February 15, 2020 Hawaii Filipino Chronicle 1
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FEBRUARY 15, 2020 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE 1 FEBRUARY 15, 2020 HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS AS I SEE IT PERSONAL REFLECTIONS BILL INTRODUCED THE POLITICAL DIVIDE LOVE WILL ALWAYS TO FUND HANAPEPE BETWEEN GOP AND BE WORTH IT MASSACRE FILM PROJECT DEMOCRATS WIDENS..... 2 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLEFEBRUARY 15, 2020 EDITORIAL FROM THE PUBLISHER Publisher & Executive Editor hile analysts turn to eco- Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D. Publisher & Managing Editor Suicide Is a Public nomic benchmarks as Chona A. Montesines-Sonido revelations of well-being, Associate Editors there are other measures Edwin QuinaboDennis Galolo Health Problem; Know that show the U.S. is not Contributing Editor faring as well as we would Belinda Aquino, Ph.D. the Warning Signs W Layout like to think. For example, that America’s Junggoi Peralta alking about death is very uncomfortable and a life expectancy has declined in the last three Photography topic most people avoid. Having a conversation years. It is the first time in a hundred years this has happened, Tim Llena about death by suicide is even more unsettling, and largely, due to the surge in suicides. Administrative Assistant Lilia Capalad in part, because surviving loved ones often feel Yes, suicides are epidemic and have risen to their highest Shalimar Pagulayan guilty that they were not able to prevent it. Given levels since the CDC has been tracking them. For our cover Editorial Assistant T the staggering rates of suicides across the entire story, associate editor Edwin Quinabo takes a look at the stag- Jim Bea Sampaga nation and almost all age groups, experts say it’s about time gering numbers – that nearly 45,000 lives are lost to suicide Columnists that we as a community, as a family, begin to have conver- each year; that there are 123 suicides per day in the U.S. Across Carlota Hufana Ader Elpidio R. Estioko sations on this troubling topic. Identifying warning signs and the board from almost all age groups and each state, suicides are Emil Guillermo myths of suicides can actually save a life, experts say. up. In Hawaii, suicide is the most common cause of fatal inju- Melissa Martin, Ph.D. Myth one: People who commit suicide are mentally ill. The ries (more than car crashes or homicides) among residents with J.P. Orias Pacita Saludes fact is not all mentally ill patients commit suicide. More than one suicide committed every two days on average. Clearly, it’s Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. half of those who have died of suicide did not have a diagnosed a crisis, a silent one that is given little attention due to the taboo Charlie Sonido, M.D. mental disorder. associated with the act. The CDC has called it a public health Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq. Besides mental illness, life stressors are often attributable crisis and would like everyone to begin talking about it more. Contributing Writers Why? Because suicides are preventable. Most suicide victims Clement Bautista to suicides – for example, the loss of a loved one by death or Edna Bautista, Ed.D. separation, financial ruin, criminal matters, job loss, eviction or do not just suddenly take their own lives; experts say they ex- Teresita Bernales, Ed.D. traumatic events like sexual abuse. hibit warning signs. But most of us are not looking for them Sheryll Bonilla, Esq. because suicides are hardly ever talked about. This needs to Rose Churma Even though not all sufferers of mental illness will attempt Serafin Colmenares Jr., Ph.D. suicide, mental illness is a risk factor. Clinical depression, change if we are to reverse this devastating trend of loss which Linda Dela Cruz anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders leaves so many families and communities heart broken. In the Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand must be treated professionally. cover story, read some of the warning signs, why people are Amelia Jacang, M.D. Caroline Julian Myth two: People who commit suicide want to die. Health having suicidal tendencies, and important emergency lifeline Raymond Ll. Liongson, Ph.D. experts say that what suicide victims really want is to stop their resources available locally in Hawaii and nationally. Federico Magdalena, Ph.D. pain. This is an important distinction because once the emo- Also in this issue, we have two Valentine’s articles to cel- Matthew Mettias Maita Milallos tional pain subsides, usually thoughts of suicide go away. So ebrate the month of love. First, in HFC columnist Seneca Mo- Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. the key is for family and friends to be there for someone in raleda-Puguan’s “Love Will Always Be Worth It,” she writes Renelaine Bontol-Pfister pain, to listen to his or her problems, or have a professional about what marriage means. To her, it’s far greater than an emo- Seneca