March 31, 2013

Vol. XXII, No. 10

Online: www. manilamail.us

March 31, 2013

Filam, 10 others get WH honors

WASHINGTON, DC The White House honored 11 individuals, including a Filipino WASHINGTON D.C. - President Barack Obama is pressing Congress to have the political courage to pass an immigration reform bill because I want to sign that bill into law as soon as possible. Speaking at a naturalization ceremony for 28 new U.S. citizens - including a Filipino - at the White House on March 25, Obama said he expects Congress to start debate next month and complete the process soon. The Filipino is Patricia Marie Marcaida. Obama stressed what he wanted included in the bill. He said real reform means continuing to strengthen our border security and holding employers accountable. We know that real reform means providing a responsible pathway to earned citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants who are currently living in the shadows -- a pathway that includes passing a background check and paying taxes and a penalty, and learning English and then, going to the back of the line behind everyone else who is trying to come here legally. I expect a bill to be put forward. I expect the debate to begin next month, he said. I want to sign that bill into law as soon as possible. Obama pointed to the accomplishments of many of the

Lawrence Benito American, as Cesar Chavez Champions of Change on

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President Obama watches as new US citizens take the oath of allegiance at the White House.

Unable to pay tuition, UP coed kills self

MANILA - A poor University of the Philippines freshman killed herself at her house in Tondo on March 15 after she was suspended from attending

Pope has high hopes for PH

MANILA - Pope Francis has high hopes for the Philippines saying May your faith prosper, as well as your devotion to Our Lady and mission to the poor. The Pope reportedly conveyed this message to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. Tagle said when he approached Pope Francis to assure him of the closeness and collaboration of the Filipinos with the Vatican, the Holy Father gave him the message to the Filipino people. Tagle also called on Filipinos to join the whole Church in thanking the Lord for giving the

2 American WWII heroes in PH die

Two American heroes of World War II in the Philippines passed away early this month, ending what is called an era in US military history. The rst is US Lt. Col. Edwin P. Ramsey who refused to surrender to the Japanese invaders in Bataan and formed a 40,000strong guerilla outt died on March 7 in Los Angeles and was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery. He was 95. The second is the last surviving member of the Angels of Bataan and Corregidor, US Army nurse Mildred Dalton, who was imprisoned for 33 months, along with more than six dozen other nurses in Sto. Thomas in Manila. She died on March 8 in Trenton, New Jersey at the age of 98. Ramsey was a rst lieutenant in the 26th Mounted Cav-

Vice President Jejomar Binay and family greet Pope Francis after the installation Mass at the Vatican. world an extraordinary person

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Embassy, activists meet on workers suit

Kristel Tejada classes. Forced to go on leave for failing to pay her tuition of WASHINGTON, D.C. The embassy is satised with the outcome of the discussions. This was the statement of First Secretary Elmer Cato after he, Welfare Ofcers Sani de Vries and Asst. Labor Ofcer Oliver Flores met with leaders of the Justice for Grand Isle Shipyard (JGIS) who staged a demonstration in front of the embassy last week. The JGIS was represented by Dante Simbulan and Josef Cadgugay of the Katarungan Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights in the Philippines and Katrina Abarcar and Ann Beryl Corotan of Philippine Forum and National Alliance for Filipino Concerns. The migrant rights organizations are supporting a group of Filipino offshore oil workers

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Villar new apology P3

Come visit PH P6

Pinoy is Hagels cook P9

Abus free Aussie hostage P11

Ossorio art show P14

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MANILA - Is President Benigno S. Aquino III, a known smoker, violating Manilas treaty pledge to ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship by allowing a group to host the worlds biggest tobacco trade show in Pasay city March 20-22? The tobacco issue, which has been publicized all over the world, arose after UN agencies wrote the President expressing concern over the show. The Philippines World Health Organization senior health adviser Eigil Sorensen wrote the President expressing concern that it could encourage smoking by hosting the tobacco trade show. The ProTobEx Asia show, described on its website as featuring the latest innovations in processing, cigarette making and packaging, was held at an indoor exhibition hall in the Pasay district. However, Sorensen himself tried to minimize his expression of concern by saying its important that there is no ofcial endorsement by the government of the tobacco event. He even praised the steps being taken by the Philippine government to curb tobacco use. But then he added more needs to be done.

March 31, 2013

PH violating UN ban on tobacco advertising

Sorensen took note of the signicant reduction in the number of Filipino youth smokers, to one in 10 in 2011 compared to two in 10 four years earlier. He also noted that last year the legislature passed a new law substantially raising tobacco taxes to help nance the governments health care program. But Sorensen said 14 million Filipinos out of the nearly 100 million population smoked daily, leading to 10 deaths by the hour from tobacco-related diseases. Despite the signicant decrease in the prevalence of smoking among youths 13 to 15 years old, the tobacco epidemic in the country remains a serious issue, Sorensen added. The ProTobEx site said it picked the Philippines as a venue because it has a vibrant tobacco industry. Tobacco has played, and continues to play, an important role in the domestic economy, earning millions of dollars for the country, the ProTobEx site said. It praised the host city for lifting its blanket ban on indoor smoking at the trade show venue. Organizers said the fair is not open to the general public or media. (With reports of AFP and Inquirer)

This is a le photo of President Benigno S. Aquino III showing him smoking a cigaret. Aquino spokesman Ricky Carandang did not immediately reply to the AFPs request for comment, while city ofcials were unavailable for comment. Sorensen noted that it was the second straight year that the Philippines was hosting the annual tobacco fair, which the WHO says gathers some of the worlds biggest tobacco manufacturers and advertisers. Again, the UN ofcial tempered this statement by saying that it was good that there was no government endorsement of the tobacco show. If there is a government endorsement, it might be seen as a mixed signal, he added.

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economist Solita Monsod asked Villar to explain why, as chairman of the House committee on high education, she opposed the move to close nursing schools that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said did not Nursing). Kasi itong mga nurses, gusto lang nilang maging room nurse, Villar said in response. Humihingi po ako ng pangunawa sa lahat ng mga nasaktan sa aking sinabi. Wala po akong intensyong maliitin ang mga Filipino nurses (I apologize. I had no intention to belittle the Filipino nurses), Villar added. Team PNoy campaign spokesperson Marikina Representative Miro Quimbo said Villar has been unfairly treated especially on social media.

Rep. Villar sends apology letter to PNAA

WASHINGTON D.C. - Philippine congresswoman Cynthia Villar has sent a letter of apology to the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) for her statements on television which the nurses group took offense to. In a letter coursed through Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Villar said: I deeply regret my wrong choice of words, uttered under extreme time pressure, before a nationwide, if not global audience. Villar also said she intends to push for measures in congress, to raise the minimum wage for Philippine nurses, grant hazard pay, create new job opportunities for local nurses, improve accreditations of nursing school, and create re-integration programs for nurses who have returned to the Philippines from abroad. The embassy said PNAA responded favorably to Villars apology, and said it is willing to collaborate with Villar with her proposed measures. Earlier, Villar also wrote to the PNAA to offer her heartfelt apology. What I was trying to say during the media forum was that nursing students affected by a CHED closure order several years ago deserved concrete and better career and academic options other than just an abrupt closure of the institutions that they were currently enrolled in, she said. MANILA, Philippines Team PNoy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar apologized early this month to Filipino nurses who were hurt by her recent

Rep. Cynthia Villar courses her new apology letter to PNAA to the Philippine embassy. statement on the nursing profession. Taos-puso po akong humihingi ng paumanhin sa lahat ng mga nurse at kani-kanilang pamilya na labis na nasaktan sa aking kasagutan sa tanong na ibinato sa akin sa isang programa sa TV (I sincerely apologize to all the nurses and their families who were hurt by my response to the question I was asked on TV), she posted on her Twitter account @cynthia_villar. In a senatorial forum on GMA News TV on February 23, meet minimum requirements to continue operations. Villar explained that she favored the students who wanted to continue their schooling. CHED, she said, wanted to close the nursing schools because they didnt have the required tertiary hospitals where the nurses would eventually be trained before they graduate and get their BS Nursing degrees. This part of Villars response became controversial: Actually, hindi naman kailangan ng nurse na matapos ang BSN (BS

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High Bridge Foundation, Inc. (HBFI), a newly-organized non-prot organization based in Bowie, MD, is offering ve (5) scholarships each valued at $1,000 to deserving high school graduates from area high schools for the 2013-2014 school year. The scholarship is intended to help support the cost of the recipients attendance at a trade school, community college, college, or university of his or her choice. Graduating seniors from high schools located in the District of Columbia, Prince Georges County, MD, Montgomery County, MD, Arlington County, VA, the City of Alexandria, VA, and Fairfax County, VA, who face hardship conditions, and who are in need of nancial assistance to pursue post-secondary education at trade schools, community colleges, colleges and/or universities, are eligible to apply for the scholarships. Additional scholarship information and the application may be obtained from your high school guidance counselor or from the Foundations website: www.highbridgefoundation. org. The deadline for application is April 19, 2013. High Bridge Foundation, Inc. is a non-prot, tax exempt organization established by Ernie and Mencie Hairston in 2012. Dr. and Mrs. Hairston are

March 31, 2013

5 High Bridge Foundation scholarships now available

life-long supporters of youth programs that address the needs of young people, especially those with disabilities and life challenges, who may not have easy access to scholarship information and funding. As recipients of scholarships during their student days, Dr. and Mrs. Hairston are aware that a scholarship is more than just free money -- it is a donors nancial investment in a students potential to succeed and to give back to the community as well. For further inquiries or to make a charitable contribution in support of the High Bridge Foundation, Inc. Scholarships, please contact: Mayumi H. Escalante, President, High Bridge Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 1003, Bowie, MD 20718-1003 Tel. No. (301) 332-8368 E-mail: mayumi.escalante@ highbridgefoundation.org

Order of the Golden Heart Award

PAFC grants for 2013

Ms. Marie Blanco, Filipina American from Hawaii and chief of staff of the late Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, was conferred the Order of the Golden Heart by President Benigno s. Aquino III at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine embassy March 25. The award was presented by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. Photo shows, front, from left: Mrs. Mitchel, Celestino Almeda, Fil Am Veteran of WW ll, Marie Blanco, Amb. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Gen (Ret) Deln Lorenzana, Veterans Affairs, Philippine Embassy. Back row: Bing Branigin, National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Ben De Guzman, National Advocates for Veterans Equity (NAFVE), and Eric Lachica, Advocate for Filipino Veterans of WWll.

The Philippine American Foundation for Charities (PAFC) Grant Selection Committee met March 11, to select the various qualied Filam organization that applied for the 2013 grants. Among those who received grants were The Marindoquenos, Gawad Kalinga 1 World, Bicol association, ANCOP Federation, FOCUS-Catholic University, Yo-Yo Inc, Asia America Initiative, and Mabuhay, Inc. 2013 PAFC Selection Committee Chair, Bing Branigin, Cochair,Maurese Owens, and members: Jon Melegrito, Mya Talavera, Nancy Ceniza, and Aylene Mafnas.

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Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Canada Areas, Puerto Rico, Belize and South America. An invitation to prospective delegates was issued by George Campos, CFC coordinator to CFC USA. Referring to the forthcoming conference, Campos said, ...This very intimate occasion (with our Lord) would be on July 26-28, 2013...Together, we will rejoice in this grand celebration of His Love. Registration for the conference is going on. Details on how to register online, including hotel rates, are at http://cfcusaconferences. org/cfceastern/2013/ There will not be walk-in registrants.

Couples meet set in JC July 26-28

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey - The 2013 North America Eastern Conference of Couples for Christ (CFC) USA & Canada will be held on July 26-28, 2013 at Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel & Conference Center at 2 Meadowlands Plaza, East Rutherford, NJ 07073; phone: 201.896.0500. This was learned from Eric Villanueva, CFC USA National Director & President of ANCOP USA. Villanueva announced that this years conference theme is Obey and Witness. (John 2:5 Do whatever He tells you!) According to Sonny Aguiling, conference coordinator, over a thousand CFC members are expected to attend the July conference. Aguiling also said, delegates will come from CFC organizations in the following places: Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Philadelphia, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee,

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WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Philippine Embassy is intensifying its engagement with the United States House of Representatives as part of Manilas efforts to raise the countrys prole among American legislators. Since the opening of the 113th Congress in January, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. has been meeting with key lawmakers, especially members of the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus, who could support and advance Philippine interests in the US legislature. Last week alone, Ambassador Cuisia met with Congressmen Rohrabacher, Adam Schiff (D-California), Peter King (R-New York), Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii), and Rick Larsen (D-Washington) and Delegate Gregorio Sablan (D-CNMI) to update them on developments in Philippine-US relations. Cuisia also had earlier meetings with Rep. Vernon Buchanan (R-Florida), who was recently in Manila as part of the Congressional Delegation led by Rep. Ed Royce (R-California), Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Washington), Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-Pennsylvania) and Sen.

March 31, 2013

Cuisia resumes campaign to woo US Congress

Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). The Ambassador updated the legislators on issues related to the Save our Industries Act, Filipino veterans; the West Philippine Sea; defense cooperation and the outstanding performance of the Philippine economy. We look forward to a greater engagement with an expanded US-Philippines Friendship Caucus in the House of Representatives, Cuisia said. The US-Philippines Friendship Caucus is made up of US congressmen who have a strong interest in the Philippines and who promote the Philippine-US alliance. The Caucus also has a special focus on the concerns of the more than 4 million-strong Filipino community in the United States. The Caucus, initiated in 2003 by former Ambassador and new Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, included Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Bob Filner (D-CA), Duke Cunningham (R-CA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Todd Tiahrt (R-CA), Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA.) and Lane Evans (D-Ill).

Amb. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. with Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (HI).

Come visit PH, Envoy tells Pinoys, Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Filipino and Americans making plans for the coming summer break are being urged to take a second look at the Philippines and see why it is fast making a name for itself as an international holiday destination. Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. made the pitch in his remarks at the launching on 19 March of the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) and the 1st NextGen Tour to the Philippines in July. Cuisia said that recent positive developments in the tourism sector in the Philippines are reason enough for Americans to see why it is more fun in the Philippines and for Filipinos to head back and rediscover their roots. He expressed optimism that the number of tourist arrivals in the Philippines will exceed 4 million this year. Cuisia cited the 2013 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) that listed the Philippines as the most improved country in the region, ranking 16th regionally and 82nd overdoing our part through, among other things, promoting the 8th ACGTDT and the 1st NextGen Tour to the Philippines, Cuisia Philippine Tourism Representative Mitchell Dy said that since its inception in 2005, an estimated 3,000 people have participated in the program that features a four-day tour package that is highlighted by an audience with the President in Malacanang. Running in parallel to the ACGTDT is the NextGen Tour that targets the next generation of US-based Filipino-Americans, particularly those with little or no exposure to the Philippines. This new program was developed by Roy and Naomi Estaris of The Travel Outlet, who are also Filipino Community leaders in Virginia Beach, as a joint project with the Philippine Embassy and Consulates throughout the US. Estaris said the NextGen Tour includes a four-night stay at F1 Premier Hotel; daily breakfast; tour of Intramuros with cultural dinner show and gallery tour of Hall One of the Center for International Trade and Expositions and Missions (CITEM); four-day transfer service; and out-of-town lunch with choice of ultralight ying adventure, lahar safari tour with sand spa or snorkeling and island hopping tour. She said Post-Island Tours with overnight Manila accommodation and complimentary one-way domestic airport transfer may be arranged. Also available are the optional JUSTGO Philippines Eco-Tourism Tour in Puerto Princesa or Bohol; the Adventure Tour in Sumilon, Cebu or Apo Island in Dumaguete; the Adventure Tour in Boracay Island. For pricing, reservation and other questions, interested parties may contact for the 8th ACGTDT, telephone number 202-467-9398 or email cultural@ philippinesusa.org; and, for the NextGen Tour, telephone numbers 888-700-0669 (toll free), 757424-3311 or email justgotours@ justgoph.com and leny@justgoph.com.

Philippine envoy to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. (3rd from right) poses with guests (l-r) writer Nancy Dizon-Korionoff, new Katipunan President Luis Florendo, Kennedy Centers Circles board member Carmen Stull, and travel agency owners Ofelia Adriano and Belen Saramosing during the reception March 19, 2013 at the Philippine Embassys Romulo Hall launching of the 8th Ambassadors, Consul General & Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) to the Philippines this July 8-12, 2013. (Photo by Angelyn Tugado-Marzan) all out of the 140 economies covered by the study. The country jumped 12 spots, up from 94th in the last report in 2011. We in the Embassy are said. With that, I hope you will join me this July as a participant in the tours and help us promote these packages to friends and relatives.

Embassy starts hunt for FYLP candidates

Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. has announced the search for the second batch of outstanding young Filipino Americans (aged 18 to 40), who will be tapped as future leaders of their FilipinoAmerican communities and advocacies. The involvement of these emerging leaders in the Filipino-American community is expected to further add vibrancy and dynamism to the development of the Philippines and to the Filipino-American community in the United States. The second Filipino American Youth Leadership Program or FYLPro (known last year by the acronym FAYLP) will build on the success of the rst-ever program held from July 13 to 16, 2012. Last years program yielded a remarkable batch of young Filipino-Americans who continue to embark on different advocacies to help promote further progress in the Philippines and to further engage the multi-faceted Filipino-American community. The rst batch of delegates have gone to undertake, among others, political advocacy initiatives, cultural and tourism promotion programs, social entrepreneurship activities, education innovations, Filipino-American heritage projects, voter awareness and education, and have even launched political campaigns of their own. In partnership with the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), this years edition of the FYLPro hopes to attract more young Filipino-American leaders who we hope will be among the movers and shakers among the emerging generation of Filipino-Americans. Program sponsors shall fund the bulk of the cost of the participants airfare, local transportation and accommodations. Among the qualications for the outstanding Filipino American achievers and leaders are the applicants scholastic achievements and other accolades, leadership skills, accomplishments, active involvement in school, civic, political, business and other organizations as well as their vision, innovativeness and commitment to making a difference in the Philippines and within the Filipino-American community. The chosen delegates will take part in an immersive program in the Philippines from July 7 to 9, 2013 and will likewise participate in the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) from July 9 to 11, 2013. The special FYLPro program will afford them the opportunity to meet and dialogue with the highest ofcials and policymakers in the Philippines, leaders of industry, legislators, media, artists and cultural experts, entrepreneurs both traditional and social, as well as innovators in different elds. Applicants should be no younger than 18 years old or no older than 40 years old by July 1, 2013. They should be ready to travel by this date (i.e. have a valid passport for international travel). The chosen participants are expected to commit time, skills, and resources to engage with the Philippine Foreign Service posts in the United States in ways which would advance the causes and interest of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans. The application form for the search may be accessed at the following link, http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org/uploads/ pdfs/embassy/2013/20130315-FYLPro.docx, or interested parties may contact the Philippine Foreign Service post in the U.S., which has jurisdiction over their place of residence. The deadline for submission of applications is April 30, 2013. The names of the chosen delegates will be announced on the website of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., www.philippineembassy-usa.org, on May 15, 2013.

