Manila Mail - Sept. 30, 2013

September 30, 2013 1
Vol. XXII, No. 22 Online: www. manilamail.us September 30, 2013

WASHINGTON D.C. Fili-
pino Americans in the nations
capital stripped the pork in
a symbolic protest against the
abuse of taxpayers money in the
Philippines even as the swirling
corruption scandal appears to
have landed on the very door-
steps of Malacanang.
The protesters called for the
unconditional abolition of the
Priority Development Assistance
Fund (PDAF) the ofcial name
for lawmakers pork as well as
President Aquinos discretionary
funds.
Billions of pork barrel
allocations have been stolen
and unjustly enriched senators,
congressmen, other govern-
ment ofcials and their cohorts,
Pinay set for new life in America
LOS ANGELES, Califor-
nia. Pinay the undocumented
feline from the Philippines is
now a legal resident of Amer-
ica.
The 4-year-old cat was
believed to have wandered
inside a container at the Port
of Manila, got locked in and
loaded aboard a freighter
bound for the United States.
That seemed entirely plau-
sible according to Jacquie Green
of the Baldwin Park Animal
Care Center. It was warm
and dry and seemed like a safe
place to spend some time.
What may have been
implausible was surviving an
arduous, three-week 7,300-
mile journey without food and
Continued on page 21
OFW rescued
by Fil-Ams is
nally home
WASHINGTON D.C. The
Filipino contract worker whom
concerned Filipino Americans
helped save from the execu-
tioners sword in Saudi Arabia
nally made it home and a tear-
ful reunion with his parents on
Sept. 19.
Rodelio Dondon Lanuza
spent 13 years in a Saudi jail
after he was sentenced to die by
qissas or beheading for killing
a Saudi national. He received a
royal pardon after appeals from
his family and ofcials in the
Philippines, and the payment
of 3 million Saudi rials (about
$800,000) as blood money to
the victims relatives.
Appeal for his life started
almost immediately after he
was sentenced to death in June
2001. An online campaign was
launched to draw attention to the
Obama visit to PH raises expectations
pino Americans are excited by
the visit of President Barack
Obama to the Philippines next
month.
I was excited when I heard
the news last night that Obama
will nally go to the Philippines.
Because there are lots of issues,
national issues that America
could assist and support, said
Susan Dilkes of the Filipino
American Service Group Inc.
Ninoy death
pic P3
PH-US war
games on P8
Pacman vs
Bam Bam P10
Ruffas kids
wish P12
Enrile aide to
testify? P20
Organizers of the Filipino American community forum on mental health pose
with some of the participants in Lanham, Md.
Fil-Ams more prone to depression, action urged
Special to Manila Mail
By Jonathan Melegrito
The recent mass shooting at
the Washington Navy Yard took
the lives of 12 people and was
very much in the minds of Fili-
pino Americans in the Washing-
ton DC area.
Filipino Americans are more
likely to suffer from depression
than the average American and
twice as many think of suicide, a
Fil-Am psychologist has revealed
in a forum on depression and
other mental health issues last
Sept. 21 in Lanham, Md.
Although there were no
Filipinos among the victims,
many are employed in this gov-
ernment facility. The thought,
therefore, of a co-worker on a
shooting rampage was a chilly
reminder that the discrimina-
tion and stigma associated with
mental illness largely stem from
the link between mental illness
and violence in the minds of the
general public.
The belief that persons with
mental illness are dangerous
may have also been a signicant
factor in the shooting death four
months ago of Mylene Mhai
Fil-Am protesters stripped a lechon to symbolically press their demand
for the abolition of pork barrel funds at a rally in front of the Philippine
Embassy.
Fil-Am nurse gives up heiress inheritance
NEW YORK. A Filipino
American nurse who stood to
inherit as much as $60 million
from the heiress of Americas
copper baron, agreed to give
up that inheritance and give back
part of the gifts she received to
preserve the heiress privacy and
end a potentially contentious
dispute with her benefactors
squabbling relatives.
Eleven lawyers for the vari-
ous parties, including distant
relatives who admitted they had
no contact with heiress Huguette
Clark while she was alive, lined
up before Judge Nora Anderson
on Sept. 24 to say they had come
to a settlement.
One of New Yorks most
famous recluse inherited her
fortune from father, former Sen.
William Clark, who built a bank-
ing, railroad and mining empire,
and was counted as one of Amer-
icas Copper Kings in the late
1800s. Huguette Clark died in
2011 at age 104.
She lived in hospitals at
File photo of Fil-Am caregiver
Hadassah Peri (Gicela Oloroso)
Prosecutors assure Pinay workers are okay
LOS ANGELES, California
Prosecutors told a Santa Ana,
California court they were no
longer pursuing charges against
a Saudi princess on behalf of
her household staff, including
four Filipino nannies, for alleg-
edly forcing them to work under
slave-like conditions.
Charges were dropped Sept.
20 against Meshael Alayban,
42, reportedly one of six wives
of a scion of the Saudi royal
family.. She had been accused
of enslaving a domestic worker
from Kenya, taking her passport
and forcing the woman to work
around the clock.
Alaybans lawyers said the
maids claims were a scam to
remain in the US.
Orange County District
Attorney Tony Rackauckas told
the judge the evidence did not
support charges against Alayban
and moved to dismiss the case.
She was previously free on $5
million paid by the Saudi gov-
ernment.
Alayban had four Philip-
pine nationals as nannies on
her staff. Prosecutors said they
were able to investigate the case
including the employment situa-
tion of the Filipino workers and
had decided to drop the charges.
The evidence did indicate
that on occasion they came and
left and were not restricted by
this family that they were work-
ing for, Rauckackus explained
the reason for dismissing the
charges.
The Philippine Consulate
has been assured by Orange
County ofcials that the women
are well taken care of. Alaybans
lawyers said they have not been
in contact with them either.
They have been in the
investigation process since that
time so we dont have any fur-
ther information regarding the
other workers. We just know that
in this case this was never a case
of human trafcking, said Alay-
bans attorney Paul Meyer.
Saudi Princess Meshael Alayban.
Landslides kill 30 in Luzon,
disrupt PH-US war games
MANILA. At least 30
people are reported dead from
landslides and oods in Central
Luzon.
Typhoon Usagi (called
Typhoon Odette in the Phil-
ippines), said to be the most
powerful this year with winds
equivalent to a Category 5 hur-
ricane, scraped the northern
portions of Luzon but spawned
heavy, continuous rains.
Among the worst hit was
Subic Bay in Zambales prov-
ince where thousands of US and
Filipino troops and sailors are
in the middle of an amphibous
training exercise.
The whole of Subic
remained isolated because of
the oods. Those on rooftops
were not rescued immediately,
Subic Bay Metropolitan Author-
ity spokesperson Armie Llamas
said.
At least 22 deaths were
reported in Zambales, mostly
around Subic Bay where non-
stop rains aggravated the
already saturated soil, creating
landslides that buried homes.
Schools and business estab-
lishments from Central Luzon
to the Metro Manila region were
forced to close due to the ood
and power outages.
PH rms in food fair in MD
WASHINGTON, D.C.
More Filipino agriculture and
food companies are hoping
to nd a niche in the growing
American organic premium
food market, according to the
Philippine Embassy.
The Embassy said four Fili-
pino coconut product manufac-
turing companies took part in
Biofach AmericaAll Things
Organic 2013touted to be the
leading organic trade fair in the
United Statesas part of their
efforts to make their presence
felt in the American market.
The Department of Agri-
culture, through its Agribusi-
ness and Marketing Assistance
Service and the Bureau of Agri-
cultural and Fisheries Product
Standards, supported the par-
ticipation of the four companies
in the trade fair to be held at
the Baltimore Convention and
Exhibition Center in Maryland
from 26 to 28 September 2013.
We are hoping that the
Philippines would be able to
ride on the positive projection
for the American market and
nd a niche for its organic coco-
nut products here in the US,
Agriculture Attach Dr. Josy-
line C. Javelosa said, citing the
11 percent growth that brought
to $26.3 billion the value of sales
of certied organic foods in spe-
cialist and conventional retail
outlets in the US.
We can be proud of vari-
ous Philippine coconut food
products which are not only
delicious and interesting but
also promise to bring nutritional
and health benets, Javelosa
added.
The Philippine coconut
industry is a dominant sector
of Philippine agriculture with
around 3.5 million coconut
farmers and 25 million Filipinos
directly or indirectly dependent
on the industry, according to
the Philippine Coconut Author-
ity.
Old photo of Ninoy murder gets fresh look
MANILA. A 30-year-old
Time Magazine photo of a blood-
ied former Sen. Benigno Ninoy
Aquino Jr. prone on the Manila
airport tarmac has re-ignited
interest on the murder that
sparked a political upheaval,
kicking out a dictator and pro-
pelling his widow then his son to
the presidency.
Ace journalist Luz Rimban
writing for the investigative
group VERA Files said a picture
taken by a Japanese photogra-
pher on Aug. 21, 1983 deserved
a 2
nd
look, after a reader pointed
to what could be a crucial detail
in the photo.
I saw it when I rst saw the
photo in 1983, and no one has
really taken notice of it, said the
VERA Files reader who noticed
the detail.
It shows that Ninoy raised
both his feet by about two to three
inches above the ground (see
the shadow of the raised shoes)
indicating he was still alive, the
reader pointed out. All other
photos taken by other journalists
later show both Ninoys feet at
on the tarmac.
President Ferdinand Marcos
blamed the assassination on
the communists. He had urged
Aquino not to go back to the Phil-
ippines from a three-year exile in
Boston, Massachusetts. He was a
relentless Marcos critic and was
among the rst to be imprisoned
when Martial Law was declared
on Sept. 21, 1972 and sentenced
to death by a military tribunal for
subversion.
Rimban said massive strides
in technology could open old
evidence to fresh scrutiny.
An iconic 30-year-old photo taken by a Japanese photographer is generating
new interest in Ninoy Aquinos assassination.
PH is 1st Asian country to export bananas to US
WASHINGTON D.C. Filipi-
nos and Americans get a chance
to taste Philippine bananas
again with the arrival of the rst
shipment of Highland Caven-
dish from Bukidnon, Philip-
pine Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia
announced last week.
He said the Philippines
became the 1
st
Asian country to
export bananas to the United
States,
With this shipment, we are
hopeful that Philippine bananas
would be able to nd and sat-
isfy a niche in the competitive
US banana market, he averred.
The shipment is the rst of
an estimated 3,000 metric tons
that the US will buy from the
Philippines this year. It took
eight years to complete the deal,
according to Agriculture Attach
Dr. Josyline C. Javelosa.
Philippine bananas are
among the best in the world and
there is opportunity to bring in
the unique and special banana
varieties like lakatan and laton-
dan, which Filipinos in the US
have long been craving for and
which Americans can learn to
love, Javelosa explained.
The Philippine bananas
will be marketed in the US by
Dole Food Company under the
Sweetio brand.
Javelosa said the ship-
ment puts the US in the list
of overseas destinations
for Philippine bananas that
include Japan, Hong Kong, New
Zealand, Korea, China, Singa-
pore, the Middle East, Canada,
Russia and Indonesia.
Labor rights pushed
LOS ANGELES. The Phil-
ippine consulate here is forging
partnerships with local labor
ofcials to help Filipino workers
be more aware of their rights and
duties in America.
Weve had workers where
they werent paid for 3 months
but then couldnt leave their
employers or theyre always
paid very late or they havent
received their wages for over a
month. Or theyre being paid less
than minimum wage, said Aqui
Sorian Versoza of the Pilipino
Workers Center.
Encourage the Filipino
community to be aware of their
labor rights. We are training our
own personnel in the consulate
to be able to understand these
issues so when some of our kaba-
bayans come to the consulate,
we are able to give them a more
direct and more focused reply on
how to help them, Los Ange-
les Consul General Ma. Helen
Barber Dela Vega said.
They are focusing their
sights on caregivers who appear
especially vulnerable to these
kinds of labor code violations.
Violated Filipino workers in
many sectors have been able to
get relief including resolve the
group of nurses who success-
fully settled with a Fresno hos-
pital after they were told not to
speak Tagalog.
Individual caregivers as
well have been successfully
winning back wages from their
employers.
But ofcials, advocates, and
the consulate believe there is a
much needed rst step for justice
at the work place. You need to
come forward if you feel your
rights are being violated, youre
not being paid properly, you feel
youre discriminated, urged
Kimchi Bui of the Department of
Labor Wage and Hour Division.
Domestics benets
LOS ANGELES. The fate of
a bill that gives domestic work-
ers overtime pay, meal breaks
and other labor protections are
now in the hands of California
Gov. Jerry Brown.
The California State Senate
has voted 22-12, and the Assem-
bly voted 48-25 to pass the Cali-
fornia Domestic Worker Bill of
Rights, AB 241.
Brown vetoed a similar bill
last year.
This vote gets us one step
closer to extending equal labor
rights to domestic workers in
California, the Filipino Migrant
Center said in a statement.
The victory is part of a
broad movement to win dignity,
respect, and labor protections for
the domestic workers who make
all other work possible in the
United States, according to the
statement.
There are about 200,000
domestic workers in the state.
Tens of thousands of them are
Filipinos, according to the Fili-
pino Migrant Center.
If passed, California would
join New York and Hawaii
to have labor protections for
domestic workers.
Pinoy WWII guerilla
ag
NORFOLK, Va. A World
War II Filipino and US Guerrilla
Unit Flag from the 1940s made it
to the Top 10 list of Endangered
Artifacts in the Commonwealth.
The ag is kept at the
MacArthur Memorial, a museum
here dedicated to the memory
of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. It
appears to be a ag used by Fili-
pino guerillas serving under the
US Armed Forces in the Far East
(USAFFE) in Tarlac province.
The list is intended to raise
awareness for the care of objects
that tell Virginias stories.
It also includes a ag from
the 299th Combat Engineer
Battalion, own at the D-Day
Assault on Utah Beach in 1944
on display at the National D-Day
Memorial in Bedford; the water
works map of Roanoke a lith-
ograph from 1888 on display at
Roanokes Historical Society of
Western Virginia;
The Rice D. Montague
Account Book from the 1860s,
which has found a home at the
Montgomery Museum in Chris-
tiansburg; an untitled paint-
ing by Appalachian Folk Artist
Minnie May Scyphers at Abing-
dons William King Museum;
illustrations for the cover The
Raven by James Carling in 1884
housed in the Edgar Allen Poe
Museum in Richmond;
The Rev. Robert Rose Mon-
ument from 1751 stored at St.
Johns Church in Richmond; and
a mid-20
th
century scrapbook of
Bertha Winborne, the rst Afri-
can American librarian; among
others.
Lewis is speaker
SAN FRANCISCO. Civic
leader, businesswoman and phi-
lanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis
will keynote the 10
th
Annual Fili-
pina Leadership Summit to be
held here Oct. 24-26.
She is Chair and CEO of TLC
Beatrice, LLC, a family invest-
ment rm. A lawyer by profes-
sion, admitted to practice in the
Philippines and New York, she
was the rst Filipina woman
to pass the New York bar with-
out attending law school in the
United States.
Loida is also Chair of the
Reginald F. Lewis Foundation,
which has donated millions of
dollars to Harvard Law School,
the Reginald F. Lewis Museum
of Marylands African-American
History and Culture, and Vir-
ginia State University.
She also supports Asian
American Legal Defense and
Education Fund, Asian Pacic
American Legal Center, Asian
Pacic Islander Coalition on
HIV/AIDS, Asian Pacic Ameri-
can Film, Asian American Arts
Alliance, Asian American Fed-
eration of New York, Asian
American Foundation, Diversity
Theater and Ma-Yi Theater.
The Filipina Leadership
Summit is organized by the Fili-
pina Womens Network (FWN).
The group helps Filipina women
to build a network that dare
to change the landscape of the
leadership in todays workplace.
FWNs Filipina Summit is held
every October in celebration of
Filipino Heritage Month.
Around America
Ambassador Cuisia with Agriculture
Attache Josyline Javelosa.
California Gov. Jerry Brown
Filipino World War II guerilla ag in the MacArthur Museum.
Loida Nicolas Lewis
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Park plaque to honor Fil-Am sports hero
SAN FRANCISCO. A
bronze plaque of a little-known
Filipino American sports hero
will soon adorn a city park that
already bears her name.
The Manalo-Draves Park
is named after Fil-Am Victoria
Manalo Draves who won the
gold medal for womens diving
in both the platform and spring-
board categories at the 1948
Olympiad.
It was the rst ever Olympic
gold for an Asian American at
a time when racial discrimina-
tion was more pronounced. The
San Francisco Parks & Recre-
ation Commission approved the
installation of the bronze plaque
last Sept. 18.
She was born and raised on
10th and Howard Streets, just
two blocks from where the park
bearing her name is located.
Rudy Asercion, executive
director of WestBay Pilipino
Multi-service Center, said the
plaque will add meaning to the
name Victoria Manalo Draves
Park and add self-esteem to the
Filipino-Asian American chil-
dren and youth that go there.
Noli the opera set for
3-day run New York
NEW YORK CITY. Jose
Rizals timeless satire of colonial
oppression and the churchs
hypocrisy, comes to New York
City through the grand opera
Noli Me Tangere which runs
at Hunter College in Manhattan
the during the Oct. 4 to 6 week-
end.
Its the rst time Felipe
de Leons stage adaptation of
Rizals novel is being presented
in the East Coast. The opera
plays at the Kaye Playhouse of
Hunter College at the corner of
Lexington Ave. and East 68th
Street.
The shows are part of the
celebrations for the centenary
of the birth of Maestro de Leon
and Filipino-American History
Month.
Nothing happens in the
world if it does not happen in
New York, said civic leader
and businesswoman Nicolas
Lewis, who has spearheaded
the effort to bring Noli Me
Tangere to New York.
Here is a Filipino who
has created a world-class opera
based on Rizals Noli. It will
be sung by a diverse cast in the
Filipino language. It is time for
Filipino Americans to show the
world that we are a cultured
people, she stressed.
De Leons Noli opera has
enjoyed a longer life than most
Filipino operas. Completed in
1950, it has been performed in
1957, 1987 and in 2011 to cel-
ebrate the 150th birth anniver-
sary of Rizal.
The complete Noli opera
has rarely been fully staged
with a full orchestra. Until last
year, it has never received a
major production in the US.
The three-act opera follows
the story of Juan Crisostomo
Ibarra who returns to the Phil-
ippines after pursuing scholarly
studies in Europe. He plans to
open up a school and marry
Maria Clara, his bethrothed.
However, parish priest Padre
Damaso, the archenemy of the
Ibarras, is out to hinder Crisos-
tomos plans, which creates a
dramatic storyline of forbidden
love, betrayal and revenge.
Noli Me Tangere, fea-
turing musical direction by
Michael Dadap and sets and
costumes by Jerry Sibal, stars
world renowned Filipino opera
singers Sal Malaki (Crisostomo
Ibarra), Antoni Mendezona
(Maria Clara), Andrew Fer-
nando (Padre Damaso), Robert
Perla Gomez (Elias) and Maria
Christina Navarro (Sisa) and
young singer Kirby Asunto
(Basilio).
Victoria Manalo Draves with US
diving team.
A winning night for Asians in
Ms. America pageant
ATLANTIC CITY. Were
both so proud. Were making
history right here, standing here
as Asian-Americans, Miss New
York Nina Davuluri declared as
she and Miss California Crystal
held their breath in anticipa-
tion of the proclamation of Miss
America 2014 that eventually
went to Davuluri.
Her victory was hailed as a
breakthrough for Asian Ameri-
cans but Davuluri wasnt the
rst Asian American to win the
Miss America title. That distinc-
tion goes to Filipino American
Angela Perez Baraquio, Miss
Hawaii, in October 2000.
