Hawaii Filipino Chronicle News - June 25, 2011

inside look JUNE 25, 2011

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

‘Aloha’ Book Signing at Bishop Museum

6

FEATURE

Big Projects in Hawaii - Why Are They Stuck?

9

PHILIPPINE NEWS

11

Noy Signs 3 New Laws

HAWAII’S ONLY WEEKLY FILIPINO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER

DR. AQUINO RECEIVES KNIGHTS OF RIZAL AWARD FOR PEACE

By Maita MILALLOS

he Order of the Knights of Rizal Hawaii Chapter commemorated the 150th birth anniversary of the Philippines’ national hero with the launch of the first Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Peace and Social Justice on June 19, 2011 at the Hale Koa Hotel.

T

Dr. Belinda A. Aquino, retired professor of Political Science and Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, where she was also the founding director of the Center for Philippine Studies, was named the first recipient of the award for exemplifying the ideals and principles of Rizal who advocated for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. Aquino is an internationally renowned scholar, social critic and educator committed to the basic missions of education. Her years in academia enabled her to develop her students’ minds to engage in critical thinking and to equip them with the necessary practical

skills to prepare them to meet life’s challenges in the real world. Aquino was a visiting professor, lecturer and research fellow at various international institutions in Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. She was vice president for public affairs at the University of the Philippines and author of numerous publications on contemporary Philippine politics and society. She writes commentary columns for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and other international, national or local publications. In 2009, she was elected National President of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America. A recipient of prestigious awards (continued on page 4)

Passengers Flock on Final Test-Run of Bicol Express By Jun PASAYLO ANILA, Philippines – Hundreds of passengers flock the Philippine National Railways (PNR) as the agency launched tonight the final test run of Bicol Express, which will re-open its Manila-Naga-Manila operation on June 29. Philstar.com is among those that witness tonight’s event as the PNR fully simulated the full services of the train that will leave Manila at 6:45 p.m. tonight. Officials of the Department of Transportation and Communication also joined the activity. The Bicol Express route was suspended on 2006 on the aftermath of typhoon Melinyo. PNR general manager Junio Ragragio Jr. said that the re-opening of the Bicol

M

PNR general manager Junio Ragragio Jr. leads dozens of guests during the final test run of Bicol Express Express is part of the Aquino administration’s determination to improve the transportation industry to spur economic development in the countryside. “ It is indeed a milestone in the nation’s transportation history of the comeback of this once popular railway express; however what is important to (continued on page 5)

Dr. Aquino with Serafin Colmenares (Past Chapter Commander), Eddie Limon (Regional Commander USA), Raymund Liongson (Chapter Commander) and Consul General Leoncio Cardenas

On Board the BRP Humabon By DJ STA. ANA / News5 ANILA, Philippines - The BRP Rajah Humabon (PF–11) is the Philippine Navy’s flagship and its 60 crew members believe they are the strongest expression of Philippine sovereignty even as they acknowledge they may prove no match to other navies, especially that of China. Though the Rajah Humabon is antiquated and lightly armed, its sailors – whose average age is in the 30s – make up for it through dedication to their duty of protecting Philippine maritime territory.

M

(continued on page 4)

Photo provided by News5 shows the crew of the BRP Rajah Humabon, led by commanding officer Capt. Celeste Abalayan, on board the country’s largest warship.

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE 94-356 WAIPAHU DEPOT RD., 2ND FLR. WAIPAHU, HI 96797

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

HONOLULU, HI PERMIT NO. 9661

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

2

EDITORIAL Help Keep Medicare Alive

JUNE 25, 2011

posal radical.” Other economists point out that the cost-savings to the government that Ryan is hoping to achieve with this program may in fact cost taxpayers more in other ways and merely shifts the financial burden onto the new Obama health care law, not to mention the toll it could have on increased homelessness and government-subsidized nursing homes.

mericans of all ages: pay close attention. The current debate on Medicare is not just a concern for seniors. Its ambitious, comprehensive plan is set to lay the groundwork on public policy concerning seniors for the next 20 years and beyond. Changes to it could determine the fate of most Americans' financial security in retirement and our ability to receive affordable health care.

A

RYAN PLAN Bent on slashing government at any cost, Republicans are doing everything in their power to dismantle Medicare and include it on their “to privatize” list, along with Social Security and Medicaid. In light of Medicare’s projected fiscal shortfall, House Republicans, in an overwhelming majority voted in favor of Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wisc.) plan to eliminate Medicare and turn it into a private voucher system. No Democrats voted in favor of it. Under Ryan’s plan, people eligible for Medicare would not enroll in the current public program but instead be entitled to receive subsidized vouchers from the government to help them pay for their private health insurance. The vouchers will go directly from the government to the insurers individuals select. The dollar amount of the vouchers will vary from person-to-person, depending on health and income. The average is set at $8,000 annually. The Ryan plan also lifts the age of Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67. The problem with the Ryan plan is that when medical costs exceed the annual voucher, the individual is responsible for paying the difference. Based on the high cost of medical care, that sum could be substantial. Seniors needing long-term care, on fixed budgets, or who have sudden, unexpected costly emergency procedures could find themselves unable to pay for their medical bills under this system. If the cost of premiums also rise—which it probably will because seniors under this new system are treated as individuals and no longer benefit from the government bulk buy-in—then individuals will also have to come up with that cost difference. So conceivably, adjusted for inflation, the $8,000 annual voucher could amount to very little assistance with no guarantees of affordability, even to the average, healthy senior. To make matters worse, insurers will no longer be required to approve or pay for certain medical treatments suggested by doctors. Private insurers’ formula of cost-benefit ultimately will take precedence over seniors’ health needs and doctors’ professional medical opinions. Princeton economist Uwe Reinhardt, a respected health care expert, said: “Under the defined contribution approach envisaged by the Ryan plan, most of the risk of future health-care cost increases would be shifted onto the shoulders of Medicare beneficiaries. This feature makes the pro-

A BETTER ALTERNATIVE While the idea of cutting government spending is a worthy idea, the Ryan plan falls short when put up against any reasonable fiscal, responsible, humane or moral standard. Medicare is simply one aspect of an entire medical care system that needs to be revamped beyond what had already been set forth in Obama care. To have a public policy discussion on Medicare’s deficiencies as an individual program is valid to the extent of fixing immediate cost-efficient changes. But contrary to the Republican’s voucher system (their version of a long-term plan for seniors), there must be a time when all aspects of the healthcare system be integrated and treated as one system that reliably addresses care to all Americans regardless of age (Medicare), disability or income (Medicaid). Until that time comes, reforms to Medicare must match the policy limitations and ideological compromise laid down by Obama care, something that is far less radical than the Ryan plan. In analogous terms, how can we chop off the limbs (Medicare/Medicaid) and expect the body (entire healthcare system) to move forward? The scope of changes to Medicare at this juncture should be limited to controlling spending without reducing eligibility or benefits. Some ideas include adopting managed-care insurance plans with better coordination of treatment that avoid unnecessary, costly duplication. Revamping copayments and deductibles that marginally increase out-of-pocket cost for maintenance-type care in exchange for caps on long-term, costly procedures is another option. Finding ways to reduce premiums for private insurance that seniors get to fill in Medicare’s gaps also could make medical care more affordable. Where congressional leaders and the president move forward on this issue is still uncertain since both political parties are locked into their positions. Republicans are trying to leverage their changes to Medicare as a deal to tack onto the president’s plan to lift the deficit ceiling. Democrats are taking a hard line against major changes to Medicare. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), said “…Republicans we will not allow them (Democrat leaders) to balance the budget on the backs of seniors. It is time to take the benefits of seniors that they rely on off the table.” The likelihood of the Ryan plan becoming law at this time is unrealis(continued on page 3)

HAWAII-PHILIPPINE NEWS EDITION Charlie Y. SONIDO, M.D. Publisher and Executive Editor

Chona A. MONTESINES-SONIDO Publisher and Managing Editor

Dennis GALOLO Edwin QUINABO Associate Editors

Randall SHIROMA Design Consultant

Columnists Gov. Neil Abercrombie Carlota Ader Carlo Cadiz, M.D. Mayor Peter Carlisle Sen. Will Espero Grace F. Fong, Ed.D. Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Ph.D. J. P. Orias Pacita Saludes Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. Charlie Sonido, M.D. Emmanuel S. Tipon,Esq. Felino S. Tubera Amado Yoro Sylvia Yuen, Ph.D.

www.thefilipinochronicle.com | www.efilipinochronicle.com

Contributing Writers

Advertising/Marketing Director

Belinda Aquino, Ph.D., Clement Bautista, Teresita Bernales, Ed.D., Linda Dela Cruz, Fiedes Doctor, Danny de Gracia II, M.A., Amelia Jacang, M.D., Caroline Julian, Maita Milallos, Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D., Glenn Wakai

Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Creative Designer

Junggoi Peralta Philippine Correspondent

Account Executives

Carlota Ader J. P. Orias Big Island Distributor

Grace Larson Ditas Udani

Gregory Bren Garcia Photography

Tim Llena

Maui Distributor

Cecile Piros

Administrative Assistant

Molokai Distributor

Shalimar Pagulayan

Maria Watanabe

The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle is published weekly by the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. It is mailed directly to subscribers and distributed at various outlets around Oahu and the neighbor islands. Editorial and advertising deadlines are three weeks prior to publication date. Subscriptions are available at $75 per year for Oahu and the neighbor islands, continental U.S. $85, foreign country $95. Copyright 2007-2010. The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. is located at 94-356 Waipahu Depot, Waipahu, HI 96797. Telephone: (808) 678-8930. Facsimile: (808) 678-1829. E-mail: filipinochronicle@gmail.com. Opinions expressed by the columnists and contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle management. Reproduction of the contents in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission from the management. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

EDITORIAL Multilateral Resolution JUNE 25, 2011

t’s good to have six other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, apart from the Philippines, calling for a peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea. It would be even better if the regional grouping would participate in resolving the dispute. The sea, after all, washes against the shores of several countries in the region and is a vital international shipping lane. An online initiative to call the controversial body of water the Southeast Asia

I

Sea also deserves support. The proposed name would serve as a constant reminder that the sea lies not just south of one particular country but west, east or north of several countries in Southeast Asia. To say that China has historical rights over the sea presupposes that the lands that are now part of ASEAN were missing in that history and just popped out of the depths of the planet long after China had claimed the waters as part of its territory. This dispute will not be resolved through armed con-

it has sovereign rights ex- overlapping exclusive ecofrontation, and the Philip- tend 12 miles from shore. In nomic zones where joint papines certainly cannot afford addition, the United Nations trols and other activities can one with Asia’s economic Convention on the Law of be pursued. Overlapping powerhouse, which has one the Sea gives a country the areas need not result in of the world’s strongest exclusive right to explore and armed confrontation. A multiapproach, with armed forces. Chinese offi- utilize natural resources lateral cials have vowed to pursue a within a 200-nautical-mile ASEAN participating as a peaceful resolution of the economic zone. Neighboring group, will facilitate a peacedispute. This is best countries such as the Philip- ful resolution of the territorial achieved through multilateral pines and Malaysia can have dispute. (www.philstar.com) negotiations, (cont. from page 2; HELP KEEP ... ) with certain common patic given the Democrats’ control of a voting block, it wouldn’t come as a rameters set for the presidency and the Senate. surprise for politicians to stick it to claimant counBut of course the Ryan plan is so the poor, unfortunately. tries. The conventional wisdom on extreme in nature that any comA country’s promises forced through in the this issue is that the fate of territorial waform of a mini-Ryan bill would still Medicare rests on the outcome of ters over which be unacceptable. The uglier side our next national elections. But of politics on this issue is already now is the time to bring attention to taking a spinoff onto Medicaid. this issue so that our community Political watchers anticipate Med- can see who is working for mainicaid may be the sacrificial lamb taining the integrity of Medicare in this round of debates. Given and which political party seeks to the political strength of seniors as dismantle it.