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SC stops implementation of controversial RH law

MANILA - The Supreme Court of the Philippines stopped the implementation of the anti-life Reproductive Health (RH) Law for 120 days on a 10-5 vote March 19 pending oral arguments scheduled to take place on June 18. The law, which the Catholic Church and many other institutions in the Philippines vehemently oppose due to its promotion of contraceptives and abortifacients regardless of conscientious objection, was set to fully take effect on Easter Sunday, March 31. Several constitutional challenges to the law have already been led with the Court. But activists and human rights groups in the Philippines and abroad slammed the high court for stopping what they believe the country urgently need to stop the high birth rates that stunts economic progress. Voting against the decision were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Mariano del Castillo, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Marvic Leonen. Sereno, Perlas-Bernabe, and Leonen were all appointed by current president and RH Law advocate President Benigno Aquino. Human Life Internationals country director in the Philippines, Dr. Rene Bullecer, and Regional Director for Asia, Dr. Ligaya Acosta, who resides in the Philippines, reacted with joy and hope to the news. Both have been highly inuential in organizing opposition to the RH Bill for over 14 years, but the bill was nally signed into law by President Aquino last December. Opposition to the law is now focused on the Supreme Court, and on electing pro-life legislators to repeal the law. Opposition Congressman R. Lagman (Albay), sponsor of the RH bill said priests are using the confessional to campaign against it. With Gods amazing grace, the Supreme Court of the Philippines by a vote of 10-5 has today issued a temporary restraining order against the Reproductive Health Law! We thank you and all our supporters all over the world who are keeping us and the Philippines in prayer, said Dr. Acosta. Truly Im overwhelmed with joy on this feast day of our beloved St. Joseph, protector of families and protector of the Church, as we also join and rejoice in the inauguration today of our new beloved Pope Francis, she said. Please continue to pray for us as we unceasingly battle against this most deplorable law which has been forced upon the Filipino people. We earnestly pray that this suspension be made permanent. We thank Saint Joseph, protector of the universal Church, for his intercession, and that this favorable decision came out today on his feast day, said Dr. Bullecer. With this development, we need to regroup our forces and focus on the election of pro-life candidates for Senate and Congress in the crucial May 13 elections.

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Text & photo by PO Melvin Orr
MANILA - Five Filipino American sailors assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet agship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) took advantage of a port visit in Manila to reenlist in their country of birth. The sailors who reenlisted include Chief Personnel Specialist Achilles Amante, Chief Boatswains Mate Bryan Barcena, Ships Serviceman 1st Class Michel Tolentino, and brothers, Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Jefferson Angcanan and Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Jerickson Angcanan. The Angcanan brothers reenlisted March 8, while Amante, Barcena and Tolentino reenlisted March 10. Both ceremonies took place on the ight deck aboard Blue Ridge in the presence of their families, friends and colleagues. Barcena, originally from Davao City, joined the Navy 16 years ago. He reenlisted for his nal six years. Its amazing to have this opportunity, said Barcena. I cant think of a better place to do it than here. Amante, originally from Tondo, Manila, reenlisted on the 15th anniversary he joined the Navy. He was accompanied by his father, Achilles Amante, and his sister, Chief Personnel Specialist Aurora Caasi, who also serves on Blue Ridge. Im very honored to reenlist in the Navy, and I cant believe that I was able to do it here in the Philippines, said Amante. Ive always been very proud of my Philippine heritage, and its a great honor to be here today. Jefferson and Jerickson Angcanan are originally from Cavite. They went to basic training together and have been s tationed at the same rst two comman ds.

March 31, 2013

US Navy Filams reenlist on board Blue Ridge

Lt. Cmdr. Wilfredo Eslao (right) administers the Oath of Reenlistment to Chief Boatswains Mate Bryan Barcena (from left), Ships Serviceman 1st Class Michel Tolentino, and Chief Personnel Specialist Achilles Amante during a ceremony on the ight deck aboard U.S. 7th Fleet agship USS Blue Ridge during its visit to Manila early this month. Im proud to serve in the U.S. Navy and I know my brother is, too, said Jerickson Angcanan. My family appreciates us for serving in the Navy and that helps make it all worth it. The reenlisting ofcer for Amante, Barcena, and Tolentino was Blue Ridge Administration Ofcer Lt. Cmdr. Wilfredo Eslao. Eslao is also Filipino American and spent 14 years as an enlisted sailor before becoming an ofcer. Ive never experienced a reenlistment like this in my career. These sailors were able to have their ceremony with their friends and loved ones in a country they called home and left behind so many years ago, said Eslao. Im deeply honored to have been asked to administer the Oath of Reenlistment to these Filipino-American sailors.

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other Vietnam War vet in the Obama Cabinet (State Secretary John Kerry) I couldnt nd any record that Hagel stopped at either Subic or Clark where the seriously wounded were usually brought from Vietnam to recuperate. But the 25-year-old Medina assures hell be well fed in the Pentagon. The Secretary, he revealed, eats simple and on the healthy side. Medinas life story is like that of many other immigrants to the US. He survived on bare essential, living with his godparents until his father and stepmother could bring him to New York when he was 18 years old. Its a different world, he told a US military journal years back. In the Philippines, if you dont have anything, you truly dont have anything. I know the denition of starvation. He joined the USAF to get a college education. His family couldnt afford the tuition and nancial aid was out of reach, he explained. He enlisted in 2007 and rose steadily through the ranks by topping one exam after another and reaping awards. He also started winning cooking competitions in the military. I put so many hours in the kitchen, it was exhausting. But I knew I had to work that hard to get where I wanted to go, Medina declared. I wanted my whole life to be a success and make a better life for myself, and this was how I was going to do it. He is competing with the best of the best in the US Armed Forces. For those whove been in Clark and Subic when the Americans still ran the bases, its obvious they fed their soldiers well. At Fort Lee, they had well-stocked containerized kitchens that were probably the closest thing they could come up with to simulate eld conditions. What they can expect here is enhanced professionalism, enhanced culinary skills, more developed techniques in the arts of food preparation and food sanitation, and the credentials that will allow them to be recognized in the private industry, explained Lt. Col. Luis A. Rodriguez, director of the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence at Fort Lee in a US Army website.

Filam sarge cooks meals for Secretary Hagel

By Rodney J. Jaleco
If US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel develops a fondness for chicken relleno or pinakbet blame it on one very talented Filipino-American chef. Staff Sgt. Ghil Medina has been with the US Air Force for the past six years. He is ofcially part of the 633rd Force Support Squadron working out of Langley Air Base in Virginia. But he is also one of the cooks who feed the Defense Secretary and other Pentagon brass and is sort of a celebrity within the elite clique of culinary warriors. Hes already collected a silver medal in the K1 professional category of the 38th Military Culinary Arts Competition at Fort Lee, Va. which ended March 15. Medina won on a dish that he says was inspired by his Filipino roots - chicken rel-

Staff Sgt. Ghil Medina in the kitchen. leno, mixed vegetables and garlic rice with adobo sauce. Hagel is probably no stranger to Asian dishes. He served and was wounded twice in Vietnam in 196768 as a squad leader with the 9th Infantry Division. But unlike that

US warship with 106 Filam sailors visit PH

MANILA - A US submarine tender with one fourth of its crew are Filipino-Americans arrived in Subic Bay March 16 for a routine port call, the United States Embassy in Manila said. The embassy said the USS Emory S. Land conducted maintenance, replenished supplies and let the crew have rest and relaxation during the port call. While in Subic, the ships crew will continue its subject matter expert exchanges with the Philippine Navy. The crew will also engage in several community service projects with schools, medical institutions, orphanages, and other local community centers, as well as community relations activities such as sports events, it said. USS Emory S. Land is part of the U.S. Pacic Fleet and is homeported in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the embassy said. According to the Embassy, the submarine tenders crew includes 106 Filipino Americans out of a total of 410. The other crewmembers include 26 U.S. Navy Sailors and 80 Civilian Mariners. They (Filipino-American crewmembers) hail from Botolan, Olongapo City, San Antonio, and Pasay City, and elsewhere in the Philippines, it said. Some of the Filipino-American crewmembers include: - Supply Corps Ofcer Lt. J.G. Michael Agojo, a secondgeneration. Sailor following in the footsteps of his father. - Logistics Specialist Senior Chief Randy Mangohig, who oversees the professional growth and development of 35 enlisted personnel aboard the ship. - Chief Petty Ofcer Nino Miranda, a Sports Community Relations Coordinator for the Morale Welfare and Recreation Ofce and is part of the Religious Ministries Team. - Gunners Mate Second Class Veronica Connole, who helps train the crew in safe deployment of the ships selfdefense weapons. She also helps with translations between the ships crew and the local community in Subic. - Chief Petty Ofcer Enrico Manalac, a language interpreter for subject matter expert exchanges with the BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

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MANILA - China has announced that four navy ships are conducting war exercises and sovereignty patrols in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). This came as the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippine navy and coast guard were checking reports that a big Chinese vessel has intruded and was unloading construction materials in one of the islets of the Kalayaan Island Group near Palawan. DFA said it was checking this report, but Malacanang denied it was an intrusion, saying it was just a shing boat. It was this kind of an intrusion by Chinese shing boats in the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal last year when President Aquino III said he was prepared to use force to arrest the shermen. In his speech before the Chinese Filipino Chambers of Commerce and Industries March 22, Aquino said he expected better relations with China now that it has the new leadership of Presi-

March 31, 2013

China starts sovereignty patrols in West Philippine Sea

is currently under the leadership of Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon. It is located in the WPS where the Spratly Islands (South China Sea) is found. In his speech before the Filipino Chinese Chambers, the President said he expected the bilateral ties between the two countries to remain strong and continue to ourish under Chinas new leadership. I would like to again express my sincerest congratulations on the election of President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, Aquino said at the opening ceremony. I have every condence that, under President Xis leadership, the Chinese people will continue to realize their goals of peace, prosperity, and happiness for all, and that the relations between our two countries will remain largely positive, as they have been in the past, Aquino stressed. Xi was elected the new Chinese president on March 14.

Photo of a Chinese navy patrol boat in the Spatlys. dent Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. DFA said the Western Command based in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan has already sent reconnaissance planes and patrol ships to check on the report that a Chinese landing tank ship unloaded materials somewhere in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), according to Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, the designated spokesman for security concerns in the West Philippine Sea and special disposition of forces of the Philippine Navy. We are validating that information. Navy aircrafts and Aerial view of Kalayaan islet with landing strip. It is occupied by Filipino settlers and an AFP contingent. ships under the operation control of the Naval Forces West continue sovereignty patrol missions in its AOR (area of responsibility, including KIG, Arevalo said. The report about the new intrusion of Chinese ships in the KIG during nighttime early this week and the alleged dumping of construction materials in one of the KIG islets was very much similar to what the Chinese did in the Mischief Reef, which is located very near Spratlys. The Chinese operate at night, brought their construction materials to the Mischief Reef by dropping them inside the lagoon until we woke up one day that the Chinese had already established underwater the foundations of the structures that we saw at present on that part of the sea that we originally owned, a senior ofcer from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said. The KIG is composed of seven islets and two reefs is a municipality of Palawan which

8 Sultan followers face death penalty in Sabah

MANILA - Eight followers of the Sulu Sultanate face the death penalty as Malaysia formally charged them with terrorism and waging war in Sabah. Kuala Lumpur also issued an arrest order of the Sultan of Sulu for the incursions that have resulted in the death of 63 Filipinos and 10 Malaysian police and troops. But a spokesman of the Sultanate said the charges are illegal because it is tantamount to usurpation of powers of the Sulu Sultan. Abraham Idjirani, spokesman of the Sultanate, said Malaysias charges are illegal because it was a usurpation of the powers of the Sulu Jultan Jaalul Kiram III which owns Sabah. At the same time, President Aquino III, who earlier condemned the sultans followers for launching the incursion said he is now willing to talk with Malaysia over the ownership of Sabah.I. Idjirani also said the 8 accused are not Filipinos but Malaysian citizens. We condemn this terroristic act of Malaysia because they do not own Sabah. They are only occupants. In fact, Malaysia is still paying rent to the sultanate of Sulu, Idjirani said, adding the Sultan will bring his case to the International Court of Justice. We are concerned that eight fellow Filipinos are now being accused of an offense that carries a penalty of death. Thats illegal because Sabah belongs to the sultanate of Sulu, he added. President Aquino said he had directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to retain lawyers to defend the Filipinos in the Sabah court. But his government still maintains it will prosecute the followers of the Sultan for causing the Sabah the High Court in Tawau town, Sabah, last week on charges of launching terroristic acts and waging war against Malaysian King Abdul Halim. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has suggested that a third party acceptable to both the Philippines and Malaysia conduct a fact-nding investigation of the circumstances that led to the ling of charges against the eight Filipinos. Santiago, a former chair of the Senate committee on foreign relations who has been elected to serve on the International Criminal Court in The Hague, said determining whether the Filipinos engaged in terrorism should not be left to the Malaysian authorities alone precisely because were engaged in a dispute. She said that if Malaysia proceeded by itself, it could be charged with bias of justice. It cannot be impartial justice if you heard only one side, she said. Agbimuddins 200-odd group crossed the Sulu Sea and landed in Sabah on Feb. 9, seizing the coastal village of Tanduo to stake the Sulu sultanates ancestral claim to eastern Malaysian state. Agbimuddin has not been captured. Zulkifeli said military intelligence had conrmed that the leader of the Sulu group managed to slip out of Sabah on March 11 and was hiding on one of the small islands in southern Philippines.

Obama to raise Spratlys issue in Asean summit

By Li Xiaokun (China Daily)
US President Barack Obama said on March 12 that he will raise maritime territorial issues in October at the East Asia Summit and the rst USASEAN summit. Keeping moderate tensions between nations in the region will help the US strategy in the Asia-Pacic, experts said, adding that Washington will avoid confronting Beijing directly on territorial issues. Obama also said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the US and China will for the rst time conduct joint exercises on disaster and humanitarian relief. The US president made the announcement after meeting with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei at the White House. Brunei holds the rotating presidency of ASEAN and will host the October summit. Well be discussing maritime issues, Obama told reporters. Obviously, there have been a lot of tensions in the region around maritime issues, and his majesty has shown great leadership in trying to bring the countries together to make sure everybody is abiding by the basic precepts of rule of law and international standards so that conicts can be resolved peacefully and effectively, and that everybody is brought into that kind of structure. The East Asia Summit was inaugurated in 2005. Obama became the rst US president to attend a summit, in Indonesia in 2011. He also took part in the 2012 meeting in Cambodia. Maritime tensions have risen in the past two years between China and some neighboring countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam in the South China Sea, and Japan in the East China Sea. China has long maintained that the territorial disputes are bilateral matters between individual nations. Yet Japan and some ASEAN countries have turned to Washington for support. The US said it does not take sides in the disputes. But it sent aircraft carriers to the region to protect navigation freedom, although Beijing said freedom of navigation has never been a problem. US Secretary of State John Kerry also reafrmed to Japans foreign minister in February that the Japan-US Security Treaty applies to the Diaoyu Islands.

Malaysian wanted poster of Sultan Jamalul Kiram. crisis when they returned to the Philippines. Aquino said, however, that he had an obligation to ensure that the eight Filipinos got due process in Malaysia. Its automatic for us to provide legal assistance to any of our countrymen facing charges (in other countries) regardless of whether we believe or not in their cause, Aquino told reporters in Naga City. The eight Filipinos, seven of whom were in straitjackets, kept silent as they were arraigned at

March 31, 2013

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him and Roger Gutang, brother of Rodwells wife Miraor. Throughout the negotiations, I only served as guide. I am willing to be subjected to a lie detector test, the vice governor said following reports that Rodwells release was delayed because local ofcials and middlemen had took part of the ransom before it reached the Abu Sayyaf Group. If this is what the reports are saying, I challenge bandits from his house in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, on Dec. 4, 2011. Sakalahul said Roger served as the bagman who handed the money to Indama. Rodwell was released by his captors in Pagadian City March

Abu Sayyaf frees Aussie hostage with P4-M ransom

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - How much did the freedom of Australian national Richard Warren Rodwell cost? For Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul, it was only P4 Million, not P7 Million as reported. But the Manila media said the balance of P3 million went to the negotiators. Sakalahul said he knew the exact amount because Abu Sayyaf leader Pujuri Indama counted the money in front of

American soldiers escort Richard W. Rodwell after they fetched him from Pagadian by chopper. the Australian Embassy, Flor, Roger and Rodwell to an open media brieng so the truth would come out, he said. Sakalahul said Roger served as the bagman who handed the money to Indama. Rodwell was released by his captors in Pagadian City March 23. He was kidnapped by armed men believed to be Abu Sayyaf 23. Rodwell looked thin and tired as he emerged from the US Green Bell helicopter that fetched him from Pagadian City. It was an embassy to embassy agreement and we cannot not do anything about, Colonel Rodrigo Gregorio, spokesman of Western Mindanao Command, said, referring to the arrangements for Rodwells airlift from Pagadian made by the Australian and US embassies.

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March 31, 2013

March 31, 2013

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WASHINGTON, D.C.-The abstract expressionist works of noted Filipino American artist and art patron Alfonso Ossorio (19161990) drew raves when they went on exhibit at a private museum here. The Philippine Embassy, which collaborated with the Phillips Collection for its Phillips After 5 event for the month of March, said almost 700 guests led by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and his wife, Ma. Victoria, attended the opening of the exhibit dubbed Angels, Demons and Savages. The exhibit features 55 paintings and works on paper of the Manila-born Ossorio and his equally famous artist-friends and contemporaries-American painter Jackson Pollock (1912-1990) and French painter Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985)-covering the period 1945 to 1958. According to The Phillips Collection the exhibition, which will run until May 12, illuminates a key

March 31, 2013

Works of FilAm artist Ossorio on exhibit in D.C.

