NOVEMBER 21, 2009 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE 1 ♦ WEEKLY ♦ NOVEMBER 21, 2009 ♦ ALL IDEAS CONSIDERED COMMENTARY PHILIPPINE NEWS THE CHRONICLE MIDDLE AMERICA, PINOY NAMED IS SOMETHING TAKE BACK YOUR CNN 'HERO GREATER....... ECONOMY OF THE YEAR' 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 NOVEMBER 21, 2009 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 21, 2009 3 FROM THE PUBLISHER EDITORIALS Publisher & Executive Editor et me be the first to congratulate Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D. and thank you for picking up this ISAH Medical Mission issue, which marks the 17th An- Publisher & Managing Editor to Strengthen Ties With Chona A. Montesines-Sonido niversary of the Hawaii-Filipino L Chronicle. It’s hard to believe how Ilocos Region Associate Editors fast time has flown. I can still 009 marks version three of the Ilocos Surian As- Dennis Galolo vividly recall when the original Edwin Quinabo sociation of Hawaii’s (ISAH) homecoming med- members of our editorial board first met to ical mission to the Ilocos region of the Philippines. Creative Designer begin work on our inaugural issue. As time marched on, the faces ISAH’s mission is unique from other medical mis- Junggoi Peralta changed and we moved offices from Kalihi to Waipahu. But one sions from the U.S. to the Philippines and the thing that has remained the same is our commitment to providing 2 world for that matter because of a unique twist that Design Consultant Randall Shiroma the Filipino community with timely and useful news. That com- incorporates holistic healing and extends into ed- mitment along with the faithful support of our readers have enabled ucation, culture and entertainment. Photographer A myriad of non-medical events have been planned, includ- Tim Llena the Hawaii-Filipino Chronicle to not only survive, but thrive as a small business in Hawaii’s unpredictable business climate. ing singing and talent contests as well as scholarship exams that Administrative Assistant As we enter the final weeks of 2009, many of you are no doubt are sure to uplift the spirits of many families in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Shalimar Pagulayan Norte and neighboring areas and provide them with a very mem- looking forward to what is traditionally considered the best time of the orable Christmas. Columnists year—Thanksgiving and the start of the Yuletide Season! While it’s Carlota Ader ISAH’s mission is a spin-off from the Aloha Medical Mission Carlo Cadiz, M.D. a bit early to wish you a Mele Kalikimaka, we do however, extend our started in the mid-1980s by a group of Filipino doctors with the Sen. Will Espero best to you and your family for a very Happy Thanksgiving. Philippine Medical Association (PMAH). Over the years, PMAH Grace F. Fong, Ed.D The cover story for this special, 24-page anniversary issue is members have organized smaller missions of mercy to their re- Mayor Mufi Hannemann about the 2009 Ilocos Homecoming Medical Mission, scheduled spective hometowns in the Philippines. Such missions are exam- Governor Linda Lingle for December 15-23. Held every two years, this mission will meet Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Ph.D. ples of medicine at its most fundamental core—healing the sick J.P. Orias the medical needs of needy patients in the Philippines and also fea- without thought of reward of payment. Perhaps this selfless act Pacita Saludes ture singing and academic contests meant to strengthen relation- can be best summed up in two words—noblesse oblige, French Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. ships between the people of Hawaii and the Ilocos region. Please for “to whom much is given, much is expected.” Charlie Sonido, M.D. read more on this ambitious and extensive medical mission begin- With long, difficult hours and less-than-ideal conditions, a Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq. typical mission is by no means a vacation. But for first timers, a Felino S. Tubera ning on page 4. medical mission to a Third World Country will be something they Sylvia Yuen, Ph.D. Speaking of missions, the Aloha Medical Mission and Queen’s will remember for the rest of their lives. For seasoned medical Medical Center are teaming up for the annual benefit piano concert. mission volunteers, these missions provide a respite from the Contributing Writers This year’s concert is entitled “Four Doctors, a Patient & a Sweet- minutiae associated with their medical practices and an opportu- Belinda Aquino, Ph.D. heart” and is scheduled for December 10, 2009 at the Blaisdell Con- nity to feed their altruistic inclinations. Clement Bautista cert Hall beginning at 7 pm. We hope you will make arrangements Teresita Bernales, Ph.D ISAH’s mission and others like them are inspirational exam- Linda Dela Cruz to attend this very worthwhile event which is meant to raise funds for ples of the impact a small group of dedicated volunteers can have Fiedes Doctor AMM’s numerous programs and missions of mercy. on the world’s less fortunate. We commend ISAH members and