Cleaning Up the Air

nvironment officials were pleased to announce recently that the Philippines received a favorable rating in efforts to control air pollution. Yale University, in its annual Environmental Performance Index, gave the Philippines an EPI of 71.7 points, ranking the country at 50th place alongside Australia among 163 countries surveyed. The EPI ranking was based on 25 performance indicators in 10 policy categories. In Southeast Asia, the Philippines was ranked behind only Malaysia and Singapore. Officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources attributed the ranking to the government’s adoption of more stringent motor vehicle emission standards, tighter monitoring of private emission testing and vehicle inspection centers, and better enforcement of laws against smoke belching. This is good news, although many Filipinos, especially residents of Metro Manila and other urban centers, are probably among the most surprised by the country’s ranking. There are still too many motor vehicles fouling up the air in Metro Manila, and constant exposure to the air

E

along major thoroughfares such as EDSA is dangerous to one’s health. Poor air quality aggravates asthma, causes rhinitis and conjunctivitis, triggers skin allergies, and contributes to serious ailments including tuberculosis and even lung cancer. Health care costs should be among the biggest incentives for cleaning up the air we breathe. Despite that encouraging rating from one of the top universities in the United States, the Philippines has a long way to go in curbing air pollution. A drive around Metro Manila will show that too many vehicles are still getting away with emitting noxious fumes. Among the biggest culprits are trucks hauling shipping containers, buses, jeepneys, and the increasingly ubiquitous motorcycles. Those emissions are the result of poor vehicle maintenance, and cannot possibly be missed in tests for the annual vehicle registration. How do these vehicles get away with the emissions? Finding out why, and improving emission testing procedures, should make the country rate even better in international studies on air pollution control. (www.philstar.com)

3

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

4 (cont. from page 1; DR. AQUINO ... )

and citations for her intellectual leadership and outstanding service to the community and various institutions too numerous to mention, Aquino epitomizes the pursuit of excellence in whatever she does. Aquino’s 15-year activism during Philippine martial law attests to her beliefs in freedom of expression, nationalism, sovereignty of oppressed peoples and the success of a struggle based on the principles of social justice and resistance to tyranny. Her professional work as an administrator, resource person, lecturer, speaker, writer, journalist, community worker and activist also serves the non-academic community in search for solutions to the bigger issues in society. Serafin Colmenares, Jr., past commander of the Knights of Rizal Hawaii Chapter, says that Aquino meets all the criteria for the award based on her intellectual achievements, exceptional leadership, outstanding community service and advocacy for democratic change through peaceful means, intercultural understanding, social justice and the responsible uses of power. When asked how she felt about the award, Aquino said, “I am truly honored and extremely delighted, of course, but somewhat uneasy because I am not sure I deserve it. I cannot claim to be a distinguished Rizalist or a woman of Peace, maybe “Pieces” but hopefully not broken. “There are people who have devoted their whole lives studying Rizal. They are the real experts. And there are others who have achieved greatness or done heroic deeds which would have made Rizal very proud. In any case, I accept the award with pride and humility. It will always mean a lot to me.”

HEADLINES (CONT.) Divina Robillard, President of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Hawaii offered her felicitations. “Dr. Aquino has a history of making her fellow alumni proud and this latest recognition makes us very proud of her,” she says. “We thank her for her life’s work and achievements which are what the University of the Philippines is all about. We are glad that her achievements are acknowledged by the community.” In her acceptance speech, Aquino expounded on the range, breadth, depth and quality of Rizal’s genius as the hero’s essential gift to humanity, surpassing even other geniuses in history by the sheer force of his intellect. “He had incredible intellectual power,” Aquino says. “He was a poet, philosopher, physician, social scientist, linguist, historian, ethnologist, painter, sculptor, swordsman, architect, mathematician, agriculturist, journalist, propagandist and so on. The list is endless. It’s awesome to say the least.” Quoting Austin Coates, a Rizal scholar, the hero was “a revolutionary without hatred and a world leader without worldly ambition.” Aquino also says that Rizal was a visionary as shown in one of his best writings—“The Philippines a Century Hence.” He also prefigured much of the concepts we now know today— nationalism, internationalism, secularism, humanism and even feminism. Rizal advocated equal rights for women as shown in his famous “Letter to the Women of Malolos” in which he fully supported women’s struggle to establish a language school of their own, not just for the sons of the elite. He anticipated the broader role of women in society and politics, which was unheard of

Dr. Aquino (with leis) posing with members of the Order of the Knights of RizalHawaii Chapter during his time. Rizal’s patriotism continues to live on among Filipinos in Hawaii. Philippine Consul General Leoncio Cardenas says that as the second largest ethnic group in Hawaii, the Filipino community has taken upon itself to promote the Philippines’ rich culture and traditions in the multi-cultural environment of Hawaii. “Loving one’s roots is also manifested in Filipinos’ continuing desire to help the motherland during times of natural calamities. If Rizal were alive today, he would take enormous pride in what Filipinos have accomplished and what they can still do as major players in Hawaii,” Cardenas says. The awarding of the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Peace and Social Justice is intended to be an annual event. It is open to all Hawaii residents regardless of gender, race, religion and political affiliation. Raymund Liongson, the Chapter Commander, pointed out that Rizal (cont. from page 1; ON BOARD ... )

The Rajah Humabon has been in service for nearly 68 years. This means the ship is as old as the fathers of most of the crew. News5 junior correspondent Mia Reyes was one of the journalists who went with the Rajah Humabon on a three-day patrol to the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Navy had ordered the Rajah Humabon to the area following reports that foreign ships were seen in the area well within Philippine waters. According to Philippine and US Navy records, the Rajah Humabon is the largest but oldest Philippine Navy warship. It was commissioned in August 1943 as the USS Atherton, a Cannon–class destroyer. As the Atherton (DE–169), it was sent to the North Atlantic, assigned to anti–submarine patrol and was credited with the sinking of a German U-boat in 1945. She was later transferred to the Pacific where she continued to serve until she was decommissioned in 1945. In 1955, the Atherton was handed over to the newly formed Japanese Maritime Self–Defense Force and renamed the JDS Hat-

was an “internationalist” and the award should also reflect his ideals on the need to recognize the talents of others regardless of race, religion or creed. Future nominees are encouraged to submit three recommendations from reputable civic, professional and community groups. The guest speaker for the event was Eddie Limon, Regional Commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, USA Region. The organization was founded in 1911 to commemorate the execution and martyrdom of Rizal. It has since evolved into a global, cultural, nonsectarian, non-partisan, non-racial, non-profit, civic and patriotic fraternal organization. It was chartered in 1951 under Philippine Republic Act 646 and includes notable Filipino figures, such as Manuel Quezon, Carlos Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal, Fidel Ramos, Hilario Davide, Reynato Puno, Jaime Cardinal Sin, Bienvenido Nebres, Rufino Cardinal Santos and Benigno Aquino Jr. The

JUNE 25, 2011 organization, which has a worldwide membership of 10,000, has chapters in Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and the U.S. The Hawaii Chapter was established in 1971 and has undertaken several projects to promote the ideals and teachings of Rizal. These include the awarding of the first Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Peace and Social Justice, annual Rizal Youth Leadership Institute for high school and college students and dedication of the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Square in Downtown Honolulu. The Hawaii Chapter will also host the 4th Regional Conference of the Knights of Rizal in Honolulu. Past Chapter Commanders include Roland Sagum, Mario Bautista, Bert Pumento, Joseph Macapinlac, James Misajon, Herman Misajon, Alberto Alarcon, Germiniano Arre Jr., Manuel Lanuevo, Bion Griffin, Benjamin Sanchez, Serafin Colmenares Jr. and Clement Bautista. Sunday’s event was attended by about 160 guests. Attendees included Philippine Consul General Cardenas, State Reps. John Mizuno and Henry Aquino, former State Sen. Ron Menor, former State Rep. Jun Abinsay, Toy Arre Jr. of the Filipino Community Center, Bennette Misalucha of the Philippine Coordinating Council of Hawaii, Patti Lyons of the Consuelo Foundation, Maggie Domingo of the Philippine Cultural Foundation and Robillard of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Hawaii.

BRP RAJAH HUMABON (PF-11)

sushi (DE–263). The Hatsushi was retired in 1975. The Atherton/Hatsushi was then turned over to the Philippines in 1978 but first underwent extensive refurbishment in South Korea. The Philippine Navy commissioned the ship in 1980 as the BRP Rajah Humabon. The ship, along with two other frigates, served as the backbone of the Philippine Navy. The Rajah Humabon was decommissioned in 1993 but was pulled back into service as the Philippine Navy lacked ships. She was re-commissioned in 1996. According to Reyes, morale among the 60-man crew is high even as they acknowledge they may be no match to the warships of other navies, such as China. From a naval base in San Fernando, La Union, it takes the Rajah

Humabon some 18 hours to reach Scarborough Shoal, located over 200 kilometers west of Luzon. Scarborough Shoal is claimed by the Philippines due to proximity although China is known to have sent patrol ships to the area. Capt. Celeste Abalayan, Rajah Humabon’s commanding officer, admits they did encounter a Chinese maritime patrol ship some months back well within Philippine waters. Abalayan said the encounter was “friendly” and that the Chinese ship “was just representing China.” For this recent sortie in early June, he said the Rajah Humabon was given the mission to check the presence of foreign vessels in Scarborough Shoal.

THREE OUTRIGGERS (continued on page 5)

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

JUNE 25, 2011

5

Securing Your Child’s Identity: What Parents Need to Know THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (BBB) IS WARNING PARENTS to be on the lookout for signs that point to their child’s identity being compromised or stolen. Hundreds of online businesses are finding inactive Social Security numbers online, most of which are assigned to minors under the age of 18 who have not started using them yet. These inactive Social Security numbers are being sold under different names to help people establish fake credit. The scheme may lead to significant debts for children that might be almost impossible to pay off later.

