DECEMBER 7, 2019 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE 1 DECEMBER 7, 2019 OPINION CANDID PERSPECTIVES ‘TIS THE SEASON TO COUNT THE IMPAct OF VIEWING OUR BLESSINGS FOR FREEDOM IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS OF THE PRESS FROM HAWAII MAINLAND NEWS TRUMP SEEKS TO END FILIPINO WWII VETERANS PAROLE PROGRAM 2 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLEDECEMBER 7, 2019 EDITORIAL FROM THE PUBLISHER Publisher & Executive Editor s the popular Christmas song Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D. Publisher & Managing Editor Have A Merry Christmas! puts it, “It’s the most wonder- Chona A. Montesines-Sonido ful time of the year. There’ll Associate Editors hristmas couldn’t come at a better time than De- be much mistletoeing and Edwin QuinaboDennis Galolo cember. It’s the perfect way to close out the year hearts will be glowing when Contributing Editor with goodwill, suspend all negativity, and allow Belinda Aquino, Ph.D. A love ones are near. It’s the Layout our best selves to take over for the remaining most wonderful time of the year.” Junggoi Peralta days of the year. For our cover story this issue, associ- Photography It is a sacred time as we celebrate the birth Tim Llena C ate editor Edwin Quinabo gets us all in the Christmas spirit of Jesus Christ and contemplate God’s presence in our life. It’s Administrative Assistant by sharing Christmas stories from members in our commu- also an opportunity to reopen doors of faith and trust in spirit if Lilia Capalad nity, how they celebrate and what Christmas means to them Shalimar Pagulayan they have been closed for one reason or another. We can begin personally. Rose Cruz Churma shares her distinctly Filipino Editorial Assistant with prayers or simply by talking to God. Jim Bea Sampaga Christmas growing up in the Philippines, her travel through Christmas is about treasured traditions. For Filipinos, we Columnists parts of the country during Christmas time with parols alit and have many of them from the beautiful devotion of simbang Carlota Hufana Ader her memorable holiday traditions at her lolo and lola’s (grand- Elpidio R. Estioko gabi (attending Christmas masses) to the festive Noche Buena parents) home in Zambales. Her love for Filipino Christmas Emil Guillermo (Christmas Eve Dinner) and joyous Misa de Gallo (Christmas Melissa Martin, Ph.D. Eve mass). We share these traditions with our family, friends traditions is one reason she is a part of the Filipino Associ- J.P. Orias and community and add yet another Christmas memory to our ation of University Women (FAUW) and the Honolulu Mu- Pacita Saludes seum of Art (HMoA) annual Pasko at HMoA. Kailua resi- Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. lifetime of happy moments. Charlie Sonido, M.D. We hold on to these traditions because they warm our hearts dents Bernie and Tess Bernales share their tradition of Noche Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq. remembering that we once shared them with our deceased Buena (Christmas Eve dinner) and Misa de Gallo (Christmas Contributing Writers loved ones. We honor those traditions because deep down it is Eve mass). They are members of the St. John Vianney Parish Clement Bautista Church Choir and look forward to Christmas caroling at mass. Edna Bautista, Ed.D. like honoring those we love. The next generation, almost in- Teresita Bernales, Ed.D. stinctively, will do the same for almost the same reason. There are others in the cover story like Eva Domingo who Sheryll Bonilla, Esq. In a way, the start of the Christmas season is like the alarm talks about how Christmas brings out the child in all of us; Rose Churma clocking buzzing in the morning, waking us up to the important Maria Bustamante’s important lesson on Christmas taught to Serafin Colmenares Jr., Ph.D. Linda Dela Cruz things in life like family and relationships, and how we can be her by her grandfather who worked in the streets of Manila Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand better at nurturing them. selling candies during Christmas; and Jim Bea’s annual return Amelia Jacang, M.D. During the season a childlike innocence is rekindled where Caroline Julian to the Philippines to celebrate with her family in a truly au- Raymond Ll. Liongson, Ph.D. we are not only reminded of our youthful Christmas happy mo- thentic Pasko fashion. Federico Magdalena, Ph.D. ments, but see the world as a child at least temporarily. Why In our columns section we have two articles on the media. Matthew Mettias else would we be enjoying and singing along to those silly San- Maita Milallos First HFC columnist Elpidio Estioko gives us a few highlights Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. ta classics on the radio? of the recent Hawaii Filipino Chronicle’s 25th Anniversary Renelaine Bontol-Pfister The best in human spirit that comes out during Christmas