Monday, November 5, 2007
BLAZING STORIES: Hope from the Ashes
How do you recover from losing everything you worked your whole life for?
If you are John Rodrigo, you try to move on with grace and hope.
The former U.S. Navy diesel mechanic and instructor worked hard for 20 years to realize his American dream: to be able to build a home and provide security for his family.
It took a while but through backbreaking effort and perseverance that Filipinos are world-famous for, the devoted husband and father was able to do just that.
But in just one day, Mother Nature intervened and burned down his dream.
Ramona residents John Rodrigo, 61, and Jeanette Rodrigo, 62, and their grownup children lost three houses, several cars and a lifetime's worth of possessions amounting to more than 2 million dollars to the devastating Witch Fire which burned 195,000 acres in San Diego County. The fire gutted over 640 homes, damaged 250, and injured many firefighters. Heavy Santa Ana winds knocked down power lines causing the fires, according to reports.
"My children were asking me, 'What are we going to do now?' Rodrigo said.
The houses of the Rodrigo children were gifts from their parents.
"Those houses, masakit talaga na nawala kasi 'yun ang pamana ko sa kanila eh. Di bale na sana kami ng asawa ko, kaso yung mga anak ko tsaka yung mga apo ko, kawawa naman, nawalan ng bahay."
What's worse, the two houses did not have fire insurance. It was their worst-case scenario realized: They couldn't get coverage for the 24 acre-farm due to a lack of fire hydrant.
"Wala sa water district eh so we have our own water well," he said.
Rodrigo's property was full of fruit-bearing trees, a barn, lots of farm animals, and wide-open spaces where his children grew up. He said he is sad that his grandchildren won't be able to enjoy their place the way they used to.
When I spoke with Rodrigo a few days after the fire, he was at a doctor's clinic, getting his wife's blood pressure checked.
"Na-high blood ang misis ko dahil sa nangyari eh," he said.
"But I told my family that we have to move forward," he said. "We have a lot to do. We can't keep thinking backwards. I'm hoping for the best."
"Pasalamat ko lang sa Diyos, walang nasaktan sa amin," he said. "We'll be okay."
Below is his account of how this tragedy changed their lives forever.
–Yong B. Chavez, www.FilipinOnline.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Matagal na kami sa Amerika, yung misis ko, 1961 pa. Dati syang nurse sa Long Beach, ako naman nasa US Navy, 20 years ako doon.
We bought the land in 1976. Ako mismo ang nagtayo ng bahay namin. Bumili ako ng sarili kong gamit, even a bulldozer, at meron din akong kaibigan sa construction na tumulong sa akin.
In 1978, finally natapos na magawa ang bahay namin. It was on a 3,000 square feet land with 3 bedrooms, a second floor, and a full basement.
Blood, sweat and tears talaga pero sulit naman. It was a very nice place, very peaceful. We had all kinds of animals and fruits. My two kids grew up here.
Even if they have left to live on their own, they still lived near us. We gave them their houses: one has 2 bedrooms, the other has 3 bedrooms.
I'm retired, and my hobby is taking care of and fixing antique cars: a GTO 1970 and a Jeepster 1941.
We haven't experienced a fire before so when it happened, we were really surprised.
My son called me, sabi nya: "Dad, I think the fire is coming so I'll move the truck and then I'll come back."
However, once he left he was not allowed to come back anymore. Too risky daw. Sayang, kung pinabalik sya, we would have time to save the antique cars and other things.
But the fire was so fast. My wife and I evacuated as fast as we can.
Later on, we found out that all of the houses were gone.
Masakit talaga. Nawala ang bahay namin, ang mga tools ko, ang mga kotse namin, all of our trees, gone.
Pati yung mga wedding pictures namin at saka yung mga pictures ng mga apo ko, nasunog lahat. We were able to save our house deed pero yun naman we could have gotten a copy even if the original burned.
The other day was the first time I returned to the house. I knew what to expect already so I prepared myself before we went. I have to accept it. Mother Nature ang dahilan eh, so there's nothing I can do about it.
We were told not to touch anything. The water line was contaminated so I had our well repaired so that there will be good water available for our area. My neighbors also lost their houses. Only three homes were spared.
Our insurance guy is coming soon. I have to prepare a list of what we lost. It will be a long list.
Right now, we're staying at a friend's house. Another friend has lent us their RV. But after the insurance talk, I told my wife we have to look for a place to rent already.
We lost our house and we lost our sense of security. I really feel bad for our children, but I have hope that everything will still be all right."
-John Rodrigo, Ramona, Calif.
BLAZING STORIES:
Two Pinoys' Reactions
"What we learned from this disaster"
By Yong B. Chavez,
"What a difference a week makes. One previous Saturday most people from Southern California, especially San Diego area, did what they usually do on a lazy weekend: kicked-back, relaxed, ate breakfast with their families, walked the dog, jogged by the seaside, washed their cars, watched a movie.
A family close to Beth Tagle - Leo and Juliet Pastor of Rancho Bernardo in San Diego - lost their beloved house to the fires. The Pastors are one of the original residents of Azucar Way, a once pristine hillside community where a ravenous fire leaped over a hill and consumed half a dozen houses in its wake.
"We were not able to visit them because [officials] won't let anyone in the area for security reasons. The smell of gas, smoke, and electric cables are still in the air and on the ground. They are still in shock and are not yet ready to face anyone. They are too hurt and devastated," Tagle wrote a few days after the Pastors' house burned down.
"They didn't have a chance to save anything except for some legal documents, everything else turned into ashes. It was 4 a.m. when a neighbor called them and woke them up to tell them they had to evacuate because a neighbor's house was already burning. They were in their pajamas so they panicked and just got some legal papers and drove their two cars out of there.
They were not able to save their wedding pictures nor the baby pictures of their two grownup children. Not her favorite dress nor favorite nightgown. All the memories of their almost 40 years of marriage are gone.
They are going to start all over again just like the first day they set foot in America more than 40 years ago."
From the Pastors' experience, Tagle, who's from Chino Hills, Calif., learned a valuable lesson:
"In just a moment, people's lives can change forever... Make everyday special, do not save anything that you like in your closet: Use it, wear it, or give it away. Let someone else be helped by it. Be always prepared by preparing ourselves spiritually so that we will always be ready to face God. We don't know when our time will come, who's next and what's next."
******************************************************************************
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Jon dela Cruz resides in Northern California, far, far away from experiencing first-hand the treachery of the Santa Ana winds whose fury fanned and transported embers, resulting in one of Southern California's most fiery days, but he felt immediate kinship and sympathy for everyone whose lives were turned upside down by the blaze.
"What a difference a week makes. One previous Saturday most people from Southern California, especially San Diego area, did what they usually do on a lazy weekend: kicked-back, relaxed, ate breakfast with their families, walked the dog, jogged by the seaside, washed their cars, watched a movie.
The next weekend, many of them woke-up and saw what was once their sanctuary: charred ruins of their homes underneath smoldering pile of ashes.
To most, the only thing they could keep were the memories. On TV, as I watched the news, the only structure you can see standing on some of the burned-down homes were the fireplaces: a special part of the home to warm themselves on a chilly winter and bond with friends and families through - what else (as Pinoys) - karaoke sessions.
This is a grim reminder that material possessions can be taken from us in a flash.
Others may contend that these earthly possessions are theirs to keep for good. Not! These are just a loaners from up above.
To the ones whose homes were spared: We pray that the Lord continue to blanket them to safety.
To the families whose homes were burned to the ground: We pray to the Lord that they will be showered with comfort and relieve them with their pains, anxiety and sufferings. We pray that they will be given the strength as they start rebuilding their lives again."
[photo: LA Times.com]
Sunday, November 4, 2007
BLAZING STORIES:
Action Agad from the Philippine Consulate
Responding to the community's need during the wildfire crisis, the Philippine Consulate of Los Angeles quickly sent a team led by Vice Consul Jim San Agustin to San Diego to find out where and how they could help Filipinos affected by the disaster.
While visiting the evacuation center, they met with Filipino community leaders and offered the Consulate's assistance in acting as a "clearing house for disaster relief and coordination."
The consular team was happy to know that the Filipinos affected by the disaster were getting the help through FEMA and other organizations, but they worried that there might be Filipino fire victims who were afraid or ashamed to come forward.
Not everyone might be able to get any help through traditional sources so the Philippine Consulate wanted to spread the word that all fire victims can contact the Consulate to see what type of assistance they can render.
"Major concerns are elderly, those with disability, and undocumented workers. These people may not know how to access assistance, are ineligible for assistance or have difficulties accessing assistance (language, sense of intimidation, hiya, etc.)," wrote Vice Consul Ed Yulo, who led the Philippine Consulate team when Katrina hit.
Any assistance from the community need not be coursed through the Consulate but they encourage everyone to give in any way they can in any form or manner.
Fire victims who have lost their documents, particularly for passports, can be assured of immediate assistance on this matter.
"Major concerns are elderly, those with disability, and undocumented workers. These people may not know how to access assistance, are ineligible for assistance or have difficulties accessing assistance (language, sense of intimidation, hiya, etc.)," wrote Vice Consul Ed Yulo, who led the Philippine Consulate team when Katrina hit.
Any assistance from the community need not be coursed through the Consulate but they encourage everyone to give in any way they can in any form or manner.
Fire victims who have lost their documents, particularly for passports, can be assured of immediate assistance on this matter.
Filipinos affected by the fires may call 213-268-9990.
NOTE FROM THE CONSULATE:
NOTE FROM THE CONSULATE:
The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles wishes to remind Filipino associations to refrain from mentioning the Philippine Consulate General as an organizer or sponsor of fundraising activities in view of existing Philippine government regulations prohibiting Philippine foreign service posts from soliciting funds from the public in any form. Promotion materials, posters or fliers bearing the name of the Philippine Consulate General must have prior written consent from the Consul General prior to printing or distribution. However, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles can assist Filipino organizations involved in disaster relief activities in terms of facilitating the flow of relief goods and resources, recommending appropriate forms of assistance to recipient organizations, matching the resources of donors to the requirements of identified recipient agencies, and disseminating vital information during emergency situations.
[photo: Philippine Consulate website]
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
BLAZING STORIES: A Close Call
October 22 to 26 was the week when many Southern California homes went up in flames. Here is one Filipina's account of how she almost lost everything.
LCT of San Diego is very modest and didn't want her full name to be publicized but she generously agreed to share her story.
She originally sent a version of this letter to family and friends to let them know of their status.
LCT is not a reporter – she is a nurse by profession - but her comprehensive account of her wildfire experience showed a considerable storytelling skill.
Her care for others - including remembering to pick up a freeway driving-averse relative (all of us Pinoys have one, admit it), and volunteering her services as a nurse even when she was on the brink of losing her own house – is a real lesson in selflessness.
Breathless, real, and ultimately blessed with a happy ending, LCT's account will make you wish you have her quick thinking and strength when disaster strikes. What she did first when she came back home will make you smile: The lady obviously loves her plants.
–Yong B. Chavez, www.FilipinOnline.com
"Our house was blessedly saved from the fire. Miracles do happen. We survived the crisis.