HEADLINES (CONT.) (cont. from page 4; ON BOARD ... )

The Philippines and China previously had an “encounter” in Scarborough Shoal when Beijing placed markers. In this inspection, Abalayan said they found no foreign ships – only three outrigger boats operated by Filipino fishermen. He did admit they have had 87 reported incursions by foreign vessels, although he did not say within what time frame. When asked what actions they would take if they find a foreign vessel in Philippine waters, Abalayan said: “We usually monitor their movements and if there are some illegal activities, we shoo them away.” Although it was given a rated top speed of 60 knots, the Rajah Humabon could only manage 10 knots in its patrol due to the age of its engines. And the age is not only evident in its engines, but also throughout the ship’s superstructure. Reyes recounted that rainwater would seep into the rusted parts of the ships – with the crew doing their best to counter the leaks either with rags stuffed into the gaps or pails to catch the water. The Rajah Humabon has Spartan accommodations but at least it is comfortable, as it has air-conditioning and sleeping areas. In its wardroom, a portrait of Rajah Humabon is displayed. As for

Last year alone, over eight million American adults were victims of ID theft, resulting in the loss of $37 billion, according to a 2011 report from Javelin Strategy and Research. According to NBC Today, it’s harder to determine how many children are affected by identity theft because most cases go undiscovered for years. An identity theft monitoring company, Debix, found an alarming 4,000 cases of tainted identities, out of only 40,000 children. “It’s frightening to think that your child or even unborn child’s identity could be comprised for the sole reason that they have clean record,” says Dwight Kealoha, CEO

of Hawaii’s BBB. “It is extremely important that parents take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their child’s precious and helpless identity.” BBB urges parents to follow these important steps to secure their child’s identity: • Know how to obtain your child’s credit report. Getting access to your child’s records is actually a different process than obtaining your own. Your child’s report cannot be obtained using the congressionally-mandated free credit report website when under the age of 13 and even sometimes for children ages 14 to 18. For parents with children under age 13, the easiest way

meals, crewmembers bring along their own favorite viands to augment the “spartan” meals served by the ship’s cook. Reyes said it is just one way to add variety to their shipboard meals, which usually consist of seafood. As for entertainment, Reyes said crewmen cope with the long trips with karaoke and DVD – with crewmembers sharing their own collection. Another source of entertainment are cellphones, where the crewmen play songs. The Rajah Humabon is armed with a combination of 40 mm and 20 mm cannons as well as .50 caliber machineguns, but when racked up against other Asian navies, the ship is a lightweight when it comes to armaments. The ship’s executive officer, Commander Oscar Canlas, pointed out they are capable of fulfilling their mission although he admits that having more equipment and capability wouldn’t hurt. “For me, we are trying to provide the necessary requirements to accomplish the mission.” “Since andun kami, based on our equipment, nagagawa naman yung mission pero maganda kung ma-enhance ito (Since we’re there, based on our equipment we can accomplish the mission but it would be better if there’s an upgrade),” he added.

Among the enhancements they wish for the Rajah Humabon are: Updating its combat information center, its communications center and weapons, which date back to World War 2. Canlas pointed out one immediate improvement they need is satellite and video capability which allows them to feed real time video back to Navy headquarters, even Malacañang. “They can really visualize kung ano talagang nakikita namin sa area kung saan kami ma-deploy (They can really visualize what we see in the area where we are deployed),” Canlas explained. “Mas maganda if you can see para ma appreciate nung leadership yung situation sa lugar (Better if the leadership can actually see the situation).” Canlas cited the importance of the Philippine Navy to continuously patrol the area, not only

(cont. from page 1; PASSENGERS ... )

us is that PNR gets back on its track to provide an efficient public mass transportation system that would initially service the southern part of Luzon transporting tourists, travellers and goods without delay,” Ragragio said. Bicol Express first trip departed Tutuban Station at 6:45 in the evening and will arrive at the Naga City station at 4:00 in the morning. The Bicol Express offers three classes of train coaches namely the tourist, family and executive classes. Each offers different amenities to suit passenger’s needs and budget. The Tourist coach has reclining seats

similar to a first class air conditioned bus but with wider leg room and seating capacity. It also offers an in-house movie (LCD) to keep passengers entertained for the more or less nine-hour trip. The Family coach is divided into several cubicles, each with 4 double deck bunk beds that can provide a relaxing shut eye during the long journey. The Executive coach is designed for travelers who would like privacy. It offers individual private rooms and a mezzanine area. A dining car is also provided in the trip for passengers who would like to eat in comfort with the amenities of a restaurant. (www.philstar.com)

•

•

to obtain your child’s records is through Trans Union. According to NBC TODAY, if Trans Union says there is no report, odds are good that your child is in the clear. But if there is a report, or you have a specific reason to believe your child is a victim, you’ll want to follow up with two other major credit bureaus— Experian and Equifax—and get reports from them too. Recognize the signs of trouble. Watch out for red flags that indicate there might be a problem, such as your son or daughter receiving pre-approved credit card offers or calls from collection agencies. Know what to do if your child

Scarborough Shoal but the Spratlys. He pointed out countries have been demonstrating their presence in order to solidify their claim on the area – even if these are well within Philippine waters. He likened these activities to that of squatters or illegal tenants, who just stay there until, over time, you get used to them being there. “To patrol these areas and make sure nothing is developed and we are trying to show our vessels to

has fallen victim. According to the Federal Trade Commission, every parent should check their child’s credit report on their 16th birthday. While it’s not good to check it too often, a check at age 16 leaves sufficient time to fix errors before your child goes off to college and tries to obtain financial aid. If suspicious activity arises, contact all three credit bureaus immediately and request a report. Placing a credit freeze should be considered based on Hawaii’s credit freeze law.

For more information on securing your child’s identity, please visit www.bbb.org/us/bbb-news/.

let people know we can cover this area,” Canlas stressed. Canlas put it simply: Presence is everything. “When you want to occupy something, you have to show presence – mere presence shows interest,” Canlas said. “Anytime I will be directed to come back, we will come here. If I need to come back, I will come back,” Captain Abalayan vowed. (www.philstar.com)

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

6

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

New ePassports Available for Pick-Up THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR ELECTRONIC PASSPORTS ON OR BEFORE APRIL 15, 2011 can now claim them at the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu. Applicants or their representatives should bring valid identification cards and the official receipt duly issued by the Consulate. For confirmation of the availability of your passport, please call 595-6316 ext. 109. Unclaimed passports six months after the date of issuance will be sent back to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila for proper disposal.

Queue of ePassports applicants The new ePassport system was implemented in July 2010. Containing the latest technology in travel documents, the ePassport has an integrated chip, which stores all personal information of

the bearer in accordance with specifications of the International Civil Aviations Organizations (ICAO), increasing the integrity and security of the Philippine passport. The new ePassport costs $60 and is valid for five years from the date of issuance. Processing time will be four to six weeks. Fee for the replacement of a lost ePassport is $150. Consulate officials say that previously-issued passports can still be used for travel provided that they are still valid. To avoid inconveniences, travelers are advised to begin applying for a new passport up to six months before an intended date of travel.

Consulate Observes Philippine Independence Day IN OBSERVANCE OF THE 113TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu and key leaders of Hawaii’s Filipino community gathered for a flag-raising ceremony at the Philippine Consulate grounds. Participants included Filipino World War II veterans, the Knights of Rizal-Honolulu Chapter, the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii, the Katipunan Club of the University of Hawaii Filipino and Philippine Literature Studies Program, and the Consulate staff and their families and dependents. Honolulu City Councilmember Romy Cachola also presented Consul General Leoncio R. Cardenas with a certificate paying tribute to Philippine Independence Day. A highlight of the event was a special rendition of “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” by the children of the Philippine Consulate officers and staff and a poem reading by the UH Katipunan Club.

JUNE 25, 2011

City to Host Community Meeting to Discuss General Plan THE CITY’S DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND PERMITTING (DPP) is inviting the public to a community meeting to discuss the Oahu General Plan on July 7, 2011 at 6 pm in the Mission Memorial Auditorium, located at 550 South King Street. DPP will present the project’s purpose and scope, discuss preliminary findings and begin gathering community comments on the General Plan. Landowners, business owners, community organizations, and residents are encouraged to attend. Free parking will available in the Fasi Municipal Building parking lot. Adopted in 1977 and last updated in 2002, the current General Plan is a guide for the future of the island of Oahu. The update will focus on overall growth, tourism,

agriculture, affordable housing and sustainability. According to DPP, now is an appropriate time to review and update the plan, considering that Oahu’s agriculture has diversified, tourism has matured and the secondary urban center is becoming a reality. The City has hired the planning firm Helber, Hastert and Fee to assist with this update. Information on the General Plan, research reports, summaries of current issues, and how to receive email notifications is available at http://honoluludpp.org/planning/OahuGenPlan.asp. The public can take an online survey, the results of which will be presented at the community meeting, and will also provide insight about issues related to the General Plan. Comments on the update can be sent to gp2035@hhf.com. For more details, please contact DPP’s Mike Watkins at 768-8044.

‘Aloha’ Book Signing at Bishop Museum BESTSELLING AUTHOR, ANOLIA ORFRECIO FACUN WILL BE HOLDING an official book signing of her new book “Aloha, The Message of Hawaii” on June 25, 2011 at 4:15 pm at the Bishop Museum. Also present will be mother-daughter co-authors Leslie and Chelsea Tyson and seven other book contributors, including Mayor Peter Carlisle. The book is dedicated to showcasing the beauty of Hawaii, her people and their Aloha spirit. It is a heartwarming compilation of personal stories and short quotes from local residents and visitors. Facun says that her book reflects the true meaning of ‘aloha’ which goes far beyond ‘hello’ and ‘good-bye.’ The stories dig deeper into the heart of what makes Hawaii a local treasure, not just a popular tourist destination. “I wanted to showcase the aloha spirit which has touched so many lives including my own,” Facun says. “Spreading aloha is

Anolia Orfrecio Facun like spreading light to the world which it really needs right now.” Others who contributed stories and insights of what the word “aloha” means to them are New Hope senior pastor Wayne Cordeiro, Gloria Cohen, Sylvia Dolena, Holan Nakata, Dalani Tanahy, Lee Miller Lane, Kahilinai McCarthy, Constantine Nightingdale, Teresa Shuptrine, Cheryl Toyofuku, R.N., Dr. Charlie Sonido and the Bayanihan Clinic Without Walls’ team of doctors. A major portion of all the proceeds from ticket and book sales will go towards future community health outreach and youth development programs. For more details on the book, please call 232-9525.

