PAGE 2 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014
By MARY LLANOS CORDERO
serving The community since 1987 Publisher Mary Llanos Cordero
FALL IN SESSION
Managing Editor Bennette Espineli Misalucha Director of Design Armand Busmente Production Manager Alice Llanos Busmente Assistant Editors Paola Rodelas Radiant Cordero Copy Editor Danielle Evangelista Photographers/Graphics Brandon dela Cruz Noah Felipe Gabe de Liso Jeff Orig James Ramos COLUMNISTS Edna Alikpala Rhoda Yabez Alvarez, Esq. Jesse Bacon II Nancy Bernal Cesar Bonilla Alice Llanos Busmente Anabel Gasmen Cabebe Dr. Rickie Camara Dr. Patricia Halagao ZenyMuyot Angie Santiago Perfecto Yasay Jr. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Conrad Abuel Ric Agnes Paul Alimbuyao Ria Baldevia Eriza Bareng Marnelli Joy Basilio Bernie Caalim Randy Cortez Radiant Cordero Mary Cruzada Jaime de Jesus Brandon dela Cruz Christian Evangelista Imelda Gasmen Veronika Geronimo Leo Gozar Ben Gutierrez Carmela Minaya Gladys QuintoMarrone Gladys Menor John Pagaragan Paola Rodelas Judy Relosimon Sandra Sagisi Nicole Velasco Jason Ubay MichiVillaruz Neighbor Island Bureau Maui Kit Zulueta Jeremy Zane Big Island Mil Asuncion Jane Clement Dr. Margarita Hopkins Kauai Virgie Cruzada Liza Trinidad Marynell Valenzuela ADVERTISING SALES MarivicAldaya Mary Cordero Annabel Cabebe Florence Tan McCollom Lydia Kamiya Joni Redick-Yundt Rudy Bautista Marynel Valenzuela CIRCULATION Florence Tan (Oahu) Ron Oshiro(Leeward Oahu) David Cordero (Maui) Marynel Valenzuela (Kauai) Milli Asuncion (Big Island) Legal Counsel Alfredo Evangelista, Esq
THE FIL-AM COURIER is published twice a month by OAHU RELOCATION SERVICES located at 2221 Liliha St. Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Opinions expressed by the columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Fil-Am Courier. Publisher reserves the right to edit letters to the editor and other material submitted. Reproduction of material and ads appearing in the Fil-Am courier is forbidden without written permission. All photos submitted become the property of the Fil-Am Courier.
Telephone: 808.595.8787 Facsimile: 808.595.6883 E-Mail: courier@lava.net www.filamcourier.net m
e
m
b
e
HFAMC
r
Federation of Filipino American Media Associations of the United States and Canada
FFAMAS
Hawaii Filipino American Media Council All rights reserved printed in the u.s.a ©
The change from summer to fall not only brings with it some shifts in the weather but also the usual transition from summer break to school time for children and adolescents. The start of the new school year comes not only as a welcome relief to not only to teachers, principals and other school staff who will return to their jobs but also for many parents -some of whom will get some peace and quiet in their homes as their kids go back to school. The beginning of a new school term might mean different things to different parties. For elementary students, it’s the continuation of their efforts to master the basic rudiments of langauge and mathematics. In middle school, students are on the cusp of preparing for high school and those in high school are getting ready for graduation later in the year. For faculty, the new year not only represents the usual challenge of instructing students in varied subject matters and fields but dealing with possible workplace issues and new procedures. Therefore, the return of the school year represents not simply one phenomena but a multi-dimensional one for all of the different stakeholders of the
educational systems - both private and public. Another milestone this year will be the General Election to be held in November. A l r e a d y t h i s y e a r ’s Primary Election yielded at least a historic occurrence - the ousting of an incumbent Democratic Governor in Hawaii. The defeat of former Congress-man and current Governor Neil Abercrombie and the triumph of his challenger State Senator David Ige was a conclusive one - Ige polled more than 30% ahead of Abercrombie early on in the race and when the votes were finally counted, it reflected what the polls had been stating all along. A b e r c r o m b i e ’s b o l d , fierce and aggressive manner - his calling card during his 40 year political career -appears to have done him in as Governor. While that combative style played out well in Congress in Washington DC, it alienated a number of voters on the local front. Add to that his controve r s i a l a t t e m p t t o t a x pensions, his hard line approach to some union issues as well as his support of controversial development projects – and you have a recipe for an electoral upset.
The stage is now set for a three man Gubernatorial race that includes Republican and former Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann running as an Independent. November will also see a First Congressional District contest between state legislator Democrat Mark Takai and Republican Charles Djou. Takai scored an upset win of his own in a crowded field of contenders that included Senate President Donna Mercado-Kim. Despite a blitz of campaign ads for Mercado-Kim, Takai - a relatively unknown managed to maintain a solid lead in his race at Primary Election night as well. The US Senate race to fill the deceased former Senator Daniel Inouye’s seat might very well be an afterthought this November after the extremely hardfought and contested Primary race between Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and Incumbent Senator Brian Schatz came down to the statistical wire. I f r e g i s t e r e d vo t e r s needed any incentive and illustration of how important it is for them to show up and vote, the Schatz-Hanabusa race provided a startling and definitive case study. In a dramatic twist of events, Hurracane Iselle did more than pass through the islands. Because of the storm, the people of Puna on the Big Island determined the fate of the primary. Brian Schatz beat Colleen Hanabusa by a mere 1,600 plus votes. Besides the major Senate, Congressional and Gubernatorial races, there are county council and legislative offices up for grabs throughout the state. And whether it’s a seat in the US Senate or the State Legislature, some-times one or two votes can make a difference. Will you be the deciding factor with your vote this November?
But of course, not all in this town is about politics. Our cover story for this August 16 issue is about the new leadership at the Filipino Community Center, the community’s gathering place on Oahu. Long seen as a unifying factor amongst our diverse Filipino community in Hawaii, the Center is going through its own transition as it continues to find its place in harnessing the power of the community, which is the largest ethnic group in the State today. Just as we are going to press, the Board of Directors of Filcom Center led by its chair Edmund Aczon, has announced the selection of Donnie Juan, Esq, as its new Executive Director. Juan, who is an attorney and CPA by profession, has been involved with the Filcom as its Chair of the Finance Committee for more than six years. As such, he has been privy to the financial challenges that has beset the Center,albeit they are challenges that are not uncommon to non-profit organizations that have limited revenue streams and a large building debt. Juan was selected by a blue-ribbon selection committee led by former insurance executive Robin Campaniano from scores of strong managerial candidates. We congratulate Donnie Juan for his appointment and we look forward to the new energy that will be sure to emanate from the Center as a result of this new leadership. Aside from our cover s t o r y, w e h a v e o t h e r wonderful articles in this issue which we hope you will enjoy reading. We thank you, dear readers, for your continued support and patronage. Take care and Mabuhay!
THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014 • PAGE 3
By Dr. Alfred Sison
As a psychologist and therapist, I encounter individuals who seem to think that their beliefs and values are the only truth, that their judgements, labels, and pretensions are necessary to carry out the “high life”, “being too cool for school”, or “being the envy of the town.” Some justify this way of thinking, to being ambitious, persevering, or stubbornly successful. For others, which I believe is the majority, this “frame of mind” leaves most stuck in a dysfunctional cycle of excuses or lies, a denial of new ideas, thoughts, and creativity. Ultimately, this way of thinking becomes a major contributing factor to their experience of depression, anxiety, addiction, because these false standards are not met. Sometimes it is more courageous to listen than be heard, to receive new beliefs with an open mind rather than a narrow mind of criticism. Here is a poem by Valerie Cox called “The Cookie Thief” that may shed more insights: “A woman was waiting at an airport one night, With several long hours before her flight. She hunted for a book in the airport shops. Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop. She was engrossed in her book but happened to see, That the man sitting beside her, as bold as could be. Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between, Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene. So she munched the cookies and watched the clock, As the gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock. She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by, Thinking, “If I wasn’t so nice, I would blacken his eye.” With each cookie she took, he took one too, When only one was left, she wondered what he would do. With a smile on his face, and a nervous laugh, He took the last cookie and broke it in half. He offered her half, as he ate the other, She snatched it from him and thought… oooh, brother. This guy has some nerve and he’s also rude, Why he didn’t even show any gratitude! She had never known when she had been so galled, And sighed with relief when her flight was called. She gathered her belongings and headed to the gate, Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate. She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat, Then she sought her book, which was almost complete. As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise, There was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes. If mine are here, she moaned in despair, The others were his, and he tried to share. Too late to apologize, she realized with grief, That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief.”
After asking a few individuals what they thought of “The Cookie Thief” poem, I found through an anonymous person their interpretation that sings true: “Sometimes, we are the cookie thieves. We get something that does not belong to us, we do not live life in the fullest and we tend to get things that we want for ourselves. If for an instance, we live to please ourselves with the materials things we have around us, we become the cookie thieves, we take from others what we already have. If we realize that we have already taken things from others, it is not too late to give back the cookie we took from them, remember, we still have a pack of cookies in our bags.” What I most appreciate from this poem is that Ms Cox did not attempt to complete the poem with a message of guilt rather, she gave a chance to empathize with the main character, the thought that all of us have a chance to realize and be wrong to make a mistake and accept our mistakes and learn from them, what we can see and don’t want to see, but we have a chance to learn from the experience and realize maybe with grief or a lesson has been learned but human nature has that freedom to choose. Next time, more insights into exploring the self. Please feel free to contact me through my website at www. alspsy.com. Aloha. Dr Al
Alfred A. Sison, MA, LMFT, PsyD; “Dr. Al” is a licensed clinical psychologist with a subspeciality license in marriage and family therapy. He services individuals, couples, and familes through the therapeutic process, and maintains a private practice in Honolulu, HI. He holds a Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD), Clinical Psychology degree from Argosy University, Hawaii Campus and a Master of Arts (MA), Professional Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy Specialty from the American School of Professional Psychology, Hawaii Campus. He completed his undergraduate studies with a degree in Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.
PAGE 4 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014
By Christopher J.C. Polanzi
I honestly have never heard of the Consuelo Foundation (CF) until I volunteered last December at the “Aloha for Philippines Mahalo Concert”, a benefit for victims of Typhoon Haiyan. CF had pledged to match all FilCom Center donations for storm victims including proceeds from the Mahalo Concert, up to $2 million. T h a t ’s h o w I b e c a m e interested in volunteering in the Philippines. I approached CF to check on any opportunities in the storm ravished Visayas during my summer break but was advised that certain areas were still difficult to travel. The Foundation suggested I g o t o B a g u i o i n s t e a d . With some guidance and recommendations, I paid my own air and ground transportation, meals, and lodging accommodations and found myself at the Consuelo Center for Leadership & Social Innovation. It turned out to be the experience of a lifetime and was well worth it. This trip was the first time I have ever traveled abroad and what better place than the Philippines, where I trace my roots, since it is my mother’s ancestral homeland. Born and raised in Hawaii, I was always interested in my Filipino cultural heritage. This trip reinforced my connections to this country. I found the country landscape was beautiful, but I was shocked to see so much poverty and many poor children begging for food and money. I couldn’t help but pity them. Why are the poor denied human dignity?It made me question how can we end world poverty so that children and families
A VOLUNTEER TRIP TO BAGUIO
won’t have to suffer. T h e C h i l d a n d Fa m i l y Services Philippines (CFSPI), which is based in Baguio, addresses these social issues. CFSPI started as a sanctuary for street children in 1987 and initially targeted efforts on children at risk and children without homes. Today, the agency focuses on abused youngsters and children in conflict with the laws. I learned these were the harsh effects of poverty. I volunteered at the Consuelo Life Skills Center for Children (CLSCC) where there was the Restorative Justice Program for boys. My supervisor was Bernardo Cadaon, a caseworker and project specialist at CLSCC. He taught the Life Skills Sessions and focused on many areas of personal growth for the boys including developing communication and interpersonal skills, how to cope with emotions and stress, develop critical thinking and decision making, learn problem solving and conflict resolution, occupational health and safety, adolescent reproductive
health and gender, skills for employability, and life planning and goal setting. The classes also stressed vocational training in carpentry, masonry and welding so they could find jobs and be selfsufficient. I quickly made friends with the boys by playing basketball. They spoke English and I appreciated that some opened up about their personal hardships. I also shared my personal stories. Life Skills emphasized the importance of developing the WHOLE person and taught them step-by-step on how to be confident. I was able to encourage them to really focus on building their self-esteem and to believe in themselves even if they had nothing because someday they would be successful. I told them that success was having the biggest heart, being the smartest person there, being the hardest worker, and then incorporating mental toughness s o t h e y c o u l d p e r s e ve r e , which was why I have every confidence that these youths will excel and someday be at the very top of their chosen field.
At Consuelo Home for Girls, a safe haven for survivors of child abuse aged seven to 18 years old, I helped caseworkers Jennifer Empiso, and Chit Habon. I assisted with taking pictures during their art class. I didn’t know why the girls stared at me during the art session but then one of the students in her third year of college came up to me and asked if I was an actor. I was confused as to why she asked and I responded, “Oh how I wish.” The next time I met the grouop, I conducted a drawing/ sketching class and that’s when I started to open up and chat more. Habon mentioned that the girls couldn’t get enough of me because they are at an age when they get so excited when a handsome guy visits them. The girls were an inspiration to me about life in general and not just about how I look. Living in a shelter is very different from how I live at home. There are strict rules at the shelter to follow. I wished I had more time to volunteer at the Consuelo Home so I could be able to impact the lives of the girls. I know deep down in myself I was able to help in some way by teaching, talking, and laughing with them. My volunteer experience w i t h l a s t ye a r ’s M a h a l o Concert came full circle when I visited The Consuelo Foundation in Makati. Communications manager Emma Ignacio shared more information about Consuelo Zobel Alger and her legacy, and the vast network of non-governmental organizations it has helped throughout the country. At the beginning of my trip, I thought I could volunteer and teach youngsters but instead, they taught me more than I could imagine --- to open my eyes and be thankful for all the blessings in my life and do not take them for granted
because sometimes I do. My new friends in Baguio do dream and hope for a bright future. I believe that they have the ability to achieve their own dream no matter how impossible it appears. I miss the incredible bond of friendship I made with everyone in Baguio. I want to return soon again to reconnect and especially see how far the children would be able to reach their goals. I hope and pray they will succeed. “What brings me most satisfaction with the boys and girls is their healing process, “ said Daniel Urquico, co-founder of CFSPI with Patti Lyons. “When they regain hope and self-esteem, they are able to function normally again,” he added. My two-week Philippine journey has been the highlight so far of my young life. It was a time for personal growth and discovery, of exploring my connections to my Filipino heritage. I can’t wait to volunteer again in the Philippines and hopefully the next time around in the communities devastated by Haiyan. Maraming Salamat Po CFSPI and Consuelo Foundation!
Christopher J.C. Polanzi is 16 years old and a junior attending Mid Pacific Institute in Honolulu. He is the son of Bernie Caalim and Craig Polanzi. His mom’s family roots are from Ilocos Norte.
THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014 • PAGE 5
An Experience of a Lifetime:
Attending the Philippine President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) By Stephanie Yasay
As an incoming sophomore at the University of Hawai‘i with the intent to study international business and law, I had the opportunity to beintroduced to the political world when I attended the official opening of the joint sessions of the Philippine Congress. There, the President of the Philippines, Benigno S. Aquino III, delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that presented his legislative agenda and a report on the P h i l i p p i n e g ove r n m e n t ’s achievements. Like the United States, the Philippines is a democracy, so Philippine Presidents’ SONAs are an integral part of how laws are made. The President, as head of the executive branch, legislators to update laws and create new ones that would help the country run better. I sat in the first row of the visitor’s gallery alongside Senate President Franklin D r i lo n’s f am i l y, wh ere I had an excellent view of all the VIPs in attendance. Onstage were President Benigno Aquino III, Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte. Also present were 22 senators, 200+ congressmen and -women, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and other justices, the entire cabinet, and even former Philippine Presidents – all the key leaders of the land. The security detachment had been “cleaning up” and securing the Batasang Pambansa days before the event since rallies and demonstrations were being planned by special interest groups. On my way there, I saw major television networks setting up to cover the event. The invitation specified Filipiniana dress for the women and Barong Tagalog for the men. I wore a long black dress with my Mom’s beaded panuelo, and felt that my attire would suffice. However, I felt extremely underdressed. The women legislators or spouses, many of whom are celebrities, like actresses Lucy Gomez and Heart Evangelista, paraded their colorful chiffon and lace ternos on the red carpet made by the country’s most sought after couturiers, and their diamonds and colored stones lit up the entire place. It was an event comparable
was bright, as bright as the dresses of the women that night.
to the Oscars with fashion columnists critiquing the “hits and misses” of the event. Colors were used to represent one’s political affiliation – yellow for the President’s supporters and peach for those who wanted to impeach him. The traditional off-white jusi “saya” worn with a matching tambourine necklace as the only jewelry and the hair in a bun has been modernized.
The President gave an hour-long speech, mostly in Tagalog, which was quite difficult for me to understand. The highlight of the State of the Nation Address was President Aquino’s touching statement about carrying on the legacy of his parents – Former President Ninoy Aquino, who gave up his life to end the dictatorship, a n d h i s m o t h e r, f o r m e r President Cory Aquino. He
also mentioned his father’s famous quote “The Filipino is worth dying for”, to which he added his own phrase, “The Filipino is worth fighting for.” It was an emotional moment, especially since the death anniversary of President Cory Aquino was a few days after his State of the Nation address and his popularity, for the first time in his four years in office, was at its lowest because of a controversy where he questioned a Supreme Court ruling on his office’s development funds. The cameras panned on the faces of his sisters, including Kris Aquino, who were all teary-eyed like him. The country is besieged by many problems, but for that one moment at the SONA, it looked like hope
Stephanie Joaquin Yasay is currently a sophomore at the University of Hawaii. In high school, she was a member of the Honors Society. She attended Sacred Hearts Academy in Honolulu, The Hun School of Princeton in New Jersey, and the International School of Manila. Her interests include singing, dancing, and acting and was a member of The Edgertones, an a capella group from The Hun School, participated in advanced dance at the International School of Manila, and has also appeared in several plays and productions, including The Little Mermaid at St. Louis University.
Stephanie Yasay and her cousin (former Representative of Pangasinan) Rachel Arenas. Cousin former congresswoman Rachel Arenas
Stephanie had the lucky chance for a photo opportunity with Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III. Pictured is also Stephanie’s aunt, Congresswoman Baby Arenas of Pangasinan.
Stephanie stands next to her aunt, Congresswoman Baby Arenas of Pangasinan, at the Philippine President’s State of the Nation Address.
PAGE 6 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014
Voices of the Heart Tour Date By RADIANT CORDERO
At a soon-to-beannounced date and location, ABS-CBN whets dedicated fans of “The Voice of the Philippines” and “Be Careful With My Heart” teleserye appetite with the Voices of the Heart Tour 2014 concert. With more than 530 episodes, “Be Careful With My Heart,” starring Richard Yap and Jodi Sta. Maria, is one of the most successful teleseryes of ABS-CBN. The show’s success has allowed its stars to travel and connect with loyal ABSCBN subscribers through TFC in concerts throughout the world. The two will now grace Honolulu in full force with sweet serenades of songs from their show and OPMs. Sharing the stage with
RICHARD YAP
Richard Yap and Jodi Sta. Maria are vocal powerhouses from the “The Voice of the Philippines” which, like the United States’ “The Voice” is a reality television singing competition show on ABSCBN. Joining the “Be Careful With My Heart” stars are
JODI SANTAMARIA
Janice Javier (season 1 finalist), Klarisse de Guzman (season 1 runner-up), and Mitoy Yonting, the season 1 winner of the Voice of the Philippines. Before the concert, there are plans to invite fans to attend a separate meet
JANICE JAVIER
and greet with the stars at Tiano’s Restaurant in Waipahu. Cost with a meal included is $50 (if attendee has tickets to the concert otherwise, price is $200). Seats are limited for the meet and greet, to RSVP call Gina at (808)-258-2113 or Zee Productions at (808)387-7127. JODI SANTAMARIA Considered to be one of the Philippine?s most talented actresses of her generation, Jodi is under the managing contract of ABSCBN Star Magic contract talents. Jodi became more famous when she played the role of Maya Dela Rosa in the hit and top rating daytime TV drama Be Careful With My Heart which airs weekdays on ABS-CBN. The show?s success prompted viewers
KLARISSE DE GUZMAN
and critics to call Jodi the Queen of Primetanghali.Jodi has received several awards and recognitions. The most recent is her winning the 2012 8th USTvStudent?s Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actress in the soap opera 100 Days To Heaven and another award at the 2012 Anak TV Seal Awards for the Makabata Awardee. In 2010 Jodi received her second acting award in her career as Best Supporting Actress for Cinema One Originals for Third World Happy. Her first award came in 2008 when she won Best Actress in the Digital Lokal category of the 2008 Cinemanila film Sisa. RICHARD YAP Best known for his role as “Papa Chen” in My Binondo Girl and in the television
THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014 • PAGE 7
es Will Soon be Announced
MICHAEL “MITOY” YONTING
drama Be Careful With My Heart as Richard “Sir Chief” Lim is a Chinese Filipino Actor and businessman. Born in Cebu City, he launched his entertainment career when he played the role of Kim Chiu’s father in Binondo girl. For that, he received the 2012 Golden Screen TV award for “Breakthrough Performance as an Actor”. He has since played the leading role in the teleserye Be Careful With My Heart, opposite Jodi Santamaria. Their show has garnered many awards including, the 2013 Gawad Tanglaw’s Best TV Series, 2013 New York Festival Finalist, Telenovelas Category, the Most Popular Daytime TV Drama Series from the GMMSF, the Best Daytime Drama Series from the 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television.
KLARISSE DE GUZMAN Klarrise or “Klang” once competed with her Coach, Sarah Geronimo, back when they were barely on their teens. After she lost at the Semi-Finals and a few more competitions, Klarisse placed her dreams of becoming a singing phenomenon at the back of her mind and concentrated on her studies. She may have left music at the backseat but this passion was not easy to escape from. She decided not to be “just a singer” but to be a well rounded artist. She is currently enrolled in Music Production at College of St. Benilde. On the side, Klarisse also performs occasionally as a band singer. JANICE JAVIER Before she became one of the favorite foreign singers in Thailand, Janice had always felt inferior, intimidated by other singers because of her weight. When most bands had their singers sing and dance during performances, Janice would sit on the stairs and sing. She soon realized that being fearful, feeling inferior or being easily intimidated got her nowhere. So Janice decided feeling good and proud of herself, joined every choreographed performances and production her time could afford. She has travelled throughout Asia to perform as a singer. She was able to do front acts for Filipino artists like True Faith, Jessica Zaragosa a n d D i n g o n g Ava n z a n o.