It started Sunday for the Santa Ana weather; the wind was going 90 miles per hour. It started with two fires in the mountain but due to strong wind, the fires spread so fast and hit our place in Rancho Bernardo. On Monday, 4 a.m. I received call from 911 that we have to evacuate at once due to fire.
Got out of bed, took whatever I can: important documents, pictures and some clothes.
Of course [my husband] Ric told me not to panic.
But I wouldn't take any chances. I went out first, picked up my older sister who does not drive on the freeway, and waited for another sister in my nephew's place.
Ric finally left the house after the sheriff asked him to leave or else he will be cited. There were about 5 police cars in our street at that time knocking at every house to evacuate.
On Tuesday, the strong winds continue and the fire spread more. [We saw] our neighbors' houses burning down. The apartment they were showing on TV was just across our house.
They called this fire a tornado due fire swirling upward, kaya yun ibang bahay not affected, parang bang pinipili lang.
I did not sleep at all and continued to watch news.
Then I decided to volunteer for medical help in the shelter they asked people to go to, the Qualcomm football stadium. I am glad I did it because people there needed help and were very appreciative. My experience as a volunteer and as evacuee was so rewarding. The people of San Diego were so generous and caring. It was so organized and the evacuees were happy and comfortable, kahit na nasusunugan na, as you see in TV. They provided hot food, folding beds, blanket, tent, toiletries, day care, live band, massage for 20 minutes, assistance for insurance, Internet and Fema assistance.
Parang street fair na may give aways pa. The real homeless people from downtown, nag-fiesta nga.
Wednesday, the winds died down. We still had fire but in our place, it was contained in our place. They let the residents get in for 5 minutes to get medicines so Ric went to the site and he was escorted by police to pick up his meds.
He was in tears when he saw that the house was still intact. It's just ashes outside and in some part inside the house because I forgot that the windows were open.
It was a relief. They closed a big area in our place due to the fire so nobody will burglarize the empty houses. It was blocked by the military and police so that it was also secured when Pres. Bush delivered his speech in the affected site.
After his visit it opened to the resident na.
I was so happy to be united with our house. I checked if the inside was intact and then I watered my plants. Nag-apple picking na ako sa floor but my persimmon fruits were still intact. I was called to work that afternoon.
On my way to work, I passed by the burned down houses and started crying again up until I reached work. My director of nursing saw me crying and with my eyes so swollen, she was so considerate sent me home. I was not emotionally and physically ready to work.
It's Friday, I didn't know where to start cleaning. There is still fire in the mountain and it started to be cloudy again so I stopped cleaning.
Right now, it's like war, helicopter and police cars are making their rounds to make sure it's safe.
I am glad to be here, and to retire here. Everyone is welcome to stay in my place if you are in San Diego. I don't have a new house but a comfortable house and I will cook for you."
LCT, San Diego
LCT of San Diego is very modest and didn't want her full name to be publicized but she generously agreed to share her story.
She originally sent a version of this letter to family and friends to let them know of their status.
LCT is not a reporter – she is a nurse by profession - but her comprehensive account of her wildfire experience showed a considerable storytelling skill.
Her care for others - including remembering to pick up a freeway driving-averse relative (all of us Pinoys have one, admit it), and volunteering her services as a nurse even when she was on the brink of losing her own house – is a real lesson in selflessness.
Breathless, real, and ultimately blessed with a happy ending, LCT's account will make you wish you have her quick thinking and strength when disaster strikes. What she did first when she came back home will make you smile: The lady obviously loves her plants.
–Yong B. Chavez, www.FilipinOnline.com
"Our house was blessedly saved from the fire. Miracles do happen. We survived the crisis.
It started Sunday for the Santa Ana weather; the wind was going 90 miles per hour. It started with two fires in the mountain but due to strong wind, the fires spread so fast and hit our place in Rancho Bernardo. On Monday, 4 a.m. I received call from 911 that we have to evacuate at once due to fire.
Got out of bed, took whatever I can: important documents, pictures and some clothes.
Of course [my husband] Ric told me not to panic.
But I wouldn't take any chances. I went out first, picked up my older sister who does not drive on the freeway, and waited for another sister in my nephew's place.
Ric finally left the house after the sheriff asked him to leave or else he will be cited. There were about 5 police cars in our street at that time knocking at every house to evacuate.
On Tuesday, the strong winds continue and the fire spread more. [We saw] our neighbors' houses burning down. The apartment they were showing on TV was just across our house.
They called this fire a tornado due fire swirling upward, kaya yun ibang bahay not affected, parang bang pinipili lang.
I did not sleep at all and continued to watch news.
Then I decided to volunteer for medical help in the shelter they asked people to go to, the Qualcomm football stadium. I am glad I did it because people there needed help and were very appreciative. My experience as a volunteer and as evacuee was so rewarding. The people of San Diego were so generous and caring. It was so organized and the evacuees were happy and comfortable, kahit na nasusunugan na, as you see in TV. They provided hot food, folding beds, blanket, tent, toiletries, day care, live band, massage for 20 minutes, assistance for insurance, Internet and Fema assistance.
Parang street fair na may give aways pa. The real homeless people from downtown, nag-fiesta nga.
Wednesday, the winds died down. We still had fire but in our place, it was contained in our place. They let the residents get in for 5 minutes to get medicines so Ric went to the site and he was escorted by police to pick up his meds.
He was in tears when he saw that the house was still intact. It's just ashes outside and in some part inside the house because I forgot that the windows were open.
It was a relief. They closed a big area in our place due to the fire so nobody will burglarize the empty houses. It was blocked by the military and police so that it was also secured when Pres. Bush delivered his speech in the affected site.
After his visit it opened to the resident na.
I was so happy to be united with our house. I checked if the inside was intact and then I watered my plants. Nag-apple picking na ako sa floor but my persimmon fruits were still intact. I was called to work that afternoon.
On my way to work, I passed by the burned down houses and started crying again up until I reached work. My director of nursing saw me crying and with my eyes so swollen, she was so considerate sent me home. I was not emotionally and physically ready to work.
It's Friday, I didn't know where to start cleaning. There is still fire in the mountain and it started to be cloudy again so I stopped cleaning.
Right now, it's like war, helicopter and police cars are making their rounds to make sure it's safe.
I am glad to be here, and to retire here. Everyone is welcome to stay in my place if you are in San Diego. I don't have a new house but a comfortable house and I will cook for you."
LCT, San Diego
BLAZING STORIES:
A Burning Desire To Help
Nurse Juliet Danggoec was born in Baguio, lives in Yorba Linda, works in Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, and is a shining example of a good Filipino.
I found her, all-smiles and in full-nursing-mode, at the Red Cross medical tent on the day I visited the National Orange Show evacuation center as she was tending to a nauseous evacuee. It was a Sunday, her day off from work, but as she explains below, the best way to spend one's day of rest is to make sure that others who need it more can. -Yong B. Chavez, www.FilipinOnline.com
"When Katrina happened, I wanted to go and volunteer there, too, but I wasn't able to. As soon as I heard about the fires I know that I would want to help so here I am. Instead of going to church today, I am here.
Yesterday, there was a long line of patients. Most have breathing difficulties, gastric ulcer, diarrhea. The area was packed. But today, most of the evacuees have left the center. I think most were told that they could go home already.
I didn't see any Filipinos in the center. Siguro kasi they have families, friends or relatives to stay with.
The volunteers came from different places and different hospitals. But we're all here to do whatever we can to help those who need it."
-Juliet Danggoec, Volunteer Nurse
I found her, all-smiles and in full-nursing-mode, at the Red Cross medical tent on the day I visited the National Orange Show evacuation center as she was tending to a nauseous evacuee. It was a Sunday, her day off from work, but as she explains below, the best way to spend one's day of rest is to make sure that others who need it more can. -Yong B. Chavez, www.FilipinOnline.com
"When Katrina happened, I wanted to go and volunteer there, too, but I wasn't able to. As soon as I heard about the fires I know that I would want to help so here I am. Instead of going to church today, I am here.
Yesterday, there was a long line of patients. Most have breathing difficulties, gastric ulcer, diarrhea. The area was packed. But today, most of the evacuees have left the center. I think most were told that they could go home already.
I didn't see any Filipinos in the center. Siguro kasi they have families, friends or relatives to stay with.
The volunteers came from different places and different hospitals. But we're all here to do whatever we can to help those who need it."
-Juliet Danggoec, Volunteer Nurse
BLAZING STORIES: Rekindled Faith
Larry Espiritu didn't panic when the fires started near his home. Instead of running away and quickly carting off his belongings, he started videotaping the blaze. In his words below, he explains why and how he knew he will be safe.
The Santa Clarita fire, which burned down 38,000 acres and destroyed 21 homes last week, was believed to have been started by a boy playing with matches. The dry conditions brought on by Santa Ana winds helped spread the fire quickly. - Yong B. Chavez, FilipinOnline
"There were seven fires in Santa Clarita Valley alone; Agua Dulce, Lake Piru , Saugus & Canyon Country on Sunday, the 21st of Oct. and Magic Mountain , Westridge & Newhall on Monday the 22nd.
The fire on Monday morning started close to Six Flags Magic Mountain and was just a few blocks away from my house. Since there were several fires the day before and already turned several houses into ashes, my neighbors were panicking, with cell phones on their hands talking and taking important documents into their cars out of their garages getting ready to evacuate.
Instead of me doing the same thing as they were, my strong faith in God that I just strengthened over the last few years taught me how to remain calm and confident in times like this. Thinking that the Lord will spare my house, I grabbed my video camera and decided to record the fire instead. But when I was walking towards my van which was parked in front of my house, I could feel the droplets of hot ashes in the air and some neighbors started crying. That made me feel nervous a little bit and hesitated to do the video taping, and I was gonna go back to my house to get ready for the evacuation.
At that point the wind blew so hard at me like it was telling me not to worry about it because it was driving the fire away from my house. So I did, I drove my van to the best spot and started to tape pretty much of it. All along the video taping, patrol cars and fire trucks were going nuts around the neighborhood and the fires already spread to Stevenson Ranch. There were still a chance that the wind direction may shift anytime but I was not worried at all. I didn’t even call my wife at work nor my son who was at his girlfriend’s house, to go home despite all of all chaos.
I finished the tape at about 7:00 p.m., about the same time when the fire was fully contained. By then, the wind shifted its direction towards my house and I didn’t like the smell.
The lesson that I learned on that day was that faith alone doesn’t move mountain: It’s wisdom and faith. When I told this to my friends, they can’t understand my rhetoric.
Some of them even thought that I’m using God in my publicity gimmick to serve my own purpose in YouTube. Those are the friends that haven’t seen my YouTube profile. Once they saw it, only then will they realize that I have other decent purpose and not just greed or self-satisfaction. Each one of us may have been called by God to do something for Him. My call is to promote wisdom and I use YouTube as one of my medium to promote it. Lot of people may believe in Him and others even think that they have strong faith on Him and that should be good enough to live fully and get saved at the end. Faith alone is meaningless without wisdom. Obeying The Ten Commandments is impossible without wisdom. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom is the love and respect of all His creations so wisdom and God is synonymous. God knows my faith on Him and He also knows how I’m trying to understand wisdom and He is guiding me."
