Hawaii Filipino Chronicle - March 22, 2025

MARCH 22, 2025

MEDICARE Q & A

Do Not Miss The March 31 Medicare Enrollment Deadline

FEATURE

AS I SEE IT

The Day Palawan Was Nearly Lost to the USA

Dr. Juan Montero, Medical Missions: Giving Back to the Community

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

Caught in the Crossfire: A Family’s Perspective on the U.S.-Canada Trade War

2 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  MARCH 22, 2025

EDITORIAL

We Join the Catholic Global Community in Praying for Pope Francis’ Recovery and That God’s Will Be Done

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ope Francis has been a transformative figure, a force within and beyond the Roman Catholic Church. He’s inspired Catholics who’ve left the Church to return home, shepherded devout Catholics into a modern era without abandoning time-honored traditions, and even have influenced the conversion of non-Catholics into becoming Roman Catholic.

The pontiff has sparked talks about Catholicism in new ways to one that’s more compassionate, understanding, merciful, inclusive. It can be argued that under Pope Francis’ leadership, the Church’s Catechism or its magisterium remains unchanged from his predecessors, but it is Francis’ softer tone and incremental steps forward that’s been a breath of fresh air.

But make no mistake, the Vicar of Christ, leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, have spoken firmly and with fortitude on issues like pollution and degradation of the environment, the greed of unfettered capitalism causing gross inequality and a growing underclass of indigents, and the violence and legal indignity that refugees encounter.

He’s spoken about these pressing problems before the U.S. Congress, the United Nations General Assembly, G-20, G-7 and other international summits, that modern popes have stayed away from. Nonetheless, Pope Francis is welcomed by world leaders in political spaces because of his humility and grace that doesn’t produce an offsetting, awkward encounter. It’s a delicate but a forceful bending of society that this pope has done artfully, making him a global leader in not only the awesome scope the papal office grants to him alone, but in the non-religious and secular world as well.

Is Pope Francis a church reformer?

The answer to this is arguably yes and no. Pope Francis is not the wrecking ball that Catholic conservatives paint him out to be. But neither is he a liberal revolutionary.

The monumental reform he has done is clamping down on corruption by setting up an administrative oversight body of the Vatican Bank and investments. He also put in place mechanisms to report sex abuse and report attempts to hide it within the Catholic Church.

On the issues, he hasn’t changed the position of the Catholic Church significantly, maintaining the Church’s rejection of abortion, women priests and same-sex marriage. To Francis and the Church, these remain black and white and unchanging.

However, the incremental revolutionary that is Francis, he has elevated more women to higher positions in the Catholic Church like naming for a first time a nun to be in charge of a major dicastery. Also, a first, women can now participate in the Synod (Catholic Church’s discussion group that acts as an advisory body to the pope). On same-sex couples, he has approved that priests can now bless them as individuals like any other individuals but maintains that this blessing is not on the same-sex union itself. At the same time, he has encouraged governments to pass same-sex civil unions for legal protections.

Health update For a first time this last Sunday, March 16, the Vatican

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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ope Francis last week marked his 12th anniversary as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. His tenuous health precluded the pontiff from celebrating this milestone with the community as he remains in the hospital now for over a month. For our cover story, associate editor Edwin Quinabo reports on Pope Francis’ love for the Filipino community, his extending many firsts for Filipinos like celebrating the Simbang Gabi mass (Filipino Catholic tradition during the Christmas season) in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Filipino Catholics have a mutual love for the Vicar of Christ as well, for his humility, advocacy for the poor and marginalized groups, his leadership on contemporary issues both within and outside of the Catholic Church. It’s an inspiring story of how arguably the most influential leader in the world in the last decade has brought a ray of light and hope and how the sunset of his tenure to the papacy dims due to health.

One surprise that came out of nowhere of late is President Donald Trump’s fascination with imperialism -- his interest in making Canada the 51st state, and taking over Greenland, the Panama Canal and the Gaza strip. HFC contributor Federico Magdalena, an associate specialist at the Center for Philippine Studies, gives us a historical perspective taking us back to the heyday of American imperialism with his article “The Day Palawan Was Nearly Lost to the USA.” In mainland news, Trump issued an executive order to begin withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization. One of WHO’s tasks is to track infectious diseases caused by viruses. Without WHO, it leaves the U.S. vulnerable to future pandemics as it isolates itself from one of the world’s most valuable health data and disease prevention organizations.

Speaking of health, HFC columnist Elpidio Estioko contributes “Medical Missions: Giving Back to the Community,” highlighting the Montero Medical Missions (MMM) and its founder Dr. Juan Montero. Prior to MMM which does medical missions to the Philippines, Dr. Montero, a surgeon based in Virginia, also established a free clinic. Get to know this doctor with a golden heart.

With social media we see Filipino cuisine’s popularity rising fast all over the globe. HFC columnist Rose Cruz Churma does a book review “Gastronomic Expressions of our City: ILOILO— Nature, Culture, and Geography.” HFC columnist Seneca Moraleda-Puguan contributes “Caught in the Crossfire: A Family’s Perspective on the U.S.-Canada Trade War.” Lastly, the Lenten season has just started. For many of us, it’s a special time of the year for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving -- all for the purpose of strengthening our relationship with God. May you have a meaningful, transformative and spiritually enlightening Lenten season.

Thank you for supporting the HFC. Visit thefilipinochronicle.com to get your free e-copy of each issue. For your advertising needs, contact us at: filipinochronicle@gmail.com.Until the next issue, Aloha and Mabuhay!

Publisher & Executive Editor Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D.

Publisher & Managing Editor

Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Associate Editors

Edwin QuinaboDennis Galolo

Contributing Editor

Belinda Aquino, Ph.D.

