MARCH 28, 2009 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE 1 ♦ WEEKLY ♦ MARCH 28, 2009 ♦ Photography by TIM LLENA HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS IMMIGRATION GUIDE MAINLAND NEWS FILIPINO FILM FIANCEE VS. WIFE, NEW YORK TIMES FESTIVAL AT WHICH IS BETTER? AWARDS FIL-AM UH-MANOA TEACHERS 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 28, 2009 EDITORIAL FROM THE PUBLISHER elcome to another edition of Publisher & Executive Editor Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D. Celebrating the Visayan the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle! If you’re a parent, your chil- Publisher & Managing Editor Century dren are probably on Spring Chona A. Montesines-Sonido n July 20, 1909, the SS Korea steamed into Break. For the rest of us, W Associate Editors Spring Break means….less Hawaiian waters, carrying another boatload of Dennis Galolo laborers from the Philippines to work on the sug- traffic! Much to everyone’s re- Edwin Quinabo lief, the morning and afternoon commutes are arcane plantations. What made this voyage dif- noticeably lighter and will be for the next Creative Designer O ferent from the others was that the ship carried Junggoi Peralta two weeks, now that most public and private schools are not in members of the Magpiong and Yorong fami- session. Design Consultant lies—the first Visayans to Hawaii. For the past month, many eyes have been riveted on the State Randall Shiroma Visayans comprise between 10-15 percent of Hawaii’s Legislature, as senators wrangled over the highly-controversial Photographer Filipino population. Nevertheless, they have over the years same sex marriage bill. Just last week, the Senate voted 18-6 to Tim Llena made their mark in Hawaii’s rich history, particularly in pol- reject the bill. The six senators who voted in favor of pulling the Administrative Assistant itics with former Gov. Ben Cayetano, entertainment with TV stalled bill out of committee for a full Senate vote were Rosalyn Shalimar Pagulayan Baker, Suzanne Chun-Oakland, Carol Fukunaga, Gary Hooser, personality Emme Tomimbang and actress Tia Carrere and Columnists sports with former boxing champ Ben Villaflor—to name a Les Ihara and Michelle Kidani. It remains to be seen what the Carlota Ader few. fall-out will be for most of these six senators, particularly Michelle Alarcon, Esq. In light of the Visayan Centennial, we commend the Hooser, who led the efforts to recall the bill and will be running Carlo Cadiz, M.D. for Lieutenant Governor in 2010. With the contentious issue set- Sen. Will Espero Congress of Visayan Organizations (COVO), the umbrella tled for the time being, lawmakers can now focus on the state’s Grace F. Fong, Ed.D Mayor Mufi Hannemann group for 20 Visayan organizations, for their efforts to work economy as well as other pressing matters. closely with the United Filipino Council of Hawaii (UFCH) Governor Linda Lingle As many of you already know, 2009 marks the 100th An- Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Ph.D. during the Filipino Centennial in 2006. The rift that split niversary of the arrival of the first Visayan immigrants to Hawaii. Rosemarie Mendoza apart the community during the 1980s is well-documented, Many Visayan community groups are celebrating with various J.P. Orias Pacita Saludes but fortunately, time has slowly healed wounds. activities statewide for the entire year—much like the Filipino Charlie Sonido, M.D. As an ethnic group, we need to remain united. Filipinos Centennial in 2006. In conjunction with the Visayan Centennial, Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq. groups—Visayan, Tagalog and Ilocano—need to put aside our cover story for this issue is on the Magpiong and Yorong Felino S. Tubera their differences and instead work together on issues facing families—two of the first Visayan families who traveled to Sylvia Yuen, Ph.D. the Filipino community in Hawaii. Much more can be done Hawaii from the Philippines as plantation workers. Contribut- Contributing Writers if we coordinate activities, pool resources, discuss common ing writer Rowena Ballesteros interviewed the descendants of these two families, who spoke about adjusting to life in Hawaii Calvin Alonzo, O.D. concerns, and present a single united voice. Rowena Ballesteros and their early struggles. Clement Bautista We have other stories in this issue that are bound to inter- Linda Dela Cruz est you, including a proposal by Councilmember Donovan Constante A. Domingo Dela Cruz for online voting in the next election (see page 3), a Danny De Gracia Amelia Jacang, M.D. Hawaii State Senate Made robotics competition featuring local and international teams Caroline Julian (page 6), a special patriotic dinner honoring Fil-Am veterans Albert Lanier Wise Choice (page 8) and several others. Ashley Monfort y a vote of 18-6, state senators rejected a move In closing, we hope some of you were able to see the rock Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. to