- Larry Espiritu, Santa Clarita, CA
The Santa Clarita fire, which burned down 38,000 acres and destroyed 21 homes last week, was believed to have been started by a boy playing with matches. The dry conditions brought on by Santa Ana winds helped spread the fire quickly. - Yong B. Chavez, FilipinOnline
"There were seven fires in Santa Clarita Valley alone; Agua Dulce, Lake Piru , Saugus & Canyon Country on Sunday, the 21st of Oct. and Magic Mountain , Westridge & Newhall on Monday the 22nd.
The fire on Monday morning started close to Six Flags Magic Mountain and was just a few blocks away from my house. Since there were several fires the day before and already turned several houses into ashes, my neighbors were panicking, with cell phones on their hands talking and taking important documents into their cars out of their garages getting ready to evacuate.
Instead of me doing the same thing as they were, my strong faith in God that I just strengthened over the last few years taught me how to remain calm and confident in times like this. Thinking that the Lord will spare my house, I grabbed my video camera and decided to record the fire instead. But when I was walking towards my van which was parked in front of my house, I could feel the droplets of hot ashes in the air and some neighbors started crying. That made me feel nervous a little bit and hesitated to do the video taping, and I was gonna go back to my house to get ready for the evacuation.
At that point the wind blew so hard at me like it was telling me not to worry about it because it was driving the fire away from my house. So I did, I drove my van to the best spot and started to tape pretty much of it. All along the video taping, patrol cars and fire trucks were going nuts around the neighborhood and the fires already spread to Stevenson Ranch. There were still a chance that the wind direction may shift anytime but I was not worried at all. I didn’t even call my wife at work nor my son who was at his girlfriend’s house, to go home despite all of all chaos.
I finished the tape at about 7:00 p.m., about the same time when the fire was fully contained. By then, the wind shifted its direction towards my house and I didn’t like the smell.
The lesson that I learned on that day was that faith alone doesn’t move mountain: It’s wisdom and faith. When I told this to my friends, they can’t understand my rhetoric.
Some of them even thought that I’m using God in my publicity gimmick to serve my own purpose in YouTube. Those are the friends that haven’t seen my YouTube profile. Once they saw it, only then will they realize that I have other decent purpose and not just greed or self-satisfaction. Each one of us may have been called by God to do something for Him. My call is to promote wisdom and I use YouTube as one of my medium to promote it. Lot of people may believe in Him and others even think that they have strong faith on Him and that should be good enough to live fully and get saved at the end. Faith alone is meaningless without wisdom. Obeying The Ten Commandments is impossible without wisdom. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom is the love and respect of all His creations so wisdom and God is synonymous. God knows my faith on Him and He also knows how I’m trying to understand wisdom and He is guiding me."
- Larry Espiritu, Santa Clarita, CA
Monday, October 29, 2007
THINGS THEY LOST IN THE FIRE
Watch out for a series of first-person accounts of Filipinos whose lives were touched by the Southern California wildfires on FilipinOnline.
Yesterday, I visited an evacuation center in San Bernardino. Today, I spoke with John Rodrigo, a former Navy man whose losses include three houses, six cars, and a wedding album. It was a lifetime's worth of blood, sweat and tears that he lost. He is devastated, but he finds it in his heart to count his blessings: "At least, walang nasaktan sa amin," he said.
[photo: Larry Espiritu - Santa Clarita fire]
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
ASK A KABABAYAN:
"Pwede ba akong kumuha ng refund for an expedited passport service that did not deliver?"
Pwede.Normally, for an expedited service, it takes 2-3 weeks to receive your passport from the date you applied, so if it didn't arrive at that time, you may request a refund by writing to:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Services/PPS/Refunds
2100 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington D.C. 20037-3202
Put the passport number (if available), name, date and place of birth, application date, mailing address and phone number where you can be reached.
Only the expedited fee of $60 will be refunded. The regular application fees and your overnight delivery costs, if any, won't be.
Need to know exactly how to apply for a passport in a hurry? Click on this link.
The government's passport agency has been harshly criticized for massive delays in processing passports as a result of the surge in applications due to the new security laws passed by Congress, but I actually got lucky when I applied earlier this year. I got it only 5 weeks after applying. Not a bad wait at all, I was told. When I applied, the clerk at the post office said I should expect it in 12 weeks.
On a related note, if you want to help ease the backlog, you can apply for a Passport Specialist job. Here's a link to that job posting. The pay looks so good it might make you (almost) forget your passport application woes.
PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT PARDONS FORMER PRESIDENT
Joseph Estrada, "Erap" to his movie fans, will go free this Friday. He was pardoned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who got the post after Estrada politically drowned in a sea of corruption scandals and was driven from office in 2001.
The former president, 70, has been under house arrest for the past six and a half years. He was convicted of corruption charges and was sentenced by an anti-graft court to a maximum of 40 years in prison for taking bribes and kickbacks during his presidency.
“The motive for granting the pardon is utterly self-serving of Mrs. Arroyo,” said Renato Reyes, secretary general of the leftist group Bayan, in a report. Arroyo is currently facing a scandal of her own in a case involving "$70 million in kickbacks from a multimillion-dollar broadband contract between the government and the Chinese company ZTE."
A government spokesperson said that the executive clemency, which is kicking up a dust storm of protest among anti-graft and corruption groups in the Philippines, is in line with the government’s policy to release inmates who are 70 or older.
[photo: CNN]
Monday, October 22, 2007
E-MAIL PRAYER BRIGADE FROM
FATHER JAMES REUTER
A friend of mine forwarded this text to me. Fr. James Reuter, S.J., is spearheading a prayer brigade through email. He is asking Filipinos all over the world to forward the text (in addition to praying, of course) to everyone they know.
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THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE PHILIPPINES
by Father James Reuter, S.J.
The signs are clear.
Our nation is headed towards an irreversible path of economic decline and moral decadence. It is not for lack of effort. We've seen many men and women of integrity in and out of government, NGOs, church groups & people's organization devote themselves to the task of nation-building, often times against insurmountable odds.
But not even two people revolutions, bloodless as they may be, have made a dent in reversing this trend.
At best, we have moved one step forward, but three steps backward.We need a force far greater than our collective efforts, as a people, can ever hope to muster.
It is time to move the battle to the spiritual realm. It's time to claim God's promise of healing of the land for His people. It's time to gather God's people on its knees to pray for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation. Is prayer really the answer?
Before you dismiss this as just another rambling of a religious fanatic, I'd like you to consider some lessons we can glean from history.
England's ascendancy to world power was preceded by the Reformation, a spiritual revival fuelled by intense prayers.
The early American settlers built the foundation that would make it the most powerful nation today - a strong faith in God and a disciplined prayer life.
Throughout its history, and especially at its major turning points, waves of revival and prayer movement swept across the land.
In recent times, we see Korea as a nation experiencing revival and in the process producing the largest Christian church in the world today, led by Rev. Paul Yongi Cho. No wonder it has emerged as a strong nation when other economies around it are faltering.
Even from a purely secular viewpoint, it makes a lot of sense. For here there is genuine humbling & seeking of God through prayer, moral reformation necessarily follows. And this, in turn, will lead to general prosperity. YES, we believe prayer can make a difference.
It's our only hope.
Today, we launch this email brigade, to inform Filipinos from all over the world to pray, as a people, for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation. We do not ask for much. We only ask for 5 minutes of your time in a day, to foward this email to your close friends and relatives.
This is the kind of unity which can make a big difference. Of course, if you feel strongly, as I do, about the power of prayer, you can be more involved by starting your own prayer group or prayer center. We have tried people power twice; in both cases, it fell short. Maybe it's time to try prayer power.
God never fails. Is there hope? YES! We can rely on God's promise, but we have to do our part.
If we humble ourselves and pray as a people, God will heal our land.By God's grace, we may yet see a better future for our children. God bless and God save our country will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.'(2 Chronicles 7:14).
********************************************************************************
THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE PHILIPPINES
by Father James Reuter, S.J.
The signs are clear.
Our nation is headed towards an irreversible path of economic decline and moral decadence. It is not for lack of effort. We've seen many men and women of integrity in and out of government, NGOs, church groups & people's organization devote themselves to the task of nation-building, often times against insurmountable odds.
But not even two people revolutions, bloodless as they may be, have made a dent in reversing this trend.
At best, we have moved one step forward, but three steps backward.We need a force far greater than our collective efforts, as a people, can ever hope to muster.
It is time to move the battle to the spiritual realm. It's time to claim God's promise of healing of the land for His people. It's time to gather God's people on its knees to pray for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation. Is prayer really the answer?
Before you dismiss this as just another rambling of a religious fanatic, I'd like you to consider some lessons we can glean from history.
England's ascendancy to world power was preceded by the Reformation, a spiritual revival fuelled by intense prayers.
The early American settlers built the foundation that would make it the most powerful nation today - a strong faith in God and a disciplined prayer life.
Throughout its history, and especially at its major turning points, waves of revival and prayer movement swept across the land.
In recent times, we see Korea as a nation experiencing revival and in the process producing the largest Christian church in the world today, led by Rev. Paul Yongi Cho. No wonder it has emerged as a strong nation when other economies around it are faltering.
Even from a purely secular viewpoint, it makes a lot of sense. For here there is genuine humbling & seeking of God through prayer, moral reformation necessarily follows. And this, in turn, will lead to general prosperity. YES, we believe prayer can make a difference.
It's our only hope.
Today, we launch this email brigade, to inform Filipinos from all over the world to pray, as a people, for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation. We do not ask for much. We only ask for 5 minutes of your time in a day, to foward this email to your close friends and relatives.
This is the kind of unity which can make a big difference. Of course, if you feel strongly, as I do, about the power of prayer, you can be more involved by starting your own prayer group or prayer center. We have tried people power twice; in both cases, it fell short. Maybe it's time to try prayer power.
God never fails. Is there hope? YES! We can rely on God's promise, but we have to do our part.
If we humble ourselves and pray as a people, God will heal our land.By God's grace, we may yet see a better future for our children. God bless and God save our country will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.'(2 Chronicles 7:14).
Sunday, October 21, 2007
"CHAMPION" IS CHAMPION
Fil Am hip hop group Native Guns' "Champion" recently won the Best Music Video Award the 2007 San Diego Asian Film Fest. The video was written and directed by filmmaker extraordinaire Patricio Ginelsa.[photo: Patricio Ginelsa]
FIL AM DOCTOR SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
Dr. Noel Chua, a Filipino doctor from Georgia, received a sentence of life in prison after a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on felony murder charges in the overdose death of Jamie Carter, reports Florida-Times Union.He was also sentenced five years in prison after he was found guilty of seven of 16 drug charges for violating the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
Chua, 45, has been held in jail since September 2006 when he was arrested and charged with the drug overdose death of Jamie Carter III. Prosecutors say Carter, 20, died from drugs Chua prescribed for no legitimate medical purpose.
Chua told police that Carter was a former patient who was working for him and living in his home while attending college. Investigation reports said police found numerous medications while searching the home, including a hypodermic syringe that contained an unknown clear substance and an unidentified white powder in a clear plastic bag.