This four-chair-turner was regularly performs with Bangkok’s top artists at Thailand’s biggest concert venues. 0The person who inspired Janice to join TVOP is one of her closest local Thai friend, (name), who happens to be The Voice of Thailand’s Grand Winner. MICHAEL “MITOY” YONTING Mitoy discovered his passion for music at an early age. Like most artists, he actively pursued a career in the industry but luck gave him half-a-wish. The young Mitoy back then had joined various televised talent searches that lead to various tv appearances. He even earned a slot at a noontime show as a comedian-singer, but sadly, his career did not reach a full throttle. To raise a family, Mitoy went to Japan and other countries to work as a band singer. Later on, he came home and went to play for his kababayans.
Today, Mitoy is with the band “The Draybers” where he plays regularly at Resort’s World Manila.
Radiant Cordero is an Assistant Editor at the Fil-Am Courier. She was awarded by the United Filipino Council of Hawaii as an “Outstanding Youth” and by the JCI Filipino Junior Chamber as a “Top Outstanding Young Filipino.” She graduated with honors from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa with a B.A. in Political Science and B.A. in American Studies in May 2012 and is now a Master’s candidate in the Public Administration Program at UH Manoa. Cordero serves as the Volunteers’ Coordinator for the KaBATAan: Filipino for Kids Hawaii program and works as an External Government Relations and Legislative Aide at the Honolulu City Council.
Tickets may be purchased at the following outlets: • Jimmy’s Produce and Seafood Market: Call Cynthia (808)-728-7541 • Videorama: Call Alice (808)-230-4095 • Pacific Super Market: (808)-6782828 • North Star: Call Edna (808)-851-7 • Zee Productions: Call Zee (808)-387-7127 • Tiano’s Restaurant: Call Gina (808)-258-2113 • Lawrence Salon and Hairstyle: (808)-843-1184 or (808)-688-3626 • Pyramid Insurance: Call Cathy (808)-527-7241 • FilCom Video: Call Allan (808)-671-4110 • Vangie: (808)-688-8692 • Armi: (808)-221-0667 • Money Mart Western Union Dillingham: Call Joy (808)-848-2435 For those who have already purchased tickets, please hold on to them as these tickets will be honored for the next concert. Once again the August 22nd concert has been postponed to a later date.
PAGE 8 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014
THE DRAFT BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW By perfecto r. yasay, jr.
The Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro ( FA B ) p r ov i d e s t h e guidelines upon which the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) was negotiated and finalized. In turn, they served as the basis upon which the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was formulated and submitted to the President for approval. From the start of negotiations Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front proceeded on the premise that the status quo is unacceptable and that Bangsamoro shall be established to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. This rejection of the existing state of affairs is of far
reaching legal implication and inevitably requires amendments to the Constitution. The peace process is a continuation of talks began in 2001 under the facilitation of Malaysia. This led to the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOAAD) on August 5, 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, the FAB on October 15, 2012 and the CAB on March 27, 2014. H o w e v e r, o n O c t o b e r 14, 2008 the Supreme Court struck down MOAAD for contravening the Constitution. The jurisprudence laid down in that case is part of the law of the land that must be strictly followed. The President cannot disregard this decision by expediently claiming it is wrong. The Court stressed
Muslims residing in Quiapo, Manila, show their support for the Bangsamoro Basic Law after their prayer time at the Golden Mosque.
that the spirit animating Bangsamoro runs counter to the concept of national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic. It pointed out that “the powers
granted to Bangsamoro and its associative relationship with the national government leads to a foreseeable course towards independence, which cannot be reconciled with the Constitution“. The High Court also observed that the MOAAD granted powers and jurisdiction to the Bangsamoro beyond that allowed for local governments and the ARMM. It obligated Government to certain commitments that could not be delivered unless constitutional revisions were duly adopted. To address this dilemma Government simply guaranteed that changes to the Constitution would be made to conform to the MOA-AD instead of
MOA-AD conforming to the Constitution. At this crucial stage of the peace process Government will renege on its promises when the President unduly delays in approving and certifying as urgent to Congress the draft Basic Law formulated by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, or when Congress fails to pass the bill into law that is consistent with the FAB or CAB. Sadly, it appears that the President has painted himself to a corner, so that he was forced to return the proposed measure for renegotiations to remove objectionable features and facilitate its passage by Congress.
THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014 • PAGE 9
But what he does not seem to appreciate is that the enactment of a basic law that would fall short of the requirements of FAB or CAB will not remedy such infringement. Worse, any eventual ruling by the Supreme Court that FAB, CAB and the BBL are illegal will also be another serious breach. To better understand why the Bangsamoro Basic Law will necessarily violate the Constitution let us compare MOA-AD with the FAB and CAB. The Bangsamoro F ra m e w o r k A g r e e m e n t and the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro are at the very least identical if not more expansive than MOA-AD. Both are founded on the assertion that the Bangsamoro people, being the original inhabitants at the time of the conquest and colonialization of the Philippine Islands, have exclusive historical rights over their Islamic homeland embracing the
Mindanao-Sulu and Palawan geographical region. The concepts and principles of self-governance of Bangsamoro under MOAAD remain virtually the same for the Bangsamoro under the BFA. Only semantics have changed. For instance, the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity in the MOA-AD is referred to in the BFA as the Bangsamoro Political Entity; instead of calling the outline accord as Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain it is now entitled as the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro; the Decision Points upon which M O A-A D w a s b a s e d i s renamed Consensus Points under the BFA; the final details of the MOA-AD was to be incorporated in a Comprehensive Compact that is now labeled the Comprehensive Agreement; the relationship between Bangsamoro and the Central Government characterized as “associative” in MOAAD has been changed to “asymmetric” under the BFA.
The legitimacy of MOAAD and BFA hinges on the constitutionality of significant provisions, foremost of which is the creation of Bangsamoro to supersede ARMM; both MOA-AD and the BFA involve the sovereignty and integrity of the State, which directly affects the lives of the general population and not merely the inhabitants of Bangsamoro; the MOA-AD and BFA grants exclusive rights over a vast territory to the Bangsamoro people which the Supreme Court pointed out in the MOA-AD case “would pervasively and drastically dislodge and dislocate a huge number of inhabitants from their current situation”. Under FAB and CAB, Bangsamoro is granted the power to build, develop and maintain its own institutions inclusive of civil service, financial, banking and educational structures, legislative body, police and i n t e r n a l s e c u r i ty f o r c e , correctional institutions, electoral, economic, legal and
judicial system based upon Sharia Law. Consequently the same if not even more substantive attributes that the Supreme Court found objectionable in the MOAAD are firmly restored in the FAB, CAB. The predicament that now confronts the Aquino Administration is how to be faithful to its commitments under the peace agreements while refusing to acknowledge that the initiatives it has taken inescapably demand revisions to the Constitution that must be addressed beforehand. The President is aware that the adoption of constitutional amendments requires a national plebiscite involving the entire voting population that can be problematic unlike the ratification of the BBL, which is limited to the qualified electorate of Bangsamoro? This is likely the reason why both sides of the negotiating table insist that
FAB, CAB and the BBL do not offend the fundamental law. Our leaders must realize every inhabitant from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi is a real stakeholder who must play a role in empowering our Muslim brothers and sisters to accomplish their legitimate aspirations through Bangsamoro and actualize their true identity as Filipinos.
After successfully practicing law in the Philippines and the United States, “Jun” served as Chairman of the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission under President Fidel V. Ramos. He is currently Chairman of the Board of the Philippine Christian University in Manila, and a member of the Board of Governors of the Filipino Community Center. Yasay, along with his wife Cecile and daughter Stephanie, is a resident of Honolulu.
