PAGE 2 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016
STATEWIDE community CALENDAR Compiled by Amelia Casamina Cabatu
OAHU May 26 - June 30, 2016 KKK Festival (Kalayaan, Kultura, Kulinarya) A month of Filipino Pride in commemoration of the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence presented by the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee (PCCCH) in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu. See the calendar for details. For more information call Contact Persons: Allan Alvarez 808-392-8230, Amelia Casamina Cabatu 808-282-2033, Angie Santiago 808 542-1418 May 26 - June 30, 2016 “Independence” Art Exhibit presented in cooperation with the Asia Pacific Arts Consortium John C. Lane Gallery Honolulu Hale 530 S. King Street Honolulu HI 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. The exhibit will feature works of Filipino American & other artists. Exhibit is part of the KKK Festival (Kalayaan, Kultura, Kulinarya). June 4, 2016 Waipahu Pop-Up Legal Clinic Free Legal Advice Clinic presented by the FilCom Center & Volunteer Legal Services. Hawaii FilCom Center in Waipahu. 9:00AM - 12:00 PM. Reservations required. Contact Number: 528-7046 June 5 - June 10, 2016 2nd Annual Filipino Food Fair KKK Fe s t i va l ( Ka l aya a n , Ku l t u ra a t Kulinarya). Presented by the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii, (PCCCH) in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General. The award winning Prince Court Buffet will have daily selection of Filipino cuisine at The Hawaii Prince Hotel. Event launch will be on June 5, 2016 with the media at 11:00 AM. Filipino Lunch Buffet from Monday to Friday $32 per person plus tax. From Monday – Thursday, friends and family can get a discount card for $26 per person plus tax. For more information call Allan Alvarez 392-8230 June 6, 2016 A Performance & Lecture event by Grace Nono, world-renowned Filipina singer/enthnomusicologist and cultural worker for an evening of chants and stories about Philippine ancestral voice, spirituality, and healing. Honolulu Museum of Arts Doris Duke Theatre; 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Free admission tickets may be ordered online via gracenono honolulu.event brite.com. Event is organized by the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center for Philippine Studies and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of HI (UPAAH) Contact Number: 956-6086 June 8, 2016 “Habi at Rima” Fashion and Poetry featuring Balagtasan, Daniw, artist & poets, fashion show of Filipino costumes and accessories. Philippine Consulate Lanai; 5:30 PM-8:30 PM. Event is in celebration of the KKK Festival (Kalayaan, Kultura, Kulinarya). Contact Persons: Allan Alvarez 808-392-8230, Leo Gozar 808 630-6268 June 11, 2016 Philippine Independence Day Gala Highlighting the KKK Festival (Kalayaan, Kultura, Kulinarya) in commemoration of the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence presented by the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee (PCCCH) in partnership with the Philippine
Consulate General in Honolulu The Hawaii Prince Hotel Mauna Kea Ballroom; 6:00 PM; Contact Persons: Allan Alvarez 808 392-8230, Amelia Casamina Cabatu 808 282-2033, Angie Santiago 808 542-1418, Leo Gozar 808 630-6268 June 12, 2016 118th Philippine Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony. Philippine C o n s u l a t e 2 4 3 3 Pa l i H i g h w a y Honolulu, HI 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM. For more information call the Philippine Consulate at 808-595-6316 June 16, 2016 “Independence” Art Show, Best in Show Presentation and Reception Honolulu Hale Lane Gallery 530 S. King Street Honolulu HI; 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM; in celebration of the KKK Festival (Kalayaan, Kultura, Kulinarya) in cooperation with the Asia Pacific Arts Consortium. Exhibit runs up to June 30, 2016. Contact Persons: Allan Alvarez 808 392-8230, Leo Gozar 808 630-6268. June 18, 2016 Oahu Filipino Community Council (OFCC) Presents the Miss Oahu Filipina 2016 Pageant; Pacific Beach Hotel; 6:00 PM; Contact Persons: Alex Vergara President 551-4303, Leo Gozar 630-6268 June 18-19, 2016 Rizal Youth Leadership Institute Student Lounge, Leeward Community College, Pearl City; 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, jointly organized by the Knights of Rizal-Hawaii Chapter, the Rizalian Youth Council (KAPARIZ), and the Philippine Consulate General, in collaboration with the LCC Philippine Studies Program. Free and open to all youth, 13 to 25 years old. Registration required at www.rizalian ohana.weebly.com; Contact Persons: Raymund Liongson 381-4315, Jun Colmenares 838-9775, Mario Palma 397-8626 June 25, 2016 Oahu Filipino Community Council (OFCC) Annual Convention Philippine Consulate General of Honolulu Lanai. Contact Persons: Alex Vergara President 551-4303, Dwayne Bueno 266-0392 June 25, 2016 Miss Maharlika USA 2016 Pageant presented by the Filipino American Maharlika Association (FAMAS) Hilton Hawaiian Village Resorts Tapa Ballroom. 6:00 PM; Contact Person: Romeo Garcia 368-2312 July 7, 2016 Philippine Nurses Association of America Foundation & Philippine Nurses Association of Hawaii Conference. Hale Koa Hotel, DeRussy Hall, Registration: 7:30 AM; Topic of discussion: Novel Approaches and Multi-disciplinary Management of Cancer. Continuing Education Credits of 6.5 hours will be given. Contact Persons: Marianela-hsch@ hawaii. rr.com or Natalie-natztheflip @gmail.com July 16, 2016 Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and Foundation 62nd Anniversary & Annual Installation Banquet Hilton. Hawaiian Village Resorts, Tapa Ballroom; 6:00 PM; Attire: Formal. Contact persons: Bernadette Fajardo 342-8090, Sam Acosta 306-1428, Marivic Dar 3428879 or www.filipinochamber.org July 16, 2016 Mr. Pinoy Hawaii USA 2016 presented by Kalayaan Philippines International. Pacific Beach Hotel Grand Ballroom;
5:00 PM-11:30 PM; Contact persons: Calvin Bagaoisan (Interim President) 286-4334, Ben Pulido (Executive and Program Director) 421-9747 July 16, 2016 Santanians Association of Hawaii-USA Installation of Officers & Board of Directors Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom; 6:00PM - 11:00PM. Contact Persons: Dr. Julius Soria 722-9958, Amy Quides 255-6380, Aurora Garcia 722-3150 or email santanians ofhiusa@gmail.com July 20-24, 2016 37th Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) National Convention Grand Hyatt Hotel, Washington DC; PNA Hawaii Contact Persons: Tina Salvador 426-6183, Ramon Sumibcay 489-7148, Erlinda Ferrer 721-1501 July 30, 2016 La Union Circle of Hawaii presents Miss & Mrs. La Union Hawaii USA 2016. Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom 5:30 PM Coronation with Dinner. Cost $65.00. Contact Persons: Baybee Hufana Ablan 753-5616; Laurie Ann Tadina 358-0474; Conrad Valdriz 953-8888; Ben Pulido 4219747; Lolita Domingo 295-1387 August 6, 2016 COVO Congress Of Visayan Organization 30th Annual Convention and Gala. Convention to be held at Philippine Consulate Lanai; 8:00 AM-3:00 PM, Gala: Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom; 6:00 PM-11:00 PM. For more info, please call May Mizuno at 741-4503. August 13, 2016 Philippine Women’s Civic Club (PWCC) Filipiniana Ball. Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom; 6:00 PM; Cost: $65.00; Suggested attire: Maria Clara, Kimona, Terno or Muslim. Join the contest for the Best Filipiniana Costume. Contact Persons: Letty Saban 255-9429, Edna Alikpala 2823669. Mimi Gozar 312-0778, Edith Gudoy 457-0253
Amelia Casamina Cabatu is a community leader and a familiar face, often hosting community events and celebrations. She is a veteran radio announcer and guests-hosts on 1270 KNDI Radio. In addition to other affiliations, Amelia is the former Chair of the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii. She owns and operates an adult daycare business and is happily married to Arnold Cabatu. They live in Salt Lake and are blessed with one daughter, Armay. Please send your event information toacmina808 @gmail. com or call her at (808) 282-2033.
