Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

You know the grim statistics: unemployment is rising. Well, here are some job leads for you, courtesy of the Calif. Governor Arnold S.'s office:

Fernandez Government Solutions, Legislative/Executive Assistant for lobbying firm. Must be motivated, organized, have excellent communication skills. Knowledge of Legislative process a plus. Competitive salary, benefits. Please e-mail cover letter, resume: sfernandez@fernandezgov.com or contact: 916 448 7567 (12/3)

American Lung Association, Policy Analyst on air quality and global warming regulatory issues, write position letters, statements, assist with advocacy and outreach. 3 plus years experience, excellent oral/written communication skills. $45,000-55,000. Resume, cover letter: jobs@alac.org (11/21)

California Association of Health Plans seeks a full-time Administrative Assistant to provide support to our Legislative Affairs department. Familiarity with legislative process preferred. Competitive salary/benefits. Visit http://www.calhealthplans.org/ for more information. (12/2)
Associate Lobbyist, California Catholic Conference. Public policy advocacy, focus on Hispanic legislators/community leaders. Legislative advocacy experience, college degree, familiar with Catholic teachings, bi-lingual (oral/written) Spanish/English. Some travel required. $38,000-45,000. Cover letter, resume: bcaselli@cacatholic.org. (11/20)

Assemblymember-elect Bob Blumenfield seeks experienced scheduler for Capitol office. Resumes to Colleen Beamish, cbeamish@cal.net, or call 530 758 5470. Also seeks Field Representative for Los Angeles District Office. Resumes to Samantha Stevens, samstevens1@msn.com, 818 731 7336. Salaries based on experience. (11/20)

March of Dimes seeks State Director of Public Affairs, who manages Government Relations in California. Coordinate policy agenda, lobbying and grassroots activities within the state. Salary commensurate with experience. More information: Associate State Director at californiajobs@marchofdimes.com. (12/11).

Support the Senate Fellowship Program and LegiSchool. Administrative Support Assistant II. Job No. 100197. Full-time. Support the Senate Fellowship Program and LegiSchool. Position, renewable annually contingent upon funding, work performance and the recommendation of the supervisor. $2,505-$3,758/mo. Duties will include, but are not limited, to travel arrangements, web research, and database entry. Required: Intermediate computer skills; MS Office, especially Access. Knowledge of university and state policies and procedures, especially travel related; knowledge of state government through experience useful. Great benefits! View full description online at: http://www.csus.edu/webpages/employment.stm; Open until filled. ADA/EEO. For more information, contact David Pacheco at david.pacheco@sen.ca.gov or at Ext. 4160. (11/3).

The San Diego Unified School District is looking for a Legislative Affairs Manager in Sacramento. This person will serve as the primary contact for the San Diego Unified School District with members of the California State Legislature, Department of Education, and education interest groups. The link to the application and requirements is here: https://sdcsjob1.sandi.net/sdusdjobs1/. (10/30).

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has active job listings for research positions based in PPIC’s Sacramento Center. In particular we are recruiting for Research Fellow and Visiting Fellow positions. Full position descriptions are available on the PPIC website, www.ppic.org/main/opportunities.asp. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, PPIC is committed to excellence through diversity. We encourage women and members of minority groups to apply. (10/30).

Senior Legislative Consultant, Office of Senator Oropeza. Ideal candidate must be motivated, organized, have good written and verbal communication skills to develop, analyze, & manage legislation. Minimum 2+ years Capitol experience with BA degree. Salary based on experience. Please submit resume plus cover letter to: Sean.Henschel@sen.ca.gov. (10/21).

Health Affairs Legislative Director, University of California – The State Governmental Relations of the University of California is seeking a person to advance the legislative interests of the University’s health sciences and services enterprise, which includes the health professions schools, research units, and UC’s five academic medical centers. The person selected will be responsible for working with and maintaining regular communication with the UC Office of the President and campus representatives, including health sciences and services issue experts, to assess and advance the University’s interests with the State Legislature and with representatives of State government on health care matters of interest to UC. Prior experience in the health care field as a consultant, lobbyist or analyst is a plus. Please contact Steve Juarez, Director of UC State Governmental Relations @ 916-445-9924 for more information or go directly to https://jobs.ucop.edu/ , click on Search Postings, and type in 20080366 in the Requisition No. box, and file your application electronically. (10/16).

Forward Observer, Office Manager. Seeking experienced administrative professional with excellent communications, organization and management skills for a high energy, boutique consulting firm. Competitive salary. Contact Andrew Chang at 916 444 0088 or submit resumes to Andrew@fwdobserver.com. (12/8)

California Grocers Association, VP/Government Affairs. Lobbying and representation before Legislature and regulatory agencies, grassroots and political programs. 10+ years experience required. Competitive salary. Details here. Fax/email resume/cover letter: 916 448 2793, sswett@cagrocers.com. (12/5)

Program Representative II ($36,108-$61,380/year) VL#11552, FFD 11/10/08. UC Davis Extension seeks employee to manage, market and implement continuing education programs in education, health sciences and public policy. See listing here. (11/10)
Legislative Consultant, JEA & Associates. Motivated, organized individual with excellent written/verbal communication skills; analyze, manage legislation; write position letters/reports. Minimum 2yrs Capitol experience, local government experience a plus. Salary commensurate with experience. Resume, cover letter: ericajea@aol.com. (12/5)

Planned Parenthood Los Angeles seeks Public Affairs Manager. Five years experience in public affairs/community organizing. Excellent communication skills. Familiarity with community leaders and organizations. Strong organizational skills. Salary DOE. E-mail/fax resumes: hr@pp-la.org, 323 225 0613. (12/4)

McNally Temple Associates, Inc. Senior Account Executive. Responsible for managing public relations and media programs for diverse array of corporate, government, association, non-profit and political clients. Legislative/political experience strongly recommended. Competitive salary, benefits. Resume: kreid@mcnallytemple.com. (12/1)

Department of Conservation seeks two Legislative Analysts at the Associate Governmental Program Analyst ($4,400-5,348) level. Staff Service Analyst ($2,817-4,446) may be considered. Legislative experience desired. For more information, please see http://www.spb.ca.gov/ or contact Vincent Keene at (916) 445-8733. (11/14)

The California Department of Conservation is seeking highly qualified applicants for the position of Chief Counsel. The Chief Counsel advises management on issues affecting all of the department's diverse programs. $9215 - $13,381/month. For details, click here. (11/14)
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers - Director of Policy and Government Affairs. Responsible for formulating policy-based strategies and representing the industry before policymakers in the California legislature and executive office. Competitive salary. Details www.autoalliance.org/employment. (11/10).

Internet TV Freelancer LA preferred
Seeking a freelancer to handle a fast-growing, innovative internet television channel featuring fun and entertaining lifestyle shows. Think “CNBC meets MTV.” Must have strong online and offline media skills and experience working with interactive clients. Must also have good relationships with advertising industry trades and related media (AdWeek, BrandWeek, AdAge, NY Times, etc). Will develop and execute strategic PR campaign targeting existing and potential viewers, advertisers, investors, content producers and other key audiences.

Luxury Real Estate / Luxury Resort Pros West LA
Sr. AE to VP
Seeking travel and tourism pros with luxury real estate or luxury resort experience to work at a large and growing travel and tour specialty firm. Candidates must have solid industry contacts and be top-notch pitch artists who can handle major business media as well as tour & travel and lifestyle outlets. Of course solid writing is a must. Travel tour pros who also love golf would be ideal! Qualified candidates must contact Jim Delulio at jdelulio@prtalent.com

Social Marketing Opportunity West LA
Sr. AE or Supe
Seeking candidates who are strong strategic thinkers and would enjoy working on a social marketing account with a consumer flair. The ability to understand complex issues and handle a fast-paced environment is required. This person must have the ability to multi-task and work independently as well as in a team environment. Strong writing and media relations skills a must. Any experience with environmental or other social issues a plus. Qualified candidates must contact Jim Delulio at jdelulio@prtalent.com

USC Adjunct Instructor for PR/Com Law course LA NEW!!
Will teach undergrad PR/Com Law course on Tuesday nights in the spring 2009 semester. The ideal candidate would be an attorney (past or present) with some understanding of PR. A PR pro who has worked closely with attorneys and has some understanding of PR-related legal issues would also be appropriate. If interested, please contact Jerry Swerling at swerling@usc.edu

Senior Consumer Packaged Goods Talent Orange County [CA] Director
Position will lead PR campaigns for a major Fortune 250 packaged goods client at one of the rock solid, hot consumer agencies in the country. Candidates must have strong consumer branding experience; social media expertise and excellent writing and presentation skills. A record of leading major brand campaigns is essential. A great opportunity for a superstar Supervisor or Sr. Supe who's ready to move up!! Qualified candidates must contact Jim Delulio at jdelulio@prtalent.com

New York, Chicago & Washington D.C.
Healthcare PR Washington, DC
Account Supervisor, Account Director, Senior VP
Great healthcare communications firm based in Washington, D.C. is looking for pharmaceutical PR pros at various levels. Responsibilities include account management, strategic media relations, FDA drug approval activities and planning events/meetings. Candidates must have healthcare/pharmaceutical PR experience. Submit resumes to jsecchi@prtalent.com.