recall the controversial gay marriage bill band Journey in concert. The band is still popular among the Glenn Wakai 30- and 40-something age group. But thanks to new lead singer from committee for a full vote on the Senate Philippine Correspondent floor. The bill would have given homosexual Arnel Pineda, the band has gained legions of admiring Fil- Guil Franco couples the same rights, benefits and protec- ipinos, who have taken great pride in their countryman’s suc- B Big Island Distributor cess. Many who attended the concerts came away impressed tions under state law as married couples. Elmer Acasio with Pineda’s vocals and say he is the real deal. Ditas Udani However, the Senate’s decision was more a vote to not As always, thank you for supporting the Hawaii Filipino overstep the boundaries of Senate protocol. Had the vote Chronicle! Until next time… Maui Distributor Cecile Piros been a simple up or down on the controversial measure, the Aloha, Mabuhay and rock on! result would have been much, much closer. Ultimately, the Molokai Distributor Senate made the right choice on two fronts. First, approv- Maria Watanabe ing the bill for a full floor vote would have set a dangerous Advertising/Marketing Director precedent for future controversial bills that were given hear- LETTERS Chona A. Montesines-Sonido ings but ultimately ended up stalled in committee. The Account Executives Trouble Brewing For Philippine Collection at Carlota Ader process in the Senate ensures fair and orderly proceedings UH Library? J.P. Orias and prevents chaos from ensuing. The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle is published Secondly, the bill would have violated freedom of reli- The backbone to Asian Studies teaching and research at UH- weekly by The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. gion—a basic right that this very country was founded Manoa includes Hamilton Library’s locally and internationally-val- It is mailed directly to subscribers and dis- ued Asia Collection. The Philippines collection is part of this tributed at various outlets around Oahu and upon. How so? Because gay marriage would be deemed a the neighbor islands. Editorial and advertis- resource. UH administrators should be the first to demonstrate its ing deadlines are three weeks prior to pub- civil right. Currently, it is unconstitutional for clergy to re- appreciation of this asset. lication date. Subscriptions are available at fuse to wed couples based on race. However, under this bill, $75 per year for Oahu and the neighbor is- Yet, a current authoritative proposal to disperse the responsi- lands, continental U.S. $80, foreign country which grants civil rights to gay couples, clergy would be bilities of professional librarians on the Asia Collection staff (in- $90. Copyright 2006. The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. is located at 94-356 Waipahu forced to marry them if requested to do so. Churches and cluding the Philippines specialist) threatens to undermine the value Depot, Waipahu, HI 96797. Telephone private Christian schools would be forced to hire openly of this asset for teaching and research across the Manoa campus. (808) 678-8930 Facsimile (808) 678-1829. Why would UH administrators hesitate to be the first to pro- E-mail [email protected]. Web- gay faculty and staff or face civil rights lawsuits. site: www.thefilipinochronicle.com. Opinions While the Senate’s decision effectively kills the bill mote the value of the Asia Collection in Hamilton Library? expressed by the columnists and contribu- tors do not necessarily reflect those of the for this legislative session, proponents of the bill will be Vincent K. Pollard, Ph.D. Hawaii Filipino Chronicle management. Re- back next year. There are no easy answers to this highly production of the contents in whole or in part Honolulu is prohibited without written permission from contentious issue, but for the time being, the majority has the management. All rights reserved. spoken. Printed in the U.S.A. MARCH 28, 2009 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE 3 LEGISLATIVE CONNECTION ness to proceed, and requires the Department of Health to Public Safety Measures provide a victim with notice of an offender's unauthorized ab- sences. Alive at the Legislature Finally, the issue of gun ownership: SB 358 would pro- mates would not vote if given what programs they must com- gram as an alternative to incar- hibit the state from taking guns away from owners who are law- By Senator Will Espero the opportunity, similar to the plete or services they must uti- ceration. I believe an offender rate of voting in the general lize to rehabilitate or better should spend time in prison be- fully permitted to own or carry a he big attention population. themselves. This would include cause being in prison shows a gun during a natural disaster or given to civil For the inmates who choose but not be limited to drug treat- person what it means to lose emergency.