Maria Clara Ball, Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom 6:00 PM. Join the Maria Clara Contest Contact Persons: Bernadette Fajardo, President 3428090, Cecilia Villafuerte 780-4985 September 24, 2016 6th Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Peace and Social Justice Gala Filipino Community Center, Waipahu; 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM; Sponsored by the Knights of Rizal-Hawaii Chapter Contact Persons: Mario Palma 3978626, Raymund Liongson 381-4315, or Jun Colmenares 838-9775 October 30, 2016 “Who Are You Tonight?” Halloween and Masquerade Ball Fundraising event presented by the Philippine Nurses Association of Hawaii (PNAH) Rumours Nightclub, Ala Moana Hotel; 5:00 PM-10:00PM; Contact Persons: Tina Salvador 426-6183, Ramon Sumibcay 489-7148, Erlinda Ferrer 721-1501 November 19, 2016 NAMI, INC. Nursing Advocates & Mentors, Inc. 15th Anniversary Gala and Appreciation of RN Review Class Volunteer Lecturers & Recognition of New RN’s and Review Graduates. 6:00 PM; Banyan Tree Showroom, Hale Koa Hotel Contact Persons: Bea RamosRazon 808 778-6291, Jun Obaldo 808 277-7495, Bong Curameng 808 383-0135 November 19, 2016 Filipino Business Women Association (FBWA) celebrates its 33rd Annual Kimona Ball and FBWA Business Women of the Year Award Presentation. Hawaii Price Hotel; 6:00 PM; Contact Persons: President- Nancy Walch 7783832, Kimona Ball Chairwoman Armi Oliver Farinas 221-0667, Co-Chair Elsa Talavera 358-8964
MAUI June 16, 2016 Gintong Pamana (Golden Heritage) Leadership and Scholarship Awards presented to six outstanding Individuals. Maui Beach Hotel; 5:30 PM; Cost: $50.00; If you renew your membership or become a member of the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce by May 15, 2016, they will include you in this year’s membership directory. Contact Person Kit Zulueta, President (808) 291-9407 or email: info@mauifilipino chamber.com and visit their website:www.mauifilipino chamber.com July 29-31, 2016 United Filipino Council Of Hawaii (UFCH) Annual Convention to be held in Maui. Place & Time TBD. Contact Persons: Greg Peros in Maui (808) 276-8771; Dwayne Bueno in Oahu (808) 266-0392 July 30, 2016 United Filipino Council Of Hawaii (UFCH) Miss Hawaii Filipina 2016 Binhi At Ani Community Center in Maui. Contact Persons: Greg Peros (808) 276-8771, Maria Etrata (808) 392-2962 October 15, 2016 Maui Fil-Am Heritage Festival presented by the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation Maui Mall in Kahalui, Maui; 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Flag raising ceremony at the county building on October 3rd at 10:00 AM. For more information contact Kit Zulueta, President (808) 291-9407 or email: info@mauifilipinochamber.com and visit their website:www. mauifilipinochamber. com
WELCOME ABOARD
August 20, 2016 UPAA University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Hawaii Installation of Officers Gala; 6:00 PM; Filcom Center 94-428 Mokuola Street, Waipahu, Hi Contact Persons: Bea Ramos-Razon 808 778-6291, Melody Calisay 808 224-9535, Jenny Normandy 808 286-4426 August 27, 2016 Philippine Cultural Foundation of Hawaii Recognition Night honoring the 2016 Parents/parent of the year, recognizing the 2016 outstanding achievements of graduating high school valedictorians in public and private schools & presentation of the continuing scholar recipients, Empress Restaurant 100 N. Beretania St., 6:00 PM. We are currently searching for the parents/parent of the year who has sacrificed to send their children (3 minimum) to college and/or universities & have attained their professional chosen careers. Contact Persons: Janice Sevilla 595-8000, Lina Longboy 421-7381, Leo Rojas Gozar 630-6268, Edith Gudoy 841-2881, Maggie Domingo 783-0068 August 27, 2016 Filipino Nurses of Hawaii (FNOH) 43rd Annual Recognition and Awards Banquet Hilton Hawaiian Village Resorts. Coral Ballrooms IV & V; 6:00 PM; Contact Persons: Penny Chung 221-6212, Myra Baided 230-6438, Donalyn Baldeviso 497-6739 September 17, 2016 Filipino Women’s Civic Club Annual
Patrick Tantoco The Fil-am Courier continues to expand its stable of writers with the addition of Patrick Tantoco who will be writing a Finance Column for the Courier. This topic is sorely needed in our Filipino community and we aim to educate our people on financial matters as a way of gaining economic empowerment. We welcome Patrick and look forward to his insights! Patrick Tantoco is the founder and president of Tantoco Financial Services, Inc., a full-service firm committed to helping people pursue their financial goals by offering a wide variety of investment products and services to individuals and business owners. A graduate of American University, Patrick has been a wealth advisor since 2006. He started his career at Smith Barney and then Bank of America Investment Services (now Merrill Lynch) two of the largest and most prosperous financial institutions in the world. Since moving to Hawaii in 2010, he has won the prestigious 5-Star Wealth Manager Award three times (2013-2015) and young Entrepreneur award from the Filipino Chamber of Commerce in 2014. He maintains his license with Independent Financial Group. Patrick is happily married to his wife, Andrea. Together, they have baby boy, Elliott, and a fluffy white dog named Cooper. Outside of the office, Patrick enjoys an active lifestyle and, according to his wife, is slightly obsessed with football. He enjoys trying out different local restaurants that serve ono plate lunches and poke.
THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016 • PAGE 3
Bennette Espineli Misalucha serving The community since 1987
Things You May Not Know About Philippine and American Citizenships
Publisher Mary Llanos Cordero Managing Editor Bennette Espineli Misalucha Director of Design Armando Dela Cruz Busmente Production Manager Alice Llanos Busmente Assistant Editor 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 Amelia Casamina Cabatu Anabel Gasmen Cabebe Dr. Rickie Camara Dr. Patricia Halagao Zeny Muyot 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 Kathleen Lee Carmela Minaya Gladys Quinto Marrone 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. Atty. Ernesto Urbano (Phils.) 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.
