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AUG. 30, 2008

Maui Community College to Offer Ilokano Course

PHILIPPINE NEWS

BSP Steps In as Peso Touches 46 to $1

GLOBAL NEWS

More Foreign Doctors Coming to the Philippines for Training

HAWAII’S ONLY WEEKLY FILIPINO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER

FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS IN ACTION TOURNAMENT OPENS SEPTEMBER 7 By Caroline JULIAN

ractitioners of an art form that was once forbidden in the Philippines will soon be displayed openly in an exciting competition.

Students and teachers of the Filipino martial art, Eskrima, will come together in an action packed tournament called Samahan, or Gathering, on September 7th at the Pearl City High School Gymnasium from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Eskrima is a fighting form that combines the use of weapons such as sticks, knives and the open-hand. Mike del Mar of the del Mar School of Filipino Martial Arts is the organizer of the event. He says it will be the first tournament of this magnitude. “At least six Eskrima schools from across the state and mainland will participate in the event,” said del Mar. “It involves the use of the traditional padded stick ‘commercial type’, protective

Professor Joey Del Mar’s demonstration of a doulbe stick defense

gear and a different set of rules,” he explained. In addition to the full contact competition, there will also be a Forms “Sayow/Carranza” Division. The scores will be tabulated in a new electronic scoring device that will be operated by a set of judges to help ensure accuracy. And the scoreboard will be on a wall for all to see. “As far as I know our school will be the first of its kind in Hawaii and the mainland to use this system,” said del Mar. Students from youth to adult will participate in the competition and they will be divided into the two separate brackets. (continued on page 4)

Philippines Continues Olympic Awards Dinner to Honor Those Who his opening round light flyweight division Perpetuated Sugar Plantation Legacy Medal Drought match. His loss stunned many Filipinos who By HFC Staff awaii’s Plantation Village will host the first ever Plantation Legacy Award Dinner & Fundraiser on Saturday, September 2008 at the Willows Restaurant. The event pays tribute to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to honor and perpetuate the legacy of Hawaii’s sugar plantation communities. According to HPV executive director Jeff Higa, these individuals are William Balfour, Domingo Los Banos and Goro Arakawa.

WILLIAM BALFOUR Balfour, the former president and manager of Oahu Sugar Company, was born on Kauai and graduated from Punahou. He rose up the ranks at AMFAC to become president and manager of Oahu Sugar, which made money despite having the highest lease rental in the industry.

He spent 36 years with AMFAC and retired from the company in 1994. A year later, Oahu Sugar was phased out. Since his sugar plantation days, Balfour has worked for Alexander & Baldwin, Aloha Farms, the City’s Department of Parks & Recreation and the Department of Civil Defense. He is currently a consultant for Monsanto and a member of Hawaii’s Plantation Village.

DOMINGO LOS BANOS Los Banos grew up in a plantation camp in Kauai, which he credits for giving him a good work ethic. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the military and served with the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment in World War II. As a Fulbright Scholar, Los Banos has taught abroad, including the children of the Royal Family of Thailand. He returned to (continued on page 4)

By HFC Staff

irst it was Sydney. Then Athens. Now Beijing. For the Philippines, a nation desperately seeking for Olympic glory, the last three Olympics have been agonizing as its athletes have failed to win a single medal. For Beijing, the Philippines fielded teams in swimming, track and field, diving, taekwondo, shooting, boxing, archery and weightlifting. Many of its athletes fell far short of expectations, with several bowing out of medal contention much earlier than anticipated. Philippine boxer Harry Tañamor lost to Manyo Plange of Ghana in a 6-3 decision in

had high expectations for Tañamor, a threetime Olympian and finalist in the World Championships held in November 2007. The Philippines’ last hope for any Olympic medal lay with Mary Antoinette Rivero of the taekwondo team. She unfortunately lost 4-1 to Sandra Saric of Croatia in the preliminaries of the 67kg category, capping the Philippines’ dismal performance and effectively extending its medal drought for another four more years.

LACK OF FUNDS

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

According to Charles E. Morrison of the (continued on page 4) PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

HONOLULU, HI PERMIT NO. 9661

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

EDITORIAL

AUGUST 30, 2008

Four Years to Do Better

Philippine record was broken, but it was good enough for the country to place only second to the last in one of the early events in the Beijing Olympics. By the fifth day of the actual competitions, several of the country’s Asian neighbors had entered the Olympic list of medal winners. On the same day, the country’s best hope for any type of medal, boxer Harry Tañamor, lost to his opponent from Ghana. By the time the Olympic Games closed yesterday, the only Filipino athlete with a gold medal was Willy Wang, who won the tournament in wushu – a game that is not counted in the Olympic medal standing. Winning isn’t everything, but it will be a great day when the Philippines finally bags its first gold medal in the Olympics. The longing for a gold is made stronger by the fact that athletes from other Southeast Asian nations – Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – managed to bring home Olympic medals, including golds for Thailand and Indonesia in boxing, weightlifting and badminton. Those are athletes from the same racial pool as Filipinos. And weightlifting, like boxing, is a sport where competitors are categorized according to physical size, which means skills matter more than body build. Why can the Thais and Indonesians bag Olympic gold medals and Filipinos can’t? It is said that every Filipino, including national hero Jose Rizal, has a Chinese ancestor somewhere in his family tree. Chinese giants like basketball star Yao Ming are a rarity, and the typical Chinese is built like the Filipino. Yet China can manage to bag the highest number of gold medals and place second overall in the Olympics. Obsessing about an Olympic gold medal can be unhealthy for a nation. But the belief that winning isn’t everything can also be taken too far, and can be used merely as an excuse for complacency. It’s been 80 years since the

Self-Defense overnment officials are expressing alarm over the resurgence of civilian vigilante groups amid attacks launched by the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Yesterday Malacañang warned members of the so-called Reformed Ilaga Movement against committing illegal acts. One problem here is that the government has failed to enforce the law in the conflict areas of Mindanao for such a long time that what constitutes an illegal act has become a gray area. Another problem is that the vigilantes are regrouping because they believe their government has failed to protect them from lawless elements. What do law-abiding citizens do when bandits raid their villages, burn down their houses, steal their carabao and take their women and children hostage? What do normally peace-loving citizens do when all the bandits including the children are armed to the hilt, ready to blackmail a weak government into acceding to a lopsided land deal ostensibly in the name of peace?

Philippines first joined the Olympics. Never mind basketball, where size truly matters; there are many other sporting events where Filipinos can excel, just like their Asian neighbors: archery, badminton, taekwondo, boxing, diving, weightlifting. A light physical frame is preferred for gymnastics. Winning isn’t everything. But if others can win gold medals, so can Filipinos. The country has four years to prepare for the next Olympic challenge. Those four years must not go to waste. (www.philstar.com) It has been weeks since MILF raiders pillaged villages in several provinces in Mindanao after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of a controversial land deal between the government and the separatist group. Scores of villagers were killed in the raids. Yet only a few of the perpetrators have been apprehended, and it is doubtful whether they would be brought to justice. Worse, the principal perpetrators continue to threaten other villages with more attacks. The resurgence of Christian vigilantes is an indication of the state’s failure to protect its citizens from grievous harm. In the face of that failure, citizens have a right to defend themselves in any way they can. Threatened villagers cannot be told that when rape is inevitable, they should just sit back and enjoy it. If the help that threatened communities are seeking is not forthcoming, they will fight back. It is a recipe for protracted violence in Mindanao, and it is something that the government must prevent at all costs. By doing its job of keeping law-abiding citizens safe from the bad guys, the government will render civilian vigilantes irrelevant. (www.philstar.com)

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

Carlota Ader Sen. Will Espero Grace F. Fong, Ed.D. Mayor Mufi Hannemann Governor Linda Lingle Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Ph.D. Rosemarie Mendoza J. P. Orias Pacita Saludes Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. Charlie Sonido, M.D. Emmanuel S. Tipon,Esq. Felino S. Tubera Sylvia Yuen, Ph.D.

Contributing Writers

Advertising/Marketing Director

Calvin Alonzo, O.D., Clement Bautista, Linda Dela Cruz, Constante A. Domingo, Amelia Jacang, M.D., Caroline Julian, Albert Lanier, Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D., Glenn Wakai

Chona A. Montesines-Sonido Account Executives

Carlota Ader J. P. Orias

Creative Designer

Junggoi Peralta

Big Island Distributor

Philippine Correspondent

Elmer Acasio Ditas Udani

Guil Franco Photographer

Maui Distributor

Tim Llena

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. 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.