PAGE 10 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014
NEW LEADERSHIP AT THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY CENTER By Bennette Espineli Misalucha Managing Editor, Fil-Am Courier Our cover....
PROFILE:
DONNIE JUAN Executive Director
Donnie Juan, the new executive director for the Filcom Center was photographed on the steps of the iconic center. Photo by talented photographer James Ramos (jamesramosphotography.com).
Cover Concept by Noah Felipe of OrigMedia (www. origmedia.com). Mahalo to Jeff Orig.
The realization came slowly for Donnie Juan. But when it did, it hit him hard and he knew that he had to do something about it. So as the Blue ribbon committee led by former insurance executive Robin Campaniano went into full gear in its search for the next Executive Director for the Filipino Community Center, Donnie tossed his name into the ring. It was a decision that Donnie now has fully embraced as the Center
announced this week that he has been named as its newest leader, replacing Rose Churma, who has since moved on to new ventures. “The FilCom board is excited to welcome Donnie as our new executive director,” says board chairman Edmund Aczon. “He has the right vision for the FilCom Center and his professional and community experiences will enable him to hit the ground running.” Donnie takes over the helm of the iconic Center as the institution continues to grow and expand its reach into the greater community. The Center is now on its twelfth year of existence and has established itself as the gathering place for the Filipino community, particularly those residing on the west side of Oahu. On any given day, one can find senior citizens taking computer classes, or little children being taught tinikling, or community groups meeting and planning the next Fiesta, the next activity. On any given weekend, the Center is abuzz with music and funfare as families gather t o c e l e b ra t e b a p t i s m s , weddings or retirement parties. The Center is truly living up to its mission as a unifying force at a period of transition when the Filipino community is now touted as the largest ethnic group in the State of Hawaii. Donnie’s background, in a way, has prepared him for this new milestone in his life’s journey. Born in 1972, Donnie Juan was a military brat
almost all his life. His father, Ernie—who hails from Laoag—was in the military while his mom, Leilani has roots in Manila. The couple met in New York. Donnie is the second of a brood of five which includes Ernest (42) who lives in Indiana, Dave (37) who is also domiciled in Indiana, only girl Melina (32) who is in the Army and currently lives in Hawaii and youngest son, Mike (30) who is also based in Hawaii. He was named Franz Dominic Juan, but he said he did not care much for the name “Franz” and his parents adopted a nickname for him, “Donnie” instead of calling him Dominic. And nowadays, that is how he prefers to be called, by the more informal moniker, “Donnie”. Because of the military upbringing, and the constant moving to various locales, Donnie learned to easily get along with people. He shared his childhood with many military families but his family was the constant anchor and he learned many traditional Filipino values from his parents. “My childhood was very traditional Filipino where we were taught to respect our elders, the strong work ethic was emphasized and we stuck together as family. We always connected with other Filipino families wherever we were, cooked the traditional food, spoke the vernacular with each other and found comfort in telling Filipino stories.” “Mind you, we were moving every few years, but our home always had the
usual Filipino decorations in our home: the giant spoon and fork in the kitchen, the plaque displaying the various Filipino daggers and shields, and of course, the mural of the Last Supper in the dining room,” Donnie laughs as he remembers. The other legacy his military roots provided Donnie is his more expansive world view. “While we were in Europe, we traveled extensively. I was in Paris for high school field trips. I was able to observe other cultures.” “As a result, I tend to be more open-minded about things. I believe we cannot be insular, we cannot live in a bubble but we must accommodate a diversity of views under one umbrella.” Donnie completed high school in Germany and played a lot of sports, noteworthy of which was soccer where he was part of the school’s soccer team which competed throughout Europe. It was a feat that some did not believe Donnie could have achieved, given that when he was two years old, he was diagnosed with a type of congenital hernia. He was not supposed to survive the surgery but when he pulled through, the doctors told his parents that Donnie could never play contact sports. But Donnie gained physical strength as
THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014 • PAGE 11
he got older, and he threw himself into wrestling and martial arts, wherein he gained success. He won a local Taekwondo competition when he was nine years old and there was no going back. “When I am told I cannot do it, I am challenged to prove otherwise. I try to work hard at it and with that persistence and determination, I am able to overcome the odds and succeed.” He was always good at math, so when the time came to choose a career path, he chose to go into accounting. A college in Rhode Island, Johnson and Wales University, gave him a full scholarship so Donnie graduated with no college debt. Donnie settled into the accounting industry and was a senior audit accountant for a large firm in Indiana when he was asked by a friend to take the LSAT together. “I did it for him! I was not supposed to pass, I was not supposed to be accepted to law school, but my stubborn and persistent streak just kicked in again, and I found myself in law school!”. He graduated with a Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law in 2004. Armed with that degree, he headed for Hawaii. Donnie’s ties to Hawaii actually stemmed from the time his family lived here from 1974-1980. “We loved it and from that time on, we always considered
Hawaii as a second home.” Even deeper than that, his paternal grandfather was a sakada during the plantation era. “In fact, my grandma was supposedly the first Miss Waipahu, according to family legend,” he adds. Suffice it to say, it was the weather that drew him here. His parents have also settled in Mililani and it was an easy choice. Surrounded by relatives and comfortable with the Filipino community that has embraced him for the past ten years, Donnie has no regrets. “The Filipino community here in Hawaii is so welcoming. For example, when I was starting my law firm, I started getting active in the Filipino lawyers association. I had offers of help from the more senior attorneys. It was a very collegial environment. That would have been unheard of in the cut-throat work place on the Mainland.” In 2008, Donnie started getting active as a director of the Filcom Center, and later was asked to step up as Finance Chair. In that role, Donnie saw the financial challenges that the Center needed to overcome. For the past six years, as he shepherded the Board through some of the tight periods, Donnie also saw how the Center was such an integral part of the community. He found himself caring so much how the Center is fulfilling its mission and vision. He was also concerned that the Center would
lose the support of the community if it does not meet expectations. “As I look around the present Board of Directors, I am in awe of their credibility and their impressive backgrounds. We have such a strong body and we need to harness their energies for the good of the Center. With our collective talents—this is the only way the Center will thrive.” Donnie looks forward to greater Board engagement as well as working with the current chair, Edmund Aczon. “Edmund and I have worked closely together
for the past six years and have been in the trenches on a number of initiatives. We both come from the same mindset of rolling up our sleeves to work. I am looking forward to helping Edmund steer the Filcom to even better times ahead.” Even as Donnie gives up his CPA and law practice in the interim, he explains that this is not truly a sacrifice but an opportunity that he considers a blessing. “As you get older, you really start taking stock of your life. I have fulfilled my own goals, as well as my parents’ desires to see
me achieve their dreams, and so I am now at a stage when I want to do more. I have come to realize that material wealth is not the key to happiness. I measure success differently. I have asked myself whether what I do is for my own benefit or for the benefit of others. How can I put forth my talents so it would result in the greater good?With the skills sets I bring to the table, I am ready to make a difference.” Bennette Espineli Misalucha is the Fil-Am Courier’s Managing Editor.
PAGE 12 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014
A conversation with Donnie Juan on Filcom Center What is your vision for the future of Filcom? To further implement the primary purpose of the Center which is to provide social and education services with emphasis to the Filipino community and to utilize the Center as a delivery point for the education and history of the Filipino culture. I would like to the see the Center become more than a business office complex and a place to hold celebratory functions. The Center has social and education services; however, at this time, the Center seems to be overly focused on the latter. What are the strengths of the center? The strengths of the Center is the premise that it is the largest Filipino Community Center outside of the Philippines. This
distinguishing factor allows for the opportunity for the Filipino community to build upon and to proudly display this achievement. This undertaking was accomplished and achieved through the hard work, dedicated time, and unity by untold numbers from the State of Hawaii. That unity, that very desire to achieve a goal that everyone shared a common vision for, is the prime example of what we can achieve together. Also, the Center is in the middle of the Island which makes it accessible to everyone.
provided us with several important grants such as the recent photovoltaic system and the retractable roof for the atrium. These were very important to the Center. Upgrades to the ballroom, more visibility for the patrons of the Center to perpetuate the Filipino history, and enhanced social and education services to the patrons are planned initiatives.