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It was as if Destiny was teasing me. The day I was naturalized as an American citizen many many years ago was June 12th, which as any Filipino who has taken a Philippine history course will tell you, is Philippine Independence Day. The truth is: it took a while before I decided to pledge my allegiance to America. I was merely content just having a green card, but politics got in the way. As I became more involved with helping my favored candidates win their political races, it became uncomfortable for everyone. After all, how could I endorse candidates when I could not even vote for them? I recall the conflicted feelings I then felt. Don’t get me wrong. I love being an American and I am stirred by the most benign of patriotic music. Souza’s marches? I would bawl as I strike my chest to the beat of its cadence. In my heart, I know it’s true: I love America because America has been kind to me and to my family. I am forever grateful for the opportunities it afforded me. But I also love being Filipino. The Philippines is the land of my birth, where my soul was formed and where it first felt a tug of emotion when thinking of the Motherland. Not only my citizenship, it is also my race. I felt like an ingrate by renouncing my Filipino citizenship. It was tough to sever ties. Thankfully, people nowadays do not need to choose just one. They can actually have both— by opting for dual citizenship. So if you are currently a green card holder or a Filipino citizen, why would you opt to become an American citizen? Here are some the reasons why: a) Opportunity to vote. It is a right and a responsibility to get our voices heard. b)Retention of retirement income and ability to travel to the U.S. Only U.S. Citizens who live abroad can collect their social security retirement payments and have it mailed to them while they live in the Philippines. c)Protection from deportation for yourself and your children Becoming a U.S. citizen
protects you and your children from deportation. d) Ability to travel and seek protection with the U.S. government abroad In addition, in the event of a personal crisis or civic unrest abroad, you could seek help and protection from the U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. e) Automatic citizenship for your Lawful Permanent Resident children under 18. Your children under 18 who are Lawful Permanent Residents automatically become U.S. citizens, too, once you become a citizen. f) Ability to petition for family members Adult U.S. citizens can file immigration petitions for additional categories of family members: their p a re nt s, si bl i ng s, a nd married adult sons and daughters. In contrast, Lawful Permanent Residents can only file petitions for their spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult sons and daughters. g) Ability to hold certain government jobs There are some jobs which are given only to U.S. citizens. h) A c c e s s to public benefits. Being a citizen allows you to have access to programs which would provide material comfort, or shelter even, in case you need it and are out of options. So if you are currently a U.S. citizen, why would you opt to have a dual citizenship (with the Philippines?) a) Right to own real property in the Philippines The Philippine Constitution prohibits foreigners from owning any form of real estate in the Philippines. Becoming a dual citizen will fill the requirements of ownership. b) Right to engage in business and/or practice one’s profession There are a number of industries that are reserved only for Filipinos.
Examples are retail and media businesses and any profession that requires a license to practice.
••••
c) Right to travel with a Philippine passport Why do you need another one? Three scenarios: a) staying in the Philippines indefinitely; b) looking for work; c) getting an education. d) Right to vote in Philippine elections. With an exception: “Not eligible to vote are those candidates for or are occupying any public office in the country where they are naturalized citizens, or those who are in active service as commissioned or non-commissioned officers in the armed forces of the country where they are naturalized citizens.” By the way: Did you know that if you are hesitant to go through the citizenship process because you struggle with English or may have other challenges passing the civics test, there are certain conditions that may allow you to have an interpreter? They include: a) People who have been Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders) for at least 15 years and are at least 55 years old; b) People who have been Lawful Permanent Residents for at least 20 years and are at least 50 years old; c) People who have been Lawful Permanent citizens for 20 years and are 65 years or older; d) People with physical or developmental disability or mental impairment. Dual citizenship allows us more freedom, more options. Think about it.
In this issue of the Courier, we are so proud to feature a Courier EXCLUSIVE: we have the newly appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Perfecto Yasay Jr. write an exclusive personal essay about the newly proclaimed President, Rodrigo Duterte. Both men were roommates while living in Manila during college and forged a friendship that goes back more than 40 years. Sec. Yasay brings his personal insight into the piece. By the way, Secretary Yasay will not be regularly penning his monthly column because of his presumably hectic work schedule, but he has already indicated that he is open to contributing articles in the future. Mahalo for all that you do for the community, Sec. Yasay! We wish President Duterte and his new Cabinet the warmest greetings from the land of Aloha! May your leadership prevail through sunshine and dark turbulent skies! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
PAGE 4 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016
By Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr.
Our cover....
This photo of a feisty Presidentelect Duterte was shot during one of his campaign sorties which drew thousands of attendees. On May 9, 2016, President Duterte won by a landslide with more than 14 million votes. Photo concept by Noah Felipe of OrigMedia. Mahalo to Jeff Orig of OrigMedia. Both Noah and Jeff can be reached at 808 447 955 or at www.origmedia.
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Editor’s Note: For over two years now, Perfecto R. Yasay Jr. has written a column, “The Truth That Liberates”, for the FilAm Courier on Philippine issues and subjects. His commentaries reflect an astute understanding of the Philippine context, particularly the political scene, by virtue of him having served in leadership capacities in both the private and public sector. A part-time Hawaii resident, Yasay went back to the Philippines early this year to devote his time to helping Rodrigo Duterte in his bid to win the Presidency of the Philippines. Yasay and Duterte were roommates in college and both trace their roots to Mindanao. Upon winning the Presidency, President-elect Duterte appointed Yasay as interim Secretary of Foreign Affairs,
one of the first appointments of his administration. Upon the request of the Courier, Yasay wrote this EXCLUSIVE insider glimpse into the campaign and the vision of the new administration as it takes the helm of government on June 30, 2016 for a term of six years.
Rodrigo Roa Duterte did not plan or aspire to be President. But for most of his life he chose to be close to the people – the grassroots. He was mayor for the longest time and congressman of Davao City. This enabled him to identify with and dedicate his life for the exploited poor and the helpless victims of injustice. He fought and risked his life for them. He uplifted their lives and
rekindled their hopes. Rody was raised this way. His father was also a public servant – prominently as governor of the province o f D ava o a n d l a t e r a s cabinet secretary of the former general services department. P a r a d o x i c a l l y, h i s profound compassion for the sad plight of the masses whose lives have become more miserable by unmitigated crime and corruption made him tough against criminals and corrupt public servants. In turn, this toughness oftentimes accompanied with unrestrained cusses, is why he is being criticized for alleged human rights violations. When he assumed office as Vice Mayor appointed by President Cory Aquino, Davao City was
THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016 • PAGE 5
When President Obama declared in his inaugural address that “those who cling to power through corruption, deceit, and the silencing of dissent are on the wrong side of history”, he implied strongly that there
known to be a hotbed of social unrest and armed rebellion. Miraculously, when he became Mayor, he transformed the place making it a safe and conducive place for business where the quality of life of its residents has markedly improved. And yet, his mailed fist policy against habitual felons purposely to protect their countless helpless victims has made him the object of black propaganda. I know Rody up close because he was my roommate when we were both in law school – he went to San Beda College while I was at the University of the Philippines. As students reared in an atmosphere of unprecedented activism and enlightened thought, our eyes were opened to the suffering, exploitation and
oppression of Filipinos. President-elect Duterte’s appreciation of the realities that prevent equal opportunities and the democratization of wealth have earned him the label of being communist, which he is not. He understands that these inequalities that have resulted in the degradation of human dignity must be swiftly suppressed. Rody understands that we inherited from our colonial past economic and political structures that have perpetuated an oligarchy that controls the centers of power and the resources of the nation. These structures must be urgently dismantled to make way for a more equitable sharing of the country’s wealth and wealth creation opportunities and the preservation of our human rights and liberties.
are a great number around the world, the Philippines included, although he did not refer to any particular nation. Corruption is a serious international problem that needs to be addressed
globally because of its impact on world peace and stability. It is a deadly scourge of our nation because of the bustling population that are predominantly poor and which has resulted in stagnation, untold sufferings
PAGE 6 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016
Congress recently proclaimed Leni Robredo as Vice President of the Philippines. President-elect Duterte chose not to attend the proclamation and stayed in his hometown of Davao city.
and unmitigated crime. U n d e r t h e s e circumstances, it would be hypocritical to focus and give significance to the perpetrators of heinous crimes and corruption in government that relentlessly trample upon the people’s
right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Rody believes that we cannot effectively address all forms of dehumanization and injustices unless we first uproot the conditions that breed them. Rody understood when
he decided to run for President that he would be more controversial because of his zero tolerance and uncompromising approach to criminality and corruption. Historically, the promise to reduce crime and eliminate dishonesty in government
has become the empty slogan of unscrupulous politicians. But to President-elect Ro d y, i t i s m o r e t h a n rhetoric. It is an article of faith that comes from his heart. He speaks sincerely without deception and depicts things the way he sees them. For this reason, you feel the kindness of his soul, his compassion for the downtrodden and abiding love for the nation. This is why I supported Rody – because beyond the image and facade, the foul language and seemingly unpolished demeanor is a person who cares and who lives out the true teachings of our Christian faith, which is to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. It took a lot of prodding and
persuasion to make him run, and when he did, the rest is now history. So who should be afraid of Rody Duterte? They are the corrupt public servants, drug lords, hardened criminals, rotten politicians and their patrons in the private sector whose only purpose in opposing him is to prevent real change from happening. But for the rest of us who are lawabiding citizens, legitimate businessmen, as well as our friends and allies abroad with strong adherence to the universal principles of freedom, truth, justice, human rights and dignity, there is nothing to fear. The incoming Duterte Administration revives our aspirations for a better future.