Moraleda-Puguan Jay Valdez, Psy.D. intervene during deeply trying moments. tion or feeling, but it’s a covenant, a true commitment to each Glenn Wakai Myth three: People just commit suicide unexpectedly with- other for the long haul. It takes hard work and patience. Second, Amado Yoro out giving it much thought. So it wasn’t preventable. The truth HFC’s Mark Lester Ranchez takes an unconventional look at Philippine Correspondent: is a person with suicidal ideation (thoughts of suicide) usually Valentine’s season as one of self-love. He writes, “this Valen- Greg Garcia gives warning signs, verbally or by action. Since suicide is tine’s Season, it is important to remind yourself that true love is Neighbor Island Correspondents: rarely talked about, most people don’t see the warning signs within,” then goes on to offer healthy tips on caring for oneself Big Island (Hilo and Kona) or may not know what to look for. This is why health experts mentally, physically, and emotionally. Grace LarsonDitas Udani are encouraging the public to be better informed and to begin In our Health Feature, Philippine Medical Association of Kauai Hawaii President Dr. Marel Ver writes about the Hawaii State Millicent Wellington talking about it. Maui If there is a trigger event in someone’s life (life changing Trauma System that includes hospitals and other entities like Christine Sabado event), that should be a cue to look for warning signs. ambulance companies, air transport companies, police depart- Big Island Distributors ments, fire departments, ocean safety, legislative arms, and the Grace LarsonDitas Udani What are some typical warning signs? Department of Health. She also informs us of the Hawaii State Kauai Distributors Trauma System’s Stop the Bleed (STB) classes -- one-hour Amylou Aguinaldo A loved one: 1) prepares for death like changing a will, giv- Nestor Aguinaldo ing cherished belongings away or saying goodbyes; 2) becomes classes, free of charge, taught by health care staff. She says, Maui Distributors isolated and wants to be left alone; 3) shows deep despair by “we teach the importance of this STB initiative, how to iden- Cecille PirosRey Piros openly talking about the pain as unbearable. There are other tify life-threatening bleeding, and learn techniques to stop the Molokai Distributor warning signs like erratic behavior or use of drugs or alcohol. bleeding.” Maria Watanabe In our news sections, the Hawaii Department of Education Oahu Distributors There are certain groups with higher rates of suicides: mil- Yoshimasa Kaneko itary veterans, LGBTQ youths, and the elderly. These groups (DOE) has launched a first-ever international teacher recruit- Jonathan Pagulayan are particularly vulnerable and identifying early warning signs ment program to deal with the state’s teachers’ shortage. Re- Advertising / Marketing Director are even more crucial. While heterosexual individuals have a 4 cently, two DOE recruiters were sent to Manila, Philippines to Chona A. Montesines-Sonido percent chance of attempting suicide in their lifetime, lesbian, interview applicants. Also, Rep. Rida Cabanilla Arakawa intro- Account Executives gay, and bisexual individuals have an 11 to 20 percent risk, and duced a bill to fund the Hanapepe Massacre Film Project, that Carlota Hufana Ader transgender individuals have a staggering 30 percent lifetime needs our community’s support. And it’s tax time again – the JP Orias Intern risk of attempting suicide. AARP Foundation would like to remind the public that it is of- Mark Lester Ranchez Military veterans have double the suicide rate of non-vet- fering free in-person tax assistance from Feb. 1 through April erans. 15. All AARP tax volunteers are trained and IRS-certified. Households with the presence of a gun also put inhabitants Lastly, be sure to read our other regular columns. A remind- at higher risk. Over 50 percent of all suicides are committed by er: each HFC issue is available online. Let your family and the use of a firearm. friends know of this convenience. If you suspect a loved one is thinking about suicide, the best Thank you for supporting your community newspaper. Un- move is to ask. Health experts say talking about suicide doesn’t til next issue, warmest Aloha and Mabuhay! make people more suicidal, but makes them less suicidal. (continue on page 3) FEBRUARY 15, 2020 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE 3 EDITORIALS start demanding representa- tion much like they have been It’s High Time for Hollywood to Reflect Diversity in other industries. Why not pressure Hollywood? emember when had to release a statement, There needs to be more Hawaii 5-0 ac- saying: “I have heard your diversity at the very top. That tors Daniel Dae words and your disappoint- is the only way diverse sto- Kim and Grace ment, and I offer you a heart- ries, diverse “lead” actors, Park, who are felt apology to all who felt will help reshape the industry R both of Asian this was an odd or misguided to better reflect who we are as descent, left the CBS show af- casting choice.” a nation.