MARCH 14, 2009 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE 1 HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS LEGAL NOTES MAINLAND NEWS FILIPINO COMMUNITY H-1B RESTRICTION FIL-AM MARTIAL ARTS LEADER TED MINA UNDER STIMULUS FIGHTER TO MAKE PASSES AWAY BILL PAY-PER-VIEW DEBUT HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE PRESORTED STANDARD 94-356 WAIPAHU DEPOT RD., 2ND FLR. U.S. POSTAGE WAIPAHU, HI 96797 PAID HONOLULU, HI PERMIT NO. 9661 2 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE MARCH 14, 2009 EDITORIAL FROM THE PUBLISHER elcome to another issue of the Publisher & Executive Editor Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D. One More Thing Filipinos Hawaii Filipino Chronicle! Do Well Can you believe that we’re al- Publisher & Managing Editor ready halfway through March? Chona A. Montesines-Sonido ilipinos have long excelled in sports such as box- Before you know it, April will W Associate Editors ing and billiards. With the recent successes of be here, which usually means several Filipino vocalists, singing can be offi- for most of us, spring break, Dennis Galolo Edwin Quinabo cially added to that short list. tax time and Easter. F One of the first Filipino singing sensations in Is it just us or does it seem that every few Creative Designer months or so, we hear news of yet another Filipino singer making Junggoi Peralta recent memory was Lea Salonga, who several headlines somewhere in the world? Filipinos indeed love to sing years ago, landed the lead role in the hit musical “Miss Design Consultant and have been doing so at a very early age. In fact, Westerners Randall Shiroma Saigon.” More recently, Manila-born Pinoy rocker Arnel and others who visit the Philippines come away impressed with Pineda made headlines in the music world when he signed the number of talented singers and bands. We explore this in Photographer on as lead singer of the popular rock band Journey. greater detail in our cover story beginning on page 4. Contribut- Tim Llena No doubt the rising popularity of talent shows like ing writers Caroline Julian and Rowena Ballesteros co-investi- Administrative Assistant Shalimar Pagulayan American Idol and its spinoffs enabled many to showcase gated this trend. We hope you will enjoy reading their story. Several top Filipino entertainers will be performing in Hawaii their talents. Even local girls Jasmine Trias and Camile Ve- Columnists this month and in April. In our previous issue, we reported a lim- Carlota Ader lasco owe their big breaks to American Idol, as does child ited five-weekend engagement featuring Jasmine Trias and the Michelle Alarcon, Esq. singing sensation Charice Pempengco who was discovered Society of Seven Las Vegas from March 6-April 4 at the Outrig- Carlo Cadiz, M.D. last year in a talent show in Korea called “Star King.” ger. Also, three of the nation’s funniest Filipino comedians will be Sen. Will Espero in town for the Fil-Am Comedy Jam V, set for April 11 at the Dole Grace F. Fong, Ed.D While the Philippines may lag behind the U.S. in technol- Mayor Mufi Hannemann ogy and other areas, we are light years ahead of perhaps any Cannery Ballroom in Iwilei. If you are in need of a seriously good Governor Linda Lingle nation on earth when it comes to talent shows. Many Filipinos laugh, you may want to find out more on page 8. Last but not Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Ph.D. began singing in front of audiences at an early age, particularly least, Journey and its Filipino lead singer Arnel Pineda will be Rosemarie Mendoza performing in concert March 24-28 on Oahu and the Big Island. J.P. Orias at family parties, school reunions and town fiestas where While not yet a household name, Pineda has sparked renewed in- Pacita Saludes Charlie Sonido, M.D. singing and singing contests were often the main attraction. terest in the band with his sensational vocals. Tickets are on sale Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq. A nation obsessed with singing, the Philippines will con- and going fast, so grab them while they’re still available. Felino S. Tubera tinue to take great pride in the next singing star who is dis- Our condolences go out to the family of the late Ted Mina, Sylvia Yuen, Ph.D. covered. And that’s a good thing. who recently passed away. Mina was a former State representative and tireless community volunteer who did much to help Filipinos Contributing Writers and others, particularly in Kalihi Valley. The Filipino community Calvin Alonzo, O.D. Abercrombie mourns his passing. A brief article on Mina’s life is on page 8. Rowena Ballesteros In closing, please take time to read these and other articles of Clement Bautista Announcement Heats Up interest in this issue, including our regular columns like Family Linda Dela Cruz Constante A. Domingo Corner, Legal Notes and Legislative Connection. As always, 2010 Elections Danny De Gracia thank you for supporting