Perfecto “Jun” Yasay is the newly appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs. 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 part time resident of Honolulu.
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THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016 • PAGE 7
Filipino Pride Celebrates Freedom, Culture and Cuisine at Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki Philippine cuisine takes center stage at the upcoming celebration of the 118th Philippine Independence Day with the 2nd Filipino Food Fair hosted by the awardwinning Prince Court at Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki from June 5 to 10, 2016. The week-long event is a joint initiative of the P h i l i p p i n e C e l e b ra t i o n s Coordinating Committee of Hawaii (PCCCH), the Philippine Consulate General, Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and Philippine Airlines. This year’s theme is KKK: Kalayaan (Freedom), Kultura (Culture) and Kulinarya (Cuisine). Prince Court’s Executive Chef Kirby Wong and his culinary team will create a delicious rendition of the Philippines’ well-loved dishes at the brunch and lunch buffets. The food offerings will bring the flavors of the Philippines to a high-end mainstream venue known for its fresh buffets. The culinary festival culminates with the 118 th Independence Day Dinner Show and Gala on June 11, 2016 at 6pm at t h e h o t e l ’s M a u n a Ke a Ballroom. The gala will feature Philippine cuisine and a community concert. In keeping with the theme for this year’s festivities, the celebration also spotlights cultural events throughout the month of June. On June 6th, Grace Nono, a Filipina musical artist specializing in the contemporary performance of Philippine songs sung in oral/aural traditions from different parts of the Philippines, will perform at the Doris Duke Theater.
Every Sunday from June to August, docent-led “Encounters Tours” highlight the linkage of European and Philippine art at the Honolulu Museum of Art. The Honolulu Hale will feature an art exhibit entitled “Independence” at the Lane Gallery featuring works of local Filipino-American artists. A special two-day workshop to educate the youth on the life, works and legacy of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal will also be held by the Rizal Youth Leadership Institute (RYLI) at Leeward Community College. Consul General Gina J a m o ra l i n t h a n ke d t h e Hawaii Prince Hotel President Donn Takahashi and the PCCCH Chair Allan Alvarez for being partners in the Second Filipino Food Fair at the Hawaii Prince Hotel to showcase the best in Filipino cuisine. “ T h i s y e a r ’ s Independence Day celebration is truly more memorable both in substance and scope,” Consul General Jamoralin said. “We are happy to offer in this year’s festivities, a series of activities each highlighting aspects of Philippine culture”, said Allan Alvarez, this year’s chair of the PCCCH. “We continue to live up to our mandate as the coordinating committee under the Philippine consulate. When Leo Gozar, Event Director, presented us with the idea of a wideranging theme such as KKK, the battlecry of the first Philippine revolutionaries, it opened up the possibility of partnerships with institutions and organizations committed
special vacation packages to those interested in visiting the Philippines. Please email: honolulusales@pal.com.ph for more information.
to promoting Filipino culture and cuisine. I hope everyone joins us as there is certainly something for everyone.”
Other Information: Prince Court – Brunch Buffet $45.00/Lunch Buffet $32.00 Enjoy various Filipino cuisine during the 2nd Filipino Food Fair (June 5-10) at the Prince Court Sunday Brunch Buffet (June 5) at $45 per person 10:00am to 1:00 pm and Lunch Buffet (June 6-10) at $32 per person 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Children ages 6 to 10 are half off regular price, and children 5 and under are free. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. For dining reservations, please contact Prince Court at (808) 9444494. Independence Day Gala $75.00 The 118th Philippine Independence Day Gala will be held at the Mauna Kea Ballroom, Hawaii Prince Resorts Waikiki on June 11 at 6:00 pm. Tickets are available at $75 each and include a fine selection of Filipino food and a Filipino community concert. Grace Nono Performance, June 6, 2016, 7:00 pm Doris Duke Theatre. Free. Encounters Tour, Honolulu Museum of Art, Every Sunday from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Free. Tours run to August. Learn more about the tour at http:/honolulumuseum. org/15597encounters sunday_tours. Sign up at http:// forms. honolulumuseum. org/forms/view. php?id=20228 or call HMA at (808) 532-8768 to make an appointment. Independence Art Exhibit, May 26 to June 30, 2016, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday at the Lane
Gallery, Honolulu Hale. Free. Philippine Airlines Philippine Airlines is a major sponsor of KKK 2016 and as such is offering
For more information on any part of this year’s program, please contact PCCCH Chair Allan Alvarez at 808-392-8230.
PAGE 8 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016
What You Do Matters “The mocking of Filipino accents, the belief that lighter skin is better than darker skin,
By Daniel B. Eisen, PhD Pacific University
This week I travel to San Francisco for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE) where I’ll spend the week being inspired and reenergized to continue working towards racial justice. This means it’s been a year since the last NCORE conference held in Washington, D.C. where I visited the United States National Holocaust Memorial Museum and purchased a wristband with the following words printed on it: “What You Do Matters.” Wearing this wristband for the past year has allowed those words to be a constant reminder of the work needed to make our communities diverse, vibrant, and justice oriented. Here are four interpretations of those four simple words that enable the wristband to have this impact: F i r s t t h e s t a t e m e n t “What You Do Matters” clearly reminds us that our actions, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem, have revolutionary power and broad effects. At Pacific University, where I work in Forest
and ethnic humor that disproportionately targets Filipinos are also perpetuated by Filipinos and have the same effect of tearing communities apart.” Grove, Oregon, I have seen students in my class question their preconceived notions of Hawaii, which are often images of paradise, and attempt to learn about Hawaii’s complex social, cultural, and political history. This small gesture (a willingness to learn) eases tensions in the classroom, sets the stage for discussions, and builds an inclusive classroom climate. This is the same inclusive climate that this same willingness to learn can foster in our communities. This past month, I also witnessed Forest Grove high school students create the hashtag #Stand Up FG and walk out of their classes, protesting the racism on their campus. The demonstration built community relations and started conversations about what the community would not tolerate in its schools or neighborhoods. Both of these actions (the small willingness to learn and the protest) create more inclusive environments, as they demonstrate a commitment to respect and justice. Therefore, it is important
to remember that “What You Do Matters” because your actions have direct and far reaching effects on the broader goal of justice and equity. Second, “What You Do Matters” reminds us that like our actions that promote justice, our actions that reinforce and perpetuate d i s c r i m i n a t i o n m a t t e r. Relying on racial ideologies to characterize individuals does not simply disparage a person, it creates deep rifts in communities. The effects of these actions are evident in my research participants’ stories, which include feeling ostracized by the larger society and needing to distance themselves from the Filipino community.
