PAGE 2 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 1-15, 2016 THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 1 -15, 2016 • PAGE 3 Bennette Espineli Misalucha SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1987 PUBLISHER Mary Llanos Cordero MANAGING EDITOR Bennette Espineli Misalucha Looking for the Next DIRECTOR OF DESIGN Armando Dela Cruz Busmente PRODUCTION MANAGER Alice Llanos Busmente Ben Cayetano ASSISTANT EDITOR Radiant Cordero One of the most “feelings of inferiority”) to COPY EDITOR Danielle Evangelista memorable images of become the most powerful person in the planet. PHOTOGRAPHERS/GRAPHICS President Barack Obama at Brandon dela Cruz the White House, is that one As Obama’s 2008 slogan Noah Felipe Gabe de Liso of him bending down to once declared: “Yes, we Jeff Orig accommodate this little 5- can.” James Ramos year-old black boy who Why do we need COLUMNISTS symbols? Symbols are Edna Alikpala wanted to touch his hair. Rhoda Yabez Alvarez, Esq. The boy was intent on supposed to represent Jesse Bacon II Nancy Bernal checking out whether the something abstract. For Cesar Bonilla President’s hair was like his concepts such as “hope”, Alice Llanos Busmente Amelia Casamina Cabatu own. “The American dream”, Anabel Gasmen Cabebe To a casual observer, it “success” and “greatness”, Dr. Rickie Camara Dr. Patricia Halagao may be that the little boy, these ideas may be difficult Zeny Muyot Angie Santiago Jacob Philadephia, was just to grasp unless we turn to Perfecto Yasay Jr. trying to satisfy his people who seem to have CONTRIBUTING WRITERS curiosity. But the image has achieved them. In business, Conrad Abuel evoked such strong for example, some local Ric Agnes Paul Alimbuyao sentiments and has become leaders like Eddie Flores, Ria Baldevia Eriza Bareng an iconic reflection of the Roland Casamina, Lito Marnelli Joy Basilio undeniable truth: President Alcantra come to mind. They emerge as a leader in our compiling these narratives; Bernie Caalim Randy Cortez Obama is a symbol for all came from humble Paradise State. your commitment to our Radiant Cordero African-Americans backgrounds, overcame the It’s been 14 years since Mary Cruzada paper is much appreciated. Jaime de Jesus everywhere. incredible odds and achieved Governor Cayetano left To our readers, we hope Brandon dela Cruz Christian Evangelista Here is an excerpt from success in their industry. To office. Unfortunately, to you will get to know these Imelda Gasmen an article in the New York us, they stand as symbols date, the leadership seat candidates in order to Veronika Geronimo Leo Gozar Times (May 23, 2012) where of what is possible in vacated by Governor choose wisely. As a matter Ben Gutierrez the writer, Jackie Calmes America. Cayetano (or a similar state- of policy, The Fil-Am Courier Kathleen Lee Carmela Minaya shares the insights of David But in the field of politics, wide context) remains does not endorse candidates Gladys Quinto Marrone Gladys Menor Axedrod. there is a vacuum. elusive. There were many but we encourage our John Pagaragan “David Axelrod, Mr. For the past many who tried but unfortunately readers to do their Paola Rodelas Judy Relosimon Obama’s longtime adviser, political seasons, the Filipino with limited success. Ron homework, learn more about Sandra Sagisi has a copy framed in his community in Hawaii has Menor, Willie Espero, Nestor the candidate’s views and Nicole Velasco Jason Ubay Chicago office. He said of been on the lookout for such Garcia ran for Congress at bottom line, to vote and MichiVillaruz Jacob, “Really, what he was a symbol, someone who can some point in their careers have their voices be heard. NEIGHBOR ISLAND BUREAU saying is, ‘Gee, you’re just emerge from the pack and but despite their strong In the meantime, I dream and Maui Kit Zulueta like me.’ And it doesn’t take lead. background and robust hope of better things to Jeremy Zane a big leap to think that child In 1994, when Benjamin experience, they came up come. I hope that from Big Island could be thinking, ‘Maybe I Jerome Cayetano won the short. amongst the many, another Mil Asuncion Jane Clement could be here someday.’ election as Hawaii’s State Don’t get me wrong: we Ben Cayetano or another Dr. Margarita Hopkins This can be such a cynical governor, he entered the are still proud of the reiteration may surface to Kauai business, and then there history books as the first accomplishments of our Fil- fill the leadership vacuum. Virgie Cruzada are moments like that that Governor of Filipino ancestry am leaders. Every single one Yes, my hope springs Liza Trinidad Marynell Valenzuela just remind you that it’s in the United States of of them. We acknowledge eternal that from amongst ADVERTISING SALES worth it.” America. Along with so that some have broken today’s local politicians will MarivicAldaya I think it’s a safe bet many countless others, I barriers and continue to emerge the next Governor, Mary Cordero Annabel Cabebe that many African-American was one of the volunteers bring honor and glory to our or the next Congressman or Florence Tan McCollom children have been inspired who campaigned hard to community. And for every the next US Senator, or even Lydia Kamiya Joni Redick-Yundt by President Obama’s make it happen. And at his little barrier broken, we all US President of Filipino- Rudy Bautista Marynel Valenzuela personal narrative. His inauguration, I was one of benefit. American ancestry. incredible story of a having the thousands whose pride In this issue of the Fil- Think about it: when we CIRCULATION Florence Tan (Oahu) a brilliant absentee father was literally bursting out of Am Courier, we showcase the have a Filipino (Filipina?) in Ron Oshiro(Leeward Oahu) who left when he was a our hearts. I remember I Filipino-American men and the White House, instead of David Cordero (Maui) Marynel Valenzuela (Kauai) child, a single mother who cried. We identified with Ben women who are running for a President showing his hair Milli Asuncion (Big Island) was a strong advocate/ and we embraced his journey office in the next Primary to a five-year-old, we could LEGAL COUNSEL activists who inculcated him as our own. He was one of election scheduled for have a picture showing the Alfredo Evangelista, Esq. Atty. Ernesto Urbano (Phils.) with strong values, and us. August 13, 2016. They are food served at the White loving grandparents who And when he finished his running for Senate, House House dining table: sinigang, THE FIL-AM COURIER is published twice a month by provided a stable term in 2002 on a good note, seats and Council districts. fried bangus, lumpia and OAHU RELOCATION SERVICES located at 2221 Liliha St. background and raised him the whole community felt so First of all, we commend pancit with halo-halo for Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 through tumultuous times: proud of the incredible them for taking that dessert. Opinions expressed by the columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Fil-Am the familiar story line legacy he left behind as the courageous step to be Then the seeds of Courier. Publisher reserves the right to edit letters to the editor and other material submitted. Repro- resonates with those with esteemed Governor of our politically involved since as BELIEVING may be planted. duction of material and ads appearing in the Fil-Am courier is forbidden without written permission. All similar life journeys. beloved state. Thank you, we all know, it takes Maybe, somewhere, a little photos submitted become the property of the Fil- Am Courier. President Obama has Ben. tremendous sacrifice to run Filipino-American girl could Telephone: 808.595.8787 even become a symbol for Today, even if our for public office. We wish be saying: ‘“Gee the Facsimile: 808.595.6883 E-Mail: [email protected] many children from Hawaii; political ideologies may have them good luck and good President eats the same www.filamcourier.net they may be so inspired to since diverged, I still have a fortune in their sincere desire food as me. Maybe, I too MEMBER think that yes, someone lot of love and aloha for this to serve. can be President.” HFAMC from these Islands can man, Ben Cayetano, who A big mahalo to our Federation of Filipino American Media Associations of the United States and Canada overcome feelings of paved the way for all of us writers, Jaco Gallarde, FFAMAS inadequacy (or as former to believe that yes, a Randy Cortez and Assistant Hawaii Filipino American Media Council Governor Burns once said Filipino-American can Editor Radiant Cordero for All rights reserved printed in the u.s.a © PAGE 4 • THE FIL-AM COURIER • AUGUST 1-15, 2016 Our cover.... FILIPINO-AMERICAN CANDIDATES ABOUND IN THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS Compiled by JACO GALLARDE RADIANT CORDERO & RANDY CORTEZ Editor’s Note: Primary elections in Hawaii is scheduled for Saturday, August 13, 2016. We reached out to Filipino-American candidates who are on the ballotto get more acquainted with their reasons for running as well as their connections to the Philippines.We gave equal opportunities to everyone to respond and here are the responses we received: In alphabetical order: opportunities we have as preserving my officials from the Metro Our cover features today are largely available knowledge in Filipino Manila Development candidates for the 2016 due to the courage, customs is important, and Authority and municipal primary election who are dedication and sacrifice of through my skills in officials in Leyte Island to of Filipino-American prior generations. I’m language. I speak discuss ideas and best ancestry. working on the continuing Tagalog, the national practices in matters challenges of improving language of the Philippines.