AUGUST 30, 2008

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

ASK A DOCTOR

Heart Attack by Nicanor F. JOAQUIN, MD heart attack occurs when one or more arteries supplying blood to a section of heart muscle becomes blocked. If blood flow is not restored quickly, the section of heart muscle becomes damaged from lack of oxygen and begins to die. With injury and death of a large amount of muscle tissue the heart loses the ability to pump blood to the brain and other parts of the body. Heart attacks (also known as myocardial infarction or MI) occur most often as a result of coronary atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD, a fatty material called plaque builds up gradually over years on the inside surface of the coronary arteries (the vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart). The arterial wall becomes hard and the inner channel narrows. An unstable area of plaque can rupture or break open causing a blood clot to form on the surface of the

plaque. If the clot becomes large enough, it can block most or all the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the part of the heart muscle fed by the artery. What causes plaque rupture is largely unknown but factors such as elevated blood levels of adrenaline during periods of stress and sudden blood pressure elevations are thought to be contributory. Heart attack also can occur due to problems with the very small (microscopic) blood vessels of the heart. This condition is called microvascular disease and is believed to be more common in women than in men. Another less common cause of heart attack is a severe spasm (tightening) of a

coronary artery that cuts off blood flow through the artery. These spasms can occur in coronary arteries that don’t have CAD. It’s not always clear what causes a coronary artery spasm, but sometimes it can be related to taking certain drugs like cocaine, extreme cold exposure, emotional stress or pain. There are conditions and diseases that increase the chances of developing atherosclerosis and CAD. They are high blood cholesterol, diabetes, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, smoking, age (men older than 45 and women older than 55 years or after menopause) and a family history

of early CAD meaning a father or brother diagnosed with CAD at age 55 or a mother or sister diagnosed with CAD at age 65. Certain CAD risk factors tend to occur together. When they do, it is called metabolic syndrome. In general, a person with metabolic syndrome is twice as likely to develop heart disease as someone without metabolic syndrome. While most people associate heart attacks with severe chest pain (often depicted in movies and TV), not all chest pains are caused by heart attacks. The warning signs and symptoms may be abrupt, gradual or intermittent and are not the same for everybody. The classic presentation is severe left sided chest pain radiating to the left jaw and inner arm and not relieved with nitroglycerin. Some heart attacks have little or no chest pains at all. Other signs include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, feeling lightheaded, fainting or breaking in a cold sweat. Patients suspected of having a heart attack must be promptly hospitalized for evaluation and monitoring. An electrocardiogram, which is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart, and blood tests are done serially over a period of time to confirm the diagnosis. Other valuable tests include echocardiogram, radionuclide im-

3 aging and coronary angiography. Many drugs are used to treat and prevent heart attacks. Nitroglycerin reduces chest pain and dilates coronary arteries to improve blood flow. Antiplatelet drugs help prevent clot formation. Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors are drugs that lower blood pressure and help the heart muscles work better. Blocked arteries may be opened up by thrombolytic drugs (clot busters) or by interventional procedures like percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), coronary artery stents, and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Good control of blood pressure and diabetes, diet low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids, aspirin, use of drugs (statins) to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and to raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol, exercise, weight reduction and discontinuing smoking are important to prevent further heart attacks. In short, a healthy lifestyle, regular doctor visits and strict adherence to prescribed medications are necessary to prevent, diagnose and treat heart attacks. EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Joaquin is the current President of Bayanihan Clinic Without Walls. For inquiries, you can contact him at (808) 841-4195.

Ask a Doctor is for informational purposes only. Consult your personal physician for your specific needs.

4 (cont. from page 1; Filipino Martial....)

But the tournament is about more than competition. It’s about perpetuating the part of the Filipino culture that was banned by Spanish colonizers in the 1500’s who feared the Filipino’s exceptional skill with the knife. However, Eskrima remained alive despite the total ban. “The art was hidden in Filipino stage plays and dances,” explained del Mar. “The ban was lifted after 1898, when the United States won control of the Philippines from Spain, but an air of secrecy remained around Eskrima and its practitioners,” explained Robert Garcia an instructor for the Bandalan Doce Pares School in Honolulu. “By the 1970s, however, organizations such as the Doce Pares Association and the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) had managed to turn

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

HEADLINE Eskrima from a martial art used primarily for killing into a sport, with organized competitions and generally sanctioned rules and regulations,” he adds. The martial art made its way to Hawaii by the Sakadas who worked in the sugar plantation industry. Since its arrival to the islands, interest in Eskrima has been rising. “The increase of Eskrima (students) both in Hawaii and the mainland has proven that people are interested in our cultural martial art,” said del Mar, a teacher on Oahu since 1980. “My philosophy is simply to teach the Filipino Martial Art (FMA) of Kali, Eskrima, Arnis to all who are willing to learn with a serious desire,” he added. Although Garcia’s background comes from the Doce Pares style of Esckrima and del Mar’s is a mixture of many tech-

NEWS (CONT.)

niques, they have a common philosophy -- keeping the art alive. Del Mar hopes to pass on all that his teachers have taught him about the ancient cultural art to his students. “I felt that this martial art should be perpetuated for it represents our heritage and the ability of Filipinos to survive against foreign and domestic invaders,” said del Mar who initially didn’t have any in-

terest in teaching the art. Garcia says he only allows those who are interested in learning about the culture and art of Filipino martial arts to remain as his students. “It is my hope that the students will pass down FMA to future generations and take pride in this unique art and sport. A person’s attitude will reveal if they intend to apply what they learn to violent acts, in which

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

Hawaii to continue teaching and retired after more than 30 years as an educator. During his retirement years, Los Banos remains actively involved with HPV, where he serves as a docent to help perpetuate the sugar plantation heritage. He recently championed the Flag Memorial Plaza Project, which commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the arrival of the first Filipino immigrants to Hawaii.

GORO ARAKAWA Arakawa was the youngest son of immigrant plantation worker Zempan Arakawa, who founded Arakawa’s, an institution in Waipahu for 85 years. During his school years, Goro was (cont. from page 1; Philippines....)

East-West Center, developing countries like the Philippines are largely under-represented at the Olympics and hobbled by fewer athletes, inadequate coaching, poor training facilities and lack of funds to send large teams to the games. “Two developing countries with huge populations—Pakistan and Bangladesh, each with about 160 million people—have not a single medal between them. Neither does the Philippines, with 90 million people,” Morrison says. Philippine officials say expectations for the 2008 Olympics were huge but admit that preparations were late and meager. “The biggest problem has always been the (lack of) a budget,” said Monico Puentevella, a congressman from Bacolod and head of the RP weightlifting association. He vows to continue pushing for a bigger budget for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

AUGUST 30, 2008 case he/she would not be allowed to continue training in my school,” said Garcia who has been teaching on Oahu for six years. Both schools begin their classes with a proper salutation of respect through bowing. A prayer to their own faith follows, then warm up exercises. Del Mar also said his school aims to teach his students respect, humility, and honor. Responsibility and commitment, along with discipline and control are also taught. “It is the policy in my school to teach good moral values such as respect for yourself, others and your teachers of this art,” he said. Beside tournaments, both schools also share the art form through a variety of performances in the community. “We enjoy exposing FMA to the public,” said Garcia.

slogans like “If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’ll find it at Arakawa’s” and “Don’t say you can’t find it until you shop at Arakawa’s.” Goro is a founding member of Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, which manages and operates Hawaii’s Plantation Village.

MEET THE HONOREES a Hawaii Territorial Guard and Varsity Victory Volunteer. He received a degree in marketing from New York University and returned to work for Arakawa’s store. Goro wrote advertising copy which cleverly incorporated the sights and sounds of Waipahu, such as the well-known rooster crowing radio commercials that ended with the phrase “Arakawa’s—located on historic Depot Road, just below the sugar mill.” He also came up with catchy Observers blame not only a lack of financial resources, but also year-round competition and fan support. Puentevella and other officials will be scrutinizing Pagcor (Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp.), a government agency created in 1990 under Republic Act 6847. According to Puentevella, Pagcor is mandated to give the PSC a proper share of its annual gross income, which translates to about P1 billion per year. “What’s happening is that we get the five percent of only what’s left after the franchise tax is removed and the 50 percent of the gross goes to the national treasury,” he said. Under this computation, the PSC only gets half of its share— around P500 million a year—to spend for Filipino Olympic athletes and their training, equipment. Puentevella wants the law clarified or amended as soon as possible.