Design

Junggoi Peralta

Photography Tim Llena

Administrative Assistant Lilia Capalad

Editorial & Production Assistant Jim Bea Sampaga

Columnists

Carlota Hufana Ader Rose Cruz Churma Elpidio R. Estioko Willie Espero Emil Guillermo Gary Hooser Arcelita Imasa, M.D. Seneca Moraleda-Puguan J.P. Orias Charlie Sonido, M.D. Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq.

Contributing Writers

Clement Bautista Edna Bautista, Ed.D. Teresita Bernales, Ed.D. Sheryll Bonilla, Esq. Dr. Dylan Bothamley Serafin Colmenares Jr., Ph.D. Linda Dela Cruz Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand Amelia Jacang, M.D. Caroline Julian Max Levin Raymond Ll. Liongson, Ph.D. Federico Magdalena, Ph.D. Matthew Mettias Maita Millalos Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. Renelaine Bontol-Pfister Seneca Moraleda-Puguan Jay Valdez, Psy.D. Amado Yoro

Philippine Correspondent: Greg Garcia

Neighbor Island Correspondents: Big Island (Hilo and Kona) Grace LarsonDitas Udani Kauai Millicent Wellington Maui Christine Sabado Big Island Distributors Grace LarsonDitas Udani Kauai Distributors Amylou Aguinaldo Nestor Aguinaldo Maui Distributors

Cecille PirosRey Piros

Molokai Distributor Maria Watanabe Oahu Distributors Yoshimasa Kaneko Shalimar / Jonathan Pagulayan

Advertising / Marketing Director Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Account Executives Carlota Hufana Ader JP Orias

released a photo of the pope after over a month of hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital for double pneumonia. The Vatican’s latest report is that the pope is stable and no longer in imminent danger. In the photo, he is seen attending mass in the hospital chapel. On the same day, the Vatican released the text of reflections for the Angelus prayer. Pope Francis wrote them while staying in the hospital. “I am sharing these thoughts with you (continue on page 3)

MARCH 22, 2025  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  3

EDITORIAL

Is Trump Manifesting a Second Gilded Age by Weakening Government, Supporting Privatization and Propping Up the Billionaire Tech Barons?

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olitical analyst and journalist Ezra Klein suggests that the Trump administration’s (via DOGE) roughshod of governmental agencies with the intention of dismantling parts of them is aimed at privatizing some of those services. He said, “They’re breaking the government so that they can take it over and control it and parcel it out.” An example, Klein gives, is that “they [Trump and Republicans] are gutting Social Security and there is functionally nothing in government as efficient as Social Security.”

So, it’s not about efficiency, but rather to privatize it as the ultimate goal.

Attempts to privatize Social Security and Medicare are nothing new. Past Republican administrations tried but failed to privatize parts or in whole or provide a private option to Social Security and Medicare (two programs that are among the largest expenses in government). But there has been large success at privatization in Medicare.

Americans should realize what Trump is doing – so called cutting waste, streamlining – in the name of “government efficiency” is an old excuse for more privatization and less government, which has been Republicans’ philosophical approach to leadership. What’s striking and

disturbing is the means by which, and the rapidity and expansiveness, of Trump’s attempts to hollow out parts of government, arguably illegally and authoritarian (which explains why the courts are involved).

Archaic models, abundance, scarcity and our hunger games It’s important to lay bare the two dueling political models. Republicans or the conservative movement are anathema to government intervention and desire free reign for private entities, specifically big corporations. They want less regulation and for the private sector to take over many government services.

Democrats or the liberal-progressive movement believe in government crafting with oversight and regulation on private services and support social programs to fill the gaps for select groups that are struggling within the current “free market and hand-of-government” structure.

This tension between the two models have paved the way to both abundance and scarcity – abundance for a few and increasing scarcity for a majority to a degree that Americans are becoming desperate to entertain even authoritarian (misguided) means to uplift their personal financial hardship.

There must be a better way than our current path. It cannot be ideal that Trump further weakens government. Government is already subordinate to the massive power that big corporations already wield.

Making government feeble will not end corruption or narrow the widening income inequality. And big corporations have their own share of corruption, greed and exploitation.

Democrats, while in power, have their own shortcoming -- are too afraid to do much beyond the status quo. They not only lack big ideas but do not even try to think outside the box. Their insistence on incremental change lags to meet the needs of most Americans. In some areas Democrats’ bureaucracies are too smothering and make for sluggish growth, for example in housing and healthcare to where both have become crises. Also, establishment Democrats arguably are just as pro-big corporation as Republicans that many Americans believe they do not have political representation at all.

And what we really have is a “uniparty” under the control of big-monied interests, the oligarchs.

Both parties are responsible -- over decades -- for what could be described as today’s state of economic hunger games, employment

hunger games, inflationary hunger games.

A new gilded age of robber barons?

Many believe what Trump is manifesting is extremism and oligarchy.

There is a symbolic reason why so many billionaires and some of the richest men on the planet attended his inauguration. Some analysts see Trump as setting the stage for a second gilded age. The first gilded age in the U.S. saw robber barons milking the masses for obscene profits and where massive inequality was rampant. Instead of the robber barons of heavy industry, this new second gilded age is seeing robber barons of high tech.

These tech lords are the same oligarchs ushering in the AI-Robotics revolution poised to replace large sectors across most industries.

A recent report from Goldman Sachs estimates that around 300 million jobs could be affected by generative AI, meaning 18% of work globally could be automated—with more advanced economies heavily impacted than emerging markets.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania found some educated white-collar workers earning up to $80,000 a year are the most likely to be affected by workforce automation.

Furthermore, with

Trump’s tariffs and his goal to bring back manufacturing to the U.S., it’s almost counterintuitive when automation and robotics – and less people – would be doing the work. Isn’t the point of manufacturing about bringing back jobs to our country?