Several groups and opinion columns have come out in defense of the doctor from Georgia but in the end, they were not enough to help him.
[photo: firstcoast.com]
KUDOS TO FILIPINO-OWNED FRENCH BAKERY
La Maison du Pain, a Filipino-owned French bakery, is mentioned as one of the best places to eat in in the premiere issue of Los Angeles Times' The Guide.Artist Gary Baseman raves: "La Maison du Pain has the best cinnamon rolls in the city. Fresh. Full. You pull them apart and they wrap around your tongue."
I wrote a feature about this wonderful bakery back in 2005. Here's a link to that article.
To Carmen Salindong (left) and Josephine Santos and the whole family:
Congratulations!
La Maison du Pain is at 5373 W. Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
THE BRAVE ONES
Filipina Lolas Campaign for JusticeBy: Yong B. Chavez
http://www.filipinonline.com/
LOS ANGELES - In the same week that an unprecedented number of Filipino Americans expressed unity in contesting a controversial line in "Desperate Housewives," and on the same day that thousands of Filipinos once again cheered as one for Manny Pacquiao in his latest boxing match, without fanfare and with only a handful of supporters, Adela Reyes Barroquillo, 78, related to a small group of book launching attendees in Historic Filipinotown why she is fighting to tell her story.
"I have to tell my story. I kept it to myself for a long, long time because I was ashamed. Sila ang dapat mahiya sa amin, I should not be the one who should be ashamed," she said. "I want justice."
Lola Adela is a survivor of Japanese military sexual slavery during World War II. The victims, their families, and supporters have been asking the Japanese government to issue an official, unequivocal apology for the crimes, as well as demanding that restitution should be made to the survivors and their families.
Adela's testimony was one of the highlights in a historic world conference recently held in Los Angeles on the sexual enslavement of women and girls by the Japanese military. U.S. House Resolution 121, authored by Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose), was passed in July. It urged the Japanese government to apologize for its wartime sexual enslavement of at least 200,000 Asian women. H.R. 121's passage has strengthened a global alliance that seeks justice for surviving sex slaves.
In the new book called "Justice with Healing," an anthology of 23 Filipina survivors, Adela, a former schoolteacher and auditor bares her pain.
She was born in a small town in Capiz province to a simple family. Her father was a farmer and her mother kept the house for her and 6 siblings. Adela was the youngest.
When the war broke out, she was only 12. Two years after hiding in the mountains with her family, she received information that it was already safe to go back to her hometown. She encountered two friends, Pestang and Nita, whom she hasn't seen in years. Together they went to the public market.
There, they were accosted by Japanese soldiers and later delivered to a garrison where her and her friends' nightmare began. At 14, she was raped repeatedly by Japanese soldiers.
"I remember being forced to enter a room. I hesitated because it was very dark inside. One soldier shoved and kicked me in until I tumbled face-down on the floor. Then the soldier slapped me hard in the face until I fainted," she said.
When Adela got to this part as she was recounting her story in the book launching, she stopped abruptly. Her eyes watered while she stared ahead, looking at no one and nothing in particular. Sixty-four years after, it is as plain as day that the horror of her experience still lives and breathes within her.
For more than three months, she and the other victims suffered physical and sexual abuse. At one point, out of extreme despair, she wished that a bomb would hit the garrison and kill them all.
But it wasn't a deadly bomb that liberated them. When a group of Filipino guerillas attacked the garrison in May, 1943, Adela and her friends escaped and walked on bare feet for many miles to get home. Many other kidnapped victims of Japanese military sexual slavery died in captivity.
Except for her mother, Adela kept the horrors she experienced a secret. When her mother told her not to tell anybody else to avoid a scandal, she readily obeyed.
"I was sick for a long time after we escaped. There were days when I didn't even speak at all. I fainted sometimes. I was so afraid of people. I couldn't eat nor sleep," she said.
When the war ended, she went back to school. Eventually, she met and married her former schoolmate, Servando Barroquillo. They had six children.
Servando died in 1995 not knowing that the woman with whom he shared a life harbored a painful secret. Four years after his death and after hearing from fellow former sex slaves who have gone public with their stories, Adela felt it was time to share hers. Shortly thereafter, she joined Lolas Kampanyeras, a survivor group coordinated by Filipina human rights activist Nelia Sancho of Asian Women Human Rights Council.
"They were very young. Most of them have never even experienced having a boyfriend before they were attacked," Sancho said. "Their traumas were multiplied. They had low self-esteem and their families and the society imposed silence on them."
"Most of them kept what happened to them a secret. Many of those who shared their stories with their husbands had to endure being called "just remnants of Japanese soldiers" whenever they fight," Sancho added. Some never even recovered enough to have healthy relationships.
Unfortunately, even up to now, the survivors – euphemistically called "comfort women" – suffer from triple discrimination due to their gender, race and class.
While there are many supporters of Filipino World War veterans who are fighting for equity, Filipina "comfort women" still struggle to find champions to aid their cause. While the veterans have medals and the unstinting admiration of the community for their wartime bravery, WW II sex slave survivors, to this day, have to endure unkind words and a lack of support even from their own family and community in the Philippines.
"My children don't like that I talk about what happened to me. Some of my neighbors told me that I should just have just kept this "shame" a secret. Some tell me I'm just doing it for the money," Adela said. "But I have to fight for me."
Before Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won the election, she was a supporter but "she has changed her tune," Sancho said, adding that despite overwhelming evidence attesting to the veracity of their stories, up to now, they are also still fighting to include in Philippine history textbooks the fate the women suffered during World War II.
Their harrowing ordeal first came into light when Lola Rosa Henson came out in public in 1992 after she heard the story of a Korean sex slave survivor. There are about 400 documented Filipina survivors of sexual slavery. There were three batches of victims who came forward – one group consisted of more than a hundred survivors of mass rape in just one village in Pampanga. Around 94 have passed away without seeing justice.
In the last 15 years, Japanese soldiers have come forward to admit their wrongdoing. Recovered documents showed that the military was involved or knew about the "comfort stations," according to news reports. Many, including Japanese human rights activists, have criticized the Japanese government for admitting only moral but not legal responsibility for wartime atrocities against the women.
In 1996, Asian Women's Fund, a private fund collected by the Japanese government from its citizens, was set up to compensate the former "comfort women." Japanese officials wrote letters of apology to women who received the payments. Not all of the victims received the compensation.
LOS ANGELES - In the same week that an unprecedented number of Filipino Americans expressed unity in contesting a controversial line in "Desperate Housewives," and on the same day that thousands of Filipinos once again cheered as one for Manny Pacquiao in his latest boxing match, without fanfare and with only a handful of supporters, Adela Reyes Barroquillo, 78, related to a small group of book launching attendees in Historic Filipinotown why she is fighting to tell her story.
"I have to tell my story. I kept it to myself for a long, long time because I was ashamed. Sila ang dapat mahiya sa amin, I should not be the one who should be ashamed," she said. "I want justice."
Lola Adela is a survivor of Japanese military sexual slavery during World War II. The victims, their families, and supporters have been asking the Japanese government to issue an official, unequivocal apology for the crimes, as well as demanding that restitution should be made to the survivors and their families.
Adela's testimony was one of the highlights in a historic world conference recently held in Los Angeles on the sexual enslavement of women and girls by the Japanese military. U.S. House Resolution 121, authored by Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose), was passed in July. It urged the Japanese government to apologize for its wartime sexual enslavement of at least 200,000 Asian women. H.R. 121's passage has strengthened a global alliance that seeks justice for surviving sex slaves.
In the new book called "Justice with Healing," an anthology of 23 Filipina survivors, Adela, a former schoolteacher and auditor bares her pain.
She was born in a small town in Capiz province to a simple family. Her father was a farmer and her mother kept the house for her and 6 siblings. Adela was the youngest.
When the war broke out, she was only 12. Two years after hiding in the mountains with her family, she received information that it was already safe to go back to her hometown. She encountered two friends, Pestang and Nita, whom she hasn't seen in years. Together they went to the public market.
There, they were accosted by Japanese soldiers and later delivered to a garrison where her and her friends' nightmare began. At 14, she was raped repeatedly by Japanese soldiers.
"I remember being forced to enter a room. I hesitated because it was very dark inside. One soldier shoved and kicked me in until I tumbled face-down on the floor. Then the soldier slapped me hard in the face until I fainted," she said.
When Adela got to this part as she was recounting her story in the book launching, she stopped abruptly. Her eyes watered while she stared ahead, looking at no one and nothing in particular. Sixty-four years after, it is as plain as day that the horror of her experience still lives and breathes within her.
For more than three months, she and the other victims suffered physical and sexual abuse. At one point, out of extreme despair, she wished that a bomb would hit the garrison and kill them all.
But it wasn't a deadly bomb that liberated them. When a group of Filipino guerillas attacked the garrison in May, 1943, Adela and her friends escaped and walked on bare feet for many miles to get home. Many other kidnapped victims of Japanese military sexual slavery died in captivity.
Except for her mother, Adela kept the horrors she experienced a secret. When her mother told her not to tell anybody else to avoid a scandal, she readily obeyed.
"I was sick for a long time after we escaped. There were days when I didn't even speak at all. I fainted sometimes. I was so afraid of people. I couldn't eat nor sleep," she said.
When the war ended, she went back to school. Eventually, she met and married her former schoolmate, Servando Barroquillo. They had six children.
Servando died in 1995 not knowing that the woman with whom he shared a life harbored a painful secret. Four years after his death and after hearing from fellow former sex slaves who have gone public with their stories, Adela felt it was time to share hers. Shortly thereafter, she joined Lolas Kampanyeras, a survivor group coordinated by Filipina human rights activist Nelia Sancho of Asian Women Human Rights Council.
"They were very young. Most of them have never even experienced having a boyfriend before they were attacked," Sancho said. "Their traumas were multiplied. They had low self-esteem and their families and the society imposed silence on them."
"Most of them kept what happened to them a secret. Many of those who shared their stories with their husbands had to endure being called "just remnants of Japanese soldiers" whenever they fight," Sancho added. Some never even recovered enough to have healthy relationships.
Unfortunately, even up to now, the survivors – euphemistically called "comfort women" – suffer from triple discrimination due to their gender, race and class.
While there are many supporters of Filipino World War veterans who are fighting for equity, Filipina "comfort women" still struggle to find champions to aid their cause. While the veterans have medals and the unstinting admiration of the community for their wartime bravery, WW II sex slave survivors, to this day, have to endure unkind words and a lack of support even from their own family and community in the Philippines.
"My children don't like that I talk about what happened to me. Some of my neighbors told me that I should just have just kept this "shame" a secret. Some tell me I'm just doing it for the money," Adela said. "But I have to fight for me."
Before Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won the election, she was a supporter but "she has changed her tune," Sancho said, adding that despite overwhelming evidence attesting to the veracity of their stories, up to now, they are also still fighting to include in Philippine history textbooks the fate the women suffered during World War II.