the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle! Until Amelia Jacang, M.D. decision last week by U.S. Rep. Neil Aber- next time... Caroline Julian crombie to run for governor in 2010 touched Aloha and Mabuhay! Albert Lanier off lively discussion and various ‘musical Ashley Monfort chair’ scenarios among political pundits and Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. A observers. Glenn Wakai Abercrombie is the first major Democrat to Philippine Correspondent enter a major race for next year’s election. His Guil Franco early announcement may achieve its intended effect of Big Island Distributor clearing the field of opponents and forcing on-the-fence Elmer Acasio candidates to decide earlier than they had expected to—can- Ditas Udani didates like Mayor Mufi Hannemann and State Senate pres- Maui Distributor ident Colleen Hanabusa who are also both eyeing the Cecile Piros governor’s seat. Molokai Distributor At the moment, it’s a race between the liberal Aber- Maria Watanabe crombie and the conservative Duke Aiona who announced Advertising/Marketing Director his bid for Washington Place over a year ago. Abercrom- Chona A. Montesines-Sonido bie, who turns 72 next year, is an early favorite against the much younger lieutenant governor—having name recogni- Account Executives Carlota Ader tion and an established track record locally and in D.C. J.P. Orias where he has nearly two decades of experience and con- The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle is published nections with President Obama and other key Democrats. weekly by The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. As the pieces fall into place, the Democrats will emerge It is mailed directly to subscribers and dis- tributed at various outlets around Oahu and to field a deep bench for the 2010 season. It includes the the neighbor islands. Editorial and advertis- likes of Hannemann, Hanabusa, former U.S. Rep. Ed Case, ing deadlines are three weeks prior to pub- lication date. Subscriptions are available at former State House majority floor leader Kirk Caldwell and $75 per year for Oahu and the neighbor is- Rep. Brian Schatz. Republicans have…well, City coun- lands, continental U.S. $80, foreign country $90. Copyright 2006. The Hawaii Filipino cilmember Charles Djou who is eyeing Abercrombie’s seat. Chronicle Inc. is located at 94-356 Waipahu Expect the Democrats in 2010 to borrow Obama’s cam- Depot, Waipahu, HI 96797. Telephone (808) 678-8930 Facsimile (808) 678-1829. paign slogan of change, but such a theme is questionable, E-mail [email protected]. Web- given their dominance of isle politics since statehood. Re- site: www.thefilipinochronicle.com. Opinions expressed by the columnists and contribu- publicans say Aiona better represents change and a break tors do not necessarily reflect those of the from one-party rule. Hawaii Filipino Chronicle management. Re- production of the contents in whole or in part In the topsy-turvy world of politics where anything can is prohibited without written permission from and has happened—one thing is for certain—2010 will be the management. All rights reserved. a fun year to watch. Printed in the U.S.A. MARCH 14, 2009 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE 3 LEGISLATIVE CONNECTION HereÊs to Your Health Hawaii Made Products – SB 1223 prove access to care ers abound, but how is If it says "made in Hawaii," for underserved pop- the public to know that how much of it actually was ulations is SB 933, the individual has the "made in Hawaii"? The adver- which permits the is- proper education to be tising tool has long been an By Senator Will Espero suance of a commu- able to advise clients issue of controversy. Local nity service license to given their particular manufacturers and producers of ccess to medical practice dentistry to health conditions in rela- goods here want to ensure truth- care is a long those dentists who tion to a proposed fitness in-advertising and stop misrep- standing problem are employed by the regimen? SB 1129 adds resentation. SB 1223 would in the country. Department of a new state law, requiring prohibit items from being ad- A Thankfully, the Health, a federally registration of athletic vertised as "made in Hawaii" Obama Adminis- qualified health center, a Native blackout of Christmas 2008 trainers. Certification requires unless the product derives at tration has set its sail to tackle Hawaiian health systems center, were an inconvenience to the trainer to be properly quali- least 51% of its wholesale value the deficiencies in the current or a post-secondary dental aux- many, but to those dependent fied to prevent athletic injuries; from manufacture, assembly, health care system. The Hawaii iliary training program. The on medical support equipment, recognize, evaluate, and assess fabrication, or production Legislature is considering sev- dentists must be licensed in an- it was a matter of life and athletic injuries and conditions; within Hawaii.