Msgr. Gutierrez Zena Babao Bill Labestre The Cross: Communion with the Hard Choices A Collision - p. 8 Living God - p. 13 - p. 6 SeptemberSeptember 12-18, 12-18, 2014 2014 The original and first Asian Journal in America PRST STD U.S. Postage Paid Philippine Radio San Diego’s first and only Asian Filipino weekly publication and a multi-award winning newspaper! Online+Digital+Print Editions to best serve you! Permit No. 203 AM 1450 550 E. 8th St., Ste. 6, National City, San Diego County CA USA 91950 | Ph: 619.474.0588 | Fx: 619.474.0373 | Email: [email protected] | www.asianjournalusa.com Chula Vista M-F 7-8 PM CA 91910 PHL seeks review of UN peacekeeping guidelines after Golan controversyby Xianne Arcangel, GMA News | MANILA, 9/8/2014 Cate launches ‘Neighborhoods So what are you doing for the salvation — The Philippine government First’ Coalition has asked the United Nations of your soul? to review the principles and guidelines of its peacekeep- ing operations following the Sometimes I sit back and try to analyze my life. recent controversy involving “What have I done that benefi ted mankind?” I ask myself. Filipino troops stationed in Golan Heights. By Simeon G. Silverio, Jr. In a letter sent to UN Publisher & Editor Secretary General Ban Ki- San Diego Asian Journal moon, Foreign Affairs Secre- The Original and First Asian Journal In America tary Albert del Rosario urged the UN to revisit its rules on peacekeeping to keep up with San Diego, California the “new threats” faced by SAN DIEGO, 9/5/2014 -- important to each neighbor- February 26, 2005 peacekeepers. Chris Cate, Candidate for San hood within District 6, and “The Philippines strongly Diego City Council District then help develop solutions proposes a revisit of the 6, announced the formation to solve those problems, the outstanding operational of the Neighborhoods First coalition is the fi rst of its kind and tactical issues [related Coalition last week. Designed (Continued on page 4) ’ve got a friend, a medical doctor, who is seeking a job in a Non-Governmental Or- to peacekeeping], includ- to identify the issues most ganization that would enable her to help the poor. Her children are all settled and she ing the UN’s command and Inow has the time and resources to pay back the community through public service. control vis-a-vis the safety I still don’t have the luxury of free time; I am still sending two of my three daugh- and security of peacekeepers Proud mother Lys Barawid ters to college. At this point in my life, I cannot afford to choose a job that would pay during kidnapping and siege honors her doctor son the bills and have a positive impact on the community. But I am not complaining. One incidents, the accountability of my happiest and most fulfi lling moments is when I am able to scrape enough money of UN peacekeeping mission to deposit in the bank accounts of my youngest daughters for their allowance and rent leaders for decisions made money for the month. Masaya ako kahit butas ang bulsa ko (I am happy although I ran during crisis operations, as out of money). well as the contingency plans I know we are lucky to fi nd fulfi llment in our jobs, especially if we work in our fi eld and procedures [in place] to of interest. That is what people strive to achieve in their “dream jobs.” But at some point address these situations,” Del in our life, especially at my age, people want to pay back society -- in my case, for the Rosario said in the letter. salvation of my soul. The correspondence with When my time comes, St. Peter might ask me what I’ve done that positively benefi t- Ban was read by Del Rosario ed the world before allowing me to enter the Gates of Heaven. I need to compile a list of during the budget briefi ng of good deeds. the Department of Foreign By Simeon G. Silverio, cessful Filipina American Affairs at the House of Repre- Asian Journal | SAN DIEGO, businesswoman in San Diego, Positive Contributions sentatives on Monday. 