Baraquio is the 8
th
of 10 chil-
dren by Filipino immigrant par-
ents from Pangasinan province.
She is now married with four
children and lives in Anaheim,
California. She is active in the
pro-life movement and goes on
speaking tours against abortion.
Still, the pageant made his-
tory when Davuluri became the
rst Indian American to win the
Miss America title, beating Miss
California Crystal Lee, a Chinese
American.
This years Miss America
contest also featured ve Asian
American contestants more
than any other since the rst
pageant was held in 1920. Three
of them ended up as winners.
Davuluris court includes 1
st

runner-up Miss California and
5
th
runner-up Miss Minnesota
Rebecca Yeh.
And it turned out Miss Cali-
fornia wasnt the only Crystal
Lee in the pageant her name-
sake was Miss Hawaii, who is
half Chinese.
Another contestant of Asian
heritage, Bindhu Pamarthi, was
Miss District of Columbia.
Thirty years ago a Syracuse
University student named Van-
essa Williams became the rst
African-American to be crowned
Miss America.
As one of the countrys pre-
mier beauty-and-brains contests,
the Miss America pageant has
demonstrated its potential to
help shape public perceptions
about the nations changing
demographics.
That power to change does
have its backside and it became
evident almost right after Davu-
luri was crowned.
If youre #Miss America
you should have to be Ameri-
can, one tweeted. Miss Amer-
ica? You mean Miss 7-11 said
another. She was labeled a
Muslim, a terrorist, an Arab
that was all erroneous of course.
She was born in Syracuse to
immigrant parents from India.
They moved to Oklahoma when
she was 4 and then to Michigan
when she was 10. Six years ago,
her family moved back to Cen-
tral New York where her father
is an obstetrician-gynecologist at
the St. Josephs Hospital.
Im so happy this organi-
zation has embraced diversity,
Davuluri gushed. Im thankful
there are children watching at
home who can nally relate to a
new Miss America.
Amid the rants, she vowed,
I have to rise above that. I
always viewed myself as rst
and foremost American.
Miss America 2000 Angela Bara-
quio
Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri
Metro DC stares at another federal shutdown
WASHINGTON D.C. The
Metro DC region is looking at
another showdown between
Democrat and Republican law-
makers that raised once more the
specter of a federal shut-down
next week.
The House voted 230-189 to
approve last Sept. 20 a tempo-
rary funding measure to keep
the government running until
December. The bill is coupled
with a tea party-backed measure
to de-fund President Obamas
new health care law.
Despite a declaration from
the Democratic-led Senate that a
bill with a defund ObamaCare
proviso would be dead-on-
arrival, and President Obamas
threat to veto the measure even if
it somehow got past the Senate,
the GOP-controlled House set
the stage for a confrontation that
raised the possibility of a govern-
ment shutdown similar to what
happened for 28 days in 1995-96.
At the time about 800,000
of the nations 2 million federal
employees were furloughed, but
Social Security checks contin-
ued to be issued, and essential
personnel such as members of
the military and border agents
worked without pay
When it comes to the health
care law, the debate in the House
has been settled. I think our posi-
tion is very clear: The law is a
train wreck, and its going to
raise costs, its destroying Amer-
ican jobs and it must go, said
House Speaker John A. Boehner.
Republicans who back the
bill funding the government
while defunding the Affordable
Care Act stress that they dont
want a government shutdown
but that they must do something
to stop the Affordable Care Act
or ObamaCare.
A key element of that law,
the creation of health insurance
exchanges, takes effect on Oct. 1
which added urgency for GOP
moves to overturn it.
Ironically, the Affordable
Care Act would be unscathed
even if a federal shutdown
should ensue.
The Ofce of Budget Man-
agement said a shut-down
would force non-essential fed-
eral workers to be furloughed
and certain services suspended;
close national parks; scale back
the delivery of veterans benets
and freeze hiring of needed fed-
eral workers. But the OBM said
people will continue to receive
security checks and their mail.
Critical personnel such as air
trafc controllers, border agents,
members of the military and
safety inspectors are expected to
continue working without pay.
The GOP House bill would
fund the government through
Dec. 15 at an annual level of $986
billion, and it would leave in
place the controversial seques-
tration cuts that took effect after
an earlier budget battle this year.
Capitol Hill is also sched-
uled to take up the debt ceiling
issue. That ceiling is expected
to be breached in the middle of
October by which time, the US
will run out of money to pay its
debts.
House Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader and Virginia Rep.
Eric Cantor.
Va. Governors race in
virtual tie
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia.
The Virginias governors race
appears to be tightening up just
six weeks before voters troop to
the polls.
Democratic bet Terry McAu-
liffe and his Republican rival
Ken Cuccinelli are in a statisti-
cal tie according to a Quinnipiac
poll released last week.
McAuliffe edges out Cucci-
nelli, 44 percent to 41 percent but
McAuliffes advantage is within
the polls margin of error.
Both campaigns believe
whoever can draw core support-
ers out on Nov. 5 will emerge the
winner. And with the race tight-
ening, Libertarian Party candi-
date Robert Sarvis, who scored
seven percent in the Quinnipiac
survey, could also act as spoiler
either for the Democratic or GOP
bet.
In August, the same Quin-
nipiac poll found McAuliffe with
a 48 percent to 42 percent lead,
suggesting the race has tight-
ened up.
Cuccinelli has a 7-point lead
among men, while McAuliffe has
a 14-point lead among women
according to the poll.
McAuliffe also leads sub-
stantially among black voters, 77
percent to 9 percent.
Meanwhile, McAuliffe con-
tinued to enjoy an almost 2-to-1
advantage in campaign cash
that could prove important as
the race enters the home stretch.
McAuliffe raised about $7.4 mil-
lionvs Cuccinellis $5.7 million in
July and August.
This race is within the
margin of error, which we
always knew was the case. As
voters learn more about Ken
Cuccinellis record of ghting for
Virginia and Terry McAuliffes
record of putting himself rst at
the expense of workers, they are
going side with the attorney gen-
eral, said spokeswoman Anna
Nix.
We never put much stock
in a single poll, but with more
than half of Virginians nding
Cuccinelli and his extreme social
agenda unfavorable, everyone
should expect to see the Cuc-
cinelli campaign become more
and more desperate in the nal
weeks of the campaign, said
spokesman Josh Schwerin.
Contest between Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli in home stretch.
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Mayor nixes US plan to use city as drone base
DAVAO CITY. The mayor
of this southern Mindanao city
told newsmen the United States
sought permission to use the
local airport as a launching pad
for aerial drones hunting sus-
pected terrorists.
The US government wants
to use the old airport. I refused.
I will not allow them to use our
airport to launch their drones,
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said
before a group of Muslim vol-
unteers who promised to help
protect the city from terrorists.
I do not want it. I do not
want trouble and killings,
Duterte said.
The US Embassy in Manila
conrmed the request but clari-
ed the drones would be used
in surveillance for humanitarian
and search and rescue opera-
tions. And those ights will be
done only if the Philippine gov-
ernment asks for them.
At the request of the Philip-
pine government, the US military
has provided aerial surveillance
using small unarmed, unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) to support
activities such as topographical
analysis and safety estimates,
the US Embassy said in a state-
ment.
Duterte said he believes the
US engage in covert activities
in Mindanao, citing the case of
American Michael Meiring, a
suspect in a hotel explosion in
May 2002, who was spirited out
of a Davao City hospital and
own back to the US, allegedly
by US federal agents.
Cybersex dens busted
CEBU CITY. The United
States Homeland Security Inves-
tigations (HSI) unit working the
Philippines Inter-Agency Coun-
cil against Trafcking (IACAT)
busted a cybersex syndicate that
led to the arrest of seven suspects
and rescue of over a dozen child
victims in this city from May and
September this year.
HSI Manila Deputy Atta-
che Eric McLoughlin attributed
the success to close coordination
with the IACAT.
The HSIs work was cited
in an appreciation letter from
the Cebu provincial government
for their efforts in helping the
Cebuano community in eradi-
cating human trafcking, cyber
pornography and other forms of
sexually provocative activities
in Barangay Ibabao, Cordova,
Cebu.
The seven suspects have
been charged with violations
under the Anti-Trafcking in
Persons Act of 2003.
Their victims, whose ages
ranged from 2 to 17, were turned
over to the care of the Depart-
ment of Social Welfare & Devel-
opment in the province.
HSI special agents in Port-
land, Maine were the rst to
detect the transaction between
those involved in cyber pornog-
raphy in Cordova. HSI agents in
Norfolk, Virginia assisted in the
arrest of couple Wilfredo and
Eileen Ontong, and the rescue
of 13 children from a Lapu-Lapu
City high school and a Cordova
elementary school who were
traced from photos of the chil-
dren on social media websites.
Last July, HIS Manila, Phil-
ippine police and the Interna-
tional Justice Mission also joined
hands in dismantling a cybersex
group in Angeles City, Pam-
panga that led to the arrest of
three suspects and rescue of six
victims, ages 15 to 17.
No more brown-outs
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay. The
majority of some 100,000 cus-
tomers of the debt-ridden Albay
Electric Cooperative (Aleco)
have voted to allow an afliate
of food conglomerate San Miguel
Corp. to take over the coopera-
tive.
The public were asked to
vote in a referendum earlier this
month on whether they want a
private rm to take over Alecos
operations or nd another coop-
erative to run the provinces
power grid which went dark last
July.
The National Power Grid
cut off its power supply for the
entire province after failing
to collect more than P4 billion
(about $98 million) in unpaid
bills. That incident was widely
reported in the international
press, and proved embarrassing
for both national and local of-
cials.
The public was asked to
choose between Private Sector
Participation or the Cooperative
to Cooperative options.
In the rst option, an afliate
of food conglomerate San Miguel
Corp. would infuse P1.2 billion
and manage the cooperative for
25 years while also absorbing
its massive debt. Under the 2
nd

option, Aleco would have agreed
to surrender management to
Benguet Electric Cooperative
(Beneco) which purportedly has
a good track record of managing
power cooperatives.
Canadians arrest hit
MANILA. University of
Montreal (Canada) student Kim
Chatillon-Meunier, 24, has been
allowed to leave the country
after being earlier detained by
police for joining an anti-govern-
ment street protest here last July.
Her name ended up in
an airport watch list. She was
arrested as she was about to
board a ight to Hong Kong
last Sept. 13 and brought to the
top-security Camp Bagong Diwa
police facility.
She reportedly participated
in a rally timed with President
Aquinos State of the Nation
Address on July 22 that was dis-
persed by police because it didnt
have a city permit. She left Aug.
1 without incident and recently
returned to Manila to nish an
internship project at the Univer-
sity of Montreal.
Human rights group
Karapatan assailed her deten-
tion. She joined in the research
and documentation of the
reproductive health conditions
of women in communities in
Tondo, Manila, they said in a
statement.
Show me the money
MAKATI CITY. A regional
trial court has ordered the Stan-
dard Chartered Bank to return
nearly P234 million (about
$5.7 million) to a Makati-based
investment company after dis-
covering that it paid back a loan
twice.
Judge Cesar Untalan of
Makati Regional Trial Court 149
granted an urgent motion led
by Philippine Investment Two,
Inc. and Metrobank & Trust
Company, directing Standard
Chartered to return the pay-
ments because the rms obliga-
tions had already been settled in
New York.
Standard Chartered and
Metrobank were both creditors
of PI Two, the former unit of the
defunct Lehman Brothers Hold-
ings, Inc.
After Lehman led for bank-
ruptcy in New York in 2008, the
Makati RTC Branch 149 became
the rehabilitation court to ensure
payment of PI Twos debts to
creditors. The Standard Char-
tered Bank parent in New York
and Lehman Brothers agreed on
a global settlement that includes
PI Two.
Stricter bride rules
CEBU CITY. A new bill in
Congress would require foreign-
ers wishing to marry Filipinas to
get a certicate of good moral
character from their countrys
consular ofces before a mar-
riage license is issued.
Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn
Garcia said the measure, dock-
eted as House Bill 2387, would
block some foreigners who
come to the Philippines to marry
Filipino women (who) are vaga-
bonds or social and moral der-
elicts in their country whose real
motive is only to take advantage
and exploit our women.
Some end up working as
prostitutes abroad, she added.
Garcia said the bill is aimed
at curbing the exploitation of Fili-
pino women through mail-order
or pen-pal, Facebook, website
mail, and other Internet-coursed
marriages.
Ad execs car found
LAS PINAS, Metro Manila.
Police are hoping the recovery
of the car stolen from murdered
advertising executive Kristelle
Kae Davantes could provide
them the lead that may identify
her assailant.
Southern Police District
(SPD) Director, Chief Superin-
tendent Jose Erwin Villacorte
said they recovered the Toyota
Altis at Camella 4 subdivision
in Barangay Pamplona Tres, Las
Pinas.
Probers have been stumped
by the murder, and speculate
it might have been the work of
car thieves. Davantes was last
seen driving the Altis in Bonifa-
cio Global City. Her body was
found under a bridge in Silang,
Cavite earlier this month with
stab wounds on her neck
There is a P200,000 reward
for information leading to the
arrest of the perpetrator.
US Navy ships sail into
Subic Bay
Ronda Pilipinas
The rains did not dampen the welcome on Sept. 16 for the US Navy
amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD4) and the amphibious dock
landing ship USS New Orleans in Subic Bay. Tug Boats successfully
guided the ships toward the piers of the Subic Bay Freeport, the former
US naval base. The USS Boxer and the amphibious dock landing ship
USS New Orleans are both part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group
(BOXARG). Aside from spending by the ships ofcers and crew for R&R,
souvenirs and personal services, the US Navy spends millions of dollars
in port services, supply and other requirements while in port. Another US
Navy ship, the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land, a frequent Subic
visitor, arrived earlier last week and is also in Subic at present (Photo
courtesy of Vic Vizcocho Jr.
A US Special Operations soldier gets ready to launch a remote-control sur-
veillance aircraft somewhere in Mindanao.
Freed Canadian student Kim Cha-
tillon-Meunier
September 30, 2013 10 10
Effort to revive stalled immigration bill underway
WASHINGTON D.C. The
comprehensive immigration
reform bill is stalled in the House
of Representatives and support-
ers are frantically scrambling for
ways to nudge it back on track.
Proponents had promised
earlier a vigorous lobby to reach
congressmen while they were on
vacation last month, but most
Republican lawmakers came
out of the August recess still
unready to act. The debate has
been hijacked in part by Syria
and now appears even dimmer
as Congress gets ready to tackle
the budget and the debt ceiling.
Supporters of the bill say
theyre trying to revive the issue
and get legislation moving in the
House before the Thanksgiving
recess.
President Barack Obama
said last week hes now ready
to embrace the House piecemeal
approach so long as it included
a pathway to citizenship for
undocumented immigrants.
Im happy to let the House
work its will as long as the bill
that ends up on my desk speaks
to the central issues that have to
be resolved, he said in an inter-
view with Noticias Telemundo.
Im more interested in
making sure it gets done, the
President stressed.
Supporters of immigration
reform are asking inuential
friends to help push the bill for-
ward.
Facebook co-founder Mark
Zuckerberg met with a bipar-
tisan cast of House and Senate
leaders to promote pet legisla-
tion on Capitol Hill, foremost
among them comprehensive
immigration reform. He helped
establish the group FWD.us
to help advance immigration
reforms.
The rare personal visit came
in the heels of reports that Face-
book has plunked over $3.5 mil-
lion on lobbying Congress in the
rst half of the year alone.
House Democratic Caucus
Chairman Xavier Becerra of Cali-
fornia and Democratic Reps. Zoe
Lofgren of California, John Yar-
muth of Kentucky and George
Miller of California also report-
edly met with Richard Trumka
and Bill Samuel of the AFL-CIO,
Mary Kay Henry of the SEIU,
Janet Murgua of the National
Council of La Raza, Frank Sharry
of Americas Voice and Gustavo
Torres, the executive director of
CASA de Maryland.
A report on Politico.com
said Arizona Sen. John McCain
and other members of the Gang
of Eight are also stepping up
efforts to
revive the
measure in
the House.
S e n .
C h u c k
Schumer of
New York,
a key Gang
of Eight
member, has
reached out
recently to
the US Conference of Catholic
Bishops as well as conservative
and business groups like the
Business Roundtable, Financial
Services Roundtable and the
Pharmaceutical Research and
Manufacturers of America to
convince them to help lobby con-
gressmen to work on immigra-
tion reform.
President Obama has been
urging House Speaker John
Boehner to bring the issue to a
vote. The House leader said he
will not bring the issue to the
oor without the support of a
majority of Republican lawmak-
ers.
If the House were to pass
one bill or several bills that could
trigger formal talks between the
House and the Senate and try to
reconcile them in one bill that
could pass both chambers and be
signed into law by the President.
Immigration reform advocates are struggling to nd a way to re-start the bill
in US Congress.
Pacquiaos boxing future
hangs on Rios ght
LAS VEGAS, Nevada. Peoples
Champ Manny Pacquiao was guaran-
teed a cool $18 million to ght Brandon
Bam Bam Rios in Macau on Nov. 24.
Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum
revealed the purse, adding that Rios will
have guaranteed purse of $4 million.
Manny is guaranteed $18 million,
but we hope at the end of the day, he will
do well enough so that he will get around
$30 million, Arum explained.
The announcement came in the
heels of archrival Floyd Mayweather
Jr.s sleeper of a bout here earlier this
month. He earned more than $41 million
for ghting the outclassed Saul Canelo
Alvarez of Mexico.
Promoters have failed to bring the
two Pacquiao and Mayweather atop the
ring, but not because of the lack of trying.
The Pacquiao camp has accused
Mayweather of being more concerned
about preserving his unbeaten record
than earning a record pay day. Thus, both
men have contented themselves with lit-
tle-known opponents, although Pacquiao
has lost his last two bouts against Juan
Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley.
For Pacquiao, who will be up for
re-election soon as Saranganis lone Rep-
resentative in Congress, the Rios bout
will be his rst ght after almost a year.
His handlers say he needed that time to
recover from the knock-out he suffered
from Marquez.
Some sports writers believe Pac-
quiao, 35, is past his prime and too dis-
tracted with his political career and busi-
ness ventures to still be a serious rival to
Mayweather.
Arum has warned Pacquiao not to
look past Rios and to give his undivided
attention to training for their November
showdown.
Ive counseled Manny again and
Im gonna adhere to that discipline,
Arum said.
Dont look ahead to the next ght.
Concentrate on Brandon Rios, and after
that ght, there will be plenty of time on
who he will ght next.
Mayweather said he plans to climb
into the ring twice next year, in May and
September.
Pacquiao takes a beating from Juan Manuel Marquez last year.
No Fil-Ams hurt in Navy Yard carnage
pinos heaved a collective sigh of
relief after realizing no one from
the close-knit community was
hurt in a shooting rampage at the
US Navy Yard last Sept. 16.
Thirteen people, including
alleged shooter Aaron Alexis,
were killed in the incident.
More than two dozen Fili-
pino Americans work at the
Navy Yard, a huge complex that
serves as the US Navys nerve
center for operations across the
globe.
Virginia-based community
leader and veterans rights advo-
cate Eric Lachica said he had two
friends who worked there, one
in the audit department and the
other in the bases dental ofce.
Both are physically okay
but emotionally exhausted, he
wrote to the Manila Mail. He
added neither of them worked in
Building 197 where the shooting
took place.
One of them was Annie
Wielderman, an active volunteer
of the US Pinoys for Good Gov-
ernance (USP4GG), who was
trapped in Building 200.