Greater value in people-workers Both political parties should be more attentive to valuing people-workers and their roles in shared abundance, and not this overemphasis on big corporations’ profit and bottom line over everything else.

Trump’s slashing of civil service jobs without much thought to consequence is a perfect example of devaluing workers, who are obviously “people” and not just numbers or data.

Elon Musk, the billionaire heading DOGE, took this insensitivity to the next level when he said on Feb. 28, 2025, on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, “The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy.”

In reality, we need more empathy, especially in our current sleepwalking without awareness of the dangers that AI is causing.

We also need a strong government – not the weakening of government as what Trump is doing – to regulate today’s tech barons as they ramrod onto society AI-Robotics.

(We Join....from page 2)

while I am facing a period of trial, and I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick,” the Pope emphasized.

“Our body is weak but, even so, nothing can prevent us from loving, from praying, from giving ourselves, from being for one another, in faith, luminous signs of hope,” the Pope wrote.

There’s no announcement of a possible release date from the hospital where he spent just recently his 12th anniversary as pope.

Inside Vatican circles, there are discussions on whether the pope would retire should he be well enough to be released from the hospital but not strong enough to continue his papal responsibilities.

Ongoing Prayers Pope Francis was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital on Feb 14. Beginning on Feb. 24, the Vatican has been conducting a daily rosary prayer led by cardinals. The-

se prayer events are well-attended, often by the thousands when held outdoors at St. Peter’s Square.

The first day was led by Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, second in command behind the pope.

The second day had the cardinal from the Philippines Cardinal Antonio Luis Tagle officiating, known to be the third highest ranking in the Vatican because of the important dicastery he holds. The third day had

the dean of the College of Cardinals Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re leading the rosary.

Prayer vigils and masses for the pope’s recovery has been ongoing globally, including in the Philippines. Locally, Filipino Catholics say they’ve also been praying for the pope. Francis once said, “The secret to a good life is found in loving and giving oneself for love’s sake.”

In this spirit, we also

join many in our Filipino community in sending a prayerful love poured out to the pope that God help Francis to bear any pain with grace. We pray that the Lord helps him heal quickly to be able to continue his ministry on this special Jubilee year, and at the same time, commit to accepting God’s will. Whatever the outcome is, as Christians, we believe in eternal life and look to Pope Francis’ future with hope.

4 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  MARCH 22, 2025

COVER STORY

Filipino Catholics Join Millions Globally to Pray for Pope Francis

By Edwin Quinabo

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olemnity and concern have gripped some 1.4 billion Catholics over Pope Francis since the pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14, where he has been receiving treatment for double pneumonia and slipping in and out of critical care.

Increasingly positive medical updates into his hospitalization have been reported by the Vatican with the latest report saying Pope Francis is no longer in imminent danger. But the 88-yearold spiritual leader of the Catholic Church remains in guarded condition spending unceremoniously his 12th anniversary to the papacy in the hospital.

Millions of Filipinos around the globe have joined the Catholic faithful participating in prayer vigils, rosaries and special masses of intention for the Holy Father’s recovery. About 81% (93,636,000) of 115.6 million Filipinos in the Philippines, some 2.6 million of 4 million Filipino Americans, and millions of Filipinos globally outside of the Philippines identify as Roman Catholic.

“Let us accompany Pope Francis with our loving prayers and entrust him to the Lord’s healing as well as his doctors, nurses, and medical professionals,” said Cardinal Jose Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, who led a prayer service for Pope Francis at the Manila Cathedral on Feb. 21. Advincula and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines have appealed to parishes and communities to organize prayers for the pope.

Meanwhile in Rome, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided over mass at the Pontificio Collegio Filipino chapel and also led a Holy Rosary from St. Peter’s Square on Feb. 25, the second night of the “Rosary for Pope’s Health,” ongoing series of daily prayer. In attendance among thousands that evening was Fr. Dacalos, a Filipino priest based in Rome, who said, “even during his sickness, the Pope continues to strengthen his brothers and sisters especially in being one with us in prayer.”

Pope Francis and the Filipino community

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Francis is the first pope from the Americas, first from the Western Hemisphere. He is the first “Pope Francis,” first Jesuit, first pope in modern history to live in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guest house instead of the more grandeur papal apartments.

Francis was the first Pope to hold a special mass for the Filipino community in 2019. That same year, he’s allowed the first Simbang Gabi mass (Filipino Catholic tradition during the Christmas season) in St. Peter’s Basilica in which he presided over. In 2021, Pope Francis celebrated in the Vatican the 500th Anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines.

In 2015 he made history during his visit to the Philippines where between 6-7 million attended an open-air mass at Luneta Park in Manila, according to the Philippine government. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said, “We are not able to count all these people, obviously, or to verify this, but in any case, we have seen so many people that we believe that it is possible. If this is true, and we think it is, this is the largest event in the history of the popes.” He noted Pope John Paul drew some five million to the same area in 1995.

In his address at the event, Francis said of the Filipino people, “You are generous. You are bountiful. You know how to celebrate the feast of faith.

Don’t lose that even in the midst of difficulties. And I am a witness that you know how to transmit the faith, and you do it well, be it in your own country or abroad. Thank you for the profound sense of family, of community, of fraternity, which keeps you united, which keeps you firm in faith, joyful in hope, and prompt in charity.” He added, “All of you, pilgrim people of God in the Philippines, pastors and faithful, are also people who know how to accompany Jesus, the Nazarene, along the way of the Cross.”

While in the Philippines that same

trip, during the Papal Mass in Tacloban City, tragedy struck when a 27-yearold volunteer Kristel Mae was crushed to death by a large speaker stack while waiting for the papal convoy to pass.