and Awards Gala, including messages from publishers Dr. Seneca Moraleda-Puguan tells us not to forget those in need. There are children without Jay Valdez, Psy.D. Charlie and Chona Sonido, and keynote speaker Dr. Florangel Glenn Wakai toys or very little clothes or money for school supplies. We can Rosario Braid. Second, HFC columnist Melissa Martin, Ph.D. Amado Yoro help them. They have toys and clothes drop offs for needy chil- writes about how we should count our blessings for freedom Philippine Correspondent: dren. There are seniors who are alone and sick. We can make a of the press and have gratitude for journalists and media. She Greg Garcia trip to a nursing home with a group of friends and sing Christ- encourages all of us to defend the press in this current time Neighbor Island Correspondents: mas carols. There are homeless people starving in our commu- when it is under threat. Big Island (Hilo and Kona) nities. We can donate to a shelter or the local food bank. There HFC columnist Atty. Reuben Seguritan writes about yet Grace LarsonDitas Udani are people whose hearts are bitter and filled with anger. We can Kauai another attack on immigrants from the Trump administration; offer goodwill and show compassion and understanding. Millicent Wellington this time on a proclamation which blocks immigrants without Maui There are many ways we can give of ourselves. Donate insurance and those who cannot pay the costs of their health Christine Sabado blood, volunteer time to our favorite charitable organization. care from entering the United States as of November 3, 2019 Big Island Distributors Be creative. The season celebrating Christ is a charitable one, and after. Experts believe the new rule will greatly impact Grace Larson Ditas Udani that of giving especially to those who are in need. Kauai Distributors Christmas is often busy, largely due to the commercializa- family-based immigrant visa applicants, including spouses of Amylou Aguinaldo tion aspect of it. We can minimize that shopping part that often US citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPR). Nestor Aguinaldo In mainland news, read about the Trump administration Maui Distributors increases stress and puts us in temporary debt. Instead, we can Cecille PirosRey Piros use our time wisely for positive self-reflection. Or better yet, move to end the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Pro- Molokai Distributor stay in the present and appreciate all the beauty that Christmas gram (FWVP), which was created to reunite Filipino veterans Maria Watanabe offers. Observe the bright lights and craftmanship of a parol or and their families in the United States while awaiting official Oahu Distributors the décor around your neighborhood. Smell the Christmas pine federal decisions on their visas. Ending this program will Yoshimasa Kaneko Jonathan Pagulayan mean that many of these veterans now in their 90s will likely in your living room. Listen intently to the people you are hav- Advertising / Marketing Director ing conversations with during Christmas parties, engage and die without seeing their families again. Chona A. Montesines-Sonido make it truly meaningful. On the lighter side, HFC’s Mark Lester Ranchez con- Account Executives Christmas ultimately is love. We can choose to express it tributes a movie review on Mina-Anud, a film by Kerwin Go Carlota Hufana Ader in multitudes of ways besides exchanging gifts. If gift-giving which screened at the 39th Hawaii International Film Festival. JP Orias is how we choose to show our love, make it a thoughtful one. If you are interested in a dark comedy to watch with family Intern Call a loved one you hadn’t spoken with in a long time. Invite and friends, this might be worth your time. See the review for Mark Lester Ranchez a dear friend to lunch or coffee. Bring over dinner to grandma’s the plot and interesting cast of characters. and spend time with her. Or bring over dessert to your brother Lastly, I’d like to thank all of you who supported us by or sister’s house and watch a game or movie. attending our 25th Anniversary celebration. It was a wonder- As Christians let us be reminded of the greatest expression ful and successful event we will always remember. Until next of love – that God sent his son into the world knowing that he issue, warmest Aloha and Mabuhay! would be crucified for our redemption. Merry Christmas to all! May the season be filled with love, peace, and joy for all. DECEMBER 7, 2019 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE 3 EDITORIALS Be Informed, Watch the History-Making Impeachment Hearings ajor history is courage and honesty to guard quo” scheme to exchange offi- meeting for the investigations the moment how the impeach- unfolding be- democracy and the country’s cial acts for millions of dollars Mr. Trump sought. ment inquiry will play out in fore our eyes. national interests.