These disparaging actions, however, do not simply come from outside the Filipino community. The mocking of Filipino accents, the belief that lighter skin is better than darker skin, and ethnic humor that disproportionately targets Filipinos are also perpetuated by Filipinos and have the same effect of tearing communities apart. Therefore, “What You Do Matters” because our actions can work directly against justice and inclusion. Third, if our actions matter, our lack of action also matters. This is because remaining silent and inaction is in essence an action. Remaining silent in moments of injustice
makes us complicit in the marginalization. I often wonder how my participants’ stories would change if they had someone who spoke out when clothespins were used to develop a bridge on their nose, were told to bleach their skin, or were ridiculed for having a Filipino accent. Would their stories be filled with pride in being Filipino rather than shame and embarrassment? Would they feel more integrated and connected to the various communities they belong to? These are important questions to ponder, as we remind ourselves that “What You Do (or Don’t Do) Matters.” F i n a l l y, o u r c u l t u r e encourages us to seek recognition for our action. While recognition is empowering and feels good, we must constantly remember that “What Yo u D o M a t t e r s ” e v e n without recognition. Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Yuri Kochiyama, to name a few, became icons of the civil rights movement. While they were important in shaping the movement and its success, there were many others who went unnoticed. Although unrecognized, the movement would not have succeeded without these unnamed individuals. I’m not suggesting that individuals should not receive credit for their work; instead, I realistically posit that most people are not recognized for their actions that transformed society. Therefore, instead of dwelling on the lack of recognition it is important to continuously remind ourselves that “What You Do Matters.” Over the past year, I have constantly been reminded of these four simple words written on a wristband. Therefore, I write this article with hope that they may resonate with others and be of as much use to you as they have been to me. If these words don’t resonate with you, I encourage you
THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016 • PAGE 9
By Chanell Lynn Sagon
My journey thus far has been marked by a collection of “gems” - people and college experiences that have shaped me to become a servant leader in my community today. I have come to appreciate the identities that I hold, the cultures in which I represent, and generational wisdom that I stand on. It never occurred to me how much my life would change when I left Hawai‘i for college to the Emerald City of Seattle. One of the “gems” that has shaped my personal and professional journey was my undergraduate experience at St. Martin’s University. There, I held several student leadership positions that focused on diversity and cultural awareness. In particular was my involvement in the Filipino Heritage Club and partnering with that organization on various events as the Campus Student Life Event coordinator. This experience helped me to grow in the knowledge of my Filipino culture and served as an opportunity to meet likeminded Filipino student leaders in the Washington area. I learned how to be a n e f f e c t i ve a d vo c a t e , mentor, and leader in the communities in which I
College Lessons Learned from the Emerald City
Birthday Celebrations - Seattle style! 2015
served and in environments that unfortunately still carry some negative cultural stereotypes of Filipinos. Another “gem” I gained from this experience was the power of educating and being educated by those around me. This helped lay the groundwork for my life, especially in times when my character and selfdevelopment was tested. I’ve learned to persevere as a student and seek available resources in fellow classmates, instructors, and family. This value has carried over in my life well beyond the classroom. Like most young college students, much of the “college struggle” reality revolved around time and money. For me, the mounds of student loans, bills, endless study-all-nighters, balancing a full-time job with school were forms of “tests” and sources of
What You Do Matters..... to find another powerful statement that will keep you continuously working towards the development and strengthening of our communities. Regardless, I encourage you to remember, in all of its complexity, that “What You Do Matters.”
Daniel Eisen grew up in Ewa Beach and graduated from Campbell High School before attending Pacific University, Oregon to earn his BA in Sociology. After living in Oregon for four years, he returned to Hawaii to earn his PhD in Sociology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where his doctoral work examined young adults’ development of a Filipino ethnic identity in Hawaii. Daniel Eisen is currently an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Assistant Dean of Strategic Initiatives at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.
stress. However, the triumphs and trials of this journey made it some of the most memorable lessons in my life as I’ve worked to overcome each obstacle. More “gems!” This revelation came into full perspective when I presented my final culminating portfolio for graduate school at Seattle University. This project encompassed what I learned in my career field and more importantly what I learned about myself in challenges, persistence, and triumph. I presented to a panel of my mentors and teachers, and to close friends – all of whom were “gems” in my life. These lessons I presented c a n b e s u m m ar i ze d a s S.O.A.R. advice to fellow Filipino students as they prepare for college. Set realistic expectations; understand your strengths and areas of growth, and set your goals accordingly. The expectations you set for yourself will greatly exceed those that are set by others. You know what you are passionate about and what you can achieve; trust your strengths. Open yourself to opportunities. Be involved in a club, student leadership, or internship/work experiences. Pairing hand-on experiences
Graduation Ceremony - Seattle University 2014
Baseball night - 2012
with academics is crucial in post-high success. Actively seek and find balance; whether you are missing home or overwhelmed with schoolwork or work, it is important to take break physically or mentally when needed and find a hobby or activity away from school or work. Retain and build relationships; find and keep the people who grow alongside you and are willing to give you support and honesty in every aspect of your life. Find mentors that guide you towards the right
paths that cultivate your strengths and encourage you step outside your comfort zone in your areas of growth. T h e s e l e s s o n s h ave become apparent of how important education and post-high school experiences were in my life. Whether near or far from home, as a rising generation of Filipinos in pursuit of higher education, we have the ability to SOAR and make a difference in this world through our own experiences. Build your own story, find your “gems!”
Chanell Lynn Napuanani Libarios Anguay Sagon is the Parents and Alumni Relations Coordinator at Kamehameha Schools – Kapalama Campus. She coordinates campus-wide programming focused on college and career success. Chanell earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Community Service at Saint Martin’s University, then obtained a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Seattle University. Her scholarly and professional and experience encompasses 3 areas of focus: Student Engagement, Outreach and Access Programs, and Community Partnerships.
PAGE 10 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016
THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016 • PAGE 11
by Dr. Dr. Rickie Rickie Camara Camara By
Lying is bad for your health and that of the person lied to. I am not talking in this article about the ordinary, everyday, white lies required of us to function in society with manners and graciousness. Not the lies that lead to smoother communication or that have altruism at their root. To lie this way after all is to be human. We learn it as children: to lie because we don’t want to get into trouble or because we care about what other kids think of us or because we don’t want to lose the love of our parents or family. If you tell yourself that you never lie, that would be the biggest one of all! The lies that will affect your health and well-being are those with serious consequences based on selfish and anti-social premises. Think of lies that have torn marriages apart, shredded trust in relationships, lies that have defrauded people or even those that have brought nations to war. Deception can consist of more than just saying nefarious lies. In fact, many forms of deception do not involve making statements at all e.g. withholding or concealing information, keeping someone in the dark, etc. It is argued however in academic circles that lies have a greater tendency to damage trust than other forms of deception. Why do we even lie at all? Firstly, because it is encoded in our genes; deception does have evolutionary and adaptive value. Secondly, we have the brain to do it: a prefrontal cortex to plan and execute, an anterior cingulate cortex to inhibit true responses and an amygdala for emotional processing. The bigger the brain, the more your capacity to lie. And as
Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics Dan Ariely says, “Once you lie, you will continue to lie,” as the behavior reinforces neural tracks in the brain to make it easier to do it the next time. And then there is the utilitarian reason wherein a person may choose to lie if they perceive they can benefit with little risk of harm to themselves or others. Unfortunately, lying is harmful, unless you have become a master of selfdeception and can rationalize your way out of any guilt and shame. In experiments with college students, it has been shown that when you cheat mainly for self-gain, there tends to be an increase in emotional arousal (which is the basis for the use of ‘lie detectors’) whereas there is an absence of such arousal when a person believes they are cheating for a charitable cause or for a ‘rational’ reason. The better you are in deceiving yourself, the better a liar you will be and the less likely will you face and address the underlying shame or fear that drives you to lie. Lying not only destroys relationships but it destroys you with its vicious cycle; a lie will need more lies to cover the lie! A lie can grow like a cancer. Liars can never feel good about themselves until they face the facts and do something about changing their behavior and life.