US where he was able to establish himself as an artist of note. In the Philippines, he is noted for his mural The Angry Christ that was commissioned in 1950 by the parish of St. Joseph in Victorias City, Negros Occidental. Among those in attendance was Filipino American community leader Mitzi Pickard who noted that it had been a long time since the Phillips Collection showcased a Filipino artist and Philippine art, music, dance and culture. Im elated that it happened at this time. It was a lovely evening highlighting the works and collections of Filipino artist extraordinaire Alfonso Ossorio, Pickard said. The event included a display of the fashion creations of FilipinoAmerican designer Cathy EbradaCleveland using the pia cloth (pineapple ber) and cultural performances by the University of Maryland Filipino Cultural Association and Northern Virginia Rondalla.

Cultural performers of the University of Maryland Filipino cultural group and students pose with Ambassador Cuisia.

Ambassador and Mrs. Jose L. Cuisia view an Ossorio painting at the Phillips Collection art show. persed after his death in 1990. Ossorio was born in Manila to a landed clan from Negros Occidental. He went to school in England and the United States. He took Fine Arts at Harvard University and also studied at the Rhode Island School of Design before becoming an American citizen in 1933. It was in the

Northern Virginia Rondalla provides the music for the opening of the Phillips arts collection. moment in postwar art and reunites a number of works by Pollock and Dubuffet from Ossorios collection for the rst time since they were dis-

Mixing Tinikling with basketball at Verizon Center

A full-packed audience of over 18,000 gathered at the Verizon Centers game between the Washington Wizards and New York Knicks witnessed a 13-year-old Filam girl singing the US national anthem and a performance of the Tinikling bamboo dance at halftime on March 1, 2013. The occasion was the Filam Heritage night initiated by the Filipino American Basketball Association of Metro DC (FABA) led by Ken Mendoza. Even though the Wizards lost, the audience came out praising Kriskatlin Baby Kay Zabala one of Migrant Heritage Commissions (MHC) rising young star. At halftime, the crowd was treated to another rare treat, the blindfolded version of the Philippines most popular Tinikling bamboo dance, choreographed by MHC Co-Executive Director and former diplomat/Phil.Embassys Cultural Ofcer, Grace Divina Valera. It was performed by MHCs Filam Heritage Dance Ensemble, MHCs cultural arm. Increasing visibility of the Philippines in the American mainstream is one of MHCs main objectives under its Cultural Resource Program. The ensemble is composed of Miss Teen Philippines-America USASunower Pageants. Performers were Kathleen Calaro (1st Mata (2012 Miss Philippines-USA Migrant Heritage/ISAs Miss Teen Philippines-America-Visayas), Nengster Poliquit, and Julie Quitoriano. The ensemble, also a grantee of the DC Arts Commission, has been performing in different high prole events in the U.S. capital region and neighboring States such as the National Cherry Blossoms Festival, the Fiesta Asia Street Festival, the 4^th of July American National Day Parade in DC and Philadelphia, the Katipunans Philippine Festival the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the DANCE DC/DANCE Asian Festival in prestigious venues like the Kennedy center and the like. The group has popularized the world renowned Philippines Tiniklinf bamboo dance in many variations and with a fusion of the Filipino and American cultures. It has been training many young Filipinoa born and raised in America to keep them connected to their Filipino roots and heritage. And to prepare them as future leaders of America, all of the qualied performers are sent as MHC Youth envoy delegates to the World Youth Assembly at the United Nations (UN) in New York.

Blindfolded Filams dance the Tinikling to the delight of the crowd at Verizon Center. Filam talents from various groups including the MHC Youth Envoys and young beauty queens from the runner-up ISAs Miss Teen Philippines-USA), Nicole Calaro, Matthew Emata Aninzo, Lizane Joyce Krishna Mata (2012 Miss Teen Sunower-USA), Lex Crisostomo, Alex Cabrera, John John Cabrera II,

Consular outreach in Tampa, Florida on April 19-21

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc., will conduct a consular outreach mission in Tampa, Florida on April 19-21, 2013 at the Finance Room of the Philfest Bayanihan Arts & Events Center, 14301 Nine Eagle Drive, Tampa, FL 33626. April 19-20: 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 6 p.m. April 21, 1 to 6 p.m. Services To Be Rendered: Processing of applications for issuance or renewal of Philippine passport ; Processing of authentication/acknowledgment of legal documents; Processing of applications for Reports of Births and Marriages; Administration of oaths to former Filipinos under the Dual Citizenship Law on 21 April 2013 (Friday) at 2:30 p.m. Passport Services: Passport applicants are no longer required to bring passport photos since they will have their pictures taken using ePassport data capturing machines at the outreach site. However, they still need to bring other necessary requirements, such as their current passport, photocopy of the passport data page, the passport application form which may be downloaded from the Embassys website at http://philippineembassy-usa.org/uploads/ pdfs/passport.pdf. Applicants are advised to bring $60.00, in cash or postal money order payable to the Philippine Embassy, as passport application fee. An additional fee (as administrative fee) may be imposed by the organizer which will be used to pay for the rental of the venue and other miscellaneous expenses. For the applicants convenience, a USPS Express Mail envelope with tracking number will be available at the venue for a fee. The application for Philippine passport is strictly by appointment only. In order to expedite processing, applicants are advised to APPLY FOR AN APPLICATION APPOINTMENT/SLOT by sending an e-mail to the Embassy at wdcpeconsular@gmail.com. Appointments will be automatically scheduled as they are received. No request for specic time slots will be entertained. Those applicants who are not able to secure conrmed appointments will not be accommodated.

March 31, 2013

Dance Studio, Merrifield Bldg. 2820 Dorr Ave. Fairfax, VA. $15. Contact: Ena 703-281-3537 April 11 (Thursday) 6:308:30pm PAFC Volunteers Planning Meeting for Philippine Festival and Asian Festival. See April 3 for details on location. April 20 (Saturday) 7:30pm Filipino Mass at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152. Sponsored by Filipino Ministry of St. Bernadette. Contact 703-569-1054. April 25 (Thursday) 6:308:30pm PAFC Volunteers Planning Meeting for Philippine Festival and Asian Festival. See April 3 for details on location. April 27 (Saturday) Filipino American Basketball Association (FABA) FundraisingTrip to Atlantic City. Meeting Places : (a) 6:45am Springfield Mall in front of JC Penny parking lot (b)7:30am Clarion Hotel , 6400 Oxon Hill Rd Oxon Hill,MD. $50.00 per person with $20.00 back from Ballys. Breakfast and drinks will be provided. For information and reservations contact: fabayouth@gmail.com or Agnes Espeleta 240.441.9377. April 27(Saturday) 7:00pm OLGC San Pedro Calugnsod Memorial Mass, Sacred Heart Chapel at OLGC. Light refreshments after mass at the Counsel Room. directions: www.olgcva. org May 2 (Thurs), 15 (Wed), 22 (Wed), and 30 (Thurs) 6:308:30pm. PAFC Volunteers Planning Meeting for Philippine Festival and Asian Festival. Sweet City Desserts, 131-A Maple Avenue W, Vienna, VA 22180 , tel: 703-938-8188. Contact: Aylene Mafnas 703 868 5660 May 4 (Saturday) OLGC Atlantic City Bus Trip. $45. Details TBA. May 11 (Saturday) 12:00noon-4:00pm. Asians for Mary Annual Pilgrimage, includes a 60 Filipino man/ woman choir for the event. Basilica Shrine of The Immaculate Concepcion, Upper Church. 400 Michigan Ave., Washington, DC 20017. Contact: Jacinta Mascarenhas terjac@hotmail.com. Details to follow. May 11 (Saturday) Marinduqueneo Assn of the Capital Area Atlantic City Fundraiser. Pickup at Montgomery Mall,

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Bethesda 6:00am, drop-off 10. $45(21 and over) $35(under 21) includes busfare and voucher. RSVP by March 31; payment due by April 6. Contact: mataac@ comcast.net May 18 (Saturday) 6:0011:30pm, Feed the Hungry, Inc. Spring Shindig. Fort Myer Community Center, McNair Road, Fort Myer, VA. Contact: Mila Nazal 301 288-7010 May 18 (Saturday) 7:30pm Filipino Mass at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152. Sponsored by Filipino Ministry of St. Bernadette. Contact 703-569-1054. May 26 (Sunday) Miss Teenage Philippines Pageant, Inc. Annual Coronation and Ball. Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. Contact Trini Padama-301-705-8550 . May 29- 31 PAFC Philippine Festivals Brown Strokes on White Canvas Art Exhibit. Opening reception Wednesday, May 29 at 6:30pm. Location Romulo Hall, Philippine Embassy. Contact: Julian Oteyza at julianoteyza@gmail.com or 703-9695469 June 6 and 13 (Thursdays) 6:30-8:30pm. PAFC Volunteers Planning Meeting for Philippine Festival and Asian Festival. Sweet City Desserts, 131-A Maple Avenue W, Vienna, VA 22180 , tel: 703-938-8188. Contact: Aylene Mafnas 703-868-5660.

If you would like to include your organizations event in this calendar, kindly send your information to Maurese Oteyza Owens at mpapoose@aol.com. April 3 (Wednesday) 6:308:30pm. PAFC Volunteers Planning Meeting for Philippine Festival and Asian Festival. Sweet City Desserts, 131-A Maple Avenue W, Vienna, VA 22180 , tel: 703-938-8188. Contact:

Aylene Mafnas 703 868 5660 April 6 (Saturday) 6:00pm12:00am,. Philippine Nurses Association of Metropolitan, D.C. Inc. Induction of Officers. Hilton Springfield, 6550 Loisdale Road, Springfield, VA 22150. $65 pre-paid, $70 at door. Contact: Nora Mendoza at 703-765-8474 or norrad79@verizon.net. April 6 (Saturday) 1:153:15pm Filipino Catholic Ministry at OLGC Zumba. Crown

16 Around DC in Pictures

March 31, 2013

The Philippine Embassy and the Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development (PCAFPD) held a reception at the Embassys Romulo Hall on March 22 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the foundation. Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and PCAFPD President Mark Holt hosted some 80 former Peace Corps volunteers who served in the Philippines from all over the United States, leaders of Filipino-American community organizations and ofcials from the Peace Corps, the Department of State and others. The PCAFPD was incorporated in the District of Columbia as a non-prot foundation on March 7, 1983. Since then, the foundation has provided hundreds of college scholarships to deserving Filipino students. (Embassy Photo by Christine Rubio)

Philippine Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. shakes hands with Rep. Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, during the annual B. C. Lee Lecture at the Heritage Foundation March 20. (Bing Branigin)

State Delegate Ron Villanueva, Virginia Beach, hosted a dinner reception on March 31 for Dr. Cynthia Romero, as the incoming Health Commissioner for the State of Virginia. Villanueva and Romero both hails from the Hampton Roads. Villanueva was also instrumental in the appointment of Romero.

Roberto and Gloria T. Federigan were among the scores of Filipino Amerians from the DC area who ew to the Vatican to witness the election of the new Pope. Despite the rain, they joined the crowd on St. Peters Square to wait for the white smoke and the announcement of the selection of the Cardinal from Argentina as Pope Francis.

Former Washington, DC resident Alma M. Maceda Calleja, (sister of former Amb. Ernesto Maceda), was in DC recently to visit family and friends. L to R front row: Sophia Calanog, Adry C. Sanchez, Arlene Calleja Sanchez, Ria Calanog, Ansel Sanchez, Alice Calleja Delapeyriere, Lucille, Bing Branigin, and Alma Caleja. Standing: Nesty Maceda Calanog, Tony Sanchez, Vesta and Bob Madarang, Ernesto Vergara, and Dr. Anna Maceda Calleja. Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr and Mr. Winston Lorenzana Mendoza, president and CEO of Mendoza Solar, met with Amb. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. to talk about solar and other renewable energy projects in the Philippines. Mr. Mendoza was accompanied by representatives of solar energy equipment and solar panel manufacturers/suppliers, including fuel cell technology for projects in the Philippines.

Robert Edward Gross, son of Mark Edward and Mrs. Pinky Lasam Gross, marked his third birthday on March 17 at their residence in Asburn, Virginia. Because it was St. Patricks Day, most of the family members and friends came in green. Also belatedly marking their birthdays were Roberts grandfather, Jack Edward Gross (January) at left, seated, and father Mark (February).

On March 16, Mia A. Padro (extreme right) came to Virginia with her parents from New Jersey where they reside to mark her 15th birthday with family and friends. The party was held at the residence of Eric and Cindy Andres in Vienna, Virginia. Photo shows, from left Mila Lopez, Teresa Alfaro, Mrs. Molly Amatulli who was visiting from Omaha, Nebraska, ( holding Baby Giovanni Andres), Rebecca Flores, Dr. Myrna Reyes (visiting from Connecticut) and Mia. Standing at right is Luisa A. Padro.

March 31, 2013

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For our Kababayan, a place to eat

By Jocelyn Porteria
Did you open the store when you were both 15 years old? My eyes were wide open while talking to the owners of the famous Kababayan Oriental store and restaurant in the heart of Woodbridge, Virginia. It is owned and operated by a very young husband and wife team John and Lima De La Rosa. I swear they look like they are still in college. I was even more surprised when they told me they owned the store for nine years now. I was looking for a place to eat one breezy afternoon after my listing appointment in Woodbridge, I got excited when I saw a place with a big red sign KABABAYAN in an array of shopping centers along Smoketown in Woodbridge. The store is half grocery and half restaurant and it was really busy that day with of course Filipino clients. Wow, feels like home and the name really suits itself. This is one of the places in the DC area where you can meet kababayans literally. The husband and wife team were so busy attending to their customers and they are really ing them having good times of their young lives partying and having fun with their barkadas. he will have his own business one day. Lima was in a hotel industry at that time. You can imagine the challenges and hardTalking about multi tasking, they did a very good job!!! They were lucky to have their parents help them in the store and Lima has to take care of their baby girl while running the business. That was too risky but they did it!! John has to get up from our interview most of the times because distributors, suppliers and customers need his attention. Lima and I continued with the interview while she was wrapping eggrolls and their now little girl is sitting next to us. I was about to feature the store and their products and services but the owners divert my attention and their inspiring story speaks for itself. I drove home after that and I still think about this young couple, VERY IMPRESSIVE is all I can say. They rmly believe that business is a continuous learning process, be creative in marketing and maintain good lasting relationship with the customers. The couple is not yet done, Lima is now in school nishing Medical Technology. What more can I say?

John and Lima dela Rosa with daughter man the grocery store-restaurant that has become popular with Pinoys. hands on. As I was watching Both from Tarlac and John being employed in Subway food chain was also a student at that time. He already envisioned that ships they experienced while trying to nish school, starting a business and a family as well. The store became their home.

them, I feel so proud for the parents of these young entrepreneurs. At this age, I was expect-

18 U.S. News Briefs

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida - Charles Bolden, chief of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration , says earthlings can only pray if a large asteroid heads toward earth. He told the US House of Representatives Science Committee hearing recently thats about all the United States or anyone for that matter - could do at this point about unknown asteroids and meteors that may be on a collision course with Earth, Bolden said. An asteroid estimated to be have been about 55 feet in diameter exploded on February 15 over Chelyabinsk, Russia, generating shock waves that shattered windows and damaged buildings. More than 1,500 people were injured. Later that day, a larger, unrelated asteroid discovered last year passed about 17,200 miles from Earth, closer than the network of television and weather satellites that ring the planet. We were fortunate that the events of last month were simply an interesting coincidence rather than a catastrophe, said Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican, who called the hearing to learn what is being done and how much money is needed to better protect the planet. NASA has found and is tracking about 95 percent of the largest objects ying near Earth, those that are .62 miles or larger in diameter. An asteroid of that size, a kilometer or bigger, could plausibly end civilization, White House science advisor John Holdren told legislators at the same hearing. nounced dead on arrival at the Hillcres Baptist Medical Center. His parents, Henry and Jackie Signo, said their son was an introvert in high school but thrived at Baylor. They said their son wanted to be a doctor and had a legal document drawn up donating his eyes, skin, bones and organs in case he died. His parents said they plan to endow a scholarship in his name at Baylor.

March 31, 2013

Unknown asteroids, meteors heading toward earth?

Taste and captured the $100,000 grand prize, and a car at the nals on March 12. Her name is Khristianne Uy, 31, who resides in West Hollywood and has often worked as personal chef for movie stars, including Charles Sheen. The 8-episode contest put professionals chefs against home cooks. At the nals, judges A. Bourdain (host), Nigella Lawson, Ludo Lefebvre and Brian Malarkey proclaimed her as the champion, defeating more than 8,000 aspirants. Ms Uy studied at the Art Institute in Los Angeles where she learned her skills. The youngest of three children, the family moved to Torrance, California in the 90s. home in New Iberia, Louisiana, around 6 p.m. early this month after reportedly being stabbed multiple times. Louisiana sheriff Louis Ackal said the suspect, Aguelo-Baileys thirteen years old step-son Dustin Bailey, was charged with second degree murder. Dustin has been transported to Saint James Juvenile Detention Center in Saint James, Louisiana. Detectives have not released a motive for the brutal killing and are still under investigation at this time. Aguelo-Baileys husband, Warren, is said to be working overseas at the time of the incident.

Charmaine Clamor called Hallelujah: A Celebration of Rebirth & Renewal on March 31st, Sunday (7PM), at Catalina Bar & Grill. Did you know that when Im not singing I heal people as a physical therapist? Ive been doing it for 13 years. My journey with healing begins with me. Growing up with poor exercise habits and later in life employing unhealthy diets -- Atkins, self-starving, just coffee in the morning -- I used to get ill from colds and u and bronchitis a few times a year. In July 2011, I developed allergies that caused difculty breathing and swallowing properly, as well as rashes that wouldnt heal. After many unsuccessful attempts with traditional medicine I decided to seek alternative care and took control of my own health. I changed my diet, decreased stress by meditating, and enlarged my yoga practice. Im now on the path to full healing, never more aware of *the utmost importance of being healthy in body, mind and spirit. My music is beginning to reect my concern with healing, and I look forward to sharing the energy with you in person. Please let me know if you could join me and my Killin Sweethearts band -- Abe, Dominic and Andy -- to celebrate spiritual rebirth and renewal with you. Id be happy to put you on the Guest List. I will offer uplifting songs to nourish the soul, songs like His Eye is On the Sparrow, Come Sunday, Overjoyed, and, of course, the title song, Leonard Cohens powerful anthem Hallelujah.

Young PH gymnasts win in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA Three young Filipino gymnasts won four medals- two gold, one silver and one bronze-in the Nadia Comaneci International Invitational tournament held at the Cox Convention Center here

12 PH seafood rms join Boston show

WASHINGTON, DCTwelve Philippine seafood companies made their presence felt in this years International Boston Seafood Show in Massachusetts-the largest seafood exposition in North America. The Embassy said the participation of the Filipino companies in the seafood show to be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center from March 10 to 12, 2013 was organized by the Department of Agriculture, through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service. Philippine Agriculture Attach Josyline C. Javelosa said the Filipino seafood companies, most of which have European Unionaccredited processing plants.