The legacy dinner is a wonderful opportunity for attendees to meet the three honorees, as well as to mingle and ‘talk story’ with others from the plantation era. The event begins at 5:30 pm with a cash bar and silent auction, with dinner and an awards program to follow at 6 pm. Fifty percent of the ticket cost is tax-deductible and net proceeds will benefit Hawaii’s Plantation Village. For tickets or more information, please call 677-0110.

HUGE SPORTS FANS Despite laying a goose egg in the recently concluded Olympics, the Philippines as a whole has made good progress in certain sports, the most notable of which is boxing. Current champion Manny Pacquiao, widely considered as the world’s best boxer “pound-for-pound,” is only the latest in a proud list of successful pinoy boxers. Philippine journalist Roberto R. Romulo says its high time for the country to unite in nurturing Filipino athletes for sports competition—in much the same way that the Philippines has rallied around Pacquiao’s success in the ring. “Sports is about building character,” he says. “It’s about learning lessons like setting goals, enjoying competition, learning sportsmanship, dedicating oneself to a cause and sharing experiences with others. The medals come when the lessons are learned.”

AUGUST 30, 2008

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Maui Community College to Offer Ilokano Course FOR THE FIRST TIME in the history of Maui Community College, an Ilokano course will be offered beginning in the Fall 2008 semester. The course, Ilokano Plus, will be offered to members of the community who deal or work with the large Ilokano community on Maui or for others who wish to enhance their linguistic skills in Ilokano. The Ilokano people comprise the majority of Filipino Amer-

icans in Hawaii—as much as 85 percent, according to some estimates. Also, a majority of the Filipino radio programs in Hawaii are Ilokano or Ilokano-oriented. Popular cultural forms are also heavily Ilokano-slanted. Many of the civic and cultural organizations, aside from the alliance of Visayan organizations, are run by Ilokanos. All these point to the fact that Ilokano is needed as a language

in this state, as has been recognized by the courts system through their Ilokano certification program for court interpreters. The University of Hawaii-Manoa has been offering Ilokano since 1972 and is now offering it as one of its Bachelor of Arts programs. Ilokano Plus introduces the rudiments of Ilokano language as spoken everyday in various community and professional contexts such as social services, health

Two Hawaii Women to Receive TOFA Awards AN EDUCATOR FROM MAUI and a Honolulu community volunteer have been named as recipients of the 2008 Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad (TOFA) Awards. The educator is Debra Aguinaldo-Nakama and the community volunteer is Dolores Ortal.

Aguinaldo-Nakama received her Master’s and doctorate degree from UH. She has been described as a dedicated champion of Filipino high school students’ affairs. “As a Filipina educator, my professional goals and personal contributions have always centered on improving the lives of stu-

The 2007 TOFA awardees

dents, especially those of minority cultures,” she states in her biography on TOFA’s website. In 2007, another Hawaii educator, Aida Ramiscal Martin, received the award. Ortal has worked a variety of jobs from teacher to hotel worker, salesclerk, clerk/interpreter, insurance agent and realtor-associate. Despite her busy schedule, Ortal volunteers her time in many civic events involving the Filipino community. No stranger to awards, Ortal was named the 2004 Filipino Business Woman of the Year, one of the Top 10 Filipino Women in 2002, and nominated as a Parent of the Year in 2004. The annual TOFA award, now in its 15th year, is sponsored by Nonoy and Aida Mendoza, owners of the Filipino Image Magazine and Pinoy Global Online News.

SOCIAL SECURITY UPDATE

Trying to Decide When to Retire? Make An Informed Decision by Jane Yamamoto -BURIGSAY t’s never too early to start thinking about your retirement. When you do, one of your first questions may be, “When’s the best time to start receiving retirement benefits?” There’s no one “best age” for everyone and, ultimately, it is your choice. You should make an informed decision about when to apply for benefits based on your individual and family circumstances. With that in mind, Social Security has published a new fact sheet to help you make the decision that’s best for you. When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits is available online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html. Things to consider are your current cash needs, health, family longevity, whether you plan to work after you retire, future financial needs and obligations, and

the amount of your benefit and other income, such as pensions and deductions from retirement funds. Do you have investments to draw from when you need extra money? Will it last as long as you expect to live? Keep in mind that people are living longer than they used to. About one out of every four 65year-olds today will live past age 90, and one out of 10 will live past age 95. If you decide to retire early, at 62 or any time before your full retirement age, you’ll get your benefits sooner—but you’ll get a reduced benefit for the rest of your life. Your monthly benefit will last as long as you do. So the reduction in monthly payment for taking early retirement can add up to a big difference over the life of your benefits. Your decision can affect your spouse and family, too. If you die before your spouse and dependent children, they may be eligible for survivors benefits. But if you took early retirement, their payments would be based on your reduced benefit amount. When you reach your full retirement age, you can work and

earn as much as you want and still receive your full Social Security benefit payment. If you are younger than full retirement age and if your earnings exceed certain dollar amounts, some of your benefit payments during the year will be withheld. On the other hand, if you put off retirement benefits until after your full retirement age, your amount will increase. In fact, your benefit amount will continue to go up until you reach age 70 or start receiving benefits, whichever comes first. And when thinking about Social Security, don’t forget Medicare. You should sign up for Medicare three months before reaching age 65, no matter when your full retirement age is—even if you decide to delay retirement benefits. Otherwise, your Medicare medical insurance, as well as prescription drug coverage, could be delayed, and you could be charged higher premiums. Learn more and make an educated decision about when to retire. Visit the online fact sheet, When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html

and medical services, the courts and the juridical services, education and immigration, and the mass media. The course is being taught by Dr. Aurelio Solver Agcaoili, program coordinator and assistant professor for Ilokano at UHM. Agcaoili is an award-winning educator and creative writer. A novelist, he won the Centennial Literary Prize for his historical fiction, Dangadang. He also won the

Carlos Palanca Awards, the Cultural Center of the Philippines Poetry Prize, the Commission on the Filipinos Language Collantes Award, the Rizal Literary Awards, among others for his poetry, short story, and essays. He writes in Ilokano, English, and Tagalog. For those wishing to register for Ilokano Plus, call Maui Community College at (808) 984-3231 or (808) 984-3461.

The three-day event will be held in Washington, D.C, beginning on September 11, 2008 at the J. W. Marriott Hotel. It will begin with an informal get-together for the 2008 awardees; followed by on Friday with a VIP Luncheon at the hotel and the formal prestigious Gala Banquet and Awards Ceremony.

As a tradition since 1990, net proceeds to all the TOFA functions are donated to charitable Filipino organizations contributing to humanitarian projects in the Philippines. The bio-data and photos of the previous 360 TOFA awardees are available at: www.filamimage.com.

