattle.

A report on the survey results will be provided to Seattle Police to assist them with making your neighborhood safer and more secure. From now through Nov. 30, you can fill out the survey at publicsafetysurvey.org. It is available in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Korean, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese. 

Integrity. Inclusion. Innovation.

As former Bellevue Transportation Commission Chair and mom of two public school students, Janice recognizes the strength of diversity, the importance of affordability, and the need for traffic solutions.

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5

■ WORLD NEWS Top Indian court rules sex with wife younger than 18 is rape NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s top court has ruled that having sexual intercourse with a wife younger than 18 is rape, a decision that activists say is an important step toward ending child marriages.

Indian law says a woman must be at least 18 to marry and consent to sex, but there are exceptions and a man was permitted to have sex, even forcibly, with a girl as young as 15, as long as she was his wife.

The Supreme Court ruled on Oct. 11 that sexual intercourse with a girl younger than 18 is rape. “Human rights of a girl child are very much alive and kicking whether she is married or not and deserve recognition and acceptance,” said Justices Madan Lokur and Deepak Gupta.

■ NATIONAL NEWS

Marriages of girls are prevalent in India, especially among the rural poor. The government estimates that child marriages in rural areas were three times higher than in urban centers.

Sociologist Ranjana Kumari welcomed the court verdict and said it had removed a conflicting position in Indian laws. She said according to the 2011 government census the percentage of below 18 marriages in India was as high as 47 percent.

Lalitha Kumaramangalam, former chairperson of the National Commission for Women, said the ruling “will act as a deterrent to parents.”

Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia Director for Human Rights Watch, said the court decision would help ending the practice of early marriages.

She also called for a free access to secondary education for girls. “Also parents often say they don’t like to send their daughters to school, and get them married, to protect them from sexual abuse. India has enacted a law against child sex abuse, but should do much more to enforce the protections,” she said.

India’s Parliament raised the age of consent to 18 years in 2013, but no change was made in a legal exception. It said if a married girl was over 15 years of age, her husband could not be charged with any offense.

The Supreme Court said “sexual intercourse with a girl below 18 years of age is rape regardless of whether she is married or not.” ■

Women rescued after voyage went from bad to worse

By CALEB JONES ASSOCIATED PRESS HONOLULU (AP) — A planned voyage from Hawaii to Tahiti aboard a small sailboat didn’t start off well for two Honolulu women. One of their cellphones washed overboard and sank into the deep blue water on their first day at sea.

From there, things got worse. Much worse. About a month into their trip, bad weather caused their engine to lose

power. Their mast was damaged. And then, as they drifted across thousands of miles of open ocean, their water purifier stopped working.

But the two sailors, accompanied by their dogs, were resourceful and prepared with more than a year’s worth of food, and after more than five months of being lost in the vast Pacific Ocean, sending out daily distress calls that no one heard, they were rescued by the U.S. Navy on Oct. 25 about 900 miles southeast of Japan. Their intended

destination: Tahiti — thousands of miles off course.

The USS Ashland rescued the women after a Taiwanese fishing vessel spotted their crippled vessel on Oct. 24 and alerted the U.S. Coast Guard, the Navy said in a statement.

The women, identified by the Navy as Jennifer Appel and Tasha Fuiava, both of Honolulu, lost their engine in bad weather in late May but believed see SAILORS on 11

Jennifer Appel and Tasha Fuiava

PAID FOR BY PAT MURAKAMI FOR SEATTLE

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NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR NOV 2

NOVEMBER MAHJONG NIGHT Kin On, 4416 S. Brandon St., Seattle 6:45 p.m.

MENTORS NIGHT OUT, VOL. 4 Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center, 3931 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., Seattle 7 p.m. naaapseattle.org PAUL KIKUCHI: 9066, EXPERIENCE NAGAUTA, KABUKI, ENKA, JAZZ & OTHER JAPANESE MUSIC JCCCW, 1414 S. Weller St., Seattle 7 p.m. earshot.org/event/paul-kikuchi-songsof-nihonmachi HIRABAYASHI PLACE OPENING CELEBRATION 442 S. Main St., Seattle 4 p.m.

3 CELEBRATING 80 YEARS OF SUPPORTING THE EAST ASIAN STUDIES COMMUNITY UW, Gowen Hall 322 3 p.m.

Register at uw.edu NEW HOLLY VOTING PARTY 2017 New Holly Gathering Hall, 7054 32nd Ave. S., Seattle 5 p.m.

35 YEARS

■ BRIEFLY

4

7

CHINESE EXPULSION WALK FOR RECONCILIATION Tacoma Art Museum 8:30 a.m. tacomachinesepark.org

KING COUNTY ELECTIONS 919 SW Grady Way, Renton Call in to vote at 206-296-8683 kingcounty.gov/elections Deadline is November 7

HMONG NEW YEAR CELEBRATION The Armory at Seattle Center, 500 Harrison St., Seattle 11 a.m.

8

DIWALI FAMILY FESTIVAL Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave., Seattle 11 a.m. seattleartmuseum.org LEARN TO MAKE CHICKEN ABODO AND TURON PRESENTED BY NERICE DONNA ROSE ORVIS APCC, 4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma 11 a.m.

Make reservations at 253-383-3900 asiapacificculturalcenter.org

3&4 STAGED READING WITH MUSIC AND LIVE PRODUCED SOUND EFFECTS, “THE CHINESE QUESTION: THE TACOMA METHOD” 1102 A St., Tacoma tacomachinesepark.org THROUGH NOVEMBER 5

“THE WORLD OF EXTREME HAPPINESS” BY FRANCES YA-CHU COWHIG 7312 West Green Lake Dr. N., Seattle $17–$37 seattlepublictheater.org

ROBBERY from 1 terrifying.”

The other two rifled through the home, and grabbed cash and jewelry before running away.

This is the second time the woman has been the victim of crime.

Seattle to defend councilmember Sawant in defamation lawsuit

“PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND NATIONAL COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE TRENDS: THE CHINA FACTOR,” BY WASHINGTON STATE CHINA RELATIONS COUNCIL The Bravern Signature Residences, 4th Floor, South Tower, Great Room, 688 110th Ave. N.E., Bellevue 4 p.m.

