HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS PHILIPPINE NEWS MAINLAND NEWS inside look Hawaii’s Plantation 5 Gov’t Won’t Lift 11 Pinoys 3rd Largest 12 JULY 19, 2008 Village to Dedicate OFW Deployment Group of New Flag Memorial Plaza Ban to Iraq Arrivals in U.S.

H AWAII’ S O NLY W EEKLY F ILIPINO - A MERICAN N EWSPAPER 30,000 Pinoys in NAIA-3 TO OPEN FOR S. Korea to be Deported DOMESTIC FLIGHTS ON By Jose Rodel CLAPANO igrante International recently asked President Arroyo to take drastic JULY 23 Mmeasures to ensure the safe return of 30,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) By HFC STAFF who are expected to be deported as South Korea steps up its campaign against un- espite controversies documented migrant workers. on the project and In a statement, Migrante International Dafter years of delay, chair Connie Bragas-Regalado said that Mi- grante members in South Korea informed the Ninoy Aquino Interna- them that South Korean President Lee tional Airport (NAIA) Termi- Myung-Bak’s marching orders are to flush “unregistered aliens” out its borders. nal 3 will have a dry run on “Thousands of OFWs are expected to July 23, 2008 with an initial be arrested, detained, prosecuted and de- ported from different countries as massive number of 23 domestic crackdown of undocumented workers will flights per day. intensify in EU (European Union) countries, South Korea and Malaysia. We have re- Michael Defensor, Chief of the Presi- ceived reports from our members in South dential Task Force on NAIA-3, said that for Korea that after President Lee Myung-Bak’s the past several weeks, workers have been marching orders to flush out unregistered busy making final preparations for a dry run. aliens in their country last February, immi- (continued on page 4) The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) (continued on page 4) Filipino Priest Holds Healing RP Bowlers Strike Gold in Asian Service in LA Bowling Tourney ens of thousands were present eteran Pinoy bowler Chester King at the Los Angeles Sports dished out a sterling performance, V while teammate Raoul Miranda held T Arena last month for Heal LA— a healing service and Eucharistic cel- his own ground to give the Philippines a ebration. Many were touched by gold-silver finish in the men’s all-events Father Fernando Suarez and healed, competition in the 20th Asian Tenpin Bowl- they claim of various ailments. ing Championships in Hong Kong. “The healing that Jesus is going King added a three-game series of 648 to give is not only physical,” said Fr. pins to his Asian three-game record of 813 Gold-medalist bowler Chester King Fernando during his homily. “You will to amass a 24-game total of 5534 (230.58 Healing-priest Father Fernando Suarez be healed spiritually but what’s im- average) from his singles, doubles, trios randa and Frederick Ong to give the Philip- portant to me as a priest, and to God, is that recitation of the rosary-based Chaplet of Di- and team outings. Miranda, already the sin- pines its first gold medal in the trio event. you acknowledge that God is the only one vine Mercy, but by chanting the novena. gles bronze medalist, accounted for 5444 The trio of Pinoy bowlers smashed three who heals. God’s love heals.” There were numerous testimonies of (226.83) to hold off United Arab Emirates’ Asian records en route to claiming the Fr. Fernando celebrated Mass with physical healing during the Holy Mass, an- Hussain Al-Suwaidi, who settled for the Men’s Trios gold medal. concelebrants Fr. Albert Avenido, Heal LA nounced by Fr. Jeff Shannon, C.C., Fr. Fer- bronze with 5366 (223.58). Over 167 bowlers from 19 countries Spiritual Adviser, and Fr. Ramon Valera of nando’s companion during their healing King’s fiery showing gave him his first competed in the event, which was held from St. Cyprian Parish in Long Beach and half ministries, even before the latter had laid his individual gold. Earlier, he teamed with Mi- July 4-11, 2008. (Good News Pilipinas) a dozen other priests from various hands on thousands of believers. parishes. Fr. Valera appealed to the mas- There were many more testimonies of HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE PRESORTED 94-356 WAIPAHU DEPOT RD., 2ND FLR. STANDARD sive crowd for donations for Fr. Fernando’s instant healing after being touched by Fr. U.S. POSTAGE WAIPAHU, HI 96797 PAID Fernando from people using canes, walk- charitable organization, the Mary Mother of HONOLULU, HI the Poor, and to help defray some of the ex- ers, and even wheelchairs; those who have PERMIT NO. 9661 penses at the event. cancer; those who couldn’t hear or see; and Heal LA’s Eucharistic and Musical Cel- those who have been in pain for years, ebration was ushered in not by the usual among many other ailments. (continued on page 4) HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION 2 EDITORIAL JULY 19, 2008 Waste of Public Funds

he deal has been voided and the signatories have either resigned or retired from the Commission on Elections. But Juan de la Cruz T continues to bear a heavy burden in connection with the poll automation contract signed by the Comelec with the private consortium Mega Pacific. Comelec Chairman Jose Melo wants to get rid of nearly 2,000 voting machines that cost taxpayers P1.04 billion. The machines were supposed to be used for the country’s first-ever automated elections in May 2004. But the Supreme Court found the deal irregular and invalidated the contract. The SC recommended the investigation of Comelec officials for possible corruption and prohibited the use of the voting machines. But Mega Pacific, having delivered the machines and received full payment, refused to take back the machines or refund the P1.04 billion. Benjamin Abalos has since resigned as Comelec chairman — not over the automation deal, but amid allegations that he had dangled a P200-million bribe and brokered the $329-million national broadband network deal signed by Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza with executives of ZTE Corp. in the presence of President Arroyo in China. Like the automation contract, the broadband deal has been scrapped. With Mega Pacific’s no-return, no exchange policy, the Comelec is stuck with nearly 2,000 white elephants worth P1.04 billion, on top of which taxpayers are shelling out P22 million annually for storage, according to Melo. No one has been sent to prison for this atrocious waste of public funds. Now the government is preparing to spend more in hopes of making for the waste of over a billion pesos in public funds. At the same time, the the general elections in 2010 fully automated. new Comelec officials should learn their lessons from the botched deal Even as the nation pursues poll modernization, there should be no and see to it that the anomaly will not be repeated in the next attempt at letup in efforts to make those responsible for the Mega Pacific deal account poll automation, which is less than two years away. (www.philstar.com) Return to Mass Transportation

he Light Railway Transit and the Metro Rail Transit are filled to ca- prefer to use private vehicles. pacity. And the number of commuters is expected to increase further If the government can end the street chaos, more people will take T as motorists, grappling with soaring fuel prices, rediscover the ad- buses and jeepneys. The speed and predictability of the travel schedules vantages of mass transportation and leave their cars at home. on the MRT and LRT have made them the most popular modes of mass The factors that push people to use private vehicles particularly in transportation amid the fuel crunch. Their popularity should encourage Metro Manila almost always have something to do with the inefficiency the government to expand such railway services, to eventually cover all of the country’s mass transportation facilities. For Philippine mass trans- major points in Metro Manila. portation, the jeepney is truly iconic: gaudy, noisy, an environmental haz- At the same time, the government should speed up the moderniza- ard with its emissions, slow, uncomfortable, inefficient, and driven by tion of the traditional railroad system, which is a good mode of trans- some of the most undisciplined drivers on the planet. But the fare is porting both passengers and cargo. Putting shipping containers on cheap, and no politician has mustered the guts to consign jeepneys to railway trains instead of truck haulers will drastically reduce traffic jams museums. in Metro Manila. The traffic-free and speedier system of cargo delivery Drivers and operators of public utility vehicles have resisted every will also be good for investments. But this administration cannot con- effort to end anarchy in city streets. The result: long waits at every stop struct even a 38-kilometer-long railway facility without the project be- for passengers, traffic jams and consequently fewer trips for PUVs. Even coming bogged down in a scandal. Commuters will just have to bear air-conditioned buses linger too long at too many stops. And so people with packed LRT and MRT coaches until 2010. (www.philstar.com)

HAWAII-PHILIPPINE NEWS EDITION Contributing Writers Advertising/Marketing Director Columnists Calvin Alonzo, O.D., Clement Bautista, Linda Dela Chona A. Montesines-Sonido Charlie Y. SONIDO, M.D. Carlota Ader Cruz, Constante A. Domingo, Amelia Jacang, Publisher and Executive Editor Sen. Will Espero M.D., Caroline Julian, Albert Lanier, Paul Melvin Account Executives Grace F. Fong, Ed.D. Palalay, M.D., Glenn Wakai Carlota Ader Chona A. Mayor Mufi Hannemann J. P. Orias MONTESINES-SONIDO Governor Linda Lingle Creative Designer Big Island Distributor Publisher and Managing Editor Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Ph.D. Junggoi Peralta Rosemarie Mendoza Elmer Acasio Philippine Correspondent J. P. Orias Ditas Udani Dennis GALOLO Guil Franco Edwin QUINABO Pacita Saludes Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. Photographer Maui Distributor Associate Editors Charlie Sonido, M.D. Tim Llena Cecile Piros Emmanuel S. Tipon,Esq. Randall SHIROMA Administrative Assistant Felino S. Tubera Molokai Distributor Design Consultant Shalimar Pagulayan Sylvia Yuen, Ph.D. Maria Watanabe