Consumer/General PR New York
Account Director
Boutique PR agency is looking for an Account Director to run accounts and manage a team, reporting directly into the President/Owner of the agency. Accounts include a luxury real estate developer, a not-for-profit devoted to adult literacy and a world-class science research institution. Responsibilities include strategic planning, client relations, team management and account management. Candidates must have 7-10 years of agency PR experience. Please submit resume and salary requirements to jsecchi@prtalent.com.

Men's Consumer PR New York
Director
Leading consumer PR agency is looking for a Director to work on a leading men's consumer account. Responsibilities include strategic planning, client relations, team management and account management. Candidates must have 10-15 years of consumer PR experience within an agency environment and MUST have experience working on PR campaigns targeting men. Please submit resume and salary requirements to jsecchi@prtalent.com.

Financial Services/PR New York
Account Supervisor
Boutique PR Firm is looking for an account supervisor to join their asset management team. Clients include billion-dollar hedge funds and a variety of "superstar" economists and asset managers-regularly appear in all of the industry's top media outlets. Responsibilities include: Managing agency-client relationship, Developing proactive and reactive strategies, Counseling client, managing staff, conducting media relations, writing, reporting, etc. Candidates must have 3-4 years of agency PR experience. Please submit resume and salary requirements to dzweig@prtalent.com.

Team Leader for New Digital PR Business New York
Seeking a technology and marketing professional with experience in performing digital/interactive campaigns. Candidate should have 3-5 years web experience and understand how to implement SEM and SEO campaigns (including Relationship Management campaigns) as well as have an idea how to effectively utilize blogs, podcasts, social networks, etc. as part of full service marketing and public relations campaigns. The ideal candidate will have a track record of creating and executing web based initiatives. The candidate should also be able to educate the company on all things Digital -- i.e., effective strategies for building online initiatives, media lists, targeting bloggers, using services such as Digg and Twitter to the firm's advantage. Please contact dzweig@prtalent.com

Professional Services Marketing Chicago
Business Development Manager
Prestigious global law firm, is looking for a Business Development Manager to support the Global BD team, Office Administrator, Office Managing Partner, and Chicago department and practice chairs to develop and implement marketing strategies and local business development programs for the Chicago office. This candidate should have 5- 7 years of professional services marketing experience. The Business Development Manager is responsible for creating practice level strategy to develop business with current, prospective and targeted clients by working closely with the entire BD Team. The position is also responsible for the development and implementation of marketing initiatives that support the practice strategy as well as providing assistance to the Director of Marketing. Please submit resume and salary requirements to dzweig@prtalent.com .

Filipina Cristeta Comerford Might Retain Presidential Chef Post

There's a good chance Pinoy-flavored food will stay in the Obama White House menu.

Though change is coming in the White House this January, there's one area where Obama's new administration isn't likely to change, reports say.

Walter Scheib, White House executive chef for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, says in an AP interview that "there's a 90 percent chance the new administration will stick with his successor, Cristeta Comerford."

Though the job is high-profile, the work of a White House executive chef isn't fit for someone wanting a celebrity status. Being sensitive and understanding is just as important as culinary skills, given that the chef is among the few people who interact with the first family in private, former White House chefs say.

Comerford, the first woman and first minority to serve as executive chef in the White House, gets high praise in those areas.

Below is an article I wrote about Comerford back in 2005.

===

First Lady Head Chef In The White House is Filipina

By Yong B. Chavez

When Cristeta Comerford comes back to work from her vacation by the month’s end, she will have a full plate in front of her as she assumes her new responsibilities as the White House executive chef at that time.

Mrs. Laura Bush announced Sunday that Comerford, whom the First Lady calls by her nickname “Cris”, has been given the executive kitchen’s top post.
A Food Technology graduate of the University of the Philippines, the 42-year-old wife and mother is the first woman to get the job.

"I am delighted that Cris Comerford has accepted the position of White House executive chef," Mrs. Bush said in her press statement. "Her passion for cooking can be tasted in every bite of her delicious creations."

Comerford will be in charge of designing and executing menus for state dinners, social events, holiday functions, receptions and official luncheons hosted by President and Mrs. Bush.

The first lady top chef of the White House is trained in French classical techniques and specializes in ethnic and American cuisine. She has helped develop menus for previous special White House events including a state dinner in honor President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Susan Whitson, the First Lady’s press secretary, said that Mrs. Bush was very happy with Comerford’s work in her capacity as the White House assistant chef for the past 10 years.

“She is very pleased with Cris,” Whitson said.

It took six months for the position to be filled because the First Lady wanted to make sure that the person who would replace former executive chef Walter Scheib III would be the best that they could get, Whitson added.

The search for the presidential chief chef was headed by White House social secretary Lea Berman and head usher Gary Walters.

Walters has been quoted in reports as saying that the White House executive chef is paid in the general range of $80,000 and $100,000 a year. Although it is a sizable amount, famous chefs in America get so much more than that, but the high-profile job still attracted a lot of applicants hungry for the chance to rule the president's kitchen.

“They went through hundreds of applicants, and after thoughtful consideration, they went with Cris,” Whitson said. The fact that she is a woman is a bonus, but in the end, she was chosen because she was “the best qualified”, Whitson said.

The new White House top chef, a naturalized U.S.citizen who was born in the Philippines, lives in the Washington D.C. area with her family.

==

About the photo:Chef Cristeta "Cris" Comerford prepares a meal inside the White House kitchen in this July 17, 2002 photo. White House Photo by Tina Hager

DEVELOPING NEWS:Philippine President's Husband Mike Arroyo Hospitalized

Update as of 3pm, PST: The President's appearance in L.A. is cancelled due to FG's hospital stay, but she will still go to Peru. Picket against her is also pushing through, per organizer.

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo is being treated at a Japan hospital at this time. On board the plane en route to Los Angeles, he suffered a heart attack. His illness is considered non-life threatening but a hospital stay is necessary.

He was with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the incident. Arroyo is scheduled to hold a reception for the Fil-Am community tonight in Los Angeles.

A Philippine Consulate General official confirms that Arroyo will continue with her planned trip to the U.S., a stopover to her Peru trip for an economic summit, albeit at a delayed schedule. She is expected to arrive at the LAX at 4 p.m. PST.

Meanwhile, activist groups ALLIANCE for a JUST and LASTING PEACE in the PHILIPPINES (AJLPP), ANSWER-LA and GABNET are planning to picket tonight's event.

I will be reporting on this tonight for Balitang America and for FilipinOnline.

ASK A KABABAYAN:"My dad extended his vacation in the Phils & I need to mail his prescription meds. Can I use USPS?"

Yes, you can. (Heh.)

You can use the US Post Office's Express Mail International flat rate ($25.95), which is pretty reliable. I've been using it, and so far, so good. You get a tracking number and you can log online to be notified via e-mail once it's received. I tried using their Global Express service to send a small package once and it flopped - the package was returned to me because of a zip code snafu.

What Are You Doing This Veterans Day?

By Yong B. Chavez

http://www.filipinonline.com/

Today is Veterans Day. Let's all take a moment to say a prayer for our U.S. troops overseas, and for those we have lost.

Let this also be the day when we show our appreciation for WW II's largely unheralded Filipino heroes by actively supporting their fight for equity. Do it not just today. If we Fil-Ams are not solidly and actively behind them, who do we expect to help them? If we can muster enough unity as a community to join our fellow Americans during last week's historic events, why can't we all lift a finger and just be there in whatever way for our vets who are still fighting for recognition absent our overwhelming support?

The day after the elections, I called up Eric Lachica, the tireless executive director of American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc. to ask how he felt about Barack Obama's win.

"I'm thankful that he won," he said, adding that the President-elect has expressed his support for Filipino WWII veterans many times. Lachica is hoping for a bipartisan support for the veterans, a likelier prospect now that lawmakers have become more supportive in light of Obama's win.

Finally, change will also come to the lives of our aging veterans, it looks like. When a call goes out to support them by contacting the lawmakers on their behalf, we need to take the time to do that.

The veterans and their supporters' plans include working for the passage of a bill that would get the vets a lump sum amount and a much-delayed official recognition of their bravery during the war.

Here is their latest letter to President-elect Obama:

========================

November 6, 2008

The Honorable Barack Obama
President-elect of the United States
Washington DC
Attn: Ruchi Bhomik, Legislative Aide

RE: Congratulations and Thanks

Dear Senator Obama:

On behalf our elderly Filipino American World War II veterans, their families and supporters, we the undersigned extend our congratulations on your victory Tuesday and best wishes to your incoming administration. We trust your inspiring and pragmatic leadership in solving the current economic crisis, the creation of well-paying jobs, overcoming the difficult challenges in Iraq and Afghanistan, and protecting the interests of the American People.

