February 21, 2015 Hawaii Filipino Chronicle 1
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fEBruary 21, 2015 HaWaii filipino cHroniclE 1 ♦ FEBRUARY 21, 2015 ♦ CANDID PERSPECTIVES FEATURE LEGAL NOTES tv’s ‘frEsH off tHE Happily EvEn ExpandEd daca Boat’ rEMinds ME of aftEr for filing to start fil-aM pionEErs Miss aMErica 2001 fEBruary 18 PRESORTED HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE STANDARD 94-356 WAIPAHU DEPOT RD., 2ND FLR. U.S. POSTAGE WAIPAHU, HI 96797 PAID HONOLULU, HI PERMIT NO. 9661 2 HaWaii filipino cHroniclE fEBruary 21, 2015 EDITORIALS FROM THE PUBLISHER Publisher & Executive Editor nticipation is building among Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D. Well-Loved Musician boxing fans as news of the long Publisher & Managing Editor awaited Pacquiao-Mayweather Chona A. Montesines-Sonido Leaves Lasting Impression fight may soon become a reality. Associate Editors illiam Shakespeare once wrote “If music be Promoters continue to remain A Dennis Galolo the food of love, play on.” Such words beau- tight-lipped, but if approved, the Edwin Quinabo tifully describe the life of the late Angel Ma- megafight of the millennium would be held Contributing Editor tias Peña—a legendary Filipino classical and May 2, 2015 at the MGM Grand in Las Belinda Aquino, Ph.D. W jazz composer and musician. A child prodigy Vegas, where Mayweather has fought exclusively for years. In Creative Designer in the tradition of Mozart and other great leg- case you’re wondering, the 36-year-old Pacquiao is 57-5-2 Junggoi Peralta ends of music, Angel began his musical career as a guitarist with 38 knockouts, while Mayweather (47-0 with 26 KOs), Photography and through hard work and discipline, made his way to the turns 38 later this month. Tim Llena forefront of the Philippine music scene from the 1930s to the Speaking of exclusive, we recently caught up with Miss Administrative Assistant 1960s. He was a multi-award winning composer, arranger America 2001 Angela Baraquio who was in town for a special Shalimar Pagulayan and double-bass player—in both the classical and jazz genres. signing of her inspirational new book entitled “Amazing Win, Columnists Angel was a pioneer in composing and popularizing jazz in Amazing Loss…Miss America Living Happily, EVEN After” Carlota Hufana Ader Emil Guillermo the Philippines’ musical culture. This musical genre came to which details how she rose above her personal fears, family Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Ph.D. be known as “Pinoy Jazz.” tragedy and other challenges in life. If you want a copy, order Ron Menor J.P. Orias During the 1970s, Angel was recruited as a double bassist it online at amazon.com or drop by Na Mea Hawai’i Native Pacita Saludes for the prestigious Honolulu Symphony Orchestra where he Books at the Ward Warehouse. Read more about Baraquio in Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. performed until his retirement in the late 1990s. Angel wrote our exclusive feature story on page 8. Charlie Sonido, M.D. over 100 musical arrangements during his 18 years with the This issue’s cover story is about the inspirational life of Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq. Felino S. Tubera Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. Even into his twilight years, Angel Matias Peña who is arguably one of the greatest Filipino Sylvia Yuen, Ph.D. Angel remained a highly-sought after arranger and an award- musicians and composers who ever lived. Written by none Contributing Writers winning composer whose works include Igorot Rhapsody, other than Dr. Lindy Aquino, the article covers Mang Angel’s Clement Bautista Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra, Bagbagtulambing humble beginnings, extraordinary musical talents and his con- Teresita Bernales, Ed.D Jazz Fantasy, and the immortal kundiman, Iyo Kailan Pa tributions to the Philippines’ music scene. We hope you will Serafin Colmenares, Jr., Ph.D. Man. enjoy reading “A Man Called Angel” beginning on page 4. Julia Crowley Linda Dela Cruz Angel passed away peacefully on December 22, 2014 in Also in this issue, Dr. Raymund Liongson, an associate Fiedes Doctor his home in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila, but not before professor at Leeward Community College, writes about a Danny De Gracia, II, MA living a full life that blessed many who came into contact protest at the Philippine Consulate against the construction of Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand Amelia Jacang, M.D. with him. It is most unfortunate that today’s generation did a luxury condo that some say encroaches on the monument of Caroline Julian not hear him play or are even aware of his musical composi- national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Opponents of the project have Federico Magdalena, Ph.D. tions. For all of his accolades and immense musical and artis- Deborah T. Manog called on the Philippine government to take steps to stop and Maita Milallos tic talents, Angel remained humble, deeply spiritual and is even demolish