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JULY 19, 2008 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION 3 MAYOR’S COLUMN Let’s Support the Arts and Make the US general perception abroad that the Friendlier to Visitors US is unwelcoming and unfriendly. More and more foreign travelers among the top 100 best selling new task force of mayors and pri- where overseas visitors to our na- view America as having the music artists, with over 90 million vate sector organizations to sup- tion’s most popular destinations “world’s worst entry process” and albums sold worldwide and 15.5 port Chicago’s bid to host the have declined by some 20 to 34 are choosing to go and spend their million in the US. Emilio Estefan, 2016 Olympic Games. In support- percent. For us here at home, the travel dollars elsewhere. Even AROUND Jr. is a musician and producer who ing Chicago, the idea is to also impacts have hit us hard – as with Hawaii’s famous “aloha spirit” may also received five Grammy launch a “Discover America” cam- the demise of both Aloha Airlines not overcome what is known for THE ISLAND Awards, and serves on the Presi- paign to invite international visitors and ATA. being a burdensome, frustrating, dent’s Committee on the Arts and to the Olympics to also visit other A sagging US economy, ris- and inhospitable US visa and by Mayor Mufi Humanities. US cities, such as Honolulu. ing fuel costs, and increased com- entry process. Since 9/11, home- I proudly presented the I also urged the mayors to petition are all factors, but one of land security is understandably HANNEMANN awards during the US Conference continue to support the Travel Pro- the key underlying reasons for foremost, but a better balance is of Mayors’ annual meeting, held in motion Act that Hawaii Senator America’s diminishing share of the needed between security and hos- ur nation’s vibrant arts and Miami in June, where I also partic- Daniel Inouye has championed, worldwide travel market is the pitality. entertainment scene, and ipated in a strategy session on which includes an international O our hospitality to visitors ways the new US presidential ad- tourism marketing campaign and from abroad, are vitally important ministration can work with the na- provides the Cabinet-level position to our economy and to the per- tion’s mayors to implement a for tourism. In addition, I urged the ceptions that people form about Ten-Point Plan for addressing is- mayors to continue backing an ex- our nation and its people. That’s sues that affect Americans in our pansion of the US Visa Waiver why I am very active in helping to cities. As a result of my earlier ef- Program and the streamlining of guide policies that support the arts forts, the plan includes support for US entry requirements. and the visitor industry here in tourism and the arts, and calls for The US continues to miss out Hawaii and nationwide. the creation of a Cabinet-level on the international travel boom On behalf of Americans for Secretary of Culture and Tourism that’s been fueling economies the Arts and the US Conference of charged with forming a national around the world. As total inter- Mayors, I recently presented policy for arts, culture and tourism. national arrivals jumped from 682 singer and songwriter Gloria Este- During the strategy session, I million in 2000 to 846 million in fan and her husband Emilio Este- led a discussion focused on 2006, America’s share actually fan, Jr. with National Awards for tourism and the arts in my capac- dropped. According to the Travel Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, ity as chairman of the Confer- Industry Association, this decline in recognition of their contributions ence’s Standing Committee on has cost America nearly $150 bil- as artists and humanitarians and Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertain- lion in lost visitor spending and their life-long support of music. ment and Sports. One outcome of 250,000 American jobs – affecting Known as the “Queen of Latin the session was an announce- every state and city across the Pop,” Gloria Estefan has received ment that I and Chicago Mayor country. These effects have been five Grammy Awards and is Richard Daley will spearhead a felt most acutely at the local level, SBA TRAINING EVENTS AND CALENDARS JULY 22 -31, 2008

THE ART OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Veteran publicist and marketing executive Claudia Gray will Date: July 22, 2008 discuss the process of creating publicity and marketing Time 5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. campaign for a major motion picture. Discover many innovative Location: Maui Cty Business Resource Ctr ways to capture the public eye! Gray has worked on projects for Cost: FREE Warner Brothers, Universal, New Line Cinema and most RSVP: (808) 873-8248 Maui recently, on the Academy Award winning film, “No Country for Old Men.”

STARTING A BUSINESS? INTERESTED IN Come to learn about the available resources and programs to IMPORTING AND EXPORTING? help your business grow! Presenters will include professionals Date: July 23, 2008 from the Maui Chamber of Commerce, High Technology Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Development Corporation and the Manufacturing Extension Location: Maui Arts & Cultural Center Program (MEP), Business Action Center, SBA, Foreign Trade Cost: FREE Zone, Hawaii Customs Brokers Association; and the U.S. RSVP: [email protected] Export Assistance Center. 808-586-2509

SBAÊS 504 LOAN: FIXED ASSET LOANS SBA 504 Loans Can Be Used To: Date: Wednesday, July 30th Purchase land and construct new buildings * Acquire and Time: 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m. install machinery * Purchase and renovate existing buildings * Location: USDA Forest Service Conference Expand existing facilities Room, 60 Nowelo Street, Hilo, Hawaii 504 Advantages Include: Cost: FREE Low down payment – As little as 10% * Long-term repayment RSVP: Jerry Hirata, 541-2990 Ext 203 or – 10 or 20 years Email: [email protected] Hilo * Low, fixed interest rate on 504 debentures

SBA RESOURCE DAY Free, convenient consultation on SBA resources! Ask about: Bank of Hawaii, Kahului Branch • SBA Guaranteed Loan Program for Working Capital, Start- Date: Wednesday, July 31st up, Expansion Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. • New Patriot Express Loans for the Military Community and Location: 27 S. Puunene Avenue SBA Express Cost: FREE • SBA 504 Loan Program- Fixed asset loans RSVP: Jerry Hirata, 541-2990, Ext. 210 / • SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program - Government Email: [email protected] Maui contracting assistance Appointments for the 30 minute confidential discussions are highly recommended and scheduled by SBA. Walk-ins will be assisted as time permits. HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION 4 HEADLINE NEWS JULY 19, 2008

(cont. from page 1; NAIA....) Supreme Court order to pay “We’ll start July 23 on a dry NAIA 3’s builder, the Philippine run basis and have 23 domestic International Air Terminals Co. flights for six months,” he says. Inc. (PIATCo). “We will have Cebu Pacific at PIATCo is asking from the saka under Philippine Airlines ex- Philippine government a total press, and Air Philippines. Once amount of US$565 million as com- we open for international flights, pensation, while the German firm most probably by February or Fraport is asking for a US$425 March 2009, we should be fully million settlement for its invest- operational.” ments in the expropriated facility. Michael Defensor When fully operational, De- The NAIA Terminal 3 was fensor said NAIA 3 will service more than 90 percent completed sortium over graft issues. about 140 flights a day. in 2002. However, the Supreme An attempt to open the termi- Terminal fees collected from Court prevented it from opening nal last year was aborted after en- the airlines will be put into an es- after voiding a multi-billion dollar gineers found structural problems, crow account until the govern- contract between the govern- among them a ceiling that col- ment has complied with the ment and the international con- lapsed and weakened beams. (cont. from page 1; 30,000 Pinoys ....) gration authorities there were In 2005, Regalado said the given quotas of 3,000 arrests and Malaysian government set up a deportations monthly – 600 for 560,000-strong People Volunteer Seoul and 250 for Busan,” Regal- Corps, also called Relas, to go ado said. after undocumented foreign work- Regalado said the more than ers. 30,000 undocumented Filipinos “The Relas have not been are among the 653,000 foreign trained in human arrest proce- workers in South Korea. dures, respect for human rights The European Union earlier and international humanitarian approved new immigration rules law. Hence the crackdown is which will oblige authorities to highly open to abuse of authority expel undocumented migrants, and due process will not be ob- impose imprisonment of 18 served,” Regalado said. Conejos’ statement that the months and ban entry for five Regalado said the impending Malaysian government has every years. massive deportation of OFWs in right to deport undocumented Fil- Regalado said Europe is host South Korea would also be a “dis- ipinos. to more than 100,000 undocu- aster in the making.” “This is proof that the govern- mented OFWs. “The Arroyo government must ment has no plans at all in helping She said that in Malaysia, act with dispatch on the matter by the hundreds of thousands of Fil- half a million undocumented Fil- intervening diplomatically on be- ipinos in Malaysia, and those in ipinos of the 1.3-million undocu- half of the OFWs,” Regalado said. the same predicament in other mented foreign workers will face She likewise condemned For- countries, who stand to face brutal possible arrest, detention and de- eign Affairs Undersecretary for mi- and inhumane deportation,” Re- portation. grant workers affairs Esteban galado said. (www.philstar.com)