Their harrowing ordeal first came into light when Lola Rosa Henson came out in public in 1992 after she heard the story of a Korean sex slave survivor. There are about 400 documented Filipina survivors of sexual slavery. There were three batches of victims who came forward – one group consisted of more than a hundred survivors of mass rape in just one village in Pampanga. Around 94 have passed away without seeing justice.
In the last 15 years, Japanese soldiers have come forward to admit their wrongdoing. Recovered documents showed that the military was involved or knew about the "comfort stations," according to news reports. Many, including Japanese human rights activists, have criticized the Japanese government for admitting only moral but not legal responsibility for wartime atrocities against the women.
In 1996, Asian Women's Fund, a private fund collected by the Japanese government from its citizens, was set up to compensate the former "comfort women." Japanese officials wrote letters of apology to women who received the payments. Not all of the victims received the compensation.
In 1998, the Tokyo District Court dismissed a case brought by 46 former sex slaves from the Philippines who accused Japan of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Some of the lolas included in the lawsuit died even before the ruling was handed down.
It is because of their advancing age that the survivors and their supporters thought it was imperative to participate in the World Conference on Japanese Military Sexual Slavery held in UCLA early this month.
Some delegates of the Lolas Kampanyeras didn't make it to the Los Angeles conference due to lack of funds. Those who made it hocked their jewelries and went house to house of well-to-do Philippine families to solicit donations to fund some of the trip's expenses. Sancho's Los Angeles-based friends provided assistance to the group, from picking them up from the airport to transporting them to the conference.
When they arrived, they stayed in Fasgi, a Filipino agency that provides social services to low-income and homeless individuals.
At the book launching, Annalisa Enrile of Gabriela Network volunteered to pass a box around and asked the attendees to give what they can to provide some pocket money for the delegates. The event, which drew a very modest but enthusiastically supportive crowd, was sponsored by the Filipino American Press Club of Los Angeles, Philippine Press Club, Inc., and People's Core.
Copies of "Justice with Healing," priced at $10, immediately sold out. The book includes just 23 stories - even though its researchers were able to interview 50 survivors - because of their measly publication budget.
The title of the book, a product of seven years of painstaking work and research of the Asian Women Human Rights Council and the Buhay Foundation for Women and the Girl Child, came from the group's desire to finally get justice and to provide healing to the survivors. Lolas Kampanyeras provide therapy and counseling to the victims – something that wasn't available to them for decades.
Sancho was touched by the positive reaction expressed by Filipino Americans at the event. She hopes to be able to put up a website soon where they could be easily reached and where the book can be sold.
"I'm really thankful to our kababayans and to many foreigners, too, who have shown their support to us during our trip here," Adela said. She admitted that for many years, she cannot even bring herself to look at any man who resembled a Japanese national. But she met many wonderful people at the conference who told her how they admired her courage.
At 78, the petite grandmother remains strong but her strength cracks noticeably when she hears the term "comfort woman."
"Mali at masakit kasing pakinggan eh. Hindi naman kami prostitutes (It's a wrong term, and it's painful to hear. We're not prostitutes)," she said. The euphemism was coined by Japanese military officials.
The day they were scheduled to return home to the Philippines, she was nursing a headache brought about by her group's visit to Disneyland the day before but she gamely recounted the experience, how she savored a chance to be happy on their last night in America. When asked if she went on any of the rides, she said that they actually just stayed outside of Disneyland.
"Naku, ang mahal ng tiket eh (The admission price was expensive)," she said with a laugh. Just being able to set foot on such a place was already an impossible dream come true for her, she added.
While her elusive dream of getting justice remains unrealized, Adela vows to keep on fighting for as long as she lives.
"I just hope they don't forget what happened to us," she said.
To contact Lolas Kampanyeras, e-mail Nelia Sancho at neliasancho@yahoo.com or neliaphil@yahoo.com; Phone number: (632) 433-1680.
FILIPINA FEATURED IN "REDBOOK"
A Filipina mom and entrepreneur is featured in the October issue of Redbook. This awesome Pinay's name is Gena Perdue. Here is her website.[photo: Redbook.com]
FIRE DAMAGES FILIPINO CLUBHOUSE
FIRE DAMAGES L.A. FILIPINO CLUBHOUSEAppeals For Help Sought
By: Art Pacho
FilipinOnline contributor
A noon fire broke out at the Los Angeles clubhouse of the Leyte-Samar Association on October 14.
The fire started in one of the rooms located in the second floor of the building. The City of Los Angeles Fire Department responded immediately to the incident and firefighters saved the building from major damage. No injuries were reported. As of presstime, the cause of the fire is still undetermined, but sources indicate that the fire may be due to power overload. While the fire was limited to one room, there were smoke and water damages to the building. Losses are estimated at $50,000.
A two-story Craftsman building is located on 1812 W. 49th Street in downtown Los Angeles . The Leyte-Samar Association is one of the few Filipino community organizations in Los Angeles with their own building. The building has 5 bedrooms and 3 baths with 2,582 sq. ft of space. At the time of the incident, the board of directors of the association was meeting on the first floor of the clubhouse to discuss the activities for the 63rd anniversary of the October 20, 1944 Leyte landing of the U.S. forces in the Philippines during World War II.
The association itself was founded 45 years ago. Its building is also used as a transitional housing for newly arrived immigrants from the Philippines . The clubhouse hosted Filipiniana dancers from the Leyte Normal University during its U.S. tour.
Mrs. Marcelina Ortega Jensen, current president of the association, is appealing for help from any individual or organization in repairing the clubhouse. Donations or offer of materials and volunteer services to the association will be appreciated.
To contact Mrs. Jensen, call 323. 294.8808 or visit the association website at http://www.leyte-samar-association.org/. Email may be directed to Brian Arcadio at leyte.samar.association@gmail.com
A two-story Craftsman building is located on 1812 W. 49th Street in downtown Los Angeles . The Leyte-Samar Association is one of the few Filipino community organizations in Los Angeles with their own building. The building has 5 bedrooms and 3 baths with 2,582 sq. ft of space. At the time of the incident, the board of directors of the association was meeting on the first floor of the clubhouse to discuss the activities for the 63rd anniversary of the October 20, 1944 Leyte landing of the U.S. forces in the Philippines during World War II.
The association itself was founded 45 years ago. Its building is also used as a transitional housing for newly arrived immigrants from the Philippines . The clubhouse hosted Filipiniana dancers from the Leyte Normal University during its U.S. tour.
Mrs. Marcelina Ortega Jensen, current president of the association, is appealing for help from any individual or organization in repairing the clubhouse. Donations or offer of materials and volunteer services to the association will be appreciated.
To contact Mrs. Jensen, call 323. 294.8808 or visit the association website at http://www.leyte-samar-association.org/. Email may be directed to Brian Arcadio at leyte.samar.association@gmail.com
[picture: Leyte-Samar Association website]
Monday, October 15, 2007
STORIES TO WATCH OUT FOR THIS WEEK
- I recently spoke with Adela Barroquillo, Filipina survivor of WWII Japanese military sexual slavery, when she came here for a global conference. Her story is heartbreaking, but her courage is awe-inspiring.
- Last night, I interviewed Martin Nievera for Balitang America, and watched his concert, too. I'll do a profile on him later this week. Even as he's facing one of the most controversial times of his personal life, the Philippines' concert king still rocked the house. The concert, benefiting Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches, was held at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center.
- I also have some wonderful news: Meraly Mariano, the little Mangyan girl born with a heart problem whose story touched many people, has successfully undergone a corrective surgery. This week, I'll post her recent pictures and an update on how she's doing now. Here's a link to Meraly's story.
- Last night, I interviewed Martin Nievera for Balitang America, and watched his concert, too. I'll do a profile on him later this week. Even as he's facing one of the most controversial times of his personal life, the Philippines' concert king still rocked the house. The concert, benefiting Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches, was held at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center.
- I also have some wonderful news: Meraly Mariano, the little Mangyan girl born with a heart problem whose story touched many people, has successfully undergone a corrective surgery. This week, I'll post her recent pictures and an update on how she's doing now. Here's a link to Meraly's story.
Monday, October 8, 2007
BUHAY AMERICA TIPS:
Do Not Call List
Hang up on annoying, unwelcome telemarketing calls:
Register your phone number to the DoNotCall.gov web site.
The National Do Not Call Registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), America's consumer protection agency. The website states that:
"The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at this Website. You can register your home or mobile phone for free. Your registration will be effective for five years."
If you're one of the early birds who signed up for this nifty public service back in 2003, please be informed that your registration is about to expire and you should think about renewing your registration.
photo> msn.com
LETTERS FROM READERS
I recently received these unexpected, heartwarming e-mails. To all FilipinOnline supporters, many, many thanks!
********************************************************************************
Dear Yong,
I find it hard to find the words to describe my feelings. But I need to tell you are a wonderful and blessed person...You are a major reason that Meraly is getting the attention she needs.
I thank you with all my heart talaga. God Bless.
Your Kaibigan Palagi,
Jude Tiner
Here's a link to Meraly's story.
********************************************************************************
Yong,
I want to thank you for a splendidly written article...I was visiting my family on the East Coast (for the first tine since the relapse!) when the first calls and copies about the article came in. We were all impressed by your writing. You did a wonderful job lacing everything together and ending on an inspiring, positive note. I loved reading it.
We also received calls about the video news segment on TFC. I have not seen the video but I heard you did a good job there as well! I just know that the airing of the video moved more people to sign up on the registry!
Thank you so much for coming to the Prom and continuing to make the Filipino Community aware of the need for bone marrow donors. I can shout and plead endlessly for the marrow cause but my words may only reach a few thousand people. When you speak through your media talent, the message reaches millions. Your influence is indescribable. Know that your work inspires others and truly makes a difference in this world. The community needs more people like you.
With much regard and respect,
Christine Pechera
Here's a link to Christine's story.
*********************************************************************************
And finally, from fellow blogger Jason of InterOpNurse:
"I just wanted to congratulate you on a wonderful site. I love every aspect of your site and what you are trying to achieve."
Check out his wonderful website, it is chock-full of information: InterOpNurse
********************************************************************************
Dear Yong,
I find it hard to find the words to describe my feelings. But I need to tell you are a wonderful and blessed person...You are a major reason that Meraly is getting the attention she needs.
I thank you with all my heart talaga. God Bless.
Your Kaibigan Palagi,
Jude Tiner
Here's a link to Meraly's story.
********************************************************************************
Yong,
I want to thank you for a splendidly written article...I was visiting my family on the East Coast (for the first tine since the relapse!) when the first calls and copies about the article came in. We were all impressed by your writing. You did a wonderful job lacing everything together and ending on an inspiring, positive note. I loved reading it.
We also received calls about the video news segment on TFC. I have not seen the video but I heard you did a good job there as well! I just know that the airing of the video moved more people to sign up on the registry!
Thank you so much for coming to the Prom and continuing to make the Filipino Community aware of the need for bone marrow donors. I can shout and plead endlessly for the marrow cause but my words may only reach a few thousand people. When you speak through your media talent, the message reaches millions. Your influence is indescribable. Know that your work inspires others and truly makes a difference in this world. The community needs more people like you.
With much regard and respect,
Christine Pechera
Here's a link to Christine's story.
