auGusT 16, 2014 HaWaii Filipino cHRonicle 1 ♦ AUGUST 16, 2014 ♦ Photography by Tim LLENA OPINION CANDID PERSPECTIVES LEGAL NOTES WHy GoveRnmenT Robin Williams Was alloWed To Keep Fails, and WHaT We an HonoRaRy Filipino GReen caRd sHould do abouT iT ameRican, Gone Too soon despiTe FRaud 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 16, 2014 EDITORIALS FROM THE PUBLISHER Publisher & Executive Editor e dodged two major bullets Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D. recently as Hurricanes Iselle Welcome, New Consul Publisher & Managing Editor and Julio left us largely un- Chona A. Montesines-Sonido touched. On the Big Island, General Jamoralin Associate Editors Iselle did inflict some dam- here’s a new consul general in town who brings a W Dennis Galolo wealth of experience as a foreign diplomat for the age, toppling trees, cutting Edwin Quinabo Philippines. With an early interest in learning about power to thousands of residents in Puna and Contributing Editor other cultures and languages, it seems Gina A. delaying the results of the Primary Election. Belinda Aquino, Ph.D. Jamoralin was destined for a career in the Philip- But for the most part, Hawaii was spared from widespread dam- Creative Designer T ages. However, we should be careful to not let our guard down Junggoi Peralta pine Foreign Service. She has traveled throughout the Asia-Pacific region and Europe on various assignments, in- especially since weather forecasters are expecting a busier than Photography cluding the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan and in Bucharest, normal hurricane season which extends through November. To Tim Llena Romania. Her latest stop is Honolulu, where she looks forward learn more about how to better prepare yourself for storms, nat- Administrative Assistant to carrying on the work of previous consuls general and fostering ural disasters and other emergencies, I encourage you to attend Shalimar Pagulayan relations with Hawaii’s Filipino community. the 4th Annual Get Ready Ewa Beach Emergency Preparedness Columnists The Consul General in Honolulu does more than issue and Fair on September 6th. Please turn to page 5 to learn more about Carlota Hufana Ader Emil Guillermo renew passports for Philippine citizens. Her role is crucial, espe- this event which is free and open to the public. Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Ph.D. cially when it comes to building strong ties between the Philip- Our cover story for this issue introduces new Consul Gen- Ron Menor pines and Hawaii. She is responsible for promoting the eral Gina A. Jamoralin who arrived in Hawaii just last month. J.P. Orias Pacita Saludes Philippines’ interests in trade and tourism by meeting regularly She graciously took time from her busy schedule for an inter- Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. with local government and business leaders. She is also expected view with our columnist Carlota Ader. Prior to Honolulu, Con- Charlie Sonido, M.D. to build relationships with non-profit groups on a variety of out- sul General Jamoralin was the assistant Secretary of American Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq. reach projects to the Philippines and to meet regularly with Philip- Felino S. Tubera Affairs at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, where Sylvia Yuen, Ph.D. pine nationals to discuss immigration and other matters that affect she oversaw bilateral relations between the Philippines, the Contributing Writers Filipinos. And as the official representative of the Philippine gov- U.S., Canada and Latin America. Her special interest and ex- ernment, she must always project a positive image of the Mother Clement Bautista pertise in economics (she holds a PhD) will come in quite handy Country. Teresita Bernales, Ed.D in her efforts to promote the Philippines as an investment site Serafin Colmenares, Jr., Ph.D. We hope that the new consul general will continue to support for American and Filipino businesses. She will also focus on Linda Dela Cruz community projects statewide that encourage young Filipinos to Fiedes Doctor continuing the good work done by previous consuls general in be more active in political governance and that promote cultural Danny De Gracia, II, MA fostering a good working relationship with Hawaii’s Filipino Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand pride. The Consulate should also continue its outreach projects community and maintaining unity. To find out more about Con- Amelia Jacang, M.D. to the neighbor islands to serve Filipino communities there. Pro- Caroline Julian cessing passport renewals, dual citizenship forms, notary authen- sul General Jamoralin, read our in-depth interview on page 4 Federico Magdalena, Ph.D. Deborah T. Manog tication and other legal services may seem like routine consular entitled “Up Close and personal With Hawaii’s New Consul General Gina Jamoralin.” Maita Milallos work, but the