Bradley almost lost title to Russian

CARSON, California - Timothy Bradley, Jr. survived a late knockdown in the 12th round to escape with a unanimous but close decision over challenger Ruslan Provodnikov of Russia and retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt. In his rst defense of the title he grabbed from Manny Pacquiao via a controversial split decision last June, Bradley was in serious trouble near the end of the ght after the Russian connected with a huge right and sent him down. Only the nal bell saved Bradley from a potential knockout loss, and he hung on to claim a 114-113, 114-113, and 115-112 decision at the Home Depot Center here. At one point, Bradleys trainer Freddie Roach threatened to stop the ght before the 10th round because of a cut on top of his left eye.

Filam kid dies in freak accident

WACO, Texas - An 18-yearold Filam freshman at Baylor University died recently following a freak accident while doing a backip and fatally landing on his head. Kevin Signo, a pre-biology student from Frisco, Texas (north of Dallas), was rehears-

Kevin Signo ing traditional Filipino dances with fellow members at the universitys Filipino Students Association at the campus Marrs McLean Gym when, during a break, he practiced a backip, according to news reports. The Waco Tribune-Herald quoted a justice of the peace as saying Signo hit his forehead and suffered a fatal spinal injury when he broke his neck. He was pro-

The 3 Filipino medal winners at the Oklahoma International Gymnastics tournament. recently. The international competition was organized by the world famous Nadia Comaneci and spouse Bart Conner, both Olympic champions in gymnastics. Aaliyah Ybanez, 14, grabbed the countrys two gold medals on vault and oor routines for Level 5 12-up age group. She was also cited for her powerful and beautiful form and received the Nadia Spirit Award, given only to three athletes in each competitive level. Team Captain Jia Kawachi, 13, placed seventh overall in the all around event for Level 6 in the same age group. She earned silver on vault, sixth place on beam and 10th place in uneven bars. Tabitha Ybanez, the youngest in the team at 11, was tied in rst place with two other competitors in her age-group, earning the highest score of 9.475. She received the bronze medal based on competition rules. This is the second international club-based competition for the Ybanez siblings and the fourth international club-based competition for Kawachi, successfully bringing home medals on each occasion.

PH movie opens in US theaters

Graceland, a Filipino American movie directed by Ron Morales, will open in selected theaters in the United States on April 26. Distributed by Drafthouse Films, the movie has been praised by critics as mesmerizing, intense and unpredictable. It is the story of family man Marlon Villar, the longtime chauffeur of Manuel Chango a corrupt Filipino politician. One afternoon, while he and his daughter accompany the politicians daughter home, their car is ambushed in a kidnapping attempt. During the confusion of the ambush, the kidnapping goes horribly wrong and the wrong girl is taken and held for ransom. Marlon is determined to save his daughter, but between the conicting motives of the kidnappers and Chango, Marlon is forced into a terrible downward spiral. As events unfold, Marlon, Chango, and their families are forced into a game of deceit and betrayal that will leave no one innocent.

100 women in 113th US Congress cited

WASHINGTON D.C. - The 113th Congress is historic with 97 representatives from multicultural communities and 100 female members. In particular, for Asian American and Pacic Islander women, this is the rst time the Congressional Asian Pacic American Caucus is composed of a majority of women. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) an Iraq War veteran, is the rst Hindu elected to Congress. Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) is the rst Asian American to represent the state of New York. Reps. Gabbard and Meng shared their experiences as new members of Congress on a panel discussion titled A Conversation with AAPI Women of the 113th Congress on March 13. Organized by the Asian Pacic American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) and sponsored by AARP, Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA.), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacic American Caucus and Board Member of APAICS opened the discussion and *Nancy LeaMond,* executive vice president of AARPs State and National Group moderated the panel.

Pinoy chef wins ABCs cooking tilt

LOS ANGELES - A Filipino American lesbian chef has won ABCs cooking competition, The

Letter to Mail from C. Clamor

LOS ANGELES - Dear Manila Mail, I havent had a solo concert in Los Angeles in a couple of years and I am thrilled to be making a Los Angeles debut of my special Easter Show

Stepson, 13, stabs dead Filam in LA

Filam chef Kristieanne Uy LOUISIANA - Filipino American Carmen Aguelo Bailey, 34, was found dead in her

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was repeatedly subjected to repeated derogatory comments and slurs by (Stone) related to days. Stone told her nanny that she had no right to overtime pay, and accused Elemen of stealing from her by taking the... overtime pay, telling her it was illegal to have taken the extra pay and demanding the money back, court documents showed. The lawsuit asks for an unspecied amount for unpaid wages, damages and penalties, and is seeking trial by jury. In 2011, the actress was ordered to pay $232,000 in compensation to a worker who injured his knee after slipping and falling in her backyard in 2006.

Pinay nanny sues star for racial abuse

LOS ANGELES - A US judge cleared the way for a Filipina former nanny of Sharon Stone to go to trial against the US actress for wrongful dismissal and harassment, including racist abuse. Lawyers for Erlinda Elemen, who worked as a live-in nanny for the Basic Instinct star until she was sacked in 2011, announced last year that she was suing the actress. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mary Strobel ruled that Elemens lawyers had provided enough evidence to support her allegations of harassment, failure to prevent harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination. Were pleased that the judge recognized that the plaintiffs claims should proceed, said lawyer Solomon Gresen, adding: We look forward to our July trial date. The trial is tentatively set for July 30. Stones lawyers sought to have the case dismissed, arguing that comments by the actress did not amount to harassment. All we have is that Ms Stone made comments about Filipino food, Filipino accents, said lawyer Daniel Gutenplan. The lawsuit claimed the star equated being Filipino with

Filipina gets big break in NY lm festival

NEW YORK - Showbiz newbie Jane Oinezas rst lead role as a professional actress has become her biggest break to date with her nomination in the Best Performance by an Actress category at the 2013 New York Festivals (NYF) Worlds Best Television & Films. Im very thankful po dahil na-recognize nila yung ginawa ko. Im more than overwhelmed, the 16-year-old told media when she was launched as part of the Star Magic Circle 2013. It was Janes Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) episode with Angel Aquino that got nominated. The controversial MMK episode, titled Manika, aired in mid-2012 and earned rave reviews for Janes portrayal of a 15-year-old girl who was raped by her stepfather in front of her mother. Sobrang bigat ng role pero thankful po ako sa MMK dahil ipinagkatiwala nila sa akin. Jane also feels honored by the fact that she is competing in the festival with Hollywood stars Julia Stiles and Troian Bellisario, who are both from the web series WIGS. The 2013 New York Festivals will be held on April 9 in Las Vegas.

Filam nanny Erlinda Elemen with actress Sharon Stone and kids. being stupid, and ordered her not to speak in front of her children so they would not talk like you. She barred Elemen from reading the Bible in Stones home, even though she lived with her to look after the actresss three children, and frequently traveled with them. From August 2010, Elemen her Filipino ethnicity and heritage, said the 17-page lawsuit. Elemen, who was hired in October 2006 and was promoted to head live-in nanny two years later, was dismissed in February 2011, after Stone learned she was paid overtime when traveling with the children and on holiday

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March 31, 2013

Pope Francis meets predecessor in Rome

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - Pope Francis ew in to a papal residence near Rome on Saturday for an unprecedented encounter with pope emeritus Benedict XVI -- the rst time a pontiff has met his predecessor. The talks round off a historic few weeks for the Roman Catholic Church after Benedict became the rst pope to resign in over 700 years and only the second to do so by choice in 2,000 years. The last pope to resign -Celestine V in 1294 -- was locked up and perhaps killed off by his successor Boniface VIII and there is no record of the two ever meeting post-resignation. Highlighting the unusual nature of the encounter, both men are expected to wear white papal vestments since Benedict has been allowed to continue wearing his pontical robes as well as using the title Your Holiness. Cardinals in a conclave in the Sistine Chapel last week elected Francis as his replacement -- Latin Americas rst pontiff and the rst non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years. The Vatican said Benedict followed television news coverage of Francis election from Castel Gandolfo, the lakeside residence where he has been staying ever since he stepped down. The talks are private and the Vatican has said very little is likely to emerge about their content -- with any number of urgent issues for a troubled Roman Catholic Church possibly on the agenda. Franciss helicopter was seen landing at near the palace, which has been the papal summer residence for centuries. The Vatican said Benedict was there to greet Francis along with household staff and that the tions of intrigue and corruption inside the secretive Vatican.

Global Summit aims to tap migrants as investors

MANILA - The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) said migrants and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) need to increase their investments in the countrys micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which is now placed at only at $1.61 billion or 7 per cent of the $23-billion annual OFW remittances to the country. Its payback time, said CFO Chairman Imelda Nicolas interview with reporters at the sidelines of the forum. She said of the 10.4 million Filipinos abroad, half of them are permanent migrants mostly living in the US, Britain, Italy and Spain with strong programs for family reunication. At the same time, the remaining half of Filipinos abroad, are skilled workers and domestic helps, mostly deployed in Saudi Arabia and United Arab

Pope Francis meets ex-Pope Benedict at Castel Gandolfo, Rome. two would have lunch. The two men -- Francis is 76 and Benedict is 85 -- have very different styles but important core similarities on matters of doctrine and ways forward for the Church after Benedicts often troubled eight-year ponticate. Francis has paid homage to Benedict and has called him twice since becoming pope. Analysts say he will rely heavily on the theological legacy of the former pope. Benedict, before he stepped down, pledged allegiance to whoever his successor might be. The two leaders of the worlds 1.2 billion Catholics are both preoccupied with issues ranging from rising secularism in Western countries, to the reform of Vatican bureaucracy, to the ongoing scandal of clerical child abuse. The two could also discuss Vatileaks -- a scandal that broke last year over the leaks of hundreds of condential papal documents that revealed allegaBenedict has said he will live hidden from the world as a simple pilgrim on lifes last journey and is expected next month to move back and live in a former nunnery on Vatican grounds in a life of quiet contemplation and academic research. But the Vatican has said he could also provide spiritual guidance to his successor. Benedict is living temporarily in Castel Gandolfo with his secretary Georg Gaenswein -who confusingly is also the head of his successors papal household -- and with the four housekeepers who looked after him when he was still pope. Francis, formerly Jorge Bergoglio, has known Benedict for a long time. At the 2005 conclave, Bergoglio was the main rival to Joseph Ratzinger, the future Benedict XVI, and represented a more socially progressive current among the cardinals but reports at the time indicated that he pulled out of the race.

Participants in Diaspora summit in Manila last month pose for group picture that included Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and US Ambassador H. Thomas. as she urged OFWs to invest their Emirates (UAE) and Asian capihard-earned money in MSMEs tals like Hong Kong, Singapore to further fuel the growth of the and Malaysia. domestic economy. Nicolas, however, lamented The CFO has launched llate that only 7 percent or $1.61 of the last month an information portal annual remittances are invested BaLinkBayan project at the in the country, while 20 percent opening of the Second Global to 30 percent are saved based Summit of Filipinos in Diaspora on gures obtained from the held on Tuesday at Dusit Hotel Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. in Makati City. She said enticing OFWs to Nicolas said the portal invest in MSMEs have a multiwill advise OFWs on the viable plier effect as they would be able options for investments coming to help the provinces and cities from three government agen- where they come from to grow cies-departments of Agriculture, economically. Trade and Natural Resources. Its a change of mind-set... These agencies will iden- lets admit it, they are not Hilton tify the best products for pos- of the world who can invest huge sible investments in cities and capitals but we need to encourprovinces because OFWs tend to age them to invest their hardinvest in the province where they earned money in the country to come from, said Nicolas in an sustain growth, said Nicolas.

Oldest Filipino World War II vet is 112 years old

MANILA - - How do you live to be 112? Dont drink alcohol. Dont womanize. Pray. That is the advice of retired T/Sgt. Tranquilino Cabiling, the oldest living war veteran at 112 years. Cabiling attributes his longevity to clean living and his faith in God. Do not forget to pray to God. He can give you a long life, Cabiling told reporters in Visayan. Do not dance with women in the baile. Do not drink. Avoid vices, he added. Cabiling was honored during the Armys 116th anniversary rites recently along with ofcers, reservists and civilians who helped the military in its mission. President Aquino and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin left their seats to award a plaque of recognition to Cabiling. Cabilings deep love for the military service can be seen in the way he received the mementos given to him by the Army. When he was given an infantry soldier statue, Cabiling looked at it intently and did not let go of it. He was also given an Army keychain, which he immediately placed on his belt loop. The once strong artilleryman who witnessed the historic Leyte landing and survived the infamous Death March can no longer walk without assistance. Cabiling, however, appears to be very healthy and even bragged to Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista of teeth. I do not drink. I do not smoke. I do not have vices. I do not eat meat. I only eat sh and root crops, he said. Cabiling was born on July 6, 1900 in Barangay Damulaan in Albuera, Leyte. He joined the service on Aug. 3, 1922 and became part of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). Cabiling narrated how he served as a gunner in the artillery division and how he helped shoot down a Japanese aircraft. He was one of the recipients of a certicate <#> of gratitude issued by then US President Harry Truman on Dec. 31, 1944. As one of the nations nest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called upon to perform, the citation read. Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out that task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace. Cabiling retired on July 10, 1952 after almost three decades in the service. He married after the war but eventually separated from his wife. His second wife bore him a daughter, who died in a road accident in 1995. Now a widower, Cabiling is staying with a group of reservists who saw him following up his pension in Camp Aguinaldo. Despite his heroism, Cabiling has not received his benets because he lost his identication card.

T/Sgt. Tranquilino Cabiling and Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes about his complete set

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bigger than Bam Aquino, the Presidents nephew, who placed bounced back in the StratPOLLS survey was Juan Ponce Jack Enrile Jr., who tied for Nos. 7 and 8 with Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, both of whom earned 54.7 percent. Enrile won favor from Solid North votes, specically in Region 2, his home base, and in the Cordillera and Ilocos provinces including vote-rich Pangasinan. The StratPOLLS survey, conducted from March 8 to 13, revealed what is shaping up as a tight race for the No. 2 post among Escudero (63.2 percent), Poe (63 percent) and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (62.1 percent). The highest-ranked opposition candidate was Nancy Binay at No. 4 with 59.7 percent followed in sixth position by JV Ejercito with 59 percent. Sharing No. 7-No. 8 were Enrile and Trillanes, 54.7 percent apiece. Ninth was Edgardo Angara with 54 percent and tenth was Juan Miguel Zubiri with 52 percent. Placing 11th was Aquino with 50 percent and No. 12 was incumbent Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III with 49.4 percent. The administration candidates in the Top 12 were Legarda, Escudero, Poe, Cayetano, Trillanes, Angara, Aquino and Pimentel. Conversely, the opposition candidates were Binay, Ejercito, Enrile and Zubiri. Cynthia Villar took the 13th spot with 49.1 percent. She suffered a major dip because of her inadvertent comments about Filipino nurses that were largely viewed as a slur. Incumbent Sen. Gregorio Honasan came in 14th with 48.1 percent, while former lawmaker Richard Gordon was at No. 15 with 38.7 percent. The StratPOLLS survey was commissioned by the BusinessMirror for the ALC Group of Media Companies.

Sen. Legarda tops Senate slate in latest survey

MANILA - Sen. Loren Legarda appears headed for the top spot in the May 13 midterm elections for senators as she emerged No. 1 again in the latest nationwide survey by the Makati City-based polling rm StratPOLLS. She towed with her seven other administration candidates of President Aquino, with Grace Poe posting the biggest gain, thus making it 8 to 4 in favor of the Aquino coalition. Legarda earned 75.2 percent. Second was incumbent Sen. Francis Escudero, who logged 63.2 percent, while Poe placed third with 63 percent in a neckand-neck battle for the No. 2 spot. Two weeks ago Escudero complained that his godfather and United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) stalwart, former President Joseph Erap Estrada, was covertly campaigning against him. Notwithstanding the socalled Erap factor, the senator landed second in the StratPOLLS

Sen. Loren Legarda raises hands during proclamation rally. survey. Estrada has been barnstorming the countryside, directly endorsing his son Joseph Victor JV Ejercito Estrada and Poe, who turned out to be the big revelation in the current campaign, tenth. Poe was the bigger beneciary of the Erap endorsements. The core votes of her father, the late Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), are still out there for her taking. Another candidate who

Aquino kills anti-poverty bill due to fund lack

MANILA President Benigno Aquino III has vetoed the proposed Magna Carta for the Poor, saying the government lacks sufcient funding to make the law a practical solution to the problem of poverty in the country. Sa madaling salita, pwede akong nagpa-cute. Pwede kong pinirmahan itong batas na to, pogi tayo, pero alam ko hindi mami-meet ng gobyerno, Aquino said Monday on the sidelines of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines 5th anniversary celebration in Pasay City. More than one-quarter or 26.5 percent of the Philippine population fell below the poverty line in 2009, according to latest government data. The government has dened the poor as those earning below P7,017 a month for a family of ve, or below P16,841 per capita a year. Aquino said had he signed the bill, the government risks being sued for unfullled promises. Kunwari, yung head ng NHA (National Housing Authority ): Bakit wala akong bahay? he said, citing one of the governments agencies as an example. Under the bill, the government has to ensure ve basic rights for every Filipino: food, employment, quality education, shelter, and health services. But Aquino said the government cannot provide even just one of those services, given the current state of its nances. Kaya ba nating gawin ito? he said, adding that the budget for this year is only about P2 trillion. On housing alone, di ba, [nakalagay sa batas] right to shelter demandable now ibig sabihin parang ibigay mo ngayon magkano yung shelter for ve million social housing units? Hindi naman marangyang bahay ito e, social housing units. Ang gagastusin natin is P2.320-trillion, Aquino explained. Ngayon, yung budget natin, ang pwede lang i-program off the P2 trillion is roughly about P600 billion. Wala pa yung right to food, wala pa yung right to work, wala pa yung right to health, wala pa yung right to education, he added. Instead of approving the Magna Carta for the Poor, Aquino said he has instructed his cabinet to draft a Malacanang version of the bill to send to the incoming 16th Congress. Ang corrective action natin dito, dinirect natin yung social cluster to draw up a substitute measure that we will give to the next Congress and, hopefully, that they will act upon with haste, he said. Aquino said he wants a legislative measure that will enable the government to provide the needs of the poor while sustaining the countrys economic growth.