FOR LEASE-OFFICE SPAC E S LOCATED IN THE HEART OF WAIPAHU. NEAR BUS STOP. EASY ACCESS TO THE FREEWAY. VARIOUS SIZES AVAILABLE (IN SQ. FT.):

110, 230, 253, 262, 315 FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL

RENTAL MASTERS @ 678-8930 OR 284-4185

JUNE 25, 2011

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

LEGAL MATTERS Parental Discipline or Child Abuse? daughter. She called the police. He was charged with child abuse. The daughter was sent to the Philippines to live with relatives. He did not have diplomatic immunity.

by Atty. Emmanuel Samonte TIPON e who spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes"

“H

- Proverbs 13:24. "Withhold not correction from a child: for if thou strike him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell." - Proverbs 23:13-14. A Filipino consular officer was whipping his teen-age son. “If you don’t stop, I’ll call the police,” complained the son. “Go ahead, I have diplomatic immunity,” retorted the father. A Filipino in the East Coast slapped his teen-age wayward

PARENTAL DISCIPLINE AS A DEFENSE There are varying laws among the states as to what constitutes child abuse and what is justifiable parental discipline. In Hawaii, for example, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Sec. 703-309 provides that the use of force upon or toward the person of another is justifiable under the following circumstances: (1) the actor is the parent or guardian or other person similarly responsible for the general care and supervision of a minor, or a person acting at the request of the parent, guardian, or other responsible person, and: (2) the force is employed with due regard for the age and size of the minor and is reasonably related to the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the

by Paolo ROMERO / Thursday, June 23, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - SPEAKER FELICIANO BELMONTE JR. WAS SET to leave last night for Beijing to meet with his counterpart amid tensions between the Philippines and China over the latter’s intrusions into the country’s territory. Belmonte is leading a congressional delegation to meet with Wu Bangguo, chairman of the standing committee of China’s National People’s Congress. The delegation, composed of La Union Rep. Victor Ortega, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, Bukidnon Rep. Jose Zubiri, Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Victor Yu, and Batangas

if there is any evidence to support that defense, the jury must be given such instruction. The court pointed out that the legislature has acknowledged that the line between physical abuse and appropriate parental discipline is a very subjective one – what one parent considers discipline may seem abusive to another. State v. Kikuta, No. 29445, June 8, 2011, Hawaii Supreme Court.

K had surgery on his leg and was walking with a cast from his hip to his foot with the aid of crutches. He told his stepson to clean up a stain on the carpet which a dog had made. The stepson refused. When K left the room, the stepson

slammed the door because he was mad. K slammed the door back open and pushed his stepson who fell backwards into the glass door. When he got up, K pushed him back down. The stepson grabbed the crutch that had fallen on the floor. K pushed the crutch toward his stepson and punched him in the face five times. When the stepson got to his knees and covered his head, K punched him on the back of his head two or three times. The stepson’s nose bled and his face was swollen. The prosecutor charged K with assault in the second degree – intentionally or knowingly causes substantial bodily injury to another or recklessly causes serious or substantial bodily injury to another. A jury convicted him with assault in the third degree – intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person. K appealed, claiming that the jury should have been instructed on the parental discipline defense. The court sustained the appeal, saying that while it was not condoning the use of illegal force against minors,

several times. Cagayan Rep. Juan Enrile welcomed the opportunity for a dialogue with Beijing although it would be between parliament leaders. “It’s an opportunity to engage

them already so it (Spratlys) should be number one in the issues they will discuss. I think any dialogue where this will be raised will be helpful,” Enrile told reporters. “If we do not start undertaking

dialogues, the day might come that we are no longer in the equation. We will no longer be a participant. The battleground is there but we don’t have a stake,” he said.

(3

welfare of the minor, including the prevention or punishment of the minor’s misconduct; and the force used is not designed to cause or known to create a risk of causing substantial bodily injury, disfigurement, extreme pain or mental distress, or neurological damage.

Hawaii Revised Statutes, Sec. 707-700 defines “substantial bodily injury” as bodily injury which causes: (1) a major avulsion, laceration, or penetration of the skin; (2) a chemical, electrical, friction, or scalding burn of second degree severity; (3) a bone fracture; (4) a serious concussion; or (5) a tearing rupture, or corrosive damage to the esophagus, viscera, or other internal organs.

JURY ISSUE

PHILIPPINE NEWS

Speaker Leads House Delegation to Beijing

Rep. Tomas Apacible, left yesterday. “If the occasion arises, we will reiterate the Philippine position. We are a legislative not an executive group,” Belmonte said when asked whether the Chinese intrusions in the West Philippine Sea would be taken up in the meetings. He said the trip was scheduled last year but it had been postponed

7

TIP: Before spanking your child, consult the law in your state to see how far you can go. (ATTY. TIPON has a Master of Laws degree from Yale Law School and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines. Office: 800 Bethel St., Suite 402, Honolulu, HI 96813. Tel. (808) 225-2645. E-Mail: filamlaw@yahoo.com. Websites: www.Milit a r y a n d C r i m i n a l L a w. c o m , a n d www.ImmigrationServicesUSA.com. Listen to the most witty, interesting, and informative radio program in Hawaii on KNDI at 1270, AM dial every Thursday at 7:30 a.m., rebroadcast at www.iluko.com.)

(www.philstar.com)

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

TRAVEL & TOURISM

8

JUNE 25, 2011

Untold Stories in the City of the Seven Lakes BETWEEN EAST & WEST by Tonette MORTEL t is one of the oldest cities in the country yet San Pablo, Laguna and its environs remain unfamiliar to many of us who live in the metropolis. I had not heard of its attractions until Cora Relova, a native of Laguna and a culture and heritage enthusiast, enticed me to come down for an afternoon to visit Lake Sampalok, Casa San Pablo and Sulyap Restaurant. The three locations — each with a distinctive appeal — tell an uplifting story about our environment, our culture and heritage. All in an afternoon, you can get to a scenic lakeside setting, find a rustic country inn and visit a gallery café that was created from a dismantled turn-of–the-century house. I stopped in Pila to meet Cora for lunch in her rest house set amid rice fields, fruit- and flower-bearing trees. Only a month ago, the climate seemed more hospitable as cool breezes swept through the interlinked pavilions of Cora’s home. On the day of my return visit the air stood still and the sun glaringly hot. I looked forward to getting to Lake Sampaloc to find some relief from the heat. We drove 30 minutes heading south to reach our first destination. After driving through a road flanked on both sides by lush vegetation, the road gently sloped downward until we came upon Lake Sampalok, the largest of San Pablo’s seven lakes. A four- kilometer walkway encircles the 104hectare lake with a distant view toward Mount Cristobal. Though the heat had not abated, the vistas of clear skies and placid waters were soothing to the eye. Even in the scorching sun, it was tempting to

I

stroll down the banks of the lake. But first we made our way to Café Lago to meet our hosts, the brothers Mandy and Tony Marino — both mild-mannered and well-spoken gentlemen who have made the lake both their home and their cause. Café Lago is surrounded by plantings and greenery that rise upwards to frame the dwellings of the Marino brothers. A small window carved out of a concrete wall at the café’s entrance reveals postcardlike views of the lake that reminded me of Italy’s Lake Como. Like Como, Lake Sampalok is picturesque from almost any angle. The mood was enhanced by the romantic Italian music piped in from a sound system. Before we sat down for merienda, Mandy Marino, Cora and I walked around the environs as he gave us a brief background on the area. Mandy Marino was an electrical engineer who worked in Chicago for 27 years. Upon retirement, he took up residence in Lake Sampalok and, along with Monsignor Jerry Bitoon and Judge Bienvenido Reyes, became key figures behind the effort to save the lake. Before 1998, Mandy tells us, the perimeter of the lake was ringed with seedy commercial establishments, beer joints and squatter areas that turned out to be the worst polluters of the lake. In 1998, the “Save The Lake” movement began in earnest to build awareness for saving the environment. The goal, as Mandy explained, was “to return the lake back to the people.” In 2000, in a dramatic gesture known as “Yakap sa Lawa,” some 6,000 to 8,000 people stood arm in arm as though hugging the lake to demon-

The Sampaloc Lake in San Pablo, Laguna and its environs remain unfamiliar to many of us who live in the metropolis. strate, to government and media alike, their passion for their cause. Then, the dismantling of commercial structures and squatter areas began, and with the help of Gawad Kalinga, the squatters were relocated to Unityville — one kilometer away from Lake Sampalok. Still another movement sprang up in 2001 known as “Ampon sa Lawa” with the intent of building small parks around the vicinity of the lake. Today, there are 18 small parks around the perimeter. More than a decade later, the community’s collective efforts should fill them with pride. Lake Sampalok is said to be “a new symbol of environmental advocacy that slowly emerged from exploitation in the ‘70s and the ‘80s.” The lake today is marked by small parks, a boardwalk and a neat row of food stalls hawking local fare such as barbecued meats, burgers, chips and cold refreshments in the form of the native sago and gulaman and sodas. We caught a glimpse of men engaged in some afternoon fishing, children playing near a lotus patch by the banks of the lake. We sighted fish pens and cages for tilapia cultivation and small cottages built on stilts. Altogether it is an idyllic spot for enjoying simple pleasures and wholesome recreation. We returned to Café Lago for a merienda of halohalo and a sinfully delicious suman (glutinous rice cake) topped with a rich coconut caramel sauce. Tony Marino, who has spent years living in New York and working as a stage actor on Broadway, tells me that of all the places he has visited in the world this spot still strikes him as the most beautiful. Waking up to a panoramic view of the lake one morning, he asked himself why it was so special to him. “It’s much more than a visual response but an emotional one — my roots are here so there is a strong connection to the land and the environment,” he explains. Leaving Lake Sampaloc, Tony leads us to our next stop, Casa San Pablo. It is about a 30-minute drive from the lake passing through narrower interior roads. Advertised in its brochure as “A Country Inn at the heart of Laguna,” Casa San Pablo sits on the far end of a gated family

compound punctuated with rolling hills, pine trees and bungalows. The property is owned and operated by art collector Boots Alcantara, who brims with enthusiasm as he takes you around the compound and points out the many features that await visitors to this rustic inn. The rooms vary in style and theme — one has a collection of miniature contemporary cars, collectibles from the Disney Pixar movie Cars, while another room has mint green walls to complement the foliage painting that hang on the walls, and still another holds a collection of birdhouses and birdcages. The rooms and casitas can accommodate couples, families and convention goers. Casa San Pablo has a down-home appeal — informal and a bit quirky but one that instantly makes you feel welcome and at home. In the main dining hall and in the cottages — some with duplex accommodations and verandas — are a whole host of modern and contemporary art works in different media. Tucked away in the back end of the lawn are the free-form swimming pool and a poolside conference hall. At the edge of the compound, you’ll come upon the Church of San Roque and a pavilion that are ideal venues for an intimate wedding and reception. To unwind, you can choose to have a hot-stone massage, visit the videoke lounge or get acquainted with the cultural attractions of the Laguna, Tiaong and Batangas areas in what is known as the “Viaje del Sol” tour. Some of the stops in this itinerary include visits to the workshop of brass sculptor Carlito Ortega, the pottery workshop of Ugu Bigyan and Patis Tesoro’s culinary venue, Kusina Salud, for some country-style home cooking. Leaving Casa San Pablo, we proceed to our final destination for the afternoon — Sulyap Gallery Café and Casa Obando. It is a 10minute drive from Casa San Pablo but it is like stepping into another reality. Roy Empalmado and Arthur Reyes who own and operate both properties are avid art collectors who share a passion for collecting Philippine antiques from the 18th century, and works from the art nouveau, art deco and the neo-classical periods. What is today the Sulyap