How do you plan to resolve them? One of the key components of operating a non-profit entity is the What are the current ability to obtain funding challenges of the whether it occurs in the center? public or government arena. T h e C e n t e r w a s I would like to welcome all inaugurated in June 2002. the Filipinos in the State, Twelve years of normal even outside the State, wear and tear to the facility to see the vision and the needs to be addressed. potential for the Center. If The State of Hawaii has I can revitalize and muster
the community together to continue its support and to share the direction of the Center, the opportunities could be endless. For newly arrived Filipinos to Hawaii, I would like them to see the Center as a welcoming Center for them, even a place of refuge, especially when they have been so accustomed to the lifestyle of the Philippines. What possible changes can people expect under your leadership? As with any change, it will take time. The Center has a strong membership with its Board of Directors. A majority of the time, if not most, these Directors work behind the scenes and they are all volunteers. The time that they dedicate is countless because they share the same passion for the Center. The Directors are not just in name only directors either and they are not looking for any attention or recognition; I know each of them personally and they want to see the Center successful and thriving. The Executive Director and the Board of Directors will always work hand in hand for the benefit and success of the Center. One of the primary changes that I will be working diligently towards is, trying to reduce the time commitment and work load that our Directors carry. Once again, the Board is comprised of highly professional members in various industries with specific sets of skills and by removing some of their work load, I can continue to rely on their commitment to serve the Center.
How do you intend to expand the reach of the Filcom center beyond the Filipino community? Once again, the Filipino community in the State of Hawaii is one of the largest ethnic groups. They exist in every sector of the State, whether it is the military, medical profession, caregivers, attorneys, accountants, retail, they are represented. Filipinos are inherently hard workers, especially when they arrive in the U.S. as they know it is a land of opportunity like nowhere else. If the Center can be the foundation for the Filipinos and can assist those patrons, then every sector will realize the benefit and recognize its relevance.
THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014 • PAGE 13
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and the office of US Senator Mazie Hirono sponsored the wildly successful “Hawaii on the Hill” at the Kennedy Caucus Room in Washington DC last July 23, 214. Enjoying the festivities were (left to right): Carolyn Dunlea, Christian Evangelista who is based in DC, Danielle Evangelista who was visiting from New York, Sen. Hirono and Courier Managing Editor Bennette Misalucha.
Councilmember Ron Menor and 62nd Annual Fil-Am Golf Tournament at Hawaii Prince Golf Course chairman, Rito Saniatan.
Kalihi Union Church spearheaded a community paint out of the bridge that connects Richard Lane and KalihiWaena Elementary School on Gulick St. The City’s Honolulu Police Department, Department of Environmental Services, Department of Facility Maintenance, and Office of Councilmember Joey Manahan, and community outreach like Weed and Seed Hawaii and Richard Lane Citizens Patrol all volunteered to beautify the bridge.
Catalina Gonzales Evangelista turns 90 on August 18, and the family celebrated the occasion with a well-attended birthday party at Binhi at Ani center in Kahului, Maui.
Friends of Fil-Am Courier’s Mary Cordero and Alice and Amanda Busmente enjoy shellfish at Crab Bucket on Keeaumoku St. with Gladys Primero Agsalud, her mom Rosalina Primero, and Wilma Manayan.
KaBATAan: Filipino for Kids Hawaii, a summer program held at the FilCom Center held its graduation ceremony, or “MuntingPalabas,” on July 26 at the FilCom Center.
It was a fun-filled day when the family of Genesis Quindara Llanos marked her first birthday with a luau. Held last August 3 at the Arizona Memorial’s Rainbow Point, the celebration included Genesis’ parents, Kino and Lei Llanos, her two brothers Ku and Mana; maternal grandparents Pete and Nilda Quindara and paternal grandparents Andrew and Mona Llanos.
PAGE 14 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014
Di Nakapappapati, NgemPudno
By Rudy Rumbaoa
[MaudiitiDua a Paset] Ngemania ti masursuro ti ubingiti video games? - N a i b i n s a b i n s a i t i panagadal a kangrunaan wenno most basic level, isuro ti video games ti simple a panangtengngel/ panangaywan ti motor ken iti koordinasion-dagitiima ken mata. Maitutopnga ayayamen-dagiti preschooler ti makaitedbenepisio a pannakaawatwennop a n a g s u r s u r o a kasitipanangbigbig no ania ti addaitirupa, kinalaingitiliteratura ken panagsao, umno a sosial ken moral a panag-desision ken uray pay kinalaing a mangidaulo. Maysaketdi a karitka dagiti nagannak ti panangsapul iti napintas
Video Games, makatulongkadi a mangpasiglatka dagiti ubbing? a video games. Gapuna a nangdisenio iti sistema ti Entertainment Software Rating Board wenno ESRB tapno maballaagan/ mapatig-maanan dagiti nagannak iti pana gannad daka dagiti di maikanatad /di maibagay a linaon ti video games. Naiprinta iti kahon/box ti klasipikasion ti tunggal video game. Nailanad ditoy n o a n i a t i k a s a ya a t a n ken maikanatadnga ayayamendagitiubbing. Nupayaddadaytoy a sistema ti ESRB, ad-addalatta a biroken dagiti nagannak ti kasayaatan ken kapintasan a video game. Ngemawanketdi ti makaibaga no kasanot’ kinaimbag ti linaon ti maysa a video game no di ti mismo a dagitiagay-
ayam. Napintas man daytoy a napanunotan ti ESRB a panangklasipikar wenno panangranggo, nasaysayaat pay koma no kadua ti ESRB dagiti nagannak/guardian iti pannaka aramid ken pannakaklasipikasion ti maysa a video game. Kuna ti ESRB a saan dangaikkan ti grado ti maysa a video game segun/basar iti abilidad na a mangipaay/ mangtediti material pangedukasion. Gapuna a ditoy koma a tumulong wenno makikammayet dagiti nagannak para itipan nakaklasipikasion ti video game. Kasanot’ panang-sapuliti educational video games? -Ka dagiti naisayang-kat a panagadal, naduktalan a basbassit ti gundaway dagiti ubbing a makapatau diti
problema a pakatiliwan iti atension dagiti nagannak nga agay-ayam iti educational video. Idinto a mangpataud met ti problema dagiti ubbing a masansan nga agay-ayam iti arcade-like wenno adda kina-baloyente a video games. Ngemapay a mapataud ti ubing daytoy a problema? Mabalin a maysa a rason wenno pakaigapuan ketga puitiki na awan talinaay ti nakem naiti inna panagsursuro kettagi bassit ennaunay ti kabaelannagapu ta saan a pamiliar ken kuana ti linaon ti video game. Ipakita pay iti panadagal a makasursuro dagiti ubbing iti indapanagay-ayam, ket maysa ditoy ti video games. I p a ay d a g i t oy n g a ayayamka dagiti ubbing nga adda daitinatalged a lugar gapuna a padpadasenda [dagiti ubbing] a sukisoken dagiti konsepto a saan a mangted iti tension wenno babantotka daku ada wenno iti aglawlaw ti akademia ket nawaya-danga aramiden ti pormal a panangikeddeng ken ebaluasion. Segunitisistema ti klasipikasion, napintas a pangrugiannga ay-ayamen dagiti agtaweniti 3-5 ti video game a nagraduaniti EC, wenno Early Childhood rating. Masansan a bigbigen dagitoy a klase ti ay-ayam
dagiti karakter a pamiliar ka dagiti ubbing ta maisuro ditoy ti konsepto a paset ti preschool curriculum kasitiletra, numero ken panangbigbigitikolor/ maris. Maisuro met ka d a g i t i s a b s a b a l i p ay a video games ti phonics ken basic math skills. Nupaykasta, mapalagip anlattan ngaagannad dagiti nagannak ta alisto laeng a maibaga no ti klasipikasion ti ay-ayamket educational ngem ti kinapudnona, saan. Nadumaduma a porma ken klase ti edukasionngaipaay ti video game, ngem bassit kadakuada ti mangilanad ti paulo ti ay-ayamaglalokadagitidamona ti agsursuro.Isut’ gapuna a masapul ti superbision dagiti nagannak tapno saan a bastabasta aniaditan ti ayayamen dagiti annakda. Bilang nagannak, sa antay’ basta lattanipaima ti video game kadagiti annak. Kitaentay’ a naimbag no maka-pasayaat daytoy kada kuada. Saantay’ koma met lattanamnamaen wenno ekspektaren nga adda magan abda nga ekspiriensa a kasla man taynagbasa daiti libro wenno maawatan da ti konsepto ti matematika. Agpayso, ti libro ti maysa pay laeng a kasayaatan nga edukasional a ramiti ti uneg ti kurato ti pagadalan.
THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014 • PAGE 15
Ket wen, kasapulantolatta ti maestra ti kaskenanunay a ramit iti panangisuro na ti libro. Adu a talaga ti maiburay ken maipaay ti educational video game kadagiti ubbing, ngem adadda pay laeng ngaiturong dagiti nagannak dagiti annak ti kayat a sawen ken kababagasan ti istraktura iti panagsursuro. I b u b o s ko m a n g a r u d ti tiempo ken panawenda a makitrabahongaagayayamkadagitiannak. No mabalin, sirigen ti kompiuter ket padalanan ti ibagbaga dagiti dadduma a nag annak maipapaniti ekspiriensa a panagisuro ka dagiti annak. Makatulong pay iti panangbangon ti educational institutions a pagkakammayyetan dagiti nagannak. Masarakanto dagiti nagannak a naimbag ti masursuro naka dagiti
saan nga ekspektaren a nagbalin nga ekspiriensa manipud iti sabali. Ti panangiyam-ammo ti educational games ka dagiti naganus pay ti pampanunotnangaubbing ti mamagbalin kadakua dangaag interesado iti maysanga ay-ayam tapno agpanunot a kasnataenga. Laglagipen, ibubos ti bassit a tiempo/panawen ka dagiti annak. Pilien wenno pagtulagan no ania a klase ti video game ti mabalin yonga ay-ayamen tapno mayamammo ti panag-sursuro iti naragsak a wagas.
PAGE 16 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014
By Dr. Christopher Tortora, M.D.
Wahiawa Surgeon Trains Eye Doctors In Myanmar and Viet Nam
Medical Director of Hawaiian Eye Center
Christopher Tortora, M.D., a Wahiawa ophthalmolonmar this past April for the country’s first western eye surgical training program in decades, following its recent opening to democracy. The four-day Myanmar Eye Meeting, conducted by Hawaiian Eye Foundation in partnership with Yangon Eye Hospital, was attended by about 50 Burmese ophthalmology students and practicing ophthalmologists. A wide range of topics, including cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal and retina disorders were covered in lectures, patient consultations, and diagnostic equipment demonstrations. Myanmar has only about 300 ophthalmologists for a population of 60 million people, a ratio of one to 200,000
people, one-quarter of the World Health Organization’s target, so there is an urgent need for ophthalmic training. Hawaiian Eye Foundation was invited to return for another Myanmar Eye Meeting in 2015, and plans to conduct future meetings in alternating years with its ongoing Imperial City Eye Meetings in Viet Nam. Immediately following the Myanmar Eye Meeting, Dr. Tortora and fellow faculty members traveled from Yangon to Hue, Viet Nam, to participate in the Foundation’s fifth biennial Imperial City Eye Meeting. The Imperial City Eye Meeting is conducted in partnership with Hue Central Hospital, and is attended by hundreds of eye doctors from throughout Viet Nam. In addition to lectures,
consultations, and diagnostic equipment demonstrations, the four-day training includes individualized instruction in cataract surgery, using operating microscopes to perform surgery on pigs’ eyes. Dr. Tortora and fellow faculty members traveled to Myanmar and Viet Nam
at their own expense to donate their time. “It was so rewarding to teach doctors who are so eager to learn,” said Dr. Tortora, “and we hope our program makes a difference for the people of Southeast Asia.” The non-profit Hawaiian Eye Foundation, based in Honolulu, has sponsored ophthalmic training programs in Southeast Asia since 2006, and for 30 years has conducted humanitarian eye surgery expeditions to Pacific island nations, including Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Palau, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, and Kiribati.
Christopher Tortora, M.D., a board certified ophthalmologist, is host of “The Hawaiian Eye Show,” a weekly informational radio program about healthy vision broadcast live every Saturday at 8 a.m. on KHVH 830 AM/rebroadcast at 9 p.m. on KHBZ 990 AM. He and his colleagues at the Hawaiian Eye Center are committed to educating the public about the importance of preventative eye care. To learn more about a variety of eye health issues, please call the Hawaiian Eye Center at 621-8448 or visit www.Hawaiian Eye.com and www. Facebook.com/Hawaiian EyeCenter, where “life has never looked better.”
THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014 • PAGE 17
MilliMacugay Asuncion is student services coordinator at Waiakea Intermediate School in Hilo, Hawaii. She is co-founder & secretary for Sariling Gawa Youth Council, a 501(c)3 non-profit community organization, recording secretary for Big Island Filipino Community Council, and advisor for Bayanihan Club at UH-Hilo. She and her husband Litoreside in Hilo, and their son Rico lives on Oahu.
The Miss Hawaii-Island Filipina Royal Court after the scholarship pageant on July 5.Left to right, Abigail Domen, First Princess Sheryl Visitacion, Queen KierynKaaihue, Second Princess Lyka Raza, and ArianeDayoan.Photo Credit: Marjorie Sato Kawamoto
Newly crownedMiss Hawaii-Island Filipina 2014-15Queen KierynKaaihue waves to her supporters as she takes her first royal walk at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo, Hawaii.She recently graduated from Kamehameha Schools Hawaii, and plans to major in cosmetology and liberal arts. Kieryn aspires to open a salon to provide services in nail care, hair styling, makeup, and skin care to men and women. Her parents are Jennifer and Raymond Kaaihue, Jr. of Pahoa. Photo credit: Lito Asuncion.
Reigning Queen Raella Ann Castro took her farewell walk and was greeted by many admiring family, friends, and fans who showered her with appreciation for a memorable year. Photo credit: Lito Asuncion.
Ronald Santos, a linguistics student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and Sigrid Sato, who recently received a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science from UH-Hilo, were the lively and entertaining pageant hosts at the Miss Hawaii-Island Filipina Scholarship Pageant held on July 5.