Ex-Knicks player banned from PBA for life

MANILA - Former New York Knicks forward Renaldo Balkman who recently displayed unsportsmanlike behavior that was unprecedented in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Balkman nds himself banned from the league for life. Balkman, who signed on in December as the Petron Blaze Boosters import player, lost his cool with 21.6 seconds left in a PBA Commissioners Cup game against Alaska Aces at Araneta Coliseum on March 8, bumping all three referees, shoving assistant coach Biboy Ravanes and teammates Roland Tubid and Arwind Santos who tried to interfere before the situation escalated any further. When Santos responded and shoved Balkman back, Balkman took it a step further and choked him. The whole display was televised live in the Philippines on AKTV. Balkman took to Twitter later that night to apologize to his teammates, team and the league for his behavior. I got caught up in the moment of a very intense game. I respect (Santos) as a person and player. This was unintentional seven restaurants. The building also has 500 hotel rooms and 2,000 parking slots. It features glass ceilings filtering abundant tropical sunlight, huge chandeliers, thick red-themed carpets, blown glass wall-to-ceiling panels, water pools and an army of cocktail towards (Santos), I am a team player who always has the best interest of the team at heart. I

Renaldo Balkman accept all responsibilities for my actions while playing an intense game, I have truly enjoyed my time here playing in the Philippines. After meeting with PBA commissioner Chito Salud for an hour, Balkman was handed a lifetime ban and a 250,000 peso ($6,150) ne. The incident and ruling caused a storm in social media throughout the PBA community and fans. Balkman, 28, of Staten Island, N.Y., is hardly a stranger to controversy, having been suspended for ghting with Corey Smith as far as back as his sophomore year at the University of South Carolina. waitresses in tiny red dresses. Another wing is being built to add 300 all-suite hotel rooms >, 30-40 high-end shops and a theatre where French plans to host travelling Broadway shows as well as local and foreign lounge acts.

$1.2-B casino opens for rich and famous

MANILA - The Philippines makes its biggest bet this month to become one of the worlds elite gaming destinations, with the launch of a $1.2-billion casino on the Manila Bay. Solaire Manila Resorts is the first of four enormous entertainment venues slated to rise over a giant chunk of prime, reclaimed land that industry and government leaders expect will attract millions of cashed-up Asian tourists. President Benigno S. Aquino III presided at the opening of the Solaire Manila Resorts two weeks ago. What Solaire brings is an entertainment and gaming experience that doesnt exist in the Philippines today, its American chief operating officer, Michael French, told AFP in an interview this week ahead of Saturdays opening. It will be like going to Las Vegas. This raises the scale, the excitement and the... glamour. Controlled by billionaire Philippine port operator Enrique Razon, Solaire has 300 gaming tables, 1,200 slot machines and

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Obama presses US... from page 1
28 people who had just become U.S. citizens and said immigrants had reinvigorated the labor force and beneted businesses. If we want to keep attracting the best and brightest the world has to offer, we need to do a better job of welcoming them, he said. A reform bill has gained momentum in Congress since Hispanic voters overwhelmingly supported Obama in Novembers presidential election. Recent polls show strong support for creating a way for undocumented foreigners to become U.S. citizens. Congress is on two-week recess but is expected to look more closely at immigration and other domestic issues after being consumed for weeks with budget matters. A group of eight Democratic and Republican senators is working on a plan that would create a 10- or 15-year process that leads to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants who are in the United States illegally. The path to citizenship may be called a path to a green card to soften opposition among Republicans, although Senate aides have characterized that as a semantic distinction. A Senate vote could be held in June or July. One obstacle is the divide between business and labor organizations over how to manage the ow of unskilled labor into the United States. Obama said Weve got to nish the job, because this issue is not new. Weve just got, at this point, to work up the political courage to do whats required to be done. Obama said he wants to see movement in the Senate on immigration reform next month

March 31, 2013

such ceremonies is one of the best things about being president. He spoke rst about the importance of immigrants and what they bring to the country. Immigration makes us stronger, he said. It keeps us vibrant, it keeps us hungry, it keeps us prosperous. It is part of what makes this such a dynamic country. Then he turned to immigration reform talks, which are moving forward in the Senate but have not yet resulted in the introduction of a bill. The socalled gang of eight in the Senate is working to nish its immigration bill before Congress returns from recess in the second week of April. As of Friday, the bipartisan group of senators still needed to nalize several issues, including how to deal with wages that could be affected by the future ow of guestworkers. Obama said he expects them to meet that timeline and put forward a bill in April. He didnt put an exact time frame on when he wants to see passage of legislation, although he urged swift movement. During a Jan. 29 speech in Las Vegas, Obama said he would put forward his own bill if Congress failed to act, but for now he is waiting for the efforts in both chambers to move forward. Obama, as he has before, said this is the time to nally pass immigration reform. Lets get this done, he said. And lets do it in a way that keeps faith in our history and our values. After the swearing in, Obama said: Today, here in the peoples house -- a house designed by an Irish immigrant -- we welcome 28 men and women, immigrants themselves, who from this day forward have earned the precious right to call this country home. through nursing school. In 1941, while still in Georgia, Manning requested to be sent to the Philippines because she wanted to travel. She never imagined that trip would turn into a more than three-year saga that would forever change her life, her son said. Manning had been in the Philippines six weeks when Pearl Harbor was bombed. Five months later she and the others were taken prisoner while treating wounded soldiers on the Philippine island of Corregidor. In 1945, after American tanks rammed through the gates of Santo Tomas - a university facility where the women were being held - and Manning and the others were freed, she continued to serve in the Corps, touring and promoting war bond sales. It was then she met Arthur Brewster Manning, an Atlanta newspaper man. involved. Meanwhile, the faculty of the Department of Behavioral Sciences in UP Manila called on the schools chancellor and vice chancellor to resign. We strongly appeal to the conscience of Chancellor Manuel Agulto and Vice Chancellor Josephine de Luna to show their solidarity and humility to the aggrieved family of Kristel Tejada and other victims of their repressive policy by rendering their irrevocable resignation, said the statement read by sociology professor Jocelyn del Mundo. The statement was read at the Philippine General Hospital chapel after a mass sponsored by the student council for Tejada. Professor Andrea Martinez, Tejadas program adviser, said the girl had been depressed since going on forced leave.

Patricia Marie Marcaida and passage of a bill as soon as possible, continuing his pressure on Congress to move quickly to x the immigration system. Obama, joined by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas, told the 28 new citizens that witnessing

2 American WII heroes... from page 1

alry Regiment when he led the last mounted the cavalry charge against the Japanese in Morong, Bataan, in 1942. He was credited with organizing up to 40,000 guerrillas ghters and was hunted down by the Imperial Japanese Army and by the communist Huk guerrillas, but managed to escape each. Some Filipino guerillas who served with him are still living in the Philippines or are in the U. S. Some have been able to receive the US lump sum benet but others have not because of lack of documentations. General Douglas MacArthur personally awarded Ramsey the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Purple Heart for the success of his guerrilla organization, his heroism and his combat wounds. After the war, Ramsey returned to the United States, then spent ve years in Japan as an executive with Hughes Aircraft Corporation, and more years in the Philippines as a private businessman before he retired in California. His wartime exploits are preserved in the book Lieutenant Ramseys War and the documentary movie Forgotten Soldiers. Ramsey is widely credited for his command of the 26th Mounted Cavalry Regiment in a successful raid on Japanese troops holding fort at the town of Morong in Western Bataan. This was the last horse-mounted cavalry charge in the US Army history. When Bataan eventually fell to the Japanese, Ramsey retreated to the forests of the peninsula where he mounted guerilla operations over the course of the next three years of the war.

US Lt. Col. Edwin P. Ramsey After the war, Ramsey returned to the US as a war hero, receiving citations and honors from US presidents and the US Armys Special Forces branch, which were reportedly fashioned after Ramseys guerilla organization in WWII. Mildred Dalton Manning is thought to be the last of the surviving Angels, family members said. I have never been bitter, and I have always known that loan amounting to P6,377 (about $150), ofcials were forced to make her go on leave. UP ofcials later denied that Tejada was forced to go on leave. His voice cracking, UP Manila chancellor Manuel Agulto decried the medias portrayal of them as cold hearted and ruthless in the light of the suicide. Agulto broke down and recalled how he was once in a predicament similar to Tejada. I was once a medical school student scrambling to pay my tuition As administrators, we are not enemies. I would like to see myself as a surrogate parent to the students, an emotional Agulto said. According to records, UP Manila ofcials allowed Tejada three extensions to pay for her P6,377 student loan incurred during the rst semester. The deadline for the payment was moved to Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and

Mildred Dalton Manning if I could survive that, I could survive anything, she said in a 2001 interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Manning, who was from Jackson County, spent two years as the head surgical nurse at Grady Hospital before she joined the Corps in 1939. She was a trailblazer of sorts, said her son James Manning, of Trenton, N.J. She was very proud of having made it Dec. 19 after several appeals from her parents. The girl was also given accommodation to work as a student assistant, pending her submission of enrollment papers for the second semester. Agulto said Tejadas father Christopher led another loan application on Dec. 19, this time for the second semester, but was not processed as this was the last working day before the Christmas break. According to the presentation, the father only appealed on Jan. 23, 2013, or nine weeks after the start of classes and way beyond the last week of payment. The mother approached Agulto at a social gathering, appealing that her daughter be allowed to enroll. Agulto said he was sympathetic but the appeal could no longer be granted, clarifying that there was no begging or kneeling

Unable to pay tuition,... from page 1

P6,377 (about $150) on time. The death of Kristel Tejada, daughter of a parttime taxi driver, ignited committed suicide at her house in Tondo on March 15. The death of Kristel Tejada, stirred up demonstrations in Metro Manila and oprompted school authroites to revam the tuition system. in the premiere state. Freshman student Kristel Tejada, daughter of a taxi driver, committed suiciede March 15 by drinking a poisonous cleaning liquid because UP Manila forced her to go on leave for failure to pay her tuition loan. For almost a week, students from UP Manila and other schools were joined by activists in Metro Manila to mourn the death of Tejada, 18, and demand the ouster of ofcials of the premier state university, UP students held mass actions outside the campus in Manila, held vigils, lighted candles, noise barrages and marches wearing black shirts as the body of Kristel was brought to the chapel of the Philippine General Hospital before burial during last weekend. The embattled UP ofcials held a press conference to try to calm down tempers. Based on new details released by the UPM administration, the 16-year old BA Behavioral Sciences freshman at the College of Arts and Sciences struggled under the state universitys loan and tuition policies right from the start when she entered UP in May 2012. Tejada is the eldest of ve children of a taxi driver and a housewife. Because she failed to pay her rst semester student

March 31, 2013

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embassys position. In its statement, the Embassy said that unknown to the public, it actually helped shoulder the cost of recovering two of the rst eight workers who left the Grand Isle facility in 2010 and that it had even offered other possible assistance to the workers through the Philippine Overseas Labor Ofce. The Embassy said it continued to actively monitor the case even though it never received any request for assistance from the workers or their lawyers either before or after they went to court. The Embassy also said it played a critical role in the aftermath of the Black Elk offshore platform re by immediately deploying personnel to assist the victims and their families who had to be own in from the Philippines. Jesuit Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina was chosen March 13 during the second day of secret voting by a conclave of cardinals. He was ofcially installed as the new pope on March 19. He seemed destined to be the rst pope from Latin America, which has nearly 40 percent of the worlds Catholics. He got the second highest votes in the 2005 election of Pope Benedict XVI, now known as pope emeritus. In related news, The Washington Post quoted President Obamas statement on the pontiff: As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than two thousand years - that in each other we see the face of God. As the rst pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day. Maria Rodriguez, Miami, FL, who has worked to defend basic human rights of low-income and migrant peoples for 25 years; Rich Stolz, Seattle, WA who was born in South Korea, grew up in California, and lives in Seattle, but has lived and organized in communities as diverse as Maine, Alabama, Arizona, and Washington, D.C. He is the Executive Director of OneAmerica, the largest immigrant rights advocacy organization in Washington State; MaThew Soerens Glen Ellyn, IL , who serves as the US Church Training Specialist for World Relief, which is the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals; Javier H. Valdes, Brooklyn, NY, who oversees the organizing and policy work at Make the Road New York in the areas of civic participation, civil rights.

Embassy, activists meet... from page 1

Consul Elmer Cato (at head table) presides over the meeting with Filam activists in the Philippine embassy. in Louisiana who led a class shipyard . suit against their employer for The demonstrators in front alleged slavery and human traf- of the embassy were made up of cking. protesters from New York, VirThis was the rst time that ginia, Maryland and New Jersey. the embassy had agreed to sit They demanded that the governdown with the activist groups. ment investigate the condition of Cato, who is also press attach, these groups of Filipino workers said he conveyed the govern- who they said were being treated ments position on the case led like slaves and kept in prison-like by some 100 to 300 Filipino off- conditions in the Grand Isle facilshore oil workers against the ity in Galiano, Louisiana. They

DC activists held a forum at St. Stephens Episcopal Church March 17 to show their solidarity with the Filipino workers in Louisiana. (Photo by Jon Melegrito) also demanded that Ambassador what the government has done Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. resign for fail- and what it continues to do in ing to take any action on the case. protecting the rights and welCato said the embassy fare of our workers, said Cato, actually shares their concern for who enumerated the actions the the rights and welfare of Filipino Embassy undertook in connecoffshore oil workers here in the tion with the Grand Isle Shipyard United Statesnot just those case and the November 16, 2012 involved in the class suit against explosion in the Gulf of Mexico Grand Isle but also the majority that left three Filipinos dead and who have not joined the case. three others seriously injured. We hope the Embassy was But the activists said they able to present a clear picture of were not satised with the Maryland, said in a phone interview on March 19 when the pope was installed: I like the pope. Hes humble and dedicated. As cardinal of Argentina, he shunned the limo and took public transport, cooked his own meals. He served the sick and the poor. Media reports note the pope is conservative in his stand on abortion and gay marriage. Pedery stressed: Reformer or traditionalist? Its too early to know what kind of pope he will be. He has shown a good beginning. We should all pray for him. Ed Tiong, coordinator of the Filipino Ministry of Northern Virginia, said in a telephone interview March 13, Im praying for spiritual guidance for the new pope. He faces a big task, particularly in the decisions he will be making, given that there has been a lot of issues facing the Church. Romeo and Ponciana Pascasio of Gaithersburg, Maryland, said their family would be offering prayers for the pope. the Fair Immigration Reform Movement ghting for just and humane immigration policies. The son of immigrants from the Philippines, Lawrence has spent the last twenty years working for justice for immigrants and other disenfranchised groups, through community and electoral organizing. Currently, he serves on the board of directors for Chicago Public Media, and is a proud Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Ghana, 93-95). The others are Yvanna Cancela of Las Vegas, Nevada, political director of the Culinary Workers Union who is helping coordinate a statewide campaign for comprehensive immigration reform; Ian Danley, Phoenix, AZ, a community leader and community organizer whose work for nearly 10 years has been directing youth leadership and The couple were active church volunteers in their old St. Joseph the Worker church in Project 6, Quezon City, Philippines. Romeo was lay minister and Ponciana was church caretaker from 1988 to 2010. Masaya kami dahil meron na uling leadership and guidance, said a joyful Romeo, adding it was not good for the Church when there was a leadership vacuum. Thelma Alde, interviewed while dining at McDonalds in the nations capital, said she watched the new pope on ABCTV7. She added: I was so happy that we have a new pope. He seemed so humble and softspoken. After Pope Benedict resigned, I was so sad. Im praying the Holy Spirit will guide the new pope. Tiong he was heartened by the popes choice of the name. St. Francis of Assisi, born in the 12th century, was known as the champion of the poor. Tiong said, He rebuilt the Church, as Jesus said. His Prayer for Peace is popular with Catholics. college preparatory programs for local urban youth at Neighborhood Ministries; Jason Mathis, Salt Lake City, UT is the executive director of Salt Lake Citys Downtown Alliance and EVP of the Salt Lake Chamber overseeing policy initiatives for immigration and urban development; L. Mireya Reith, Fayetteville, AR, Executive Director of Arkansas United Community Coalition (AUCC), the rst nonprot working at the state level to empower immigrants; Judy Rickard, San Jose, CA, author of Torn Apart: United by Love, Divided by Law, Findhorn Press, 2011, who has worked to promote civil rights since 1973 as a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activist with extensive experience working with politicians and educators in San Jose/Santa Clara County;

Pope has high hopes... from page 1

like Pope Francis. Vice President Jejomar Binay, who represented President Aquino III at the installation rites, said Pope Francis has expressed openness to an invitation to visit the Philippines during the 51st International Eucharistic Congress slated in Cebu 2016. Binay said he invited the Pope during a meeting after the latters installation and inaugural Mass March 19 evening in Vatican and the pontiff answered probably to his invitation. Pope Francis also asked the Filipino people to pray for him, Binay said in a statement. He told me: Please pray for me, the Vice President added. It was former Pope Benedict XVI who announced in 2012 Eucharistic Congress that the next congress will be held in Cebu, which is acknowledged as the countrys cradle of faith. The congress is held every four years. The Philippines last hosted the congress in 1937, with reevangelization as the central program. Binay also carried the Presidents letter congratulating the new Bishop of Rome.