9

Councilmember Kshama Sawant

SCREENING, "THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR" Ethnic Cultural Theatre 3 p.m.

THROUGH NOVEMBER 9

“STAYING CONNECTED.” LEARN HOW TO COPE AND LIVE WITH EARLY MEMORY LOSS Keiro Northwest, Nikkei Manor Free to public Partner and pre-registration is required. jmaher@alz.org 206-529-3872

Her home was burglarized in September, and police believe the same people might be involved. ■ If you have information th, contact the King County Sheriff 's Office at 206-296-3311, or the Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800222-TIPS.

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle’s city council president has decided that the city will defend Councilmember Kshama Sawant in a defamation lawsuit brought against her by two city officers.

The Seattle Times reported last week that in a letter Bruce Harrell explains his reasoning that Sawant “was speaking about issues important to her constituents.’’

By city charter, Harrell had to decide if Sawant made the alleged statement “within the course and scope of employment.’’

In the lawsuit, officers Scott Miller and Michael Spaulding claim they were defamed when Sawant falsely declared they had committed a “brutal murder’’ in last year’s fatal shooting of Che Taylor.

The city also is representing Sawant in a separate defamation lawsuit brought by a property-owner who took issue with Sawant referring to him as a “notorious slumlord.’’

Assistant City Attorney Joe Groshong has said he wouldn’t be surprised if total litigation costs exceeded $300,000 in both lawsuits. ■

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■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

By John Liu NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The Foreigner is based on the action thriller novel “The Chinaman,” released in 1992 and written by Stephen Leather.

The film was directed by Martin Campbell and written by David Marconi. Here is a quick warning. If you are interested in seeing this movie already, avoid reading any further and just go see it. My review has a few plot reveals, just like the movie trailer gave away plot points that I would have rather not known about ahead of time. I thought it would have made the movie more intriguing without being “spoiled.”

The movie starts with Ngoc Minh Quan (Jackie Chan) taking his daughter, Fan (Katie Leung), to buy a prom dress.

Suddenly, a bomb detonates and kills Fan. A rogue Irish Republican Army (IRA) cell takes responsibility for the bombings.

Quan approaches Scotland Yard officer Richard Bromley for answers, but he

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

is unable to provide any information about the bombings. Quan discovers Liam Hennessy (Pierce Brosnan) was a former leader of the Provisional IRA, and concludes Liam should have an idea of who was behind the bombings. He goes off the grid to try and coerce Liam to provide the names of the people who might be responsible for his daughter’s death. We immediately get a sense Quan is no ordinary citizen when he see him making a homemade bomb to intimidate Liam. The movie reveals he’s actually a retired Vietnam War special forces operator who lost two daughters while escaping from Cambodia. Fan is his third daughter. Throughout the movie, Quan is a constant thorn in Liam’s side.

The first thing I noticed was Quan’s daughter. She looks familiar, but couldn’t put my finger on it while watching the movie. Apparently, that’s Katie Leung, who played Cho Chong in the Harry Potter series. It is too bad she has such a small role in this movie. As I stated

earlier, the movie trailers reveal a bit too much. The current trend for movie trailers is to reveal interesting plot details that are so far along the story that some people may consider them actual spoilers.

It would have been much more interesting not knowing anything about Brosnan’s

role going into this movie. Even though the movie is called the Foreigner, it should be called “The IRA bombings and the Foreigner,” as the IRA plot centering around Brosnan had just as much screen see FOREIGNER on 13

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35 YEARS

NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

lture!

A-pop! Asian stuff in popular cu

By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY This month, I write a lot of stuff about pro athletes, even though my understanding of sports is like how it feels when you’re lactose intolerant and splurge on an ice cream binge because it’s your birthday!

Jeremy Lin sports controversial hair, responds to critics whilst being classy AF

READ LIN’S ARTICLE: BIT.LY/2XD1XCO

It’s a tale as old as time. Boy starts sporting dreadlocks. Other boy comes at first boy, accusing first boy of wanting to be Black. First boy pens lengthy and thoughtful piece around his hair.

In videos he released of himself talking (which have since been deleted from his account), former Nets power forward Kenyon Martin made it clear he did not think Jeremy Lin’s dreadlocks are a good look. Martin stated, “Do I need to remind this damn boy his last name is Lin? Like, come on, man. Let’s stop it with

these people. […] Come on man, somebody needs to tell him, like, ‘all right bro, we get it. You wanna be black.’ Like, we get it.

But your last name is Lin.” (For more context on this story, check out Jason Cruz’s Layup Drill column next week!)

Hey, have you guys seen “Get Out” yet?

Okay, well I hope so because the movie is great, and I’m about to unleash massive spoilers.

“Get Out” is a 2017 horror film by Jordan Peele about a Black man who goes to meet his white girlfriend’s family for the first time — only to realize that there is something deeply wrong with the situation. (Massive spoiler #1: They are out to kill him!)

The film is political, timely, and gripping — I was literally gripping my seat while watching because I have never been so invested in whether a fictional character lives or not. The premise was exaggerated, but felt so plausible and real.

Massive spoiler #2: At one point, a slave auction essentially takes place. During the lead up, I was like, grabbing my movie buddy and going, “Oh snap! This is happening!” all impressed with Peele’s cojones and his refusal to pull punches.

And then it stung. In a sea of allegorical white people, a rich Japanese businessman stood up, asked the protagonist, “Is the African American experience an advantage or disadvantage?”

Immediately, I felt it was an indictment Asians and Asian Americans and how we are complicit in anti-Blackness. (Spoiler #3: Later, that feeling was cemented when the Japanese businessman bought himself his very own Black person.)

In “The Racial Triangulation of Asian

Americans,” Claire Jean Kim, a professor at UC Irvine, stated that Asian and Black conflict is rooted in the mid-1800s as a vehicle to maintain white superiority. At the time — and today — white positioned Asians immigrants as (economically and educationally) superior to Blacks but (socially) ostracized compared to Blacks.

Asians are perma-foreigners, whereas Blacks have social capital (aka seen as Americans) but not necessarily economic and education capital.