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

PHILIPPINE NEWS

Fund Lack Hinders Growth of RP Sports by Abac CORDERO ON THE HEELS OF YET ANOTHEr dismal campaign in the Olympics, the chef-de-mission of the Philippine delegation looked back at the problems hounding local sports. “The biggest problem has always been the (lack of) budget. We all have plans but it you don’t have the budget nothing comes out of these,” said Monico Puentevella. Puentevella, a congressman from Bacolod and head of the RP weightlifting association, is pushing for a bigger budget for the Philippine Sports Commission. His work starts today when Puentevella delivers a privilege speech before Congress, hoping to catch the attention of his colleagues, including those in the Senate. “The solution is for us to have the proper budget,” he said, adding that it’s about time for Pagcor (Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp.) to give the PSC its proper share of its annual gross income. He said under Republic Act 6847, which created the PSC in 1990, Pagcor, a government agency, is mandated to give the PSC five percent of its gross in-

Medal-hopeful Harry Tañamor (right) was outboxed in Beijing Olympics come which should translate to around P1 billion a year. “But what’s happening is that we get the five percent of only what’s left after the franchise tax is removed and the 50 percent of the gross goes to the national treasury,” said Puentevella. Under this computation, the PSC only gets half of its “rightful” share or around P500 million a year to spend on the hundreds of national athletes – their training, equipment and actual competition. Puentevella said he wants Sect. 26 clarified or amended as soon as possible. “If we get all these then sports officials will find no other reason to give if we fail,” said Puentevella after the Philippines

failed to win a single medal in the last three Olympics (2000 in Sydney, 2004 in Athens and 2008 in Beijing). Also gracing the forum were Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez and commissioner Eric Loretizo. “If this (amendment) is passed then we double the PSC budget to at least a billion pesos a year. Then we can double everything – from the international exposure and training to equipment and infrastructure. “And if we don’t pass this law then it will be a never-ending debate with Pagcor. We will try to formulate a law so even the PSC administrations after the Arroyo government will get the same budget unless the law is amended,” he said. “We will make the law very clear. We’re going to start our road to redemption. We cannot stop. Whether Pagcor agrees that they are right or wrong is not the issue anymore. A debate will not solve the problem,” Puentevella said. Puentevella said a consultative meeting is scheduled on Sept. 4 among representatives of the Philippine Olympic Committee, PSC, Pagcor, Department of Budget, Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government and stakeholders in Philippine sports. (www.philstar.com)

AUGUST 30, 2008

Teacher, 81, Joins US Peace Corps by Marichu VILLANUEVA AN 81-YEAR-OLD RETIRED American teacher is among the latest batch of United States Peace Corps volunteers currently undergoing training to help Filipino public school English teachers gain better language skills. Sally Porter is among the 69 US Peace Corps volunteers who arrived last Aug.16 for a threemonth training now taking place in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. They will replace the volunteers who left last June 6 at the end of a two-year tour of duty. The latest batch of volunteertrainees were met yesterday in Dumaguete City by US Peace Corps Director Ronald Tschetter who arrived in the Philippines on his global round of visits to countries that host the US Peace Corps. Before proceeding to Negros, Tschetter met the press at the US Embassy in Manila yesterday, and said the retired American teacher volunteer is the result of their new program adopted in September last year to enlist the participation of retired professionals and tap their spirit of volunteerism. Since the program was launched, Tschetter said there has been a 65 percent increase in applications last May as more Ameri-

cans want to join the P e a c e Corps. “I do not see it Director Ronald as a reTschetter placement of the young people. Our corps of the Peace Corps would always be the younger people of college and university campuses or early in the development of their careers,” Tschetter pointed out. “If we bring a little higher component of this (age) group together with this group, it will just make the Peace Corps stronger. But the impact to the country we are serving will get stronger as well. So it’s really a win-win situation,” he stressed. The US Peace Corps, the biggest American organization of volunteers, recruits volunteers to work in countries that request assistance for language education, sustainable skills training, health promotion and disease awareness and prevention, and environment protection, among others. The US Peace Corps assigns the volunteers to the requesting country, which in turn will find host homes for them. (www.philstar.com)

BSP Steps In as Peso Touches 46 to $1 by Des FERRIOLS THE PESO TUMBLED to an 11-month low against a broadly stronger dollar yesterday, prompting the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to step into the market in support of the local currency, traders said. At yesterday’s trading, the peso hit an intraday low of 46 to $1 before recovering slightly to close at 45.995 to $1. Yesterday’s intraday rate was the lowest since the peso last touched the 46.520 to $1 level on Sept. 18, 2007. Despite the slight recovery at the end of the trading session, yesterday’s close was still 34.50 centavos lower than Friday’s 45.650 to $1. Analysts said concerns over the US credit situation and over euro zone growth boosted the dollar while weighing on Asian currencies. “The central bank was in the market at 45.88 and 45.98 per dollar, and now they are defending 46,” a trader in Manila said. Two other traders in Manila also confirmed the intervention. “I think there’s still demand for dollars. The market would rather hold dollar than peso,” a second trader said. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said there was still a strong demand for the dollar because of the import season when businesses are building up inventory ahead of the holiday season. Moreover, Tetangco said remittances from overseas Filipinos had also started to

BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. moderate since school-related spending started to wind down this month. “The weakness of the peso came with the rise in the corporate demand for dollars,” he said. “That doesn’t change our expectation that the currency will pick up towards the fourth quarter because remittances will start to pick up again closer to the Christmas season.” Tetangco said the peso’s recent weakness was due in part to importers’ strong demand for dollars. “It’s import season so of course there is a huge demand for dollars,” Tetangco said. Once import season winds down, however, Tetangco said the peso should pick up some momentum as the demand for the dollar starts easing toward the fourth quarter of the year. “Also in the fourth quarter, we expect foreign exchange inflows to increase and that should provide support to the peso,” he said. (www.philstar.com)

AUGUST 30, 2008

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

LEGISLATIVE CONNECTION Children Legislation

by Senator Will ESPERO able news channels have been reporting on the missing 3 year old girl from Florida, Caylee Anthony, for some time. Her mother had been in jail for child neglect, lying to the police, and for not reporting her child missing although she is now out on bail. Caylee's disappearance is suspicious. It appears her mother did not report her missing for a month, and only upon the insistence and questioning from Caylee's grandmother did the missing child

become an issue. Caylee's mother is not saying much now and if she is not the primary suspect, she certainly is a person of interest. Caylee's grandmother did state she smelled what could be the odor of a dead person in her daughter's car. Theories about the disappearance include an accidental drowning and being kidnapped by a babysitter. This disappearance reminds me of the Peter Boy Kema case in Hawaii over a decade ago. Peter Boy's parents said the boy was dropped off at Aala Park with an "auntie" on Oahu. No auntie was ever found, and there is no record that the auntie exists. Peter Boy is still missing, however, his sister reported seeing his dead body on 2 occasions. Unfortunately, I think his parents never spent a day in jail even though they are the primary suspects in Peter Boy's disappearance

This last Legislatively session, I introduced SB2886 which would make it a crime if a parent or guardian leaves a child less than 14 years old with another person and the person's true identity cannot be confirmed or the person cannot be found. Strangely, the Honolulu Police Department testified against the bill, and gave no optional language to consider. The state Department of Human Services declined to give testimony; disappointing in my opinion. An amended bill made it to conference where it died. Next session I will introduce a similar bill. If parents may be involved in the disappearance of a child, our laws must have teeth to hold them accountable. I understand one is innocent until proven guilty. At least Caylee's mother is in jail right now until she cooperates more with law enforcement. It's unfor-

tunate Peter Kema's parents did not spend any time in jail. Peter Boy's case is still open. Let us hope justice prevails for him. Another children's issue I will be pursuing next session is deals with how we discipline our children. Last year I also introduced a measure which would make it illegal to discipline a minor with one's fist. Unfortunately, the bill did not get a hearing. I had the bill drafted after a Hawaii Supreme Court decision which overturned a lower court's decision regarding a father who had struck his teen daughter with a closed fist. As far as I am concerned, punishing a minor should never be done with a fist. My legislation would clearly ban it. How society punishes or disciplines its children is worthy of debate. Some children are punished by being struck with twigs, rulers, belts, or other items. A spanking with the hand is probably what most children receive. Some parents never strike their children, but rather only have

PHILIPPINE NEWS

7 time out, banishment to the bedroom, elimination of privileges (TV, gameboy), and other non-violent measures. On cable news recently, there was a story about the states which still allowing spanking in the schools. Over 20 states allow it with the remaining banning it. I believe in Hawaii, spanking is not allowed. Some experts reason corporal punishment (spanking) teaches children that hitting or striking is alright in some instances. Research shows that many domestic violence offenders grew-up around violence and hitting of family members. With all the violence around us – television, movies, sports, magazines, comic books, video games, evening news – I think its time to reconsider corporal punishment. It's been going on for generations, and it will not be eliminated overnight. But starting the dialogue today may make our society and future a little less violent.

House OKs Bill Seeking State Funding for Political Parties by Jess DIAZ THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES approved last Wednesday night a bill seeking state funding for major political parties like the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats. The approval was made when the House session hall was half-empty as evidenced by the vote of 132-0 for the measure. More than 100 of the 238 members were either absent or went home after the roll call without finishing their last session for the week. However, after the vote was announced, several congressmen protested the voting result and even the decision of House leaders to put the measure to a vote. Though the bill seeks government funding for major political parties, the measure does not specify the amount of subsidies to be given to the political parties.

Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. The proposed state funding of political parties is patterned after a similar practice in the United States, where the Democratic Party and the Republican Party receive federal funds. The measure, whose principal author is Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., also seeks to ban the practice of “turncoatism,” or elected officials who jump from

one political party to another, usually from the opposition to the administration, which controls the flow of pork barrel funds. De Venecia has said his proposal to give major political parties state subsidies should lessen “political corruption.” “These parties can avoid being beholden to certain groups and even criminal elements like gambling and drug lords who offer them funds during elections by refusing such offers because they will be getting government funding,” he said. Those who protested the vote included representatives from party-list organizations. Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño told reporters yesterday that the House leadership surreptitiously “smuggled” the bill into the calendar of business for the night despite an agreement between the majority and minority that it should not be taken up on the last session day of the week.

Andaya: No More Easy Promotions for Gov’t Workers by Paolo ROMERO THERE WILL BE NO MORE easy and automatic promotions for government employees under the new proposed salary scheme pushed by the Department of Budget and Management that would increase the pay of workers in the public sector. Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said the government has earmarked P20 billion for the proposed Salary Standardization Law for government workers under the proposed P1.4 trillion national

budget for 2009. He said if approved by Congress, promotions under the salary standardization law would no longer be based on longevity in service but on meritorious service. “Under the present setup, even if you sleep on the job, you’ll be promoted with increased salary after three years. We want to reform that system since it’s unfair for those employees who are working very hard,” Andaya said. “Under the new scheme, you might get a one-time longevity

bonus if you stay long in government service, even if you sleep on the job, but only once,” he said. Andaya said the Palace was asking for salary increase to make government service more attractive to talented workers. He said the allocation for salary standardization of state employees is among the significant allocations lined up under the 2009 budget. Andaya said 2009 budget is focused not only on bigger government spending on priority infrastructure projects, but will also provide higher spending capacity for low-salaried workers. (www.philstar.com)

“They did not even distribute copies of the measure. Clean copies were last distributed in April. That was four months ago. Many members have already lost or misplaced their copies. No wonder many of those who voted yes did not know what they were voting for,” he said. He said he and other party-list representatives would move for reconsidering the vote on Monday.

He stressed that instead of giving hundreds of millions of pesos to political groups, the government should spend the money by helping poor families get out of poverty. “The latest survey shows that poverty incidence in the country is increasing despite the economic growth that the Arroyo administration is crowing about,” he said. (www.philstar.com)

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

PHILIPPINE NEWS

AUGUST 30, 2008

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

FEATURE

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

PHILIPPINE NEWS

Gov’t Probes MILF, NPA Alliance by Cecille Suerte FELIPE COTABATO CITY – Security forces are now focusing on a possible alliance between the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to carry out diversionary attacks. Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said there had been reports of the tactical alliance between the two rebel groups to carry out attacks against government troops, particularly in Compostela Valley and Davao, but they have yet to confirm the information. “There was no indication on the ground that there was such an

alliance but I am puzzled by the mysterious silence of NPA with the criminal atrocities committed by the MILF,” Puno said. “I think a statement from the NPA that they do not agree with the massacre of civilians and the killing of children would help greatly in reassuring us that they are not in cahoots with these MILF criminal elements,” Puno told a news conference here. Puno said that the government will not allow any more attacks in other provinces since the MILF has been weakened following the capture of their camps in Central Mindanao by the military.

Authorities noted the NPA has not launched any of its “tactical offensives” while the MILF went on a rampage in the villages of North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte. But security forces in Mindanao, particularly the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), are not taking any chances. Some 500 SAF operatives have been deployed in Southern Mindanao to prevent any attacks coming from the NPA or the MILF. Police said the NPA had launched some 130 attacks against different establishments and government installations in

MAINLAND Asian American Organizations Condemn Mississippi Raids, Call for Due Process

the Davao region. Southern Mindanao Police spokesman Chief Inspector Querubin Manalang said reports indicated the NPA and the MILF jointly carried out at least 20 attacks each month during the first half of the year. The latest attack occurred on Aug. 1 at Barangay Mandog, Buhangin district in Davao City. The military said some 50 NPA rebels led by Kumander Bungot burned four dump trucks and two heavy equipment units of the farm owned by a certain Nonong Rodriguez. Last May, some 30 NPA rebels destroyed a power transmission tower in the region. The government, on the other hand, will ask the MILF to disarm

and dismantle armed units when peace talks resume to prevent further attacks once a final agreement is signed. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said such a guarantee has become crucial because of recent attacks on civilian communities by MILF commanders who were apparently frustrated over problems in the negotiations. “A final peace agreement (with the MILF) must have terms on disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation,” he said. Authorities are bracing for more attacks from the NPA and the MILF, and have deputized civilian volunteers to assist the PNP in securing the villages. (www.philstar.com)

torney at AAJC. “We should be calling for complete and sensible immigration reform to fix our broken system instead of wasting resources to gut a local economy such as in Mississippi.” Recently, several dozen Southeast Asians were also placed in removal proceedings because of civil immigration violations in Lowell, Massachusetts. Many of these immigrants had been residing in the U.S. for almost a decade. Many Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the last few months have targeted both Asian Americans and Latinos working in the fields of

health care, medical technology, agri-processing and other sectors that rely on immigrant workers. “It is up to the next administration to ensure our immigration laws are carried out in a humane manner,” Duong says. “Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama both need to condemn immigration enforcement policies which do not provide a fair hearing for individuals in our courts.” Those detained in the Mississippi raids were from Brazil, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Peru. It appears none were from the Philippines.

NEWS

THE ASIAN AMERICAN Justice Center (AAJC) and its affiliates—the Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Los Angeles, the Asian Law Caucus of San Francisco, and the Asian American Institute of Chicago—have urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to stop raids that seize workers, forcibly separate them from their spouses and children and then rapidly deport them without a fair hearing. “These enforcement sweeps are de-humanizing and destructive to families and our economy,” says Tuyet Duong, senior staff at-

AUGUST 30, 2008

Immigrants Right Group Criticizes LPGA’s English-Speaking Policy THE ASIAN AMERICAN JUSTICE CENTER (AAJC) is urging sponsors of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), the longest running women’s sports association in the world, to withdraw their support until the group retracts its new English proficiency requirement for members. The LPGA is requiring all players to be proficient in English starting in 2009. Those who cannot pass an oral evaluation of English skills face suspension from the Tour. There are currently 121 international players from 26 countries on the LPGA Tour. “This policy is tantamount to national origin discrimination, which is prohibited under Civil Rights Act,” says Vincent Eng, AAJC deputy director. “The policy is an affront to our American principles of diversity and equality. It is even more unconscionable that the LPGA is devolving to past divisive and exclusionary practices of their sport following the successful closing of the Olympic Games.” The consensus among many sports groups is that players should be measured by their skill levels, rather than personality, family influence or linguistic prowess. Golf officials privately concede that if PGA golfer Seve Ballesteros was subjected to a similar rule, he would have never won the 1980 PGA Masters. “The game of golf has a long history of exclusion of minorities and women who have fought for years to be included in sport,” added Duong. “That’s why it’s shocking that the LPGA would issue this policy, which is completely contrary to the spirit of inclusion that drove LPGA pioneer women to continue breaking new ground in their sport. This will ultimately result in depriving the audience and fans of seeing the best golfers in the world.”

AUGUST 30, 2008

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

MAINLAND NEWS

Bay Area Filipinos Launch Obama Campaign

SCORES OF VOLUNTEERS with “Filipinos for Obama” hit the streets of San Francisco in early August to spread the message that Senator Obama is the candidate for the Filipino American Community. The grass roots organization was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area with the purpose of empowering and uniting the Filipino vote for the 2008 presidential election. The FFO contingent passed out bumper stickers and buttons, and energized the crowed chanting “Yes We Can” at Pistahan, a jam-packed Filipino culture festival and parade in San Francisco. Their efforts inaugurated the national Filipinos for Obama campaign to reach out to voters in Battle Ground states, particularly targeting those with high populations of Filipinos such as Nevada and Virginia.