Gallery Café and Restaurant was once a 1907 house from Cabay, Quezon that was collapsed and rebuilt in this present site. It is here that Roy and Arthur hope visitors can glimpse Philippine history and its heritage — through the antiques, artworks and architectural details that come together in this unique site. Roy has brought together materials from old houses in Laguna and Batangas such as the wooden cutouts installed in the walls and ceiling of the restaurant’s main floor, the images of saints placed atop an authentic altar table and the black and white photographs on the walls whose subjects are some of the antiques seen on the premises. Sulyap serves traditional Filipino dishes but highlights local favorites like the ensaladang pako — a fiddlehead fern salad with salted eggs in a light vinaigrette dressing, or kulawong puso ng saging — finely chopped banana blossoms cooked in a smoked-flavored coconut milk, a hint of vinegar and finished with slices of grilled pork in a coconut husk; or try pinaete, a dish of finely chopped local shrimps from the Palakpakin Lake cooked in fresh coconut milk. A few steps away from Sulyap is the Casa Obando Bed and Breakfast.Casa Obando is so named because it was rebuilt from an 1850s house in Obando, Bulacan that was dismantled and restored following the original floor layout and design details. At the far end of Casa Obando is an installation of black stone vases and old wooden cartwheels that is the work of Roy Empalmado. It may seem like a striking piece of contemporary art that stands on a corner for purely decorative purposes. But Roy tells me that he sometimes covers the artwork with a white cloth that serves as a screen for the monthly showings of documentary films, art films or slide show presentations of still life photography. It seems as though artists like Roy are constantly reinventing things or showing us new ways of looking at things. The same can be said of Mandy Marino in Sampalok Lake and Boots Alcantara in Casa San Pablo, each in their respective domains — they’re giving us a fresh look at city of San Pablo and alternative ways to appreciate our culture and spend our leisure time. The city of San Pablo is an hour and half from Manila but says much about the diversity of our environment and our cultural offerings. In an afternoon, you can step into three entirely different worlds, each one a part of the Filipino landscape — a scenic lake and a model of environmental preservation, a rustic inn with a contemporary edge and visit heritage structures that have been given a new life and purpose. The best part is that you don’t have to travel far to find them.

(www.philstar.com)

JUNE 25, 2011

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

FEATURE

9

Big Projects in Hawaii — Why Are They Stuck? by Panos Prevedouros ig projects are complex. So the question why big projects get stuck can generate enormously complex responses. However, the answer boils down to a simple bottom line: Because they don't make the grade! There are 10 basic dimensions that account for the reasons that big projects succeed or fail. Each project has its own complex set of technical, legal, institutional and financial requirements but 10 basic reasons cover the fundamental requirements. A project needs to fulfill a major need (or mitigate a major problem), at a low cost, with a large share of it paid by outsiders, and with minimal environmental impacts and implementation risks. It is also important that a project has a strong local advocacy and a weak opposition, and some political support at all levels. A project has a better chance if it utilizes advance technology or is ahead of its time based on proven engineering (e.g., maglev trains, fiber based structural components, etc.) A sound business plan means that a

B

scenario of reasonable adversity keeps the project's balance sheet solvent and subsidies are kept to a minimum even for government projects. Table 1 presents the 10 fundamental requirements and theoretical scores using a scale where 5 is best and 1 is worst. As a result, a project that garners 50 points is “excellent” and would likely be built at a breakneck speed. Thirty or more points are needed for a project to be deemed “good,” therefore worthy of serious consideration for implementation. Projects with less than 30 points are deemed to be fair or bad and should be avoided. There have been many high scoring projects such as the successful establishment of Costco and Wal-Mart in Hawaii in less than 10 years, the H-Power and AES power plants on Oahu, the 10 miles of Tampa’s reversible toll lanes built in less than 7 years for less than $400 Million, and the I35W bridge replacement in the Twin Cities costing $234 Million (completed 3 months early and is

Light Rail-ready,) just to mention a few. Job creation is not a factor. While privately funded projects typically generate new jobs, several taxpayer funded projects tend to be make-work projects. In addition, the job creation aspect is partly accounted for by the Local Advocacy and Political Push factors. Table 2 presents a sample of 8 big projects in Hawaii and their scores for the 10 basic requirements based on my ratings. Three local projects made it because they deserved it, two failed because they deserved it, and three big ones are predicted to fail. Other experts may assign different scores but the average scores of a handful of unbiased assessors with knowledge of all facets of a project should yield a reliable overall score for a proposed project. Both the H-3 freeway and the grand expansion of the Honolulu International Airport (HIA) including its controversial reef runway had major cost and environmental problems, but their superior payoff (by providing needed roadway and runway capacity), sound business

plan (by paying for themselves in the long run), and generous federal cost sharing garnered them a good score. They got done and work well. Similarly the Hawaii Convention Center had a lot going for it. The main issue was its location. Once this was resolved, the project was built expeditiously. Its business plan was and still is weak. Two recent project failures in Hawaii are unique. Both are water transportation projects, and both were implemented and then failed. Both should never have been started. This is particularly true for TheBoat that never had a credible business plan or solved a problem. It removed the equivalent of 2 to 4

buses from the road at a cost of $32 per commuter trip. The (sometimes nauceous) commuter paid only $2; all the rest was public tax subsidy. The SuperFerry was a fitting transportation addition in the island state of Hawaii but it needed a super-sized investment in order to succeed; roughly four times what was actually available. It needed three fully debugged vessels with no need for custom docking platforms, and it needed media campaign and political greasing similar to the 2006-2008 pro-rail blitzkriegs. Given these requirements, it is questionable that a marine company can make a profit at the level of investment needed for (continued on page 10)

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION JUNE 25, 2011

10

FEATURE (CONT.) (cont. from page 9, BIG PROJECTS... )

establishing a competitive service. There have been several attempts since before statehood, all leading to losses and closures. At least three large projects are currently "on the table" in Hawaii: The city's rail project, B.R.Horton's Hoopili project in Ewa (over 12,000 residential units), and the Big Wind project where wind turbines on Molokai and Lanai will generate 400 MW of electric power to be used on Oahu via submerged cables. None of these projects make the grade. This does not mean that they will not be built. But it does mean that building them is not a good idea and that the monies should have been better spent on other projects and opportunities. Here is why. Both Rail and Big Wind fulfill a major need but with archaic or problematic technology. Their project proponents have greased the wheels well and they enjoy strong political support, but both projects are very expensive for what they offer and the cost share by outsiders is small or nil. They have large impacts mostly borne by non-users. Both have strong local advocacy and opposition so that's a wash.

Hoopili and Big Wind have credible business plans but their externalities are not accounted for, e.g., Hoopili and surrounding developments require their own freeway lane to/from town, but none is being built. As a result, over 100,000 existing residents will suffer much worse congestion upon Hoopili’s completion and occupancy (even assuming rail is there.) In addition, both the rail and Hoopili obliterate a large portion of prime agricultural land in central Oahu. A major externality of rail and Hoopili that is not accounted for in their direct costs is the loss of a major portion of prime agricultural land on Oahu. This is a huge loss for an overpopulated remote island. The 20 mile rail should be replaced by 11 miles of High Occupancy and Toll (HOT) lanes and point-to-point express buses. Hoopili's 12,000 units should be replaced with 12,000 units in Kalihi and Kakaako. Big Wind should be replaced with geothermal power plants on Maui and Big Island, and coal, solar and biomass on Oahu. The scores for HOT Lanes and Better Energy are shown in Table 3 below. These are good projects that should get done!

Note 1: Those who desire a better understanding on why big projects get or don’t get done may read articles on Megaprojects by Oxford University professor Bent Flyvbjerg, and Utah University's study onBootleggers, Baptists and Enterprising Politicians, that is, the alliance of profit-driven interests, groups of uncompensated advocates, and opportunist politicians that form the tripartite support alliances needed for a big project to muddle through the project development process. Note 2: On June 23rd at the Plaza Club, HVCA and ThinkTech present Big Projects in Hawaii - Why are they stuck? Contact: Jay Fidell, ThinkTech Hawaii, jay@fidell.com, (808) 780-9254 for information.

PHILIPPINE NEWS

Phl Eyes Mexico as Model for PhilHealth Expansion by Sheila CRISOSTOMO/ Tuesday, June 21, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - THE DEPARTMENT

OF HEALTH (DOH) IS EYEING MEXICO as the country’s model for the expansion of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) since the two nations have similar demography. Health Secretary Enrique Ona said Mexico’s health insurance program for the poor is good and could be adopted in the Philippines. “A good part of what we are doing here, they have already done in Mexico. The reforms in the health insurance system there started in 2003 while we are starting or about to start,” he said in an interview. Ona recently led a small delegation of DOH officials on a five-day study tour of the universal health care (UHC) system in Mexico. The study tour was designed for the DOH to learn from the mistakes and successes of Mexico. “Health care response is a very tricky system. I hope the Aquino administration will be remembered for the reforms in the health care insurance system,” he said. Under the Aquino leadership, the DOH is targeting to enroll every Filipino in PhilHealth, including those who can afford to pay their own P1,200 annual premium. It also aims to expand benefit packages to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses of patients. In a fact sheet, Ona said that the Philippines’ UHC, just like Mexico’s, is “being implemented in a decentralized setting.” “In Mexico, the federal government provides resources to 32 states to implement health sector programs. Therefore, there are many commonalities expected in the chal-

lenges in implementing health sector, especially how to create the right balance of incentives, accountability and innovation at the level of decentralized entities,” he said. While Mexico is an “upper middle-income country” with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $10,000, it is “one of the most unequal countries” in Latin America. “Almost 50 percent of its population lives below the national poverty line and Mexico has one of the lowest revenue collection rate as a percentage of GDP in Latin America (13 percent). Public policy in Mexico, like in the Philippines, is facing the challenge of inclusive growth and poverty alleviation,” Ona said. Mexico, like the Philippines, also has a conditional cash transfer program that provides cash linked to regular school attendance and health clinic visits. Ona said that similar to the Philippines, Mexico has a “deliberate policy objective of providing health insurance coverage for poor populations.” Mexico’s program for indigents started in 2003 and had incrementally expanded coverage for the uninsured. At present, around 43.5 million or 90 percent of the uninsured are already covered. The health chief said he is confident that the Philippines would also succeed in its UHC, just like Mexico. “If Mexico was able to achieve certain and specific milestones in its first decade, there is no doubt that the Philippines can. With its early advantage of a unified health insurance program for all Filipinos there is no reason to believe that the reforms will not be accomplished within this administration,” Ona said. (www.philstar.com)

JUNE 25, 2011

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

PHILIPPINE NEWS

Noy Signs 3 New Laws by Aurea CALICA/ Wednesday, June 22, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - PRESIDENT AQUINO SIGNED INTO LAW YESTERDAY THE BILLS EXTENDING for 10 years the subsidy on electricity charges for poor households, providing mandatory immunization to infants and children, and lifting the prohibition for women night workers. In his speech during the signing ceremonies at Malacañang, the President said the new laws would impact most on the marginalized sectors of society. Aquino said the new laws might be judged insignificant by some, “but they embody our intention to stay true to what we promised the Filipino people.” Republic Act 10150 extending the implementation of the lifeline rate will benefit residential endusers who have difficulty paying the full cost of electricity.