This conflict was designed so that while two racial groups are busy fighting each other for limited resources and trying to work within the constraints of how they are stereotyped, white Americans stay in power.

I think we see traces of this historical racial resentment from Martin, though he played it off like he was joking. It like, triggers me hard when I see anyone notJapanese wearing kimono-like shirts.

There was a period in the early 2000s when people were putting chopsticks in their hair, and I did not like it.

It must stir up some emotion for a Black man to see an Asian man adopt (or coopt, depending on who you’re asking) a hairstyle that has been so closely associated with one and only one racial group. (All those dudes on reddit trying to convince me that dreads originated in India or with Celts can sit down. I don’t buy that as a valid argument for what we are talking about.)

SPOILER: Michelle Yeoh dies.

(Onscreen! Don’t panic!)

Re-Elect John Creighton Port of Seattle Commissioner Commissioner Creighton’s record is clear: • He has been a Strong Advocate for Minority Communities • He has been a Strong Advocate for Minority Business

‘‘

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I am proud to have worked with our diverse communities so that the small business and employment opportunities

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offered by the Port are open and fair to all.

“Star Trek: Discovery” is a new series on CBS. And Michelle Yeoh was in it being a badass. Well, Captain Philippa Georgio died in the second episode. I feel okay spoiling that for you because it’s all over the internet.

Viewers were legit so distraught over this. I was distraught, and I don’t even watch Star Trek. I think the outpour of grief was so unexpected and so palpable that Yeoh had to show up at a New York Comic Con panel to assure the audience.

“I’m not going to let them kill me, okay?”

Dude. What does that even mean? Isn’t she already dead?

I feel like this is an empty ploy to trick people into watching this show, even though our favorite person is no longer on it. Good try, Michelle. Good try. see A-POP on 12

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

■ REFLECTIONS

9

A guerrilla’s dream

By Maria Lamarca Anderson NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Maria recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to receive the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of her late father, Rafael J. Lamarca, a Filipino World War II veteran. The first part of this story is a compilation of his writings and his experience of WWII.

In my father’s words

I was an engineering college student doing field work in Luneta Park (aka Rizal Park) when the war started. I watched the bombs fall freely over the city with little resistance from the ground artillery.

The United States Army needed volunteers, so I enlisted.

No training required, no training provided. We all lived by our wits.

I was with the Headquarters Service Company Engineer Battalion, a recognized and documented guerrilla organization that operated in the jungles of the Cordilleras.

This battle is preserved in “We Remained,” a book by Col. Russell W. Volckmann, our commanding officer. We stayed the entire duration of the war and did not surrender.

“We remained” was the guerrillas’ reply to Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s “I shall return” speech, made when fleeing the Philippines in March 1942.

A highlight of the book is the victory in the Battle of Bessang Pass, which led to the surrender and eventual execution of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, the Imperial Japanese Army General more popularly known as the Tiger of Malaya. It is a shame the battle never got the recognition or publicity it rightfully deserved. For the fallen and survivors of that hard-fought battle, we won with pride and glory.

I was honorably discharged on Nov. 11, 1945. There was no whoopee homecoming or tickertape parade of any kind, not even a week or month of R&R vacation for me.

The late Rafael J. Lamarca

Maria Lamarca Anderson and brother, Rolando Lamarca, traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the ceremonies honoring Filipino veterans of WWII.

Without delay, I prepared to resume my college studies at the University of the Philippines, College of Engineering.

More than 40 years later, after much inquiry and research, I received the following awards: the World War II Victory Medal Code 24, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal Code 22, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon Code 46.

There was no official pinning or fanfare. Just as there was no rest for the young veterans discharged; still suffering, chilling from malaria, their natural brown turned yellow from the effects of Atabrine, an effective cure. Sort of a wonder drug for the troops in the jungle at that time.

The following 60-plus years have been a roller coaster ride, a full adventurous life. After graduation and a full year all-expenses paid training grant with the Philippines and the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey — now the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration — work and retirement led me to various venues and disciplines all over the planet. I have “been there, done that.”

I have gone around the world full circle and from top

to bottom, once beyond the Arctic and Antarctic circles.

Stepping on the ground of all the seven continents, sailing most of the known seas—Pacific, Drake Passage across the Southern Ocean to the Argentine Naval Outpost in the Antarctic; Bering and Black seas, the Mediterranean and Aegean, the Gulf of Alaska — were all an exciting and memorable experience.

The initiations after every crossing of the equator and the international dateline were a respite from the long voyages.

While far below Everest, Ayers Rock in the outback Down Under and Mt. Whitney in the lower 48 both placed me on my own top-of-the-world, with a full 360-degree, unobstructed view of the horizon.

May 6, 2003 I witnessed the historic homecoming of the USS Lincoln’s at the Everett waterfront’s Navy pier from the balcony of see ANDERSON on 13

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asianweekly northwest

10

35 YEARS

NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

OPINION

Enter the world of Google

ogle sign.

The original Go

Dessert secti

on of Google

A mobile van haircuts.

cafeteria.

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY How do you describe someone who is a muse, teacher, explorer, doctor, translator, scientist, detective, travel guide, map reader, consultant, problem-solver, and everything I need for survival?

I hate to admit it — I can’t live without Google. As a journalist, Google is irreplaceable in my daily life. I am not unique, but Google is a global encyclopedia and multifaceted connector to the world. I happened to visit Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. on Oct. 27.

A high school reunion held in San Francisco led me to northern California. Part of the itinerary included a bus tour, which swung by some high tech companies. But it didn’t have access to any of those companies.

To make my trip more meaningful (and sharing my perspective with readers), my former University of Washington classmate offered to help. You could tell I didn’t use my media credentials. The Northwest Asian Weekly? Who? A small paper doesn’t have any clout as a media company. Nor did I want to spend much time to go through the vetting process. Its website said it doesn’t offer public tours. The only public access areas are the green spaces and its gift shop. Don’t waste your time looking for the shop. The merchandise wasn’t that interesting.

The tour

If you have a friend who works for Google, that’s your trump card. My friend’s son, Ken, works for the giant’s subsidiary company, YouTube. Google’s pretty and huge

My friends and I posed with the Google letters.

campus is impressive.