(cont. from page 1; Filipino Priest....) know that after such action, Fr. Emily Carlson, 8, from Santa Fernando says he receives many Fe Springs, came to see Fr. Fer- e-mails of thanksgiving. nando for the second time. Emily suffered from Attention Deficit Dis- MAHALO VOLUNTEERS order (ADD), but after her first Heal LA organizers are contact with Fr. Fernando, she thankful for the 700-strong group was healed. of volunteers, as well as the se- “Even my teacher says I be- curity personnel for maintaining have better now,” said Emily. and orderly and disciplined crowd. Her mother, who exuded “They worked harder than much faith, followed with a pas- me,” said Fr. Fernando. sionate testimony. Heal LA also celebrated Fr. “When Fr. Fernando touched Fernando’s ordination to the my daughter at the St. Benedict “Father Fernando is not only priesthood on May 18, 2002, after Church in Montebello,” she said, “I down-to-earth but also very practi- joining the Companions of the knew she was already healed. cal, with a great sense of humor.” Cross, a religious community of That was on February 22, 2008. There was also the time the priests and seminarians founded We are here again to experience “healing priest” mentioned that he in 1985 by the Rev. Robert Be- God’s love.” gets 80,000 e-mails a month. dard in Ottawa, Canada. “There’s no way I can read all For more on Father Fer- DOWN-TO-EARTH those e-mails,” he quipped, “so I nando and a schedule of events, HEALING PRIEST pray over the computer (gesturing please go online and visit: After hearing Fr. Fernando’s with outstretched hands) and ask http://www.fatherfernando.com/he homily, Dr. Manny De Sagun from God to bless them all.” alingmassschedule.shtml. (www.fil- San Bernardino commented that But you will be surprised to amnation.com) HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION JULY 19, 2008 HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS 5 U.S. Senate Committee Approves FCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ OATH-TAKING $602M in Federal Funds For Hawaii

THE U.S. SENATE Appropria- ations Bill dedicated $21.3 million $279 million for improvements tions Committee unanimously ap- for Phase 5 construction work of and infrastructure expansion at proved $602.3 million for Saddle Road because this project Schofield Barracks that will be un- Hawaii-related projects, with 94 involves both public safety and dertaken through five phases. percent of the funds—nearly national defense preparation,” In the Agriculture Appropria- $565.7 million—dedicated to mili- said Sen. Inouye, a member of the tions Bill, the Hilo-based U.S. Pa- tary construction, U.S. Sen. powerful Senate Appropriations cific Basin Agricultural Research Daniel Inouye announced. Committee since January 1971. Center was awarded $2 million The committee also ap- A 13-mile stretch of Saddle for continued construction work Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona (far right) administers the oath of office for the newly proved $22 million for the East- Road, known as Military Access and $1.25 million to expand its elected members of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Direc- West Center and nearly $14.7 Road, is designated to be re- research portfolio to include the tors. The installation banquet was held on Saturday, July 5, 2008 at the million for various agriculture ini- aligned to eliminate potential prob- development of new post-harvest Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. Over 400 people attended the tiatives. The Hawaii-related pro- lems involving military vehicles and processing techniques and event. Congratulations to all of the newly-elected officers! grams are contained in three artillery firing positions with the value-added products that can funding bills for Fiscal Year 2009 general public. Since 2001, $67 help the local agriculture industry that the Senate Appropriations million in federal funds has been grow. Committee advanced to the full spent on the first four phases of the The on-going wildlife serv- Senate for consideration. Saddle Road project. ices and brown tree snake inter- “I am especially pleased that The Military Construction Ap- diction program was earmarked the Military Construction Appropri- propriations Bill also includes for $1.1 million. Hawaii’s Plantation Village to Dedicate Flag Memorial Plaza ited its grounds. After touring the restored buildings and replicas of plantation structures, houses of different ethnic groups, the com- munity bath, camp office and plan- tation store, Hawaii's youth cannot help but gain a deeper sense of appreciation for their roots and pride in their cultural upbringing. Other visitors to the Village consist of local residents and tourists whose numbers are esti- mated at 9,000 each year. HAWAII’S PLANTATION Vil- lage president Richard Hirata. More information is available lage will dedicate the new Flag Sponsors of the event include by calling 677-0110 or visiting: Memorial Plaza and hold the first the Filipino-American Historical www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org. official flag raising at a special Society of Hawaii, AIG Hawaii, the ceremony on July 25, 2008 at Children’s House, Group 70, 9:30 am. George Hideo Morisada & Family, The circular monument fea- Banna Associates, G. Takayesu & tures nine flags that represent the Son Waipahu Bicycle Store and eight major countries who sup- David’s Yard Service. plied laborers for Hawaii’s sugar The event is free and open to plantations—the Philippines, the public. Light refreshments will Hawaii, China, Portugal, Puerto be served. Rico, Japan, Okinawa and Korea. Each respective flag will be raised BACKGROUND for the first time, along with the Established by the Friends of American flag, as part of the ded- Waipahu Cultural Gardens Park, ication ceremony. the Hawaii’s Plantation Village is a The dedication ceremony living history museum and ethno- also commemorates the 100th botanical garden located on a 50- Anniversary of the Filipino immi- acre parcel in the heart of grants’ arrival in Hawaii and Waipahu’s sugar plantation coun- thanks Hawaii’s Plantation Village try. Its mission is to ensure that the for keeping alive the legacy of struggles, sacrifices, innovations those hard working ethnic groups and contributions of Hawaii’s sug- who lived, worked and played on arcane forbearers are preserved the plantations, thus creating and acknowledged as corner- Hawaii’s unique, multi-cultural so- stones of Hawaii’s multi-ethnic so- ciety of today. ciety. The respective flags will be Hawaii’s Plantation Village raised by members of Waipahu opened its doors in 1992 and of- High School’s Junior ROTC. fers tours and activities including Domingo Los Banos, a commu- cultural festivals, educational nity leader and WWII veteran, will seminars, craft workshops, spe- emcee the event. Speakers in- cial gallery exhibits and restora- clude Dr. Patricia Brown of the Fil- tion of the kalo loi, or taro patches. ipino American Historical Society The Village’s primary visitors of Hawaii, Baybee Hufana-Ablan have been Hawaii's youth. In fact, of Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s of- during the past 12 years, more fice, and Hawaii’s Plantation Vil- than 190,000 students have vis- HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION JULY 19, 2008 6 PHILIPPINE NEWS Education Policies Pushed to Produce Metro Rail Transit to Globally Competitive Workforce Deploy More Coaches by Helen FLORES THE PHILIPPINES SHOULD pursue education policies that would help develop a globally competitive workforce and inten- sify public-private partnerships to fast-track political and economic reforms in the country, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) said yesterday. AIM president Francis Estrada made the recommenda- tions after the Philippines was DUE TO THE RISING COST rising number of passengers. ranked 40th in the 2008 Competi- of fuel and an economic down- MRT services will also be ex- tiveness Yearbook by the Swiss- turn, half a million pinoys are now tended by one hour to accommo- based organization Institute of taking the Metro Rail Transit date more passengers, particularly Management Development (IMD). an index score of 50.478 points tional investment, 49th in employ- (MRT)—and the number is ex- along the North Edsa station, The country’s latest ranking compared to 47.163 last year in ment, and first in prices. pected to surge up to 1 million which usually registers between was an improvement from last the competitiveness yearbook. Under the state of efficiency, very soon. 10,000-20,000 commuters, espe- year’s 45th among competitors in The United States ranked the Philippines ranked 48th in Before year’s end, the MRT cially on Mondays and paydays. the world economy. first with 100 points followed by public finance, 14th in fiscal policy, hopes to deploy additional “We doubled our security Estrada said that in order to Singapore, 99.330; Hong Kong, 50th in institutional framework, coaches capable of transporting measures by deploying more become globally competitive, the 94.964; Switzerland, 89.656; Lux- 44th in business legislation and between 700,000 to one million guards, and we will also install country should also embark on embourg, 84.405; Denmark, 18th in societal framework. passengers a day. close circuit television cameras in programs that would help mitigate 83.852; Australia, 83.500; Under the business efficiency MRT general manager various stations,” he said. the impact of food, energy and cli- Canada, 82.852; Sweden, 82.464; category, the country placed 43rd Roberto Lastimoso said the daily The government currently mate security issues as well as to and Netherlands, 80.476. in productivity and efficiency, 15th volume of train passengers has subsidizes the operations of the accelerate the completion of infra- Other Asian countries in the in labor market, 33rd in finance, reached 500,000, which is MRT with an average of P40 per structure projects. survey included Malaysia, 19th; 37th in management practices 200,000 over the daily volume. passenger, who only pays P15 “The Philippines is one of the Japan, 22nd; Thailand, 27th; and 24th in attitudes and values. “We are expecting the number from Taft Avenue in Pasay City to gainers in Southeast Asia in the India, 29th; Korea, 31st; and In- However, the country ranked to rise to 700,000 or even one mil- North Edsa in Quezon City. 2008 world competitiveness re- donesia, 51st. 54th in basic infrastructure, 31st in lion passengers a day,” he said. To help commuters cope with port,” Estrada said during a forum Under economic perform- technological infrastructure, 53rd The retired chief of the Philip- the current economic crisis, the at the SMX Convention Center in ance, the Philippines ranked 49th scientific infrastructure, 44th in pine National Police aid the gov- government has decided against Pasay City yesterday. in domestic economy, 51st in in- health and environment and 52nd ernment has decided to buy an hiking fares for the MRT. (Good This year the Philippines had ternational trade, 52nd in interna- in education. (www.philstar.com) additional 73 coaches to meet the News Pilipinas) Lim Orders Rescue of Couple From Hospital Over Unpaid Bills by Sandy ARANETA