With more than 4 million Filipino Americans living in the U.S., the second largest Asian American population may yet be the difference in November’s presidential election. According to FFO’s Dave Deen, Filipinos tend to vote more Republican than Democrat. In both the 2000 and 2004 elections, more Filipino-Americans voted for George Bush than any Democratic candidates. Deen says that Filipino-Americans have historically followed where employment was available. “One of the major reasons many today vote Republican is because there is a long tradition of military service, and thus, Filipino-American military families,” he says.

Filipina Psychologist Receives International Humanitarian Award DR. GUNDELINA VELAZCO has been named a recipient of the 2008 American Psychological Association’s International Humanitarian Award. She is the first Filipina to receive the prestigious award. Velazco is a member of the British Psychological Society and the former chair of the Psychology Department of De La Salle University in the Philippines, where she was also the director of Institutional Testing, Evaluation, and Research. From 1996-1998 she served as a consultant to the Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development. As a result of her international research, fieldwork, and counseling work, she became interested in the psychology of traumatized children and in dealing with the problems of different types of children at risk. In 1999, Velazco began to devote her career full-time to working with street children and victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation. She has designed and directed training programs for workers handling children at risk, headed international research projects, and designed products and materials suitable for particular groups of children in different parts of the world. She is currently the Director of Aftercare for Justice for Children International (JFCI), a U.S.-based NGO working towards the abolition of child exploitation and trafficking.

Florida-based JFCI is one of several international organizations that have launched efforts to stop child trafficking. Recently, JFCI organized a training conference for social workers, counselors and others who work with exploited children. The 15 caregivers spent two weeks learning from Dr. Velazco. In 2007, she helped launched a nine-month long graduate level program in the Philippines for caregivers who specialize in treating these traumatized children. Velazco describes these exploited children as "frail victims of one of the worst human atrocities one could ever imagine. And they number in the millions. Many of them have lost their minds. Quite a number have lost their lives—in agony. Those who have survived are scarred, physically and psychologically. Many are still bonded to a life of pain, shame, torment and fear.” Velazco says that JFCI caregivers have loved these children, built therapeutic relationships with them and provided a safe base where they can grow out of their traumas and realize their worth and potential. Commenting on this latest achievement by a Filipino, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Wily Gaa said, “This only goes to show the valuable contribution and the important role the Filipino American community continues to play, not only in their respective communities here in the U.S. but also for their homeland, the Philippines, and the Filipino people.”

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

FAMILY CORNER

AUGUST 30, 2008

Protect Children from Violence (Part 2) When children feel guilty about the violence around them, they feel worthless and incapable of learning. • Affect chilby Grace F. FONG, EdD and dren’s ability to Sylvia YUEN, PhD form close attachments—healthy relationships with others. They ontinuous exposure to viooften don’t know whom to trust lence can have many efor believe; they can’t tell who fects, some more serious are the “good guys” and the than others. The impact depends “bad guys.” They may act agon how severe the violence is and gressively, act tough, or withhow often it is experienced. Some draw, making it hard to form common effects of exposure to vifriendships. olence include difficulty sleeping • Disturb psychological functionor waking up; fear of sleeping ing. Some children find comfort alone; nightmares and dayby reverting to behaviors from dreams; confusion about feelings; earlier years such as thumb and/or problems in school, work, sucking, clinging to their parents, and home life. Children who live or expressing fear of being in a dangerous environment often alone. These behaviors repreworry about their safety; feel sent a time in their lives when afraid or stressed; are unable to things were easier. Children may concentrate or are forgetful; experience anxiety, extreme and/or feel responsible for the viworry, and helplessness. Others olence around them. To deal with may react with emotional numbtheir fears, children often develop ness—seeming not to be afdefenses that interfere with their fected at all. Some may come to development and learning. Rebelieve that violence is natural peated exposure to family or comand appropriate. They may have munity violence can: trouble controlling their own • Limit development of cognitive anger or frustrations, and react abilities—reasoning skills, anain violent ways. lytical skills, language skills.

How can you protect children from violence? You can start by helping to create a nonviolent environment for each child, one at a time. Build a home life that teaches your child positive behaviors and attitudes. Teach him to use his words in an acceptable way to ask for things he wants or to explain his feelings when frustrated or angry. Help him to find ways to solve problems without hurting others or himself. When he behaves aggressively, stop him and show him more acceptable ways to act and speak. Remember that children, especially very young ones, learn by watching and imitating. They need you to serve as a role model to learn how to behave. They need your guidance to learn to act in nonviolent ways. Here are some actions you can take to be a good role model: • Avoid using violent language and behavior • Stop or reduce time spent watching violence on TV or in other media • Treat others with kindness and respect • Respond to others with calm and logic, even during conflicts • Be calm when driving, disciplining children, or waiting in lines • “Let it go” and not “get even”

A BABY’S EARLY experiences and relationships with others affects his brain structure, shaping the way he learns, thinks, and behaves for the rest of his life. Early exposure to traumatic or highly stressful events can negatively affect brain development and functioning. For example, babies and young children who are abused or neglected are more likely to develop brains that are tuned to danger. They experience strong stress responses and produce high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that affects the brain, the immune system, and metabolism. This stress response occurs even when children are exposed to only minimal amounts of stress. Very high levels of cortisol physically alter the brain by reducing the number of connections in parts of the brain and making it vulnerable to processes that destroy brain cells. In contrast, children who receive warm and responsive caregiving, especially in their first year of life, and form a secure attachment to a parent or caregiver develop biological systems that help them adapt to stress and handle their emotions. These children produce less cortisol. When they do become upset, they can turn off their stress reaction more quickly. They are more adaptive and more able to cope with difficult times when they are older. • Take control of your thoughts and attitudes. While it’s impossible to completely prevent exposure to violence, you can show your child what to do when he encounters it. Teach him to react in nonviolent ways. Help him be an example to others. Discuss what to do if someone acts or speaks violently. Plan and practice how to play and speak nonviolently. Everything you do to encourage nonviolence in his life will help re-

MAINLAND NEWS

Undocumented UCLA Students Share Their Story at Book Party A STANDING ROOM only crowd filled Remy’s Place On Temple Art Gallery in Los Angeles for a special party for “Underground Undergrads: UCLA Undocumented Students Speak Out.”

The book describes the plight of undocumented college students who were brought as young children to the U.S. and their struggles to complete their educations. The students’ families over-

stayed their tourist and/or work visas and as a result, were unable to legally work, obtain drivers’ licenses and ineligible for government financial aid. One of the students who spoke to the audience was Angelo Mathay, who left the Philippines for the U.S. at age 6 with his mother. Mathay was surprised to learn that she didn’t intend to return in order to escape the tsismis (gossip) that resulted from Angelo’s out-of-wedlock birth. Years later, Angelo was unable to return to the Philippines

even for his father’s funeral, because he would not be re-admitted to the U.S. “Filipinos believe “tago ng tago” (hide and hide) our status, but we have to come out of the shadows if we want to change immigration policy,” he said. California Assemblyman Mike

WELCOME TO THE U.S.

duce the violence in your community.

Editor’s Note: Grace Fong is a professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Sylvia Yuen is the Director of the Center on the Family in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. This article is adapted from the Family Resource Kit published by the Center on the Family.

Eng, who represents the 49th District which includes eastern Los Angeles County, commended organizers for sponsoring the event which he says will help the AsianAmerican community to break its silence on those who have overstayed their visas. Eng also applauded the bravery of the UCLA students who are currently lobbying for the California and federal Dream Acts which would respectively provide government financial aid and a path to citizenship for undocumented college students. The book party was held in conjunction with the Smithsonian/ University of Hawaii exhibit “Singgalot: The Ties that Bind” which documents the history of the Filipino immigration to the U.S. (www.filamnation.com)

Willy Gaa, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., welcomed 93 teachers from the Philippines who arrived in Washington, D.C. on August 11, 2008. The embassy conducted orientation seminars for newly-arrived teachers assigned to teach in Maryland schools. They were informed of the services offered by the Embassy and given practical advice to ease their transition into a new environment. These 93 teachers will be teaching special education classes, math, science and English subjects in public schools in Prince George’s County in Maryland. (photo provided by Embassy of the Philippines, Washington D.C.)