Paul Padasas, father of Kristel, who met with Francis after the death of his daughter, said he still remembers how he was consoled by His Holiness.

While Pope Francis remains in the hospital, Padasas said, “we should be his strength now.” He said praying for Francis’ health is nothing compared to how he has been good. “Even when he left the Philippines, I have always felt his consoling presence.”

On December 17, 2024, Pope Francis made remarks addressing the Filipino migrant community in Spain to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Filipino parish in Barcelona, the parish of the Immaculate Conception and St. Lorenzo Ruiz, a Filipino martyred in 1637.

St. Ruiz was falsely accused of killing a Spaniard and sought asylum boarding a ship with other priests headed to Japan for evangelization. There, he was tortured (hung upside down over a pit) and bled to death for his spreading the Gospel of Christ. The Pope drew parallels between Ruiz’s story and the plight of modern migrants, urging Filipinos to follow the saint’s example of a life dedicated to serving God through others.

MARCH 22, 2025  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  5

COVER STORY (Filipino Catholics ....from page 4)

Filipino community on Pope Francis Thousands of miles away in Hawaii, Marylou Cadiz, a devout Roman Catholic who attends Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ewa Beach said she’s been praying for the pope. “In my nightly rosary prayers, I’ve been including Pope Francis who I admire and respect as our Vicar of Christ, a man of great humility and strength. His selection of the name Pope Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi, fits him well. The beloved saint was also known for great humility and strength.”

She added, “I talk to my sister in Newport Beach, CA who is also praying for our pope. We were raised by our parents to respect the authority of the papal office because they would tell us that the pope is chosen by cardinals inspired by the Holy Spirit to guide the Church. And so far, we’ve had over 2,000 years of popes in apostolic succession going back to Jesus Christ, who founded the Catholic Church.”

Socorro Maniquis Painter, Livermore, California, a Roman Catholic, said “Pope Francis is what I would call a true leader, one who is up to date on what’s happening outside the Vatican and knows how to use his pulpit to help the poor, the disenfranchised, and the oppressed.”

R e b e c c a F u l l e r, Waimanalo, Hawaii, President of the Filipino Catholic Ministry at St. George Parish in Waimanalo, said what she likes most about Pope Francis’ character is “his kindness and concerns for the poor and the needy around the world especially the children. Pope Francis models his vision and leads by example.”

Teresita Bernales, Kailua, Hawaii, Roman Catholic, said “Pope Fran-

cis’ leadership outside the Church exemplifies his commitment to being a ‘shepherd of all,’ addressing humanity’s shared challenges with compassion and conviction. His actions resonate with believers and non-believers alike, reinforcing his role as a global moral leader on critical issues such as climate change, social justice, and human rights. His active engagement in non-religious arenas reflects his vision of a Church that is outward-looking and deeply involved in addressing global challenges.”

Teresita Villamoran, Canada, Roman Catholic, said, “Pope Francis’ compassion and openness to dialogue are remarkable.

He listens to diverse perspectives, engages with people of all faiths and backgrounds, and shows a genuine concern for the suffering and excluded.

His courage in addressing controversial issues, such as economic inequality and climate change, also demonstrates his willingness to challenge powerful systems for the sake of justice. These qualities make him a relatable and inspiring leader, both within and outside the Church.”

Pope for the 21st century As religious leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has been a spiritual and moral bedrock for Catholics. He is also the sovereign head of the Vatican City State.

In that capacity, he assumed the role as other leaders of nations using political gravitas to bend society in areas like global warming, poverty reduction, refugee-migrant and women’s rights. He’s been a frequent critic of unfettered capitalism which he believes is responsible for increased global income inequality. He’s warned against

overemphasized consumerism in prioritizing life values. He’s advocated for responsibility in AI and technology.

As popes before him, Francis regularly hosts at the Vatican other heads of state and monarchs. In turn, he’s made 47 foreign trips to more than 65 countries, was the first pope to address the U.S. Congress, attend the G20 and G7 Economic Summits, talked before the United Nations General Assembly.

Fuller said, “the pope’s presence in the non-religious arenas shows that he doesn’t recognize a distinction, and he values everyone. And this I think is the reason why he is a world leader and treated with respect by political world leaders.”

Bernales also recognizes that Pope Francis’ leadership has earned him respect from political figures worldwide. “For instance, U.S. President Joe Biden praised the pope’s tireless advocacy for the vulnerable and his efforts to address global crises.

He is a unifying figure in a fragmented world,” she said.

Just before leaving office, Biden awarded Pope Francis the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom. AP reported on the 12th anniversary of Francis, March 13, the pope donated that medal to Buenos Aires Cathedral, which will be displayed in the Cathedral’s Museum. Francis, then Bergoglio, was archbishop of Buenos Aires who had the nickname “Slum Bishop” because he would spend a lot of his time visiting slums in the metropolis.

“The Holy See [governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City State] maintains a diplomatic corps to many countries and international organizations,” Bernales points out. “I have

“You [Filipinos] are generous. You are bountiful. You know how to celebrate the feast of faith. Don’t lose that even in the midst of difficulties. And I am a witness that you know how to transmit the faith, and you do it well, be it in your own country or abroad. Thank you for the profound sense of family, of community, of fraternity, which keeps you united, which keeps you firm in faith, joyful in hope, and prompt in charity.” He added, “All of you, pilgrim people of God in the Philippines, pastors and faithful, are also people who know how to accompany Jesus, the Nazarene, along the way of the Cross.”