MANILA MAYOR ALFREDO LIM has or- dered his staff to “rescue” the parents of a newborn infant who reportedly died of a heart condition at the Chinese General Hospital. Mark and Aileen Mangaliman, in a letter to Lim dated July 11, said the hospital is hold- ing them against their will because they failed their baby on oxygen, which meant spending to pay the bills. P15,000 to P20,000 per day. “I ordered my chief of staff, Ricardo de The baby’s condition initially improved, Guzman to… rescue the parents who are but later took a turn for the worse. The Man- being prevented from going home and to ef- galimans allowed hospital personnel to take fect the release of the body of the baby,” Lim their baby off the oxygen after the doctor told said. “The parents have already signed a them the baby’s condition was not improving. promissory note.” The baby died on July 8 at 4 p.m. The He said the hospital cannot detain pa- officer-in-charge of the morgue said there tients or their relatives over unpaid bills be- was no vacancy for the infant and asked the cause it is against the law. couple if they could sign a waiver, allowing In their letter to Lim, the Mangalimans the morgue personnel to put the body along said they went to the hospital for a regular with the bodies of adults in the freezer. prenatal checkup on July 6. They said the ob- The Mangalimans said the hospital told stetrician-gynecologist did not allow them to them they had to settle the bills before Aileen go home, telling them that Aileen was about to and her baby can leave the premises, and give birth. their promissory note was still subject to ap- The Mangalimans were told that their proval. baby had a 50 percent chance of dying be- The Mangalimans told Lim they are will- cause of “pulmonary heart disease.” They ing to pay the hospital bills, but they need to said the pediatrician told them they need to leave the hospital because they left a three- spend P200,000 to P400,000 in order to in- year-old son and a two-year-old daughter in crease their baby’s chances of survival. the care of relatives. The couple asked the pediatrician for an- The couple also expressed concern that other option since they have no money. The their bill continues to rise so long as they are pediatrician then told them they need to have detained by the hospital. (www.philstar.com) HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION JULY 19, 2008 PHILIPPINE NEWS 7 Yahoo! Opens Manila RP Trees Won’t Be Cut Down to “We’ve gathered a lot of mo- Operations mentum since announcing our Give Way to Biofuel Crops – DOST plan last February to establish a INTERNET FIRM YAHOO for- local presence,” said Concepcion, by Helen FLORES mally opened a full-fledged local adding that the company is look- Faylon also belied reports office to further strengthen the ing to hire employees for sales, THE COUNTRY WILL not that the biofuels production brand in the country, and to com- product, and marketing roles. allow the planting of biofuel crops would increase greenhouse gas pete head-on against rival Concepcion said they are in areas where trees would have emissions. Google. also looking for communications to be cut down, a government “In the United States, they The establishment of its specialists, as well as editorial scientist clarified Tuesday. use inorganic fertilizers which in- Manila office is perhaps the first staffers who can work on the local Dr. Patricio Faylon, execu- crease greenhouse gas emis- among pure Internet companies content that the company will be tive director of the Department of sion. But in the Philippines, we since the dotcom boom in the late aggregating as a result of its re- Science and Technology’s Philip- will use organic fertilizers or ’90s and the subsequent bust in cent partnerships with media firms pine Council for Agriculture, biofertilizers,” Faylon said. the early part of the current GMANews.TV, Manila Bulletin, Forestry and Natural Resources He added that currently, decade. and Philippine Star. Research and Development, also PCARRD has identified five high- Aside from growing its Philip- However, Concepcion said belied international reports which yield varieties of jatropha curcas. pine operation, the Manila office that unlike the Yahoo’s U.S. site, said that biofuel production Jatropha is being studied in the will be tasked to provide services the Philippine portal would not be would encourage farmers to Philippines as potential feed- to Yahoo’s regional office in Sin- creating local content—at least not plant biofuel feedstock instead of stock for biofuels. gapore, the company said in a yet. food crops. “We need more scientific statement. “We’re not doing that now, but Faylon said biofuels, such studies to determine the best ja- The Yahoo Philippines of- there’s always the possibility of as jatropha and sweet sorghum, tropha variety that has high biofuel crop fice, which is located in Fort that happening in the future if the are being planted in wastelands yield,” Faylon said. Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, is business environment would call so that there will be no conflict years to repay. President Arroyo has signed led by veteran IT executive Jojo for it.” with food production. Most prior studies have the Biofuels Law which aims to Anonuevo, who was appointed to For now, he said the new “We will use idle lands for found that substituting biofuels lessen the country’s dependence his new role as general manager subsidiary will concentrate its ef- biofuels production in the coun- for gasoline will reduce green- on imported crude oil. in February 2008. He is sup- forts in collating news stories from try, we will not be cutting down house gases because biofuels The Biofuel Act of 2006 ported by Cris Concepcion, a its content partners and firming trees,” Faylon told The STAR. sequester carbon through the mandates the blending of coco- physician and U.S.–trained exec- up collaborations with game pub- The rise in food prices has growth of the feedstock. biodiesel or coco-methyl ester utive, who is serving as strategic lishers like eGames and Level- intensified the heated food ver- But according to reports, (CME) in all diesel fuel and gaso- consultant. Up. sus fuel debate. these analyses have failed to line sold across the country. Concepcion said the estab- Aside from the local news A science magazine in the count the carbon emissions that Officials of the DOST earlier lishment of the Philippine office companies, Yahoo has hooked up United States also reported that occur as farmers worldwide re- said the government would save would give Yahoo more access to with the Philippines’ top three mo- cutting down Brazilian rainforest spond to higher prices and con- $26 million or about P1.3 billion local resources and an easier bile carriers as part of its strategy to grow soybeans for diesel fuel vert forest and grassland to new worth of fuel imports with the ini- time to forge alliances with local to be a “partner of choice” among would result in a so-called car- cropland to replace the grain di- tial implementation of the law. clients and partners. local firms. (Good News Pilipinas) bon debt that would take 319 verted to biofuels. (www.philstar.com)