9/12/2014 -- Tomorrow, will host a dinner celebration The controversy erupted September 13, my kumadre, to honor her son, Dr. Edward Some of us are able to positively contribute to the society and at the same time fulfi ll earlier this month after several Lys Barawid, who is a suc- (Continued on page 6) our obligations to our families. A friend of mine is able to attend to the needs of his Filipino peacekeepers defi ed family, especially his ailing daughter, while at the same time doing volunteer works at an order from the commander Bar topnotchers pay it forward the “Tahanang Walang Hagdan (House without stairs)”. This charitable agency assists of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in before making their pile (Continued on page 2) Golan Heights at the height of a standoff with Syrian mili- tants. A Husband’s Musings on His Wife’s Battle with Breast Cancer The commander, Lt. Gen. By Joseph Roley-Arzaga Iqbal Singh Singha, supposed- ly wanted the Filipino troops As a parent volunteer at to lay down their fi rearms to my boys’ elementary school, I ensure the safety of Fijian frequently have children laugh peacekeepers seized by the at me and ask why I’m wear- rebels. ing a pink bracket or shirt. The UNDOF offi cial has For them pink isn’t a boy’s slammed the Filipino troops’ By Tarra Quismundo, wards of representing the gov- color. Perhaps when they are actions, calling their sub- Philippine Daily Inquirer | ernment in landmark court older they will understand I sequent escape an “act of MANILA, 9/7/2014 -- Many battles, while still getting wear it not as a fashion state- Left photo: My wife with her friend Janelle who was by her side throughout cowardice.” would sprint for the high pay some downtime—considered ment or because I look good the battle.. Right photo: My wife receiving a hand-made afghan blanket knitted The Philippine military, on and the perks of private law a luxury in the legal profes- in pink, but rather to show by a breast cancer survivor. the other hand, supported its practice. But for these bar sion. support for my wife who never endure the pain of being cover that lump is indescrib- troops’ actions. topnotchers, a fat paycheck Over the past two years, nine recent battles breast cancer. treated for breast cancer. The able. The sickening feeling would never match the re- (Continued on page 7) In all likelihood, I will fear you have when you dis- (Continued on page 10) (Continued on page 4) Encinitas is the site of the future Divine Mercy Shrine. The site is on Encinitas Blvd., east of I-5, about a mile and a half from Moonlight Beach and two miles south of the Paramhansa Yogananda Self-Realization Center. If you would like to know more about the project, please contact Zarina Cruz at [email protected] or check for updates on www.divinemercyhills.org, the ocial website of the Divine Mercy Hills Foundation of Southern California (DMHFSC). Mission Statement. The DMHFSC is dedicated to the design, development, and maintenance of a Divine Mercy Shrine located in Encinitas, CA. for the purpose of spreading to an aching world the Divine Mercy message and devotion. To draw people of all nations, cultures, and beliefs to a vessel with which they are to keep coming in prayer for graces to the fountain of mercy - the Image of the Divine Mercy. For meditational and contemplative prayers venerating this image with trust in our Lord Jesus Christ who said, "I promise that the soul that will venerate this Image will not perish. I also promise victory over its enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as My own glory... By means of this image I shall Jesus, I Trust in You! grant many graces to souls." Through this shrine we shall proclaim to the whole world God's unfathomable Mercy. Page 2 Asian Journal - (619) 474-0588 Visit our website at http://www.asianjournalusa.com September 12-18, 2014 I got frustrated when I realized that public parent of a battered child, Joshua. VAWA and private institutions like the Ford Founda- applies equally to women and men, and al- tion give millions of dollars worth of grants lows certain spouses, children and parents of Our Life & Times to public service agencies -- yet those money Legal Buzz U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green do not directly help the poor but are used card holders) to fi le a petition for themselves A Monthly Forum hosted by and for the Fili- to pay the salaries of the administrators and by Atty. Aurora Vega-Buzon Esq. without the abuser’s knowledge, to afford pino American Community of San Diego the researchers. Fortunately, my research on or give the battered spouse, child or parent sari-sari (retail) stores was published into a Law Offi ces of Chua Tinsay & Vega safety and independence from the abuser. book by the Ateneo University Press. It was www.ctvattys.com USCIS will not notify the abuser when a by Simeon G. Silverio Jr. a small consolation for my efforts. VAWA petition is fi led. Religious Book Publisher Read Atty. Aurora Vega’s previous articles by visiting If you are fi ling as a spouse, you will have Read Sim Silverio’s previous articles by visiting our So that I wouldn’t be used as a propaganda our website at www.asianjournalusa.com to show that you were the abused spouse tool of the government martial law, I delib- of a U.S.