The media term massacre
is bringing back bad memories
from 9/11. Yung sila Annie and
others were kinda relieved na
they were released yesterday
evening. Theyve been debriefed
and were told to seek assistance
and help, counseling if neces-
sary. I think thats a good way
of dealing with stress, the trau-
matized feeling that they have,
Lachica said in an interview with
ABS-CBNs Balitang America.
Shortly after the shoot-
ing was reported, the Embassy
twitted an alert to the estimated
75,000 members of the Filipino
community in Metro DC region.
The Embassy later worked
with the National Federation of
Filipino-American Associations
and the Migrant Heritage Com-
mission in contacting Filipinos
working at the Navy Yard.
Philippine Ambassador
Jose L. Cuisia Jr. said he was
relieved no Filipinos were hurt
but conveyed the Philippines
condolences to the families of
those killed and hurt in the mass
shooting.
Defense Secretary Chuck
Hagel ordered a worldwide
security review at all US military
installations to make sure secu-
rity measures are in place.
Fil-Ams are grateful none from the community were hurt in Navy Yard mas-
sacre.
September 30, 2013 12 12
Anyone but a murderer, daughters tell Ruffa
MANILA. The two daugh-
ters of host-actress Ruffa Gutier-
rez are still hoping their mother
will nd another man who will
love and take care of her some-
day.
You have to get some-
body soon before you get old,
declared her daughter Lorin
when asked Gutierrez in an
ABS-CBN News interview if she
misses having a special some-
one.
I dont want mommys hus-
band to be a murderer, Lorin
added. And someone whos
t, her sister Venice chimed in.
The girls are Ruffas daugh-
ters from her 4-year marriage
to Turkish businessman Yilmaz
Bektas that ended amid allega-
tions of spousal abuse.
She blamed their appar-
ent anxiety about their mothers
future mate to watching too
much news on TV.
Im very happy, very ful-
lled with my life right now,
she says, adding that while shes
not closing the doors to new
romance she felt theres no need
to actively nd a partner for
now. Ruffa says she hasnt had a
boyfriend for the past two years.
Im not going to settle. Im
happy with myself, just being
with my kids, she declared.
Real life drama
MANILA. The bitter break-
up of the marriage of former
matinee stars Raymart Santiago
and Claudine Barretto continues
slide into further chaos after both
camps swapped accusations of
wrongdoings.
Barretto has accused San-
tiago of spousal abuse. But she
is also facing theft charges led
by her one-time assistant Dessa
Patilan and shes now piling on
her original complaints against
Santiago by saying he was
manipulating Patilan.
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio,
Barrettos counsel, alleged col-
lusion between Patilan and San-
tiago. This belief was apparently
based in part by Patilans choice
of counsel who belonged to a
large law rm that usually rep-
resents communications mogul
Tonyboy Cojuangco, husband
of Barrettos sister Gretchen who
had a very public falling out
with her younger sister.
The couple decided to call
it quits last April, after almost 7
years together.
Barretto sought and got a
court protective order against
Santiago and led for solo cus-
tody of their children, 6 and 9
years old. Santiago managed to
circumvent that by successfully
ling for a writ of habeas corpus
for the kids. They are both ght-
ing for custody of the children.
Pinoys her thing
MANILA. Sexy Brazilian
model Daiana Menezes says Fili-
pino men always have a special
place in her heart.
Menezes, 26, is married to
former Cagayan de Oro Con-
gressman Benjamin Benaldo
but recent reports indicate the
relationship is suffering some
bumps. She moved to the Philip-
pines when she was only 19.
She confesses to develop-
ing a preference for Filipino men
when it comes to being in a rela-
tionship. I dont label, but lets
say Pinoys know how to make a
good bola. Brazilian guys? Sorry,
but I already get their bola right
away, so I dont fall for them
easily. Pinoys are my thing, she
said.
I dont sleep around. I go
for real feelings and I dont hide
them unlike other people, she
was quoted in an interview on
the September issue of Uno Mag-
azine.
Rihanna in Manila
MANILA. Five years since
she rst performed in the Phil-
ippines, pop star Rihanna still
remembers the sold-out show
she held in Taguig while pro-
moting her hit song Umbrella.
She teased screaming fans
in her Diamonds World Tour
concert about her rst visit to the
Philippines.
Manila, how yaall feeling
tonight? Now this is my second
time here. The rst time was a
really long time ago, but I did not
forget, she said.
The rst time Rihanna per-
formed in the Philippines was
in 2008 for her Good Girl Gone
Bad Tour. Held at the Bonifa-
cio Global City Open Field in
Taguig, the concert featured
her boyfriend,
singer Chris
Brown, as spe-
cial guest.
Manila is
one of the three
Asian stops of
the Diamonds
World Tour,
which has so far
visited over 60
cities across the
globe. The con-
cert was held at
the SM Mall of
Asia.
The con-
cert series is
set to make 19
more stops until
November 15.
Fil-Am
Jazz fest
S A N
FRANCI SCO.
Alls set for the
6
th
staging of the
San Francisco
Filipino Ameri-
can Jazz Festi-
val that will be
held Oct. 20 at
Yoshis along
Fillmore Street
here.
F e a t u r e d
artists include
New York-born
Melissa Morgan,
Y o l a n d a
Quandt, pianist
Winston Raval
and Richie Quirino.
Morgans debut CD Until
I Met You (Telarc Records) was
called one of the most assured
and enjoyable debut albums
by any jazz singer in recent
memory. In 2004, she was semi-
nalist in the prestigious Thelo-
nious Monk International Jazz
Competition in Washington D.C.
She recently relocated to Los
Angeles, California to extend
her jazz audience throughout the
West Coast.
Quandt developed into a
vibrant jazz singer and enter-
tainer during the heyday of
Manilas club scene in the 60s
and 70s. After moving to the
US and raising a family, she
returned to the stage, recording a
delightful CD dedicated to Duke
Ellington,Passion for Duke, in
London in 2003. Shes now based
in Las Vegas.
Raval is a seminal inu-
ence in the development of
jazz fusion in Manila, and was
among the rst composers to
combine indigenous instru-
ments and music of the Philip-
pines with jazz in the 70s; and
Quirino is the rst Filipino to
chronicle and publish a detailed
history of Jazz in the Philippines
with the publication of Pinoy Jazz
Traditions (2004), Mabuhay Jazz:
Jazz in Postwar Philippines (2008),
and Contemporary Jazz in the Phil-
ippines (2011).
Be careful movie shelved
MANILA. Actress Jodi Sta.
Maria said she was saddened
by news that the lm version of
the hit daytime series Be Care-
ful with My Heart has been
pulled out from this years Metro
Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
We are sad too but we
just cant really nish it in time
because of scheduling conicts,
she explained.
Nonetheless, the popular
TV star said they fully sup-
port the decision of ABS-CBNs
cinema unit. She was sure either
if the movie could be shown in
theaters at a later date.
Despite this, Sta. Maria told
ABS-CBN News that she cant do
anything but follow the orders of
the management.
Star Cinema told the Metro
Manila Development Authority
(MMDA) which organizes the
yearly lmfest that the decision
to pull out the movie was due to
the tight schedule of the cast
and crew of Be Careful with My
Heart in shooting the ongoing
series.
Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian,
who also helms the daytime
soap, Be Careful with My
Heart: The Movie was
billed as the continuation of the
love story of Maya (Sta. Maria)
and Sir Chief (Richard Yap) as
seen on television.
Fan Page
Ruffa Gutierrez with daughters Lorin and Venice.
Daiana Menezes
PH courts support for UN arbitration in sea dispute
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The top Philippine envoy here
reminded Asian neighbors now
was the time to join hands to
push for a rules-based resolution
of disputes in the South China
Sea as the Philippines prepares
to present its case against China
before the Arbitral Tribunal in
The Hague.
To support the Philippines
in the path we have chosen to
peacefully settle the [West Phil-
ippine Sea] dispute is to sup-
port a rules-based international
order, where disputes are settled
not through force or might but
through an objective and just
application of international law,
said Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia
Jr.
The Philippines will soon
begin arguing its case before the
ve-member Arbitral Tribunal.
The panel is composed of Judge
Thomas A. Mensah (President;
Ghana); Judge Jean-Pierre Cot
(France); Judge Stanislaw Pawlak
(Poland); Professor Alfred H.
Soons (Netherlands); and Judge
Rdiger Wolfrum (Germany).
The Philippines was given
until March 30, 2014 to le a
memorial that addressed all
issues, including the admissibil-
ity of the Philippines claim and
merits of the dispute.
In a note verbale last Feb-
ruary, China rejected the arbi-
tration and was observed last
month to have planted concrete
blocks at Scarborough Shoal,
about 100 miles from the Luzon
coastline, which has been closed
off to everyone except Chinese
shing boats. They have sta-
tioned armed vessels to enforce
their rule.
At the end of the day, the
case we have lodged before the
Arbitral Tribunal will be a build-
ing block towards the strategic
landscape of the future, Cuisia
said.
A victory for the rule of
law will guarantee a rules-based
regional landscape, where all
nations can grow and prosper
together. We are counting on the
international community to sup-
port not just the Philippines, but
the primacy of the rule of law,
he stressed.
In expressing this support,
you would have contributed sig-
nicantly to shaping an endur-
ing peace for the Asia Pacic
region, he averred.
Friday night laugh-in
With all the depressing
stories going on in the world
today, its time to turn on the
laugh track. Mya L. Talavera
Grossman, President of the
Philippine Multicultural Center
in Oxon Hill, Maryland is put-
ting together a comedy show
replete with comic sketches and
musical parodies designed to,
as she puts it, lighten up your
trouble so you wont get in any
more trouble. We need to nd
time to laugh at ourselves and
play. After all, thats what the
shrinks say, to avoid depres-
sion and other kinds of mental
illness. We must nd time to
laugh and play. The rst of
a series of laugh-ins will be
launched on Friday, Oct. 11,
7 pm. Billed as Friday Night
Laugh @ the FAC, it will be
hosted by Jon Melegrito. Sup-
porting cast includes Abe
Lobo, Cheryl Orocio Brunner,
the Frazer Brothers, and Julian
Oteyza and the Tutubi Band.
The show is a fundraiser for
the Filipino American Center.
Tickets are $15, which includes
dinner. Reservations are
required since seating is lim-
ited. E-mail myatalavera@aol.
com or call 240-441-6941. The
Filipino American Center is
located on 7500 Livingston Rd.,
Oxon Hill, MD. 20745.
Alls set for comedy nights at the
Filipino multicultural center in
Oxon Hill, Md.
Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. (in Barong Tagalog) formally opens the rst Filipino art exhibit in Towson Univer-
sitys Asian Arts and Cultural Center in Baltimore. The exhibit, which runs till Oct. 26, features works by Filipino
American artists in the area, including Julian Oteyza, who attended the launch, and by National Artists, courtesy
of Filipino American art collectors and the Philippine Center in New York. From left: Deputy Consul General
Theresa Dizon-De Vega in New York; Susan Piccinich, Dean of Collge of Fine Arts and Communication; Cuisia,
Tony Montcalmo, AACC Advisory Board president; and Narissa Paglinauan Daniels, AACC ProgramManager.
Photo: JLI
September 30, 2013 14 14
Search on for Rizal Youth Awards tilt
WASHINGTON D.C. The
Philippine American Foundation
for Charities (PAFC), in partner-
ship with the Embassy of the
Republic of the Philippines, is
pleased to announce the opening
of the 21st Annual Dr. Jose Rizal
Youth Awards competition.
The awards recognize
academic excellence and com-
munity service of outstanding
Filipino American youths in the
Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
area.
The PAFC, a non-prot
organization that undertakes
educational projects through its
Selection Committee will award
12 outstanding students based
on the rigorous criteria outlined
in the attached rules.
The nomination will
undergo a two-step process: (1)
Nominees will meet the eligibil-
ity rules and criteria that empha-
size the ideals of Dr. Jose Rizal,
namely, scholarship and com-
munity service. (2) Nominees
will submit personal essays on
topics based on his or her current
grade level.
Awardees will be recog-
nized by the Philippine Ambas-
sador to the United States or his
representative at a special cere-
mony at the Philippine Embassy
on November 16, 2013.
Awardees will be presented
with a certicate of recognition
and a medal. Selected awardees
will have the honor of reading
their award-winning essays at
the ceremony. The ceremony
is a highlight of the Philippine
American community in Wash-
ington, D.C. and is given broad
media coverage.
The Philippine American
community is highly encouraged
to submit their nominations by
October 31, 2013. Our applicants
represent the best and brightest
of a broad range of highly com-
petitive Philippine American
students of various age group
levels.
The competition is very
competitive owing to the large
number of well-deserving can-
didates. This speaks well for the
long-term success of Filipino
Americans in the United States
and is a tribute to their culture,
family values and hard work.
The nominee must meet
the following eligibility require-
ments:
- At least one parent is a Fili-
pino or of Filipino origin.
- An ofcially registered stu-
dent for school year 2012 - 2013
- Has received an academic
award, honor, or similar of-
cial recognition from the school.
Honors received should be for
the 2012 - 2013 school year. We
cannot give awards to students
from schools that do not give out
academic honors.
- Has received nal grades
no lower than B, 3.0, or 84% in
any course/subject.
- Proof of involvement in
extracurricular activities, com-
munity service and volunteer
service.
- The elementary or high
school that the student attended
in school year 2012-2013 must
be an accredited public/private
school or state-recognized home
school in the following jurisdic-
tions of the Metropolitan Wash-
ington area only.
- Nominees in the college
level and above may be from a
school in any jurisdiction or state
if they or their parents perma-
nent residence is located in the
jurisdictions listed above.
All nominations must list
the specic awards received
by the nominee during school
year 2012-2013 only. Photocop-
ies of the awards received or a
certication from the Principal,
Headmaster or Dean (or an of-
cially designated representative)
relating to such award/s should
accompany the nomination
forms. Please do not send origi-
nals. All submittals will not be
returned.
Copies of the report card
or transcript of records for the
FULL school year 2012-2013
MUST accompany each nomina-
tion.
All nominations must
be received at the follow-
ing address no later than
Thursday, October 31, 2013:
DR. JOSE RIZAL AWARDS
COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT
5001 Marshall Crown Road
Centreville, Virginia 20120
There will be NO exten-
sion of this deadline. It is the sole
responsibility of the nominating
party to ensure that a fully com-
pleted and signed nomination
form, along with all the other
requirements are received by the
Rizal Youth Awards Committee
by the designated deadline.
Late, incomplete or
unsigned nomination forms
will not be considered. Quali-
ed awardees will be notied by
the Committee via email, fax or
phone. The Committee may rec-
ognize students with exceptional
outstanding achievements. All
Committee decisions related to
the 2013 Dr. Jose Rizal Youth
Awards are nal. Immediate
relatives of Committee members
are disqualied from nomina-
tion.
For details contact Aylene
Mafnas at 703-868-5660 or PAFC.
DC@gmail.com
Zambo ghting spawns humanitarian crisis
MANILA. With no end to
the ghting in sight, interna-
tional aid organizations have
warned against a humanitarian
crisis in Zamboanga City, where
over 100,000 people have been
displaced by running gun-battles
between the Moro National Lib-
eration Front (MNLF) and gov-
ernment forces.
The United Nations said
they were concerned with the
plight of about 90,000 children
affected by the conict, espe-
cially about 47,000 caught in the
middle of the ghting.
We condemn in the stron-
gest terms any action undertaken
in conict situations that violates
childrens rights. Children have a
right to special protection under
international law, and every
measure must be taken to ensure
their protection, UNICEF Phil-
ippines Representative Tomoo
Hozumi said.
This has become a humani-
tarian crisis, Social Welfare
Secretary Corazon Soliman told
Agence France-Presse.
The Dept. of Social Welfare
& Development (DSWD) will
spend P3.6 billion (about $87
million) to build hundreds of
bunkhouses to relieve the con-
gestion in 57 evacuation cen-
ters, including the largest one in
the citys main sports complex
where up to 70,000 people have
sought shelter.
We are trying to organize
them by providing them better
materials...the tents are very
fragile. If it starts raining hard,
there will be a massive problem
for children, women, the elderly,
the babies and their lactating
mothers, she said.
Soliman has appealed to the
public for more help, especially
food, potable water, clothes and
books or toys for the children.
UNICEF said that although
the government has been trying
to help the displaced population
of Zamboanga City, reports
from the affected areas indicate
that more needs to be done to
protect childrens rights and
ensure their well-being.
Body count rising
More than a hundred MNLF
rebels have been killed since they
occupied at least four villages of
Zamboanga City, a key trading
and agricultural hub of almost a
million people last Sept. 9.
It hosts the headquarters of
the Armed Forces of the Phil-
ippines Southern Command
(SOUTHCOM) and from where
the US Special Forces coordi-
nates its activities in strife-prone
Sulu and Basilan islands. The
city is also home to the Philip-
pine Armys 1
st
Infantry Tabak
Division, perhaps the most sea-
soned force in the Philippine
military.
About 200-300 well-armed
MNLF rebels entered the city,
ostensibly to serve as advance
party for the groups leader Nur
Misuari who would lead a march
to the Zamboanga City hall to
raise the MNLF ag. The group
had mounted a nearly two-
decade-long secessionist war for
a Muslim state in Mindanao. It
ended with a peace agreement
with then President Fidel V.
Ramos in 1996.
Military spokesman Lt. Col.
Harold Cabunoc said they have
driven the remaining gunmen
into ever-shrinking areas and
they were now largely leader-
less.
At least 102 MNLF mem-
bers have been killed and over
a hundred more captured or
surrendered. Fourteen soldiers
have died in the ghting, includ-
ing Army 1
st
Lt. John Rama who
graduated from the Philippine
Military Academy only last 2008.
To prevent the spread of dis-
ease, the government buried the
slain MNLF rebels in a common
grave in the citys outskirts.
Going after nanciers
Charges of rebellion and
violation of human rights have
been led against four MNLF
leaders responsible for the siege
in Zamboanga City. They were
identied as Habier Malik,
Asamin Hussin, Bas Arki and
Handji Ami Adjirin, all ranking
MNLF leaders now being hunted
by authorities.
Police also charged 25 other
rebels who were captured or who
surrendered during the ghting.
The Aquino administra-
tion also vowed to unmask the
MNLFs nanciers.
The palace is committed to
getting to the bottom of this inci-
dent Who are the personali-
ties behind and who are nanc-
ing them, Deputy presidential
spokesperson Abigail Valte said
over government radio.
She noted that the MNLF
members who invaded Zam-
boanga City were well-equipped,
including rocket-propelled gre-
nades and mortars, and were
able to mount a coordinated
attack from the sea.
Troops backed by armored vehicle march in Zamboanga City.
If you would like to
include your organizations
forthcoming event, please
send the information to Mau-
rese Owens atmpapoose@aol.
com.
Oct 1-Oct 26 (Monday-
Friday) 11:am-4:pm (Saturday)
1-4 pm Art Filipino: Works by
Master Artists. Organized in
cooperation with the Philippine
Center in New York, the exhibit
includes collections from Wash-
ington, DC area and Washington
DC area Fil Am artists Pacita
Abad and Julian Oteyza. Asian
Arts & Culture Center, Towson
University, 8000 York Road,
Towson, MD. Contact: 410-704-
2807
Oct-Nov 5 Nilo Santiago
Exhibit, Southwest Series
Exhibit Columbia Pike Public
Library, 816 S Walter Reed Drive,
Arlington VA
Oct-Nov 30 Nilo Santiago
Dream Series Exhibit Aurora
Hills Public Library, 735 S 18th
St, Arlington VA
Oct 1 - Nov 30 DAY of the
DEAD Show (Recyled Art)
includes Nilo Santiiago piece,
Arlington Central Library,1015
N Quincy St. Arlington VA
Oct 1, 2013-Jan 23, 2014
(Monday-Thursday) 9am - 10pm,
(Friday) 9 am - 6:30 pm. Durant
Art Center 27th Anniversary
Art Exhibition Young at Art.