Moreover, we also deeply appreciate your public appeals to your colleagues on behalf of our Filipino WWII veterans. In your February 25, 2008 statement on the anniversary of Filipino People Power revolution, you wrote:

“On this anniversary, I urge my colleagues in Congress to honor the Filipino veterans who bravely fought with American troops in World War II. Approximately 250,000 Filipino troops joined American forces to fight in World War II, but too many of these heroes are still being denied benefits. The time has come for Congress to honor the Filipino veterans of World War II by finally enacting the Filipino Veterans Equity Act... I applaud Chairman Akaka's leadership on this issue and will continue to urge my colleagues to provide the benefits and recognition these veterans deserve.”

With your early assistance in June 2007, Sen. Akaka’s bill S. 1315, “Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act” was finally passed in the Senate by overwhelming vote of 96 to 1 on April 24, 2008 and includes our Filipino WWII veterans.

On behalf of our 4,000 members and Mr. Patrick Ganio Sr., ACFV president, we look forward in working with your senate staff to successfully complete Sen. Akaka’s bill in the few weeks remaining in the 110th Congress.

Very sincerely
(signed)
FRANCO ARCEBAL, ACFV Vice President Membership
ERIC LACHICA, Executive Director
GUILLERMO RUMINGAN, Service Officer

AFFLIATED LEADERS:
Art CALEDA -Honolulu: Faustino BACLIG –Los Angeles; Avelino ASUNCION- San Diego; Filemon MORDENO -San Francisco; Antonio TAPERLA –S.F.; Dominador VALDEZ- San Jose; Jose NUEGA, Sacramento; Ernesto ANOLIN –Delano; Amador MONTERO & Thelma SEVILLA- Seattle; Lourdes CEBALLOS -Chicago; Joe GONZALES- Houston; Fred DIAZ –Jersey City; Pacifico TIMBOL- NY; Maurese OWENS- Arlington VA; Celestino ALMEDA- Guillermo RUMINGAN; VA; Romy SAN ANTONIO- Va. Beach; Dick AQUINO –Jacksonville FL; and others.

[picture c/o Eric Lachica]

GET INTO "SHAKEOUT"

This Thursday, November 13, at 10 a.m., you can join millions of people throughout Southern California in the ShakeOut Drill, the largest earthquake preparedness activity in U.S. history.

Simulating a 7.8 quake, participants throughout SoCal will duck, cover and hold simultaneously to do the nation's biggest earthquake drill.

The Great Southern California Shake Out is meant to teach each resident what to do in case of an earthquake, a much-needed exercise, considering how the area has always been known as a likely site of a big earthquake. The last jolt epicentered in Chino Hills, a city in the Inland Empire where about 51,000 Fil-Ams live, was a shaky reminder of why we all need to be prepared.

Please register today to join the drill.

READER COMMENTARY:Obama has come to the White House

Obama has come to the White House

The just concluded US presidential election – in state of the art digital automation – is cause for envy in so far as RP is concerned. But, It is not as if steps in this direction have not been initiated except that the Supreme Court according to its worldview – believes that it cannot be applied in our contemporary political culture. Thus, it will always be the case that counting the votes would proceed manually such that the longer it takes to finish the count – in days and weeks – the more likely it has opened windows of opportunity for cheating. America on the other hand counts push-button and RP counts scandalously primitive.

Obama and McCain were luminous figures seen in the world stage as arch contenders to who should run corporate America after President George W. Bush. And Obama got 64,414,843 of so-called popular votes and 364 of so-called electoral votes against McCain getting 56,735,145 and 162, respectively. Obama’s victory in this presidential race flips a new page in US political history as the first ever African-American president with McCain conceding even before the last vote is counted.

In the realm of the senses, there is nothing McCain can do to outsmart Obama whose oratory is par excellence. Given images of two competing candidates, McCain receives the short end of the bargain, McLuhan-wise – where ‘the medium is the message’. Obama is seen and heard to have presented his promissory note under the terms and conditions that come agreeable to any contracting party. Thus, there is little difficulty for every voting American to sign this social contract offered by Obama as the simple epitome of the American dream.


Obama is highly educated, McCain isn’t. Obama is an eloquent orator, McCain just isn’t. Obama carries charisma, McCain is yet to acquire the virus. Obama attracts patronage from both the blacks and the whites in, more or less, equal degree while McCain only got half of the racial deal. With another under-educated as chosen running mate, McCain failed to check his political equation. Obama has been better paired with his running mate. With just these two presidential wannabes viewed in the viewing screen, there is no way McCain can attract adherents any more than Obama can – with such ease and facility – typical of the educated class in the US social pyramid. Obama, after all, graduated his law magna cum laude at Harvard Law School while McCain almost at the tail-end of the graduating class in the US Naval Academy.


Perhaps, speech power has been the name of the game in this US election. Every word spoken by Obama seems calculated to summon favor from any average listener or viewer. His speech proceeded from a methodology already known to most Americans with delivery alone qualifying as superb and a cut above the rest. The text of his message comes as though God has spoken before a revering flock – a speech that has warmed the hearts of most Americans, whites or non-whites. Obama’s overall audience impact has really touched every a listener who has been so frustrated with the way Bush has run US politics that one school of thought believes Obama has been a principal beneficiary of this hatred for Bush war policy – viewed as ‘crimes against humanity’.


No wonder then that the punchline – “Change has come to America” – really placed the viewing universe in some kind of trance. Bush bedeviled the American people, and Obama kind of probably ‘angelized’ the new and contemporary American population. Between the devil and the angel, Americans across social ladders, tend to like Obama better than any Bush protégé, or McCain. Given then a prevailing national mood, Obama can skillfully order how his chips will fall in place. And he did just right for his dream to become the next and 44th president of the world’s superpower that is America.


What will US politics be like under an Obama administration? Policy issues have already been drawn, even maybe neatly by the new world leader. Some of these send “shark attacks effect” making the world uncertain for countries that used to benefit economically from US policy directions under Bush. If Obama pursues the creative approach of going insular by focusing largely on its domestic economy, then world trade as we used to know it might have to be configured differently under an Obama regime. If all jobs go to citizens of America, if all goods go to the American people, if all services are just for the Americans – this consuming all-American protectionist policy might mean making US a closed society than what it used to be and imperiled its own national life.


Whatever policy directions Obama will take ought to be beyond fault. With two wars – that in Irag and Afghanistan – first in the political agenda, Obama is left with not much choice but perhaps to withdraw troops in this beleaguered nations if only to cut on the defense budget. With the economic meltdown US is into, Obama might have to make drastic fiscal reforms without having to reinvent the wheel like say – strengthening a protectionist policy in the best tradition of the Democrats where he belongs. A host of pressing social, economic, political, and security issues have to be addressed and Obama thinks too honestly that indeed US meets the challenge in his favorite line – “Yes we can”.


It still bears watching how Obama will reformat a prevailing if irreversible economic curse that appears to be redeemable only with as much as a $700 billion bail out. Bush is heard to have wished Obama hits the ground running. Truly, US has been seen to be at the verge of a cliff to such extent that it seems like there is only 24-hour left to save present-day America.


After the whole electoral exercise, Obama must get down to business. An economic turnaround or a miracle cannot just come about – from a culture of overspending – that has characterized the Bush’ government. Nor can US’ global position as world policeman be compromised as though pulling out US troops in war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan will do the trick. It bears watching whether Obama can bring US economy back on its track especially by giving middle class tax cuts to some 95% of American workers if true anything can be done to uplift some 37 million poor Americans that corporate American has neglected for many years. With Obama breaking the century-old racial barrier, it is hoped that political assassinations by some kind of feudal supremacist vogue would be a thing of the past.


PRIMER C. PAGUNURAN
Philippines
(Email to: nielsky_2003@yahoo.com)

FILVOTE'S PHONE BANKINGON ELECTION DAY A SUCCESS

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Filipino-American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) through its nonpartisan voter engagement project, FILVOTE, conducted a phone banking drive to encourage Filipino-Americans to go out and vote on Election Day. This drive was started a week before Election day and peaked during the day itself. FASGI volunteers and staff spearheaded the drive and called everyone on its registered voter list. Most of these people were assisted by FILVOTE to register or re-register to vote.

Majority of the volunteers at FASGI noted that at 1030a.m. most of the Fil-Ams they called already voted and the small percentage that didn’t vote yet said that they are on their way to their designated precincts. Mr.. Peping Baclig, a Filipino-American Veteran, called mostly the Filipino Veteran American seniors, he said that almost all of them already voted through the vote by mail or permanent absentee vote. They collectively observed that there was an unprecedented enthusiasm and excitement among the Filipino-Americans to participate on this election.