of Customs. the rise in interest rates as well as RP Trims H1 Budget Deficit to P18B In the first semester, BIR col- inflation. lections amounted to P389 million, Expenditures, on the other by Des FERRIOLS At this rate, Teves said the “There is an incentive to outperforming its P379-billion pro- hand, missed the first semester government was sticking to its cur- save,” Teves admitted. “But there gram by 16.4 percent. The BOC’s target by 9.7 percent as opera- THE GOVERNMENT POSTED rent projection that the deficit should be a balance between sav- on the other hand, reported a total tions expenditures amounted to its third straight monthly budget would reach P40 billion to P45 bil- ing and need to implement. The collection of P117 billion, 27 per- P456.7 billion against the P447 bil- surplus in June as it held back lion by end December. reward for agencies should be bal- cent higher than the P116.4 billion lion target. spending plans that could help Teves reported that total rev- anced and we have to step up target. Even interest payments fell support the economy in a year enues amounted to P570 billion in spending based on program and Teves said the increase in the below expectations by five percent when growth is expected to falter. January to June, about 11.7 per- priority.” collection of both the BOC and the at P141 billion against the P146 The June surplus of P769 cent higher than last year’s collec- Despite the slowdown in BIR was due to the initial impact of billion projection. (www.philstar.com) million brought the government’s tion and 8.3 percent higher than spending, however, Teves said the first-half fiscal deficit to P18 billion, the revenue target of P561.7-bil- government was still prepared to much smaller than a target short- lion for the period. spend P75 billion more this year to fall of P41 billion, the Department In June alone, Teves said rev- implement its social of Finance (DOF) reported yester- enues amounting to P86.8 billion Agenda which was intended day. were 12.7 percent higher than last to cushion the impact of high oil “That the actual first half year’s P77.7. prices and high inflation rates. deficit made up only 44 percent of Expenditures, on the other But Teves stressed that the the programmed P41 billion is no hand, rose by 12.9 percent to government could not rely on cov- cause for celebration as the main P86.8 billion against P76.9 billion ering just the social protection pro- boost for the deficit has been un- in June last year. gram since this was, by nature, derspending,” said Radhika Rao, “Accelerating the expendi- intended to be a temporary relief an economist with IDEAglobal. tures side is important,” Teves for vulnerable sectors under the “Not an encouraging sign as said. However he admitted the low extraordinary circumstances it’s a gamble to aim at narrowing absorptive capacity of government where fuel prices are rising abnor- the deficit at a time when the line agencies. mally. economy is slowing,” Rao said. “The challenge is to improve “We can’t use this paradigm Finance Secretary Margarito the absorptive capacity of agen- forever,” he said. “This is only a Teves said government spending cies which is what caused the de- temporary dent on our spending amounted to P588 billion in the lays in the implementation of program and over the long term first semester, 17 percent lower projects and low disbursement of we have to solve how we are mov- than the programmed spending of funds,” Teves said. ing and implementing long-term P602.7 billion. Teves said part of the prob- projects that would address vul- “Spending was slow,” Teves lem was the incentive for line nerability issues permanently.” said. “There was an increase in agencies to generate savings be- Teves expects the govern- June. We hope to see this pattern cause at the end of the fiscal year, ment to be able to sustain its rev- in the second semester because the part of the savings are used as enue flow in the second our revenues are on track and we cash incentives to government semester for both the Bureau of have the room.” employees. Internal Revenue and the Bureau HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION 8 SOCIETY PAGE JULY 19, 2008

Dr. Nicanor Joaquin with his wife Imelda

Dr. Ceilo Guillermo & daughter Erica Butterflies & Kisses performers and volunteers pose for a group photo performing a duet in the recent Butterflies & Kisses musical fundraiser

Dr. Erlinda Cachola with husband Councilmember Romy Cachola at a function at the Ihilani Hotel Dr. Cely Paet and Rep. Joey Manahan at a recent show in Kalihi Consul Paul Cortez and family at a recent fundraising event in Kalihi

Christa Lei Sonido with Larry and Aurelia Sera (visiting from L to R: Elvie Gabriel, Babes Carandang (visiting from Boston) with mom the Philippines) after the former's performance in the and brother from the Philippines broadway hit "Rent" at Mamiya Theater last July 11. The play is being shown from July 4-20, 2008

Esther Ines with children during a gathering at Ko Olina

Visiting Manila Neuro-Surgeon Dr. Eusebio Debuque (3rd from left) Sasha Dee Dayaoan being given the "final touches" by with old friends Drs. Sonido, Alquero and Ablan mom Janet before Sasha's dance performance in "Butterflies & Kisses