the project. Please turn to page 6 for more on Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. remembered as truly a “gentleman’s gentleman.” the protest and controversial project. Seneca Moraleda-Puguan Lilia Q. Santiago, Ph.D. Angel’s passing is not a period, but a comma in the sen- That’s all for now. Please drop us an email at: fil- Jay Valdez, Psy.D. tence of life. He may be absent in body but is present with [email protected] if you have any story ideas, tips or Glenn Wakai the Lord and in a far better place. Some people come into our concerns regarding Hawaii’s dynamic and vibrant Filipino Amado Yoro lives and quickly go. Others, like Angel, stay for a while and community. Our sincerest thanks to all of you for reading and Philippine Correspondent Greg Garcia leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the faithfully supporting the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle—the Big Island Distributor same. We will miss you, Mang Angel, and bid you Godspeed. state’s leading Filipino newspaper! Grace Larson Until next time…aloha and mabuhay! Ditas Udani Maui Distributor Public Support Dips For Cecile Piros Molokai Distributor Floundering Rail Project An even greater long shot would be for the State to stop Maria Watanabe taking its 10 percent share for collecting the GET surcharge. Advertising/Marketing Director ahu’s fixed rail project has received negative According to some estimates, the State has raked in nearly Chona A. Montesines-Sonido press of late, much to the chagrin of taxpayers. $1.6 billion from the surcharge since it was implemented in Account Executives Carlota Hufana Ader The $5.3 billion project is now over $900 million 2007 and has so far received some $156 million for adminis- J.P. Orias more than originally projected—a mind-boggling trative costs. Most, if not all, of this money has been probably The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle is published deficit that many people are finding downright spent but if the proposal gains approval, at least future GET weekly by The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. O It is mailed directly to subscribers and dis- unacceptable. And for good reason. City trans- funds can be deposited into the City’s coffers where it right- tributed at various outlets around Oahu and the neighbor islands. Editorial and advertis- portation officials have doled out repeated reassurances that (continued on page 3) ing deadlines are three weeks prior to pub- lication date. Subscriptions are available at rail would be completed on time and on budget—and that $75 per year for Oahu and the neighbor is- lands, continental U.S. $80, foreign country there was more than enough money in the contingency fund $90. Copyright 2006-2014. The Hawaii Fil- ipino Chronicle Inc. is located at 94-356 to cover delays and other expenses. Not surprisingly, there Waipahu Depot, Waipahu, HI 96797. Tele- phone (808) 678-8930 Facsimile (808) 678- have been increased calls to halt the project while there is 1829. E-mail [email protected]. still time. Website: www.thefilipinochronicle.com. Opinions expressed by the columnists and To continue funding the cash-strapped project, the Hon- contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle manage- olulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) has asked the Leg- ment. Reproduction of the contents in whole or in part is prohibited without written per- islature to make the collection of the general excise tax (GET) mission from the management. All rights re- surcharge permanent, instead of letting it end as scheduled in served. Printed in the U.S.A. www.thefilipinochronicle.com 2022. The request is a long shot for this legislative session, www.efilipinochronicle.com considering that HART could not provide lawmakers with MeMber, Society of ProfeSSional solid financial data as requested. JournaliStS fEBruary 21, 2015 HaWaii filipino cHroniclE 3 CANDID PERSPECTIVES TV’s ‘Fresh off the Boat’ Reminds Me of damn main course. Unfortu- “Parks and Recreation.” Fil-Am Pioneers nately, Cho’s show was a At its core, “FOTB” is still product of the times and in- the story of a modern Asian- dicative of a society still strug- American family struggling to gling to deal with the notion of be a part of American society. By Emil Guillermo a multi-cultural America. “All I graded the first episode n general, Asian- American Girl” was off the air an “A.” But the second episode A m e r i c a n s by 1995. on Tiger Mom style was a “B- around the nation Thirty years after the Civil plus” at best. And I really like were celebrating Rights Act, Asian-Americans Constance Wu, the actress. a breakthrough were still relatively invisible Something struck me wrong I Poncie Ponce Leon Lontoc last week. For the and most of society had no about a Tiger Mom making a first time in 20 years, a modern As a Filipino-American a houseboy in “Mission Im- problem with our lack of in- sitcom morality point after run- Asian-American family was on who was the first on one of the possible” and was Ah Yee in clusion.