There were a lot of first time voters. Those that just felt that they have a need to participate on this historic election. According to one first time voter, Maria Corazon Paus, who was recently naturalized as an American Citizen on October 9, 2008 , “I am elated to participate and feel the benefits of being an American, to have a voice in the process of selecting a new leader to guide the course of this Country I now call mine.” She said her wait to vote was not that long, about 15mins at the Knights of Columbus precinct at Temple Street in Los Angeles . She was there in line at 9 a.m. Although she voted Republican she says she is happy that Barack Obama won because “he has given a lot of Americans hope for a better future” she goes further “I am very happy that I cast my vote, even if my candidate lost, I feel that I still won, we all won.”

It is evident from this election that a huge turnout of Filipino Americans came out and voted. This is a departure from the perception that Fil-Ams are apathetic to the American Democratic process.

[text & photo: Fasgi, Sherwin Shakramy - Legal Program Coordinator]

AMERICA VOTES FOR CHANGE

History is made, and we are part of it.

Congratulations, President-elect Barack Obama. Congratulations, too, to Sen. John McCain for such a classy concession speech.

This morning I left home first to vote, and then to polling places in West Covina and Walnut, Calif. to report live on FilAm voting experiences for ABS-CBN's news shows.

I was supposed to wait for a family member so that we can vote together after office hours but I just couldn't take the chance, if for some reason I can't be at my polling place by 8 p.m.

I couldn't wait to vote. I couldn't even sleep last night because this is all I think about recently. This was my first time to vote, and there's no chance I will squander this right and privilege.

But after voting, I put aside the personal and went to work to report on today's historic elections.

In two live phone patch reports for ABS-CBN, (and for LA18's Kababayan LA - a last-minute request from colleague and friend, Jannelle So), I spoke about how Filipinos supported each candidadate.

Among the Fil-Am voters I interviewed in the area, a majority (around 70%) supported McCain. "He's a veteran." "He is just better." "He's a Republican." were the reasons they gave. Someone also said that her church told her to vote for McCain so she did.

Those who favored Obama were more detailed in their reasoning: "His economic policies make more sense." "Kay Bush, nawalan ako ng trabaho, nasira ang ekonomiya, so bakit ko iboboto ang kagaya rin nya?" "I voted for him because he gives me hope. I hope that one day, I will see a Filipino American president, too."

The news about Obama's win might not be great for those Filipinos we talked to, but as one Fil Am voter said: "Whoever we voted for, what's important is how we claimed our place and believed in our power as Americans - immigrant or not."

What's in store for FilAms who didn't believe in Obama? In his acceptance speech, Obama acknowledged those who didn't vote for him. He said, "I hear you, too."

But will they hear him, too? That is the hope.

EARLY VOTING SCHEDULEFOR MONDAY, NOV 3

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County (RR/CC) headquarters is open Monday for voters wishing to vote early. Due to the tremendous turnout, they extended the office hours over the weekend but the lines were still long.

RR/CC Clerk Dean Logan said, “Early voting activity in L.A. County reflects high interest by voters wishing to cast their ballots prior to Election Day. They are flocking to the RR/CC in record breaking numbers. The weekend of October 25-26, we began a ‘seven day a week cycle’ open to the public for early voting. During that weekend alone over 2,600 voters came into the office, with another 1,300+ the following Monday.”

November 3rd office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office is located at 12400 Imperial Hwy., Norwalk, CA 90650.

To date, over 977,000 voters have requested vote by mail ballots, and more than 329,500 have returned their voted ballot by mail or in-person to the RR/CC.
“The number of vote by mail ballots requested has surpassed the prior record from the November 2004 General Election, where with the same number of days remaining before the election, 740,000 requests had been made. The total vote by mail ballots cast in that election was 701,693 representing approximately 22 percent of the total votes cast”, Logan said.

BUHAY AMERICA TIP: Cash For Your Old Electronics

Here's a good idea for anyone who wants to raise some money - or just wants to clear some closet space and help the environment in the process: You can exchange your unused electronics for store gift cards.

EcoNEW is a green website that allows you to trade-in products for: Laptops , Desktops , MP3 players, LCD monitors , LCD TVs, Game systems, Camcorders, Digital cameras, and Smartphones/PDAs.

Here are the steps, per its website:

1. Click on the participating retailer's website - Sam's Club, Office Depot, or Navy Exchange -
to enter information about your product to get its value.

2. EcoNEW generates a trade-in value on the product and provides a pre-paid shipping label for you to print and send the product to our ISO 14001 certified partners. Upon receipt, the product is audited and a branded gift card is mailed to you for the trade-in value of the product. Some products have no trade-in value, but you can still send the product back for proper recycling.

3. The returned product may be resold in whole form or broken down for parts. The remaining product is then safely recycled. Other recyclables that you can send are: CRT monitors , printers, fax machines, and small home electronics.

TIMELESS AND TIMELYFormer Tawag ng Tanghalan winner Mar Dureza keeps on singing

By Yong B. Chavez

http://www.filipinonline.com/

As Nelson Doreza, he was "Tawag ng Tanghalan's" undefeated singing champ for 12 weeks. The American Idol-like talent show was the Philippines' most popular in the '60s. His reign as 1968's winningest singer followed then-nascent superstar Nora Aunor's successful run the previous year. They later worked together in the movie "Bahay Kubo Kahit Munti".

The singer now goes by Mar Dureza but neither name-change nor time has dimmed his talent. He has been living in America for more than two decades now. In his early days in America, Mar used his architecture background to work as a draftsman in Chicago for 10 years while singing regularly in local lounges and concert arenas.

He and his wife, Bella, who's his biggest fan and supporter, are currently enjoying their retirement years in Florida but making music is something he says he won't retire from.

"I had a stroke in June of 2005. Now, three years later, I feel alive and kicking once again, although I lost the ability to play guitar because of the effect of the stroke on my left side. However, my voice is as good as ever," he says.

On December 27, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, he will be the recipient of the Hall of Fame awards for achievement in music and art from the Chicago Philippine Reports Television.

His biggest project to-date is his recently released CD called "Maalala Mo Kaya" where he covers popular Filipino love songs called kundiman. Songs in the CD include absolute Filipino classics like Saan Ka Man Naroon, Kapantay Ay Langit, Matud Nila, among others.

In a time when current events might be spurring in you a yearning for the good old days, listening to Dureza's soothing voice singing melodious Filipino songs of yesteryears might do the trick. His CD is available for purchase through CDbaby.com.

Here's more on Mar:

TAWAG NG TANGHALAN:
"One Monday night in February of 1968 I defeated the reigning champion and went on for 12 consecutive weeks successfully defending my title. On the 13th week, Patsy & Pugo, who were the regular emcees of the show, advised me to retire to give others a chance on the championship. The truth of the matter was that the regional finals was approaching and they needed more champions to compete. In order to qualify one should have at least won two weeks. Edgar Mortiz had a lot of weeks to his credit earlier that year but was not competing in the finals because he was already fast becoming a star with the growing Vilma-Edgar tandem.

Although I wanted to win some more weeks, I reluctantly retired under the pressure and my 13th appearance in the show was just as a guest relinquishing my crown to whoever won 1st place that particular night."


NAME GAME:
"I hit the nightclubs circuit instead of going into television and performed professionally all over the Philippines and the Far East. Coming home in 1977 I realized I needed to change my name from Nelson Doreza to Mar Dureza which is actually the shortened version of my real name Mariano Nelson Doreza. Filipino sounding Mar Dureza came quite naturally and easily stuck to the minds of the audiences of "Astral Villa" and "The Manila Garden Hotel" where I performed regularly from 1978-1981 before I came to the USA on a petition visa from my father."


ON THE FICKLE HAND OF FAME:
"I was very unfortunate not to land on a recording job for myself in the Philippines...It seemed that the big stars always got the parts before I did. No wonder my greatest passion was to be able to record something. Here in the U.S., I had my chance when I met Warren Kime, a friend who took interest in the idea of doing an album of Filipino music.

First thing that came to my mind was an album of timeless music - the nostalgic [quality] of kundiman that never grows old and stands the test of time. Not having heard of the Filipino sound before, Warren Kime, who happened to be a band leader, great trumpet player and arranger was faced with a challenge of his musical career. But as I tried to explain it, I may have told him to imagine serenading a beautiful lady with guitars and mandolins and whatever he could think of. He well may have gotten the picture as the result of our little labor of love came out to be something simply perfect as I have expected it. We recorded and released the album in cassette and it was played and sold all over Chicagoland for sometime.

Disc Makers got ahold of the cassette that my wife, Bella, secretly sent to them. After listening to it, they decided to digitally enhance and release it on CD to be marketed in the Internet worldwide. I, myself, drew the cover design that impressed them as well."

PLAYING FAVORITES
"The song that I liked the best in the CD is Ay Kalisud, hands down. This song originated from my home province of Iloilo where I was born on April 17, 1945.

Among my favorite singers, which is a whole lot of them, are Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Ruben Tagalog in the olden days always fascinated me. I also enjoy Hajji Alejandro, Basil Valdez, Rico Puno, Jun Polistico, Anthony Castelo."