It took one-and-a-half hours to drive from San Francisco to Mountain View, which is close to San Jose. Once you arrive, you see a street called Google Drive. The four bright Google colors — blue, green, yellow, red signs loom everywhere. It’s so big with 60 or more buildings (I can’t confirm the number as Google doesn’t post that information) that you can’t possibly visit all the buildings in one day.

Ken said his colleague tried to dine in a different Google cafeteria every day, and hoped to visit all the buildings in a month, and he couldn’t accomplish his goal. That brings me to Google’s most generous gesture.

Freebies

Yes, all family members of Google employees are treated to free meals. Employees never need to pay for food out of their own pocket — breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Ken said Google’s philosophy is to provide food within 100 feet.

The amount of free benefits for Google employees are beyond your imagination. There was a time when the company gave dry cleaning service and free haircuts on campus. Now, it costs a small fee.

On the surface, Google is generous. Since I am a business owner, I understand the ultimate motive. Remove all distractions so your people can be focused 100 percent and

n get

where you ca

Free bikes an

d employees’

bikes.

be productive. Hunger is a distraction. Searching for good food takes time. As does cooking. Also, there aren’t many restaurants close by.

We wandered around the campus. It’s nice to walk around its green, open space, and the air is fresh because there are no cars. Volleyball courts and exercise equipment are installed in key locations. Free colorful bikes and helmets are available.

If you want to have fun, you can play the piano or go down a slide, which are located inside some buildings. The whole setting encourages fun during work or provides tools to de-stress, depending on how you see it. Like all high tech companies, the pay is good, but the work is very demanding at Google. I would be surprised if employees don’t work more than 40 hours a week.

The lunch

Before noon, we arrived in a cafeteria at Building 43, and people started lining up. The food was amazing in its variety, including Japanese, Chinese, Italian (pizzas), American, and Indian, of course. Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai is Indian. The ingredients were fresh and tasty, and the presentation looked appealing. Several kinds of desserts were on display, which were hard to resist.

A sea of diversity prevailed. People of color outnumbered whites. Wow! The energy, youth, and vitality were evident in the room. They were in their 20s and 30s. Mandarin and a few kinds of Indian dialects were spoken frequently.

My friend pointed out, “Not many Black folks are here.”

It would be a worthwhile challenge for Google to strategize see BLOG on 15

45TH DISTRICT, IT’S TIME TO LET

YOUR VOICE BE HEARD Manka Dhingra is the only choice in this year's State senate election. Here's why: • She's tough on gun control and will keep the Eastside safe • She embraces her heritage and will stand up to hate crimes and threats to our diversity • She opposes a state income tax and will work to create a fairer tax system Manka Dhingra is a twenty two year resident of the Eastside. She knows us, and the importance we place on education, environment and embracing our diversity.

Voting starts October 20th - Look out for your ballot in the mail and make sure to cast your vote. Let's strengthen our communities, together.

Photos by As sunt

a Ng/NWAW

ia adquar ters in Californ A tour of Google’s he

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Paid for by Asian American Pacific Islanders Victory Fund - WA State, 119 1st Avenue South, Suite 320, Seattle, WA 98104Top 5 Contributors: Shekar Narasimhan, Sung Rhee, Scott Oki, Jill Singh, Sharon Hsiang Chen

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

11

OPINION

■ EDITORIAL

Love letters, not hate More than 3,000 residents in Burien received a letter last week that included alleged home addresses of undocumented immigrants and described crimes they committed dating back to 2008.

The letter was sent by Respect Washington, a statewide group looking to end illegal immigration, in response to the removal of Proposition 1 from the Nov. 7 ballot, which would allow Burien citizens to vote on the city’s so-called sanctuary status.

One resident, Sarah Moore, wrote in a letter to the editor of The B-Town (Burien) Blog, “I am disturbed by all of this.” She added, “At best, it will create a fear of neighbors that may be ill founded — suppose a crime was committed in 2008, but entirely new people live there now (9 years later!), or innocent people share a home with a listed person. At worst, I hope and pray no one decides to harass or target anyone based on a list that someone they don’t know researched.”

On Oct. 30, King County Executive Dow Constantine said he was furious and joined other elected officials in denouncing the mailing. He called it, “Straight out of Trump’s playbook ... This is personal...These are Trump

SAILORS from 5 they could still reach Tahiti using their sails.

“They saved our lives,” said Appel through the Navy release. “The pride and smiles we had when we saw (U.S. Navy) on the horizon was pure relief.”

In a phone call with news media from the Ashland, Appel said they had sent a distress signal for 98 days with no response.

“It was very depressing and very hopeless, but it’s the only thing you can do, so you do what you can do,” she said, according to an audio recording of the call.

A group of sharks attacked their boat one night, and a single shark returned a day later, she said.

“Both of them, we actually thought it was lights out, and they were horrific,” Appel said. “We were just incredibly lucky that our hull was strong enough to withstand the onslaught.”

Asked if they ever thought they might not survive, she said they would not be human if they did not. She credited the two dogs, which she called their companion animals, with keeping their spirits up.

“There is a true humility to wondering if today is your last day, if tonight is your last night,” she said.

Appel’s mother told The Associated Press that she never

Re-Elect

gave up hope that her daughter would be found.

Joyce Appel, 75, who lives in Houston, said she got a call from her daughter on the morning of Oct. 26, more than 5 months after they had last spoke.

She answered the phone as she always does, wondering who wanted to sell her something, when she heard her daughter’s voice on the other end of the line.

“She said, ‘Mom?’ and I said, ‘Jennifer!?’ because I hadn’t heard from her in like five months,” she said. “And she said ‘yes mom,’ and that was really exciting.”

Jennifer Appel departed on May 3, her mother said, but her phone was lost overboard the first day she was at sea, and she hadn’t heard from her daughter since.

“Various things on her boat broke, the mast broke and the engine wouldn’t start when she needed power. So she had several problems that caused her to end up drifting in the ocean,” the elder Appel said.

Joyce called the U.S. Coast Guard about a week and a half after her daughter left Honolulu, she said. “The Coast Guard, in Hawaii, did a search and rescue effort,” she said.