– Pope Francis

during his visit to the Philippines, 2015 been privileged to get to know the past Vatican Apostolic Nuncio to the UN, Archbishop Bernardito Auza who is a Filipino from Bohol and a UST graduate. He arranged all the preparations for the coming of Pope Francis to NYC and engagement at the UN,” she said.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic before a vaccination was created, Pope Francis performed an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and to the World”) blessing that remains indelible in the minds of Catholics. It was the Pope praying before an empty St. Peter’s Square due to the lockdowns in the backdrop of night and rain. The event was livestreamed as the pope served as an inspiration of hope and light juxtapositioned to one of the darkest times of the 21st century.

“It was a scary time.

I watched the livestream on Vatican News, and it gave me comfort. The Urbi et Orbi pandemic blessing is still available for people to watch on YouTube,” Cadiz said.

A few highlights of Pope Francis’ leadership 1. Held a summit to address clerical sexu-

2.

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al abuse, opened the Vatican archives to lay courts, made it compulsory to report suspicions of abuse or any attempts to cover it up.

Clamped down on corruption and stepped-up scrutiny of investments and the Vatican Bank, created a Special Secretariat for the Economy.

Opened the Synod (Catholic discussion body) by involving lay members including women.

Issued Evangelo gaidum (“The Joy of the Gospel”), an apostolic exhortation in which he denounced economic inequality, called for spiritual renewal within the church and greater attention to the plight of the poor.

Issued Laudato si (“Praise Be to You”), his second encyclical, which proclaimed that environmental degradation is a moral issue and included the concept of “integral ecology.” Francis connected sinful actions against the natural world with the economic exploita(continue on page 6)

6 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  MARCH 22, 2025

MEDICARE Q&A

Do Not Miss the March 31 Medicare Enrollment Deadline

By NAPCA Staff

T

he two important Medicare enrollment period will end on Mach 31, 2025. Additionally, be sure not to miss the application open period for home energy assistance.

If you have additional questions about Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, Social Security Retirement Benefit, Supplemental Security Income, or COVID/Flu vaccination, there are 3 ways you can reach us today: Call: 1-800-336-2722 Email: askNAPCA@ napca.org Mail: NAPCA Senior Assistance Center, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101

Question: I realized that I missed my Initial Enrollment Period. When can I enroll in Medicare?

Answer: If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you can still sign up during the General Enrollment Period. This period takes place every year from January 1 to March 31.

If you enroll during this time, your coverage will begin on the first day of the following month. For example, if you sign up in March, your coverage will start in April. However, be aware that late enrollment penalties may apply, which can increase the cost of your monthly premiums.

Q: I am currently enrolled in a Medicare Ad-

vantage plan, but I found a better plan that fits my medical needs after the deadline of the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period. Should I wait for the next open enrollment period to switch to the better plan?

A: If you found a better plan after the Annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period ends (which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year), you don’t necessarily have to wait until the next open enrollment period. You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP), which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year.

During this period, those already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to another Ad-

vantage plan or go back to Original Medicare with a Part D prescription drug plan.

Keep in mind you can make only one change during this period, so choose wisely!

Q: I am finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with my energy bills.

Are there any programs or assistance options available to help manage these expenses?

A: You can get assistance from the LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program).

This is a federally funded program that helps low-income households to meet their immediate home energy needs. This program provides an eligible household with an annual cash grant to help you pay for your home heating and cooling costs. The grants are paid either directly to

you or to your energy company.

To be eligible, a household must have an income that does not exceed the greater of 150% of the federal poverty guideline(e.g., monthly $2,555 for a two-person household).

While assets are generally not a primary factor, some states may count assets as part of the eligibility requirements.

Enrollment periods may not be year-round.

The application period typically runs during the winter months, often starting in November and ending in April, depending on the state. This is the ideal time to apply for assistance with the winter heating costs. National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of AANHPI older adults and their families. We operate a NAPCA Senior Assistance Center for Older Adults and Caregivers and is available in 5 different languages.

(COVER STORY: Filipino Catholics ....from page 5)

tion of impoverished human beings. The document also endorsed the rights of indigenous peoples.

Villamoran said, “It serves as a moral imperative, reminding individuals, governments, and corporations that protecting the Earth is not just a scientific necessity but a deeply ethical duty.”

6. Repeatedly advocated for peace between Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine, as well as in other war-torn nations like the civil war in Sudan.

7. Issued Amoris Laetitia “Joy of Love” a wide-ranging pronouncement on family issues, urging priests and bishops to take a more welcoming, and less judgmental attitude toward homosexuals, single parents, and the divorced who re-

married but who had not obtained an annulment, indicating that in the latter case that such Catholics might be permitted to receive Holy Communion through the guidance of a priest.

Bernales said, “Pope Francis’s Amoris Laetitia represents a significant departure from previous Catholic teachings on family issues, particularly in its tone, approach, and emphasis on pastoral care.

Some key differences between Amoris Laetitia and earlier teachings (such as those found in Pope John Paul II’s Familiaris Consortio, 1981) include: A) Focus on Reality Over Ideals -- Familiaris Consortio emphasized the ‘ideal family,’ presenting theological and moral principles about what the family should be. In contrast, Amoris Laetitia acknowledges the ‘rich and

complex reality’ of family life, including non-traditional families. Pope Francis seeks to engage with these realities positively rather than focusing solely on ideals. B) Emphasis on Mercy and Discernment -- Pope Francis adopts a more merciful and flexible approach to individuals in irregular situations. He emphasizes understanding, accompaniment, and respect for individual struggles.”

8. Made a “penitential pilgrimage” to Canada and met with survivors of the country’s religious-run residential schools, where Indigenous children faced physical and sexual abuse. In his historic apology, Francis said to survivors, “I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous peoples,” and he described the schools

as “a disastrous error, incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Incremental revolutionary While both conservative-leaning Catholics say Pope Francis has gone too far in some of areas and liberal-learning Catholics criticize the Pope for not moving the Church to keep step with modern times, a majority of Catholics remain steadfast in their respect for the office of the papacy.