AUGUST 30, 2008

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

LEGAL NOTES

Shorter Naturalization Wait

by Reuben S. SEGURITAN he waiting time to become a naturalized U.S. citizen is projected to shorten by the end of September 2008. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on August 11, 2008 that it anticipates to reduce the processing period for naturalization cases from the pre-

vious average processing time of 16 to 18 months to an average of 10 to12 months nationally. It expects to continually reduce it further to five months by next year. This streamlining is in response to the effort to ease the backlogs in the naturalization applications which resulted from the surge of applications prior to the increase in naturalization fees in July last year. Last fiscal year, the USCIS received 1.4 million naturalization applications. This was nearly double the previous year’s 730,000 applications which was the normal annual volume of applications. According to the Department of Homeland Security report, the leading countries with the largest number of naturalizations were

Mexico (122,258), India (46,871), Philippines (38,830), China (33,134) and Vietnam (27,921). The highest concentration of these applicants resided in California (181,684), New York (73,676) and Florida (54,563). Because of the uneven distribution of naturalization applicants across the country, the processing times may vary among USCIS field offices. On the average, the shortest processing time of five months is projected for the following USCIS field offices: Agana, Guam; Anchorage, Alaska; Mount Laurel, New Jersey; Detroit, Michigan; Harlingen, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Reno, Nevada; Sacramento, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, California; Spokane,

Washington; West Palm Beach, Florida; Yakima, Washington; Honolulu, Hawaii and Chicago, Illinois. The longest processing times are projected for Charlotte, North Carolina - 14.9 months; New Orleans, Louisiana - 14.5 months; Hartford, Connecticut 14.3 months; and Charleston, South Carolina -14.1 months. The average processing time for New York applicants will be 10 months. For Orlando, Florida, it will be 9.5 months. Naturalization applicants in Newark, New Jersey will wait for an average of 7.4 months. Those in San Francisco, California will wait for five months while those based in Los Angeles, California will wait for 12.5 months. The USCIS expects to com-

13 plete processing of more than one million naturalization applications by the end of the fiscal year. Clearly, a lot of residents have recognized the benefits of U.S. citizenship in light of the upcoming presidential elections and out of a sense of civic duty to participate in the democratic process. The influx of naturalization applications has been met by the USCIS with efforts to streamline and speed up the process by increased hiring, expanded work hours and review and reallocation of resources among the local offices in order to achieve its ultimate goal of reducing the naturalization processing time to five months in the coming fiscal year. EDITOR’S NOTE: 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

GLOBAL NEWS

Philippine Student Wins Gold at the United Nations for Green Projects LARA VILLANUEVA, 17, received the Youth Achievement Award from the United Nations for her humanitarian efforts working with Children International in her hometown of Bacacay in Albay, the Philippines. Villanueva is currently a freshman nursing student at Bicol University. She was 1 of 12 youth leaders honored by the UN Youth Assembly at an awards ceremony in New York from August 12-14, 2008. Sponsored by Children International, these young people from poor communities around the world spoke up at this international forum, which brought a richness of experience, poise and vision. A sponsored teen through Children International, Villanueva is president of her youth council. Last year's youth council deter-

Lara Villanueva mined that coastal dumping kills marine life, threatens people's livelihood and destroys the environment. “The majority of youth identify projects to benefit themselves. Seldom does a project benefit the community, the environment, and the next generation like this one does,” says Eleanor Peña, Children International Regional Program Coordinator in the Philippines.

According to Peña, the area where Villanueva is from is typhoon-prone. During the last few typhoons, coastal areas were inundated with garbage whenever it flooded. Villanueva said that cleanup efforts along her hometown’s coastal areas will be expanded through this year’s project, the Green Patrol, which raises awareness on climate change, global warming and solid waste management. “This trip changed my life for the better,” she says. “When I go back to the Philippines, I will share everything that I learned including the best practices of the other countries and I will make sure that our projects there continue.” Other issues that the youth council in the Philippines seeks to address are juvenile delinquency, early pregnancy, and lack of education. (Asian Journal Online)

More Foreign Doctors Coming to Philippines For Training WHILE ENROLLMENT in medical schools in the Philippines is dropping, more doctors from other Asian countries are flocking to Philippine hospitals to train, according to officials of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA). PMA president Dr. Reynaldo Santos said that the association has observed foreign doctors replacing Filipino doctors who left the country for greener pastures abroad. Many of the country’s doctors have become nurses so they can work overseas, particularly in the U.S. Health Secretary Francisco Duque said he favored the admission of foreign physicians in Philip-

pine hospitals to augment the staffing levels. “Maybe it’s time, since we are living in a borderless global community,” Duque said. While Duque stressed limiting the numbers of foreign doctors, Santos said it would be better for the government to institute guidelines for foreign doctors training and practicing in the Philippines to ensure that Filipino physicians are not displaced. “We just want safeguards for Filipino doctors. We want them to get first priority in hiring,” he said. Reports from PMA chapters showed that doctors from India, Iran, Malaysia and Indonesia were

receiving training in provincial hospitals in the country. The PMA has no figures on the total number of foreign doctors practicing in the country. An informal survey by the PMA in 2007 showed that 5,000 doctors left the Philippines since 2004, while another 6,000 have been studying nursing in hopes of receiving placements abroad. Santos also reported the declining enrollment in medical colleges. Enrollment has dropped by 40 percent over the past three years. “Even in popular residencies like surgery, before we get 100-150 applications. Now, there’s nothing,” he said. (Asian Journal Online)

First Filipino Radio Broadcast Airs in South Korea THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY

IN SEOUL reported that the first multicultural radio broadcast in Filipino was aired in South Korea on August 15, 2008. In addition to Pilipino, the multicultural radio program is aired in the languages of three other countries, namely, China, Vietnam and Thailand. Maria Regina Arquiza, a Philippine scholar at Ehwa Woman’s University, hosts the Philippine segment of the multicultural radio program everyday for 30 minutes. She plays traditional and modern Filipino music, along with educational and cul-

tural programs such as medical information, legal counseling, job information and an introduction to Korea culture, language and customs. According to the Woongjin Foundation, which is the main sponsor of the multicultural radio broadcast, the radio program’s target audience are foreign workers as well as foreign spouses of Koreans who are now better connected with their roots and kept abreast with latest developments in their home country. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul is closely collaborating with Woongjin Foundation by supporting them with materials and information for the radio program.

(DFA)

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

PHILIPPINE LANGUAGE

AUGUST 30, 2008

83 A Tawenen Ti Dingras Organization of Hawaii Ti Maysa A Kaunaan Ken Sibibiag A Gunglo Iti Hawaii ILOKO

by Amado I. YORO amatika a ti Dingras Organization of Hawaii ket nabangon pay la idi 1925? Ken kameng kadi iti Oahu Filipino Community Council [OFCC] ti payong dagiti amin a gunglo Filipino iti Hawaii a nabangon idi Hunio 1959? "Wen, Hunio 25, 1925 a nabangon" kinuna ni Frank Anno, agdama a presidente. "Segun dagiti naggal-allawat nga impormasion, nabangon pay la ti gunglomi nabiit pay met a nagsangpet ti Filipino iti Hawaii," innayon ni Anno. "Ladingitek laeng ta saankon a malagip wenno ammo no asino ti immuna a nagpresidente. Ngem patiek a ti panggep daytoy a gunglo ket tapno makapagkaykaysa ken makitimpuyog dagiti kameng. Agtitinnulong iti

pakaseknan dagiti agkakailian." "Ket idi apagsangpetak iti Hawaii idi Hulio 17, 1960, isu metten a naikamengak gapu iti awis ni Mrs. Dolores Manzanillo, ti agdama idi a presidente". Ket idi eleksion ti opisial idi 1961, napagasatan ni Frank Anno a presidente. Adda aganay a 150 ti kameng kadagidi a tiempo. Ti imasna a karit daytoy, bumasbassit ti kameng. Arapaap ni Anno ti makitinnulong a mangpasayaat ken makiinnadal a mangidur-as ti Dingras Organization of Hawaii babaen iti pannakidanggayna kadagiti kameng. Kalikagumanna a no ania ti masursurona a pagsayaatan iti liderato, kasta koma met kadagiti padana a kameng. Adda idi maysa a napinget a kameng a kayat ni Anno a masursuruan tapno agbalin met a lider wenno sumaruno a mangidaulo iti gunglo ngem simrek iti US Army, ngem ti imasna, idi nagretiro daytoy, iinkeddengna ti

nagnaed idiay Washington State. Idi 1975 nga isasarungkar ni Mayor Foz, insingasing ti mayor a maipatarus ti Pagalagadanda iti English gapu ta naisurat laeng iti Iluko. Ket no maaramid a kasta, saan la a dagiti taga Dingras koma ti agkameng. Pangpanggepen idin ni Anno nga irehistro iti Dept of Commerce and Consumer Affairs tapno aplikaranda ti masasao a tax exempt, tapno awan ti agparang a kas iti panangilanglangi iti kamengna. Naaramid a kasta babaen iti tulong ni Atorni Manera, a kasinsin ni Anno. Aktibo latta ti Dingras Organization of Hawaii kadagidi a tiempo. "Saan met a maaw-awan ti gunglomi kadagiti aktibidad ti komunidad, adda latta delegadomi tunggal kombension".