Drs. Leah and Michael McMann with son Ryan spending Dr. Perlita Lampitoc & staff attending a show at Drs. Romy & Elena Febre of Florida, Dr. Donna Febre and Dr. Avery Go quality time together at the Ihilani Hotel Farrington High School visiting friends in Honolulu HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION JULY 19, 2008 FEATURE 9 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION 10 PHILIPPINE NEWS JULY 19, 2008 Palace Swears No Irregularity in P1-B Remittance of The state pension fund noted the filing of the complaint before In their complaint, the employ- GSIS to OP that the GIF is the repository of the the Ombudsman by Albert Ve- ees association of GSIS sought the Deputy presidential by Marvin SY GSIS’ investment funds and earn- lasco, a dismissed GSIS em- preventive suspension of Garcia spokesperson Anthony Golez even ings from its businesses. ployee, was highly suspect for the and other GSIS officials involved MALACAÑANG SAID yester- volunteered the official receipt “That has been included more than three years that had “to ensure that documents pertain- day there was nothing irregular number (4197501) of the Palace among the monies that the National lapsed since the alleged offense. ing to the illegal disbursements are about the remittance of P1 billion Department of the Treasury for the Treasurer is managing. So as far as Likewise, she said the GSIS is not stolen or destroyed and in order by the Government Service Insur- deposit. we know as of now, there’s no such in the middle of a campaign for that witnesses would come forward ance System to the Office of the Ermita explained that the re- anomaly,” Ermita said. good corporate governance in and testify without fear of reprisal President in 2004, which has be- mittance of the P1 billion by the “I do not know what is that anti- Meralco in an effort to lower power form the accused.” come the subject of criminal and GSIS was consistent with Republic graft case against GM Garcia but rates, and that “non-issues” are They likewise asked Ombuds- administrative cases against GSIS Act 656 or the property insurance I’m sure he will be able to answer being raised against the GSIS to man Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez to general manager Winston Garcia law, which insures all the properties that properly in the proper forum,” “muddle the real issues concerning inhibit herself from the case since and the board of trustees. of the government against losses he added. Meralco.” she was the presidential legal But while the Palace is admit- from calamities such as earth- Ermita admitted that the com- counsel when the illegal diversion ting that President Arroyo received quakes and other accidents such plaint may be part of the black prop- ILLEGAL AND IMMORAL of GSIS funds was supposedly the mockup check remitted by as fires. aganda against Garcia, which In his complaint, Velasco said made. GSIS president Winston Garcia The GSIS, through chief legal started when he initiated a cam- Garcia and other GSIS officials vi- “Garcia is bleeding the GSIS sometime in December 2004, Ex- counsel and spokesperson Estrella paign to bring down the rates of olated Republic Act 3019 (Anti- dry with his extravagance and un- ecutive Secretary Eduardo Ermita Elamparo, has explained that the Meralco. Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) as conscionable dissipation of its fi- said this was deposited to the Na- law requires them to remit whatever “The benefits of GSIS mem- well as RA 656 (Property Insur- nancial resources,” alleged tional Treasury on Dec. 9 that unused or surplus earnings from its bers are derived from its Social In- ance Fund Act) when they passed Velasco, who believes President year. General Insurance Fund (GIF). surance Fund and not from the GIF. a resolution on Dec. 6, 2004 remit- Arroyo should immediately dismiss The P1 billion did not in any way di- ting P1 billion from the surplus of Garcia for “grave abuses and scan- minish the funds allotted for the the corporation to the Office of the dalous anomalies under his man- benefits of GSIS members,” Elam- President instead of the National agement.” paro said. Treasury. Velasco claimed that Garcia “As a matter of fact, GSIS “It was clearly illegal and im- had been saying in the past that the members also received dividends moral. This is what we are ques- money was meant as a donation to of their own totaling P847 million in tioning. While most members of the administration during the time December of 2004, which came GSIS are suffering – some of them that the country was in a “fiscal cri- from the GSIS SIF,” Elamparo said. even go to retirement without get- sis” in 2004. “The P1 billion that went to the ting anything – it seemed so sim- The lawyer said they have the national coffers came from the ple for Mr. Garcia to give P1 billion support of other government em- GSIS GIF, the P847 million that to Malacañang,” the lawyer said in ployees associations and unions went to GSIS members came from a radio interview. like Access of Social Security Sys- the GSIS SIF. This should be illus- Velasco said the amount tem, Action and Solidarity for the trative enough of the senseless- should have been instead distrib- Advancement of Teachers, Depart- ness of the claim that the GSIS uted to different government agen- ment of Trade and Industry Em- raided the funds due GSIS mem- cies, the properties of which are ployees Union, Nafema of National bers so it can give P1 billion to the ensured with the GSIS, citing RA Police Commission, and Associa- government,” she stressed. 656 which states that the disposal tion of Public School Teachers. The SIF is where the contribu- of unassigned surplus of GSIS Executive Secretary Eduardo tions of GSIS members are kept “shall be apportioned in accor- Ermita acknowledged that the Of- while the GIF is the repository of dance with the schedule approved fice of the President received the the GSIS investment funds and by the System, among the govern- P1 billion from the GSIS and that a earnings from its businesses. ment agencies whose properties ceremony was even held for this Elamparo said the timing of are insured in the fund.” purpose. (www.philstar.com) DOLE Projects Sabah Deportees impact of the influx of deportees. to Double to 12,000 The city is hosting thousands of Filipino deportees dropped by the by Roel PAREÑO ber of deportees sent back to the Malaysian immigration. country in the first semester, ac- DOLE acting regional director ZAMBOANGA CITY — The cording to Undersecretary Lour- Yahyah Centi also disclosed that Malaysian government is ex- des Trasmonte of the Department Malaysia would increase the num- pected to double its deportation of of Labor and Employment ber of deportees. illegal Filipino migrants to 12,000 (DOLE). Centi said some of the repatriates, a senior labor official Trasmonte had a meeting 12,000-projected number of un- said here. with Mayor Celso Lobregat who documented Filipinos, 80 percent The figure is twice the num- was presiding a conference on the of them are 18 to 59 years of age. Centi said DOLE is profiling each deportee through its one- stop processing centers for their reintegration into the mainstream and would provide them with liveli- hood activities. Lobregat, however, said the action plan is bound to fail since thousands of Filipinos who have availed of the program returned to Malaysia and ended up being de- ported again. Lobregat said only few of the deportees have availed of the pro- gram in securing their documents for possible return to Malaysia. (www.philstar.com) HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION JULY 19, 2008 11 PHILIPPINE NEWS Gov’t Won’t Lift OFW Deployment Ban to Iraq by Mayen JAYMALIN DESPITE THE IMPROVING peace and order situation in Iraq, the Philippine govern- ment is still unlikely to lift the ban on the de- ployment of Filipino workers to the war-torn country. Philippine Overseas Employment Admin- istration (POEA) chief Rosalinda Baldoz said there is still no recom-mendation from the De- partment of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Mid- dle East Preparedness Committee for the The local recruitment industry earlier de- lifting of the deployment ban. manded the immediate lifting of the deploy- “We are awaiting the recommendation ment ban in Iraq, claiming Filipino workers will from DFA and the committee headed by Gen. be better protected if they were deployed Roy Cimatu and we will only take action there legally. based on their recommendation,” Baldoz said. Recruitment leaders further added that Baldoz also clarified that the Philippine employment in Iraq is safe since most Fil- government is yet to determine the exact ipinos there are working inside heavily se- number of Filipino workers employed in Iraq cured US camps. at this time. The Iraqi Embassy in Manila has also She belied reports that there are around called on the Philippine government to scrap 10,000 Filipino workers who sneaked into Iraq the deployment ban so they could meet the despite the deployment ban imposed by the rising manpower requirement in their con- Philippine government five years ago. struction projects.(www.philstar.com) Antibiotic-Producing Mushroom Discovered by Helen FLORES (PCARRD) showed that the Philippines was A GROUP OF GOVERNMENT scientists among the leading hog raisers in the Asia recently discovered an antibiotic-producing Pacific Region in 2001. microorganism from a type of mushroom However, the report also stated that which has been found to be effective in treat- Luzon’s production rate, compared to that of ing diseases of livestock, particularly swine, Mindanao and Visayas has plummeted in the Department of Science and Technology 2001 compared to earlier years, attributing (DOST) reported yesterday. this to high mortality rate among swine on ac- The scientists from the DOST’s National count of disease. Research Council of the Philippines, led by “The NRCP antibiotic derived from the Dr. Asuncion Raymundo, a plant pathologist, mushroom has the clear potential to solve found that the mushroom species Clitopilus this problem,” the DOST said. passeckerianus produces the antibiotic Like tomatoes and apples, mushroom is called pleuromutilin. a fruit. Scientists classify this fleshy fruit The DOST said pleuromutilin prevents under the fungi kingdom - multi-cell microor- the bacteria from producing protein, an es- ganism that get their food and energy from sential component of its diet. Without pro- other organisms. tein, bacteria stops reproducing and For thousands of years, mankind has consequently die. recognized the varied uses of mushrooms. In Pleuromutilin also acts as the building addition to being an effective fermenting block for the production of tiamulin, a biolog- agent, it is also considered an efficient waste ical compound effective in treating common disposer and major manufacturer of organic hog diseases such as mycoplasmas, arthri- fertilizer, the DOST said. tis, enzootic pneumonia, and dysentery, the Mushrooms can grow anywhere from agency said. farm animal manure, from spoiled food in the “The team analyzed the DNA (deoxyri- kitchen, to the dead barks and leaves in the bonucleic acid) thread or theImage genetic deepest reaches of foliage. code of the mushroom species Clitopilus “This latest NRCP research proves that passeckerianus. They employed classical the mushroom could no longer be ignored and recombinant DNA techniques to deter- nor relegated as among the bottom dwellers mine how this particular species produces in the plant kingdom. The discovery of