DRAWING POWER
Apart from singing, Dureza continues to tend to his other talent. His CD's self-drawn portrait is a testament to that. "I also accept commissions for my drawings of portraits in pencil. You can see sample of my works at www.portraitsoflovedones.com."

BUHAY AMERICA TIPS: Economic Crisis Survival Tip #3BEWARE OF SCAMS, GET HELP FOR FREE

If you're stressed about money these days, you don't need the added aggravation by getting scammed.

So, if you see one of those TV ads promising to GET YOU OUT OF DEBT NOW! - please change the channel. Better yet, turn off the TV to save on power costs. Yes there are legitimate, for-profit credit counseling companies but before you send them anything, thoroughly research their company first. There are scammers, vultures, really, who are capitalizing on the fact that many are having money problems now, and they promise things too-good-to-be-true. Remember, they are not magicians who can just wave off your debts. What's absolutely true? Legit or not, they will get your hard-earned money.

Non-profit organizations are giving help for free. Here are some legitimate and FREE credit counseling organizations:

1. The Homeownership Preservation Foundation
Call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) and receive free counseling when you're facing foreclosure.
Seventy percent of those they've assisted retained their, according to a report.
They will also connect you with free services if you have other financial issues, such as credit card debt.

2. SCORE
SCORE, a nonprofit association working in partnership with the Small Business Administration, offers financial counseling to small businesses.

3. Avvo.com
Avvo is an organization of lawyers (all screened and profiled on the site) who answer legal questions online for free. They specialize in helping regular people like you and me. You can post a question about foreclosure, credit or bankruptcy issues.

Here's the link to some other organizations that you can get free counseling from.

If you have a question or other tips for our kababayans, please let me know.

[Reference: CNN; Photo: UNCG.edu]

COOKIE MONSTER?Popular Creme-filled Cookies Recalled Due to Melamine

As one mom blogger said: Lead is so 2007. It's all bout melamine-tainted product recalls nowadays.

In late September, it was the White Rabbit candy; now it's Koala's March creme-filled cookies.

The cookies are being recalled from U.S. store shelves because "they were made in China and may be contaminated with melamine," a newspaper report say.

Michigan-based Lotte USA Inc. said to the New York Times that it initiated the recall on Sept. 29.

It recalled king-size chocolate, white chocolate and strawberry flavors, family pack-size chocolate, white chocolate, strawberry, chestnut, Hawaii chocolate and Hawaii pineapple flavors.

Melamine is the industrial chemical blamed for killing four infants and sickening thousands of children in China. It's used to make plastics and fertilizers. Melamine is an organic compound that is often combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a synthetic polymer which is fire resistant and heat tolerant. Melamine resin is a very versatile material with a highly stable structure. Uses for melamine include whiteboards, floor tiles, kitchenware, fire retardant fabrics, and commercial filters.

In the Philippines and in many other countries, it is also widely used in plates and other household items. I even remember the blue set I bought from SM more than two decades ago. Oh, those were the days when we were blissfully unaware that the products we use everyday can actually harm us.

So to be safe, here are some tips from SafeMama:

- Don’t microwave, boil or otherwise heat melamine dishware or utensils, ever.
- Hand wash all melamine in warm water with mild soap.
- Use safer materials like bamboo, stainless steel, or BPA-free plastic (same heat rules apply here though, no microwave, hand wash).

[photo from Wikipedia]

FREE HEALTH SERVICES

A lot of people who lost their jobs due to the present economy are hurting from losing their health insurance coverage. Many people don't have health insurance in the first place.

Luckily, there are people in the community who are always there to help those in need.

If you live in or near Los Angeles, here's an opportunity for you to get health screenings for free. At this health fair, you will also get information about eligibility for public health care programs including Medi-Cal, Medicare, Healthy Families, and California Kids.

Here are the details:

Asian Pacific Health Care Venture and The Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles - 5th Annual Pagpahalaga Sa Kalusugan Ng Pamilya Health Fair
Where: Philippine Consulate, Community Hall, Ste.500
3600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90010

When: October 22/2008 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
October 23/2008 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
October 24/2008 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Schedule of Activities & Free Services:
· Blood pressure screening * Glucose screening * BMI screening
· Information about eligibility for public health care programs including Medi-Cal, Medicare, Healthy Families, and California Kids
· Information about available services in the community such as:
o Pregnancy testing & counseling, HIV screening, prevention & counseling
o Family planning; Parenting classes, CPR Training; Nutrition Education for Diabetics
o Healthy Women screenings (mammograms & pap smears),
o Enrollment to WIC, Food Stamps, Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, other health programs
· On-site Osteoporosis scanning services
· Bone Marrow Donor Registration undertaken by the National Marrow Donor Program

ASK A KABABAYAN:"How do I block an e-mail address? This person I don't know keep sending me e-mails...

... even if I asked to be removed from their mailing list."

Answer:

Since you're using Yahoo! Mail, you can block all mail from up to 500 email addresses. All mail from these senders will be automatically deleted before you see it. [This is not for spam - the spam/bulk folder is for that.] Use the list of blocked senders for individual senders whose messages you don't want to receive but won't stop. This will save you the hassle of deleting every incoming mail manually. To have Yahoo! Mail delete all mail from a particular address automatically:
1. Select Options Mail Options... in Yahoo! Mail.
2.) Go to the Spam category.
3.) Type the unwanted email address under Add a blocked address:.
4.) Click Add.
5.) Now click Save Changes.

- For Hotmail, click on this link to get the instructions.

- If you're using a Gmail account, it's a little bit more tedious but it's doable. Here's the how-to.

- For AOL acount holders, here's what I found online to block e-mail address or website. [Caveat: I don't have AOL so I haven't tested this]:
1. On the AOL toolbar, click Settings.

2. In the By Category tab, scroll down and click Spam Controls.

3. Under Control Who I Get Mail From, click the radio button next to Use a Custom Sender List, and then click the Custom Sender List hyperlink.

4. In the Custom Sender List window, choose from the following settings:

- Block all senders and domains listed below: Select this radio button to block mail from the e-mail addresses and domains you specify.

- Remove: Click this to remove a selected e-mail address or domain.

5. Use AOL Smart Block to make room for additional addresses: Select this to enable AOL Smart Block, which automatically removes inactive addresses from your block list to make room for other addresses.

[photo: jcrdesign.com]

BUHAY AMERICA TIPS:Economic Crisis Survival Tips

There's a Tagalog phrase that Pinoys like to say whenever a financial problem hits them: Kailangang maghigpit ng sinturon.

In today's nightmarish economy, belt-tightening has become mandatory.

So, starting today, I will regularly post one or two belt-tightening and money-saving tips that would be a good to follow year-round, crisis or no crisis. If you have a tip of your own, please let us know!

1.) Claim those rewards

Most of our credit cards have some sort of rewards program. Even if you keep a zero balance (Good for you! That's the smart way to go.), you get reward points anytime you use your card so the experience of claiming it can be like finding money under your bed. So review your credit card statement today and find out how much points you have, then claim it! It's easy to claim - log on to their website and choose the reward you want. I recently got about $250 doing this, that's grocery money galore - cash that I don't have to eke out from my budget so it was lovely. I opted for the debit card-type of reward which can be used everywhere.

2.) Get a loyalty card

The painful lesson that a lot of us are learning in today's economic downturn is that mortgaging our future by charging everything to credit cards that we can't pay in full monthly is disastrous. But there are cards that allow us to save: grocery loyalty cards. Because I used to live near Filipino stores like Seafood City where food items are usually cheaper, I rarely shopped at mainstream stores like Albertsons and Ralph's. But when I moved a couple of years ago, those two became the ones I bought grocery items from regularly so I got their loyally cards which allowed me to save hundreds of dollars since. (Here's a caveat, though. When you sign up, they will have your name and shopped items on file but I don't think them knowing I buy bokchoy every week is a huge invasion of privacy.)

REGISTER TODAY!

Mga kababayan, did you register already?

Today, October 6, is the deadline for new voters to register in many states (including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, Indiana and Colorado). California allows registration till October 20.

I don't have to tell you how important this election is not just for us U.S. residents and citizens. Our economic woes are affecting the rest of the world, including our native land, the Philippines.

This election year, an unprecedented number of new voters have registered. Last year, 660,477 people were naturalized, 38,830 of whom were Filipinos. We can be a strong force this election.

Recently, at a party, I spoke with a very nice elderly Pinay and while watching a noontime show on TFC, we got to talking about politics. She asked me who I was voting for, and after answering and explaining my choice, I asked her back. She said she was not voting for my choice even though she feels that he will do a better job because someone told her that my candidate was "going to raise taxes." I asked her where did she hear that. "I don't remember," she said, "I just read about it sa e-mail."

I told her it might be better if she doesn't take at face value the lousy smear tactics that some people have resorted to and instead read up on well-documented reports and fact-checked accounts to get some real information.

I told her that even if she's not a news junkie, she can get valuable knowledge by widening her circle of information.