Includes Filipino artist Nilo San-
tiago. Durant Art Center ,1605
Cameron St, Alexandria , VA.
Oct 5 (Saturday) 6:30 pm-1
am. Ateneo Alumni Association
of Metro Washington DC Blue
and White - Gala Night Crystal
Gateway Marriott Ballroom, 1700
Jefferson Davis HighwayAr-
lington, VA 22202. Contact: Jojo
Mendoza at jo2mendoza76@
yahoo.com or Butch Arroyo at
butcharroyo@yahoo.com.
October 17-20 College of
the Holy Spirit North American
Foundation (CHSNAF) Cen-
tennial Conference and Grand
Reunion, Ballys Hotel in Las
Vegas. Contact: Dulce Guevara
at dulce_guevara_2000@yahoo.
com
Oct 18 (Friday) 6:00pm-
11:30pm Philippine American
Chamber of Commerce 20th
Anniversary Dinner Dance.
Tysons Corner Marriott, 8028
Leesburg Pike, Tysons Corner,
VA 22182. $60. Contact: John
Cabrera 240-401-9138 orjohn@
cfalliance.com
Oct 18-20 (Friday-Sunday)
UP Sigma Delta Phi Sorority
Alumnae Association (Metro
WDC Chapter) Unity sa DC
Reunion. Chevy Chase Marri-
ott Courtyard Contact: Loulou
Rosales at loulou.rosales@gmail.
com
Oct 19 (Saturday) 6pm-
12mn Bicol Association of Met-
ropolitan Washington DC30th
Sarung Banggi Gala Fundrais-
ing. Bethesda Ballroom, 5521
Landy Lane, Bethesda, Mary-
land 20816. Attire Formal. For all
the charitable causes including
scholarships and the Surgical
Mission.$65 pre-paid; $70 at the
door.
Nov 9 (Saturday) 6:00-
12:00pm Feed the Hungry, Inc.
Handog 2013 at Hilton Alexan-
dria Mark Center, Alexandria,
VA. Contact: (703) 978-2709;
email: LOT197@aol.com
Nov 9 (Saturday) 6pm-
12:00m APODCAA 7th Annual
Dinner Dance, Fort Myer Com-
munity Center, Arlington, VA.
$40. Contact: Romy Valle 240-
751-3356 or rgvalle1952@yahoo.
com
Nov 11 (Monday) 6:30 pm
Philippine Arts Letters and
Media Council (PALM ) with
Philippine American Founda-
tion for Charities (PAFC) Book
Launch of Emelina Galangs
Angel de Luna and the Fifth Glo-
rious Mystery. Young adult fic-
tion. Philippine Embassy. Con-
tact: Mitzi Pickard at mitzip888@
yahoo.com
Nov 16 (Saturday) 2pm
5pm PAFC Dr. Jose Rizal Youth
Awards, Romulo Hall, Philip-
pine Embassy,Washington, DC.
Contact: Aylene Mafnas 703 868
5660.
Nov 17 (Sunday) PAFC
DAKILA Awards Brunch. Mar-
riott Keybridge on Novem-
ber 17, Sunday. Details to be
announced.
Nov 23 (Saturday) 6:00pm-
11:00pm PNAMWDC Medical
Mission Dinner Dance Fund-
raising. St. Columba Parish Hall
- 7804 Livingston Rd. Oxon Hill,
MD 20745. $30. Contact: Alice
Andam - (703)216-0671 or pre-
sandam@aol.com
Nov 23 (Saturday) 5:30
USTAAA 4th Anniversary Gala
& Thanksgiving Masquerade
Ball. Fairfview Marriott, VA.
Prepaid $65, at door $70. Free
parking. Contact: Amy Quinto at
amysdesign@hotmail.com
Dec 1 (Sunday) PAFC, Phil-
ippine Embassy and FOCUS,
Paskong Pinoy. Pryzbyla Hall,
Catholic University of America.
Dec 8 (Saturday) 6:00 pm to
12:00 midnight. Marinduque-
nos of the Capital Area, Inc.
(MCA, Inc.) PASKO NATIN
2013 Dinner Dance @ New For-
tune Chinese Restaurant, 16515
Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg,
MD 20877. $50 adults, $40 teens.
Contacts: Ruby Solomon (703)
501-0112
September 30, 2013 16 16
Miss Teenage Philippines
Pageant Inc. 2013

By Trinidad P. Padama
Another year of a successful Pageantry was celebrated by the Miss Teenage Philippines

Pageant last May 26, 2013.
This Pageant is offered to young ladies of Filipino ancestry, ages 14 to 18 years old. There
are no entry fees or ballots required to enter. The pageant offers candidates a unique lifetime
experience. It is a wonderful and exciting event to recognize a candidates educational ac-
complishments, talents, ambitions, goals in life and an opportunity to celebrate their Filipino
culture and heritage. It would help them enhance their self-esteem, self expression, self
condence, discipline and sportsmanship.
This years Pageant Coronation and Ball was held on Sunday, the Memorial Day weekend
and attended by 425 guests. Our 2 emcees were Dr. Roy Fue and our Beautiful 2011 Miss
Teenage Philippines
Hayley Cabacar, now a student at the University of North Carolina

Wilmington, where she is studying Marine Biology.
The seven candidates were judged in four categories: Personal Interview, Talent, Gown/
Poise and an unrehearsed Question/Answer. Personal interviews were conducted the day
before the Pageant.
Selecting this years winner was a distinguished Panel of Judges including Dr. Jovie Euse-
bio-Anesthesiologist, Mr. Samuel T. DeVries of the Embassy of the Philippines, Dr. Mariana
Derdzakyan- Ophthalmologist, Mrs. M. Elizabeth Avendanio- a Healthcare Consultant, Mr.
Bernard Mavritte-Musician & Singer and Attorney Miriam Bustamante Riedmiller- Founder
and Principal Attorney of the Law Ofces of Riedmiller Law Firm.
The candidates performed a Jazz Dance for the opening number that set the tone of the
evening festivities. This was followed by the Presentation of Candidates wearing a glamor-
ous sequenced Terno and their escorts in Barong Tagalog. This formal attire is the traditional
dress worn in the Philippines.
The audience enjoyed the talent numbers showcased by each candidate. For the next cat-
egory, they modeled their stylish gowns in a runway style presentation and stood alongside
their escorts who were in Tuxedos. The last was the unrehearsed Question /Answer category.
Crowned Miss Teenage Philippines
2013 was Jasmine Nicole Namata of Accokeek,

Maryland. She is a sophomore and Honor Roll student at Oxon Hill High School (Science
and Technology Program). She is the daughter of Mr. Roman & Mrs. Anna Namata. Jas-
mine also earned the Miss Faith and Miss Popularity awards. Her escort was Jordan Walker.
The First Runner-Up was Rochell Ann Yacat of Fort Washington, Md, a sophomore at
Bishop McNamara High School, Summa Cum Laude. Rochell also earned the Miss Hope
award. She is the daughter of Mr. Rolando and Mrs. Annalisa Yacat. Her escort was Brandon
Lo.
The other nalists in Alphabetical order were Elisa Joy Angco of Largo, MD is a senior at
Largo Senior High School class of 2012-2013. Elisa graduated Valedictorian of Largo High
School class 2012-2013. She is the daughter of Mr. Virgilio and Mrs. Nicetas Angco. Her
escort was James Chan.
Loren Gregorio of Alexandria, VA is a junior and an Honor Roll Student at the Thomas A.
Edison High School. She is the daughter of Mr. Leonardo and Mrs. Marilyn Gregorio. Her
Escort was Anthony Christopher Fortaleza.
Katrina Fabela Sipin of Springeld, Va is a junior and Honor Roll student at Robert E.
Lee High School. She is the Daughter of Mr. Loreto and Mrs. Annabelle Fabela Sipin. Her
Escort was her brother Jonathan Fabela Sipin.
Aurora Kathleen Soriano of Accokeek, Md is a freshman and Honor Roll student at
Gwynn Park High School. She is the daughter of Mr. Rolando and Mrs. Kathleen Soriano.
Her Escort was Mark Wage.
Jazmin Urica Walker of Alexandria, Va is a freshman and Honor Roll student at TC Wil-
liams High School-Minnie Howard Campus. She is the daughter of Mr. Darin Walker and
Mrs. Heidi C. Urcia. Jazmin also earned the Miss Congeniality and Internet Fan Favorite
awards. Her escort was Cedric Roman Urcia.
Special performance that evening included a vocal rendition by Jolene Mafnas, Miss Teen-
age Philippines
2012.
The Goal of the Miss Teenage Philippines
Pageant is to make available scholarships

activities and to be a source of support to area charitable programs such as the International
Medical Missions Sponsored by the Philippine Nurses Association of Metropolitan DC.
The Miss Teenage Philippines
Pageant is registered in the United States Patent and

Trademark ofce, is Tax-exempt under 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code and Incorpo-
rated in the state of Maryland.
For more Information, Please visit www.missteenagephilippines.com or contact Mrs.
Trini Padama at (301) 705-8550 or via email at tppadama@gmail.com. Mrs. Nanette Suyat
Carreon (240) 475-2411, Mrs. Carol Robles (240) 481-1048.
This years Miss Teenage Philippines
Pageant was sponsored by Potomac Skin Care of

Dr. Jovie Eusebio.
Seated L-R: Katrina Sipin, Aurora Soriano, Eliza Angco, Jasmine Namata Winner
2013 Miss Teenage Philippines, Rochell Yacat, Jazmin Walker, Loren Gregorio
Standing L-R: Jonathan Sipin, Mark Wage, James Chan, Jordan Walker, Brandon
Lo, Cedric Urcia, Anthony Christopher Fortaleza
L-R: Aurora Kate Soriano, Eliza Joy Angco, Loren Gregorio, Rochell Ann Yacat,
Jazmin Walker, Katrina Fabella Sipin, Jasmine Namata
L-R: Eliza Joy Angco, Rochell Ann Yacat, Loren Gregorio, Jasmine Namata, Ka-
trina Fabella Sipin, Jazmin Walker, Aurora Kate Soriano
Jasmine Namata, 2013 Miss Teenage Philippines being crowned by (Left) Jolene
Mafnas, 2012 Miss Teenage Philippines
, assisted by (Right) Ashley Hernandez,

2012 Miss Faith & Miss Congeniality
Paid foi by the Republican National Committee. Authoiized by Ken Cuccinelli, candidate foi Goveinoi.
www.Cuccinelli.com
Vote Ken Cuccinelli for Governor
@KenCuccinelli /KenCuccinelli
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September 30, 2013 18 18

Virginia Beach marks 50 years with sister city Olongapo
Photos and story by
Bing Branigin
VIRGINIA BEACH. The city
celebrated its 50
th
anniversary
with the help of a sister Olon-
gapo City, capital of the Philip-
pines Zambales province and
host of the former United States
Navy base at Subic Bay.
Senator Richard Dick
Gordon, who helped rescue
the city after the US Navy shut-
tered the base in 1992, led a
trade mission assessment visit
in Subic Bay in 2008 for possible
trade and commerce relations
with Virginia Beach. The Vir-
ginia Beach delegation was led
by Naomi and Roy Estaris, CEO
and President of the Travelout-
let, and this writer.
In November 2012 then VA
Beach Councilman Ron Villan-
ueva and Naomi Estaris invited
the new Philippine Envoy,
Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr.
to visit Hampton Roads region.
Cuisia was accompanied by,
Maria (Nini) Alvero, Minister
Counselor Trade and Invest-
ment, Lilibeth Almonte Arbez,
Defense Attache Capt. Elson
Aguilar, Press & Information
Consul Elmer Cato and Mrs.
Vicky Cuisia. Virginia Beach
Mayor Will Sessoms, Virginia
Secretary of Trade James Cheng,
State Delegate Ron Villanueva,
and VA Beach Director of Eco-
nomic Development Warren
Harris.
Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino and Fil Am Leonard Tengco, School
Board Member, Virginia Beach, announced the 1st batch of 20 students from
both cities to start an exchange student program in February 2014. This was
part of the Sister Cities program between Olongapo City and Virginia Beach
at the 50th anniversary celebration of Virginia Beach last Sept. 17-22.
L to R: Robert Paulino, Luiz Ramirez, Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Pau-
lino, Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms, Charles Padrigo, Jordan Dizon,
Director of Economic Development Warren Harris, Naomi Estaris and Roy
Estaris who were appointed by Sister Cities Committee as Over-all Coordi-
nator and point persons with the Olongapo City Team. Among the countries
with sister city agreements with Virginia Beach are Miyazaki City, Japan;
Moss, Norway; North Down, Bangor, Northern Ireland; San Juan del Sur,
Nicaragua and now Olongapo City, Philippines.
Judge Dave Valderama, (3rd from left, 1st row), hosted a meeting at the
Philippine Multi-Cultural Center attended by PAFC ofcers, sponsors, and
volunteers. In photo are Ador Carreon, Mitzi Pichard, Mo Owens, Adjo Gon-
zales, ofcers and members of the GMU-FCA, Tito Al, Mel Reyes, Nanette
Carreon, Louie Ling, Hermie Gonzales, and other leaders. The annual Asian
Festival will be held for the rst time in Maryland, Sept. 28-29. The two-
day event is free, showcasing Asian cultures and traditions, arts and crafts,
sports, inter-active tents and many more. On Sept. 28 the main stage fea-
tures from 5 to 7:00 pm, a benet concert for the Philippine Red Cross. Miss
Stephanie Reese is the featured artist with Enrico Pobre doing the opening
act. (Photo by Bing Branigin)
L to R: Consul Elmer Cato, Press
Ofcer, Justine Cuisia, AJ Macalma,
The Firestarter Group, Atty. Sheena,
and Eric Macalma, CEO and Presi-
dent of The Firestarter Group.
Macalma and his team visited the
Philippine Embassy to offer their
services to help the Embassy reach
out to young Filipino Americans and
nd out how they can assist the Phil-
ippines. (Photo by Bing Branigin)
Patrick and Alison Perico were married last September 14 in Reston, Virginia. The proud parents are Michael and
Alishia Hazell of River Edge, New Jersey and Dan and Charito Perico of Herndon, Virginia. The new couple met
while both were studying at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.. They recently arrived from Sin-
gapore where Patrick worked as a
credit executive at Hilton Singapore
and Alison worked as a marketing
coordinator for AT Kearney. Dan
Perico is one of the founders of the
Manila Mail newspaper in Wash-
ington D.C.
Melanie Caoile (seated far left), was given a baby shower by family and
friends last Sept. 22 hosted by Mr.Rick and Lyta Sese at their home in Mary-
land. Also in the picture is the grandmother-to-be Gloria Caoile. (Photo by
Bing Branigin)
Members of the GMU-FCA-UMD Cultural and PACAS performed several
Filipino dances to the delight of the guests at the Annual Fundraising Gala of
the Medical Mission of Mercy, USA (MMOM) held last Sept. 21 at Fairview
Park Marriott Hotel. (Photo by Bing Branigin)
L to R: Bing Branigin, Board of
Governor, NaFFAA, Jim Vance,
News Anchor, NBC-4, and Dr. Cathy
Arzadon, Assistant Chief Medi-
cal Mission, Ofcer, Medical Mis-
sion of Mercy, USA (MMOM). The
12th Annual MMOM Fundraising
Gala was held last Sept. 21 at the
Fairview Park Marriott. Over 300
members and guests of the MMOM
attended the event where they suc-
cessfully raised thousands of dollars
for their annual medical mission to
the Philippines.
Around DC in Pictures
September 30, 2013 20 20
PH takes helm of UN
commission for women
NEW YORK. The
Philippines Permanent
Representative to the United
Nations Libran Cabactulan has
taken over the chairmanship of
the United Nations Commission
on the Status of Women.
Ambassador Cabactulan
assumed the chairmanship of
the Bureau for the 58th Session
of the Commission on the
Status of Women, a move that
is seen as the international
communitys recognition of
the Philippines leadership.
The Commission on the
Status of Women (CSW) is
the principal global policy-
making body for safeguarding
gender equality and the
advancement of women.
Every year, representatives
of member states gather at UN
headquarters in New York to
evaluate progress on gender
equality, identify challenges, set
global standards and formulate
concrete policies to promote
gender equality and womens
empowerment worldwide.
In a statement,
Cabactulan said that the
Philippines is thankful for
the condence placed by the
international community
in an important UN body.
The Philippines is honored
by this position of leadership
which recognizes the countrys
long-lasting and continuing
commitment to gender equality
and the advancement of
women. Under the Philippines
leadership, we will continue
to build on the Commissions
accomplishments and help
ensure that current efforts
contribute to a future of gender
equality and empowerment
of women, Cabactulan said.
The priority theme for the
58th session of the CSW, which
will take place in March 2014, is
Challenges and Achievements
in the Implementation of the
Millennium Development
Goals for Women and Girls.
Govt probers eye Enrile condante
as state witness
MANILA. Senator Juan
Ponce Enriles former aide and
rumored companion has com-
plained she was being made
a scapegoat in the pork barrel
scam and Justice Department
probers are exploring whether
this apparent resentment might
make her ripe for a deal.
The biggest snag for govern-
ment investigators is that Jessica
Gigi Reyes left the country last
Aug. 31.
Reyes was Enriles former
chief of staff in the Senate. There
have been persistent reports she
was more than a legislative assis-
tant especially after Enrile sepa-
rated from his wife.
Enrile is one of three sena-
tors (Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and
Bong Revilla are the two others)
facing charges of plunder for
their alleged role in the abuse
of their Priority Development
Assistance Fund (PDAF).
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV,
who has had a running feud
with Enrile, and Dante Jimenez,
head of the Volunteers Against
Crime and Corruption (VACC)
said Reyes can narrate the cir-
cumstances behind the release
of Enriles PDAF to question-
able NGOs controlled by alleged
scam mastermind Janet Lim
Napoles.
They said Reyes should
spill the beans now that her
former boss had practically dis-
owned her.
Jimenez believes that
Enriles claim that Reyes could
have acted on her own when she
signed the documents transfer-
ring pork barrel funds to bogus
NGOs was possibly an alibi to
distance the senator from the
scam.
He said Reyes has direct
knowledge of the transaction,
including the receiving of kick-
backs from PDAF which accord-
ing to one witness were person-
ally delivered to Reyes.
Reyes was among dozens of
personalities charged with plun-
der at the Ofce of the Ombuds-
man in connection with the
misuse of the PDAF, expressed
her indignation in her Facebook
account being dumped by her
former boss.
She lashed out at Enriles
lawyer Enrique de la Cruz in a
Facebook post.
A certain Atty. Enrique
dela Cruz has been doing the
media rounds saying that Sena-
tor Enrile did not give his bless-
ings to any of the acts I per-
formed on his behalf. He directly
accused me of doing things
without the Senators knowledge
and going beyond the authority
conferred upon me. Not con-
tent, Atty. dela Cruz goes on to
say that the ofce of the Senator
was investigating me for what
he calls katiwalian, and that
I, NOT THE SENATOR, will be
liable, she said.
The last time I spoke to the
Senator from abroad, he main-
tained that he will stand by the
authority he issued to me and
that all that I did was faithful and
pursuant to his instructions. He
even told me to be strong; that
we will ght together to prove
the accusations against us are
false and fabricated.
Reyes left the country on
August 31. Immigration records
listed her destination as Macau.
She said she decided to leave
to seek some peace and quiet
amid the barrage of adverse
and downright insulting public-
ity and commentary against me
in the mainstream and social
media.
Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile with ex-chief of staff Gigi Reyes.
Amb. Libran Cabactulan
Mount Sinai Hospital and later at
Beth Israel Medical Center since
1988. For nearly two decades
she had one constant compan-
ion, cared for by a private nurse
named Hadassah Peri, 58.