“I waited and waited and waited to see when I would hear from her.” In that time, the elder Appel moved and got a new phone number and was worried her daughter wouldn’t know where to call. “I knew she didn’t even know the phone number here,” she said.

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values, not Burien values.” He went on to say that “discrimination and hate will be given no quarter in Martin Luther King County.”

According to the 2010 Census, Burien is about 20 percent Latino.

Respect Washington has led a crusade against socalled sanctuary cities in the state. Craig Keller, a West Seattle resident who has run twice, unsuccessfully, for Congress as a Republican, founded the group.

The letter also provided candidate names Burien residents should vote for in the upcoming election.

The four candidates, Debi Wagner, Darla Green, Joel Manning, and Patty Janssen, have said they are not connected to this letter and do not agree with its tactics of listing physical addresses.

We urge you to join The B-Town (Burien) Blog in a letter-writing campaign to send messages of love to those whose information was listed.

1. Write letters of opposition to Respect WA. The address is: PO Box 66634, Burien, WA 98166.

2. Write a “love letter” to the targeted immigrants and drop it off at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, 15003 14th Ave. S.W., Burien, WA 98166. The letters will be delivered by Burien Represent. Look for the letter collection box outside. 

“I had hope all along, she is very resourceful and she’s curious and as things break she tries to repair them, she doesn’t sit and wait for the repairman to get there, so I knew the same thing would be true of the boat.”

The mother said the pair’s water purifier had stopped working and they were down to their last gallon of water when Jennifer got it fixed.

Two months into their trip, well after they were scheduled to arrive in Tahiti, the women began making distress calls, but there were no vessels close and they were too far out to sea for the signals to be detected on land.

They told the Navy that they survived because they had packed a water purifier and enough food for a year, mostly dried goods like oatmeal and pasta.

A photo provided by the Navy shows Fuiava smiling as a Navy sailor greets her dog, Zeus aboard the USS Ashland.

The women received a medical assessment, food and beds aboard the Navy ship, where they will remain until the next port of call, the Navy said.

“The U.S. Navy is postured to assist any distressed mariner of any nationality during any type of situation,” said Cmdr. Steven Wasson, the commanding officer of the USS Ashland. ■

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asianweekly northwest

12

NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

A-POP from 8

Gigi Hadid kinda-innocently mimics a cookie and gets a lot of ish for it

Gigi Hadid, 22, is a model and also Zayn Malik’s girlfriend. (Malik is formerly of One Direction, duh. I can’t believe I had to explain that to you. Malik is also British Pakistani.) Many months ago, Hadid posted a video on Instagram. She was holding a small Buddha shaped cookie and she was squinting her eyes, probably imitating the Buddha. In September, Victoria’s Secret announced that it was holding its annual fashion show in China for the very first time on Nov. 28.

After the announcement, a bunch of industrious Chinese social media users unearthed Hadid’s Buddha cookie video and told her she was racist and to not bother showing her racist face in China.

LOLOL. I am frankly impressed by the passion and fervor of these Chinese netizens. After Matt Damon and the Great Wall thing, I think I erroneously started thinking Chinese people were maybe just okay with racial tomfoolery. But guess what? They are not.

Hadid took to China’s Weibo platform to say, “It hurts me to hurt anyone, and I want you all to know that it was never my intent to offend anyone through my actions and I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt or felt let down by me. […] I have learned to be very careful of how my actions can come off or be portrayed, and I’m hopeful you’ll accept my apology.”

Pro athletes Guilherme Clezar and Robert Kenedy Nunes Nascimento try to convince world their racist actions/words are just them being cute Guys, professional athletes (and their most ardent fans!) tend to have this problem. Maybe it’s the hypercompetitive and clannishness of sports. But I feel like it’s a little silly that many people haven’t made the correlation that overt racism is only cool when you’re around other racists who like racist stuff. Also, if you’re gonna be racist on Snapchat, lock that friends list down. Best practices and all that.

In September, during a Davis Cup match against Japan’s Yuichi Sugita, Brazil’s Guilherme Clezar, 24, challenged a line call and then stretched his eyes at a line judge, also Japanese. Clezar ended up being fined $1,500 for “unsportsmanlike conduct.”

In response, the tennis player issued a standard apology and also said he “never had the slightest intention to be

35 YEARS

aggressive, racist, prejudiced.”

It’s been years since someone’s thrown this gesture my way — so I’m overdue — but when it happens again, I will try to remember that sometimes it can convey benign open-mindedness and affection.

Chelsea Football Club’s Robert Kenedy Nunes Nascimento, aka “Kenedy,” posted a few Snapchat posts in Portuguese, “Porra china :D :D :D :D :D” that basically amounted to “F*** China :D :D :D :D :D” or “Screw China :D :D :D :D :D.” Chelsea was so pissed that it sent Kenedy, 21, home. And it also issued a long, PR-sanctioned apology. Kenedy, for whom English is not a native language, apologized like this: “Hello my friends, just wanna say sorry if someone was sad because I used the expression ‘porra’, was no racism, just an expression…big hug.”

That apology is way whack, and he totally missed the point. Like, we all know that porra was not the racist part.

It was the combination, the synergy of porra + China that was like, the racist part.

But the apology was also kind of cute because it was ridic, right?

Big hug.

Wes Anderson gets way meta. And I don’t think he’s doing this on purpose.

Wes Anderson made a really cute-looking stop motion movie about dogs that is set in Japan, only 20 years from now. Twenty years from now, Japan gets way whiter, I guess. I dunno. I haven’t seen the movie yet.

While Anderson did cast a number of Japanese actors to voice characters in “Isle of Dogs,” he also cast Scarlett Johansson and Tilda Swinton, both of whom were recently at the center of whitewashing accusations with their films, “Ghost in the Shell” and “Doctor Strange.”

Like Mr. Anderson, with respect, Emma Stone needs a job, too.

Hollywood hates Asian people — everyone says so, and I believe them!