Earlier she had shared that her family lost a big amount of money because when their bank imploded, their deposit exceeded the FDIC insurance limit. I asked her if she knew why this economic crisis is happening, and she sighed before saying, "kaya nga parang ayokong bumoto ngayong eleksyon eh." A lot of things don't make sense anymore in her political party, she said.

I told her that would be a huge mistake, to waste her opportunity and to abandon her duty when many remain voiceless at a time when too much is at stake. After a while, she nodded.

She said she will research more. I added that, to spike her interest, she should also find out the positions of both candidates on Filipino issues that she can identify with such as the WWII veterans' rights, immigration, and of course, where they stand on things that affect middle class Americans like most of us.

Her earlier hesitation is understandable. Many of us who grew up in the Philippines were not taught how our votes matter. Unfortunately, it was a place where many votes were for sale and/or stolen so voting might not necessarily be a passion. The mantra for some voters there was, "kahit sinong nasa pwesto, walang mangyayari."

I don't know enough about the current political climate back home to say that that has completely changed but this much I know is true: We're in America now, in this place that has been good to us, where we and our children can aspire to greatness no matter the circumstances of our births or gender or race or current station in life. Whether we're Democrats or Republicans or Independents, this is the place where we can be assured our votes matter. And barring any chad-related gaffes, they won't be stolen.

So be a part of history. Claim your space in this country you now call home. Register, and on November 4, let's vote.

Here's the list of State Voter Registration Deadlines:
Alabama Fri, Oct. 24
Alaska Sun, Oct. 5 (postmark by Sat, Oct. 4)
Arizona Mon, Oct. 6
Arkansas Mon, Oct. 6
California Mon, Oct. 20
Colorado Mon, Oct. 6
Connecticut Tues, Oct. 21
Delaware Sat, Oct. 11
District of Columbia Mon, Oct. 6
Florida Mon, Oct. 6
Georgia Mon, Oct. 6
Hawaii Mon, Oct. 6
Idaho Register at Polls
Illinois Tues, Oct. 7
Indiana Mon, Oct. 6
Iowa Fri, Oct. 24 (or on Election Day at polling place)
Kansas Mon, Oct. 20
Kentucky Mon, Oct. 6
Louisiana Mon, Oct. 6
Maine Tue, Oct. 21 (or on Election Day at polling place)
Maryland Tue, Oct. 14
Massachusetts Wed, Oct. 15
Michigan Mon, Oct. 6
Minnesota Same Day Registration at polling place
Mississippi Mon, Oct. 6
Missouri Wed, Oct. 8
Montana Mon, Oct. 6 (or same day at elections office)
Nebraska Fri, Oct. 24 (mail by Fri, Oct. 17)
Nevada Tue, Oct. 4 (or in person until Oct. 14)
New Hampshire Same Day
New Jersey Tues, Oct. 14
New Mexico Tues, Oct. 7
New York Fri, Oct. 10
North Carolina Fri, Oct. 10
North Dakota N/A
Ohio Mon, Oct. 6
Oklahoma Fri, Oct. 10
Oregon Tue, Oct. 14
Pennsylvania Mon, Oct. 6
Rhode Island Sat, Oct. 4
South Carolina Sat, Oct. 4
South Dakota Mon, Oct. 20
Tennessee Mon, Oct. 6
Texas Mon, Oct. 6
Utah Mon, Oct. 6 or in person Tue, Oct. 28
Vermont Wed, Oct. 29
Virginia Mon, Oct. 6
Washington Sat, Oct. 4 (or until Mon, Oct. 20 in person)
West Virginia Wed, Oct. 15
Wisconsin Wed, Oct. 15 (or on Election Day at polling place)
Wyoming Can register at polls

If you are, or someone you know is, a US citizen living abroad, you can get information about overseas voting.

Here's an interesting way to express why you are voting: Go to http://www.amillionreasonstovote.com/ and tell America why you’re voting. Through pictures, words and your voice, you can participate in "A Million Reasons to Vote". All you need to do is go to their website, upload your picture, record your reason to both (written, spoken or both), then share your "patch" in the Virtual Quilt, "made by the people who will be most effected by the outcome of this election, the voting public."

[photo:wisconsinpolitics.tv]

NURSING A DESIRE TO HELP

Filipina Nurse Heads a Charitable Group of Health Professionals

By Yong B. Chavez
FilipinOnline.com

Las Vegas resident Nenita Rattanopas is a mother of two, a registered nurse, a dreamer, and a big-hearted Filipina.

She leads From The Heart Charitable Group, a nurse-organized organization, in its mission to "serve the community and/or people from other countries by coordinating acts of charity or volunteer work from individuals or groups."

Theirs is a small yet steadily growing organization that has big philanthropic plans.

They recently lent a helping hand to a 6 month-old Filipino child named Mikayla Faye Kaiama who needed a liver transplant. The group has also raised funds for the American Cancer Society.

To help more people, this October 11, they will hold their annual charity ball at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. [To donate, visit their website From The Heart Charitable Group, or contact Nenita at nenita_r@fromtheheartcharity.org.]

In this Q&A with FilipinOnline, this admirable Pinay reveals more about their group and their plans.

FilipinOnline: Tell me all about your organization.

Nenita Rattanopas: From The Heart Charitable Group is composed of a multicultural group of healthcare professionals whose vision is to become a premier nurse-organized and nonprofit charitable group supporting other established organizations or individuals to improve quality of life and alleviate suffering. We carry out this mission through fundraising activities, volunteer work or medical missions.

What is your motivation in starting this organization?
In my line of work, I‘ve seen so much pain and suffering. I want to make a positive difference and help improve people’s quality of life.

What are the challenges you've encountered since starting the organization?
Our biggest challenge, of course, is raising the money needed to carry out our mission. We are spending our own money for the most part. We are a “young group” with no prior experience about fundraising, but we are all learning together. Our common and primary goal is to help others who genuinely need help.

What are your dreams for the organization?
My dream for this organization is to eventually get all of the healthcare professionals in Southern Nevada, especially nurses, involved in working, donating or volunteering for a good cause. We plan to do four small projects and one huge event each year.

Tell me about the charity ball. Who will it benefit?
Our 2nd annual charity ball event will be on Oct 11, 2008 from 7 PM to 11 PM at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. Tickets cost $95 per person that includes a nice dinner, entertainment, fashion show with cancer survivors as models, and dancing. We are expecting 250 guests and proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

Would you like to make an appeal to our kababayans to help?
To our kababayans, let’s get involved. We are lucky to have stable jobs. Let us give back to our community, let us help the “not-so-lucky ones” and let us make this world a better place for our children and our children’s children.

FREEBIE ALERT: Have a Birthday in Disneyland for FREE!

The House of Mouse has a wonderful promo in 2009: Free entrance in DisneyWorld (Florida) and Disneyland (California) on your birthday!

Click here for more info. Proof of birthdate is required upon entry.

FILIPINO ANIMATOR JESS ESPANOLA WINS AN EMMY

Jess Española, first Filipino to win an Emmy Award
By DAVID CASUCO

LOS ANGELES — Multi-awarded animator Jess Espanola put the Philippines in view during the 60th annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards last week, bagging one Emmy trophy for his work as Assistant Director for the The Simpsons' "Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind," which was named "Outstanding Animated Program (for programming less than one hour)."

Also given recognitions, along with Jess, are the top executives of Fox Gracie Films and Starz Film Roman, namely: James L. Brooks, Matt Groening (the creator of "The Simpsons"), Al Jean, Ian Maxton-Graham, Matt Selman, and Tim Long, executive producers; John Frink, Kevin Curran, Michael Price, Bill Odenkirk, Marc Wilmore, Joel H. Cohen, Ron Hauge, and Rob Lazebnik, co-executive producers; Lurie Biermacki, and Rick Polizzi, animation producers; J. Steward Burns, writer; Chuck Sheetz, director; Mark Kirkland, supervising director; Patricia Shinagawa, animation timer.

"The Simpsons" (FOX, Gracie Films in association with 20th Century Fox), bested four top nominees, namely: Creature Comforts America "Don’t Choke To Death, Please " CBS, Aardman Animations production in association with The Gotham Group; King Of The Hill "Death Picks Cotton " FOX, 20th Century Fox Television in association with 3 Arts Entertainment, Deedle-Dee Productions & Judgemental Films; Robot Chicken "Robot Chicken: Star Wars" Cartoon Network, ShadowMachine Films, and SpongeBob SquarePants "Inmates of Summer / Two Faces of Squidward" Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon with United Plankton Pictures, Inc.

Jess, who graduated with a fine arts degree from the University of the Philippines, is the first ever Filipino to receive an Emmy award. Although some long-time Filipino residents in Los Angeles are ambivalent on the distinction heaped on him, saying someone else — a Filipino-American engineer — set the milestone in the early 80s, a claim that remains unsubstantiated as of this writing.

Meanwhile, Jess is riding on a crest of mainstream accolade, a feat that validates the common knowledge that Filipino animators are among the best in Hollywood.

"That's correct, a lot of Filipino artists are in the cutting edge of the animation industry. I guess I am lucky that I worked with "The Simpsons," said Jess.