Peri took up her name after
marrying her Jewish husband.
She was originally known as
Gicela Oloroso of Capiz prov-
ince.
In Empty Mansions: The
Mysterious Life of Huguette
Clark and the Spending of
a Great American Fortune
(released Sept. 10, available also
through Amazon.com), Pulit-
zer Prize-winning author Bill
Dedman described the close rela-
tionship between Clark and Peri.
When she was assigned to
Huguette, the Peris (Oloroso and
husband) owned a small apart-
Fil-Am nurse gives... from page 1
ment in Brooklyn, Dedman
wrote in the book, also reveal-
ing that by the time Clark passed
away, the Peris owned seven
residences -- all but the rst
apartment had been bought by
Huguette.
Clark paid for the educa-
tion of all of Peris three chil-
dren, including medical bills,
piano and violin lessons and
even summer camps in upstate
New York. When the Peris had
some trouble with back taxes,
she paid for that too according
to Dedman.
In exchange, the author
added, Peri hardly took a day-off
in the 20 or so years she worked
for Clark. So despite the Ortho-
dox prohibition on working on
Saturday, and despite having
three school-age children, for
many years she worked for
Huguette from 8 am to 8 pm, 12
hours a day, seven days a week,
52 weeks a year, Dedman said.
Clark left two wills in 2005.
She bequeathed $30 million to
Peri and her collection of dolls
reportedly worth $30 million.
She also left the bulk of her for-
tune to charity. Relatives chal-
lenged those wills.
The deal approved by Judge
Anderson reconciled elements
from the two contradictory wills
executed six weeks apart in 2005.
Clarks goddaughter and
nearly two dozen grandnieces
and grandnephews or their chil-
dren, many of whom said they
had never met the reclusive heir-
ess, stand to inherit large sums
under the settlement.
The Corcoran Gallery of Art
in Washington D.C. would get a
$10 million gift and a 50 percent
discount on purchasing Claude
Monets Water Lilies, a paint-
ing owned by Clark.
Peri. under the settlement,
will get nothing, their lawyers
said.
Peri had been given $30 mil-
lion in gifts throughout Clarks
life. A separate deal ordered her
to pay $5 million of these back to
the estate after the attorney gen-
erals ofce deemed them exces-
sive.
However, the settlement
stops Clarks relatives trying to
get any more of these gifts.
The Peri family is very
happy to contribute to the settle-
ment of the litigations involving
Madame Clark in the hope that
it will allow Madame Clark to
retain whatever privacy that she
has left, Peris attorney, Harvey
Corn, said.
The Peri family was
blessed to have met Madame
Clark and she will always be
in their thoughts and prayers,
Corn added.
The settlement averted a
potentially lengthy and antago-
nistic trial, for which jury selec-
tion had begun last week before
the judge stopped the proceed-
ings, as the prospect of a settle-
ment became more likely.
The relatives who were
arguing for the money are
the great-grandchildren and
great-great-grandchildren of
Huguettes father from his rst
marriage.
water inside that container. She
was discovered after the cargos
consignee opened the container
on July 16.
Los Angeles County animal
control director Marcia Mayeda
says the orange and white cat
was weak and frail when she
saw her.
They named her Pinay
because it was a common Fili-
pino name. It is of course slang
for Filipina.
After two months of rehabil-
itation, they posted Pinays pic-
ture and a message on Facebook.
Pinay is doing well at
the County of Los Angeles
Baldwin Park Animal Care
Center and will be in the Depart-
ments care until she is ready
for adoption; however, poten-
tial adopters or foster families
should have considerable expe-
rience dealing with skittish cats.
Pinay has been through a lot and
needs a calm, loving family to
help her transition.
Well, it didnt take too long
because ofcials said last week,
theyve found a new home for
Pinay.
Shes reportedly gotten
accustomed to the climate and
new environment, surely a far
cry from Manila where like most
cats, she was likely a stray whos
now all set for a fresh start in
America.
Pinay set for new life... from page 1
said lawyer Arnedo Valera of
the Migrant Heritage Commis-
sion (MHC). He lauded Presi-
dent Aquinos efforts to haul 38
people, including three senators,
to court for complicity in the P10
billion pork barrel scam alleg-
edly masterminded by Janet Lim
Napoles.
Philippine Ambassador Jose
L. Cuisia Jr. assured the Fil-Am
community that the Aquino
administration remained stead-
fast in weeding corruption in
government. We thank our
kababayans for their vigilance in
ensuring that the gains that have
been made in the ght against
graft and corruption during
the past three years are safe-
guarded.
The ght is not over. We
can only emerge victorious if
our people will continue to stand
behind the President and walk
with him along the straight and
righteous path towards good
governance, he said.
Valera called on the govern-
ment in Manila to avoid selec-
tive indictments and demanded
the prosecution of all involved,
echoing fears the anti-corruption
crackdown might turn into a
political hatchet operation, espe-
cially with midterm elections
scheduled next year.
The abuse of pork barrel, he
noted, has become an effective
tool of political patronage and
legalized plunder of the peoples
money.
We further call for the
freezing and conscation of all
assets and ill gotten wealth of
public ofcials and private indi-
viduals and their return to the
government coffers, he read
from the MHC statement.
Lawyer Ted Laguatan,
spokesman for US Pinoys for
Good Governance (USP4GG)
called on President Aquino to
exercise strong moral leader-
ship.
He should have these
unconscionable thieves dis-
guised as senators, congressmen
and appointed ofcials, and their
accessories immediately arrested
and prosecuted, he added.
Virginia-based physician
and community leader Juan
Montero II said abolishing the
pork barrel could be President
Aquinos benevolent gesture
during his lame duck years.
Cuisia assured Fil-Ams the
Aquino administration remains
steadfastly committed to
the Presidents daang matu-
wid roadmap and adopted
measures to make government
more transparent and account-
able.
Our kababayans here in the
United States may wish to know
that the President has heard
the voice of our people on this
issue, he stressed.
Indictments for 38
A total of 38 people, includ-
ing alleged pork barrel scam
mastermind Janet Lim Napoles,
have been charged with plun-
der, bribery and related crimes.
They included Senators Jinggoy
Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile and
Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.; Mas-
bate Governor Rizalina Seachon-
Lanete; at least eight congres-
sional staff members and ve
heads of government owned or
controlled corporations.
As the pork barrel scan-
dal continued to unfold, it was
an expose by veteran journalist
Francisco Kit Tatad against
President Aquino that seemed to
offer the more interesting side-
light.
He claimed President
Aquino met over lunch at the
Palace with Napoles last Aug. 28,
hours before a much publicized
surrender later in the evening.
Presidential spokesman
Edwin Lacierda labeled Tatads
allegations as pure ction and
obvious fabrication, adding
that President Aquino was
addressing the 8th East Asia
Conference on Competition Law
& Policy at the Hotel Sotel and
later presiding over the award-
ing ceremonies of the Apolinario
Mabini Awards in Malacanang.
Secret meeting?
But Tatad pointed out that
Sotel was only about 10 min-
utes away and delivered a short
speech that day, adding that
Heroes Hall where the awarding
ceremonies were held was but a
few steps away from the Music
Room where the purported
meeting with Napoles allegedly
transpired.
The ofcial statement
failed, and the conscript media
failed to notice its failure, to dis-
pute the storys basic informa-
tion that Napoles came to the
Palace escorted by presidential
spokesman Edwin Lacierda at
10:30 am (not 10 am) and was
immediately conducted inside
the Music Room where she
remained in closed door con-
versation with Aquino (obvi-
ously after his engagement
at Sotel), Interior Secretary
Manuel Roxas II and Lacierda,
and eventually Cabinet Secretary
Rene Almendras, Budget Secre-
tary Florencio Abad, and Execu-
tive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.,
until 4:30 pm, Tatad wrote in
a follow-up post in the Manila
Standard newspaper.
He added that Lacierda
never denied having escorted
the fugitiveto and from the
Palace before they reappeared
together at 9:27 pm for the
formal surrender photo op with
the President.
Lacierda served as the
Palace intermediary in the sur-
render of Napoles on Aug.
28. According to the ofcial
account he fetched Napoles at
Heritage Park at 8:06 pm and
brought her to the Palace at 9:37
pm to meet the President.
Napoles was at the time
being hunted for allegedly kid-
napping her former staff who
tipped off authorities about her
illegal activities.
Palace protection
Tatad claims Malacanang
wanted to protect Napoles
as early as March weeks
before the pork barrel contro-
versy exploded -- but got sig-
nals crossed with the Justice
Department which directed the
National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) to rescue and place under
its protection whistleblower
Benhur Luy.
Napoles tried to stop the
NBI in an alleged April 17 letter
to President Aquino. In June, the
Justice Department dismissed
the illegal detention charge
against Napoles but the NBI
balked and the DOJ was forced
to retreat, Tatad alleged.
He added that was the
reason NBI Director Nonatus
Rojas tendered his irrevocable
resignation.
Tatad did not identify his
informants although described
them as highly authoritative
sources whose loyalty to Aquino
is exceeded only by their loyalty
to the truth and who shared the
story with extreme pain and sad-
ness.
Malampaya funds
Meanwhile, Lacierda has
denied misuse of part of the P150
billion Malampaya Fund, kitty
created during the Marcos era
where royalties from offshore
oil production is kept and made
available to the President.
We have been very stu-
dious and judicious in the use
of the Malampaya [funds], he
stressed. He also pointed out the
use of the fund is already part of
an investigation being conducted
by the Department of Justice and
the Audit Commission.
The Aquino administration
has so far charged P2.87 billion
from the fund, including P2 bil-
lion for the fuel requirements of
the National Power Corp.-Small
Power Utilities Group, P450 mil-
lion for the Pantawid Pasada
program, and P423 million for
the purchase of the US Coast
Guard cutter Hamilton to secure
the perimeter of the Malampaya
natural gas project.
Whistle-blowers in the pork
barrel scam said P900 million in
the Malampaya fund went to a
bogus non-government organi-
zation set up by businesswoman
Napoles.
DC Fil-Ams roast pork... from page 1
plight of the 37-year-old Filipino
contract worker.
It wasnt until February 2011
that the victims family nally
relented and agreed to sign a
tanazul or letter of forgiveness
in exchange for 5 million Saudi
rials that was later lowered to 3
million rials.
The only problem was the
Lanuza family didnt have that
kind of money. Their friends
and supporters were only able to
raise $13,000 and urgent appeals
to President Aquino offered little
hope.
In December 2011, the Lanu-
zas mother Letty sought out
New York-based Loida Nicolas
Lewis, already widely known in
the Fil-Am community for her
philanthropy.
Lewis and her supporters
were able to raise more than
$121,000 (about 450,000 rials).
Last January, Saudi King Abdul-
lah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
agreed to shoulder the remain-
ing 2.3 million rials while the
Philippine government paid the
balance to complete the total
amount sought for blood money.
Lanuza has always main-
tained that his killing of a Saudi
man in August 2000 was an act
of self-defense. He worked as
an architectural draftsman in
Dammam and had gone out par-
tying with friends when a scufe
ensued in the house of their Arab
host. Lanuza stabbed a Saudi
man who allegedly tried to rape
him. He managed to escape but
surrendered to authorities ve
days later.
It was Chicago-based cor-
respondent Joseph Lariosa who
brought Lanuzas case to the
attention of fellow Bicolano
Loida Lewis, a lawyer by train-
ing.
It was this background that
led Lewis to conclude an injus-
tice was being done to Lanuza.
Self-defense is a valid defense
for acquittal, she explained in
an interview with the Philip-
pine Daily Inquirer earlier this
year, And yet he was convicted
for premeditated murder. He
should have been acquitted.
This is unlike the case of
the Filipino drug mules sen-
tenced to death in ChinaYou
cannot help (those cases). They
knew what they were doing. In
Dondons case the death was
accidental, she added.
We Filipinos have to help
him because he is our son, our
brother, our cousin, Lewis
stressed.
Lanuza was brought home
to his parents home in Sampaloc,
Manila where neighbors laid out
placards that read simply, Wel-
come Home Dondon Lanuza.
OFW rescued by... from page 1
OFW Dondon Lanuza in a tearful reunion with parents at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (photo courtesy of Raoul Esperas/dwIZ/ABS-CBN).
September 30, 2013 22 22
said on The Filipino Channel
(TFC).
Ed Navarra, National Fed-
eration of Filipino American
Associations (NaFFAA) chair-
man noted the visit, scheduled
for Oct. 11 and 12, coincided
with the celebration of Filipino
American History Month.
President Obama has many
reasons to be proud of our com-
munitys many signicant con-
tributions to our nation. And we
will continue to play a vital role
in shaping this countrys future,
he declared.
Obama will visit Manila
during his weeklong Southeast
Asian following the Asia Pacic
Economic Forum (APEC) Lead-
ers Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.
He will discuss with President
Benigno Aquino ways to fur-
ther strengthen the enduring
Philippines-US alliance, includ-
ing the expansion of our security,
economic, and people-to-people
ties, a Malacanang statement
said.
It will be President Obamas
rst visit to the Philippines,
although he spent part of his
childhood in neighboring Indo-
nesia.
Obamas visit to the Philip-
pines will likely highlight the
many dimensions of the two
nations historic ties.
Diplomatic sources told
ABS-CBN News that the frame-
work agreement for increased
rotational presence of US forces
in the Philippines will likely be
ready for signing by the time
Presidents Obama and Aquino
meet in Manila next month.
The accord would grant US
forces access to selected Philip-
pine military installations, allow
them to store supplies and equip-
ment, including conventional
weapons, and pave the way for
joint operations within the con-
text of training and intelligence-
sharing.
We view the rebalance as
more than a policy decision, but
a strategic imperative, as the
Asia-Pacic region has become
the nexus of the worlds most
dynamic of opportunities, and
the most intransigent of chal-
lenges, Philippine Ambassador
Jose L. Cuisia said at a forum
in the International Institute for
Strategic Studies.
The Philippines relies heav-
ily on US military assistance to
modernize its decrepit arsenal.
Two former US Coast Guard cut-
ters now serve as the vanguard of
the Philippine Navys increased
presence in Scarborough Shoal
and the Kalayaan Islands where
theyre faced off with China and
other countries with overlapping
claims on the South China Sea.
Filipinos in America also
keep a deep, sustained connec-
tion to the Philippines. The larg-
est chunk (nearly 43 percent) of
the record $23.8 billion dollar
remittances reported in 2012
came from Filipinos in the US.
The Filipino American
community in the US continues
to help the Philippines not only
because of sentimental attach-
ments but because they want to
see their mother country achieve
economic progress, Navarra
pointed said.
That appeared evident in
the sentiments of some Fil-Ams
for the US Presidents coming
visit to Manila.
Obama should push Presi-
dent Aquino to look into Con-
gress about the pork barrel scam
since this is an issue that affects
all Filipinos globally... Obama
should talk to President Aquino
to make it a clean government,
Dilkes said.
Obama visit to PH... from page 1
de Leon Scott, a Filipino Ameri-
can employee of a Costco store in
Sterling, Va.
Loudoun County sher-
iff deputies gunned down the
45-year-old woman because,
according to investigators, she
posed a threat to her co-workers
and to the police. It was later
learned that she may have been
depressed over losing custody of
her two daughters in a divorce
case.
Organized immediately
after Scotts tragic death, the
community forum in Lanham
drew a diverse audience of stu-
dents, young adults, senior citi-
zens, community leaders and
health professionals.
Can we talk?
We talk openly about our
heart disease, elevated blood
pressure, cholesterol levels, gout
and even erectile dysfunction,
said Mencie Hairston, founding
member of Mabuhay, Inc., in
her opening remarks as the pro-
grams emcee. But we dont talk
about depression and mental
health issues that visit upon us,
our family members, our friends
and our neighbors.
And we make excuses:
May sumpong lang siya. Nag-
tatampo lang. May talangka
kasi sa ulo. (Shes only in a
bad mood. Shes only acting
hurt.Shes just being crabby.)
Its time. Oras na.
To fully address the topic,
the speakers and resource per-
sons were highly-respected pro-
fessionals in their own elds,
widely recognized for their expe-
rience and expertise.
They include Msgr. Mariano
T. Balbago, Jr., a parish priest
and spiritual director; Dr. Marilu
Tablang-Jimenez, an adult and
child psychiatrist and currently
director of the Montgomery
County Crisis Center; Mila
Tecala, a nationally-recognized
social worker with more than 30
years of clinical experience as a
loss and grief counselor; Karen
Burks of the Prince Georges
County Dept. of Family Services,
Mental Health and Disabilities
Division; and Rev. Romy Capuli,
a Christian Church pastor who
ministers to a large congregation
in Virginia
Filipinos have dif-
culty adjusting when they are
depressed, or pushed over the
edge, says Tecala in her presen-
tation. We have a great capac-
ity to suppress, ignore or deny
the problem, thinking it will go
away. We dont want to hear the
truth.
Citing studies made by
Filipino American psycholo-
gist Kevin Nadal, Tecala shared
the following statistics: Filipino
Americans have higher preva-
lence of depression than the
general American population
(27 percent to 12 percent) and
that rates of suicide ideation is
double in Filipino American
youth than the general American
population.
But these gures are only
based on reported incidents,
Tecala explained. Many Filipi-
nos dont talk about it nor seek
treatment because of this thing
called hiya or shame.
Mylene Scotts heart-break-
ing story is a good case in point.
News accounts from the Philip-
pines reported that Scotts family
was unaware of her condition.
A sister even thought Scott
sounded ne on the phone a few
hours before she died.
Filipinos not wanting to
talk about mental health prob-
lems, let alone seeking treatment
is an alarming concern which
calls for education and timely
intervention. We want them to
be able to cope and get well,
Tecala pointed out.
Danger signs of suicide
But not many people know
what depression is, what causes
it and how to detect it, Tecala
explained.
To help understand the
problem, she described the
symptoms and danger signs of
suicide. Among them: talking
about wanting to die or kill one-
self, feeling hopeless or having
no reason to live, feeling trapped
or in unbearable pain, being
a burden to others, increasing
use of alcohol and drugs, acting
anxious or agitated, behaving
recklessly, sleeping too little or
too much, withdrawn or feeling
isolated, showing rage or talk-
ing about revenge, displaying
extreme mood swings, preoccu-
pation with death, loss if interest
in things one cares about, visit-
ing or calling people to say good-
bye, giving things away such as
prized possessions, suddenly
happier and calmer.
Dr. Marilou Tablang-
Jimenez afrmed everything
Tecala said, that a suicidal
person urgently needs to see a
doctor or mental health profes-
sional. For her part, she said, I
prescribed appropriate medica-
tion after diagnosing the patient.
But medication alone is not
enough. One must achieve bal-
ance.
She used the analogy of a
at tire. You may have the tools
in your hand, but if you keep on
driving the at tire without using
the tools at your disposal to x it,
youll damage it further.
Her simple and practical
advice include: spending qual-
ity time together as a family that
talks with and supports each
other, developing good sleep-
ing habits (sleep with the sun
and wake up with the sun),
minimizing electronic use, espe-
cially among children and young
adults (they foster isolation and
cause stress hormones), and reg-
ular exercise.
But its also very impor-
tant to indulge in play, Jimenez
pointed out. Dont forget to
laugh at yourself and play,
Jimenez said. Humor and laugh-
ter release those natural feel-
good endorphins, strengthen
your immune system, boost your
energy and protect you from the
damaging effects of stress.
Given that the most common
causes of depression among Fili-
pinos (prolonged illness, stroke,
separation and living alone,
domestic and sexual abuse, mar-
ital conicts, isolation and sense
of abandonment and the death of
a child), the speakers all agreed
that maintaining a positive out-
look is key to mental health.
