February 19, 2011 August 10, 2013
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august 10, 2013 haWaii filiPino ChRoniCle 1 ♦♦ FEBRUARY AUGUST 10, 19, 2013 2011 ♦ ♦ HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS FEATURE LEGAL NOTES Maui CounCil tiMe to take ease Visa Rules to RenaMes PaRk afteR filiPino food aVeRt PhysiCian filiPino PolitiCian MainstReaM shoRtage 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 august 10, 2013 EDITORIALS FROM THE PUBLISHER Publisher & Executive Editor lossie…Gil…Henriette… Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D. These storm systems have Smart Development is Publisher & Managing Editor become household names for Chona A. Montesines-Sonido Key to Tourism Growth Hawaii residents these past few weeks. Since we are in Associate Editors s tourism in the Philippines continues to reach F Dennis Galolo the midst of hurricane season, Edwin Quinabo new heights, the government is making badly- which lasts from June to November, now needed improvements to the country’s crum- Creative Designer would be a good time to check your emer- Junggoi Peralta bling infrastructure. Visitors lured to the gency supply list. If you need suggestions on how and what Design Consultant archipelago by the government’s “It’s More Fun to prepare, I encourage you to attend the 3rd Annual Emer- A Randall Shiroma in the Philippines” slogan have all too often gency Preparedness Fair which is scheduled for Saturday, found that getting to their destinations is downright arduous. Photography September 7, 2013 from 9 am to 1 pm at Ewa Makai Middle Tim Llena Unlike other Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines School. This free event is open to all Oahu residents. Let’s Administrative Assistant lacks direct flights and easy connections to nearby islands, prepare now because when disaster strikes, there will not Shalimar Pagulayan meaning that visitors’ finals destination are still a two-hour be enough time to ensure that the resources you and your Columnists boat ride away. family need to survive are available. Carlota Hufana Ader Thankfully, the government is hearing the complaints. On a happier note, our cover story for this month is on Sen. Will Espero In 2012, President Aquino’s administration earmarked a big the Philippines’ booming tourism industry. The Philippines Grace F. Fong, Ed.D chunk of the infrastructure budget to enhance the roads, air- is an ideal destination for adventure travelers, considering Emil Guillermo Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Ph.D. ports, seaports and other facilities near popular tourist des- its year-round sunshine, picturesque beaches and friendly Ron Menor tinations. On the flip side, not everyone appreciates the people. To better sell the Philippines to the world, the gov- J.P. Orias ernment has launched the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” Pacita Saludes tourism boom despite increased employment and income Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. opportunities. Some say tourism has increased noise levels, slogan. The efforts so far have been successful as visitor ar- Charlie Sonido, M.D. harmed the environment and strained the area’s carrying ca- rivals continue to climb. While other tourism destinations Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq. pacity. can make similar claims of fun, it is the Filipino’s reputation Felino S. Tubera Sylvia Yuen, Ph.D. Nevertheless, infrastructure improvements are crucial for hospitality, first-rate service and mabuhay for its visitors for the long-term health of tourism in the Philippines. The that make all the difference in the world. We hope you will Contributing Writers key is to strike a balance between well-planned develop- enjoy reading the cover story which was written by Carlota Belinda Aquino, Ph.D. Hufana Ader beginning on page 4. Incidentally, Carlota was Clement Bautista ment and protecting the environment. With respect to among the lucky participants in the 8th Annual Eighth Am- Teresita Bernales, Ed.D tourism, the availability of a master plan to guide develop- Jorge Camara, M.D. bassadors/Consuls General Tourism Directors Tour held ment is essential. The master plan should serve as the foun- Serafin Colmenares, Jr., Ph.D. July 9-15, 2013. She enjoyed the sights and sounds of Linda Dela Cruz dation for good land use planning, zoning and land use Puerto Princesa and toured Palawan’s natural wonders, in- Fiedes Doctor regulations. It should lay out the government’s social, en- Danny De Gracia, II, MA cluding the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National vironmental and economic objectives that would best serve Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand Park. She experienced first-hand what many visitors have Amelia Jacang, M.D. the interests of the people. It should also identify where fu- come to realize—that it truly is more fun in the Philippines! Caroline Julian ture growth should occur, evaluate the adequacy of existing Maita Milallos In other news, the