pleu- the antibiotic called pleuromutilin,” the sci- romutilin and tiamulin should prompt stronger ence department said. government funding and support to boost the Data from the DOST’s Philippine Coun- country’s hog raising industry and propel it to cil for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Re- even greater global competitiveness,” the sources Research and Development DOST said. (www.philstar.com) HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION 12 MAINLAND NEWS JULY 19, 2008 “The University of California is campus, just couldn’t afford to disappointed that AFSCME has Fil-Am Workers at UCLA Medical support their family with their cur- chosen to strike, despite the to work or who’s going strike. So rent salary of $10 an hour. court’s ruling prohibiting such ac- Clinic Walk Picket Line far, many have come to work. We Another Filipino worker, who tivity,” says Howard Pripas, execu- were afraid that we would have to asked to remain anonymous for tive director for systemwide labor DRESSED IN A BLUE shirt members from the American Fed- close down the emergency room fear of retribution, has worked as relations at the University of Cali- and jeans and holding a sign that eration of State, County, and Mu- because we can’t operate without a custodian at UCLA for the past fornia. The union rejected the uni- read “Service Workers on Strike: nicipal Employees (AFSCME) them.” 10 years and has only received versity’s last offer. Taking Back UC,” Rodolfo Aquino Local 3299, which represents He added that the union dis- raises only once or twice. She Aquino, who works a second was one of dozens of Filipino Uni- about 8,500 UC service workers regarded a San Francisco judge’s makes less than $11 per hour. part-time job to support his family versity of California service work- at 10 campuses and five hospi- temporary restraining order that a UC representative Nicole in the Philippines, said that the ers employees on the picket line tals, marched in solidarity for fair strike poses an immediate danger Savickas said that officials have UC’s latest proposal is still not marching in front of the UCLA wages. to UC hospital patients. offered to increase the service em- enough. Ronald Reagan Medical Center Meanwhile, UCLA hospital of- “We believe that the union ployee’s hourly rates from $10.28 “We’re doing this for our family and demanding fair wages. ficials are concerned that the should follow the law,” Rosenthall to $11.50 or $12 including health and other employees,” he said. “We ”We are the lowest paid em- strike is affecting the care of UC said. “But the union believes that benefits on a “sliding scale” and all want to be respected and get a ployees among all the University medical patients. Officials were a restraining order is a minor tech- pension benefits. fair wage.” (www.philfortune.com) of California (UC) campuses,” afraid that many of the workers nicality.” says Aquino. “Striking is the right would cross the picket the lines, According to union leaders, way to do it.” leaving many patients unattended the paramount issue is fair wages. U.S. House Overrides In total, about 300 service for the week. With the increase in lifestyle costs workers and supporters walked “Right now, we’re on a shift- skyrocketing nationwide, union the picket line on day 1 of the to-shift basis," said UCLA Chief leaders said that service employ- Bush Medicare Veto planned 5-day strike. Throughout Medical Officer Dr. J. Tom Rosen- ees, who work as gardeners, jan- THE U.S. HOUSE of Represen- • Mental health services will have the state, thousands of union thall. “We don’t know who’s going itors, cooks and servers across tatives voted 383-41 to override the same co-payment as any President George W. Bush’s veto other doctor visit. of the Medicare Improvement for “This bill also provides LAPD Wants Quick Extradition of Patients and Providers Act, legis- needed help to lower income lation that stops a 10.6 percent Medicare recipients,” says Rep. Fil-Am Gang Members tions. Their extradition has been cut in the amount doctors are re- Abercrombie. “We’ve raised the pending an unusually long imbursed for Medicare patient amount of income or assets a TWO BROTHERS from a vio- to life in prison, including another habeas corpus hearing. services. senior citizen can have and still lent Asian gang who were Fil-Am, David Evangelista. Detectives from the LAPD Cuts in Medicare’s reim- qualify for Medicare premium as- wanted in the 1990s for a series In 1995, the LAPD created a have recently traveled to the bursement rates for doctors and sistance.” of murders and other crimes in task force to find the brothers. Philippines to assist the FBI and other health care providers had Additionally, the legislation California have been arrested in Along the way, they were forced Philippine authorities in extradit- led to fewer doctors willing to ac- addresses another serious public the Philippines and are currently to overcome facing cultural bar- ing the Mercado brothers back to cept and treat Medicare patients. health issue facing Hawaii— Med- awaiting extradition, according to riers, language issues, and a Los Angeles to face trial. “Without this legislation, icaid funding for hospitals that Los Angeles police. strict code of silence. Marvin Mercado has been there would be fewer doctors pro- treat large numbers of uninsured Marvin and Pierre Mercado, Last September 2007, the indicted by a grand jury for six viding Medicare services for sen- or Medicaid patients. These hos- members of the Asian Boyz Mercados were captured in counts of murder and other ior citizens,” says U.S. Rep. Neil pitals are losing money, which Gang, fled to the Philippines to Manila by LAPD detectives, FBI charges. Pierre Mercado faces Abercrombie. eventually could threaten their avoid arrest and hid from author- agents and the Philippine gov- attempt murder charges, all The Medicare Improvement ability to remain open. ities for over a decade. Seven ernment. Currently, they are stemming from their days as Act also makes the following The states of Hawaii and Ten- members of the gang were even- being detained in the Philippines gang members. (Asian Journal On- changes: nessee were inadvertently left out tually convicted and sentenced pursuant to immigration viola- line) • Payments to Medicare Advan- of a federal program that reim- tage plans will be lowered. burses hospitals for treating indi- • Doctors and other medical gent and Medicaid patients. The service providers who are delin- legislation continues interim reim- quent in their federal income bursement funding for Hawaii and taxes will have back taxes de- allows more time to change the ducted from any Medicare re- program permanently. imbursements they receive. Pinoys 3rd Largest Group of New Arrivals Washington-Arlington- in U.S. Alexandria-Rockville area. A total of 38,830 Filipino im- FILIPINO IMMIGRANTS com- migrants received their American prised the third largest group of citizenship last year, down new arrivals to the U.S. in 2007, slightly from 40,500 in 2006. behind Mexican and Chinese na- They comprised the third biggest tionals, according to a report re- group, next to natives of Mexico leased by the Department of and India. Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS report said the A total of 72,596 Filipinos be- number of people seeking citi- came new legal permanent resi- zenship doubled from 730,000 in dents or “green card” holders in 2006 to 1.38 million in 2007. 2007. The numbers are down In a separate report, the DHS slightly from 74,606 in 2006 but estimated there were 280,000 ille- higher than the 60,746 in 2005. gal Filipinos in 2006, which ac- New immigrants mostly set- counts for nearly 2 percent of tled in California, New York, America’s total illegal immigrant Florida and Texas. In the metro- population of nearly 12 million. politan areas, most decided to The bulk—about 6.6 million—is live in the New York-New Jersey- from Mexico. The DHS said about Long Island area, Los Angeles- 40 percent of these illegal immi- Long Beach-Santa Ana area; grants are in California and Texas. Miami-Fort Lauderdale area; and (Asian Journal Online) HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION JULY 19, 2008 LEGAL NOTES 13 F-1 Options After Graduation 1 must maintain his/her status. date for employment of more than dorsed I-20 within six months for renewed for each new educational This means that he/she had been three months from graduation. OPT and a valid visa stamp. It is level from Associate, Bachelor, enrolled in an academic program Under a recent interim rule, better if the F-1 student can pres- Master up to Doctorate degrees. for at least one (1) year, remained the OPT period of students in the ent an approved EAD card with OPT even while there is a re- in good standing and has not vio- fields of Science, Technology, En- still ample validity period remain- maining period on the EAD card lated his/her status by engaging in gineering and Mathematics ing in order to secure a new visa automatically terminates when a unauthorized work. The author- (STEM) was extended to addi- stamp at a U.S. consulate or Em- student enrolls in a new degree ized work must also be related to tional 17 months for a total of 29 bassy. program or transfers to another the student’s field of study. months OPT. This was done in Prior to the expiration of the school. Students need to apply for an order to retain talented individuals OPT period, the F-1 holder can Once the post-completion by Reuben S. Employment Authorization Docu- in these fields and to allow them decide to enroll in another aca- OPT has ended and the F-1 stu- SEGURITAN ment (EAD) from the United to transition into H-1B status. For demic program. A new I-20 will be dent decides not to re-enroll in States Citizenship and Immigra- students in these fields, they can- issued and an I-539 form submit- school for further studies or to -1 international students are tion Services (USCIS) before not accumulate more than 120 ted to extend his/her status. change to another status, he/she faced with myriad concerns graduating. There is no need for a days of unemployment during that He/she remains in “duration of sta- has up to 60 days from the expira- F upon completion of their stud- job offer. They can only begin entire 29-month period of OPT. tus” (“D/S”) while pursuing full time tion of the OPT to prepare for de- ies. They want to know how they working upon receipt of the EAD They must also make validation studies in the U.S. A student who parture from the U.S. can extend their stay and remain card indicating the start and end reports to the DSO every six was not able to report to the legally in the U.S., how they can dates for employment. months regarding their employ- school in a timely manner can EDITOR’S NOTE: REUBEN S. SE- gain work experience and support The new regulations re- ment status. have his/her status reinstated. GURITAN has been practicing law themselves, how long they are al- quire that designated school offi- Traveling outside the U.S. The F-1 student can also change for over 30 years. For further infor- lowed to work and what other op- cials (DSO) track and confirm a during the post-completion OPT to another status in the U.S. by fil- mation, you may call him at 212 695 tions are available to them after student’s status even after com- period poses certain risks to the ing the I-539 form. 5281 or log on to his website at their studies. pleting his/her schoolwork by re- F-1 holder, particularly if the F-1 he 12-month OPT period is www.seguritan.com After