Ly i n g e r o d e s t r u s t and trust is the social and emotional glue of relationships. Together with love and respect, trust is a key ingredient in any relationship. Being with a person you can’t trust causes stress and emotional upheaval. Without trust, there is no point in having a relationship or friendship unless for a more basic, survival need. A person may rationalize that he or she lies to protect the partner; in reality they are only protecting themselves. Lying not only destroys relationships with others, but it also destroys the relationship with one’s self. To tell a lie may further erode the already shaky self-esteem of a person who lies. It can eat them up with shame inside out, bones to skin. Although honesty is not one of the Seven Cardinal Virtues of Christianity, courage is. It does take an inner strength to face the truth especially when not doing so has grievous consequences. In yoga p ra c t i c e , t h e f i r s t t w o abstentions (yamas) are from harm and from lying, and are usually discussed in their positive form: nonviolence (ahimsa) and truthfulness (satya). Both are inter-related, for lies of consequence always bring harm. One could argue that the truth can also be harmful in certain situations; the guiding principle should be “mindfulness” so it is
clear, there is no intention to harm and there is an understanding of truth in their own thoughts, speech and actions as it relates to the whole of life. Would you rather be hurt by the truth or comforted by a lie? The former I believe eventually leads to wholeness and health while the latter may leave you diseased with a nagging, guilty feeling inside. Keep things simple. Have a moral compass that truly reflects who you are and monitor your thoughts, speech, and actions to be consistent with it.
Now, I would be lying to you if I said, “I wasn’t tired and could keep on writing.” But I am, so I will stop here. May we all think, speak and act for the betterment of others and the world!
Dr. Rickie Camara is a BoardCertified psychiatrist and Bikram Yoga teacher. He teaches yoga classes at Hotyoga8 in Kaimuki. He has a yoga-aligned health coaching and counseling practice in Kahala. You can hear him every Friday on the radio at KNDI between 8 and 8:30 a.m. on the Medical Forum with Flor Martinez. Email contact at rickiec @pixi.com.
PAGE 12 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016
THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016 • PAGE 13
By Cornelia A. Soberano, JD.
How can you break the silence of Domestic Violence?
“Evil easily prospers when good men and good women do nothing.” Domestic violence (DV) has been occurring in Hawaii at an alarming rate, especially amongst our Filipino community. On Maui, on May 5, 2016, a Filipina, Leticia Basuel, 67, was stabbed by her ex-husband, who then shot and killed himself. Two weeks earlier, Kehau Farinas Schmidt, 24, was stabbed to death by her husband inside a major grocery store. One day after Basuel’s death on the Big Island, Arcely Del Carmen Monroy Urruela Hoffman and her two young children were shot dead by her husband, their father. Earlier in the year, on January 18, 2016, on Oahu, another Filipina, Melita Fajotina, 65, was stabbed by her husband, who then attempted suicide. Women Helping Women, which provides shelter and advocacy for DV survivors on Maui, recently held a vigil and Community Forum to honor these women. Lynn Araki-Regan, a l aw ye r a n d c o m m u n i ty leader, was touched by the shared stories of DV survivors. She wants to see people get together to reduce the horrifying DV statistics. She feels that we can end DV, adding that, “When there’s a will, there’s a way.” For Filipinos, the situation is critical. It is estimated that 50% of the women killed in Hawaii in the last few years were of Filipino ancestry. The Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC) notes that over 70% of the women who called their hotline in the last decade were Filipinas. What is domestic violence? DV is the actions and words used by a perpetrator (the person who does the hurting) calculated to inflict serious harm on a woman in order to control her. They are intended to ruin her health and well-
being, and that of her children, if any. Left alone, without outside intervention, an abused woman could be brutally killed, as many have been. DV can include both the visible and invisible: physical abuse where scars, bruises, broken bones can be seen; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; threats and intimidation; financial abuse and isolation. Solid barriers to seeking safety for Filipinos can include the ingrained values of “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude); hiya (shame); close family ties; belief in “marriage is forever’ and “God will provide”; selfsacrifice, martyrdom and hard work (she wants to work, he would not let her). These value systems must be understood by service providers in the context of a Filipino woman’s degree of acculturation. A CPA I know who prefers t o r e m a i n a n o ny m o u s , shared that her husband petitioner cum perpetrator would often tell her, “I will get you deported and take the children. Who would believe
you anyway,” taunting her about her “accent and lack of intelligence.” If you and I are living in similar circumstances, would we have the strength and courage to just pack up and go? Most likely not–because it takes a village to help an abused woman to safety as it does to raise a child. Who and how can you ask for help to break the silence? Providing the name of a local DV shelter may be an insignificant piece of information but it could save a life. We need not be as heroic as Maui’s James Reeves and Scott Stolsig, who risked their lives to save Schmidt. We c a n s h a r e t h e existence of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which was created to help abused immigrant women. It permits a woman to “self-petition,” which
means that she would no longer need the consent and financial support of the petitioner perpetrator, thus taking away her fear of his threats to deport her and take their children away from here. VAWA requires a written history of abuse. For those who wish to use VAWA, please make sure you seek the advice or representation of a reputable non-profit or a licensed professional. You can educate yourself to learn and know the signs of DV, the services and resources available, listen without judgment, provide relief to cook meals or babysit, write and document the abuse, and provide other services. Members of the clergy, non-profits, community organizers, politicians and
the media can be allies in ending DV. Community outreach and training would be necessary to increase the quantity and quality of advocacy work on behalf of DV survivors. If someone you know is in crisis, please call 911. You may also call Women H e l p i n g Wo m e n ( M a u i ) at (808) 579-9581, and in Oahu and other areas, the DV Action Center (DVAC) at (808) 531-3771. Cornelia A. Soberano, JD co-founded the Maui Filipino Working Group, with Dr. Virgie Cantorna, Jeny Bissell, RN, BSN andKim Compoc, MA. The Group advocates for social justice and on health and human services issues.
PAGE 14 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016
Taking Care of our Veterans:
By Rhoda Yabes Alvarez, Esq.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday celebrated to honor the sacrifices of men and women who served under the American flag, including the Filipino-American World War II Veterans. Its celebration comes just weeks before Filipinos celebrate Philippine Independence Day in various forms across the globe. In this June column of Legal Pinoy, there is more reason to celebrate chivalry and gallantry as we report on recent developments in the policy implementation of the Immigration and Nationality Act specifically, as it pertains to Filipino World War II veterans, a good number of whom have chosen Hawaii as their home. We had previously written about the Filipino World War II Veterans (FWVP) policy, part of a White House executive
Implementing the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Policy action and initiative, which in brief, will allow beneficiaries of family based petitions filed by Filipino World War II veterans to come to the U.S. ahead of the availability of their immigrant visas. While this policy has been repeatedly announced in the past year, it was not readily available for implementation until recently. On May 9, 2016, the Department of Homeland S e c u r i ty a n n o u n c e d t h e implementation of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Filipino World War II Veterans (FWVP) policy. Beginning June 8, 2016, the USCIS will offer certain Filipino World War II veteran family members who are beneficiaries of approved f a m i l y- b a s e d i m m i g ra n t visa petitions to come to the U.S. and be with their family members as they wait
for their immigrant visas to become available. This opportunity is made possible
by a discretionary grant of parole on a case-by-case basis.1 By way of a backgrounder, more than 260,000 Filipino soldiers enlisted to fight for the United States during World War II. Estimates indicate that as many as 26,000 of these brave individuals became U.S. citizens. As U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, these veterans may petition for certain members of their family to come to the United States. According to estimates, there are approximately 2,000 to 6,000 Filipino American World War II veterans still alive in the U.S. today in their 80s or 90s, many who greatly desire to bring their family members in the U.S. during their final days.2 Those who may benefit from the policy must be beneficiaries of petition for an alien relative whose qualifying relationship existed on or
before May 9, 2016, whose petitioning relative resides in the U.S. or if deceased, was residing in the U.S. at the time of his death, and whose petitioning relatives have established they are either Filipino World War II veterans or are the surviving spouses of such individuals. USCIS will review government records to verify that the Filipino veteran’s military service was recognized by the Department of Defense. In cases where the petitioning relative is deceased, certain eligible individuals may also seek parole on their behalf. Seeking parole under the FWVP policy is optional and voluntary. It is not a mandatory nor an automatic benefit. If you think you, your loved ones, or friends can qualify for this benefit consult a qualified attorney.