By Jennie L. Ilustre
Washington, D.C.-Area Filipino Americans are offering prayers for Pope Francis I, as he faces a big task as the new pontiff of 1.2 billion Catholics all over the world. On the day the pope was chosen, Cora Arca, head servant of Jesus is All in Anandale, Virginia, said in a phone interview her group would be praying for him when we hold our regular prayer meeting every Sunday afternoon at Saint Phillips Church. She expressed joy that the swift election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on March 13 meant we will have a new pope who will be celebrating the Easter Sunday mass on March 31. Jun Pedery of Oxon Hill, simply by being a friend, the citizens we honor today embody the legacy of the great Cesar Chavez, who dedicated his life to ghting for justice for all, said senior advisor to the President, Valerie Jarrett. The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White house to feature groups of Americans individuals, businesses and organizations who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities. Leading the list is Lawrence Benito, Chicago, Illinois, the son of immigrants from the Philippines who serves as the Chief Executive Ofcer at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), one of the leading organizations with

Filam, 10 others get... from page 1

March 26. This Champions event, A Legacy of Service: Organizing for Immigration Reform will honor those who embody the spirit of Cesar Chavezs legacy and commit themselves to working in their communities to advocate and organize around immigration-related issues. Though the honorees come from vastly different backgrounds, they all share a commitment to realizing Chavezs core values and the dream of a more just tomorrow. These eleven individuals exemplify the core decency and generosity of Americans, by welcoming and giving voice to those that come to our shore. Whether through advocacy and civil rights, helping with housing and education, engagement in churches and communities, or

24 Entertainment Manila Report

March 31, 2013

Kris Aquino versus James Yap

By Pink Biticon
Kris Aquino is on the spotlight of controversy again! This time it involves an incident between her and ex-husband James Yap on December 3 last year. The youngest sibling of President Noynoy Aquino accuses her former husband of making unwanted sexual advances on her which has been witnessed by their 5-year old son Bimby. Kris led before the Makati Regional Trial court a temporary restraining order against Yap foroverstepping his boundaries and of attempting to seduce her while visiting her home and inicting psychological effect on Bimby. The TRO was granted by the court prohibiting Yap to get near at least 100 meters from Kris and Bimby for thirty days, but Kris is still seeking to get a Permanent Restraining Order which will prohibit Yap to get near their son permanently. In an impromptu press conference on March 20, Yap denied Kriss accusations of overt sexual advances towards her. He explained that he was just joking Kris to kiss her because Bimby did not want to kiss him goodbye, I was saying goodbye and asking Bim to give his dad a kiss. He said, I dont like. So I said, If you dont kiss Papa, I will kiss Mama. And allegedly Kris said, Yuck, yuck, yuck. I approached Kris, held her here [points to his left arm], and said, Bim, look. Im about to kiss your mom, then Kris said, Youre hurting me! A day after Yaps press conference, it was a media spectacle when a teary-eyed Kris, together with her older sisters, Pinky, Viel and Ballsy, appeared on two primetime rival newscasts TV Patrol and 24 Oras to give her side on yet another controversy she has been involved in. She stood by her version of the story, accusing former husband of making sexual advances on her in front of their son saying she felt violated as a woman. To the surprise of many, Kris also announced that she will be quitting show business for the sake of his son. She told Ted Failon that this controversy is not a part of any gimmick or drama, You know my family, we do not do drama. Kris already resigned from

PH gets best actor, actress awards in Asian lmfest

HONG KONG - The best actor and best actress awards were both won by the Philippines at the Asian Film Awards March 18. Actor Eddie Garcia scooped the award for a role as a lonely gay man who is in his 70s in the comedy-drama Bwakaw, while Nora Aunor was named best actress for recognition for us, Lou told AFP after winning the award at a glitzy ceremony in Hong Kong. He said he would continue addressing social issues through his lms despite the pressures he has faced. I just want to concentrate on making lms.... Movies and society

Kris Aquino cries during press conference.

James Yap friend, Senator Chiz Escudero who is 15 years senior than her. Hearts mother and manager Cecille Ongpauco, surprised the public after holding a press conference where she and husband professed their disapproval over Escudero. She accused Escudero of being an opportunist, disrespectful and arrogant. She also accused Escudero of manipulating their daughter to go against her family. Escudero, who is now seeking reelection in the senate, claimed that he has not done anything bad against Heart and said that he loves her. Hearts rift with her family is not new. Far too often, Heart nds herself caught in the middle between her parents and her man. But Heart seems ght-

Nora Aunor and Eddie Garcia captured the best actress and best actor, respectively, in the Asian Film Awards. Thy Womb, in which she portrays the struggles of an infertile wife. A Chinese drama that touches on sensitive topics including police corruption won the best picture, while Japans Takeshi Kitano scooped the best director gong. Mystery, directed by Lou Ye, which reportedly upset Chinese censors for dealing with controversial issues such as the behavior of the countrys new rich, also took home the best newcomer award, won by actress Qi Xi. The social satire was Lous rst lm after he was banned from lm-making for ve years for showing politically charged love story Summer Palace at the Cannes Film Festival without government approval in 2006. I am very happy because this (latest lm) project has run into some troubles before, so this is a cannot be separated, the director said. Chinese media said censors demanded Lou cut the violent ending in Mystery where the male lead bludgeons a garbage collector to death with a hammer. He refused until a compromise was reached and he agreed to darken the scene. Japanese actor-director Kitano won the best director honor with his yakuza gangster lm Outrage Beyond. The Asian Film Awards, organized by the Hong Kong International Film Festival, have been held annually since 2007, aimed at showcasing the regions movie talent. While the awards have been dominated by South Koreans in the past, this year prizes were distributed across the region, with China winning four, three for Japan and two for the Philippines.

Kris and son Bimby depart for trip to Europe. her ABS-CBN shows which includes daily talk show KRIS TV, her daily soap KAILANGAN KOY IKAW and PILIPINAS GOT TALENT. Following the media explosion of the Kris versus Yap asco, the court approved the gag ordered led by the camp of Yap, prohibiting the two camps from making further media and public pronouncements about their problem. But the gag order might be too late for the observing public who is now feasting on the latest controversy involving Kris. It can be remembered that Kris got involved in a highly publicized scandals and controversies in the past involving her own personal affairs. One of which was her public announcement that she got an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) from former live-in partner actor Joey Marquez. Kris ew to Europe with son from Philip Salvador, Joshua and Bimby. She tweeted on Saturday, March 23, Goodbye for now. Many thanks for the love, understanding & prayers.

Heart Evangelista and Chiz Escudero ing for her love this time. In a statement to the Philippine Star, she wrote, This isnt the rst time this happened. This has happened when I was with Jericho (Rosales). At that time, I gave it to my parents wishes because I wanted them to be happy. Because I am the youngest in the family, my parents became overprotective which is totally understandable. And at that time, I was still young and thought it is wise to obey their wishes. But now that Im 28 years old, I believe I already have the right to decide how to live my life, who to love and to be with. Hearts parents threatened to le civil and criminal charges against Escudero amid this issue.

I am Filipino, Bruno Mars says on SNL

I am Filipino, international singer-songwriter Bruno Mars declared on Saturday Night Live (SNL) show last month. Mars, who is Peter Gene Hernandez in real life, said I am Filipino, in one number at SNL where he served as both host and musical guest, an Associated Press report said. The singer was born in Hawaii to a Filipino mother and Puerto Rican father. In the AP report, Mars said he had so much fun doing the SNL show and would be glad to do it again. The report also added that Mars October 20 appearance gave the NBC variety show the second-best ratings this season. In the show, Mars showcased his singing and acting talents in the comedy skits where he impersonated other musicians like Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Steven Tyler. Last April, the Grammy winner

HEART ISSUE
The world of showbiz was abuzz with another big story involving actress Heart Evangelista. Heart, 28, is having another rift with her parents Cecille and Rey Ongpauco because of involvement with now boy-

Bruno Mars visited the Philippines for a successful two-day concert in Manila and Cebu. Among his many hits songs are Just The Way You Are, Grenade, Marry You and Nothin On You. Mars will release his upcoming album, Unorthodox Jukebox, next month.

March 31, 2013

25
In Virginia, for instance, if you die without a Will, your property would go to your closest relatives rst. If you are married at the time of your death, for example, everything would go to your surviving spouse. If you had children by a prior marriage, however, 2/3 would go to all the children and 1/3 would go the surviving spouse. If there is no surviving spouse, then everything would go to your children or grandchildren. In the District of Columbia, your property would go to your closest relatives rst, beginning with your spouse and children. If you have neither a spouse nor children, your property would go to your grandchildren or your parents. The list continues with increasingly distant relatives. For example, in Maryland, intestacy laws provide that the surviving spouse would receive of the intestates estate if there is a surviving minor child; if there is no surviving minor child, the spouses share would be the rst $15,000 plus of the remainder of the estate. QUESTION: What would happen to my minor children if I die without a Will? ANSWER: If a parent dies without a Will and the other parent is unable to provide care (for example, if the other parent is no longer living), the state typically will determine the guardian for the children and the property they will inherit. In Virginia, for example, where the beneciaries of an estate are minor children, the court would appoint a guardian and guardianship would end when the children reach the age of 18, regardless of the ability of the children to manage their inheritance. Throughout guardianship, the court-appointed guardian would be able to make expenditures for the health, education, maintenance, and support of the minor children. The court may appoint the rst person to volunteer as guardian, regardless of whom the intestate might have preferred. QUESTION: What is required for a Will to be valid? ANSWER: State laws dictate the requirements to which a valid Will must adhere. Typically, however, most states require the following: the testator (the person making the Will) must be at least 18 years of age and of sound mind; the Will must expressly state that the document is the testators Will; the Will must have at least one

My Last Will and Testament

QUESTION: I am a 35-year old divorced parent with two children ages 10 and 12, respectively. I am gainfully employed and have modest assets, but I do have a small equity in my house and sundry other possessions, including a car. Can you explain to me what a Will is and do I need one? ANSWER: Yes, the short answer is that you need a will. I will explain what a Will is, what it contains, the typical legal requirements of a Will, etc. In a subsequent column, I will explain the probate process that follows upon the death of a person who has assets. I note that these are not necessarily easy concepts, and laws vary from state to state. Because of the breadth of relevant information, I can only cover a few topics here. You will need to consult a competent trusts and estates attorney for in-depth legal advice that takes your specic circumstances into account. What is a Will? In very simple terms, a Will (also called Last Will and Testament in some states) is a written document signed by you which sets forth how you would like your assets or property to be distributed following your death. Not everyone needs a Will; however, if you have any property, regardless of value, a Will will ensure that your desires as to who should receive your property are carried out. By means of a Will, you will be able to, for example, name your primary beneciary; designate your alternative beneciary in the event that your primary beneciary predeceases you; provide for the payment of bills after your death; appoint an executor (i.e., the person who will manage your estate following your death); and designate a guardian for minor or disabled children. A Will controls only what is called the probate estate. I will explain the term probate and the probate process in a subsequent column. QUESTION: What would happen to my property if I die without a Will? ANSWER: If you die without a Will, your states laws of intestate succession would govern inheritance rights. The term intestate refers to the situation where a person dies without a valid written Will. Intestate is the opposite of testate. Typically, the spouse and children are the rst in line to inherit the deceased persons (the decedent) property. In the event that the decedent did not have a spouse or children, close relatives, such as parents, siblings, and grandparents, will inherit the property.

Immigration law waivers give hope to Pinoys in US

By Sancho Jacinto
Immigrants were a huge factor in the 2012 Presidential election. If not for immigrants, the results would have been very different, and due to this, Washington took notice of an issue that they have relegated to the back burner - immigration reform. Both Republicans and Democrats are in agreement that immigration reform is necessary. But what most people dont know is that, many changes are already happening as implemented by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS. Under the previous law, a significant number of immediate relatives with an approved I-130 petition by U.S. citizen spouses and parents, are not eligible to apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in the U.S. if they had entered the country unlawfully. In order to be eligible, they need to ask for forgiveness or an Unlawful Presence Waiver by filing a Form I-601 wherein the aliens must depart the U.S. and request for the Waiver overseas, which often result in a lengthy separation from their U.S. citizen relative. The USCIS would grant this waiver if the alien can prove extreme hardship to his or her U.S. citizen spouse or parent. Factors for adjudication include, but not limited to Health. Financial Considerations, Education. Personal Consideration, and Special Factors. However, as of March 4, there have been some changes in applying for the Waiver. A Form I-601A can now be filed stateside. It means that the alien can apply for a provisional unlawful presence waiver while in the United States. This huge change in procedure will encourage aliens, such as Filipinos, who have approved I-130 immediate relative petitions, to apply for the provisional unlawful presence waivers. They now wont have to go back to their home countries with the uncertainties of how long the waiver will take

Continued on page 27

provision that disposes of the testators property/assets; the Will must have a provision that appoints a guardian for minor children (if applicable); the testator must appoint an executor; the testator must sign the Will; and at least two witnesses who are not designated beneciaries in the Will must sign the Will in the presence of a notary public (although some states do not require a notarized Will, for example, the District of Columbia does not require that a Will be notarized to make it legal). QUESTION: What is an executor and why do I need to designate one in my Will? ANSWER: An executor (also called personal representative or administrator in some states) is the person who will oversee or manage the distribution of your property or assets in conformity with your wishes as set forth in your Will. Typically, the testator chooses his/ her spouse, an adult offspring, a sibling, an attorney, etc., to serve as his/her executor. If do you not name an executor, a probate judge will appoint one on your behalf. Typically, the executor will pay the testators creditors; pay all applicable taxes; notify Social Security and other governmental federal and state agencies and other relevant entities of the testators death; and distribute assets in conformity with the testators Will. QUESTION: What kinds of information must I have in order to prepare my Will? ANSWER: This information includes, but is not limited to, personal information about you and your spouse (for example, full legal names, addresses, occupations, dates and places of birth, etc.); information about your marital status (for example, date and place of your current marriage, information related to your past marriages, any separation agreements, names and ages of your children); an inventory of your assets (for example, the amount and location of cash and bank accounts, life insurance policies, location and type

of ownership of your principal residence, other real estate holdings, personal effects, location and content of safety deposit boxes); summary of your debts (for example, loans, mortgages, credit cards, promissory notes); a list of your beneciaries (their full legal names, addresses, age, relationship); your executor or personal representative; names of trusted people who will sign your Will as witnesses. QUESTION: Can I revise my Will? ANSWER: Yes. You can change your Will at any time. However, it is not a good idea to keep changing your will at whim, unless you really need to revise it to reect new or additional information. You can change your will by (i) preparing a new Will, or (ii) adding an amendment to an existing Will called codicil. For example, the new Will typically would include an explicit statement that the testator is revoking all prior Wills. It is a good idea to destroy all copies of the Wills that have been superseded in order to avoid any confusion later on. QUESTION: Where should I keep my Will? ANSWER: You must keep your Will in a safe place where someone can nd it easily after your death. It is advisable to inform your executor of the location of your Will. A bank safety deposit box may be acceptable for safekeeping, but it is advisable that you use a bank in the state where you reside. Some states would seal the testators safety deposit box upon the testators death. Some states allow testators to le their Will for safekeeping in the local court. NEXT ISSUE: Probate, living will, medical directive, and power of attorney. A. Enrico C. Soriano, Esq., is the managing member of Axxis Law Group, PLLC (www.axxislaw. com). The answers and discussions provided in this column do not constitute legal advice, and no attorneyclient relationship is created hereby. You should consult a competent attorney for further assistance.

26

March 31, 2013

PERCH STEW WITH GREEN MANGO

(Pinangat na Isda)
This recipe can be served anytime, but it is most especially helpful during this Lenten Season for those who are observing the meatless Friday. It is traditionally cooked with kamias, with tamarind as a good alternative. Since these are out of reach for most of us in the East Coast, green mango is the best substitute. You can also use powdered tamarind soup base, available at most Asian stores.

Ingredients:
4 to 5 cups green mango bouillon (see Chefs Tips) 2 medium size white perch (add more if desired), head removed [optional] and gutted 1 rm yellow green mango, peeled and sliced, without the stone sprigs of fresh cilantro or

rosemary 4 pieces cherry tomatoes, cut in halves and de-seeded.

Methods:
Place the green mango bouillon in a non-reactive pot, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the perch, mango, and tomatoes and season slightly with salt. Let simmer for 10 min-

utes or until the sh is cooked or opaque. Add the cilantro or rosemary before removing from the stove. Serve hot. Chefs Tips: I just created this green mango bouillon which can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Green Mango Bouillon 6 cups water 1 green mango, coarsely chopped 1 onion, chopped 1 bay leaf 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons peppercorns Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil in a sauce pan. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes uncovered. Cool before use. Strain the solid ingredients and discard. Makes 5 cups.

Editors Note: Master Chef Evelyn: 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S., 2009, Filipina Womens Network; MHC Most Outstanding Migrant Award in Culinary Arts, 2011; PAFC Dakila Special Achievement Award, 2011; Owner/Chef, Philippine Oriental Market & Deli, Arlington, Virginia; Founder and President of CHEW (Cancer Help Eat Well) Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) public charity formed to help and cook pro-bono for Filipino-Americans who are afflicted with cancer and other serious illnesses; Culinary writer; Member, Les Dames dEscoffier International, Washington DC Chapter; Member, International Cake Exploration Society, Member: Culinary Historians of Washington, D.C.; Master Chef, French Cuisine and Patisserie, Le Cordon Bleu, London.

VISITOR
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is nishing up her shower when the doorbell rings. After a few seconds of arguing over which one should go and answer the doorbell, the wife gives up, quickly wraps herself up in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, their next door neighbor. Before she could say a word, Bob says, Ill give you $800 just to drop that towel that you have on. After thinking for a moment, the wife drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob. Bob has a close look at her for a few minutes, hands over the $800 and quietly leaves. Confused, but excited about her good fortune, the woman wraps herself back in the towel and goes upstairs. When she gets back to the bathroom, her husband asks Who was that? It was Bob our next door neighbor, she replies. Great, the husband says, did he say anything about the $800 he owes me? Rome! So how ya getting there? Were taking United, the man replies. United? yells Joe. Theyre a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their ight attendants are ugly and theyre always late! So where you staying in Rome? The man says Well be at the downtown International Marriot. That dump? says Joe. Thats the worst hotel in the city! The rooms are small, the service is surly and slow and theyre overpriced! So whatcha doing when you get there? The man says Were going to the Vatican and hope to see the Pope. Ha! Thats swell! laughs Joe. You and a million other people trying to see him. Boy, good luck on this trip. Youre going to need it! A month later, the man comes in for his regular haircut. Joe says, Well, how did that trip to Rome turn out? Betcha United gave you the worst ight of your life! No, quite the opposite explained the man. Not only were we on time in one of their brand new planes, but it was full and they bumped us up to rst class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a beautiful 28 year old ight attendant who waited on me hand and foot! Hmmm, Joe says, Well, I bet the hotel was just like I described. No, quite the opposite, the man answered. Theyd just nished a $25 million remodeling. Its the nest hotel in Rome now. They were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us the Presidential suite for no extra charge! Well, Joe mumbles, I know for sure you didnt get to see the Pope! The man answered, Actually, we were quite lucky. As we toured the Vatican, a Swiss guard tapped me on the shoulder and explained the Pope likes to personally meet some of the visitors, and if Id be so kind as to step into this private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me. Sure enough, after 5 minutes the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand. I knelt down as he spoke a few words to me. Impressed, Joe asks, Tell me, please! Whatd he say? Oh, not much really. Just Whered you get that awful haircut?

out...

PULIS
Isang pulis nakita kapuwa pulis na umiiyak. Nilapitan ito. Pulis 1: O, pare, anong nangyari, bat ka umiiyak. Pulis 2: Itong Semana Santa na-assign ako sa bus terminal para magmanman sa mga pasaherong umuuwi sa probinsiya para ligtas sila sa mga mandurukot at masasamang loob. Pulis 1: Yun lang, umiyak ka na? Para kang hindi pulis. Pulis 2: Paano naman hindi ako iiyak, eh ako ang dinukutan! Buwisit.