*********************************************************************************
And finally, from fellow blogger Jason of InterOpNurse:
"I just wanted to congratulate you on a wonderful site. I love every aspect of your site and what you are trying to achieve."
Check out his wonderful website, it is chock-full of information: InterOpNurse
OCTOBER IS FIL AM HISTORY MONTH - SD & LA activities
The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) San Diego Chapter celebrates Filipino American History Month.
Activities include a film presentation of "Bolinao 52" at the San Diego Asian Film Festival this October 11. Bolinao 52 is a documentary about Vietnamese boat people stranded in the Pacific Ocean in 1988.
Activities include a film presentation of "Bolinao 52" at the San Diego Asian Film Festival this October 11. Bolinao 52 is a documentary about Vietnamese boat people stranded in the Pacific Ocean in 1988.
For more information on San Diego events, contact: Judy Patacsil ~ jpatacsi@sdccd.edu
In LOS ANGELES, "History in the Moment: A Free Community Symposium in Honor of Filipino American History Month" include sessions on "Filipino American Visual Literacy in Public Art" by Eliseo Art Silva and "Making Their Way Through Southern California : A Photo Collection of the Manong and Manang Generation." The event will be held on October 27 at CSU Northridge Satellite Student Union (SSU) - Fernandeno Room.
FOR MORE DETAILS: Please visit: http://www.fanhs-national.org/ http://www.fanhsla.org/ http://www.csun.edu/
(Thanks to Art Pacho for the info.)
SAY A PRAYER FOR EMIL MIJARES
Emil Mijares, the grandfather of Philippine Jazz, is now under hospice care in Buena Park, California, a statement from JazzPhil USA said.Mijares suffered a severe stroke in early September.
"He was getting better for a while," the statement added, "however, Emil suffered another stroke after a couple of weeks. The doctors say he has a few days left to live."
The jazz legend had played alongside Nat King Cole, Teddy Edwards, Hannibal Marvin Peterson as well as with other Filipino jazz greats Bobby Enriquez, Romy Katindig, Lito Molina among many others.
Mijares' friends and colleagues are asking for prayers and positive thoughts for him and his family.
To hear a sampling of his talent, here's a link.
photo: emilmijares.com
Thursday, October 4, 2007
ASK A KABABAYAN:
"Totoo ba na may random IRS audit this year?"
Yup, this is true, so make sure that your tax documents are organized.
Starting this month, IRS will be sending "Dear Taxpayer" letters to 13,000 randomly chosen income taxpayers.
Why are they doing this? To close the $290 billion tax gap, which is the difference between what is collected and what should be collected. To do this, the IRS needs “fresh” data to update their computer program that statistically determines which tax returns to audit in the future to get the most money, according to a report.
In some cases, taxpayers selected for special audit won't know about them because their income and deductions can be verified through W-2 wage statements. But they may be asked by the IRS to submit documents supporting their income and deduction claims.
If you have a complicated tax return and a sit-down with IRS examiners is necessary, you might want to get in touch with a tax professional who has experience in dealing with the IRS.
Should taxpayers be worried? "In most cases, no," an IRS official said to aol.com. "But, let's face it. The IRS doesn't mind if people are a little nervous."
If you purchased a tax preparation software, you might have a built-in support from a tax professional so dig that information out.
To put it in perspective, here's what Turbo Tax says:
"The chance of receiving random audit notice is slim but if you do get picked, don’t panic. Remember your chance of receiving that random audit notice is .0096%. You might have a better chance of winning the lottery!"
Here's a link to tips on avoiding an audit that you can use when you prepare your next tax return.
Lastly, when you hire a tax professional to assist you should you need it, make sure that they come highly recommended. There are lots of unsavory types who prey on people's fears so be careful.
[photo: pbs.org]
CHER CALVIN OUTRAGED BY "DESPERATE" REMARK
By: Yong B. ChavezFilipinOnline.com
Los Angeles news anchor Cher Calvin of KTLA Morning News joins thousands of Filipino Americans in denouncing the controversial "Desperate Housewives" joke about Philippine medical schools.
KTLA Morning News will talk about the issue at 9 AM PST today in their hot topics segment.
"I am looking forward to representing the Filipino American community as I am outraged as well and thankful for the apology from ABC as my late mother was a doctor at NYU Medical Center in New York," Calvin said.
The Emmy award-winning Filipina anchor started her broadcasting career in the Philippines.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
TV NETWORK, PRODUCERS APOLOGIZE FOR "DESPERATE" LINE
By Yong B. Chavez
http://www.filipinonline.com/
For making a joke that put Philippine medical schools in a bad light, the producers of "Desperate Housewives" are saying sorry.
"The producers of 'Desperate Housewives' and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines. As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs," Chandler Hayes of ABC Media Relations wrote in an e-mail to FilipinOnline.com.
As of Wednesday night, an online petition demanding an apology from the show has gathered close to 42,000 signatures. The petition was started by Kevin Nadal, a Filipino performance artist and activist.
In last Sunday's episode of the highly-rated show, Teri Hatcher's character (Susan) said this line to her doctor: "Can I just check those diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are not from some med school in the Philippines."
This throwaway line gathered a barrage of negative reactions from the U.S. Filipino community and its leaders.
In a letter addressed to the show, the leader of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) condemned "the racially-biased and culturally insensitive remarks."
"It is outrageous that in this day and age, popular media continue to demean and insult Filipinos in America," Kern said. "For more than one hundred years, we have made valuable contributions to this country, not only as health professionals but as child care providers and home care givers. These dedicated, diligent and competent workers do not deserve to be slandered and stereotyped in such a prejudicial manner if only to evoke laughter."
The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles also sent a letter of protest to the show for the "derogatory remark."
"We wish to point out that the Philippine medical profession is highly regarded all over the world, as evidenced by the high demand for Filipino healthcare professionals in many countries, including this country. The United States recognizes the academic standards of Philippine medical and nursing schools, and in general, does not require additional schooling in this county for Filipino healthcare professionals who wish to work here," Consul General Mary Jo Aragon said.
Many of the show's Filipino fans were turned off by this gaffe but some may not be writing the show off completely.
"Does this mean that I'll stop watching 'Desperate Housewives?' Only if the story lines are boring," said a blogger from FilipinaMoms.com.
When "Desperate Housewives" premiered in 2004, it was lauded for its quirky plotlines and for having a diverse cast. Filipino American actor Alec Mapa has appeared on the show several times.
http://www.filipinonline.com/
For making a joke that put Philippine medical schools in a bad light, the producers of "Desperate Housewives" are saying sorry.
"The producers of 'Desperate Housewives' and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines. As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs," Chandler Hayes of ABC Media Relations wrote in an e-mail to FilipinOnline.com.
As of Wednesday night, an online petition demanding an apology from the show has gathered close to 42,000 signatures. The petition was started by Kevin Nadal, a Filipino performance artist and activist.
In last Sunday's episode of the highly-rated show, Teri Hatcher's character (Susan) said this line to her doctor: "Can I just check those diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are not from some med school in the Philippines."
This throwaway line gathered a barrage of negative reactions from the U.S. Filipino community and its leaders.
In a letter addressed to the show, the leader of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) condemned "the racially-biased and culturally insensitive remarks."
"It is outrageous that in this day and age, popular media continue to demean and insult Filipinos in America," Kern said. "For more than one hundred years, we have made valuable contributions to this country, not only as health professionals but as child care providers and home care givers. These dedicated, diligent and competent workers do not deserve to be slandered and stereotyped in such a prejudicial manner if only to evoke laughter."
The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles also sent a letter of protest to the show for the "derogatory remark."
"We wish to point out that the Philippine medical profession is highly regarded all over the world, as evidenced by the high demand for Filipino healthcare professionals in many countries, including this country. The United States recognizes the academic standards of Philippine medical and nursing schools, and in general, does not require additional schooling in this county for Filipino healthcare professionals who wish to work here," Consul General Mary Jo Aragon said.
Many of the show's Filipino fans were turned off by this gaffe but some may not be writing the show off completely.
"Does this mean that I'll stop watching 'Desperate Housewives?' Only if the story lines are boring," said a blogger from FilipinaMoms.com.
When "Desperate Housewives" premiered in 2004, it was lauded for its quirky plotlines and for having a diverse cast. Filipino American actor Alec Mapa has appeared on the show several times.
WWII Filipina Comfort Woman
To Speak This Weekend
Listen to the stories of the survivors of military sex slavery in WW II this Saturday. Our lolas are denied justice to this day. They need every Pinoy's help.
Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Manila Terrace social hall
2328 W. Temple St., Los Angeles
(across Rosemont Elem School )
Speakers:
Nelia Sancho, Asian Women Human Rights Council
Adela Barroquillo, Lola survivor
and the delegates from LOLAS KAMPANYERA
Book launching of Justice for Healing
Anthology of stories of Lola survivors of WWII sexual slavery
Sponsors:
People’s CORE, Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace
Filipino American Press Club of Los Angeles
Philippine Press Club, Inc.,
For info, call (310) 987-8886
Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Manila Terrace social hall
2328 W. Temple St., Los Angeles
(across Rosemont Elem School )
Speakers:
Nelia Sancho, Asian Women Human Rights Council
Adela Barroquillo, Lola survivor
and the delegates from LOLAS KAMPANYERA
Book launching of Justice for Healing
Anthology of stories of Lola survivors of WWII sexual slavery
Sponsors:
People’s CORE, Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace
Filipino American Press Club of Los Angeles
Philippine Press Club, Inc.,
For info, call (310) 987-8886
Friday, September 28, 2007
Philippine Cinderella film
ABADEHA The Philippine Cinderella at NIIVF Film Festival
ABADEHA Neo-Ethnic Rock Cinderella, the first Philippine Cinderella film ever produced is an Official Selection for exhibition at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival at the Sunset 5 Laemmle Theatres in West Hollywood, on October 4, 2007. Laemmle Theatres is the premiere art house chain in Los Angeles.
A recovery and reconstruction of the Philippine version of the most-loved fairy tale in the world, the film ABADEHA Neo-Ethnic Rock Cinderella is a visual re-telling of the age-old Cinderella story of the Philippines. Told with a contemporary interpretation, the story flows through dramatic dialogue, songs, indigenous dance, rituals, folkways, customs, poetry, and the fusion of native and present-day music and sounds.
While consistent with the universal Cinderella themes of mother-daughter conflict, and sibling rivalry, ABADEHA Neo-Ethnic Rock Cinderella is distinctly Filipino.
Interwoven in the story-telling of the film, is the depiction of the environmentally-reverent indigenous Philippine culture. The close affinity with the earth; i.e. reverence for the natural environment and living things, respect for ancestral wisdom, and a strong belief in the human co-existence and harmony with nature inherent in Philippine indigenous traditions are embedded in the film. The central character, Abadeha, the Philippine Cinderella, lives in an environment where the characters practice their indigenous, social, and spiritual values, customs, and traditions.
ABADEHA Neo-Ethnic Rock Cinderella gives new life to the Cinderella story of the Philippines in a contemporary setting with a neo-ethnic concept. Myrna J. de la Paz, educator, author of ABADEHA The Philippine Cinderella, wrote, produced, and directed the film, ABADEHA Neo-Ethnic Rock Cinderella.