Msgr. Balbago also empha-
sized the importance of a strong
grounding in faith and devo-
tion to Filipino cultural values
that heal rather than hurt. Lets
avoid tsismis (gossip) and speak-
ing ill of another person, Bal-
bago counseled. Lets do every-
thing we can to understand and
help each other.
For her part as a mental
health ofcial of Prince Georges
County, Burks explained the
mental health services under
the Medicaid and Medicare
programs available through the
Public Mental Health System.
Information on how to access
these services was welcomed
by the participants as a valuable
and practical help.
Break-out sessions, next
steps
After the panel presenta-
tions, the participants broke into
smaller groups for a more inti-
mate and in-depth exchange of
insights, ideas and experiences.
Some shared the impact of sepa-
ration and divorce, death of a
loved one, the adverse effects of
bullying in school and the pres-
sure on kids to conform, eating
disorders, joblessness, health
care costs, and the absence of
family members and less time
spent with each other.
Each group then reported
recommendations for the orga-
nizers to implement. They
include: a year-round and sus-
tained effort to educate the com-
munity about mental health
issues in order to remove the
stigma associated with mental
illness, compile and widely dis-
seminate Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ) and answers
about this issue, nd a way to
coordinate the mental health ser-
vices of Virginia, Maryland and
DC to make it easier to navigate
the public health system, fund
community organizations to do
further education work, raise
the need for the Philippine Mul-
ticultural Center in Oxon Hill to
provide free social service assis-
tance to the community, institute
regular free health clinics by the
Philippine Medical Association
and the Philippine Nurses Asso-
ciation.
Fernie Felix, a member of
Mabuhay, Inc. expressed the
sentiment of many participants
when he urged organizers to
do more to educate the commu-
nity, particularly on the cultural
aspects that directly affect Filipi-
nos. We should be able to talk
about depression openly among
ourselves so we can help each
other how to cope or seek treat-
ment and get well.
Hector Saradpon, another
participant, also urged more
discussions on bridging the gap
between Filipino living and Fili-
pino American life. He noted
that this gap is more often than
not a source of trauma and stress.
The forum was organized
by the National Federation of
Filipino American Associations
(NaFFAA), Mabuhay, Inc., Phil-
ippine American Foundation
for Charties (PAFC), Philippine
Nurses Association of Metro-
politan Washington DC (PNAM-
WDC) and the Association of
American Counselor on Ethnic
Eldercare Services (AACEES).
The Residence on Greenbelt
hosted the event and provided
free box lunches for the partici-
pants.
Fil-Ams more prone... from page 1
September 30, 2013 24 24
Creeping
amnesia
S
aturday (Sept.21) is
the 41st anniversary of mar-
tial laws imposition. There
were 22 Manila-based journalists,
arrested by miltary teams that
shoved Assos into our faces.
Whats an Asso?, asked our
grandson, a University of Cali-
fornia Irvine freshman.
Few remember Arrest-and-
Seizure orders, issued under Fer-
dinand Marcos rule-by- bayonet.
Journalists must remind people
of what they prefer to forget, col-
umnist Simeon Dumdum wrote
in Speak Memory.
Soldiers are here, asking for
you, then National Press Club
president Eddie Monteclaro said
over the phone.OK, if l I give
them your address? Gifted with
backbone, Monteclaro lodged a
habeas corpus petition ( GR No.
36142 ) for arrested journalists.
Sure,Ed. Im not going on the
lam.
Honolulu Star Bulletins
Carl Zimmerman hitched a
ride on the car that ferried us to
Camp Crame. Here it is Carl,
we said on being shown an
Asso.. Were being nailed under
something called Proclamation
1081. The colonel snatched it
and bristled: Foreign corre-
spondent? Youre not allowed to
see this.
What cuts is detentions
open-ended nature. It is harder
on families. A lawyer, my daugh-
ter now lives in California, with
physician-husband and two kids.
She remembers the late Fr.James
Reuter. The Jesuit waited until
her St Paul third grade class was
dismissed. Not everyone in
prison is bad, he reassured her.
Your father and other newsmen
are not criminals.
Could all the journalists
please follow me, Col. Generoso
Alejo told detainees You have a
visitor. It was almost midnight,
at the tail end of martial laws
rst week. Outside, silence blan-
keted streets, emptied by dusk-
to-dawn curfew.
In the lower bunk, Evening
News Luis Beltran groaned
and rose. From the upper bed, I
shimmied down. We followed
Daily Mirrors Armando Doro-
nila, Philippine News Services
Manuel Almario and Talibas,
Benny Esquivel. Ben David,
Celso Carunungan and Luis
Mauricio (now all deceased) pre-
ceded us into the barred recep-
tion room.
Our midnight visitor
turned out to be our jailor: then
PC Commander General Fidel
V. Ramos. Nothing personal,
gentlemen, he said after ameni-
ties. I was ordered to neutralize
you. Please cooperate. Well try
to make things easier for you.
Have we cooperated by
forgetting. The brain has corri-
dors surpassing material place,
Immigration Notes
By J.G. Azarcon, Esq.
Residence for
naturalization
purposes
R
esidence in the U.S. is
among several require-
ments for permanent resi-
dents applying for naturaliza-
tion. A permanent resident must
reside continuously in the U.S.
for a period of ve years after
obtaining permanent resident
status. If the permanent resident
obtained such status through
marriage to a U.S. citizen, the
residence requirement is three
years. Of the ve years (or three
years for spouses of U.S. citizens)
residence requirement, the per-
manent resident must have been
physically present in the US for
at least half of that period.
For purposes of counting
continuous residence, an absence
of six months does not break the
continuity of the aliens residence
in the U.S. An absence of more
than six months but less than one
year breaks the continuity of the
aliens residence, unless the alien
can demonstrate a reasonable
cause for the extended absence.
An absence from the U.S. of one
year or more denitely inter-
rupts the continuity of the aliens
residence for naturalization
purposes, unless the alien les
a request with the Immigration
Service for an extended absence
benet before he has been absent
from the US for one year.
Who qualies for extended
absence benets?
The alien must meet the fol-
lowing requirements:
1. He has resided or been
physically present in the U.S.
as a permanent resident for an
uninterrupted period of one year
prior to the absence;
2. He will be working abroad
for the (i) U.S. government, (ii)
a U.S. research institute, (iii) a
U.S. corporation engaged in for-
eign trade and commerce, and
(iv) an international organiza-
tion (for which the alien was not
employed prior to becoming a
permanent resident) of which
the US is a member;
3. The absence from the US
is in furtherance of his overseas
employment.
If the aliens residence in the
U.S. is interrupted by absence,
the alien must start all over again
to meet the necessary ve (or
three) years of continuous resi-
dence upon his return to the US.
A permanent resident who
VISA PRIORITY DATES FOR THE PHILIPPINES
OCTOBER 2013
FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES
First: Unmarried sons/daughters
of US citizens Jun 01, 2001
Second:
A: Spouses/minor children of
permanent residents: Sep. 08, 2013
B: Unmarried sons/daughters 21 years
of age or older of permanent residents Feb. 08, 2003
Third: Married sons/daughters of citizens Jan. 01, 1993
Fourth: Brothers/sisters of citizens Mar. 22, 1990
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES
First: Priority workers Current
Second: Professionals holding advanced
degrees or persons of exceptional ability Current
Third: Skilled workers, professionals Dec. 15, 2006
Other Workers Dec. 15, 2006
Fourth:
Certain Religious Workers Current
Fifth: Employment creation/
(Million or half-million dollar investor) Current
Hiring Contractors
Q
UESTION: Several
weeks ago I hired a con-
tractor to remodel my
kitchen. Before I hired this con-
tractor, I did some research using
several online sources. One
online source in particular gave
this contractor very positive
reviews, and I hired this contrac-
tor on that basis. To make the
story short, the contractors work
turned out to be shabby and
unprofessional. Im now think-
ing of posting an online review
of this contractor to alert the
public of the quality of his work.
Is there anything I should know
before I write an online review?
ANSWER: If youre going
to write an online review of your
contractors work, you need to
make sure that your statements
are truthful and based on facts.
In recent years, there has
been a proliferation of websites
that allow consumers to write
reviews on work done by virtu-
ally every service provider, such
as doctors, lawyers, contractors,
etc. Examples of these websites
are Angies List, Yelp, Avvo, etc.
While these websites provide a
forum for consumers to air their
legitimate grievances or dissat-
isfaction, there have been some
instances in which the websites
have been used by some unscru-
pulous people for the purpose of
harassing, embarrassing, intimi-
dating, or damaging the reputa-
tion of their targets. As a result,
there has been litigation in this
emerging area.
One recent case involves
a lawsuit led by a contractor
in Virginia (see Dietz Develop-
ment, LLC v. Jane Perez, Case
No. 2012-16249 (Fairfax County
Circuit Court, led Oct. 31,
2013)). In that case, the defen-
dant, Perez, posted a critical
review of Dietzs (the plaintiff)
work on Angies List and Yelp.
Dietz sued Perez for defama-
tion, among other things, claim-
ing that Perezs statements were
false and injurious to Dietzs rep-
utation and asking for $750,000
in damages and an injunction
(an injunction is a form of
relief that requires a party to
do or refrain from doing spe-
cic acts). The Fairfax County
Court granted Dietzs request
for preliminary injunction, but
Perez promptly sought review
of the decision before the VA
Supreme Court. Subsequently,
the VA Supreme Court reversed
the County Courts decision on
the injunction issue, noting that
Dietz has an adequate remedy
at law. In other words, the VA
Supreme Court felt that there
was no need to stop Perez from
publishing her review because
Dietz can sue Perez for defama-
tion and get money damages
if Dietz prevails. The practical
effect of the VA Supreme Courts
decision is that Dietzs defama-
tion lawsuit against Perez can
proceed.
What this case means, in
effect, is that no one is immune
from a lawsuit if he or she
decides to post a critical or nega-
tive comment online regarding
someones work, particularly if
the comment has no basis in fact
and is damaging to a profession-
als reputation. If one decides
to do so, he or she must exercise
extreme prudence and due dili-
gence to ensure that his or her
comments are supportable.
QUESTION: Can the web-
site provider be sued for allow-
ing people to post reviews that
are defamatory?
ANSWER: As a general rule,
no. Under federal law (see sec-
tion 230 of Title 47 of the United
States Code), websites like Yelp
and Angies List are shielded
from being sued for defamatory
statements published on their
website by other people. (Sec-
tion 230 states, No provider
or user of an interactive com-
puter service shall be treated as
the publisher or speaker of any
information provided by another
information content provider.)
However, the writers or posters
are legally responsible for what
they write and they have no
immunity from lawsuits.
QUESTION: Can a website
provider sue a reviewer or poster
for posting fake reviews?
ANSWER: Yes, but only to
the extent to which the website
providers terms of service
agreement expressly addresses
the issue. Typically, website
owners/providers have terms
of use (TOU) or terms of ser-
vice (TOS) policies to which
users of the websites must agree
and comply. When you use a
website, you effectively enter
into an agreement with the pro-
vider. Typically, that agreement
(i.e., TOS) species your rights
and obligations as a user of the
website, as well as denes the
parameters within which you
must operate in order to use the
providers website. For example,
On the Streets Where We Lived
L
ived, in the past
tense, because we,
Filipino-Americans
living and working here in the
United States, or even elsewhere
in the globe, can only look back
to where we came from, a place
or places where we conceived,
planned, and began a series of
steps to be where and who we
are today. It had been a long,
sometimes arduous, journey
for most of us, but it was a trip
we all relish in telling our fore-
bears, our descendants. We were
and still are the peoples of the
islands, more than 7,100 of them,
and it was and is in our nature,
our culture, to succumb to the
compelling urge of our heritage
to go out of our island-conclaves
to commerce and perhaps, to
settle in other parts of the world.
So, here we are, in this
great land of plenty! Whoever,
whatever, and wherever we are
today, we can never, ever, deny
the existence of our beginnings,
the starting points of our lives,
the streets where our ancestral
homes were located.
You may, like me, be born
and nurtured in a place where it
cost, more than fty years ago,
20 centavos one way to go to
downtown Quiapo, in Manila,
by jeepneys, the ubiquitous, col-
orfully designed and built, and
very reliable means of going
from places to places. Walking
two houses away from my par-
ents home and then rounding
up a corner to a main street, I
could always take any of these
jeepneys any time, from as early
as ve oclock in the morning
to as late as twelve oclock mid-
night. These vehicles, an innova-
tion of the US Army jeeps, rem-
nants of the Second World War,
were stretched to a few feet in
length to accommodate at least
17 slim-hipped passengers, sit-
ting shoulder to shoulder in one
row facing the others in another
row.
The Philippines has under-
gone several social, economic,
political and cultural changes
in the last six decades, but the
jeepneys have remained a func-
tioning, thriving, glittering part
of the nations folklore.
Real estate developers have
always put premiums on the
value of a corner lot, believing
that two persons, or parties, or
even two ideologies can only
meet at a point converging for
an agreement, a dictum followed
especially by those engaged in
retail business. Our home was
two houses away from a corner,
but the value of our location, as
what my parents had told me,
was beyond any declared price
of any corner lot. I proved them
right.
Farther up our street, paved
not by asphalt but graveled and
attened by heavy bulldozers,
were rows of what were then
called tiendas or fondas, offering
easy-to-eat delicacies, what my
parents called street food. These
start-up enterprises were pro-
tected from the natural elements
by folded tents or extended
awnings of a house. The treats
were usually offered in-between
meals, measured now by time as
coffee breaks. Depending on cur-
rent demand or preferences by
customers, mostly young twits
like me then, ready-to-eat offer-
ings were lugaw or rice porridge;
ginataan, root crops boiled in
coconut syrup, sweetened, and
with traces of jackfruit; banan-
acue, maruya, or turon, sweet-
ened banana fried on a stick,
or frittered in our, or wrapped
in rice paper then fried; pancit
palabok, native noodles; okoy,
frittered shavings of squash and
mongo sprouts topped with
fried shrimps; puto bong-bong,
sweetened rice steamed in a halo
pipe; and bibingka, a native cake.
I loved and relished any one
of them. In my young years, the
experience of eating any of them
was a consuming passion for a
taste that would forever line my
palate. Now that I have grown
in years and have travelled to
other parts of the globe, the taste
is still there, and will never be
replaced by any hotdog in the
US, crepes in France, tamales in
Mexico, currywurst or grilled
pork sausage in Berlin, banh mi
in Vietnam, pani-puri in India,
or obwarzanki or bread rings in
Poland.
I have no doubts that in your
streets there were the same stalls
offering the same delicacies, the
experiences tucked away in your
fond memories. Perhaps they
might even offer, in addition,
grilled baby squids, boiled or
fried camotes (sweet potatoes),
grilled chestnuts or corns on the
cobs, or fried shballs. Didnt
we all hear in those lazy, humid
afternoons the rings of the bell
of a coming ice-cream vendor
pushing his rolling multi-colored
cart? Or, not preferring that, did
we not go for a glass of halo-
halo?
Of course, nowadays one
has to worry about calories,
gluten, cholesterol, saturated
fat, folic acid, high fructose, anti-
oxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids
and carbohydrates. But who
cared then ? We were what we
ate. Thats who we were in our
streets, our identity, a cultural
trait. Didnt that famous French
gastronomist, Jean-Anthelme
Brillat-Savarin, pose his equally
famous dictum, Tell me what
you eat and Ill tell you who you
are.? Even with our deep con-
cern for our weight, health and
longevity, and the sources of our
food, we can never eat like the
Japanese, French, Greeks, or the
Italians.
Walking even farther up
my street, almost reaching the
boundary of another town, I
could see a marbled marker
afxed to a wall of a public
school building, designating
the structure as the former site
of a public school named after
Thomas Earnshaw, one of the
more than 500 educators sent by
the US government aboard the
USS Thomas in 1910 to spread
public education in the land. The
school was later renamed.
If it struck my fancy, which
rarely happened, I could have
walked another mile and a half
to reach a marker at the San Juan
Bridge, where the rst shot was
red by a US Volunteer from
Nebraska in February 4, 1899,
signaling the start of the Filipino-
American War.
There are thousands and
thousands markers of this kind
placed or erected by the National
Historical Institute all over the
Philippines, some if not most
of them are in your streets, des-
ignating as historical existing
buildings or structures; churches
and other places of piety; educa-
tional, charitable, and other loca-
tions; military sites, monuments
and other landmarks; towns;
birthplaces; and provinces, cities,
and municipalities.
Cavite, alone, has 59 mark-
ers; Batangas has 30; and one
each for Abra, Aurora, Catan-
duanes, Antigue,Negros Orien-
tal, Western Samar, Bukidnon,
Camiguin, Misamis Oriental,
Davao del Sur, Cotobato, Lanao,
and Maguindanao. Morong, in
Rizal Province, has the distinc-
tion of having markers for an
intermediate school named in
memory of Thomas Claudio,
who died of a wound received in
action in Castigny, France, during
World War I; for a Morong High
School building constructed in
1881, which became the capitol
of the Govierno Politico-Militar,
The depths of corruption
MANILA.
T
he current scandal here
involving the serial theft
of the peoples money allo-
cated as pork barrel of members
of the Congress conrms once
and for all how deep corruption
is in the Philippines.
Its been exposed in media
that the P10 billion-congres-
sional pork barrel has been
stolen through ghost projects
and beneciaries over a span of
a decade. The alleged master-
mind of the grand theft is some-
one called Janet Lim Napoles,
whose children have now been
exposed as living la dolce vita in
the Philippines and the United
States. Napoles was a fugitive
for a while but is now in police
custody, having surrendered
directly to President Benigno
Aquino III.
Now, the long quest for def-
inite answers about how much
was really stolen, who among
the members of Congress were
in cahoots with Napoles, and
who else among the supposed
recipients of pork barrel money
in the grassroots were in con-
nivance, begins. Napoless trial
is expected to take a long time.
Given the snails pace of jus-
tice here and the presence of
some corrupt prosecutors and
judges, this whole mess will
surely take some interesting and
probably befuddling turns. The
Ombuds(wo)man, though, has
promised speedy processing of
the complaint.
Napoless alleged scheme --
or scam -- is very simple. She and
her accomplices would dream
up a project intended to benet
local areas and the people there
that looks viable on paper, make
up a non-governmental organi-
zation that exists on paper only,
and then sell the idea to a con-
gressman or senator who would
then provide the funding to be
taken out of the legislators pork
barrel. The Filipinos copied the
concept of a pork barrel from the
US Congress (although, in fair-
ness, the US practice may not be
as fraught with corruption as the
Philippine version).
The legislator involved is
either in cahoots with Napoles
in pocketing the allocated funds
or he or she may be totally in the
dark about the scam. It isnt hard
to surmise that those who will be
tagged as having provided fund-
ing for ghost projects will use
the latter excuse as their defense,
that they thought they were
helping to nance real projects
and didnt know that the whole
operation was a sham. Already,
some of the legislators whove
been tagged as sources of pork
barrel funding in this alleged
scam have made initial noises
that they provided funds in good
faith and never knew that the
whole scheme was a big swindle.
Most Filipinos will be skeptical
and we will have to see how con-
vincing the legislators involved
will be with their alibis.
According to the whistle-
blowers whove exposed the
scam, the legislator involved
received 50 percent of the pork
barrel-appropriated money, the
actual project (when there was
really one) got a mere 10 percent,
and the remaining 40 percent
went to Napoles herself.
What the exposed scam
proves at this point is the extent
of corruption in the Philippines
and how creative the scammers
are. Filipino swindlers are very
imaginative (even though the
alleged Napoles scam is very
simple in its concept). Whats
worse is that the Napoles scam
cant be the only one in operation
here. There must be others in the
same business of stealing the
peoples money through similar
modus operandi. Napoles must
just be the tip of the iceberg.