(Source: 1 AILA Doc No. 16052516 posted May 25, 2016, AILA Doc No. 16050902 posted May 9, 2016. 2 See Modernizing and Streamlining our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century July 2015 available at https://www/whitehouse.gov/sites/default/ files/docs/final_visa_modernization_report1. pdf)
Rhoda Yabes Alvarez, Esq. is an attorney with offices in Honolulu and the Philippines. She is licensed to practice law in Hawaii, New York and the Philippines. Atty. Yabes Alvarez can be reached at 1-808-589-7380 or by email at rmyalvarez@filamlaw.com. Her Honolulu office is located at 905 Umi St. Suite 204, Honolulu, HI 96819. Visit her website at www.filamlaw.com
THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016 • PAGE 15
By U.S. Senator Brian Schatz
In 1941, America made a promise, but when the time came to follow through, we didn’t honor that commitment. More than 250,000 Filipino soldiers answered President Franklin Roosevelt’s call to fight under the American flag during the Second World War. From Bataan to Corregidor, these soldiers wrestled against tyranny to protect their loved ones from a ruthless enemy. They fought with the promise that America would grant them citizenship and all the benefits owed to an American service member. Many paid the ultimate price before that promise could be fulfilled. It is these Filipino soldiers that ultimately helped bring the war in the Pacific to an end. The American and Philippine governments recognizedthem as “strategically indispensable.” And in 1946, President Harry Truman commended Filipino soldiers and guerillas, stating that, “They fought with gallantry and courage under the most difficult conditions” and that it was “a moral obligation of the United States, to look after the welfare of the Filipino Army Veterans.” But America has yet to fulfill that moral obligation. In 1946, Congress passed the Rescission Act, rescinding the benefits owed to most Filipino World War II veterans for their service to the United States. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, and others, there has been some progress to correct this injustice. Some Filipino veterans received special naturalization in the early 1990s. In 2009, President Obama signed into law a bill that created an Equity Compensation Fund, which provided for a one-time payment of $15,000 to eligible Filipino veterans who were U.S. citizens; $9,000 for non-U.S. citizens. While these are important remedies, it is
It’s Time We Honor Our Commitment veterans who gave their lives to protect their loved ones and to defend freedom. We must continue to carry their story forward, and the story of every Filipino solider who waits to be recognized as a veteran. Their days of waiting are over. It is time for Congress to act now.
time for Congress to finally give Filipino veterans the full recognition and benefits they deserve. T h a t i s w hy I h ave i ntroduced the Fi l i pi no Veterans Fairness Act with Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. First, we must eliminate the distinction between Filipino veteran groups and allow every veteran to be equally eligible for benefits. C u r r e n t l y, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) distinguishes between the Regular or “Old” Philippine Scouts and three other veterans groups: the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, Recognized Guerrilla Forces, and New Philippine Scouts. These groups are provided unequal benefits even though they all served under General Douglas M a c A r t h u r ’s c o m m a n d . We know they were all indispensable to bringing the war to an end. Second, Filipino veterans must be allowed to use alternative documentation
to prove their military service. Today, in order for these veterans to be eligible for benefits, they must be on the Approved Revised Re c o n s t r u c t e d G u e r i l l a Roster of 1948. While there is no doubt the Army made a good faith effort to include every soldier that fought when the list was put together, many were left off. We know today that many veterans never came forward for their own reasons at the time, and others who fought used aliases to protect their families or because they served in intelligence roles. We cannot afford to deny anyone recognition for their service to the United States. Third, Filipino veterans who received a one-time payment under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act must be granted eligibility for veterans benefits. Those veterans who accepted payment were required to release the U.S. government from
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any obligation for future veteran’s benefits. We would not ask this of any other group of veterans who went unrecognized for so long and who may need long-term care. It is just wrong. Finally, we cannot forget about the spouses and children that were separated from their loved ones in the time of war. We have a responsibility to take care of them after their loved one has passed, and this bill helps to do that. As we recently celebrated Memorial Day, we must remember the sacrifices of the thousands of Filipino
PAGE 16 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016
By Nancy Bernal
Jordan Segundo and Martin Nievera at The VIP Reception at Trump Tower
Kaylee Shimizu and Sweetie Pacarro at The KSSK Perry and Price Show
Left to right: Zanuck Lindsey, Kanzaki, Rene Paulo, Peter White, Michael Paulo, Boy Katindig and Jordan Segundo at The Michael Paulo Birthday Bash Concert
Sam Milby and Gelo at The Filipino Fiesta
The Filipino Fiesta on May 14 was a huge success with an incredible entertainment line-up onstage at The Kapiolani Park Bandstand. M a r t i n N i e ve ra f l e w t o Hawaii on Philippine Airlines to perform in this special homecoming concert. Martin expressed his feelings about performing in Hawaii again, “ I will never forget my return to Hawaii. I had such a great time performing for all my kapamilya that afternoon at the bandstand in Kapiolani Park. Such a warm cozy feeling singing and performing in a place so close to my heart. It felt like any other Saturday in paradise. Coming home to Hawaii feels like I never left. I really missed this island. I don’t know when I will be here again, but I hope very very soon.” •••• In addition to Martin, Sam Milby and Gelo from ABS-CBN entertained the crowd with songs and audience participation games. Leo Days – Nationally-Acclaimed Elvis Tribute Artist impressed the crowd with his performance. Jordan Segundo actually jumped into the audience and gave them an up-close
Filipino Fiesta
and personal showcase of American pop hits and Filipino tunes. Later in Martin’s segment onstage, Jordan performed a beautiful duet with Martin of his song “Kahit Isang Saglit”, which was a huge crowd pleaser. There was a special appearance by Janine Marie Tugonon – 2012 First Runner-Up in Miss Universe. Various Emcees – Giselle Tongi, Al Waterson and Amelia Casamina Cabatu kept the event moving smoothly throughout the day. •••• Throughout the week prior to The Filipino Fiesta, Martin did radio and television interviews and was welcomed at a special VIP Reception at Trump International Hotel & Tower Waikiki Beach Walk for sponsors, committee members, Filcom members, media and headlining entertainers. It was a fantastic evening in a firstclass setting and provided an opportunity for everyone to meet the stars. •••• Congratulations to Paul Alimbuyao on being Chairperson for a successful and very memorable
THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016 • PAGE 17
Left to right: Rika Rossing, Leo Days and Holly Dennig ready to perform at The Administrative Professionals Day Celebration
Filipino Fiesta and much appreciation to every person who participated and attended this fabulous event. •••• Congratulations to Kaylee Shimizu! At the age of ten, this little girl has already won numerous titles in talent competitions: 2014 Hawaii Keiki Stars Winner, 2015 Brown Bags to Stardom 1st Place Female Vocalist, 2016 Iolani Talent Competition 1st Place Winner and 2016 Brown Bags to Stardom 1st Place Female Vocalist and Overall Grand Champion Winner in the Elementary Division. Kaylee was also a featured vocalist in the Filipino Fiesta and received compliments from Martin Nievera. In addition, she was a guest on the KSSK Perry and Price Show where she impressed the audience, Sweetie Pacarro and Michael W. Perry with her big voice. Kaylee Shimizu is definitely a rising star with a lot of talent! •••• Michael Paulo’s B i r t h d ay B a s h C o n c e r t on May 14 at The Hawaii Convention Center was a huge celebration with a full house of family, friends and
Jake Shimabukuro and Al Waterson at The Pride for Ewa Event
entertainers. The theme of the night was happiness and Michael Paulo’s finale song “Happy” had the crowd dancing in the aisles. Joining Michael onstage for this special concert was Peter White, Boy Katindig, Pauline Wilson, Rene Paulo, Jordan Segundo and Al Waterson as emcee. •••• L e o D a y s – Aw a r d Winning Elvis Tribute Artist had a busy five weeks in Hawaii performing at the Administrative Professionals Day at the Pomaikai Ballrooms, the Iolani Fair, the Filipino Fiesta and other special events. He loves entertaining in Hawaii and looks forward to returning soon for more exciting events. Thank you to Vacations Hawaii and the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel for their support. •••• It was a special day on May 14 when two brothers graduated from The University of Hawaii – Jordan Segundo and his younger brother, Joey Segundo both graduated on the same date after working hard to earn their degrees. Jordan received a Degree in Journalism and
Martin Nievera, Janine Marie Tugonon and Paul Alimbuyao at the VIP Reception at Trump Tower
Joey received a Degree in Marketing. Jordan is already active on the KITV4 News as an on-camera reporter and weather anchor and Joey will be pursuing a career in marketing at Reyn Spooner Clothing Company. Congratulations and best wishes to the Segundo brothers for a successful future! •••• Jordan Segundo continues to perform as a professional singer and will be singing at the Ala Moana Shopping Center’s Main Stage on July 2 at 4 p.m. til 4:45 p.m. in honor of their Fourth of July Entertainment Line-up for that weekend. Free admission to the public. •••• The Annual Pride for Ewa Event on April 30 was attended by thousands of people who enjoyed the nonstop entertainment which included Jake Shimabukuro, Jordan Segundo, Kapena and Al Waterson as Emcee.