completion of their stud- porting the name, addresses, visa stamp on the passport has ies, F-1 students are allowed full- employment and other relevant expired or is about to expire. To time work in the U.S. for a data through the Student and Ex- avoid re-entry problems, the F-1 maximum period of 12 months change Visitor Information System student should advise his/her under the Optional Practical Train- (SEVIS) that is linked with the DSO of his/her travel plans and ing (OPT) program. However, the USCIS system. consult about the latest informa- hours used up during pre-comple- To maintain status, F-1 stu- tion and documentation require- tion OPT will be deducted in cal- dents cannot accumulate more ments to be able to return to the culating the remaining period for than 90 days of unemployment U.S. authorized post-completion OPT during the initial 12-month OPT Currently, the policy allows work. period. Hence, when one applies re-entry if the student can present To be eligible for OPT, the F- for OPT, one cannot put in a start an EAD receipt notice, a DSO-en- GLOBAL NEWS Philippine Boys Choirs Win World Championships in Choral Olympiad THE LAS PIŇAS BOYS’ Choir and the Kilyawan Boys’ Choir of Quezon City were declared Champions of Children’s Choirs and Choral Acapella Performers of Contemporary Music, respectively, during the awarding ceremonies of the 5th World Choir Games held in Graz, Austria. tria, lauded the young performers ganizers say turned the competition The two performing groups for bringing glory to the Philippines into a unique cultural festival. bested their peers from more than with their talents and testifying to China, Russia, Austria and 30 countries—including groups the musical artistry of the Filipinos Germany had the most participat- from South Africa, Indonesia, in the prestigious international ing choirs—over 170—followed Japan, China, Russia, Spain, Ger- competition. closely by Indonesia, Hungary many, the U.S. and the United The event was the largest com- and Croatia with nearly 90 choirs. Kingdom—in a series of competi- petition in the history of choir music. The large numbers truly reflected tions in their categories. Many participating choirs were ac- the Choir Games’ motto “Singing Linglingay Lacanlale, the companied by folk dance groups together brings nations together.” Philippines’ ambassador to Aus- and brass music bands, which or- (DFA) ‘Tribu’ Wins Paris Filmfest Youth claustrophobic backdrop to a ran- “To be recognized in the city dom killing that triggers a wild and where cinema was born is im- Jury Prize bloody gang war. mensely satisfying,” says Libiran. Filipino screenwriter and direc- Through the eyes of a 10- “Tribu” also won Best Film in tor Jim Libiran’s latest film “Tribu” year-old boy, viewers are im- the Cinemalaya Philippine Inde- won the Youth Jury Prize at the 6th mersed into the impoverished, pendent Film Festival last year. Paris Cinema International Film tough life of Tondo and its various As part of the prize, “Tribu” Festival. gangsters, adolescent thugs and will be promoted for possible dis- “Tribu” chronicles the violent petty criminals whose pastimes are tribution in France. The 6th Paris lives and deaths of rapper gangs in sex, drugs and their eloquently po- Cinema International Film Festival the ghetto district of Tondo in etic street rap, delivered in their also featured a special program Manila. Its dangerous, unlit streets own unique tongue-twisting ma- that showcased 47 other Philip- and labyrinthine alleyways serve as chine gun-style. pine films. (Good News Pilipinas) HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION 14 PHILIPPINE LANGUAGE JULY 19, 2008 Kombension Ti UFCH Idiay Las Vegas Hulyo 17-19, 2008, Umuna a Pamdasan wards the Future” Kas statewide umbrella or- Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, a no ASINO TI SUMARUNO A “TARIPNONG DAGITI LIDER ganization, rumbeng la nga adda saanak nga agriro, ni Oscar Por- PRESIDENTE TI UFCH? A SINUKOG KEN KINAWESAN TI pannakabagi ti tunggal Island tugal, pasado a UFCH president, Ti panagserbi ket saan a PADAS TI SENTENARIO DAGITI Council kas iti Oahu, Kauai, ken sumagmamano idi nga agiray barengbareng. Maisakripisio ti SAKADA MAITURONG ITI Molokai, Big Island, Lanai, ken iti dayta a kapanunotan ti nangi- kuarta, panawen, talento ken pa- ILOKO MASAKBAYAN” Maui. dardarirag. milia. Ta uray usigem no asino dag- Iti Las Vegas, Nevada, ti Daytoy nga OFCC meeting Ta saan a problema iti pan- by Amado I. YORO itoy agkombension iti California umuna a pannakaangayna iti ruar iti Agosto 2007 kas pannakai- nakabotosmo no popularka Hotel iti Las Vegas, kaaduanna ti ti Hawaii. Nairiingring daytoy a datagna diak supringen, ngem ngarud. Ti imasna, ti anak wenno annak, saringit ken banag kadagiti napalabas a ad-adda nga agirayak iti pan- panangisayangkat ken panangi- AS VEGAS? “The Entertain- innabo dagiti immuna a sakada. kombension iti Kauai, Molokai ken nakasuportana, ta asino ngamin patungpal kadagiti proyekto. ment Capital of the World” Sakbay ti Hunio 1959, Maui, a no diak mariro, ni Oscar aya ti agkuna, amangan no iti sa- Ti panagserbi ket aramid, L “Sin City!”.Siudad ti Basol! babaen iti pannakakita ni Ambas- Portugal iti Kauai ti nangidardari- bali a disso, lugar ken venue, en- saan a titulo laeng. Ania ti umapay iti nakemtayo iti sador Juan C. Dionisio, Sr. a kas- rag kadagidi a tiempo. vironment a makuna, ket Manamnama a ni Eddie Las Vegas? Alikawaksay. Sugal. apulan ti a mabangon ti grupo Adda mayat, adda madi. kakuyog met ti panagbaliw, ti dur- Agas, Sr., OFCC past president, Ania ti yawagtayo itoy a tarip- dagiti kadaraan a mam- Ngem ad-adda a malmes ti pro- as ti panagsayaatna. Ti ketdi ki- ken past Board of Governor iti nong dagiti delegado ti UFCH agkaykaysa kadagiti lider a Fil- posal ta saan pay a nakasagana a nalikagumak pay a maitantan, UFCH, ti umuna a UFCH presi- kombension iti Las Vegas 2008? ipino a mangibagi kadagiti gimong ruar ti UFCH nga agkombension. mabalin iti sumaruno a miting, dent a mabotosan iti ruar iti No inawaganda daydi umuna a sibiko iti teritorio ti Hawaii, in- Maysa a rason, dagiti mau- tapno adda naan-anay a Hawaii. a kombension ti UFCH iti Hawaii sayangkatna ti kampaniana idi rnos a kuarta, agpaay latta koma panawen a mangurnos kadagiti Kinalkalikaguman ni Agas ti idi Hunio 19, 20, 21, 1959, nga in- Setiembre 1957. iti Hawaii. detalye, kas iti hotel accommo- agserbi a presidente iti UFCH. Idi dauluan ni nag-Ambassador Juan Kas agapaden dagitoy a bi- Kuna dagiti mangsuporta ti dation, ti airfare, ken dadduma pay la 1999 a panagpaaymi iti C. Dionisio, Sr., ken kakaduana, natog: Las Vegas, tapno adda aliwaksay, pay a mainaig iti kombension ex- AdHoc Committee ti Sakada iti “PANAGTITIPON DAGITI “Chairmen of the six island adda padas aglalo ket “gambling penses. Centennial Celebration, impaki- AGILA” [gathering of the Eagles] councils were all respected lead- is permissible” in LV. Napatgan dayta a dawat, ket tanan ti gaget ken regtana nga ania met ngarud ti tumutop a ers of their communities. Anasta- Nabangon ti Las Vegas idi iti October 2007 OFCC board, agserbi. yawagtayo iti DAMO a cio Luis, Big Island, Marcelino 1905, sa nagbalin nga opisial a sinigundaranmi ti mosion a mang- Manamnama nga aganay a panagkombension ti UFCH iti Las Francisco, Kauai, Liberato Abado, siudad idi 1911. Las Vegas [The suporta ti UFCH Convention idiay 80 dagiti delegado ti kombension Vegas, Nevada? Lanai, Rafael Cabebe, Maui, An- Meadows] a green area. Marso Las Vegas. Paset ti panangarakup sadiay. Mabotosan ti presidente, Iti unos ti 49 a tawen tonio Abrahano, Molokai, Justo 19, 1931 idi nalegalized ti sugal. iti in-inut a panagbalbaliw aman- bise presidente, sekretaria, tesor- nabirokan kadin dagitoy nga agila dela Cruz, Oahu. HPD Lt. Roland Idi naisingasing idi umuna gan no addanto ibunga daytoy a era, auditor ken dagiti Board of ti birbirokenda? Natun-oyanda Sagum served as chairman of the nga OFCC Board miting idi kombension. Governors. kadin dagiti arapaapda iti biag? first convention. Agosto 2007 iti FilComCenter, No maangay daytoy ket agbal- Pammalagip: asino man nga Saan a makalibak ti pakasar- There were 150 delegates babaen ti panangidatag ti maysa a ligi, saanto laengen a daytoy 2008 opisial iti OFCC a mabotosan iti itaan dagiti Filipino iti Hawaii. with their theme: “Statehood and kameng, nupay agirayak a mang- a maangay manen. Iti ababa a pan- UFCH, nasken nga aglusulos day- Dakkel met ti pasetda iti panaglu- the Filipinos in Hawaii”. It was Au- suporta ta ammok ken nabayagen nao, kas panagawatko, nairanta ti toy iti puestona iti Oahu Council. pos ken panagdur-as iti Hawaii gust 21, 1959 when Hawaii be- a maidardarirag daytoy pay la 2008 a kas trial-error basis. Maangayto ti sumaruno a sipud pay idi 1906. Naselebraran came the 50th State of the Union, kadagidi immuna a kombension ti Ti ammomi itoy a kombension kombension idiay Molokai 2009. payen ti maikasangagasut a after Alaska, 49th. The first Miss UFCH a naat-atendarak metten a ket maika-49 maibatay iti 1959 a tawen 2006. Hawaii Filipina was held under a kas delegado, kas iti Kauai, Maui, damo a kombension. Iti agdama, agila pay ngata Fiesta Filipina Project.” dagitoy? Dagitoy kadi dagiti Ita a maisursurat daytoy, GLOBAL NEWS Philippine Eagle, the National Bird “Aganaykami a duapulo a dele- of the Philippines? gado iti Kauai, “ kinuna ni Abe Ala, padasek man a naganan Iloreta, presidente ti Kauai Filipino Dagupan Teenager is Asia’s daytoy a kombension iti “Gather- Community Council. “Sabalinto tions such as the Sudoku Chal- ing of Leaders Shaped and dagiti umay sadiay iti Gala Night lenge. We are very happy with the Equipped by the Sakada Centen- ken dagiti umay met umaliwak- Sudoku Champion results,” said Dr. Simon Chua, nial Experience & Gearing up to- say.” SARAH JANE CUA, a student Sudoku is a logic puzzle MTG president and the first Filipino at the Pangasinan Universal Insti- where the objective is to fill in a 9 to receive the International Paul tute, bested math wizards from x 9 grid so that every row, column Erdos Award for mathematics. across the Asia- Pacific region to and every 3 X 3 box (also called Cua is one of several Filipino win the top prize at the Sudoku blocks or regions) contains the students trained and assisted by Challenge 2008 Asia Pacific Open digits 1 to 9. MTG to participate in the interna- in Singapore. Cua’s victory was hailed by tional Sudoku contest. The 14-year-old from Dagu- the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild- The MTG-Philippines is an pan City also won a cash prize of Philippines as proof that Filipino organization of math experts and US$10,000. She was the second students can excel in mathemat- teachers in the country that trains youngest among 50 contestants ics given the proper training. and sends Filipino students to dif- from Thailand, China, India, Sin- “Again, we have proven that ferent mathematics competitions gapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Filipino students are bright and can abroad including the U.S. (Good the Philippines. compete in international competi- News Pilipinas) JULY 19, 2008 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION 15 CLASSIFIED ADS BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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ATTENTION: FILIPINO ORGANIZATIONS & NON-PROFITS Have your Community Event Published in our Calendar! Fax Your Press Release to 678-1829 or e-mail it [email protected] HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE - NEWS EDITION 16 COMMUNITY PARADE JULY 12, 2008