Actually, this is the second time that Jess got involved in an animation project that won an Emmy. He was also an assistant director for "Futurama," an animated show that won the Emmy in 2002. Unfortunately, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences did not include the assistant director in the nomination process then.

How does he feel rubbing elbows with the prime movers of the American entertainment industry?

"It was cool. All of us nominees had a party on August 26 at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences where everybody was given the certificate of honor, but the announcement of winners were set a couple of weeks later on Sept. 13 at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles where the formal announcement was done. During that day, all of us from the studio anxiously waited. And when the final reckoning came, the master of ceremonies called out, 'and the Emmy goes to... The Simpsons!' I thought I punched the air and hollered yeah! It was a surreal experience for me. The excitement was just so overwhelming at that moment," Jess told this writer in an exclusive interview.

Jess, who was given permanent U.S. residency status as a "person with exceptional ability," has an equally compelling life story. Raised by a single mother in a depressed area in Central Luzon, Jess used his artistic talent to survive when he came face to face with hunger.
"I experienced real hunger while I was a boy. There was no food on the table most of the time. Sometimes I just imagine I already ate. It was a hard life," said Jess.

Amazingly, despite the great odds, Jess still remained on top of his class, and people started helping him out when they noticed that he was an exceptionally talented kid. He was among the high achieving students in high school that gained scholarships at the University of the Philippines.

When Hanna Barbera put up Fil-Cartoon Inc., a subsidiary outfit in Pasig, Metro Manila, Jess was hired as a team supervisor and lead animator. Jess's works were, and still are, considered standards of excellence in Philippine animation.

Jess and his family moved to Los Angeles in 1994.

[photo: Jess, holding his Emmy, with The Simpsons' director Raymond Persi]

ADVICE & TOOLS TO SAVE YOUR HOME FROM FORECLOSURE

Homeowners can get tools and important information to prevent foreclosure at a free and comprehensive homeowners preservation fair scheduled for TODAY.

The fair will take place in the Long Beach Convention Center Grand Ballroom, on Pine Avenue, between Ocean Boulevard and Shoreline Drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

Participants must bring a copy of a recent mortgage statement. Counselors and housing experts will offer on-site assistance and information on viable options regarding foreclosure prevention assistance. Presentations will also be conducted on topics which include the foreclosure process and fraud prevention. All information will be kept confidential.

Free parking is available off Pine Avenue at the Convention Center.

The fair will be facilitated by Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services (LANHS), a US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved housing counseling agency. For more information, please contact LANHS at 888-895-2647 or via e-mail at counseling@lanhs.org or visit the agency’s website at www.lanhs.org or the City of Carson’s Housing Development Division at (310) 233-4800.

ASK A KABABAYAN:"How do I get my prescription refilled at another pharmacy. So many things I don't know yet, bago lang ako dito eh."

When I was new here, I didn't even know where to begin at the pharmacy because buying medicine here is different from how we do it in the Philippines where we pretty much just go to the Mercury Drug counter and that's it.

Here you're supposed to have a regular pharmacy pala (recommended so that all your medicine info is concentrated in one place) but I didn't know that so I went through different pharmacies each time I get a prescription, which is not that often, thank God.

I know there's a lot to learn when you're new here, but that's why FilipinOnline is here - to share experiences and hopefully help newcomers like you get the info you need.

Anyway, back to your question: You can just go to your new pharmacy of choice for a refill, just make sure you have your prescription number which is written on the bottle/packaging/drug information sheet of your original prescription.

To avoid the long wait next time, you can even call to have it refilled ahead of time or you can subcribe to auto-refill (I know Rite-Aid has it) so that they will automatically refill your prescription each month, if necessary and allowed by your doctor (see prescription data).

PASYALAN:Bowers Museum's Chinese Terra Cotta Warriors

By: Jon dela Cruz

For FilipinOnline

I guess I can say I was at the right place and at the right time.

The Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor exhibit is one of the most amazing archeological findings of the 20th century. Often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness its grandeur was just too much for me to pass-up. The exhibit runs through October 16.

After attending my high school reunion in SoCal's Dana Point, I spent my remaining weekend with my daughter in the Newport area. It didn't take me a beat to say "YES" when my daughter, Michelle, asked me if I want to go to Bowers Museum in Sta Ana, Calif. to see China's national treasure, the Terra Cotta warriors. The museum presents the largest exhibit of Emperor Qin's Terra Cotta Army ever seen outside of China.

My wife and I are both so into this Terra Cotta warriors, you can see replicas of them scattered around our house.

China's First Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the boy king who united the country in 221 BC and began construction of the first Great wall, was not only obsessed with building but also a fanatic about death. After experimenting with potions to prolong his life, the megalomaniac king abdicated himself to death on his own terms. He would build a standing army of 8,000 soldiers to enforce his rule over the afterlife.

Since his birth in 259 B.C., China's First Emperor was destined to become one of the most important political leaders to rule the country. Beginning at age 13, and for the next 38 years, he assigned over 700,000 workers to build an enormous mausoleum with life-size terra cotta warriors to protect him throughout eternity. The figures vary in height (6ft–6ft 5 in), according to their roles, the tallest being the Generals. The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians.

Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army, there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. The exhibition provides a deeper knowledge of this historical site and showcases 100 sets of objects, which includes approximately 20 life-size figures.

A noted egomaniac, Qin Shi Huang was also known for building large, extravagant structures. Almost immediately after taking power, he began construction on a large wall that would link up bits and pieces of existing defensive walls throughout the country. This would become the forerunner to the Great Wall that's still in existence, most of which was completed under a later dynasty.

This terra cotta army of soldiers, servants, musicians, acrobats, and animals silently remained underground for two thousand years. Until, in 1974, Chinese farmers digging a well made the startling discovery of a terra cotta head. The chariot is one of the only two reproductions displayed at Bowers Museum which is a fifty (50) percent scaled down of the original.

It was noted that the emperor suffered from extreme paranoia as a result of several attempts on his life from outsiders and from within the walls of his palace. He moved from one palace to another to avoid future effort to overthrow him.

Just three years after Qin Shi Huang's death in 210 B.C., the Qin dynasty was overthrown. The imperial system that he'd set in motion, however, would remain at work in China until 1912, when the last Emperor abdicated and China became a Republic.

Despite his reputation as an autocratic ruler, Emperor Qin Shi Huang is still regarded by many today as a pivotal figure in Chinese history whose unification of China has endured for more than two millennia.

[The writer at the exhibit]
So if you happen to be in Southern California, don't miss out on this outstanding array of China's cultural treasure. Visit Bowers museum website at http://www.bowers.org/index.jsp. After its first stop in Southern California, the exhibit travels to the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the National Geographic Society museum in Washington in 2009.

PASYAL Tips:
There are several exciting ways to experience Bowers museum besides the five (5) permanent and the on-going exhibitions. On the date of my visit, we were treated to some activities that went on at the museum's courtyard. Persian and Mexican non-profit groups rendered their own cultural presentations that include music, dances and arts displays. Weekends are usually crowded due to the Terra Cotta warriors exhibit and it is advisable to call or buy tickets in advance. Cameras are allowed in the facility except inside the exhibit areas. So bring your tiniest camera and you maybe able to capture some memorable photos for keeps but you didn't hear that from me.

Ticket, museum hours, and parking information:
Address: 2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Website: http://www.bowers.org/index.jsp
Parking Fee - $8.00 or free at the sourrounding streets
Bowers Museum: (714) 567-3600

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM-4 PM; Friday, 10 AM-8 PM; Sunday-Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM; The fourth Thursday of every month, 10 AM-8 PM

Pricing:
All ticket prices include the exhibition audio tour and access to all other museum galleries.
Weekdays: $25 adults, $19 students and seniors (62+), *$8 children 6-17
Weekends: $27 adults, $21 students and seniors (62+)
Admission for children under 6 is free*Valid June 24 - September 1. Weekdays Only. Must be accompanied by a full price paid adult. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

Tickets are currently on sale for Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor. This is a date and time stamped, specially ticketed exhibition. The last entry is one hour before the museum closes. Tickets can be purchased at the Visitors Services desk at the Bowers Museum, online or via phone through Ticketmaster: 877.250.8999.

FREE DAYS
Sta Ana residents - Free admission to the Bowers' permanent exhibits to Santa Ana residents, with proof of residency (e.g., driver's license, utility bill, etc), on the first Sunday and third Tuesdays of every month.
Target Free Sundays - Starting Sunday, October 5, visitors to the Bowers can enjoy free access to the museum and all activities on the first Sunday of every month.
PIMCO's Free Friday Nights - Free admission for up to 100 visitors per hour at 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 pm. The museum will close at 8:00 pm.

BUHAY AMERICA TIPS:New Mailing Address for N-400 (US Citizenship) Applications

Beginning October 14, 2008, if you are planning to submit an N-400 (US citizenship) application, there's a new Lockbox address to send it to. (Military N-400 cases are still to be submitted at the Nebraska Service Center.)