Joey Segundo and Jordan Segundo at their Graduation from The University of Hawaii
Watch for Jake’s upcoming performance at the Blue Note Hawaii on June 29, 30 and July 1. •••• Congratulations to Krista Chang on winning the titles of Best Female Vocalist and Grand Champion for Best Overall Performer in the High School Division of Brown Bags to Stardom. Krista is in the eleventh grade at St. Andrew’s Priory. This talented vocalist received rave reviews for her leading role of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” in 2016 and also was impressive as Cinderella in “Into The Woods” in 2015. •••• The Margaret Doversola Acting Workshop for Children between the ages of 7 and 14 will be held on June 12 at the Manoa School of Art & Music in the Manoa Marketplace at 1:30 pm. til 4:30 p.m. If you would like to register a child for this acting workshop, please call 947-5736.
•••• For now, That’s Entertainment! (If you would like to submit entertainment information, please contact Nancy Bernal at 947-5736 or e-mail her at NancyBernal@ aol.com)
Krista Chang at The Brown Bags to Stardom Competition
PAGE 18 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016
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Hans L’Orange Park Rededication of Ballfield By brandon elefante Council Member City and County of Honolulu
Hans L’Orange Master Plan This year I requested an addition of $200,000 so that the City Department of Parks and Recreation could conduct a Master Plan for Hans L’Orange Park. While the ballfield was recently improved and rededicated, this Waipahu park has a rich history and an opportunity to be an even better utilized resource for the community. Hans L’Orange Park was named after the Oahu Sugar Company manager who persuaded his bosses in 1924 to give up several acres of low-yielding sugar cane land to build a recreation area for workers. Hans L’Orange moved to Hawaii in 1912 to become a timekeeper for Oahu Sugar, and he decided to stay and live in Waipahu, a community that he called “the nicest people in the world.” L’Orange believed that to be happy and healthy, plantation workers needed wholesome recreational and social activities. In 1972, the field was renamed Hans L’Orange Park. In 1993, Hans L’Orange Field became home to the H awa i i W i n t e r L e a g u e , funded by Major League Baseball. Games were played from October to December until the league closed in 1997 due to limited funding. In 2006, the Hawaii Winter League returned for just one season, and it was the only winter league to feature top baseball talent from both America and Japan. Hawaii Pacific University currently uses Hans L’Orange Field as their home field. In addition to the field, Hans L’Orange Park currently has a comfort station, play equipment, parking, and an inactive basketball court. The master plan would give the community an opportunity to provide feedback to the City on ways to revitalize the park and upgrade its facilities.
The ballfield at Hans L’Orange Park was rededicated in February 2016 after it was improved. Pictured above are players playing ball as they have for nearly 100 years.
Stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved with improving this park. REFUSE/RECYCLING SCHEDULE CHANGE EFFECTIVE JUNE 6, 2016 Effective the week of June 6, collection routes and schedules will change for approximately 15,000 homes around Oahu. Postcards are being mailed to homes whose schedules are changing. If you did not receive a postcard, then your collection schedule has not been changed. Please be aware that postcards were mailed to street addresses only and not PO boxes. Those postcards r e t u r n e d u n d e l i ve ra b l e because the address does not have a mailbox will be hand delivered. New Collection Schedule Calendars for the rest of 2016 will be posted no later than Friday, June 3. It is available online at www. opala.org. Routes are being restructured to balance workloads and improve efficiency. With the new route implementation, the Department of Environmental Services, R e f u s e D i v i s i o n ( E N V, Refuse Division) will try to accommodate requests for additional carts but this c a n n o t b e g u a ra n t e e d . Please know that ENV, Refuse Division will make every effort to accommodate
First Rail Car Dedication Councilmember Elefante joined many members of the community for the dedication of the first four-car rail train at the Rail Operations Center in Pearl City. The project envisions 20 four-car trains operating daily from 4 a.m. to midnight on a 20 mile route between East Kapolei and Ala Moana Center. Trains will arrive at stations about every five minutes during peak travel times, and about every 11 minutes during non-peak times.
Waipahu High School Early College Credit Students Councilmember Elefante is pictured with Waipahu High School early college credit students at Leeward Community College in recognition of students of Filipino ancestry in the class of 2016. Also pictured with Professor Raymund Liongson (far left first row), UH Board of Regent Michelle Tagorda (first row second from right), Councilmember Ron Menor (first row far right), and from L to R in the back row: Leeward Community College Chancellor Manny Cabral, Dean Jared Washburn, and Mark Silliman, Director of Early College Credit at Waipahu High School.
requests. Questions/concerns? P l e a s e c a l l t h e Re f u s e Division at 768-3200 or 768-5220. May this Summer bring you a season of sunshine and many great, long summer days. Brandon Elefante represents Honolulu City Council District VIII, which covers Aiea, Pearl City, and Waipahu. He is an active member of several organizations including the Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. He can be reached at (808) 7685008, and his email is belefante@ honolulu.gov.
Honoring Father Pascual for 20 Years of Ordination Father Pascual Abaya IV came to Hawaii in July 2006 on a three year “loan” to the Diocese of Honolulu. Prior to that, he spent 10 years of ministry in the Philippines where he served in various capacities with the Catholic Church. In Hawaii, he has served as the associate pastor at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu. On January 23, 2011, Father Pascual Abaya was incardinated by Bishop Larry Silva at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. Father Pascual was the former Director of Vocations at the Diocese of Honolulu and is now the Pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City. Councilmember Elefante recognized Father Pascual Abaya IV on the occasion of 20 years of ordination as a priest. Pictured left to right are Councilmember Elefante, Father Pascual, and his mom, Mrs. Abaya.
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CLASSIFIED ADS HELP WANTED
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THE FIL-AM COURIER • june 1-15, 2016 • PAGE 19