Napoles has claimed that
her life is in danger and shes
under heavy security at a train-
ing facility of the national police
outside Manila.
What this means in turn is
that a lot of people must have
been involved in Napoless oper-
ation, possibly ranging from sen-
ators and congressmen to pro-
vincial governors, town mayors
and a lot of other people along
the food chain. Fearing exposure
as being in cahoots with Napoles,
any one of those involved would
want to do Napoles in.
More and more, news about
the lavish lifestyle of the Napoles
family is coming out in the open.
Theyre supposed to have some
50 posh houses and condos,
dozens of ashy vehicles, and
have hosted opulent parties.
Bundles of cash coming in from
their operations are suppos-
edly dumped in bathtubs in the
Napoles residences for counting.
September 30, 2013 26 26
SPICED CREAMED SPINACH
(a la Laing)
T
his recipe in an impro-
vised way to make laing
when the real ingredients
are not available in the market.
The original laing is made out
of taro stems and leaves and,
thus, cooking this recipe requires
extensive work, e.g. peeling the
stems, choosing the tender part
of the taro leaves, etc. Spinach is
a good substitute for taro leaves,
which is surprisingly delicious
and much healthier.
Ingredients:
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup ginger, chopped
2 to 3 cans cholesterol free
coconut milk
half cup cooked diced taro
root
1 fresh red hot pepper,
nely sliced
1 teaspoon dried crushed
red pepper
2 pounds spinach, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped red
bell pepper
salt and white ground
pepper to taste
Methods:
In a skillet with a little oil,
saut the garlic, onions and
ginger. Pour the coconut milk
and add the taro root, crushed
red pepper and red hot pepper
and bring to a boil. Then lower
the heat and simmer until it is
reduced by 10% or until it is a
slightly creamy; at this point the
taro root is tender.
Add spinach and press with
a large spoon through the sim-
mering coconut milk. While
cooking the vegetables, mix
well to avoid sticking to the
bottom of the skillet. The spinach
gets wilted very quickly when
cooked. When laing is cooked,
add the red bell pepper. Season
with salt and pepper.
Editors Note: Master Chef
Evelyn: 100 Most Influential Fili-
pina Women in the U.S., 2009, Fili-
pina 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) Founda-
tion, a 501 (c) (3) public charity
formed to help and cook pro-bono for
Filipino-Americans who are afflicted
with cancer and other serious ill-
nesses; Culinary writer; Member,
Les Dames dEscoffier International,
Washington DC Chapter; Member,
International Cake Exploration
Society, Member, Culinary Histo-
rians of Washington, D.C.; Master
Chef, French Cuisine and Patisserie,
Le Cordon Bleu, London.
COINCIDENCE
A
man walks into a bar, sits
down and orders a triple
martini.
The bartender says What
a coincidence, the only other
person at the bar is that beauti-
ful woman at the other end. She
is also drinking triple martinis.
After a few sips of his drink, the
man walks up to the woman and
says Isnt it a coincidence that
we are both having the same
drink.
She replies, Yes! I am here
because I am celebrating. After
20 years of trying I am nally
pregnant! What a coinci-
dence, the man replied, I am
also celebrating. After years of
experimenting, I have invented a
multicolored chicken.
At this, the woman asked,
How did you ever accomplish
that?
I had to try a lot of different
cocks, he said.
The woman replied, What
a coincidence... I did, too!
HEALING
An old man and his wife
were sitting on their porch one
warm summer afternnon, lis-
tening to a healing preacher on
their favorite radio station. The
preacher said, Now, I want you
to put your hand on the part
of your body that most needs
some healing, and we will pray
together for its return to health.
So the old woman put her
hand over her heart, hoping the
prayers would make it stron-
ger. Her husband made sure his
wife wasnt looking, then snuck
his hand down on his crotch.
His wife looked over and says,
Harold, the preacher said he
was going to heal, not raise the
dead!
FLY IN BEER
A Brit, an Irishman, and a
Scot go out to a pub and order 3
pints. They each nd a y oat-
ing on the top of their mugs.
The Brit says, Bartender,
can I have a spoon? and quietly
removes the y from his brew.
The Irishman says, Get out
of there! and icks the y away
with a nger.
The Scot picks up the
y with his ngers and says,
Alright ya wee bastard. Spit it
out. Now!
CONVICTS
Three convicts were on the
way to prison. They were each
allowed to take one item with
them to help them occupy their
time while incarcerated. On the
bus, one turned to the other and
said, So, what did you bring?
The second convict pulled
out a box of paints and stated that
he intended to paint anything he
could. He wanted to become the
Grandma Moses of Jail.
Then he asked the rst,
What did you bring? The rst
convict pulled out a deck of cards
and grinned and said, I brought
cards. I can play poker, solitaire,
gin, and any number of games.
The third convict was sitting
quietly aside, grinning to him-
self. The other two took notice
and asked, Why are you so
smug? What did you bring?
The guy pulled out a box of
tampons and smiled. He said, I
brought these.
The other two were puzzled
and asked, What can you do
with those?
He grinned and pointed to
the box and said, Well accord-
ing to whats written on the box,
I can go horseback riding, swim-
ming, roller-skating....
TRANSLATION
English 101 student while
translating speech to Tagalog.
We must strive... Kailan-
gan nating magsikap.
We must help others...
Kailangan nating magtulungan.
In union there is strength...
Sa sibuyas may tigas.
BUTI PA
Iniisip ni Kulas...
Buti pa ang lungs, malapit
sa puso.
Buti pa ang bra, kakabit ng
dibdib.
Buti pa ang kotse, mahal.
`Yung ibang tao, hindi.
Buti pa ang pera, iniingatan.
Buti pa ang damo dinidili-
gan.
Buti pa ang mahjong, sina-
salat.
`Yung iba diyan, hindi.
Buti pa ang doorbell, pinip-
indot.
Buti pa ang keyboard, napi-
nger.
Buti pa ang bola, nilalaro.
Ako, hindi.
Buti pa tumahimik na lang
ako.
SINLAKI
Pinabili ng bra ng kanyang
asawa si Juan. Nang nanduon na
siya sa department store.. naka-
limutan niya ang size ng bra.
Very accomodating naman ang
salesgirl at tinanong siya para
makatulong...Sinlaki ba ito ng
papaya?
Sagot ni Juan, Hindi...
masyadong malaki ang papaya!
Tinanong ulit siya, Mansa-
nas?
Sagot ni Juan, Hindi...
malaki pa rin, eh!
Tanong ulit ng salesgirl,
Eh, sinlaki ba ng itlog?
Sagot ni Juan...Oo! Oo...
yun nga! Pero sunny side up!
KALBO
Kalbo 1: Pare! Ano kaya ang
mabisang pampatubo ng buhok?
Kalbo 2: Ikiskis mo sa
kuwan ng misis mo.
Kalbo 1: Eh bakit, kalbo ka
pa rin?
Kalbo 2: Tingnan mo naman
ang kapal ng bigote ko!
AWAY
Wife: Walanghiya ka!
Husband: Walanghiya ka
rin!
Wife: Tanga!
Husband: Tanga ka rin!
Wife: Gago!
Husband: Gaga ka rin!
Wife: Supot!
Husband: Wala namang
ganyanan!
Seasons come
and go
L
ike life, seasons come and
go. Again, we bid adieu
to the lively summer and
embraced the soothing autumn,
a most welcome transition to
the cold wintry solstice. It is
most comforting to prepare our
body, mind and mood to the
atmospheric change in tempera-
ture, drastically from hot to cold.
Being my favorite season, I look
forward to seeing the earthy
blending of colors of fall season,
of golden yellow, burnt orange
and blazing red leaves. The smell
of leaves permeates in the air as
they prepare to disintegrate from
the branches of trees.
The nostalgic song goes
The falling leaves, drift by the
windows; the falling leaves of
red and gold . . . I have actu-
ally watched it happen by my
bedroom window in the recent
past and have seen the glittering
leaves fall to the ground. This
surely lled me up with mixed
emotions with the thought that
soon, the trees will be barren
with the mass of green leaves
gone, leaving grim silhouette of
dark brown trunks and stems
which look like eerie sticks in
the chilly night. But like life, this
lonely state of the season should
be balanced with the promise
of exultant and cheery thoughts
and disposition. In essence, we
have to be creative enough to
turn the gloomy environment to
a sunny and promising corner of
the world.
For me, I see the beautiful
palette of fall colors in my front
yard, along the long curvy and
hilly secondary road to my sub-
urban home, the ground covered
with gold leaves and the smell of
fresh air in the cool morning. The
colorful mums of bright yellow
and purple are pleasing to the
eyes. They awaken ones spirit
that lasts through the, otherwise,
dreary days. At home, preparing
hot soups that gives warmth to
my familys dinner table is a wel-
come chore for me.
As nights becoming longer
now, I have more time to catch
up with my readings and watch
the TV with some extended time.
There are a thousand things to do
and put attention to during this
transition season. I nd it fun to
start pulling out my thick sets of
clothing from the closet, appro-
priate for the nippy days. Editing
and organizing clothes, shoes,
bags and other stuffs would be
a fruitful past time pursuit. The
thin clothes should now be put
to rest and the woolen ones be
taken out, likewise with the sea-
sonal shoes and bags.
Pretty soon, Christmas
season will be just around the
corner. Now will be an oppor-
tune time to sit down and make
plans for the much awaited cele-
brations with family and friends.
With the change of seasons, life
goes on. Soon, we shall welcome
the emerging New Year and bid
the old year, goodbye.
Every season has its own
characteristics and moods and
we have to conform to the sea-
sonal changes. We grow older
and wiser every year, but what-
ever the season, we make adjust-
ments, make the most of what
we have, live in moderation
and lead a well-balanced life. I
believe in this perspective.
The Busy Bees in the Com-
munity. It is not accurate to
presume that the social and fun-
draising calendars of various
Filipino American organizations
in the Metro Washington, DC are
far less busy after the summer
is over. Normal community life
and involvement goes on like
busy bees without interruptions
even with the change of seasons.
Currently, the invitations are
continuously being sent out in
the mail and based on my rec-
ollection from last years events
the last one was for a gathering
just few days before Christmas.
It simply means that the leaders
and volunteers are very dedi-
cated and so focused on meeting
their organizations goals and
projects for the year. It is amaz-
ing that the balance of prep time
for both the community event
and own family Christmas cel-
ebrations can be uidly accom-
plished. Blessed are the leaders.
* * * * *
A Fine Afternoon at the
Botanical Garden. A few days
ago, my chef daughter, Rissa,
took my husband and me, to
Washington, DC to see, The
United States Botanic Garden.
Weve been to some museums
at the Mall but not to this place.
Since the weather was perfect to
stroll around, she took advan-
tage of it and picked us up from
home and on to Washington, DC.
Having a busy schedule at culi-
nary work, it was not that often
that we had time to have a family
activity like this. It was truly a
most welcome gesture that we
loved. Many times, she would
just visit us at home where we
had dinner that I cooked or go
out and dine at our favorite res-
taurants.
There was so much to see
at the garden vegetables and
crops, herbs and medicinal
plants at the outdoor garden,
then indoor, ferns, native plants
from the volcanic island in
Hawaii, the succulents, grasses
and other air plants in the des-
erts. My and Rissas favorite was
the ever-blooming, collection of
Orchids. I went a-gaga to see the
different varieties and hybrids
with vivid colors and interesting
shapes of petals, big and small.
Our cameras kept on clicking.
They were so beautiful. I prom-
ised myself that I will make an
all-orchids album. Included will
be the photos of my own three
orchid plants at home.
I learned that this garden
was rich with tradition, being
one of the oldest botanic gar-
dens in North America. It has
been in continuous operation
and open to the public since
1850. It highlights the diversity
of plants worldwide as well as
their aesthetic, cultural, eco-
nomic, therapeutic, and ecologi-
cal signicance. The resplendent
diversity of form, color, fruit,
and fragrance reminds us that
plants make our lives possible
and enjoyable.
The USBG staff maintains
extensive computerized records
of the plants in the Gardens
collections. Nearby was the Bar-
tholdi Park where we strolled
through to see the modern
trends in American horticulture
and new plant introductions.
The place is a favorite secret
garden of many Washingto-
nians. This garden and park
experience was both educational
and visually enjoyable. To show
appreciation to our daughter, we
had dinner at a Hongkong style
restaurant on our way home.
* * * * *
PS- Last issue of Kutitap, re
visit of Boots Anson Roa, correc-
tion:
The mini-reunion was at
the home of Darryl Magness
and Rita Chua Magness. Betty
Chua was one of the mothers
in the group. Boots Anson Roa,
Pete Roa and children Joey and
Chiqui returned back to the Phil-
ippines a couple of decades ago.
To Travel is to Live
T
o move, to breathe, to
y, to oat. To gain all
while you give.
To roam the roads of land
remote. To travel is to live.
Hans Christian Andersen
Vacation travel improved
with our nances. But money
was tight when the kids were
growing up so the living Mr.
Hans romanticized about wasnt
easy. Mitch worked 2 part-time
jobs while he was waiting for
his practice to take off. He also
worked Saturdays except the
rst Saturday of the month. It
was a time when our childrens
extracurricular activities - ballet
and cheerleading and soccer
were far into the future.
When he had a full week-
end off it was cause for celebra-
tion. We knew a long drive was
on the agenda. We prepared our
toothbrushes and one change of
underwear. Just in case.
A chapter of the Lopez
family mythology was born then.
Vacation on the y. We had no
set plan. The itinerary changed
every month. We trooped into
our station wagon and took off.
We gorged ourselves with
junk food (I admit it, I was not
strict with the Lopez diet on
those weekends), played games
thought up on the spot, and
stopped at rest areas when we
felt like it. Mitch did the driving
and I did the navigating.
He hated planning for those
trips. His rule was to drive within
a 100-mile radius and stay at
cheap motels overnight or drive
back home, whichever suited us.
It was loose and goose. But one
thing we never did was to spend
nap times at truck stops. We
didnt think that was prudent.
On some weekends, a friend
gave us local hotel passes with
breakfasts included. We felt we
hit the jackpot. The three siblings
would jump in the pool even
before we nished with registra-
tion. Their shrieks of excitement
could be heard from the hotel
lobby.
Then one day Mitch sur-
prised us with a request to
bring our passports and to pack
a weeks worth of clothes. The
kids were ecstatic. This was spe-
cial. When asked where we were
going, he just smiled. His wink
to me seemed conspiratorial. But
I had no idea what we were con-
spiring about.
We rented a minivan. On the
day of the trip, the excitement
was fever pitch. Yet no amount
of prodding or pleading could
get Mitch to reveal his plans. We
dutifully piled into the van. It
was packed to the gills with all
their favorite toys, extra pillows,
and food!
Daddy. Daddy. Daddy.
The kids cried out in unison.
Where are we going?
I dont know. Mitch
replied. The car is in charge.
No, truly, where are we
going? I asked
Same answer. We all chimed
in, The-car-is-in-charge.
For the rst few hours I was
able to distract the kids with their
favorite car games. But when the
tolls ate up most of our money, I
was concerned. He nally admit-
ted he truly didnt have a plan.
He decided to ip a coin in
his head and decided to drive
north. He would drive as far as
his stamina would let him then
turn in wherever fatigue over-
took him.
We ended up in Toronto,
Canada. It was summertime so
most of the hotels were booked.
The only hotel with vacancy was
near the airport. It looked badly
in need of bulldozing. It smelled
like a brothel with a clientele just
as seedy.
We changed hotels the next
day. It was a brand we had
not heard of but the brochure
showed clean and attractive
rooms. It was the Prince Hotel. It
was luxurious, clean, and roomy.
And expensive. But we were out
of options. It was the rst bench-
mark by which succeeding vaca-
tions were rated by.
Travel remains a luxury but
not doing so makes one only
half-alive. It doesnt have to be
a distance that would require
planes and trains. Automobiles
can take you places only gas
prices can put a limit on.
See you at the next rest stop.
September 30, 2013 28 28
The ambassador as vendor
Philippine Ambassador to the US
Jose L Cuisia, Jr. is beginning to establish
a record of sorts for usually staid foreign
ambassadors in Washington D.C. Not
satised with acting as an effective lob-
byist for the Philippine government in
the US Congress, the ambassador accepts
most invitations to speak before Filipino
American groups around the US, meets
with every Juan dela Cruz who visits the
nations capital, issues hurricane warn-
ings to Filipinos, assist Filipino workers in
distress, etcetera, etcetera.
Now the ambassador is acting as a
bananas vendor, shrilly asking Pinoys to
buy Philippine bananas. He has issued
a statement urging Filipino Americans,
particularly in the West Coast, to buy the
rst shipment of Philippine Cavendish
bananas from Bukidnon province.
***
There was an impromptu lechon
feast in front of the Philippine embassy
Sept, 20. No, it was not in celebration of
the declaration of the detested martial law
by President Marcos on Sept. 21, 1973. It
was a feast to demonstrate the Filipino
American anger over the pork scandal in
the Philippine Congress.
Of course, the Philippine embassy
was not invited to the lechon feast.
Instead, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr.
issued a statement urging Filams to be
alert in denouncing corruption in the Phil-
ippines.
Some Tsismosos say Filams should
start looking for remnants of corrupt
Pinoys who have ed the Philippines and
are now in the United States. Probably,
there are also some who are now resid-
ing in the Washington-Maryland-Virginia
area.
Ferret them out! said one Pinoy
Tsismso.
***
Dear MR.Tsismoso,
Im forwarding to you an article by
Kathy McManus about Liberty Mutuals
The Responsibility Project, Relationships
and Gossips, When To Hold Your Tongue.
(With my annotations, of course, my dear
Tsismoso followers)
According to The Wall Street Jour-
nal, a growing number of educators, reli-
gious leaders, and employers are part of a
new push to lower the volume on gossip,
urging people to ask themselves three
questions before speaking: Is it kind? Is it
true? Is it necessary? (See how popular we
are now.)
The questions attributed to Socrates
and Buddhist teachings have been around
for centuries, but are nding new follow-
ers in what the Journal refers to as an age
of cultural shrillness and unrestrained
rumor-mongering on the Internet. (I told
you so!)
Gossip is emotionally lethal, said
the CEO of a PR rm who banned gossip
in his ofce and is a proponent of kind/
true/necessary. If you stop gossip in
your own life and bring it to the atten-
tion of your community, he said, then
people will follow your leadership.(No,
you are wrong. You should see my thou-
sands of followers now, ha, ha. See even
learned people are sitting up and taking
notice.)
George Washington University Law
School professor Daniel Solove agrees
that theres value to the kind/true/nec-
essary mantra especially with children
but believes the bigger issue is the per-
manence of Internet Gossip. (Yes, its the
wave of the future.)
We cant make people nicer, said
Solove. So we need to keep pushing legal
consequences. He argues for tougher
laws against Internet irresponsibility,
saying that the threat of being sued is the
best way to reduce malicious gossip. (Ha
ha ha, more clients for Attorneys Azar-
con, Calonge, Riedmiller and Soriano).
But communications professor Susan
Hafen of Weber State University in Utah
questions the movement, saying that by
prohibiting gossip we may be simply
avoiding unpleasantness and rocking the
boat. If we only tell kind stories about
people, said Hafen, then we may be
avoiding holding people responsible for
their actions. (Ms Hafen, thanks for
lendng your support to the Tsismoso
army.)
(Then the author asks readers to com-
ment. Ha, ha ha....)
Tell us what you think: Should we try
to limit gossip? Is the kind/true/neces-
sary idea the answer?
(No way, Jose!)