gesture is much appreciated by neighbor island Fil- Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. ipinos because it spares them the time and expense of having to Finally, how did your candidates do in the Primary Elec- Seneca Moraleda-Puguan travel to Honolulu. tion? We hope you took the time to cast your ballots and that Lilia Q. Santiago, Ph.D. Jay Valdez, Psy.D. On that note, the Chronicle sends a warm welcome to Consul the impending storms did not prevent or discourage you from Glenn Wakai General Jamoralin and wishes her the best as she begins her term voting. If you didn’t vote, don’t despair—there’s still the Gen- Amado Yoro in Honolulu. We certainly look forward to working with her and eral Election in November. The Primary certainly had its share Philippine Correspondent encourage our leaders in the Filipino community to embrace her of surprising outcomes. We will recap and analyze the results Greg Garcia with aloha. of the various races in our next issue, so keep an eye out for it. Big Island Distributor Grace Larson That’s all for now. I hope that you will take some time to Ditas Udani read through this issue and find our articles useful and inform- Maui Distributor Price Gouging is Illegal ative. As always, we encourage you to contact us at: fil- Cecile Piros [email protected] if you have any story ideas, tips or Molokai Distributor s hurricanes Iselle and Julio bore down on the concerns regarding Hawaii’s dynamic and vibrant Filipino com- Maria Watanabe Hawaiian Islands, civil defense officials issued ad- munity. Our sincerest thanks to all of you for reading and faith- Advertising/Marketing Director visories for the public to begin preparations. Resi- fully supporting the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle! Chona A. Montesines-Sonido dents heeded the call as only locals can—by Until next time…aloha and mabuhay! Account Executives snapping up supplies of spam, toilet paper, bottled Carlota Hufana Ader J.P. Orias A water and other necessities. Store shelves quickly The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle is published emptied, forcing frustrated shoppers to visit several weekly by The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. It is mailed directly to subscribers and dis- stores. Worse yet, there were disturbing reports that a few mer- tributed at various outlets around Oahu and chants decided to inflate the prices of certain goods. One shop- commodities in the event of impending storms and other natural the neighbor islands. Editorial and advertis- ing deadlines are three weeks prior to pub- per paid $36 for a case of bottled water—or about six times what disasters. Common sense business practice is to raise prices on lication date. Subscriptions are available at $75 per year for Oahu and the neighbor is- it normally costs. goods as consumer demand increases—only not during emer- lands, continental U.S. $80, foreign country $90. Copyright 2006-2014. The Hawaii Fil- Let’s be clear that price gouging is illegal in Hawaii. Viola- gencies. Without a price freeze, widespread panic could ensue ipino Chronicle Inc. is located at 94-356 Waipahu Depot, Waipahu, HI 96797. Tele- tors face fines of up to $5,000 and/or a minimum of one year in and even, God forbid, looting and rioting. Ask anyone from phone (808) 678-8930 Facsimile (808) 678- 1829. E-mail [email protected]. jail under a recently enacted state law that makes price gouging Kauai about the civil unrest in the aftermath of Hurricane Iwa Website: www.thefilipinochronicle.com. a criminal, rather than a civil offense. By law, prices must be in 1982. Opinions expressed by the columnists and contributors do not necessarily reflect those capped at the time that the governor declares a state of emer- Shoppers who feel that they have been victims of price of the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle manage- ment. Reproduction of the contents in whole gency. The emergency proclamation was issued two days before gouging are urged to save their receipts and contact the State or in part is prohibited without written per- mission from the management. All rights re- Iselle was expected to reach the Big Island but it may have come Office of Consumer Protection. Over 20 complaints have been served. Printed in the U.S.A. too late for some shoppers who paid the over-inflated prices. made so far. Let’s send a strong message to unscrupulous busi- www.thefilipinochronicle.com Businesses that unknowingly raised prices could still avoid vi- nesses that try to make an extra buck at the expense of the public www.efilipinochronicle.com olations if they roll back prices to appropriate levels and return that price gouging will not be tolerated, especially in a state like excessive payments to consumers. Hawaii where we pride ourselves in the aloha spirit and looking MEMbEr, SociETy of ProfESSioNAL JourNALiSTS Still, it is unconscionable for merchants to jack up prices of after one another.