Last month, nonfiction author Michael Lewis, who wrote

TAITUNG

books that went on to become critically acclaimed movies, such as “Moneyball” and “The Big Short,” said that his book, “Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt,” is not getting the big screen treatment any time soon because its lead is Asian and a real person, IEX cofounder Bradley Katsuyama. And no one wants to watch an Asian play around with money in a controversial way because it forces us to suspend our disbelief too much. No, I’m joking. I made that up. Just kidding, it’s true.

Speaking at a book festival last month, Lewis said that the Sony hack unearthed emails that showed Hollywood found it impossible to make a movie with an Asian lead.

“They’ve gotten to the point where they’re nervous about making an Asian guy a white guy,” said Lewis. “Decades ago, they weren’t. They would have just done that. But they don’t think there’s a well-enough known Asian male actor.

Which I think is crazy.”

Also last month, Paste Magazine quoted sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen, who remembers talking to an unnamed Hollywood casting agent who allegedly said, “I work with a lot of different people and Asians are a challenge to cast because most casting directors feel as though they’re not very expressive [...]

They’re very shut down in their emotions … If it’s a look thing for business where they come in, they’re at a computer or if they’re like a scientist or something like that, they’ll do that; but if it’s something [where] they really have to act and get some kind of performance out of, it’s a challenge.”

This naturally resulted in a deluge of internet memes — basically pictures of Asians being expressive AF.

Someone tattled to Angelina Jolie. Jolie is a woman who has had to put up with a lot of crappy comments from Americans about why she has to adopt a million children from dire circumstances and impoverished environments and not like, good ol’ stateside white children. Jolie is also the director and cowriter of “First They Killed My Father,” about a Cambodian child soldier during the Khmer Rouge regime. The cast of her film is solely Asian.

“Who said that? What’s wrong with them?” Jolie said to The Hollywood Reporter, reminding us all that she is beautiful, inside and out. “I hadn’t heard that, but it just sounds completely ignorant. Wow, it’s just insane.”  Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.

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asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

■ ASTROLOGY

13

Predictions and advice for the week of November 4–10, 2017

By Sun Lee Chang

Rat —A random assortment of odds and ends will remain just that unless you take the time to organize them into a searchable collection.

Dragon — Don’t get so caught up in the process that you lose sight of the big picture. Remind yourself why you are there in the first place.

Monkey — No matter where you end up or how long it takes, following your own passion will be its own reward.

Ox — Are you getting caught up in the anticipation of an upcoming event? Don’t let it distract you from what you need to do now.

Snake — Are you debating whether or not to volunteer your opinion on a controversial matter?

That would depend on what you are trying to accomplish.

Rooster — Focusing too much on one side could leave the other neglected. An imbalance should be easy enough to correct, provided you are paying attention.

Horse — There is something to be said for leaving well enough alone. Once you reach a pleasing result, then resist the urge to tinker with it.

Dog — Announcing your plans is only the first step. You will need to do more than just saying it to make it so.

Goat — For better or worse, you have decided to embark on a new venture. Don’t abandon the lessons you have learned from past journeys.

Pig — While carving out a niche for yourself can have its benefits, be careful not to become too isolated by your specialization.

Tiger — You can’t control every detail, nor would it be desirable to be able to do so. There is something to be said for letting things unfold naturally.

Rabbit — Your plan may not necessarily coincide with someone else’s. However, don’t let that throw you off track.

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 Pig 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

*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.

ANDERSON from 9 the main library. I watched her coming out slowly at the waterpoint intersection, obscured by South Whidbey Island and the mainland, with moist, nostalgic eyes on my binoculars. No known relatives or friends on board, but the bond, kinship, and feelings rekindled from memories past engulfed me all over again. “Red, Right, Returning” for entrance channel buoys on starboard … the uncontrolled tears of joy and thanksgiving for a safe return to homeport with a new full deck of memories and experiences after each voyage.

The American Dream is real and achieved. Mabuhay!

Long Live!

In Maria’s words September 14, 2017 My father had a long life, passing peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 9, 2017, two weeks shy of his 95th birthday. Five days later, the Speaker of the House announced that on Oct. 25, he and leaders of the U.S. House and Senate would present a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of Filipino veterans of World War II for their service and sacrifice during the war. This as in accordance of Public Law 114-265, signed by President Barack Obama on Dec. 14, 2016.

I was, of course, elated. The one thing my father hoped for — recognition for his service — was finally

in sight. At the same time, I felt profoundly sad that he just missed the fanfare he and all those who served, deserved.

October 25, 2017 Accompanied by my brother Rolando, and clutching a portrait of my father, I watched as the gold medal was unveiled in front of a 650-person audience at the U.S. Capitol, 71 years and eight months after President Truman signed the Rescission Act of 1946, stripping all Filipino veterans of the benefits guaranteed by President Roosevelt in 1941. Of the 66 nationalities that fought on behalf of the United States, only those from the Philippines were denied benefits. I listened as Speaker Ryan said, “Let this ceremony serve to ensure that those who fought for freedom are never forgotten, and always remembered.” I wanted to shout, “Those who fought for your freedom have never forgotten.” But out of respect for my father, who waited so patiently for so many years, I stayed in my chair.

That evening, I proudly accepted a bronze replica of the medal on behalf of my father, Rafael J. Lamarca, United States Army Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon. This one’s for you, Daddy-Oh! You have achieved your dream.

Maraming Salamat po! Love you always, all ways.  Maria can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

FOREIGNER from 7 time. Obviously the marketing team went for The Foreigner with Jackie Chan on the movie poster because everyone was itching for another great Chan film. Given The Chinaman was written in 1992, the IRA terrorism attacks did not seem too timely to me. When the first trailer was released, there was a controversy over Jackie Chan playing a Vietnamese citizen, but the story quickly explains he is ChineseVietnamese. I would give this film an extra half star if I had watched the film knowing nothing ahead of time.

Chan’s take on a man who has lost everything is fantastic.

I don’t think he smiled a single time, which is the complete opposite of his normal campy action movies like Rush Hour.

In that series, Chan dispatches each armed thug effortlessly with eloquence and grace.

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That’s not the case in The Foreigner. Chan is definitely human and gets beat up quite a bit. The constant back and forth between Quan and Liam holds a lot of tension.