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS) will forward to the appropriate Lockbox any N-400 applications received at their facilities during the 30-day transition period.

The N-400 form instructions have been updated to reflect the new filing procedures. OTHER UPDATES to be found on the new form: Applicants are required to submit two passport-style photographs and a copy of the Permanent Resident Card for applicants who are lawful permanent residents.

Starting on October 14, applicants must submit Form N-400 and related supplements to one of two new USCIS Lockbox facilities for initial processing, using the following addresses:

Per USCIS: "Since 1998, Form N-400, Applications for Naturalization, have been filed at the four Service Centers. The Service Centers completed initial processing on the cases before the cases were forwarded to the local USCIS Field Offices for interviews. During 2008, the processing of N-400s is undergoing change through a two-step process. First, N-400 cases were transferred internally, by the Service Centers to the National Benefits Center (NBC). The NBC, located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, began to accept N-400 cases from the Service Centers in June 2008. During the time that the first step was taken, there was no change to where the applicants filed their applications.

The Federal Register Notice begins the second step of the process, requiring the public to file their applications directly with a Lockbox facility beginning October 14, 2008. Each Lockbox facility will scan the documents submitted and complete the data entry and fee processing steps before forwarding accepted applications on to the NBC for further processing. The NBC will not accept any N-400 filings mailed directly from the public."

Helpful Info:
Click on Application for Naturalization (N-400) if you need a form. Application Fees: $595 plus a biometrics fee of $80; the fee total is $675. Applicants 75 years of age or older are not charged a biometric fee; their fee total is $595. No fee is required for military applicants filing under Section 328 and 329 of the INA. Forms dated 10/15/07, 07/30/07, 11/01/06, 05/31/01 can be used. No other editions accepted.

REVIEW: "Miracle In Rwanda"

Violence destroyed by Artistry Par Excellence
By Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D.

"We artists are indestructible; even in a prison or in a concentration camp, I would be almighty in my own world of art, even if I had to paint my pictures with my wet tongue on the dusty floor of my cell." -- Pablo Picasso

As Pablo Picasso has wisely shared, Leslie Lewis Sword has become an indestructible artist through her masterful work called Miracle in Rwanda, performing 10 different roles, and speaking three different languages: Rwandan, French and English, leaving indelible marks on her audience about the power of forgiveness and its strength to stop intergenerational transmission of violence.

For countries in the Middle East and their intergenerational cycles of war and peace, or even in my birthplace, Philippines, with its recurring conflicts between the Muslims and the Christians, or wars brewing now in different parts of the world, this play has a universal appeal. By next year, the play would have traveled to worldwide audiences: New York, Florida, Scotland, Costa Rica, Maryland, Stanford, Los Angeles and Rwanda. Throughout 2009, the play is fully booked. To have its Los Angeles debut during the World Music Sacred Festival, Sept. 13-28 is a stroke of genius by its executive producer, Ted Benito, but also adds to the sacredness of its message.

Miracle in Rwanda, a play about Immaculee Ilibagiza’s 91 days of ordeal, confined in a closet-sized bathroom with 7 other women is radical peacemaking. This play was created and was performed by Leslie Lewis Sword. Leslie received her MFA in acting from UCLA’s Department of Theater and Arts and has a BA from Harvard University, cum laude. As featured in Flipinas Magazine, she made her New York debut of Miracle in Rwanda in April 2007. Leslie then took the play to Edinburgh, Scotland, where it became a “ Top 10 Plays “ to watch from 1000 plays showcased.

Miracle in Rwanda is revolutionary as it stops violence from being passed onto the next generation, and instead, in its place, peace. It opens hearts, and it illustrates how hope is sustained amidst terror and adversity through absolute faith in God. And with the power of forgiveness, comes a release of a burdened past, of one’s wounded self being healed, and a wholeness emerging in the present. And with a transformed self, no longer carrying the burdens of a violent past, nor the present by its past’s unconscious power, one is able to fearlessly forge forward.

As Leslie performed for 70 minutes, the audience journeyed with her, into the inner chambers: of fears, of horrors, of pain, and into the outer chambers: of loud chants, stomping feet, dead bodies, of shriveled lives of terrorists, as if animals craving for drips of blood.

She performed as the terrorists and effectively demonstrated their depraved abilities and affinities towards violence: physical, psychological and imagined. She deftly performed their opposites as well: how Immacullee transforms her inner self to first consider, then to consciously create small spaces, then choosing pathways to forgiveness, developing in the process an interpersonal intimacy with Jesus and Mary.

At the end of the show, folks gave her minutes-long standing ovation, generously wrote checks for the orphans of Rwanda, and bought copies of “ Left to Tell “, a memoir written by Immacullee Illibigaza.

Such was forgiveness’ power to influence, such was its power to transform, such was its power to open American hearts to connect with Africans thousands of miles away. It is generous and compassionate America at its best.

Leslie Lewis Sword, an American performance artist of Filipina and African American descent, went beyond her own identity, went beyond her ethnic origins, went beyond her learned multiple languages, including a very privileged background of being born to self-made multimillionaires Reginald Lewis and Loida Nicolas Lewis, to embrace the horrors of this Rwandan genocide, which lasted three months, with 1,000,000 African people senselessly butchered in April 1994, while faced with worldwide indifference, until France intervened. Former President Bill Clinton, for all his greatness in being a good steward of the American economy, visited Rwanda to apologize for the absence of American-initiated interventions to stop this genocide.

But while the U.S. government failed to care, the power of Leslie, a single American citizen to show care, compassion and empathy for others, is growing in depth and impact. Leslie’s private immersion into Rwanda’s genocide led to her own friendship with Immacullee, her and her husband’s own adoption of two children from Rwanda, and her artistic talents fully occupying center stage in many theaters around the world, invoking her own empathy as well as evoking her audience’s generosity to these survivors and orphans of genocide, rippling their multiplier effects, and making this play a transformation vehicle to evolve our own humanity as our collective destinies. It is the power of our American example, rather than a naked example and display of our American power of guns and violence.

Miracle in Rwanda premiered on September at the New Los Angeles Theater (514 Spring St.), attended by nuns, priests, representatives of Archbishop Oscar Solis, television anchors, Los Angeles Times’ critic, and Asian community representatives who were moved to tears. It will run until Sept. 28, from Thursdays to Sundays.

If you want to heal, see this play. If you want to know how to forgive, see this play. If you are an artist and need inspiration, see this play. If you are a progressive, tired of the horrors of war, see this play. If you are a seeker and wish to know how to capture your destiny’s potential, see this play. If you want to know the depths of the rosaries, the sorrowful mysteries and the glorious mysteries and Jesus’ sacrifice of his own life that you and I may live in HIS LOVE, see this play. If you are an avid theater goer who is looking for avant garde works of art, see this play. If you are a lover of cultures and languages, see this play. And lastly, if you are about PEACE, see this play! And for about five lattes, you can help heal the world and end intergenerational violence!

[For showtime and ticket information, click here to go to "Miracle in Rwanda's" website.]

________________________________________________________

Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. retired from the California Department of Public Health, after a 27 years’ public service career as its regional administrator. She served as the city of Los Angeles’ commissioner to the Civil Service Commission and Convention Center, appointed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from 2005-2008. She is a 34 years’ community advocate and volunteer in literacy, civil rights and leadership development. She is an author whose works have been published in the Los Angeles Times, Philippine News, Taliba, Balita, Los Angeles Asian Journal, UCLA’s Amerasia Journal and Quality Press-published newsletters for the American Society of Quality. She is part of the 2,000,000 volunteers, self-organizing for Obama 2008.

[picture: The Guardian]

How You Can Help the Victims of the Metrolink Crash

On Friday, as soon as the Los Angeles train crash news came out, I immediately called my best friend. Like many trying to avoid the cost of high fuel prices, she likes riding the train every working day to Los Angeles. I was so relieved when I found out she was okay. Her train line ran the opposite way. Many people were not as lucky.

The nation’s worst train crash in 15 years - and the deadliest in Metrolink's history - occurred when a Metrolink train collided head-on with a Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth.

This tragedy has claimed 25 lives and left 150 injured. The death toll, per news reports, could still rise owing to the large number of victims still in critical condition.

The Los Angeles County Democratic Party released a notice over the weekend to inform the public on how they can help the victims by donating blood:

"Both the American Red Cross and the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center have called on people to come out and donate blood for victims of this deadly accident. Any person 17 years or older - 16 if accompanied by a parent - and weighing at least 110 pounds is eligible to donate blood.

The UCLA Blood and Platelet Center will be open Monday through Friday to accept blood donations. Healthy donors of all blood types are needed to donate blood. Appointments can be made by calling 310-794-7217, extension 2.

The Red Cross is in need of donations of all blood types. Eligible donors are asked to schedule an appointment to donate by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE or by visiting www.GiveLife.org. Your donation can save lives."

Those wanting more information on blood donation can visit the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center website.

[photo: LAtimes.com]