Gregory Bren Garcia This issue also features the return of contributing writer Felino hope that their efforts will continue to inspire other Filipino or- Danny De Gracia, II, MA Tubera, who has been with the Chronicle from the very beginning ganizations in Hawaii to plan similar events for their respective Amelia Jacang, M.D. Caroline Julian We always look forward to his interesting perspectives on life. This hometowns and provinces. Rosemarie Mendoza time around, he has submitted an article on page 7 entitled “The Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. Chronicle Is…” which is about the Chronicle’s role and impact on Happy 17th Anniversary! Glenn Wakai Hawaii’s Filipino community. eventeen years is a long time to be doing anything, Philippine Correspondent There are many more interesting articles of interest in this issue, Guil Franco much less publish an ethnic community newspaper. particularly our Commentary column (page 10) which was written To get an idea of the longevity of the Hawaii Filipino Big Island Distributor by associate editor Edwin Quinabo, Legal Notes (page 15) and Chronicle, 17 years ago Bill Clinton won the U.S. Elmer Acasio Philippine Language (page 16). We hope these articles will inform Ditas Udani S presidency, while retired general Fidel Ramos and you and stimulate your thinking. movie star Joseph Estrada were elected president and Maui Distributor In closing, thank you again for your support these past 17 years. vice president of the Philippines, respectively. Locally, Cecile Piros It has been a pleasure to serve all of our readers. Until next time, Ben Cayetano was biding his time as lieutenant governor behind Molokai Distributor aloha and mabuhay! then-Gov. John Waihee. Maria Watanabe Over the years, the Chronicle has survived the ups-and-downs Advertising/Marketing Director of the economy, several governors and U.S. presidents, along with Chona A. Montesines-Sonido a Gulf War and a succeeding war on terrorism—which is no mere Account Executives small feat considering that dozens of ethnic newspapers across the Carlota Ader nation have folded during the same time span. Along the way, the J.P. Orias Chronicle has received numerous awards for excellence from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and from various com- munity organizations. The paper has also been fortunate to have an The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle is published outstanding list of columnists and contributing writers, as well as weekly by The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. exclusive columns from the Governor’s and Mayor’s offices…all of It is mailed directly to subscribers and dis- tributed at various outlets around Oahu and which have led to well-balanced and informative reporting. the neighbor islands. Editorial and advertis- Perhaps it was simply meant for the Chronicle to survive this ing deadlines are three weeks prior to pub- lication date. Subscriptions are available at long and to take its place among other ethnic media that play a vital $75 per year for Oahu and the neighbor is- role in the communities they serve. The Chronicle’s publishers and lands, continental U.S. $80, foreign country editorial board realize that an informed populace keeps government $90. Copyright 2006. The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. is located at 94-356 Waipahu accountable. Its timely reporting of news arms readers with knowl- Depot, Waipahu, HI 96797. Telephone edge of current events and issues so that they can become wise par- (808) 678-8930 Facsimile (808) 678-1829. ticipants in societal decision-making. E-mail [email protected]. Web- site: www.thefilipinochronicle.com. Opinions More importantly, the Chronicle gives a voice to Hawaii’s Fil- expressed by the columnists and contribu- ipino community, strengthens cohesion among the numerous Fil- tors do not necessarily reflect those of the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle management. Re- ipino community groups in existence and corrects harmful production of the contents in whole or in part misperceptions promulgated by mainstream media. We hope that is prohibited without written permission from the Chronicle, with an ability to tap into the Filipino community, the management. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. will continue to offer unique context, history and perspectives found nowhere else—for the next 17 years and beyond. 4 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 21, 2009 COVER STORY Ilocos Homecoming Medical Mission 2009 By J.P. Orias fter the first Ilocos Homecoming Medical Mission in 2005, Apo Carlito Soria, then Ilocos Surian Association of Hawaii (ISAH) vice president and one of the group’s respected kupuna, pro- A posed that the medical mission be held every two years. The 2005 mission served ap- friendly contests were an excel- coordination with the local gov- proximately 15,000 patients and lent way of giving back to their ernment in Ilocos.” had a strong memory recall in hometowns and providing cash This year, organizers began Ilocos.