Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
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President Obama watches as new US citizens take the oath of allegiance at the White House.
Vice President Jejomar Binay and family greet Pope Francis after the installation Mass at the Vatican. world an extraordinary person
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Come visit PH P6
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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.
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. 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
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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
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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-
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
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
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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
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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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
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-
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,
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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
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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.
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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-
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.
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.
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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.
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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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.
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. 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
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.
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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
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
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
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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.
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;
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
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.
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.
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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
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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.
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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
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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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.
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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-
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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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By J.G. Azarcon, Esq.
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
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