Most papal experts would agree that Pope Francis is more like an incremental revolutionary.

He is conservative in that he hasn’t changed from the Church’s positions on issues like his rejection of abortion. He leans liberal in that he has brought in more women into high positions in the Church.

This year he appointed Sister Simona Brambilla,

an Italian nun, as prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This marked the first time in history that a woman was selected to lead a department of the Roman Curia. At the same time, Francis rejected calls for women to become priests. The pope has also said same-sex couples can be blessed, but not their union, and maintains that the Church only recognizes marriage for a man and woman.

Still, the pope has encouraged world governments to legalize “civil” unions.

Cadiz said, “the beauty of the Catholic Church is that we have differences among ourselves, but we are still united, which has been key to the Church’s thousands of years of longevity. I don’t believe there is any church that can say they have as long of a continuous one-line of lead(continue on page 11)

MARCH 22, 2025  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  7

WHAT’S UP, ATTORNEY?

By Atty. Emmanuel S. Tipon

O

n January 20, 2025, President Trump’s first day in office, he issued an Executive Order titled “DEFENDING WOMEN FROM GENDER IDEOLOGY EXTREMISM AND RESTORING BIOLOGICAL TRUTH TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT”.

“Section 1. Purpose.

Across the country, ideologues who deny the biological reality of sex have increasingly used legal and other socially coercive means to permit men to self-identify as women and gain access to intimate single-sex spaces and activities designed for women, from women’s domestic abuse shelters to women’s workplace showers. This is wrong.

Efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex fundamentally attack women by depriving them of their dignity, safety, and well-being. The erasure of sex in language and policy has a corrosive impact not just on women but on the validity of the entire American system. Basing Federal policy on truth is critical to scientific inquiry, public safety, morale, and trust in government itself.

Sec. 2. Policy and Definitions. It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality. Under my direction, the Executive Branch will enforce all sex-protective laws to promote this reality, and the following definitions shall govern all Executive interpretation of and application of Federal law and administration policy: (a) “Sex” shall refer to

There Are Only Two Sexes, Declared Trump, Following God and Defying Supreme Court an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female. “Sex” is not a synonym for and does not include the concept of “gender identity.” (b) “Women” or “woman” and “girls” or “girl” shall mean adult and juvenile human females, respectively… (d) “Female” means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell. (e) “Male” means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the small reproductive cell.”

male, and shall not request gender identity. Agencies shall take all necessary steps, as permitted by law, to end the Federal funding of gender ideology.”

No Federal Funds To Promote Gender Ideology (g) Federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology. Each agency Government Id’s To Acshall assess grant condicurately Reflect Holder’s tions and grantee preferSex ences and ensure grant The Executive Order funds do not promote gendirected in Sec. 3 : der ideology.” “(d) The Secretaries of State and Homeland Secu- God Created Male And rity, and the Director of the Female Office of Personnel Man“So God created huagement, shall implement man beings in his own imchanges to require that gov- age. In the image of God ernment-issued identifica- he created them; male and tion documents, including female he created them.” passports, visas, and Global Genesis 1:27, New Living Entry cards, accurately re- Translation. flect the holder’s sex, as deWhat did Jesus say fined under section 2 of this about this issue: “Haven’t order; and the Director of the you read the Scriptures?”

Office of Personnel Man- Jesus replied. “They record agement shall ensure that that from the beginning applicable personnel records ‘God made them male and accurately report Federal female.’” Matthew 19:4, employees’ sex, as defined New Living Translation. by section 2 of this order.

Trump is simply fol(e) Agencies shall re- lowing God. As Trump move all statements, pol- pointed out after he escaped icies, regulations, forms, assassination, “I was saved communications, or other by God to make America internal and external mes- great again.” sages that promote or otherwise inculcate gender Bostock V. Clayton Counideology, and shall cease is- ty “Legally Untenable” suing such statements, polThe executive Order icies, regulations, forms, declared as “legally untencommunications or other able” the Supreme Court’s messages. Agency forms decision in Bostock v. that require an individual’s Clayton County (2020), sex shall list male or fe- which addressed Title VII

of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the issue of “sex”.

The Executive Order directed the Attorney General to issue guidance “to correct the misapplication of the Supreme Court’s decision.”

In 2020, I wrote an article titled “One-upmanship: God created two sexes; Supreme Court creates a third sex.” You can read it here: http://thefilipinochronicle. com/2020/07/31/one-upmanship-god-created-twosexes-supreme-court-creates-a-third-sex/ The issue was the meaning of “sex” in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 42 U.S.C. 2000e-2(a) (1) which provides that it is unlawful “for an employer to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual…

because of such individual’s… sex.”

The employers said that the term “sex” in 1964 when the statute was enacted referred to status as either male or female as determined by reproductive biology.

The Supreme Court on June 15, 2020, held, 6-3, that an employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII of the Civil Rights The majority opined that it is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex.

The majority rejected the employers’ contention that homosexuality and transgender status are distinct concepts from sex, and that if Congress wanted to address these matters in Title VII, it would have referred to them specifically.

Justice Alito dissented, with Justice Thomas concurring, saying that there is only one word for what the Court has done today: legislation.

He noted that Title VII prohibits discrimination because of “sex” and in 1964 (continue on page 8)

8 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  MARCH 22, 2025

FEATURE

The Day Palawan Was Nearly Lost to the USA

By Federico V. Magdalena

P

hilippine history was at a crossroads about 100 years ago.

In 1926, Congressman Robert Bacon of New York proposed a bill (HR 12772) to remove Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan from the Philippines, creating a separate U.S.-controlled territory.

Although it was primarily concerned with Mindanao and Sulu, Palawan’s inclusion in this proposal had far-reaching implications. The bill became a flashpoint for debates about Philippine sovereignty, American imperialism, and the future of the Moros.