There are a number of plot twists regarding the IRA and Quan’s motives, but the movie is never too hard to follow like some political thrillers. I recommend this movie if you are a Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan fan.

Here’s my own movie review plot twist! I had read that some of Jackie’s action scenes were cut from the U.S. version. The final fight scene is actually five minutes longer in the China version and addressed a lot of criticism about the lack of Jackie. I’ll definitely catch the unedited version in the future. ■ John can be reached at john@nwasianweeky.com.

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We anticipate a 14-month construction duration.

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GURRIEL from 1 “I made an offensive gesture that was indefensible,” Gurriel said in a statement released by the Astros. “I sincerely apologize to everyone that I offended with my actions. I deeply regret it.”

“I would particularly like to apologize to Yu Darvish, a pitcher that I admire and respect. I would also like to apologize to the Dodgers organization, the Astros, Major League Baseball and to all fans across the game,” he said.

Gurriel said that he wanted to meet with Darvish to express his regret. Manfred said there would be a private apology.

Gurriel will lose $322,581 of his $12 million salary next year, which the Astros will donate to charitable causes. He also will be required to undergo sensitivity training during the offseason.

Immediately after the game, Darvish said he was angry.

“Acting like that, you just disrespect all the people around the world,” he said in Japanese through a translator.

Darvish later tweeted “let’s stay positive and move forward instead of focusing on anger.”

35 YEARS

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Send resume and writing samples to: Ruth Bayang, NW Asian Weekly, PO Box 3468, Seattle, WA 98114 or email editor@nwasianweekly.com

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Gurriel drew cheers when he batted in the second inning of Game 4 on Oct. 28. He grounded into a double play and finished 0 for 3 with a strikeout in Houston’s 6-2 loss, which tied the Series at two games apiece.

The 33-year-old Gurriel played in Japan in 2014 and is completing his second season in the major leagues after leaving Cuba.

Darvish was born to a Japanese mother and an Iranian father. The four-time AllStar played professionally in Japan from 2005-11 before joining the Texas Rangers in 2012. He was sent to the Dodgers at this year’s July 31 trade deadline.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said the team was “surprised and disappointed” by Gurriel’s behavior and supported Manfred’s decision.

“Yuli has always demonstrated respectful behavior and is extremely remorseful for his actions,” Luhnow said. “He had no intention of offending anyone, but now recognizes the perceived offensiveness of his actions.”

MLB suspended two players this season for using slurs. Toronto’s Kevin Pillar and Oakland’s Matt Joyce each were banned

Mail to: NW Asian Weekly 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 or call 206-223-0623

two games after making anti-gay comments. In 2012, Toronto infielder Yunel Escobar was penalized three games for a gay slur.

“That precedent is not adequate to deal with the current situation,” Manfred said.

“I’ve decided to go beyond that precedent as a statement of our disapproval of this behavior.”

Manfred said he was “impressed in my conversation with Yu Darvish by his desire to move forward, and I felt that moving the suspension to the beginning of the season would help in that regard.”

Said Manfred: “There is no place in our game for the behavior or any behavior like the behavior we witnessed last night.”

“There is no excuse or explanation that makes that type of behavior acceptable,” he said.

By imposing a penalty Gurriel and the players’ union agreed not to contest, Manfred avoided a possible grievance hearing in the next few days before arbitrator Mark Irvings that would have taken attention away from the World Series.

Gurriel will be put on the restricted list next season, meaning the Astros can replace him and play with a 25-man roster.

Manfred would not compare Gurriel’s actions with the Cleveland Indians’ decision to keep using their Chief Wahoo logo, which has been criticized by Native Americans and others.

“I see a difference between behavior from one player directed specifically at a player, and a logo,” he said.

“While both are problematic, I don’t see them as the same issue. We continue to have conversations with the Indians about the logo, and it’s an issue I intend to deal with in the offseason.” ■ SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.

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NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

15

“Happy 35th anniversary to the Northwest Asian Weekly! Thanks for keeping our community and beyond informed on the issues that matter. Thanks for helping to develop the next generation of leaders, and for recognizing community members, leaders, and organizations who have served our community over many years. Thanks for bridging our community with others, and recognizing women’s leadership. Thanks for giving back to our community and inspiring others to do the same. May the next 35 years be as consequential as the first 35!”

— Diane Narasaki, ACRS Executive Director

The only weekly English-edition newspaper serving the Asian community in the state of Washington for 35 years.

“When I was younger, I wasn’t interested in reading news or newspapers. When I arrived in Seattle in 1979, I didn’t know much about the community. Since 1983, I became a loyal reader of the Seattle Chinese Post’s English edition. I was a restaurant owner in the International District. I realized I needed to keep up with what’s going on in our own community, and also advertise to support our community paper. Now I am hooked on the Asian Weekly. I can speak Chinese, but can’t read the Chinese Post (as I immigrated to this country too young). I appreciate all the coverage in the Asian Weekly, especially all the activities and events of the community, and what people say or do.”

— Elaine Wong, restaurant manager

Photos by Assunta Ng/NWAW

BLOG from 10

Fashion Show at the Self-Help for the Elderly fundraiser.

Northwest Asian Weekly is on Google Maps

how to help the Black community enter the tech field.

Don’t just slam dunk, practice math, too. I know people would accuse me for stereotyping. But I am being honest.

What’s wrong with leveling the playing field?

Google Maps

It was a fun moment to search for the Asian Weekly’s office and the International District. Inside the visitor’s center, you can play with Google Maps. But you can’t get in without someone carrying a badge.

It only takes a minute or two to locate the Northwest Asian Weekly building on Maynard Avenue South, and the whole downtown Seattle and International District map. The guy before us was looking for Chong Shan Road, in a remote city in China. He found it, too. What an investment for Google to put the whole world on the internet!

That’s how the protagonist in the movie “Lion,” (based on a true story), found his home, which was long lost in his memory when he was barely 5 years old — through Google. I can imagine all the hard work and brains of many Google software engineers figuring out how to gather and organize this data. We all take it for granted now.

What will happen if we don’t have Google Maps? What if Google decides to start charging us to use the service?