P-Noy affix hhis signature extending the implementation of the Lifeline Rate, the Joint Congressional Power Commission Extension, Allowing night work for Women and the mandatory Immunization for Infants (www.president.gov.ph) It was set to expire on June 26 or 10 years after the passage of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). More than two million lowincome households nationwide will continue to benefit from discounted electricity rates. “The extension of this measure will allow the less fortunate among us to put more of their resources into

feeding themselves, or into saving enough to pay hospital or medicine bills,” Aquino said. “In short, extending this lifeline rate allows those shackled by poverty to focus more of their resources into keeping themselves and their families alive, while also giving them access to electricity,” he added.

Group Urges Aquino to Protect OFW Funds by Helen FLORES/ Tuesday, June 21, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - A MI-

GRANT WORKERS' RIGHTS GROUP CALLED ON the Aquino government to account for all the concerned agencies holding public funds intended for overseas Filipino workers' (OFW) welfare programs and services. Migrante-Middle East made the call following reports of various misuse and illegal diversion of the OFW funds by corrupt government officials. “P-Noy talks a lot about graft and corruption; it is now time to stop the talking. What the Filipino people would like to see is concrete results,” John Monterona, the group's regional coordinator said. On Monday, the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the

filing of four counts of malversation of public funds against former PH ambassador to Nigeria Masaranga Umpa over the alleged misuse of the Assistance to the Nationals fund totaling $96,856 or around P5 million. The money was intended for the repatriation of undisclosed numbers of abducted OFWs in 2007. Monterona said the President should instruct the head of all concerned government agencies holding public funds for OFWs including Department of Foreign Affairs and labor department's Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration to ensure that OFWs funds will be spared from misuse and corruption. “Despite the accumulation of the OWWA funds, programs and welfare services to cater the needs of OFWs on-site and their depend-

ents back home are still wanting," he added. The OWWA funds come from the compulsory collection of $25 membership fees from all deployed OFWs. Under the regulations, the membership fee should be paid by the foreign employer, but OFWs often end up paying the fees prior to their departure. (www.philstar.com)

LPA Spotted Near Bicol, May Merge with 'Falcon' by Angelo L. GUTIERREZ/ Thursday, June 23, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - THE STATE WEATHER BUREAU has spotted another weather disturbance near Bicol region as it closely monitors tropical storm "Falcon," which has slowed down before noon today. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said "Falcon" was located 270 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes as of 10 a.m. PAGASA said the storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 80 kph, was slower at 13 kph and

continues to move northwest, towards Batanes area. The weather bureau said that it is now monitoring two weather disturbances near Bicol. It said a low pressure area (LPA) was estimated at 550 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes. Weather forecasters said in a press conference that "Falcson" may intensify further because there's a possibility that it will merge with the LPA. Public storm warning signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Isabela, Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands and Batanes Group of Islands. The storm was expected to move 290 kilometers east of Tugue-

garao City by Friday morning and head to Batanes area by Saturday morning before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that a total of 30 international flights and 26 domestic flights were cancelled due to bad weather around the country. In Albay, classes in all levels were cancelled as the provincial government orders pre-emptive evacuations of thousands of residents living in flood- and landslideprone areas. The NDRRMC said that two areas in Metro Manila, including Valenzuela and Caloocan cities, were flooded due to non-stop rains brought on by the storm and the LPA. (www.philstar.com)

The enactment of RA 10152 or the mandatory basic immunization services for infants and children is consistent with the Philippines’ commitment to the United Nations 2015 Millennium Development Goals to reduce child mortality. Under the law, all children under five years would be given free basic immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis, Hepatitis-B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, pneumonia, meningitis and influenza. “Specifically, this bill provides for all infants to be given the birth dose of the Hepatitis-B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. Hepatitis-B can be a crippling disease as it can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, among others,” Aquino said. “It is not fair that the vaccine against Hepatitis-B can only be afforded by a privileged few. We are doing this to give these children and their families more access to health care, which the more privileged among us often take for granted,” the President said. “Fulfilling the promise of eliminating poverty cannot be done in one stroke; and these two measures, however seemingly minor they are, will certainly affect the lives of our people,” he said. The President said the government also wanted to level the playing field both on macro and micro levels, hence his signing of the law extending the life term of the Joint Congressional Power

11 Commission (JCPC). The commission was established 10 years ago with the EPIRA in 2001, which sought to bring about reforms in the power sector. The JCPC’s task is to make sure that these reforms are carried out. “And now, 10 years later, we still find it necessary to have a commission paying sufficient attention to this particular sector, and overseeing the continuing reforms. And thus we similarly find the continued existence of the JCPC necessary,” Aquino said. “Right now, industries, specially our BPOs (business processes outsourcing), which are hiring women workers to perform night work, are first required to secure an exemption from the Department of Labor and Employment – and the strange thing is that this is not necessary in hiring male workers for the same assignment,” Aquino said, referring to the new law lifting the prohibition against hiring of women for night duties. “We cannot have this type of legal technicality giving rise to sexual discrimination, especially in this day and age. And that is why we have moved as quickly as possible to amend this,” he said. “The signing of this act is also an economic measure because many women in the BPO sector have been unduly prejudiced by this legal accident; and we must also do everything we can to protect our position as industry leaders,” the President said. (www.philstar.com)

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

FOOD & LEISURE

12

JUNE 25, 2011

The Culinary Hotbed Called Salcedo Park EAT”S EASY by Ernest REYNOSO GALA ucked away in the beautiful Makati neighborhood of plush condominiums and upscale eateries is Salcedo Park, and on weekends it transforms into a culinary hotbed. A vibe resonates as a great variety of cuisines and stellar cast of culinary talents come together. As the market opens, pleasurable days of wining and dining begin. Given the trend towards healthier lifestyles and conscious dining, a wide selection of organic produce is sold, empowering diners with the option for delicious bites without the heaviness usual in

T

hearty cuisines. Quite a gourmet experience, culinary enthusiasts and chefs congregate to enjoy the festivities, and fortunately I had the privilege to launch the weekend market road show by the San Miguel Great Food Club by conducting a cooking demonstration. The assortment of attendees consisted of journalists, retirees, children, and professionals — a testament that food brings one and all together. Living and working in the food world, I had plenty to share — from various cooking tips to knowledge

about ingredients, insights that I learned and observed from my travel experiences in other countries. An example is choosing eggs in the market. An eggshell that is rough in texture means it’s fresher compared to a shell that is smooth like glass. Also, when pan-frying pork chop, don’t allow the meat to curl. Once the ends of the meat begin to rise, invert and cook the other side. Repeat the process and remove the meat before it begins to curl, which ensures that the meat will be succulent and tender. For those who have meat thermometers, the perfect temperature is 170 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. The audience clearly showed their enthusiasm and asked insightful questions like “What is the mean-

▼

PUREFOODS LUNCHEON MEAT-MAGNOLIA cup and form into 8 pieces, the QUICKMELT HAWAIIAN SUSHI same size as luncheon meat (use cling wrap for easier handling). • Keep cling wrap until ready to use. Slice 1 can Purefoods Luncheon Meat into 8 thin slices lengthwise.

INGREDIENTS: 1 sheet nori (Japanese black seaweed) cut into 8 pieces lengthwise Water to seal nori 4 cups cooked Calrose (Japanese rice) 1 185g Magnolia Quickmelt Cheese sliced into 8 pieces

PROCEDURE: A)

Wash 1-1/2 cups rice 3 times, soak with enough water to cover at least 1 hour. Drain. Put in rice cooker with 1 1/2 cups of water, and cook for 25

B) minutes. When done, sprinkle 1 tablespoon each of Japanese vinegar, sugar, and mirin (Japanese sweet sake in orange bottle). Mix well. When ready to use, scoop out 1/2 cup rice with plastic measuring

On a chopping board, arrange nori. Put a slice of luncheon meat, top with Quickmelt cheese, rice on 1/3 side nearest your body. Roll tightly. Seal opening with water. Serve on romaine lettuce-lined black plate.

ing of teriyaki?” or “What is mirin and if there is any substitute?” Teriyaki is a Japanese term for any fish, meat or poultry marinated in soy sauce and traditionally grilled over charcoal to form a glaze but can now be served on top of a prepared dish. As for mirin, it is Japanese for sweet rice wine or sake often found in bottles with orange caps. It was fulfilling to see the crowd engaged, and just like the culinary classes in our school, I could see them scribble notes while watching the process unfold while I was cooking. Excited chatter flowed, and as each dish was put together, one boy excitedly went up on stage to smell the chicken nuggets teriyaki, a sure sign of a true gourmet and future chef.

As a chef instructor, I enjoy my time in the kitchen, exploring culinary creativity by bringing out the best in each dish. This comes from having a good foundation, using the best produce available like San Miguel’s Monterey meats, Magnolia Chicken and Dairy products and incorporating ingredients to discover the right balance. Most important is formulating recipes by making the difficult procedure easy so that everyone can make and do it in their own kitchen. That’s essential and a craft that takes years to master. As my mentor in Moulin de Mougins in Cannes, France, two-star Michelin chef Alain Llorca, stated, “Why make it complicated if nobody can create and appreciate it? What matters are the quality, texture, and taste. Add passion and you will have a memorable cuisine that people will love and adore.” (www.philstar.com)

▼

MAGNOLIA CHICKEN NUGGETS TERIYAKI INGREDIENTS: 1 250g Magnolia Chicken Nuggets, fry until golden, set aside For the teriyaki sauce: 1/4 cup Star margarine 1 tsp. crushed garlic 1/4 cup each of soy sauce (Kikkoman) and sugar 1 tbsp. rice wine (mirin or any) 1 cup water mixed with 1 tbsp. AA Cassava (tapioca) starch 1 tbsp. sesame oil 1/4 tsp. pepper For garnish: 1/4 cup chopped spring onions 2 tbsps. sesame seeds

PROCEDURE: •

Prepare four bowls with 1/2

INDEPENDENCE DAY PICTORIALS

cup (each) cooked rice. For the sauce, add Star margarine and garlic in a saucepan. When garlic is brown, add remaining ingredients and stir until boiling and shiny. • To serve: Put cooked chicken nuggets on top of rice. Top with teriyaki sauce, spring onions, and sesame seeds. Note: 250g fish cakes or squid balls may also be used. •

CELEBRATING PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY he Philippine Consulate General of Honolulu and the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii hosted a special Philippine Independence Day Ball commemorating the 113th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. The gala event was held on June 11, 2011 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Tapa Ballroom. Guest speakers included U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, Philippine Consul General Leoncio Cardenas, Oahu Filipino Community Council President Maria Etrata and Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii chairperson Bennette Misalucha. The memorable evening included several numbers by the Philippine Choral, Consul Paul Raymund Cortes, Kristian Lei and Amado Cacho. There was also a special performance by singing sensation Philippine Chorale Lani Misalucha.