Background The Bacon Bill came when the Philippines was under American colonial rule and pushing for independence. The U.S. had strengthened its hold over the islands following the Philippine-American War, and the Jones Act of 1916 granted Filipinos greater self-rule, yet complete independence was still a distant goal.

The Wood-Forbes Mission (1921) and the Thompson Commission (1926) concluded that the Philippines was not ready for self-government, reinforcing that continued

American oversight was necessary.

At that time, the Moro (Muslims) population in the south resisted integration into the predominantly Christian Philippines.

They felt alienated and were dissatisfied with the Philippine government, advocating for continued U.S. protection or a separate political status.

In 1924, Moro leaders petitioned the U.S. government, requesting that Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan become separate territories under American control. The Bacon Bill was a direct response to this petition.

Congressman Bacon proposed the bill, which sought to remove these regions from Philippine jurisdiction and create a U.S. territory with an autonomous government.

This territory would include Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, and Palawan, with Zamboanga as its capital. The proposal addressed the socalled “Moro problem” by allowing the Moros to remain under U.S. protection. While Bacon argued that the bill would protect the Moros, the underlying economic and imperial motives were evident.

Economic and strategic motives

How Filipinos Regard the Bacon Bill Source: The Independent, republished in Philippine Free Press Editorial, 1926

The inclusion of Palawan in the Bill had significant economic and imperial implications.

At the time, the U.S. was interested in the rich natural resources of Mindanao and its surrounding regions. Palawan’s fertile land and vast forests were considered valuable for agricultural production, including rubber, hemp, tobacco, and timber.

Rubber was in high demand in the automotive industry, aircraft, and military equipment then, but suffered from global shortages caused by the British monopoly.

The U.S. was also strategically focused on Palawan’s location in the Philippines. Situated between Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the island was seen as a crucial military outpost that could enhance U.S. influence.

As tensions increased

with imperial powers like Japan, Palawan’s potential for a military and naval base became even more significant to bolster American power.

where I drowned my disgust with Russian vodka.

constitutional issues, immigration law, and appellate federal criminal defense. He was the Dean and a Professor of Law of the College of Law, Northwestern University, Philippines. He has written law books and legal articles for the world’s most prestigious legal publishers including Thomson West and Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Co. and writes columns for newspapers. He wrote the case notes and annotations for the

Nationalist opposition Filipino nationalists strongly opposed the Bacon Bill, arguing that it threatened Philippine unity and sovereignty. Leaders like Emilio Aguinaldo, Manuel Quezon, and Sergio Osmena, believed that Bacon used the Moro grievances as an alibi to divide the Philippines and maintain control over the archipelago.

They saw the separation of Palawan, Mindanao, and Sulu, as an affront to a unified nation.

For these nationalists, the Philippine flag (representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao) symbolized the unity of the islands. Other leaders such

as Palawan Governor Perfecto Abordo, argued that “the solution to the Moro problem was not division but integration.”

He believed the Moros could be integrated into the broader Filipino nation with adequate infrastructure and development.

Filipino opposition to the bill also had a cultural and nationalistic component. For them, the bill represented a political setback, undermined the Filipino identity, and crushed the dream of a united, independent country.

Drawing attention to Palawan’s separation, they emphasized that such a move would further distance the Moros and disrupt unity in the Philippines.

Moro perspective The Moro responses to the Bacon Bill were divided. Some leaders, particularly those in positions of power within the colonial system, supported continued American control.

They believed that U.S. governance offered more protection and autonomy than rule by Filipino leaders, whom they regarded with suspicion.

These leaders argued that the Philippines was not ready for independence (continue on page 9)

(WHAT’S UP, ATTORNEY?: There Are Only ....from page 7)

“this meant discrimination because of the genetic and anatomical characteristics that men and women have at the time of birth.”

He had not found a single dictionary that defined “sex” to mean “sexual orientation, gender identity, or transgender status.”

Two Men Engage In Sexual Intercourse Have you ever seen two men engage in sexual intercourse? In the ‘60s, my

employer, a White Russian whose forbears had fled Byelorussia and settled in Macau, brought me to Macau when it was still under Portuguese control.

We went to a show where two men engaged in sexual intercourse. It was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen. There were also two women who engaged in sexual intercourse.

It was equally disgusting. I told him I needed a drink.

He brought me to a bar

AT T Y. E M M A N U E L SAMONTE TIPON was a Fulbright and Smith-Mundt scholar to Yale Law School where he was awarded a Master of Laws degree specializing in Constitutional Law. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines. He placed third in the 1955 bar examinations. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, New York, and the Philippines. He practices federal law, with emphasis on

entire Immigration and Nationality Act published by The Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Co. and Bancroft-Whitney Co. (now Thomson Reuters).

He wrote the best-seller “Winning by Knowing Your Election Laws.” Atty. Tipon was born in Laoag City, Philippines.

Cell Phone (808) 225-2645.

E-Mail: attorneytipon@gmail. com filamlaw@yahoo.com.

Website: https://www.tiponimmigrationguide.com

The opinions expressed in columns published in the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle staff or its editorial board.

MARCH 22, 2025  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  9

CANDID PERSPECTIVES

Gov. Gavin Newsom is a Politician in Transition

By Emil Guillermo

T

he Democrats can’t seem to get their mojo going to fight CFDT34, my moniker for “convicted felon Donald Trump, 34 counts,” the current president overseeing the wrecking of America.

Recently, the Dems put out a video game parody, “Choose Your Fighter,” where you could pick Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus leader Judy Chu (D-Ca.) among others. Her video points out that among her attributes, the smiling Chu is “too sweet.”