ANIA TI PANGGEP TI DINGRAS ORGANIZATION? "Mangted ti arayat kadagiti pamilia a mapanawan ti kameng.

No adda naan-anay a pondo, mangted met ti gunglo ti tulong idiay ili ti Dingras. Adda metten electric water pump a naited ti gunglo iti hospital sadiay." kinuna ni Anno. Tumultulong pay ti Dingras Organization of Hawaii iti American Red Cross ken Philippine Red Cross iti tinawen. "Pinadasmi a pabaruen babaen iti reorganisasion idi 1998 ngem ti adatna adda dagiti saanen nga interesado ket dakami ti nabati a mangipatpataray ita uray no bassit ti bilangmi, kas namunganayan a gunglo dagiti taga Dingras, maaramidanmi ti mabaelanmi, nga aramiden," kinuna ni Anno.

DAGITI AGDAMA NGA DINGRAS ORGANIZATION OF HAWAII:

OPISIAL TI

Frank Anno, presidente; Mrs. Elizabeth Ruiz, umuna a bise presidente; Mrs. Cristeta delos Santos,[Kauai] maikadua a

bise presidente; Mrs. Ellen Endrina, sekretaria; Mrs. Carmana "Manny" Julian, tesorera; Mrs. Consolacion Cadiente, auditor, Mrs. Acela Garcia, PRO. Sarhento de armas da Nathaniel Remigio ken Sam Garcia Kameng ti hunta direktiba da: Norma Montero, Mary Bautista, Leonora Tano, Tessie Anno ken Alejandra Ignacio. Mamagbaga da Ernest Julian ken Rosalinda Anno. Kameng ni Frank Anno iti Filipino Catholic Club, Holy Name Society ken Knights of Columbus 5000 3rd degree. Ni dati a Tessie Fontejon Anno, ti Vigan, ti kaingungotna. Kadagupan dagiti aganay a 40 a kameng ti Oahu Filipino Community Council [OFCC] a nangipabaro ti membership statusna itoy a tawen 2008-2009 ti Dingras Organization of Hawaii ti naammuan a napondar pay la idi 1925. "Rehistrado ti Dingras Organization of Hawaii iti DCCA Hawaii. Addaan iti 501[C]3 tax exempt," inggibus ni Anno.

GLOBAL NEWS eTelecare Opens Call Center in Nicaragua MANILA-BASED BUSINESS process outsourcing company eTelecare will open a delivery center in Managua, Nicaragua to serve as a near-shore site addressing United States customers. The company will invest $2.1 million in a “70-30” joint venture with Texas-based Almori BPO Services. eTelecare Nicaragua will provide bi-lingual (Spanish and English) customer voice and technical support services and will initially employ 500 people.

Nicaragua has a large untapped pool of skilled workers similar to Costa Rica and Panama. The company was founded in the Philippines in 2000 and is publicly listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange (ETEL). Its corporate headquarters is at Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City and its main U.S. office is in Scottsdale, Arizona. The company employs over 10,000 workers in the Philippines in six call centers nationwide, including one in Cebu City. In the U.S., it has centers in Arizona, North Dakota, South Dakota and

New Mexico. In September last year, eTelecare announced its acquisition of AOL’s customer service subsidiary located in Clark Field, Pampanga. The new site now employs more than 1,000 workers. Benedict Hernandez, eTelecare’s local general manager, said the company will leverage on AOL to venture into more non-voice technical support services. “Our expansion next year will definitely be outside of Metro Manila,” Hernandez said.

(www.GoodNewsPilipinas.com)

Saudi Govt Pardons 22 Jailed OFWs A TOTAL OF 22 FILIPINO prisoners in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia have been pardoned by the Saudi government and will soon be back in the Philippines, according to Vice President Noli de Castro. De Castro, who serves as presidential adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), expects more detained OFWs in Saudi Arabia to be given amnesty during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts on September 1. Citing a report from Ezzedin Tago, the Philippines’ ConsulGeneral to Jeddah, De Castro said the Department of Foreign

Vice President Noli de Castro Affairs will release the names of the pardoned Filipino workers as soon as the official list is made available to the media. The 22 Filipinos, pardoned during the last week of July, were

involved in lower cases such as theft, drug and sex-related crimes. “I’m happy with this positive development and hope that more Filipinos convicted of minor offenses will be given amnesty during Ramadan,” said De Castro, who congratulated Tago and other Consulate staff for looking after the welfare of the Filipino prisoners. De Castro stressed that murder and embezzlement cases were not covered by the amnesty. The release and travel papers of those pardoned are already being processed by the Consulate. (Asian Journal Online)

AUGUST 30, 2008

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

CLASSIFIED ADS HELP WANTED NOODLE MAKER. PART- TIME Health Benefits. Island Noodle Apply in Person at 841-8664

NEED EXPERIENCED BABY SITTER for infant in my Ewa Beach home. 4 days/week. Call 554-7444

P/T BUILDING WORKER

NEED SALESPERSON w/ Real Estate, Mortgage, Insurance Background for Mortgage Reduction Sales. Salary + Comm. Call: 227-7181

JAPANESE RESTAURANT OJIYA IS LOOKING FOR KITCHEN HELPER, DISHWASHER OR BUSBOY Call (808) 942-3838

Work Sunday Only 1 to 5 Exp. Preferred. $14/hr Wahiawa. Pls Call 622-3538 / 621-5341

JEWELRY COMPANY BUYING GOLD AND OLD JEWELRY

F/T YARD MAINTENANCE WORKER

Top dollar for gold, old jewelry and Rolex watches. Call: 225-7637

Exp. Preferred; call Tony 842-6193 or 222-4606

FT / PT SALES / OFFICE HELP Bright–Energetic–Flexible. Willing to train right person Call 853-0172 for appointment

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

AUGUST 31, 2008 SUNDAY Cavitienians and Associates of Hawaii Recognition night country western style ● 6:00 PM, Pacific Beach Hotel, Ahi/Mahimahi Room ● For details call: Liway Broas at 671-0917 ● Lydia Dayrit at 949-2926.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2008 FRIDAY

SUPER CLEAN Residential and Commercial Part time cleaners on call: $10/hr Call 741-4244 or e-mail info@superclean.us

LIVE ASIAN CATFISH. BUY DIRECT FROM OUR FARM & SAVE! $6/lb. Avail year round, min. 20 lbs. Call 3824044 or 382-8674

NON-MEDICAL CAREGIVERS WANTED In-house training program for non-certified candidates. CNA & HHA welcomed. Part time and full time positions available. Contact: Lynn at Aloha Home Care Services Phone: 271-0885

Oahu Filipino Community Council (OFCC),Inauguration and installation of officers ● 6:00P.M at Ala Moana Hotel ● For details, please call: Cirvalina Longboy 375-0828 ● Danny Villaruz 778-0233 ● Carlota Ader 6883215

SEPTEMBER 27, SATURDAY Maria Clara Ball at Hibiscus Ballroom of Ala Moana Hotel ● 6:00 pm. ● Contact Edna Alikpala at 282-3669 or Jo Farina at 282-3847

ATTENTION: FILIPINO ORGANIZATIONS & NON-PROFITS Have your Community Event Published in our Calendar! Fax Your Press Release to 678-1829 or e-mail it tofilipinochronicle@gmail.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION

COMMUNITY PARADE

JULY 12, 2008