T

Consul General Cardenas toasts U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, U.S. President Barack Obama, the people of the U.S. and friends in the Aloha State

Dr. Belinda Aquino receives a Plaque of Appreciation from Consul General Cardenas

Dancing the night away

The Ladies of the Independence Day Ball: (L to R) Yasmin Cortes, Amelia Casamina Cabatu, Nancy Walch, Bea Ramos Razon, Elsa Talavera

Finale number, "One Voice" with Kristian Lei, Amado Cacho, and the Philippine Chorale with Deputy Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes conducting

JUNE 25, 2011

by Reuben S. SEGURITAN he current immigrant visa backlog for the family-based preference categories and the employment-based second and third categories currently varies from over three years to two decades, depending on the visa category and the applicant’s country of birth. In stark contrast to these long waiting times, the investor visa (EB5) only takes about a year to obtain if all eligibility requirements are met, making it the fastest route to a U.S. green card. Even with the relatively short processing times, the USCIS is still

T

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

LEGAL NOTES Premium Processing for EB-5 Investors Proposed finding ways to enhance the EB-5 program in order to realize its jobcreation potential. These changes are meant to attract foreign entrepreneurs and businesses to create jobs in the United States, in line with the government’s goal of driving U.S. innovation and stimulating economic growth. These measures should have been taken a long time ago. Studies show that immigrants create jobs. They are 30% more likely to start a business than non-immigrants and make up 16.7% of all new business owners in the U.S. Top companies such as Intel, Google, Yahoo and eBay were once founded by immigrants. Recently the USCIS proposed improvements in the EB-5 program’s intake and review process in Regional Center applications. A Regional Center is a public or private entity that promotes economic growth, regional productivity, job creation and domestic capital

investment. An application for designation as Regional Center is made on Form I-924, while the petition from the investor is made on Form I-526. The USCIS proposes to accelerate the processing of “actual” applications for shovel-ready business projects. “Actual” I-924 applications are job-creating projects that are fully developed, ready to be implemented, and for which I526 petitions could already be filed. Processing times for these “actual” I-924 applications are proposed to be accelerated from 4 months to 2 months. The targeted processing time for I-526 petitions associated with an approved “actual” application would also be accelerated from 5 months to 2 months. With premium processing, which the USCIS plans to make available in these cases, an I-924 application and an I-526 petition could be approved in as short as 15 days.

The USCIS also proposes to create specialized intake teams for I-924 applications which are often complex and require sophisticated economic analysis. Team members would include USCIS economists, business analysts and adjudicators, supported by legal counsel. There would also be an expert Decision Board that renders decisions on the I-924 applications and afford applicants the opportunity for an in-person or telephonic interview. The EB-5 visa category was created by Congress in 1990 for immigrants who could invest $1 million (or $500,000 in rural or high unemployment areas) in a new commercial enterprise that will benefit the U.S. economy and create at least 10 full-time jobs within 2 years of the investor’s admission into the U.S. To attract more investors, Congress created in 1992 a “pilot program” which has been extended through September 30, 2012. Compared to the regular EB-5 program, investments under the pilot pro-

MAINLAND NEWS

13 gram must be made in a designated Regional Center and there is no need for the investor to employ U.S. workers as long as at least 10 jobs are created directly or indirectly as a result of such investment. Each year, approximately 10,000 visa numbers are available for the EB-5 category, with 3,000 going to investors in rural or high unemployment areas, and 3,000 to investors in Regional Centers. In 2010, only a total of 1,885 visas were issued, down from more than 4,000 issued in 2009. The EB-5 program has never met its annual cap since its inception. Once the I-526 petition is approved under either the regular or pilot program, the investor and his/her dependents become conditional permanent residents. Within 90 days before the second anniversary of the investor’s admission, he/she must file an I-829 petition to remove the condition. REUBEN S. SEGURITAN has been practicing law for over 30 years. For further information, you may call him at (212) 695 5281 or log on to his website at www.seguritan.com

Senate President Pro-Tempore Daniel Inouye is Guest of Honor at Phl Independence Day Reception PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES JOSE L. CUISIA JR. and his wife Mrs. Victoria Cuisia hosted a diplomatic reception at the JW Marriott Hotel on June 13 in commemoration of the 113th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine independence. In his remarks, Ambassador Cuisia underscored the strong resolve of the Philippine government to preserve peace and democracy in the country and to lift the nation from poverty through honest and effective governance. He reaffirmed the Philippines' alliance and friendship with the United States. The audience was struck with the words of the guest of honor, Senate President Pro-Tempore Daniel K. Inouye. He recalled how Filipinos courageously heeded the call of the U.S. government to defend freedom and democracy during the second World War. He paid tribute to the bravery and fortitude of

the Filipino guerillas that kept fighting even after many American and Filipino soldiers capitulated to Japanese forces. Senator Inouye also expounded on the long history of friendship between the governments and peoples of the two countries and the significant partnership that the Philippines and the U.S. have maintained to address common challenges. As he ended his speech, the Senator Inouye conveyed his apology to the Philippines on behalf of the U.S. Senate for the injustice that the U.S. government had committed against Filipinos. Over 200 guests from the U.S. government, diplomatic corps, business sector, policy think tanks, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the Filipino community attended the reception. Among them were Representative Dana Rohrabacher of California, Representative Madeleine Bordallo of Guam and

key congressional staffers. The reception featured Filipino culinary favorites pancit, lumpiang shanghai, ukoy and leche flan. Philippine pride San Miguel Beer was also served to the guests. Contributing to the success of the event were support received from leading Philippine companies, namely, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT), International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), Phinma Corporation, ATR-Kim Eng, and Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company. As a final treat, Queen of Filipino jazz Charmaine Clamor performed her distinct "jazzipino" sound through songs such as Hindi Kita Malimot and Dahil Sa 'Yo. Earlier, California Representative Laura Richardson introduced a bill, House Resolution 275 "Honoring the 113th Anniversary of Philippine Independence." (www.dfa.gov.ph)

Shown in the picture above left are Senator Daniel Inouye (second from left), Ambassador jose Cuisia (third from left), Mrs. Irene Hirano Inouye (leftmost), and Mrs. Victoria Cuisia (rightmost). (Above right) Senator Inouye delivers his remarks

Ambassador Cuisia with Representative Dana Rohrabacher (left) and Representative Madeleine Bordallo (right)

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

14

ILOKO

by Amado I. YORO astoy ti kinabatad nga insapata dagiti kappilpili nga opisial ti Oahu Filipino Community Council [OFCC] iti kallabes nga eleksion ken kombension idi Hunio 12 iti Philippine Consulate General lanai-social hall a nakatayag ti kanawan nga imada babaen iti panamagsapata kadakuada ni Consul General Leoncio Cardenas, Jr. Aganay a sangagasut ket tallopulo ket tallo a delegado a timmabuno a nangibagi iti agarup a tallopulo ket lima a unit organizations ket inlayonda ni Maria A.F. Etrata, a presidente iti OFCC iti maikadua a daras. Nasurok a dua nga apagkatlo a botos ti nangyadaywan ni Etrata ken ni Mario C. Palma, dati nga umuna a bise presidente, ken nagpaay a pangulo ti kombension, ti nakasalip ni Etrata iti kinapresidente. Tema: Nurturing Tomorrow's Leaders. Panelists ken ti topikoda: Roland Casamina, Financial Strategist,

K

PHILIPPINE LANGUAGE Ikarik Nga Aramiden Ti Pagrebbengak Kas Nabotasan Itoy A Puesto, Tulongannak Diosko!

JUNE 25, 2011

Team Building, Mark of Effective Leadership; Emmie Tomimbang, Media Specialist, Creating a Mentoring Culture: Strategies for Leadership Development; Judge Rey Graulty [Ret]., Enhancing Competencies in Decision Making and Problem Solving; Keynote Speaker: Paul Brewbaker, Challenging the Status Quo. Naibugas iti mensaheda iti panangtaliaw ti naggappuan. Panangbigbig ti ramut ken kaputotan. Saan a panangpukaw ti namnama ken panangipatungpal iti makuna nga ‘arapaap’ [dream] nga iti maysa nga aldaw, iti umno ken maituding a gundaway, magun-od iti kinapasnek, kinapakumbaba ken iti tarabay ti langit. Ania ti liderato, sadino ti direksion a turongentayo a kas konseho, ken ti akemtayo a kas lider ti nagkaykaysa a mensahe wenno bugas ti impadigo dagiti napusgan a nagsarita. Ti liderato ket panagdengngeg, kompromiso, panangidaulo nga ipakita iti aramid. Saan a panagimbubukod. Saan a panunoten no asino ti maikkan iti kredito. Panangtulong kadagiti agtutubo a makipartisipar ken mangidaulo. Inayon iti in-inut a

panaglupos ken panagbalbaliw. Sirigen iti asideg wenno adayo a masakbayan iti tay-ak iti media, negosio, politika, ken dadduma. Nabatad dagitoy nga inagapad dagiti nagsarita. Nabayag bassit ti saritaan maipapan iti pannakaisubli [manen] ti biennial convention kas insingasing ti Bylaws committee dagiti sumagmamano a pamalbaliwan [koma] ti panagtaray ti Konseho. Adda nagkuna a napaut unay ti dua a tawen a panagtakem ti maysa a tao, aglalo no saan unay a nabunga ti lideratona. Kuna met dagiti kumanunong: ababa unay ti maysa a tawen kadagiti napintas a proyekto iti pannakaipakatda, pannakaimplementarda ken iti pannakaituloyda aglalo no saanto metten nga iraman nga ipatungpal iti sumaruno nga administrasion. Sumagmamano a pammaliiw: a nalaingda iti mikropono [wenno sao], ngem nakurangda iti bukodda nga ikub wenno gunglo nga idauluanda. Makitada ti sabali, saanda a makita ti bukodda. Singasing: aramiden ti ibaga; sika ti aramidmo, ken estilom iti liderato. Nabotosan ketdi ti resolusion iti pannakabukel to Council of Past

Presidents. Ni Atty Alfredo Evangelista, legal counsel, parliamentarian; Al Sabangan, Ilalo Parayno, Art Abinsay ken Louie Funtanilla, marshals. Nomination and Election Amado Yoro, Chair, Cirvalina Longboy, Co-Chair; Board of Canvassers: Al Sabangan, Ilalo Parayno, Art Abinsay, Ben Cabreros, Dwayne Bueno, Alma Caberto, Larry Ramirez, Watchers: Gus Concepcion ken Jean Jeremiah. Fe Edita M. Velasco, umuna a bise; Leo Rojas Gozar, maikadua a bise; nailayon nga awan iti kinasalip da Edna Alikpala, sekretaria; Faye Cudal, katulongan a

sekretaria; Liza Romualdo; tesorera; nabotosan nga awan tubeng da Gladys Menor, katulongan a tesorera; William Cudal, auditor. Dagiti direktor: Amelia Cabatu, Maggie Domingo, Edith Gudoy, Baybee Hufana Ablan. Hold over direktor da Alma Caberto, Jean Jeremiah, Ilalo Parayno, Larry Ramirez. “Patiek a napigsa a grupo ti OFCC, ngem nasken a papigsaenyo latta babaen iti panagtutunos ket panangaramidyo iti pagsayaatan ti amin”, kinuna ni Cardenas. “Saankayo koma nga agpamayan a mangidur-as no asinotayo a puli, kas ammoyo, segun iti kaudianan a sensus, datayon a Filipino iti maikadua a kaaduan iti bilang iti Hawaii no etniko ti pagsasaritaan” Mangrugi ti baro nga administrasion intono Hulio 1, 2011.