Most of the hardworking Miss Hawaii-Island Filipina pageant committee members pose with the Royal Court after the pageant, first row, left to right, Arleen Arcella, Cecilia Dalere, Angie Warren, Christina Ranan, Daniel Marcos, Melba Daak, Marites Kano, Sheila Padasdao, Fred Tomas, and Samson Padasdao. Back row, standing left to right, Raffy Marcos, Josie Cabal, Cathy Salvador, Milli Asuncion, Christy Nachor, Abigail Domen, Sheryl Visitacion, KierynKaaihue, Lyka Raza, Toni Lambayan, Alexandria Walker, and Lito Asuncion. Photo Credit: Mike Daak
Former Miss Hawaii-Island Filipina queens model two items from the “Habi at Baro” Collection presented by Iris Viacrusis of Iris Gil Designs. At left is Christy Nachor wearing a Kalinga costume, and Shawny Richardson-Acoba, at right, models an outfit from the T’boli tribe. Photo credit: Lito Asuncion.
PAGE 18 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014
By PATRICIA HALAGAO
My parents brought me to America when I was six weeks old. My older sister, who was one year old at the time, was not talking. American doctors had advised my parents to speak only one language to my sister so as not to confuse her. My parents chose English, for her, my brother and myself. As a result, I didn’t grow up speaking Tagalog. While I probably could have attempted to learn it later, I felt too embarrassed to speak my parents’ native language. I now recognize that society’s discriminatory views toward non-English languages fostered a negative attitude towards my h e r i t a g e l a n g u a g e . Although I believe children should learn English, it is also important that they
Valuing All Our Languages maintain their native language. Knowing multiple languages should be considered a positive. In Europe, for example, many people are multilingual. There is no shame in also continuing to know or speak your native tongue. As a member of the Board of Education (BOE), I have the opportunity to impact language education proactively in our Department of Education (DOE). Despite English language learners (ELL) making up 13.5% of the student population, there is currently no BOE policy on language in education. We n e e d t o v i e w language education policy and practice more broadly. For starters, the terms English Language Learners (ELL) or English as Second Language (ESL) should be
changed. Instead, there is a movement in the field to refer to this area as “multilingual education.” This term values students knowing multiple languages, including English and their native language. S e c o n d l y, t h e B O E needs to establish a comprehensive policy on multilingual education. Establishing a policy across all schools will lead to best practices, program consistency, accountability and resources targeted towards multilingual learners. This we hope will improve student academic achievement. This area is particularly important to our community because Filipino languages comprise 30% of the home languages spoken in the DOE. Ilokano is the most spoken home language in
the DOE (21%). Tagalog is the fifth highest spoken home language (8%). Given the high number of Filipino languages spoken in the DOE, I became a member of the Hawai`i Council on Language for Policy and Planning. This council is a grassroots collaboration of university professors, graduate students, community advocates, and service providers whose m i s s i o n i s t o a d va n c e issues around language in education. We advocate for a comprehensive language policy that promotes a multilingual and multicultural education that maintains one’s language as a resource while developing academic English abilities across content areas. A recent experience with a Filipina mom further brought to light the need to address multilingual education in schools. She shared her concerns a b o u t h e r d a u g h t e r ’s future after high school. She was uncertain about how to find the next steps for her daughter after she graduated. It was clear the mom cared, but she did not know how to navigate through the educational system. I asked her, “Does your daughter have a career counselor?” She responded, “Who’s that?” I asked, “Do you know about financial aid?” “What’s that?” she said. I asked, “What is your daughter’s GPA?” She responded, “What’s a G-P-A?” These were all things that I had taken for granted any parent would know. Finally I asked her why she did not go to the school and ask questions. She responded, “I am ashamed. I don’t speak good English.” I assured her English was perfectly fine. And even if she could not speak English very well, it should not be a barrier to getting the necessary resources for her daughter. I helped arrange for her and her daughter to meet with the Vice Principal
to discuss their questions and concerns. Had schools embraced a multilingual education philosophy that valued students and their parents home languages, the mom would not have felt embarrassed to contact the school. T h i s m o t h e r ’s s t o r y shows the need to reach out to immigrant families and not rely solely on their children to relay information. I always tell my pre-service teachers to not interpret parents’ non-involvement as indifference to their children’s education. Parents are often busy holding down two jobs or too intimidated to ask questions. Schools need to value family’s home languages and cultures and view them as partners in their children’s education. While I regret not learning Tagalog as a young child, I am committed to passing the language onto my children. My children have participated in the Fil4Kids summer program, which has exposed them to Tagalog. We are also learning Tagalog through an online language program, and we plan to spend more time in the Philippines to immerse them to Filipino culture and language. Though learning English is a necessity to living in America, it should not be at the expense of losing your home language. Knowing multiple languages should be valued and celebrated.
Dr. Patricia Espiritu Halagao is a professor of education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. A former elementary teacher, she now specializes in social studies and multicultural education with an emphasis on Filipino curriculum and pedagogy. Patricia lives in Honolulu with her husband, AJ, and two young children. For questions/comments, please email Dr. Halagao at phalagao@ gmail. com.
THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 16-31, 2014 • PAGE 19
CLASSIFIED ADS HELP WANTED JANITOR: Pay $7.50-$9.00/ hr Looking for candidates with 1 year commercial experience. Buffing, waxing & cleaning floors. Shampooing & vacuuming carpets. Cleaning common areas. Must be able to lift 50-70 lbs. Call staffing partners at 945-9300.
LABOR:
LITE INDUSTRIAL/ LABORERS - Warehouse - Driver Helper - Production Line - Food Prep/Dishwashers Pay $7.25 - $8.50/hr 6 mos of recent work experience needed. For interviews call our Ala Moana office 945-9300, Staffing Partners.
Receive a $300 hiring bonus
No nights. No weekends. No experience necessary. Our wonderful atmosphere will make you feel right at home. Weekly pay check, paid mileage, part time and full time, paid holidays off, $11 per hour guaranteed, and family atmosphere. Call Bonnie Williams at 955-6243. Call or come by our office today. The Merry Maids.
HELP WANTED DISHWASHER
(FULL-TIME or PART-TIME) Hawaii Pot Shabushabu House. 4850 Kapolei Parkway #303 Call Jack (808)388-5493
for sale VALLEY of the Temples Lot with marker, interment vault, and ground opening /closing with Saturday charge. Below market price. Call 232-7262.
Eternal Garden
Memorial Park 4 Lots Available Caloocan City, Metro Manila, Philippines Call Ed (808) 381-8897
for rent KALIHI ROOM FOR RENT: 1 bdrm; $450 plus utilities. Call 845-1820 or 218-2351.
2 rooms FOR RENT:
Available! Call 678-8124
Kalihi-Palama 1 bedroom $700 includes utilities near bus stop, school, etc.
Call 753-1814
services Live-In Caregiver (CAN/NA)
Hawaii kai is looking for a caregiver for a 5 beds residential care home, must have experience in a nursing home or a care home. Live in or live out. If interested please call Berly or George 396-4195.
AL PHILLIPS DRY CLEANER WANTED: TAILOR
(Alteration) CSR, pressers, full time with high pay and benefits. Call 808-262-0885, 284-7878 or 780-4211 (Filipino).
KOREAN B. B. Q. COOK HELPER, GRILL COOK
95-1249 Meheula Hwy. #185, Mililani, HI 96789, Call (808) 623-0988
PART-TIME HELP WANTED TO PACKAGE CANDIES AND SNACKS.
PH: 833-5135
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?
Pedestrian/Bicycle Truck/Auto/Slip & Fall; Medical MASSAGE Reduce: Headaches Neck/Back Shoulder/Leg/Hand PAIN 808-223-8243 Robert R. Holland Licensed MT
ADOPTIONS
Former Family Court & Circuit Court Judge Rey Graulty. Call 674-2637 for information.
WEDDINGS-ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.
Judge Graulty (retired) call 778-8510 to schedule.
Tommy’s Auto Body & Paint. Call 671-8252 for FREE ESTIMATES. Satisfaction Guaranteed.
SHORT ON CASH? Business Oportunity. $400+ per transaction. Call 295-0577