For Movie/After Party tickets at the Sunset 5 Laemmle Theatre ($12.00 ) and Opening Night Event and Party at the The Cabana Club ($12.00) please, call (323) 259-8918.
Press Release
IMMIGRATION LAUNCHES PHOTO-VERIFICATION TOOL FOR EMPLOYERS
USCIS LAUNCHES PHOTO SCREENING TOOL FOR E-VERIFY PROGRAM
Photo tool will help employers detect some forms of identity fraud
WASHINGTON- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has launched a new photo-screening tool that will help employers comply with immigration law while also strengthening worksite enforcement. The photo tool will be the first step in giving employers the tools they need to help detect some forms of identity fraud in the employment eligibility process. The photo tool is the first enhancement in E-Verify, the agency's Web-based system that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees. More than 23,000 employers are currently enrolled in the program - with more than 2,000 more joining each month - and will now be able to access the new photo screening tool to more accurately verify a new non-citizen employee's identity.
"Our current E-Verify system is not fraud-proof and was not designed to detect identity fraud," said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez. "The photo tool enhancement will give employers an additional resource to help verify identity and employment authorization status and is just one more valuable enhancement to an effective, fair and viable program."
Photo tool will help employers detect some forms of identity fraud
WASHINGTON- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has launched a new photo-screening tool that will help employers comply with immigration law while also strengthening worksite enforcement. The photo tool will be the first step in giving employers the tools they need to help detect some forms of identity fraud in the employment eligibility process. The photo tool is the first enhancement in E-Verify, the agency's Web-based system that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees. More than 23,000 employers are currently enrolled in the program - with more than 2,000 more joining each month - and will now be able to access the new photo screening tool to more accurately verify a new non-citizen employee's identity.
"Our current E-Verify system is not fraud-proof and was not designed to detect identity fraud," said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez. "The photo tool enhancement will give employers an additional resource to help verify identity and employment authorization status and is just one more valuable enhancement to an effective, fair and viable program."
Friday, September 21, 2007
PASADENA SCHOOLS WAITING FOR PINOY TEACHERS
Filipino teachers who were supposed to start at the Pasadena Unified School District have yet to arrive due to immigration and credentialing process delays.The 20 educators were recruited from the Philippines to teach math, science and special education and were supposed to arrive last August.
But due to processing delays, their trips are still pending. Meanwhile, some of the jobs they were supposed to take have been filled, a school district said in a report. The three teachers who are expected to arrive by early October will still have full-time jobs waiting for them while others might have to start off as substitutes.
A lot of American schools are hiring from the Philippines due to increased teacher shortage in the nation.
Though many thrive in the opportunity to work in the U.S., it's not always the ideal situation for some recruited Filipino teachers. Sources say that they, to start, they have to shell out up to $10,000 in recruitment fees. Once here, they usually are left to fend on their own by recruiters, although this practice is supposedly explained to them before they leave the Philippines.
Apart from the culture shock, a lot of the teachers face unruly students when they start to work in school districts in high-risk areas. One recruit has related an incident when her accent was made fun of by the students. Another one was attacked when students threw books at her when she entered a dimly-lit classroom.
In frustration, some teachers have even tried to become nurses.
In Los Angeles, luckily, they get assistance from a group of Filipino teachers, although not all take advantage of this help.
FILIPINO NURSES HELPED SAVE ALLIGATOR ATTACK VICTIM
By: Yong B. ChavezFilipinOnline
Filipino nurses on a picnic in a South Carolina park helped save a man after an alligator bit off his arm.
Members of the Bicol Assocation of Charleston were having a Sunday feast, eating and dancing, on September 16 when they saw a bloody Bill Hedden stumbling and grasping his left shoulder. The 59-year-old retired Navy master chief's arm was bitten off by a 550-pound, 11-foot-long alligator while he was snorkeling.
"We saw a guy bleeding profusely. We thought he was just kidding," said Jerome Bien, one of the Filipino picnickers.
Immediately, at least five Filipino registered nurses from the group rushed to his aid. They iced Hedden's wound and worked to stop the bleeding. They kept him awake until paramedics arrived, one of the nurses said to a reporter. Bien later saw the alligator in the lake with Hedden's arm still in the animal's jaw. Officials said that it was one of the worst alligator attacks in South Carolina's history.
"One of [the nurses] keep on encouraging him to breathe because he was turning blue," said Jo Masauding, one of the Filipino nurses on the scene.
A Department of Natural Resources contractor killed the alligator and retrieved Hedden's arm from the gator's belly but doctors were unable to reattach it. Hedden is currently recovering in a hospital and is now listed in fair condition.
Hedden is fortunate to be alive, thanks to the Filipino nurses picnicking nearby, CNN reported in its Heroes segment where the story was first featured.
Here's a video of this amazing story. Thanks to FilipinOnline contributor Art Pacho for the news tip.
[PHOTO: JEROME BIEN]
ASK A KABABAYAN:
"I bought a new computer with free Internet protection. Mag-e-expire na yung protection, should I renew?"
You definitely should renew, or purchase a different one, if you find a better product than the one that came pre-installed in your computer. It's necessary. Your computer will always be vulnerable and prone to computer virus and malicious software attacks if you don't have one.When I first purchased a home computer (back in the '90s), binalewala ko yung alerts that pop up saying that my Internet protection was expiring na. The result: my computer was attacked by viruses and I never got it to run as smooth as before. Sayang. From then on, I always make sure that I update my Internet protection religiously.
I've been using Norton, but there are so many other products to choose from, you can even download them from the Internet pero for your peace of mind, magtanong-tanong ka in person sa mga computer products salespeople kung ano'ng dapat mong piliin. Ang importante, shop around for the best deals and install one before your current Internet protection expires.
NEWS BRIEFS:
Asians For Equal Marriage Rights, Arroyo Faces Another Kickback Controversy, and Imelda Gets More Shoes
- A coalition of over 50 local, state, and national Asian American organizations will be filing a legal brief in support of equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples in the consolidated California Marriage Cases currently before the California Supreme Court. The brief focuses on past marriage discrimination against Asian immigrants in California, according to the Asian Pacific American Legal Center.- The Philippine government is strongly defending itself against allegations of multi-million dollar kickback over a controversial telecommunications deal with a Chinese firm. Arroyo's husband is reportedly involved in this deal.
- Imelda Marcos' new shoes won't be quite as expensive and bling-y as her other ones but she sure is happy to get them.
[photo: BBC]
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
FILIPINO FAMILY SUES U-HAUL
In the course of saving someone's life, Demetrio Nagtalon, 63, lost his.In December 2006, Nagtalon rented a U-Haul truck. Upon discovering a faulty brake, he sought to have it replaced so he returned it to a U-Haul rental center in San Francisco.
Instead of replacing the truck, a customer representative, Bobby Johnson, tried to repair the brake himself although, reports would later say, he is not a trained mechanic. Johnson also didn't block the vehicle's wheels.
Without turning the engine of the vehicle off, Johnson depressed the parking brake, and then attempted to release the brake with his hand. The handle of the brake came off in his hand. Johnson tried unsuccessfully to reattach the handle, and then went to get a pair of pliers and then continued trying to repair the brake.
When the truck began moving, Nagtalon rushed forward and pushed Johnson away from harm. However, by saving Johnson, Nagtalon himself was pinned between the truck and a steel pillar. He suffered massive internal bleeding and a crushed pelvis.
The father of four and grandfather of 13 died two hours later at a hospital. In a police report, Johnson reportedly called Nagtalon "a hero."
But U-Haul doesn't seem to share Johnson's belief.
The Nagtalon family recently filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against U-Haul, the country's largest supplier of rental trucks and trailers.
In a report, U-Haul indicated that Nagtalon was to blame for his own death.
"The cause of this accident was Mr. Nagtalon's actions, which placed his safety at risk in a situation where his assistance was not required," lawyers for U-Haul and Johnson said in court documents, according to the the Los Angeles Times.
"They've already begun their cover-up," said the Nagtalons' attorney, Matt Kumin. The case is now in the discovery stage and their attempts to interview Johnson has been blocked, Kumin added.
"I think we have a very good case against U-Haul," Kumin said. "They've been putting money ahead of safety."
In June, the Los Angeles Times published a series documenting the safety problems with U-Haul trucks and trailers.
The truck that killed Nagtalon was 13 years old and had logged 180,000 miles and had been in the shop because of the same parking brake problem that he encountered.
Friday, September 7, 2007
FILIPINO WIDOWS FIGHTING GREEN CARD DENIAL
Below is the story I wrote for Philippines News this week.
Purita, 55, spoke to me over the phone while she was on a Northern California train heading to work. At first Purita was a bit hesistant to talk but as she spoke of Richard, her dearly departed husband, her voice perked up. Because she was in transit, her cellphone's reception was choppy, medyo mahina ang boses n'ya, but she was still able to clearly convey her hurt in being "stripped" of her right to be called Richard's wife because he had died.
It was through fate that they met, but it was Richard's dogged determination to win her over that sealed their relationship.
In the early days of her courtship, Richard was hospitalized and when he opened his eyes, the first face that he saw was Purita's.
"He told me then that he will never let me go, that I have to be his wife," Purita said.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Filipino widows file lawsuit over green cards
Yong B. Chavez, Sep 05, 2007
LOS ANGELES — Purita Manuel Poindexter had every reason to be happy. She had found the love of her life, Richard, in the country that she also loves. They exchanged wedding vows on November 6, 2006.
About a month after, Richard, a U. S. citizen, filed a “petition for alien relative” and permanent residency application for Purita. She was scheduled for an interview on February 15, 2007.
Two weeks before the interview, on January 29, 2007, Richard was hospitalized for intestinal bleeding and died unexpectedly.
On March 7, Purita received a letter from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) saying that her application had been denied.
“Doon ko na-realize na lahat wala na (That’s when I realized that everything was gone),” Purita tearfully recounted.
Still reeling from the loss of her husband, she sought legal counsel to find out if she had any other options.
Her stepchildren, Richard’s adult children from a previous marriage, couldn’t believe that she would be deported.
Purita’s lawyer, however, did not think that her case had a chance because under a current immigration law, if the citizen dies before authorities approve the petition, the application is no longer valid.
“But my husband’s daughter told me not to give up. She promised to help in finding a way to appeal my case,” Purita said.
Her stepdaughter found Brent Renison, pro bono counsel of a group called Surviving Spouses Against Deportation. Purita joined the group which seeks to put an end to what Renison calls “widow penalty.”
Renison, together with Los Angeles attorney Alan Diamante, recently filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles. The complaint aims to reopen Purita’s and nearly two dozen other cases like hers. They are seeking to challenge the “widow penalty, whereby the USCIS denies legal status to surviving spouses of American citizens due to the death of their spouse during lengthy administrative visa processing.”
“It’s a disgusting practice,” Renison said.
Another Filipina, Sarah Bayor, 40, is also named as a plaintiff-petitioner in the lawsuit. Sarah married Stephen Bayor, a U.S. citizen, in January 2006 and her petition papers were filed the following month.