Four-day trip to California

The main part of the California trip was to see my former high school classmates, 29 of them including some with their spouses, but I actually accomplished much

more with an unexpected visit to Google.

One friend asked, “You went to school in Hong Kong? So why did the reunion take place in San Francisco?” My alma mater was Sacred Heart Canossian College, a Catholic girls school in Hong Kong.

Many of my high school friends have immigrated to North America. It’s a convenient spot for Americans and Canadians to meet. To our delight, a few of them joined us from Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.

A couple of them, I haven’t seen since our high school graduation. I wouldn’t be able to recognize them on the street. One was our class president, attorney Terry Wong of Florida, who played the King in my high school play, and I was the Queen.

The King and Queen finally reunited after more than 40 years in a beautiful land called America, and amazingly from the farthest opposite corners of the U.S. If someone told me that would be the story when we were in high school, I would say, “Impossible.” No words could express my joyful astonishment, warmth, and friendship, seeing so many childhood friends after four decades of separation.

The trip also served other purposes.

It was a perfect getaway after months of planning the Asian Weekly’s 35th anniversary gala.

We were also able to attend the annual fundraising dinner of a multi-milliondollar agency, Self-Help for the Elderly, of which our high school classmate, Anni Chung, is the executive director. We were treated to a singing performance by Margaret Cheung, the daughter of classmate Agnes. A rising star in Hong Kong arts and entertainment, Cheung performed English, Cantonese, and Mandarin songs flawlessly.

All of us are looking forward to our next reunion. It will be in 2019, in Toronto. ■ Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

Flags of People’s Republic of China and Republic of China (Taiwan) flew over San Francisco’s Chinatown to commemorate a national holiday in October.

asianweekly northwest

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NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 10, 2017

CRUZ from 1 of the veterans, were dressed in their uniforms as well and when they passed the veterans, they saluted them.

The elderly vets, with pride, saluted back. Others carried pictures of their veterans or pins affixed to their coat as a sign that despite their absence, they were there in spirit for this remarkable occasion. For many veterans, it was a long trek to D.C., as some came from Hawaii, Alaska, and the Philippines. Notably, Alaska Airlines gave some vets and their next of kin a 20 percent discount to fly to the event. No one complained about the distance — many saw it as a once in a lifetime opportunity to honor their mother, father, or grandparent.

The medal was presented to veterans, next of kin, and their families. House Speaker Paul Ryan made opening remarks commending the Filipino veterans for their service. Also in attendance were House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Mitch McConnell. The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, was also in attendance and visited with veterans and their families after the ceremony.

Celestino Almeda, a 100-year-old veteran, spoke at the ceremony. The World War II veteran immigrated to the United States in 1996 and lives in Gaithersburg, Md. Almeda is one of just a handful of remaining Filipino veterans who fought long and hard to receive the benefits they were entitled to, when they answered the call of duty to defend the United States.

Almeda noted the many veterans that passed away waiting for this day. Today, only 18,000 Filipino veterans are still alive. But, being the ardent soldier he was trained to be, Almeda remarked, “Old soldiers never die, they fade away.” It was a statement that Gen. Douglas MacArthur gave in April 1951 during his farewell address. It was MacArthur that famously vowed that he would return to liberate the Philippines from Japanese control after U.S. troops were forced out in 1942.

President Franklin Roosevelt created the U.S. Army Forces of the Far East, offering full benefits and citizenship to Filipinos who enlisted. Fifty-seven-thousand Filipinos stepped up to serve. The promise of benefits and U.S. citizenship were later rescinded by President Harry Truman.

In 2009, the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund authorized the release of a one-time, lump-sum payment to eligible World War II Filipino veterans. It was announced

Jason Cruz (right) receiving the medal in behalf of his late father, Johnny Casabar Cruz.

at the ceremony that Almeda would receive $15,000 after a review of his military file.

Congress passed Public Law 114-265, entitled the “Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015.” In one of his last acts as president of the United States, Barack Obama signed the resolution into law on Dec. 14, 2016.

The honor was bestowed to 260,000 Filipinos who fought alongside American forces during the war, as well as those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.

The ceremony honored Filipinos, Filipino Americans, and those Americans serving in World War II. It was a long day for the veterans and their families, as the ceremony was followed by the official awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal. The occasion brought smiles, tears, and relief to many in attendance.

“There were no words to describe the occasion, there all good superlatives,” stated Brig. Gen. Oscar Hillman.

Hillman is an Iraq War veteran and co-director of Region

35 YEARS

8 (covering Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska) of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project. The ceremony made him reflect on his mother, grandfather, and uncle. “There was a lot of work behind the scenes.” Hillman spoke of the logistical efforts to locate veterans, and getting everything prepared and organized for the occasion.

Hillman, along with many other advocacy organizations, spent a great deal of time lobbying for the Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino Veterans. “It was very, very hard.”

The budget and last year’s election made it difficult to lobby for the recognition. “There were other organizations that wanted to be included and senators that were challenging the entitlements. There were a lot of calls, letter writing, and tweeting.” Hillman said that social media helped remind legislators to support the Filipino veterans in the efforts to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.

Zenaida Crisostomo Slemp, co-director for Region 8, noted that it was inspiring to see all of the families of veterans who traveled to D.C. She met a family that heard about the ceremony just two weeks prior and brought 10 people from Alaska, including their 90-year-old mother, to honor their deceased father. Slemp’s father was a prisoner of war during the infamous Bataan Death March, which took the lives of many Filipinos. “I know my father is smiling in heaven with his compadres.” She added, “I know how important it was for him.” Slemp noted that Washington state was the first to have all of its senators and congressional members sign off on the bill to award the medals. Slemp agreed that the effort to put together such a ceremony was a huge undertaking. She kept motivated as she thought of her father. “I’m doing this for you,” she explained.

Slemp also was pleasantly surprised that Alaska Airlines honored the veteran families on a flight back from Washington D.C. to Seattle.

Some veterans who were unable to travel to receive their medals will receive replicas of the Congressional Gold Medal at a Nov. 15 ceremony at the International District Drop In Center (IDIC), on 7301 Beacon Avenue South, Seattle at 12:45 p.m.  For more information on the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, visit filvetrep.org.

Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.