Q & A (from last issue)

Q: Ano ang sinabi ni Satanas nang ipanganak ako? A: Lintek! Isa na namang anghel ang ipinanganak. Q: Ano naman ang sinabi niya nang ipanganak ka? A: Oh, no... buwisit, ayaw ko pang mag-retire!

HOKEY-POKEY
Isang titser tinuturuan ang kanyang second grade class para mag-hokey-pokey. Titser: Okay children ganito ang gawin natin: You put your right feet in, you put your right feet out, you put your right feet in... Bata: Mam, you say foot po. Titser: Okay class, ulitin natin: You foot your right feet in, you foot your right feet

BARBER JOE
A man walked into Joes Barber Shop for a haircut. As he snips away, Joe asks Whats up? The man proceeds to explain hes taking a vacation to Rome. Rome? Joe says, Why would you want to go there? Its a crowded dirty city full of Italians! Youd be crazy to go to

KABUTE
Sa sementeryo, isang lalaki ang nakatayo sa harap ng tatlong magkakatabing puntod. Mayamaya, nilapitan siya ng isang osyosero. Nagkuwentuhan sila.

Osyosero: Pare, kaano-ano mo itong nasa unang puntod na ito? Lalaki: Asawa ko. Osyosero: Ano ang ikinamatay? Lalaki: Nalason siya sa kabute. Osyosero: Eh, sino naman itong nasa pangalawang puntod? Lalaki: Pangalawa kong asawa. Nag-asawa kasi ulit ako pagkalipas ng isang taon. Osyosero: Ano din ba ang ikinamatay? Lalaki: Nalason din siya sa kabute. Osyosero: Eh, itong nasa pangatlong puntod, huwag mong sabihing asawa mo rin siya at nalason din siya sa kabute. Lalaki: Tama ka pare, pangatlo ko nga siyang asawa, pero hindi siya nalason sa kabute. Osyosero: Kung ganun, ano naman ang ikinamatay? Lalaki: Nabasag ang ulo niya. Osyosero: Ha? Bakit naman nabasag? Lalaki: Ayaw kasing kumain ng kabute, eh! HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE.

March 31, 2013

27

The Promise of Spring!

W
Serenity On Tap

he show Seinfeld aired from 1989-1998 and featured hilarious vignettes of life in Manhattan for a group of friends. Frank, a bit player, was George Costanzas perpetually agitated father. Whenever he felt his stress shoot up to a frenzy he screamed, Serenity NOW! It was never clear if it helped him. What was clear, however, was that he made people around him more nervous than he. Tranquility deserted everyone then. Serenity is the absence of mental stress or anxiety. Where can one go or what can one do to achieve such nirvana? In todays instant access/instant results type of living, stress is as inescapable as the air we breathe. A dear friend of mine has become the repository of my angst and disequilibrium. She has taken her accidental role in stride. She sent me a link on how to tap away stress. Imagine that. Tapping my ngers on my chest has helped me. I am suggestible. But this is not about the literal physical action, this is about the bag of tricks I depend on to see me through my most turbulent times. 1. Reading My father introduced me to serious reading when I was 13 years old. He gave me a dogeared copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Some pages got loose from the binding and were scotch-taped. I was ignorant of life half a world away so the hardships of the ghettos were strange and disturbing. But Francie tugged at my heart, grabbed it, and never let go. Shes still there insinuating possibilities, sometimes in a soft whisper, sometimes screaming like a banshee, always arresting.

She was supposed to be a writer you know. 2. Early Morning Meditation I love meandering through my house early in the morning. It provides quiet and solitude. That allows me to meditate, gives me the deep breath before the storm that is sure to gather as the day progresses. I could only do that on weekends when the children were young and still living at home. In those days our weekday mornings became one harried blur - with half eaten breakfasts, tangled hair, raised voices, and running feet. 3. Laughing I nd humor in the most ordinary circumstance and my laughter escapes and embarrasses me, but I snort like a pig if I suppress it. It is exhilarating to let loose, like a satisfying sneeze. 4. Crying I have overactive tear glands. I cry over lovely photos. My lips quiver while listening to my favorite songs. I wax poetic during long drives through scenic Virginia countryside. Beautiful prose and poetry. Check. Tender movie scenes. Double check. 5. Power Naps I am an insomniac. I remember staring at the ceiling at a very young age and counting sheep even before I knew what they looked like. That didnt help. Counting my blessings, as the song advised, didnt work either. I have 10-20 minute naps. My body lights-off for self-preservation. Sleeping longer than that gives me headaches. ********* When all else fail a hug from Mitch works too. Or chocolate. Ooooohmmmm..

hen the pink blossoms of hyacinths and the pretty little yellow crocuses appear overnight through the dead leaves and dull soil, spring is in the ofng. In the midst of nature, the earth suddenly awakes from slumber. In its mysterious ways, the cold winter quietly does wonders down beneath the lifeless grass to give way, when it is time, to resurrect the blossoms of spring. The splendor of spring brings renewal of faith, hopes and an inspiration to cope with lifes challenges. After spring, the cycle of seasons continues which are necessary to experience the coming out and splendor of spring again. The robust summer gives us so much fun and excitement that it wont give us a chance to feel low and lonely. When the wind blows gently through the trees and the days are getting shorter, we know that fall is drawing near. The calming autumn is a break to prepare ourselves to a cold winter, a time to create warmth and serenity to our personal space and surroundings. This season is the natural transition of life to reect, meditate, count and be thankful of all the blessings, big and small, that we received the whole year through. Ah, winter! It is bitterly cold that trees and owers die, but we cannot deny that it also presents its own wonders and beauty. When snow falls, the picturesque sceneries create an indescribable feeling of awe and wonders. It seems that the immaculate white sky and the gleaming white snow on trees and ground are just one stroke of white paint heaven and earth becomes one.

ing of serenity and solitude prevailed. It was beautiful. By start of March, I was really expecting to see something more vibrant and exciting local scenes. Suddenly, I saw what I was waiting for. Oh, they were lovely, lively and surely attractive owers in many shapes small, medium, big, round, elongated, uneven petals and, of different colors white, yellow, pink, red, orange, lavender, lilac, purple, light blue, dark blue and even green. Some of them were fragrant and others odorless. I was not disappointed with this Beauty of Spring.

The Smell of Spring

After two weeks of delightful spring experience, I started to feel differently. Funny my eyes, nose and throat were itchy. Then I started to snife and sneezed a lot. With uncontrollable rubbing, my eyes eventually became swollen and my nose was red like a button and sore like hell. This is not the time to be sick but how could I have developed cold or u when it was already past winter season with the icy weather gone? I was ne all winter long. Looking at the mirror, the image was not me. It was not funny anymore. I looked horrible! Why, oh, why? I was supposed to be happily enjoying spring till about two months more. Nobody told me that there was such a thing as this common spring allergy. Now I understood that I was allergic to pollens of some sort. This left me feeling so disappointed with spring and suddenly I was no longer ecstatic with it. I could only see the beauty of the season from inside of the car with closed windows or home behind the glass windows. I could not smell the fragrance of the owers.

call here as Hibiscus. There were no yellow or orange but only red ones. I drew a big red gumamela complete with the name of its parts indicated by neat arrow diagrams. As my hands were good in drawing with crayola, I enjoyed doing it. I must have done a wonderful project because I got a high grade. I remember it was even posted on the blackboard for everyone to see. Now, going back to this tiny dust-like thing called pollen. Absolutely these minute dusts were the cause of my misery. My eyes, nose and even ears caught these pollens while blown away by the wind spreading them around to the pistils of the owers of plants, grass and trees. The pistils are the seed-bearing organ of a ower and the pollens are conveyed to the pistil. In my laymans term this is natures process in order to produce more plants and owers and in humans the same idea but in a different way, is the process used to create babies. The humans do it privately, but plants do it wantonly in the open air and even affecting many people, left feeling miserable like me.

Springtime is Good Again

Looking back, last year something good happened to me during spring. I snifed but it stopped right there. No more taking of the seasonal allergy medication and nose spray. I kind of enjoyed the sights and smell of spring again after a couple of decades of misery. Two things here, either Mother Nature did not allow much pollen to scatter around or my immune system had tremendously improved. Whatever it was, I was so thankful. With fervent hope this spring will be a continuation of what was last year onto a complete recovery from pollen allergy. Now I can even go to the ower and plant shows and enjoy the morning walk in the garden-park near our house.

The Beauty of Spring

When I arrived in the fall thirty some years ago, I was looking forward to experiencing the beauty and splendor of spring. They told me that I will experience the different sceneries of each season here in the East Coast but the most beautiful was the spring and that there was nothing like seeing the beautiful and colorful owers that will blossom in homes, gardens and surroundings. The ones that we have in the Philippines were just a fraction of the variety of owers that I will see here. But arriving during the fall season, I immediately was mesmerized with the colors of autumn the paint-like palette of gold, red and orange hues! I was impressed. Then, came wintertime, a feeling of awe and wonder emerged in me. Different from the rst one, the feel-

Immigration law... from page 25

to be approved or if it will even be approved. Under the new law, the alien can now apply for a waiver while in the United States, and if and when the waiver is approved, all the alien has to do is obtain the immigrant visa abroad at his home embassy. He comes back to the United States as a lawful permanent resident. This new law is a huge help to a lot of Filipinos living in the United States in fear and shadow of being deported because of a stain in their records. I am very fortunate to not need this type of waiver to clear my record but I can sympathize to those who might need this kind of help. The media often portray illegal immigrants as Hispanics, who might usually be Mexicans, who cross the border to do the dirty jobs, jobs Americans are not willing to do such as mowing the lawn or cooking

The Culprit
In the Philippines nobody talked about the pollens only perhaps the arborists or plant scientists. Even my plant lover friends didnt mention anything to me about it. I recalled that when I was in the fth or sixth grade, my teacher required us to draw our favorite ower showing its parts the stem, leaves, petals and pistil. On the pistil were a lot of tiny dots but it did not impress on me that they were the pollens. I remember I chose to draw the gumamela or what we

An Inspiration
Spring owers bring fragrance and beauty theyre harbingers of warmth and hope. When daffodils bob their heads gracefully in the chilly wind it is saying, Its OK, it will be warm soon.

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28 Editorial

March 31, 2013

Popes priorities
Pope Francis, the rst Pope from Latin America, has spelled out the priorities of his papacy during the formal installation Mass on March 19. Addressing the world leaders and thousands of people in St. Peters Square, Pope Francis said his role is to open his arms and protect all of humanity, but especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the nal judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison. The Pope also stressed the need to protect the environment, serve one another with love and tenderness and not allow omens of destruction, hatred, envy and pride to dele our lives. The rst Jesuit ever to be elected to the papacy, the Pope is also the rst named for the 13th-century friar St. Francis of Assisi, who is a symbol of poverty, simplicity, charity and love of nature. Pope Francis knows what ails the world and society today. During his ministry in Argentina, he has seen the growing divide between the few who are rich and the tens of thousands who are poor. He has seen the destruction of forests, lakes and rivers by people who have no qualms about destroying nature. All these social and environmental ills are being replicated all over the world by mens greed. When he speaks of social issues his rst priority is always the poor who have no voice in the corridors of power, no means to provide for his family, and who thinks that everything is hopeless. The Pope is the best person to bring the light of hope to this darkness. Today, amid so much darkness, we need to see the light of hope and to be men and women who bring hope to others. To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope, it is to let a shaft of light break through the heavy clouds. A very timely reminder to all.

Hail to the Blue Eagles!

Habemus Papam...Pope Francis I...Sorry, Cardinal Chito is too young. Besides the 3 different sizes prepared for the Pope wont t Chito, says one blogger. Would be interesting if the next pope would be Cardinal Chito and the selection will be made by text/phone/facebook. Pssstt...just kidding. Now lets pray! Maybe the old cardinals did not want Cardinal Tagle (pronounced as Tag-le) to be the Pope yet. Just imagine how long his reign would be ...30 years or more because he is so young, says one blogger. *** President Barack and Michelle Obama were among the rst world leaders to greet the new Pope. The President knows that he will have a supporter in his campaign to help the poor and the middle class. But the Pope who is a Jesuit is not expected to support abortion, gay marriage and other issues For Ateneans, the selection was very much welcome. Jesuits run the Ateneos in the Philippines. Hail to the Blue Eagles. Another Ateneans congratulatory message was delayed by a few hours because he had to nish his Nintendo Game up to the wee hours of the morning, reports my source inside Malacanang. *** Filipino Americans who want to invest in the Philippines are worried that after PNoy, with his anti-corruption campaign, the country will sink back to its corrupt ways if.... Manila observers seems certain that the Black Knight might succeed PNoy instead of the Capizeno president-inwaiting. Who, you might ask, is the Black Knight? He is JB whose son is the mayor of a big city and daughter wants to be a senator. As for the wife, shes also a politician-in-waiting and watching. She keeps watch over what the family is doing. *** Facebook is now becoming an open book for the whole world to see. Thus, if you are in, better watch out. Read this warning from one Facebooker: Facebook has changed their privacy settings once more! Due to the new graph app, anyone on Facebook, including those in other countries, can see your pictures, like and comments...and then the warning: Those of you who do not keep my information from going...... out to the public, I will have to DELETE YOU! (Aray ko po.) I want to stay PRIVATELY connected with you. I post shots of family that I dont want strangers to have access to!... By doing this, my activity among my friends and family will no longer become public. (Tama. I agree!) *** Heres another comment posted on Facebook praising a little girl: See tama ako kita na kahit bata pa siya. Es muy gwapito ano ba ang sinabi ko basta alam ko hes very good looking kung kanino man siya mana siguro sa akin. HA HA HA AT HA HA PARIN. Ah. Hindi po ako tulog kumakayod para may pambili ng bigas. 8:47 palang ng umaga dito. Sige maghilik na kayo diyan. Goodnight love you. *** Talking about sinkholes, heres one Pinoys message to the multitude: Florida is one of Americas favorite retirement destinations and this phenomena (sinkhold) will not change that. There must be a lot of sinking and unsettling feelings going around among retirees. My advice to them, for as long as you have peace, love and happiness at home, thou shall not fear. One Facebooker tried to explain this phenomenon: What is a sinkhole? He answered his own question: The naturally occurrin..... Was he swallowed by a sinkhole? Im staying here in Maryland. Dont want that sinking feeling. replied a friend. I concur....peace, love and happiness!!! *** Hurrah! One of the editors of the Manila Mail is the winner in a FaceBook Lotto! He says he wis willing to share his winnings with the only Filipino American newspaper in Washington D.C. to ensure its continuous publication and for the rst time to start paying its volunteer corps of columnist, reporters, photographers, et. He showed everybody this email: Dear., I am pleased to inform you that the verication exercise has been concluded satisfactorily and your status as a winner has been conrmed. Consequently, you will be issued a Winning Certicate stating your prize winnings of $600,000 FACEBOOK LOTTO will pay your win-

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March 31, 2013

Opinion 29

Buyers remorse?

C
Helping Shape America

fter elding several suggestions in an effort to nd an appropriate and suitable theme for this years Philippine Festival, the PAFC board chose Our Families, Our Communities: Helping Shape America. This is laudable and timely. It expresses our core values of family, inclusion and pakikipagkapwa. It also conveys the meaning of being in community with each other, including those whom we may not have anything in common with. Except our basic humanity. Even the alternative theme, Our Communities Rising Together, embodies a bold spirit of rising above our differences. Of not simply tolerating someone different, but fully accepting him or her not as an other but someone who feels joy and pain like us, who dreams the same dream like us. Moreover, both themes explicitly suggest our willingness to actively engage in the burning issues of the day, issues that are profoundly transforming America. Ultimately, how they are resolved, will determine the kind of civil society that summons our better angels and afrms our highest ideals of justice and shared prosperity. Lets look at the current debate on immigration reform, for instance. Policy makers from both sides of the aisle in the US Congress have nally agreed to craft an important piece of legislation that allows the 11 undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship. Given the harsh rhetoric that demonizes them as criminals and moochers, and the intransigence of right-wing elements who have consistently refused to compromise, taking up this measure was for them political suicide. But public opinion has shifted dramatically after the 2012 elections. Such that it would now be political suicide for the Republican Party to continue on its uncompromising stance. A leading voice in the party, former Florida governor Jeb Bush, says that immigrants especially those arriving here during their prime working years are more likely than native-born Americans to be net contributors to the economy, rather than consumers of social

services. Immigration is an integral part of Americas lifeblood, he writes. Almost by denition, people who move to another place not through compulsion but by choice are more fervent about their destination than many of those who were born there by chance. Jose Antonio Vargas, an

omedian and left-wing rebrand Bill Maher contributed $1M in the last election to advance the liberal agenda championed by Pres. Barack Obama, He supported Democrat Jerry Brown, the winner of the last California gubernatorial election. Then Gov. Brown, just as Democrats are wont to do, raised the marginal income tax rate from 10.3% to 13.3% for every dollar above 1 million earned. That means Bill Maher and other rich people in the golden state will get a hit in their pockets from the highest state income tax rate in America. You would think that Bill Maher would be singing hallelujah to Gov. Brown. Yes, more money for the government to buy joy for everybody. Except that Bill Maher woke up one morning after the tax increase and probably got a text message from his accountant advising that he will have to postpone buying a jumbo jet because Gov. Brown needs a bigger slice of his mega bank deposits. After a morning gargle to cleanse the bad words in his mouth that he usually reserve

for conservatives and Republicans, Bill Maher then breaths re. In California, I just want to say: Liberals, you could actually lose me. He complained about his over 50% taxes. Rich people actually do pay the freight in this countrylike 70% of the taxes. Conservative writer and talk show pundit Larry Elder points out that in California, over just 1 percent of the state households account for nearly half of the state income tax revenue. Bill Maher thinks he is already paying his fair share. As for Pres. Obamas continuing campaign to get the rich to pay their fair share, the ornery comedian who holds court at HBO is all for it, just dont touch his bank account. *** New York Mayor is so full of love he cant help but use the powers of government to help the overweight stop gaining

more weight and avoid heart disease, diabetes and cancer. He issued a ban on the sale of highsugar beverage over 16 ounce size per serving at restaurants, movie theaters, stadiums and mobile food carts. Early this month a New York state trial court blocked the city regulation as the food and restaurant industries fought back. The move seems to be is more symbolic rather than a real instrument to do public good. It does not really prevent one from drinking soda to his hearts delight by doubling up on the order or buying a truckload from the supermarket which is not covered by the ban. It may seem harmless but if allowed to stand, this little government encroachment on personal liberty could grow into something else that could

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Jose Antonio Vargas undocumented Filipino immigrant, is one who is undoubtedly fervent about his destination. He has already proven he is an asset to this country, through his skills as a journalist, media story teller and his leadership in a movement called Dene American. For opening up a much-needed national conversation about this issue, he has been honored by several civil rights organizations and widely admired for his courage in outing himself, not only as an undocumented immigrant but one who is gay. I am delighted that he is a top choice as guest speaker for the PFC Gala Ball in June. He is denitely helping shape America and we should hail him proudly because he is one of our own. He has given a strong voice to the aspirations of the vulnerable in our midst and he would honor us greatly with his presence. Another Filipino who is helping shape America is comedian Rex Navarette, who performed here recently. He laces his humor with sharp-witted social commentary, underscoring for instance the xenophobia thats been driving the immigration debate for years. In a skit about Marites and her Superfriends, Rex has the domestic worker (who is ordered out of the U.S. after slaving for the white action heroes) wonder-

War of the Words

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ris Aquino sobbed her way through a bizarre monologue, sharing with the Filipino nation her latest travails blamed in part to a failed marriage with basketball star James Yap. Aquino led for a restraining order, Yap a hold-departure order. Here was riveting reality TV in its full splendor, or some may say, just plain nasty. All that stemming from a he said, she said moment where the public has been undeservedly bombarded with two versions of The Truth a distraction to be sure but also an exercise in discernment. It may not be as dramatic but the war of the words appears to be playing out here in DC as well. Last month, supporters of Filipino shipyard workers in Louisiana staged a protest caravan that took them to the gates of Grand Isle Shipyard outside New Orleans, which the workers sued for slave-like work conditions and alleged human trafcking. They have accused the Philippine government, including its highest ofcial in America Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. of neglecting the workers. They are demanding that he resign or be recalled back to Manila.