While waiting for her permanent residency approval, Stephen died. In August, 2007, three months after his death, Sarah received her letter of denial on the basis that she was no longer the spouse of a U.S. citizen.Interestingly, Matter of Varela, a frequently cited legal case in matters involving the death of a U.S. citizen spouse, was about the denial of the residency application of a Filipina widow in 1970. Her husband was a petty officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve and died of a heart attack while still on active duty. After his death, it was decided that she “was not the spouse of a United States citizen. His death had stripped her of that status.”
Currently, there are exceptions made for spouses of military personnel who die in combat. Unfortunately, this did not apply to Venezuela-born Dahianna Heard whose husband died while working for a private security contractor in Iraq. She is also a petitioner of the class action lawsuit.
The immigrants should not be “stripped of the status of a spouse” just because their husband or wife died, Renison said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “It’s nobody’s fault, and no one should be faulted.”
An amendment to change the law was part of the failed comprehensive immigration bill.
Reached via e-mail, an immigration official declined to comment on the issue.“We don’t comment on matters pending litigation,” Sharon Rummery of USCIS wrote. “I don’t understand why they don’t consider me his wife,” Purita said, adding that in every other aspect of her life, she remains Mrs. Poindexter.
It’s a tough battle, Purita admits, but she says she gets her strength from remembering the happy though short life she had with Richard.They met in 2005 and became inseparable almost immediately.
“We liked to talk and argue about politics,” she said. “He had a very sharp mind.”Before his death, Richard was writing a memoir while Purita was also busy writing her own little masterpiece: their love story.
“It was eight pages long,” she said. “Naiiyak ako pag naiisip ko na wala na s’ya. (I cry when I think about the fact that he’s gone.)”
Like the other members of the Surviving Spouses Against Deportation, Purita is pinning her hopes for a bit of a happy ending on the outcome of their lawsuit.
Purita, 55, spoke to me over the phone while she was on a Northern California train heading to work. At first Purita was a bit hesistant to talk but as she spoke of Richard, her dearly departed husband, her voice perked up. Because she was in transit, her cellphone's reception was choppy, medyo mahina ang boses n'ya, but she was still able to clearly convey her hurt in being "stripped" of her right to be called Richard's wife because he had died.
It was through fate that they met, but it was Richard's dogged determination to win her over that sealed their relationship.
In the early days of her courtship, Richard was hospitalized and when he opened his eyes, the first face that he saw was Purita's.
"He told me then that he will never let me go, that I have to be his wife," Purita said.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Filipino widows file lawsuit over green cards
Yong B. Chavez, Sep 05, 2007
LOS ANGELES — Purita Manuel Poindexter had every reason to be happy. She had found the love of her life, Richard, in the country that she also loves. They exchanged wedding vows on November 6, 2006.
About a month after, Richard, a U. S. citizen, filed a “petition for alien relative” and permanent residency application for Purita. She was scheduled for an interview on February 15, 2007.
Two weeks before the interview, on January 29, 2007, Richard was hospitalized for intestinal bleeding and died unexpectedly.
On March 7, Purita received a letter from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) saying that her application had been denied.
“Doon ko na-realize na lahat wala na (That’s when I realized that everything was gone),” Purita tearfully recounted.
Still reeling from the loss of her husband, she sought legal counsel to find out if she had any other options.
Her stepchildren, Richard’s adult children from a previous marriage, couldn’t believe that she would be deported.
Purita’s lawyer, however, did not think that her case had a chance because under a current immigration law, if the citizen dies before authorities approve the petition, the application is no longer valid.
“But my husband’s daughter told me not to give up. She promised to help in finding a way to appeal my case,” Purita said.
Her stepdaughter found Brent Renison, pro bono counsel of a group called Surviving Spouses Against Deportation. Purita joined the group which seeks to put an end to what Renison calls “widow penalty.”
Renison, together with Los Angeles attorney Alan Diamante, recently filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles. The complaint aims to reopen Purita’s and nearly two dozen other cases like hers. They are seeking to challenge the “widow penalty, whereby the USCIS denies legal status to surviving spouses of American citizens due to the death of their spouse during lengthy administrative visa processing.”
“It’s a disgusting practice,” Renison said.
Another Filipina, Sarah Bayor, 40, is also named as a plaintiff-petitioner in the lawsuit. Sarah married Stephen Bayor, a U.S. citizen, in January 2006 and her petition papers were filed the following month.
While waiting for her permanent residency approval, Stephen died. In August, 2007, three months after his death, Sarah received her letter of denial on the basis that she was no longer the spouse of a U.S. citizen.Interestingly, Matter of Varela, a frequently cited legal case in matters involving the death of a U.S. citizen spouse, was about the denial of the residency application of a Filipina widow in 1970. Her husband was a petty officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve and died of a heart attack while still on active duty. After his death, it was decided that she “was not the spouse of a United States citizen. His death had stripped her of that status.”
Currently, there are exceptions made for spouses of military personnel who die in combat. Unfortunately, this did not apply to Venezuela-born Dahianna Heard whose husband died while working for a private security contractor in Iraq. She is also a petitioner of the class action lawsuit.
The immigrants should not be “stripped of the status of a spouse” just because their husband or wife died, Renison said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “It’s nobody’s fault, and no one should be faulted.”
An amendment to change the law was part of the failed comprehensive immigration bill.
Reached via e-mail, an immigration official declined to comment on the issue.“We don’t comment on matters pending litigation,” Sharon Rummery of USCIS wrote. “I don’t understand why they don’t consider me his wife,” Purita said, adding that in every other aspect of her life, she remains Mrs. Poindexter.
It’s a tough battle, Purita admits, but she says she gets her strength from remembering the happy though short life she had with Richard.They met in 2005 and became inseparable almost immediately.
“We liked to talk and argue about politics,” she said. “He had a very sharp mind.”Before his death, Richard was writing a memoir while Purita was also busy writing her own little masterpiece: their love story.
“It was eight pages long,” she said. “Naiiyak ako pag naiisip ko na wala na s’ya. (I cry when I think about the fact that he’s gone.)”
Like the other members of the Surviving Spouses Against Deportation, Purita is pinning her hopes for a bit of a happy ending on the outcome of their lawsuit.
SOMETHING TO SEE:
The Filipino Leader of "10th Mountain"
The 7th Annual Valley Film Festival presents:
"The 10th Mountain"'
El Portal Theatre (North Hollywood, CA)
Saturday, Sep. 15 @ 1:30pm $10.00
In the WWII drama "The 10th Mountain," an elite squad from the 10th Mountain division receives a new leader, a Filipino. The squad's mixed views on their new Captain are tested as new orders have them infiltrating a German base in Italy.For more info, click here.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
CONSUMER ALERT: There's only one website where you can get FREE credit reports...
...and that is annualcreditreport.com.Every consumer is entitled to a free credit report from each of the Big 3 reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It's good to be always updated with your credit report because it will show whether someone is trying to get credit in your name. Order from a credit bureau every four months. Don't order the reports simultaneously to get continuous updates.
There's one that's called freecreditreport.com which provides a free 30-day trial but after 30 days, if you don't cancel, this company will automatically charge $12.95 per month to your credit card so be careful what you sign up for.
The charge is labeled under another name - CIC Triple Advantage - so if you don't scrutinize your credit card charges, it's easy to miss. Kung hindi malinaw sa inyo na sisingilin kayo after ng trial period, you can ask for a refund.
FPAC TIME!
Come Celebrate Community Spirit at the 16th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture !Community’s Diverse Artistry, Culture, Cuisine and People Converge For Highly Anticipated Festival Weekend Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture
The 16th Annual (FPAC), Southern California 's largest and most lauded ongoing Filipino American tradition, is on! Taking place on Sept. 8and 9, 2007 at breathtaking Point Fermin Park,807 Paseo del Mar in San Pedro, this year’s theme is “Handog,” or “Offering” – in celebration of true community spirit as Filipino Americans from different walks of life gather together to bring you this 16th edition of pure community soul through artistry, culture, and food.
Popular international comedian Rex Naverrete returns to headline FPAC, with multi-awarded singer / songwriter Anthony Castelo and the world Hip Hop champions: Philippine All Stars, making their respective debuts.
Upcoming Jazz singer Charmaine Clamor returns as well. Authentic, traditional music and dance are brought to you by a host of cultural dance troupes in Kayamanan ng Lahi, BIBAK (Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao, Kalinga - 5 major tribes of the Northern Philippines ), Kultura, and others. Demonstrations of the Filipino martial arts, Kali /Eskrima are brought to you by eskrimadors Kapisanang Mandirigma, Pakamut, and Bahala Na.
There's so much in store for everyone, so 'wag n'yong kalimutang pumunta!
Initiated by the City of Los Angeles back in 1990, the stewardship of the Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture was transferred over to a non-profit organization now called FilAm ARTS – the Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts & Culture.“Still true to its original intent since its inception, the Festival is designed to be a ‘common ground.’ The aim of FPAC is to be as inclusive in every which way possible,” says Executive Director Jilly Canizares.
For more details: http://www.filamarts.org/, or call (323) 913-4663.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
DRIVING LESSONS:
The Driving Laws Hoax E-mail Edition
I'm sure some of you have already received or heard of an e-mail about "New California Driving Laws effective 7/01/07". Feel free to not believe that. It is a hoax.Here's a reality check from Triple A:
FALSE: It's a $1,068.50 fine for first-time carpool-lane violation.
TRUE: It's actually about $380.
FALSE: DUI=Jail, and it stays in your record for 10 years.
TRUE: Getting a DUI doesn't necessarily mean you'll do time, but the offense DO stay in your record for 10 years - a fact since 2005.
FALSE: Speeders can only drive 3 miles above the limit.
TRUE: Unlike talipapa prices, wala pong tawad ang speeding violation. There is no "buffer zone" for speeding.
[The picture is, of course, not related to the aforementioned hoax e-mail. It's just a nice image, and it's from a movie featuring Ron and Mrs. Weasley. Go rent it.]
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Children's Watering Cans with Lead Recalled
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, today announced a voluntary recall of 6, 000 Robbie Ducky™ Kids Watering Cans.Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Hazard: The beak of the watering can contains lead in the paint, which violates the federal law prohibiting lead paint on children's toys. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
Description: The recalled Robbie Ducky™ Kids Watering Can is yellow with an orange beak and is about 10 inches high by 6 inches wide. "Robbie Ducky™ Garden Collection Duck Watering Can" is printed on a sticker on the bottom of the watering can.
Sold exclusively at: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores nationwide from February 2007 through August 2007 for about $10.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the watering can away from children and return it to any Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Jo-Ann Stores Inc. toll-free at (888) 739-4120 ext. 7 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or email the firm at guest.services@jo-annstores.com or visit the firm’s Web site at www.joann.com
This latest round of recalls involving children's goods made in China comes amid heightened scrutiny of Chinese exports following Mattel Inc's recalls of millions of toys this month -- some of which were due to excessive amounts of lead paint.
Lead is toxic and can pose serious health risks to young children who often put toys and other objects in their mouth.
Here's an article that lists toys recalled due to lead.
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