MAINLAND

NEWS

UN: Deaths Up from Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease UNITED

NATIONS

(AP)

–

NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF DEATHS IN THE WORLD ARE CAUSED BY noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart and lung disease which are rapidly increasing at a cost to the global economy of trillions of dollars, according to U.N. estimates and preliminary results of a new study. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon said in a report circulated Monday that while the international community has focused on communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, the four main noncommunicable diseases "have emerged relatively unnoticed in the developing world and are now becoming a global epidemic." According to the report, 36 million people died from noncommunicable diseases in 2008, representing 63 percent of the 57 million global deaths that year. Nearly 80 percent of deaths from these diseases were in the developing world, and 9 million deaths were of men and women under the age of 60, it said. In 2030, the report said, these diseases are projected to claim the lives of 52 million people. Ban said the rapidly increasing magnitude of noncommunicable diseases is fueled by rising risk factors including tobacco use, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, obesity and harmful alcohol use — and is driven in part by an aging population, the negative im-

pact of urbanization, and the globalization of trade and marketing. At a press conference Monday to preview a U.N. summit in September that will spotlight the need to tackle these diseases, John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society, said that by 2030 noncommunicable diseases are expected to cause five times as many deaths as communicable diseases worldwide. "No health problem in the history of the world has ever gone so hidden, misunderstood and underrecorded," Seffrin said. Seffrin said "it is the poorest people that suffer the most" because they can't afford early detection and quality care and must deal with overburdened and poorly equipped health care systems. He called for urgent action to start solving "what will be the 21st century's greatest health challenge, namely noncommunicable diseases." Professor David Bloom of the Harvard School of Public Health, who is leading a project to estimate the global economic burden of noncommunicable diseases, said preliminary results indicate that the substantial economic burden caused by these diseases today "will evolve into a staggering economic burden over the next two decades" that could have a huge impact on economic development and fighting poverty. The project, which is sponsored by the World Economic (continued on page 15)

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

JUNE 25, 2011

C OMMUNITY C ALENDAR FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF HAWAII, 23RD ANNIVERSARY / SUNDAY July 10, 2011, 9am – 3pm ● Grand Ballroom, Pacific Beach Hotel ● Call Clarita Wickman @ 5994266 for details UFCH 53RD ANNIVERSARY & CONVENTION July 13-15, 2011, 7:30am – 4pm ● Hotel California in Las Vegas ● Contact: Lynne Gutierrez-7281700 AMBASSADORS/CONSUL GENERALS AND TOURISM DIRECTORS TOUR (ACGTDT) July 16-21, 2011 ● For details, call Sheila Tarrosa @

595-6316 Ext. 105 for details ILOCOS SURIAN ASSOCIATION OF HAWAII, DINNER AWARDS AND FUNDRAISING / SATURDAY August 27, 2011, 6pm ● Coral Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village ● Contact: Danny Villaruz @ 778-0233 or Maria Etrata @ 3922962 VINTAR NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI GLOBAL NETWORK, REUNION & REAFFIRMATION OF OFFICERS / SATURDAY September 24, 2011, 6pm ● Hibiscus Room, Ala Moana Hotel ● Call Gliceria Agraan @ 676-1567 or 671-7774

CLASSIFIED ADS WAIKIKI STORE NEED CASHIER FT/PT For appt. call # 285-1628 (Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm) Need sales experience.

15

B USINESS D IRECTORY

NEWSPAPER DISTRIBUTORS NEEDED, OAHU AREA Additional newspaper distributors are needed in the island of Oahu ● Must have a valid driver's license and at least 2 years of driving experience preferred. ● Send your resume to: filipinochronicle@gmail.com or call 808-678-8930.

FOR RENT $1,150/2BR-1 BATH This is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath annex in Pearl City. 2 parking plus street parking. Utilities not included. No pets. Close to Wal Mart, Sams, restaurants and movies. Available June 1. Call Mario at 371-1084.

GLOBAL NEWS

Filipinos in Yemen Urged to Return Home by Paolo ROMERO Wednesday, June 22, 2011

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - THE DE-

PARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS RENEWED TODAY ITS CALL to all remaining Filipinos in strife-torn Yemen to leave as soon as possible when tension in this Middle East state continues to escalate. Since the government ordered the evacuation of all Filipinos in Yemen on May 30, only 178 of the estimated 1,200 Filipinos have returned home. Manila raised the crisis alert level in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa to alert level 4 on June 6, where mandatory evacuation and repatriation at the expense of

Protesting Yemenis Philippine government is in effect. The government has also banned work deployment and all kinds of travel to the country. Philippine ambassador-designate to

Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago, who leads a crisis team in Yemen, said Filipinos "should not wait until it is too late for them to leave Yemen."Manila does not have an embassy in Yemen. Tago said most Filipinos refused to leave, saying their employers have a contingency plan for them if security conditions become worse. Others, he added, are committed to fulfill their contractual obligation with their employer to get their salaries and benefits in full or are willing to stay as long as they are not in danger. Tago said the Filipinos were advised to call the crisis teams in capital Sanaa and Aden if they feel unsafe in the area they are residing so they can be moved to a safe area. (www.philstar.com)

Dubai Court Clears 3 OFWs of Drug Raps

The three OFWs were nabbed by authorities on Nov. 10, 2010 inside a mall in Dubai for alleged possession of illegal drugs. “While having a walk inside the mall, Guisinga told her two companions that she’ll be going out. Without the knowledge of her two companions, she met a certain Mohamed Ali, an Egyptian, who handed her a plastic bag. Suddenly Dubai operatives apprehended them including

my daughter Crizelda and Jackielou,” Monterona said quoting Athelo. Migrante said that according to Athelo, his daughter told him that the plastic bag contained painkillers. The group said that the OFW made the claim during a conversation with her father in November last year. The handing down of the verdict was supposedly done last May 10, but the court reset the proceedings to give the legal counsels of the accused ample time to file the necessary manifestations and motions. Prior their sentence pronouncement, the OFWs had not been given a defense lawyer to represent them in previous hearings of the drug case. But with the help of Migrante chapters in Dubai, the Philipine consulate provided a local lawyer to the three OFWs. Monterona said that Guisinga may already be released today. (www.philstar.com)

amounting to $35 trillion during the 25year period from 2005 to 2030 due to a key group of noncommunicable diseases — diabetes, ischemic heart disease including strokes, cerebral vascular disease, chronic destructive pulmonary disease, and breast cancer. He said $35 trillion represents seven times the current level of global health spending, 15 times the 2011 value of

overseas development assistance in the world over the past quarter century, and could massively reduce poverty in the world. Both the human and economic burden of noncommunicable diseases can be contained, Bloom said, by devoting resources directly or indirectly to prevention, screening and treatment throughout the world. (www.philstar.com)

by Dennis CARCAMO Tuesday, June 21, 2011

MANILA, Philippines – THREE OVER-

SEAS FILIPINO WORKERS FACING DRUG CHARGES WERE EXONERATED TODAY by a Dubai court, according to the father of one of the OFWs. Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Monterona said the Dubai court cleared Crizelda Empleo, Crizelda Jackielou Jabate and Rhodora Guisinga for lack of evidence to pin drug charges against them. Monterona said that the information was confirmed to them by Athelo Empleo, father of one of the OFWs. He said that the promulgation of the drug case was rendered by the court around 9 a.m. today.

MAINLAND NEWS (cont. from page 2; UN ... )

Forum, is estimating the global costs of newly diagnosed cancer cases at "more than $300 billion in 2010" and of "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the order of $400 billion in 2010," he said. Bloom said his researchers also estimate a loss of economic output

Dubai

R ENTAL

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION JUNE 25, 2011

16

•

MOST WIDELY READ AND CIRCULATED FILIPINO NEWSPAPER IN HAWAII

•

MOST POIGNANT INTERVIEWS

•

MOST EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OVERALL

•

MOST LITERARY ARTICLES: POEMS,

•

MOST QUOTED BY THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA

•

MOST ISSUE-ORIENTED, UNAFRAID TO TACKLE

•

MOST SUPPORTIVE OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS

•

BEST COVERAGE OF SOCIAL EVENTS WITH NEWS

•

MOST EXTENSIVE PHILIPPINE NEWS

•

MOST EXTENSIVE HAWAII FILIPINO NEWS

•

BEST RESULTS ACCORDING TO ADVERTISERS

•

MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND UP-TO-DATE

•

OUTSTANDING IN CONTENT, STYLE AND FORMAT

FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVICE

•

MOST POPULAR FILIPINO NEWSPAPER

THE ONLY FILIPINO NEWSPAPER

•

FIERCELY INDEPENDENT, RELEVANT AND FAIR,

•

ESSAYS, AND SHORT STORIES

AND COMMUNITY PHOTOS

WORKING TOWARDS THE BETTERMENT OF THE

CONSISTENTLY PUBLISHING IMMIGRATION GUIDE

COMMUNITY

•

MOST AUTHORITATIVE MEDICAL AND HEALTH TIPS

•

MOST EXTENSIVE POLITICAL COVERAGE

•

MOST TIMELY HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS COVERAGE

•

MOST EXTENSIVE ELECTION COVERAGE

•

BEST SOURCE OF FILIPINO NEWS

•

BEST ELECTION POLL COVERAGE OF THE HAWAII •

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, EVERY

FILIPINO COMMUNITY •

THE ONLY FILIPINO LOCAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED WEEKLY

FOR MAINSTREAM MEDIA

ISSUE HAS THOUGHT-PROVOKING EDITORIALS