Let the world know what you think,
but please do so responsibly. Comments
are moderated and we will not post per-
sonal attacks, obscene language or inap-
propriate material, comments with links,
or comments from people under the age
of 18. If you have a question, check out
our Comment Submission Guidelines
(Anak ng pagong, Liberty Mutual pala
is an auto insurance company....ha ha ha
ha...siguro maraming reklamo)
Editorial
Can We Talk?
Our community has suffered heart-breaking tragedies in recent
years. A young mother of two girls was depressed over a custody
battle, pushing her to the edge. It tragically cost her life.
A distraught grandmother simply snaps and commits an act of
murder. A teenage son kills himself with a gun. Another son, years
earlier, hangs himself. A teacher, feeling alienated and isolated from
her family in the Philippines, commits suicide. And another teacher
does the same thing months later, heart-broken and distressed.
So, whats going on?
Filipinos have difculty adjusting when they are depressed or
pushed over the edge, says Mila Tecala, a nationally-recognized
authority in the mental health profession. We have a great capacity
to suppress, ignore or deny the problem, thinking it will go away. We
dont want to hear the truth.
The statistics are alarming. Among Asian Americans, Filipinos
have the highest prevalence of depression and mental illness at
the rate of 27 percent, compared to only 12 percent of the American
public.
Those gures could be much higher in the Filipino community
because we generally dont want to talk about our mental health
issues. Because of hiya or fear of being perceived as weak, we tend
to disappear into ourselves and pretend as if everything is all right.
We talk openly about our heart disease, elevated blood pres-
sure, cholesterol levels, gout and even erectile dysfunction but we
dont talk about mental health issues that visit upon us, our family
members, our friends, says community leader Mencie Hairston,
Its time to bring this taboo subject out of the shadows, and out
into the open where we can openly and honestly name what ails us
and seek timely healing and treatment before its too late.
We commend organizers of a educational Fil-Am forum on
mental health. We challenge other community organizations to part-
ner with NaFFAA, PAFC, Mabuhay, the Philippine Nurses Associa-
tion and AACEES to expand and sustain these educational efforts
that are urgently needed. Not just once a year, but throughout the
year. (jm)
Failed
predictions
N
ature has a good sense of
humor. It wants to tickle
Mr. Global Warming,
also known as former Vice Presi-
dent Al Gore. If we are to take
Gores doomsday predictions
and those of his cohorts, global
warming would have shrunk the
Arctic ice cap at this time enough
to allow free navigation.
Obviously, Gores disciples
believe their own predictions
and on they set sail in 20 yachts
trying to navigate the Northwest
Passage from the Atlantic to the
Pacic this summer. They must
have relied on the BBC report
in 2007 quoting U.S. scientist
Professor Wieslaw Maslowski
that the Arctic would be ice-free
by summer of 2013 based on his
supercomputer models.
Surprise, surprise. The 20
yachts are still stuck in ice wait-
ing for rescue from icebreakers
of the Canadian Coastguard.
Too bad Al Gore did not lead
the expedition. His re breath-
ing rhetoric could have melted
the ice and clear the way. It
turns out that there has been a
60% increase equivalent to a mil-
lion more square miles of ice cap
in 2013 compared to the low in
2012.
Looking back in June, 1972
Arctic specialist Bernt Balchen
told the Christian Science Moni-
tor that a general global warm-
ing trend over the North Pole
is melting the polar ice cap and
may produce an ice-free Arctic
Ocean by the year 2000.
Life magazine in Janu-
ary, 1970 also jumped into the
global warming bandwagon
with its forecast that by 1985,
air pollution will have reduced
the amount of sunlight reach-
ing earth by one half. That was
scary. This would possibly wipe
out brown people from the face
of the earth.
Also in 1970, Kenneth E.F.
Watt, in Earth Day wrote that
if present trends continue, the
world will be eleven degrees
colder by the year 2000. Manila
would be air-conditioned all
year round.
The English Mail writes that
some eminent scientists now
believe that the earth is trend-
ing towards a cooling period
until the middle of this century,
a scenario that will belie the
computer-model predictions of
climate change advocates. If cor-
rect, billions of dollars spent by
governments to combat climate
change would have been for
naught.
Pres. George W. Bush was
called a liar when invading U.S.
forces failed to nd weapons of
mass destruction in Iraq. What
now, Al Gore?
***
And speaking of failed pre-
dictions that would be costly for
many consumers, Pres. Barack
Obama is now facing the day of
reckoning when his pet Obam-
acare starts to kick in later next
month.
If you like your health care
plan, you will be able to keep
your health care plan. Period. No
one will take it away from you.
Ministers
of mercy
P
ope Francis is shaking up
the Catholic Church. And
hes doing it, as one writer
observed, with small but sub-
stantial gestures.
The churchs pastoral min-
istry cannot be obsessed with the
transmission of a disjointed mul-
titude of doctrines to be imposed
insistently, he said. We have
to nd a new balance; other-
wise even the moral edice of
the church is likely to fall like a
house of cards.
He has lashed out at hypoc-
risy within the Churchs ranks.
There are priests who dont
baptize children of single moth-
ers because werent conceived
in the sanctity of marriage, he
said, These are todays hypo-
crites. Those who clericalize the
church: those who separate the
people of God from salvation.
For the past six months,
Pope Francis has dened the
road for the churchs 1.2 billion
members. And hes done it with
a gentle voice, a conciliatory
tone. There is sheer joy at hear-
ing his message of reconcilia-
tion, unconditional love and the
promise of redemption.
Though most times I still
meet them with cynicism and
doubt, there is also an inexpli-
cable lightness in surrendering
to his basic premise of the power
of good and Gods plan for man,
i.e., Pope Francis reminds me
why I stay Catholic.
He speaks a language not
often heard from popes. Still
it resonates in the pillars of a
church thats appeared espe-
cially skilled at one task resist-
ing change. But it is precisely
this predilection that fueled its
ailments the cover-up of pedo-
phile priests, embroilment in
the culture wars and inability to
reverse falling vocations as well
as membership.
Some of my friends jestingly
point out that Pope Francis is
Jesuit (Id almost agree except
that I think the Salesians are
better and in fact the young
Jorge Mario Bergoglio spent
part of intermediate years at a
Don Bosco school). The change
hes bringing into the Catholic
Church could stem from his own
unique upbringing.
Born in Buenos Aires,
Argentina to immigrant Ital-
ian parents, he was ordained a
priest in December 1969. The
nation was wracked by political
upheaval that was immortalized
(some say trivialized) in Andrew
Lloyd Webbers Evita; poverty
and inhumane work conditions
were driving many to the streets;
and in neighboring countries
priests were starting to embrace
liberation theology.
In the Philippines, a priest
named Conrado Balweg became
one of its adherents and mounted
armed struggle on behalf high-
land tribes in the Cordillera
mountain range, holding the
Philippine government at bay
until he negotiated for autonomy
in 1987.
What the church needs
most, he said, is to heal wounds
and to warm the hearts of the
faithful.
He appeared to reject
extremism and fought Argenti-
nas generals his way. He report-
edly helped people wanted by
the military to ee the country.
When he was head of the Argen-
Opinion
Rustling of Leaves
P
erhaps its the chill in the
air. My friend Rose noted
it for me in an E-mail one
day. Or leaves turning to ame.
The days do grow shorter in
September. And the rustling you
hear is denitely the sound of
Fall.
And if youre a Frank Sina-
tra fan like me, youll know right
away that Im part of an aging
generation that will soon fade
into oblivion.
Its hard not to sense with
trepidation the days dwindling
down to a precious few. So much
to do and so little time.
Just about every Sunday in
church now, our pastor somberly
announces the name of someone
who just died, followed by the
names of two or three others
who are gravely ill. One church
elder who looked t and healthy
at 87 died suddenly. It was only
a week or so before he rested in
peace that we were chatting over
a cup of coffee about the latest
news. That was our routine every
Sunday after service. Hed hold
court in a sofa with the airs of a
Southern gentleman. He offered
to teach me chess in nine min-
utes. But I procrastinated. Now
hes gone. I miss his wry humor
and his curious mind.
There are faces I havent
seen in years. One has stopped
coming because of Alzheimers.
They are all older, but by only a
few years.
Our Kensington neighbors,
George and Eva Frenkl, now in
their early 90s and late 80s, have
moved to an assisted-living facil-
ity. He didnt want to leave their
home. It saddened him that he
couldnt drive anymore. The last
time we visited, he cant remem-
ber who I was. My heart sank.
Id rather lose sight or limb,
but not memory. Its a way of
holding onto the things you love,
the things you are, the things you
never want to lose. Thats from
the television show The Wonder
Years.
Now and then I scan the
obits, just to see if I know some-
one. Or just to know the life
they lived and who theyve left
behind.
In our community, a good
friend passed away recently
after struggling with cancer.
Teresa Ayson Jumat was 66. We
fondly called her Boots. She had
been caring for two granddaugh-
ters in the last nine years until
she couldnt do it anymore. The
cancer had taken its toll.
We go back many years,
comrades-in-arms against the
martial law regime in the Philip-
pines, ghting in the trenches so-
to-speak. With other community
activists, we formed Teatro Pili-
pino, later renamed Tanghalang
Pilipino. Boots was a visionary,
with lots of ideas for theatre as
a form of insurrection. Together,
we produced plays like Bayan
Ko, Bumangon Ka, and had a
command performance at the
Kennedy Center. We lost money
but we gained lots of friends. The
Tanghalan kids who grew up
performing cultural arts in all
forms (our sons and daughters)
are now parents themselves rais-
ing their own children. Boots
played a major role and we thank
her for her drive and spirit.
At about the same time
were grieving over painful
losses, were holding a commu-
nity forum on depression and
other mental health issues. Mila
Tecala, who is known in our
community as an authority on
loss and grief, spoke about the
symptoms and danger signs of
suicide. These signs may mean
someone is at risk for suicide,
she said. Risk is greater if a
Continued on page 30 Continued on page 30
September 30, 2013 30 30
No matter what.
Just this month, Walgreens
announced that it will alter its
employee health benet plan by
moving around 160,000 employ-
ees into a private health insur-
ance exchange to insulate itself
from anticipated increase in
health care costs once Obamacare
kicks in. The drug store chain is
following the lead of Sears Hold-
ing Corp. and Darden Restau-
rants. Even business giants IBM
and GE are also altering the ben-
et plans offered to their retirees.
Last August, UPS and
the University of Virginia
announced that they will no
longer offer spousal coverage
for their employees as a result of
Obamacare.
The employees of the above-
mentioned companies loved
their health care plans. Now
thanks to Obamacare, they can
no longer keep it.
Remember when Pres.
Obama warned of dire con-
sequences for the economy if
sequester were allowed to take
effect? Last time I looked up, the
sky has not fallen. Barack is not
a liar. He is just a lousy fortune
teller.
tine Catholic bishops confer-
ence, he issued a collective apol-
ogy for the churchs failure to
protect people from the Junta
during Argentinas Dirty War.
Hes built a reputation for
personal humility, doctrinal con-
servatism and commitment to
social justice. He lived in a small
apartment and took public trans-
portation right up to the day he
assumed the papacy last March.
That simplicity, borne by
personal discipline and sacrice,
is often evident in his thoughts.
The church sometimes has
locked itself up in small things,
in small-minded rules, he said.
The most important thing is the
rst proclamation: Jesus Christ
has saved you. And the ministers
of the church must be ministers
of mercy above all.
Ministers of mercy... from page 29 Failed predictions... from page 29
Emily Dickinson wrote.
We recall the rst and only
-- mass detainees were allowed
to offer. Imprisoned SVD Fr.
Constante Floresca presided,
Dont you feel offended for
being arrested for illegal assem-
bly, fellow-detainees joshed
him. Your Master was nabbed
for subversion.
Through gritted teeth,
Amando Doronila read the
gospel of his choice: Those who
take by the sword will perish by
the sword. Within an hour, the
order came down: Until further
notice, mass will not be permit-
ted.
Detention offered a window
on how people react under pres-
sure. Some crumble. A number
withdraw into cocoons. Those
locked gates burnish the steel in
others. Some mornings, women
political detainees be allowed
an hour to chat with us and
detained consitutional conven-
tion delegates like Alejandrio
Lichauco. Among them were
Haydee Yorac, Manila Times
Roz Galang, painter Veronica
Yuyitung, wife of Chinese Com-
mercial News editor, Rizal,
shanghaied by Marcos agents to
a Taipei military jail. Wed swap
stories --- and smuggled foreign
news clips.
After the dictatorships col-
lapse, Yorac went on to win the
Ramon Magsaysay Award for
government service. Under her
watch, PCGG recovered a looted
$683 million stashed in Ferdi-
nand and Imelda Marcos Swiss
bank accounts. She secured
court decisions clobbering the
notorious coconut levy.
breaks the continuity of resi-
dence, may apply 4 years and
1 day following the date of his
return to the U.S. to resume
residency. As for aliens who are
married to US citizens, they can
apply for naturalization after 2
years and 1 day following his
return.
Permanent residents should
not confuse the physical resi-
dence requirements for natural-
ization purposes with the physi-
cal residence requirement for
purposes of preserving perma-
nent residence. To preserve per-
manent residence status, a green
card holder should not be absent
from the U.S. for more than one
year, unless he obtains a reen-
try permit from the CIS before
departure. If a green card holder
intends to preserve his continu-
ous residence for purposes of
applying for naturalization at
the earliest time, he should not
be absent from the U.S. for six
months or more.
Creeping amnesia... from page 24
Residence for ... from page 24
behavior is new or has increased
and if it seems related to a pain-
ful event, loss or change. Such
as death. Such as talking about
feeling hopeless or having no
reason to live. Such as visiting or
calling people to say goodbye.
Perhaps its the chill in the
air. Or the days growing shorter.
But I resolve to take it one day
at a time and follow the advice
of Dr. Marilu Tablang-Jimenez,
a child and adolescent psychia-
trist: Take time to laugh and to
play, because they release the
natural feel-good endorphins in
your body.
Or, as my good friend artist/
writer Reme Grefalda wrote in
the intro to mama, mama do
we have rehearsals tonight? (a
play she wrote and directed):
There is a will out there, greater
than ours that insists we play.
It tells us that we try too hard
and in our tired struggle to ef-
ciently control our lives, we lose
touch with all that is whimsical
and creative in us. I am a sucker
at such Insistence. I therefore
play. This, and every creative
endeavor in the past, is a homage
to that Greater Will who allows
us my friends and I to sustain
our playfulness and to nd time
for that change of rhythm within
our busy lives.
In our church, young fami-
lies are lling up the empty
pews left by those who had
passed on. Young children ages
four to six are running about on
the street where we live, where
once George and Eva leisurely
took their evening strolls. Boots
Jumats grand daughters, Jada
and Jamie, are so spirited and
engaging Im sure their grand-
mothers legacy will live in their
hearts, and in the lives of those
she had touched.
For me, Id dropped every-
thing just to be with grand
daughters Maya and Lilah, not
minding the 6-hour drive to
Trenton and back, getting down
on all fours to scrawl magic
markers on the oor, blowing
bubbles or just simply being in
the moment with them, surren-
dering completely to their ram-
bunctious romps and rhythms.
The sound of dry leaves
crackling under Lilahs feet as
she runs and screams for a ball
that for one magical moment is
all the world to her: its music to
my ears. And its these moments,
not the days, that I will always
remember.
Send your comments to
jdmelegrito@gmail.com
Rustling of Leaves... from page 29
Distrito de Morong, in 1884, then
taken over by the Revolutionists
in 1899, by the US Forces in 1901,
and by the Japanese in 1942; the
Morong Church, known for its
belfry and frontpiece built in
1850; and Jala-Jala, a plantation
started, developed and main-
tained by a French man, Paul
P. De La Geroniere, for 20 years
where he introduced new meth-
ods and practices in piggery and
in the planting of indigo, sugar
cane, and coffee trees.
With or without markers the
memories stay, we can always go
back, to those streets, to where
we took our rst steps out and
into a world of where we are now
and who we have become. Can
we not say then, even silently
to ourselves, that we owe some-
thing to those streets? Oh, if only
those streets could talk!
On the Streets Where... from page 25
A Napoles daughter who
resides in the United States
has been shown to be living an
extravagant life, hobnobbing
with the glitterati and owning
fabulous cars, condos and an
extensive designer wardrobe.
She must now regret posting
photos of her extravagances on
Facebook.
President Aquino has
ordered an exhaustive investiga-
tion and has promised to send
to jail all those involved, even
politicians allied with him. This
whole thing could explode to
high heavens, possibly involving
a large number of prominent and
powerful politicians and private
citizens. It would not be an exag-
geration to say that the whole
Philippine political community
is in peril of disintegration and
puts many big political names on
the precipice of destruction and
ignominy.
But this will only happen if
the judicial authorities will do
their job. The Philippine justice
system is notorious for being cor-
rupt in many areas. Its a system
that often protects the power-
ful and inuential. Often bribe
money is able to quash criminal
cases and allows the guilty to
go scot-free. A former member
of Napoless ofce has been
reported as saying that Napoles
herself expects to beat the raps
to be thrown at her in four years,
intimating that she has enough
connections in the right places
to thwart justice.
Which makes President
Aquino a key player in the scan-
dal. Here in the Philippines, the
president can make or break legal
cases, depending on his or her
resolve in getting to the bottom
of things. And whether he or she
is serious about making sure that
justice is served. In cases like the
alleged Napoles scam, the police
and the prosecutors move with
dispatch and purpose depending
on how they perceive the inten-
tions of the countrys leader.
Mr. Aquino has been assid-
uous in reforming the countrys
political system and its bureau-
cracy, with commendable results
so far. Enough for domestic and
foreign observers and potential
investors to regain condence
in the way things are now being
done here. He has made it his
mission as president to leave a
reformed government and coun-
try when he steps down in 2016.
If the president is serious
about sending Napoles and the
legislators involved in the scam
to jail, it would be a breakthrough
in the Philippine justice system.
But thats a big if because not
all in the prosecutorial and judi-
cial sectors can be relied upon
to turn the screws against the
guilty in this case. And, many
people along the route to justice
are susceptible to the enticement
of bribe money.
In the end, the Napoles
scandal will be a test case of how
effective President Aquino will
be bringing to justice the guilty
by putting together a crack team
of prosecutors in building the
cases against an expected large
number of participants in the
alleged scam and ensuring that
the courts will dispense justice
where it is demanded and appro-
priate.
Will the Napoles case be
ultimately an example of jus-
tice served here or will it be just
another case of a trial that goes
nowhere with no one punished?
It wouldnt be a surprise to many
if the latter happens in the end.
But, the nation hopes, this time
it will be different and the guilty
will indeed be put in jail where
they belong.
Again, the key gure in all
this will be President Aquino. Its
a heavy burden, but hes the guy
in charge. Its his job to send the
guilty to prison.
The depths of corruption... from page 25
many websites prohibit users
from using the website to do
anything unlawful, misleading,
malicious or discriminatory.
Recently, Yelp sued a law
rm in San Francisco, accus-
ing the law rm of posting fake
reviews on the law rms Yelp
page (see Yelp Inc. v. McMil-
lan Law Group, Case No. CGC
13-533654 (Superior Court of
California, led Aug. 20. 2013)).
Yelps TOS provides that Yelp
users agree not to assist or
encourage others to write a fake
or defamatory review. Yelp has
alleged, among other things, that
the law rm breached Yelps
TOS, and has asked for dam-
ages exceeding $25,000. The case
is active and likely will not be
resolved for many months, if not
years.
The bottom line on this is
that you, as a user, must care-
fully review the website owners
TOS before using that website.
While many website owners do
not, as a matter of practice, pros-
ecute minor violations of their
TOS, it is prudent for you to
know the website owners poli-
cies and prohibitions to avoid a
potential lawsuit.
Hiring Contractors... from page 24
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