Maui County Council passed on sec- Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. infrastructure, protect the Philippines’ natural environment ond and final reading Bill 52 (2013) which renames Waihee Glenn Wakai from incompatible development and maintain agricultural Ball Park to the Richard “Pablo” Caldito Park. The bill now Amado Yoro lands. goes before the mayor for his signature. Caldito holds the Philippine Correspondent Greg Garcia Rather than rely on the national government, municipal- distinction as the first Filipino-American to be elected to a ities and cities in the provinces need to come up with their county office in the U.S. For more on the life of the late Big Island Distributor Grace Larson own tourism master plans and align it with the national gov- Richard “Pablo” Caldito, please turn to page 11. Ditas Udani ernment’s tourism development direction. If done properly, That’s all for now. Once again, we’d like to thank our Maui Distributor the Philippines will be able to capitalize on the benefits of readers and advertisers for their faithful support. It’s truly Cecile Piros sustainable tourism for the benefit of future generations. a blessing to partner with them in our mission to serve Molokai Distributor Hawaii’s vibrant and dynamic Filipino community. Please Maria Watanabe feel free to share with us any story ideas, suggestions or Advertising/Marketing Director U.S. Congress Must concerns you may have. Send your email to: filipinochron- Chona A. Montesines-Sonido [email protected]. Account Executives Right Where the Until next time… aloha and mabuhay! Carlota Hufana Ader J.P. Orias The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle is published Supreme Court Went weekly by The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. It is mailed directly to subscribers and dis- and elected districts. This part of the Act, Section 4, essen- tributed at various outlets around Oahu and Wrong the neighbor islands. Editorial and advertis- tially required these states to get "preclearance" from the Jus- ing deadlines are three weeks prior to pub- ost of us know how the Supreme Court blun- lication date. Subscriptions are available at tice Department before changing elections rules or $75 per year for Oahu and the neighbor is- dered in its 2010 Citizens United ruling that procedures. While Section 4 specifically targeted southern lands, continental U.S. $80, foreign country $90. Copyright 2006-2012. The Hawaii Fil- opened the floodgates for unlimited sums of states, by extension of the law it also kept all other states in ipino Chronicle Inc. is located at 94-356 money from corporations and unions to sway the union from enacting rules and procedures discriminatory Waipahu Depot, Waipahu, HI 96797. Tele- phone (808) 678-8930 Facsimile (808) 678- elections. in nature. Section 4 was effective because it provided inde- 1829. E-mail [email protected]. M Website: www.thefilipinochronicle.com. If that wasn't already enough to undermine pendent, extra scrutiny by the Justice Department. It also was Opinions expressed by the columnists and the elections process to favor the well-established and power- "pre-emptive" in nature, stopping a discriminatory change to contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle manage- ful status-quo, the Supreme Court just recently made yet an- laws before an election date, not after an election when dam- ment. Reproduction of the contents in whole other controversial ruling that could change the elections age would have already been done. or in part is prohibited without written per- mission from the management. All rights re- process even more. In the last election alone, "preclearance" stopped damag- served. Printed in the U.S.A. The Supreme Court voted last month to strike down a sec- ing laws from going into effect in Florida, Texas and South www.thefilipinochronicle.com tion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that required the Justice Carolina, according to the NAACP's legal defense fund. The www.efilipinochronicle.com (continued on page 3) MeMber, Society of ProfeSSional Department to oversee how Southern states regulate voting JournaliStS august 10, 2013 haWaii filiPino ChRoniCle 3 OPINION Same Sex U.S. Fiancée Visa Petitions Now Okay - censed lawyers who advertise ipino-American woman who But Beware of Scammers heavily and charge clients un- styled herself as a "Bonded But these same sex A few days ago, Napoli- concionable fees. Immigration Law Consultant" NO LIMITATION spousal benefits are condi- tano issued another official di- Many TV lawyers who ad- By Ted Laguatan - operated offices in different tional on the marriage being r e c t i v e t o t h e U . S . vertise heavily are not even of- parts of the U.S. In 2008, fed- ast month, the legal in the country or state Immigration and Citizenship ficially certified by the State eral authorities raided her of- U.S. Supreme where it took place. Currently, Services (USCIS) - stating that Bar as Specialists or Experts fices and seized her files.