Cuisia lashed back that theyve been helping the workers even before the protesters decided to mount their campaign. Last March 18, the caravan reached Washington DC and the gate of the Philippine Embassy. A group led by Consul Elmer Cato, the embassy spokesman, invited the protesters in for a talk that now sounds terribly like the Aquino-James saga. In a subsequent press release, Cato revealed that unknown to the public, it (Philippine Embassy) actually helped shoulder the cost of recovering two of the rst eight workers who left the Grand Isle facility in 2010 and that it had even offered other possible assistance to the workers through the Philippine Overseas Labor Ofce. He added that consular ofcials continued to actively monitor the case even though it never received any request for assistance from the workers or their lawyers either before or

after they went to court. Not so said the protesters. They chose March 18 to stage the DC protest because it was near the death anniversary of Flor Contemplacion, the Filipino domestic executed for murder in Singapore in 1995 who became a symbol of migrants rights advocacy on behalf of over 10 million Filipinos who now live and work outside the Philippines. We organized the picket to highlight the ongoing neglect by the Philippine government towards its modern day heroes in this country, declared Joanna Quiambao, a member of Igniting Leadership and Action with Women (ILAW). Josef Calugay of the human rights group Katarungan said Philippine ofcials basically absolved themselves of any shortcomings, shows a continuing lack of introspection and reection on their work amongst migrant workers including the

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30
By J.G. Azarcon, Esq.

March 31, 2013

VISA PRIORITY DATES FOR THE PHILIPPINES MARCH 2013

Aquinos daily headaches

Approval of FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES Unmarried sons/daughters petitions after First: of US citizens Oct. 10, 1998 Second: A: Spouses/minor children of death of permanent residents: Nov. 22, 2010 B: Unmarried sons/daughters 21 years relative of age or older of permanent residents Jun. 08, 2002
In the past, if the petitioner dies while the visa petition is pending, the beneciary would not be entitled to seek approval of the petition. The law changed with the amendment of Sec. 204(l) of the Immigration Act in 2009. Under current law, an alien seeking immigration benet through a deceased qualifying relative may obtain approval of a visa petition or adjustment application and refugee/asylee relative petition if the alien meets the following illegibility requirements: Resided in the United States when the qualifying relative died; Continues to reside in the United States on the date of the decision on the pending petition or application; Is at least one of the following: the beneciary of a pending or approved immediate relative visa petition; the beneciary of a pending or

MANILA uring a press interview, President Benigno Aquino III was asked about his typical day in ofce. He replied that its not atypical to have several issues in his plate on any given day. The president of a nation, any nation, is on the job 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Im sure there are days when the chief executive wishes there were more hours on the clock in order to give time to all issues of the day that burdens him or her. Such is the lot of the leader of a nation. A president cannot choose what hes going to do when he wakes up in the morning. Unlike some people, maybe most people, a president has to confront all issues that are pressed upon him or her. He or she must make decisions depending on the urgency of a problem that lands on his desk. He may be able to put off a decision on certain matters but, sooner or later, he will have to make decisions. We ordinary people may one day wake up feeling lazy or laid back and decide, what the heck, Ill goof off today and take it easy. A president doesnt have that luxury; he cant give in to his laziness and play hooky. But, with several issues demanding his attention and decision, a leader must prioritize what issues to tackle when. He has to do that, otherwise his work will be chaotic. He has to learn to manage his time and be able to wisely list the issues or problems of the day according to priority or importance. And, importantly, he has to be able to delegate the work to his subordinates. Thats what Mr. Aquino meant when he said that disparate (and desperate) issues land on his desk practically every day. And he hasnt got a choice on what issues fall onto his lap. He has no choice about what problems crop up or what to deal with on any given day. He just has to deal with them according to their individual urgency. As powerful as a president may be, he is powerless to dictate the issues that will land on his desk. Domestic issues compete with international concerns for the presidents attention. Purely executive matters compete with

political issues. In a nation like the Philippines, with its more than 90 million people, the countrys leader must deal with all of these peoples concerns. While not every one of these 90 million people voted for him and many of them still dont like him (even though his popularity rating is high), Mr. Aquino is the president of all of them. And he has no choice but to be aware of every ones collective problems and welfare and be able to nd solutions to those problems. Mr. Aquino has to concern himself with the economy, and in a poor country like the Philippines, thats nerve-wracking work. Fortunately, the countrys economy has been picking up, thanks to renewed investor condence because of the presidents reforms toward good governance practices. The Philippines population has been growing steadily, even though it has slowed down a bit over recent years. But still, because of widespread poverty, a population of over 90 million creates tremendous strain on the economy. A legislative bill that aims at slowing the growth rate of unwanted pregnancies recently passed into law, but stiff opposition to it (mainly from the Catholic Church) makes its implementation problematic for the government. Crime, spawned largely by many peoples poverty, has been a major problem. The police seem too inept to tame the crime rate, especially since, in many cases, members of the police are often involved in the crimes. Education, too, has been a problem, again associated with the size of the population. Too many school-aged young Filipinos put a heavy strain on government resources, resulting in a sorely inadequate budget for what a good school system requires. Too many children are out of school, which in turn result in many problems, including young people who are unqualied for good jobs and, down the road, crime committed by jobless youth. Social services suffer, too, because of a lack of money to pay for such services. Maternal and childrens health, elderly peoples health concerns, and even

Third: Married sons/daughters of citizens Sep. 15, 1992 Fourth: Brothers/sisters of citizens Jul. 15, 1989 EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES First: Priority workers Current Second: Professionals holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability Current Third: Skilled workers, professionals Sep. 01, 2006 Other Workers Sep. 01, 2006 Fourth: Current Certain Religious Workers Current Fifth: Employment creation/ (Million or half-million dollar investor) Current
approved family-based visa petition, including beneciary and any derivative beneciaries; any derivative beneciary of a pending or approved employment-based visa-petition; the beneciary of appending or approved Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition; an alien admitted as a derivative T or U nonimmigrant; or a derivative asylee. The Immigration Service denes qualifying relative as an individual who immediately before death, was: the petitioner or principal beneciary in a family-based petition; the principal beneciary in an employment-based visa petition; the petitioner in a refugee/ asylee relative petition; the principal alien admitted as a T or U nonimmigrant; the principal asylee who was granted asylum.

Shoes as message

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MANILA idnt the dark leather shoes that Pope Francis wore at Tuesdays installation rites remind you of Imelda Marcos? a friend asked. No. Should they? Imelda left 1,080 pairs of shoes in Malacanang when the Marcoses ed People Power. Her shoes were a tutorial, this friend insisted. Those overstuffed shoe racks, which Imelda embodied, symbolized the dreams of pauperized Filipinos for better tomorrows. Tell that to Buenos Aires residents who had gifted Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio with a pair of shoes. Dump your down-atthe-heel shoes, they told Padre Jorge, Alexander Stille wrote in the New Yorker. Use this new pair instead. Bergoglio, who had booked a return ight (economy class) to Buenos Aires from the conclave, wore the shoes as the new Pontiff. BBC contrasted Pope Francis shoes with the red leather loafers that his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, used. Those were cobbled by Adriano Stefanelli. Shoes were one of Francis mes-

sages by action. After his election, he waved aside the mozzeta, or red papal cape, and wore instead a plain white cassock before stepping out onto the loggia to greet the people. He opted for a plain shermans ring and a simple pectoral cross. Theres enough room here for 300, he said of the papal apartments. I dont need all this space. He discarded the texts prepared by Vatican bureaucrats. Without mercy, the world would crumble, an old woman had told him. I asked her if shed taught theology at Gregorian University, he joked about the Jesuit university in Rome. Stripping away frills meant showing loving concern for [all], especially the children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think of. He linked that challenge to respect-

ing the environment Those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life must be protectors of creation which open up a horizon of hope. Where is the soaring eagle circling above the land and the colorful kalaw (hornbill)? asked Philippine bishops in their 1998 pastoral letter. Now they are silenced. The scars on nature will lead inevitably to an increase in political and social unrest. This is the ultimate prolife issue. Many religions, including the Church, have been slow to respond to the ecological crisis There is a great need for a Filipino theology of creation in preaching, catechetical programs, schools. At the root of the problem we see an exploitative mentality, which is at variance with the Gospel of

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abroad, certainly dont. For lack of space, Ive not mentioned the international issues that President Aquino has to grapple with as chief executive. A nagging territorial dispute with China has been a headache for the president. And currently, a tricky issue with the sudden move of the sultan of Sulu in southern Philippines to reclaim Sabah in Malaysia which is supposedly owned by the sultanate. And then there are the midterm elections here on May 13 in which Mr. Aquino has elded his own candidates in the hope that he will have more allies in place to support his reform program. Because he wants dearly for his team to win, Mr. Aquino has been going into the hustings to rally the voters behind his candidates. We shall know in mid-May if the presidents endorsement has put his candidates in ofce or not, which in turn will have consequences on the chances of his presidential candidate in 2016. A typical day in the ofce of the president? Its often a mishmash of issues, a smorgasbord of priorities, and a plateful of headaches. one human trafcker of the Filipino people, Calugay declared, indicting its labor export policies. The Embassy is satised with the outcome of the discussions, Cato condently proclaimed. The meeting did nothing to changeour minds nor the decision to declare, on behalf of migrant Filipinos in the US, Ambassador Cuisia persona non grata, Calugay retorted. That left little doubt the bickering, the accusations and counter-accusations will continue. So, whos telling the truth? I mean, about Kris and James? I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver and I strongly suggest that you talk to an immigration lawyer if you think you can benefit from this, some of them offer free consultation anyway. As an aspiring lawyer, I understand that the law is not perfect, and is much politicized. However, sometimes politics can have good results, results that actually help people. Mr. Jacinto is a paralegal at CGA Immigration Associates, PC (703) 578-3556 or email cgaimmigration@gmail.com) He is a Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awardee, the Co- ounder/Coordinator of the Filipino American Interest Group, CoFoundesr/President of the NOV A Debators at Northern Virginia Community College-Alexandria Campus, and is an officer of the

Aquinos daily... from page 30

basic preventative health needs dont get the attention they cry for because of a lack of resources. The end result is a citizenry that is in generally poor health, under-educated and prone or prey to crime because of very low standards of living, education and government services. The gap between rich and poor people is a yawning chasm, has been since Philippine independence from the United States in the 1940s. The political and economic elite(s) have maintained a crippling grip on the country and there is no hope in the near future that the poor will soon be able to share more equitably in the nations wealth. (The s in the word elite above in is parentheses because in the Philippines, the political and economic elites are often one and the same. About 40 wealthy families literally control practically all of the countrys activities, political, economic and what-have-you.) Corruption in government, and even in the private sector, pervades the nation. Once in government, politicians bleed the nations treasury dry. This is one country where politicians run for ofce to be able to steal the peoples money. Its a wonder there hasnt been a cathartic revolution by the masses to kill all the rich people. Too much of the peoples money go into the pockets of politicians who are often inept and unqualied for public ofce and are in power only because they literally wield tremendous power over the people in their bailiwicks. Nature hasnt been kind to the Philippines, either. Every year, many people die from natural calamities. Agriculture suffers greatly, and infrastructure is damaged and needs repairs that drain the governments resources for its continued upkeep. As I wrote in an earlier column, disasters seem to favor the Philippines too much in that they come and visit the country too frequently. What have the Filipinos done to deserve such punishment and fate? No wonder some 6,000 Filipinos leave the country every day to work abroad in often demeaning jobs that they tolerate only because they have no other choice. And yet, every day they leave for pastures that arent that much greener if only there were more jobs locally. But who can blame them when they leave? Still, theyre accused of abandoning their own country and leave their fellow countrymen in their misery. Can we blame them for leaving? I, as a former Filipino

Washington Tsismis... from page 28

nings in 2 installments, the rst installment will be for HALF of your total winnings. Meanwhile, we have look into the possibility of you having your winning fund shipped down to your residential address so you are to chose from our mode of payment as stated below: * Bank Draft * Check *ATM Card Once we receive the mode of your payment, your Winning File will be sent to FINANCE HOUSE for immediate settlement. On behalf of FACEBOOK LOTTO accept our warmest Congratulations. Acknowledge this mail by replying back immediately. Yours Faithfully, Patrick Widen

Shoes as message... from page 30

Jesus. This expresses itself in acts of violence against fellow Filipinos Recall Fr. Charlito Colendres and Typhoon Yoyong that hit Aurora and Quezon in 2004. Father Chia ayed illegal logging in Aurora. This morning, he was restless and deeply affected in his homily, Carmelite nuns in Infanta recalled. Hed seen 54,000 board feet of timber waiting for release. But logging is banned. By evening, ash oods had risen as high as twostory homes. Evacuees poured into Carmel. Hot logs smashed people to death, including Father Chia, who was then helping evacuate children. E-mail: juan_mercado77@ yahoo.com

Buyers remorse?... from page 29

be patently objectionable. If Mayor Bloomberg gets a stamp of approval from the Court, he might want to expand his crusade for good health to target salt out of concern for New Yorkers suffering from high blood pressure. What if Mayor Bloomberg will regulate salt content and ban food with high salt concentration all for the good of the citizens of the Big Apple? My heart bleeds for the Pinoys in New York. That would be the end of the world for those who cannot live without pinakbet, daing na bangus, kare-kare, patis and all *** This Holy Week, the believers pause and ponder. A time for reection to digest the meaning of the resurrection. The fanatics in some parts in the Philippines go to the extreme of doing their penitence by self- agellation and a few even get themselves to be nailed to a cross simulating the suffering of Jesus Christ. For us in America, holy week or not, millions of workers will be getting a dose of unwanted penitence as Obamacare is set to take a bite more of their pocket money. According to the nations big insurers, health insurance premiums could rise from 20% to 100% for millions of people when the key provisions of the Affordable Care Act takes effect in 2014. Those who will be particularly hit hard are millions of people who buy their own insurance and employees of smaller companies. What can we do for now? Pray.

War of the Words... from page 29

Filipino offshore oil workers in Louisiana. The basic issue of expecting workers to come forward to them shows a clear lack of understanding of exploited workers or victims of abuse, said Terry Valen of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON). We deal with this daily in our wage theft prevention work with caregivers and every other kind of worker. Fear of ling a complaint against ones employer is very real, he stressed. Cato said ofcials shared their concern for the rights and welfare of Filipino offshore oil workers here in the United Statesnot just those involved in the class suit against Grand Isle but also the majority who have not joined the case. There are about 300 Filipino workers with Grand Isle, but the class suit involved only about a hundred of the Filipinos. Cato also suggested the protesters direct part of their indignation to the US government to shut down companies that enforce inhumane business practices. But the protesters countered the Philippine government is chiey to blame. The Philippine government is the number

Helping Shape America... from page 29

ing why she, who is from earth, is being kicked out of America while Superman, who is from an alien planet Krypton, is not. Bafed, Marites looks at her skin then concludes indignantly: He is white. Thats not right! It dismays me sometimes to hear our own kababayans talk about illegal immigration is if its only a Latino problem. Worse, some community leaders even fall prey unwittingly to immigrant bashing by circulating supposedly funny jokes that depict the undocumented as lazy, welfare moochers unworthy of Americas graces. But if we are truly a community rising together, stepping up to face the challenges of a Circle K International, and Toastchanging America and helping to shape it, then we must fully embrace Jose Antonio Vargas for who he is and what he stands for. We must also take risks even as he himself took personal risks on behalf of millions like him. To proudly stand with Jose during these contentious conversations and debates is to send a powerful message that we as families and communities are ready to help shape America as one nation, where people regardless of color, origin, religion, gender and sexual orientation are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Send your comments to jonmele@aol.com masters International.

Immigration law... from page 27

tacos at a Mexican restaurant. However, what the media fail to grasp is that these illegal immigrants have stories. They are parents, children, professionals, workers, students, scholars, and even leaders. They are just victim of circumstances Americans are fortunate enough not to encounter. This new law gives hope to these illegals. This new law can right the wrong; this can transform a former illegal to a permanent resident without the fear of being deported or being stuck in his country of origin. According to 2010 U.S. Census, Filipinos are now the 2nd largest Asian Group with 3.4 million living here in the United States which makes us a force to be reckoned in this country. A lot of people say that our immigration system is broken, and I believe that they are wrong. Based on my experience as a paralegal at an immigration law firm, I learned that the government is doing its best to work with the people to make things work. Though the system is not perfect, it was still able to bring you, me, and a lot of Filipinos, as well as other foreigners to this great country. This change in the immigration law is a testament that there is hope for all of us, hope that can be achieved through hard work and determination. There are more details regarding the new

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