Or we could have the raised fist and cane of Rep. Al Green (D-Tx), the man who briefly stopped Trump at the beginning of that joint speech before Congress.

Love Chu, but I feel we need more of Al Green’s fire.

Green, however, was censured by Congress for his actions in a bipartisan vote that included 10 Democrats.

But the big gut punch was delivered by Governor

Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who came out against transgender women in sports, saying in his new podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” that it was “an issue of fairness. It’s deeply unfair.”

Is this really Gavin Newsom?

The man who has a transgender godchild? The man who has always been part of the broad LGBTQ fight against discrimination?

Women’s sports is but a sliver of the overall transgender rights issue.

But it’s the part that gives some voters moral clarity on something. Newsom doesn’t say trans women should not participate in society in general.

Just sports.

It’s still reprehensible, what I call “ala carte discrimination.”

Don’t think so? Apply the substitution test.

What would your reaction be to a person who believes Blacks should be involved in every endeavor of society? Except sports, because it’s just unfair, Blacks are just too good.

And our kids would never get off the bench, or might

CA Gov. Gavin Newsom

get hurt.

It’s a ridiculous indefensible position.

Once you start defining areas where certain people or groups can and can’t be, the slippery slope begins.

You’re not far away from full-scale discrimination in everything.

Trump Politics But we are in the Trump era, where Trump gets his edge by polarizing voters on non-traditional issues that sway Republicans and Democrats alike.

He sells it as a “common sense” approach that can be presented logically.

A New York Times/ Ipsos poll from January found 80% of Americans are opposed to the idea.

That includes more than

two-thirds of Democrats.

You may not agree with Trump on anything else. But he bonds with the so-called low information voter on this sliver of the trans issue. It gets him votes from both sides of the aisle.

Very conveniently, it slices up the broader issue of trans rights, to let people find an answer to a complex question.

That makes it perfect for Trump.

And for anyone who wants to emulate him.

Like Gov. Gavin Newsom.

I’ve covered Newsom since he was a San Francisco supervisor. Newsom coming out against transgender athletes in women’s sports was a shock.

It’s only understandable if he’s learning how to beat Trump in an era where DEI is anathema, and getting transgender women out of sports is a battle cry.

The problem is it’s sexist and discriminatory on its face.

Transwomen are women. Where else should they compete except with other women?

If Trump believes in meritocracy, there’s no other place more meritocratic than sports. A trans-

gender woman should be seen as a good thing for women’s sports if it means the best athletes are competing against each other.

Newsom’s public stand will either make the Democrats stronger. Or continue to tear it apart.

But he’s just another Democrat trying to figure out how to fight Trump and beat him. You have to find a way to be like him.

Trump’s the guy who deals in lies and half-truths.

So is Newsom anti-transgender if it’s just in women’s sports?

Of course, he is.

But this is politics in the Trump era, when the Democrats and Newsom are in transition, trying to be winners again.

cluding Palawan.

While the bill’s defeat preserved the territorial integrity of the Philippines, it also highlighted the ongoing tensions between Filipino nationalists, the Moros, and the Americans over the Philippine future.

cation made it a key player in the geopolitical landscape.

The bill’s failure, however, ensured that Palawan remained a part of the larger conversation about Philippine history and unity.

A True Story Maybe people would understand the issue better if they saw me tell my story of how I’ve coped with being a parent of a transgender woman.

It’s part of my new show, “Emil Amok: 69” that I will be touring in the US and Canada later this summer. EMIL GUILLERMO is a journalist and commentator.

His talk show is on www.amok. com.

(FEATURE: The Day Palawan ....from page 8)

and that continued U.S. protection would safeguard Moro’s interests.

However, other Moro leaders opposed the Bacon Bill, believing that separation from the rest of the Philippines would only perpetuate division and conflict.

These leaders felt that the Moros were not so different from the Christian Filipinos and should remain part of a unified Philippine nation. They saw the bill as a dangerous step toward potential conflict.

Bacon bill failed The Bacon Bill ul-

timately failed to gain sufficient support in the U.S. Congress, largely due to a concerted lobbying effort by Filipino politicians, opposition from American critics, and protests from some Moro groups and Filipino legislators.

According to Pedro Guevarra, Resident Commissioner to the US Congress (1926): “the bill misrepresented the Moro situation and that the differences between Moros and Christian Filipinos were the result of colonialism, not inherent cultural divides.”

The bill’s failure was

Robert Bacon and PH Map Source: Philippine Free Press, 1926

a significant victory for Filipino nationalism.

However, it did not resolve the underlying issues of Moro integration and the political status of the southern regions, in-

Conclusion The Bacon Bill represented a crucial moment in Philippine history, particularly for Palawan.

Although it failed, the inclusion of Palawan highlighted its regional importance to the Filipino people. Palawan’s natural resources and strategic lo-

DR. MAGDALENA is an Associate Specialist at the Center for Philippine Studies, and a faculty affiliate in the Asian Studies Department of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

This article is derived from his presentation at Western Philippines University in Aborlan, Palawan on October 9, 2024.

He has published feature articles in Hawaiʻi Filipino Chronicle, such as “Mindanao – Almost the 50th State of USA.”

10 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE MARCH 22, 2025

AS I SEE IT

Dr. Juan Montero, Medical Missions: Giving Back to the Community

By Elpidio R. Estioko

M

ost local leaders don’t know about how to give back to the community on a larger scale for the blessings they have received from the Lord so more needy people can benefit from their programs.

My question was answered when I received an email from Dr. Juan Montero, founder and president of the Montero Medical Missions (MMM), which outlined their non-profit organization’s philanthropic medical missions all over the world for more than 13 years now.

That made me realize how deep their missions are which reached out to far-flung rural areas, not only in the Philippines, but countries as far as Mongola, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Australia, Costa Rica, Columbia, Peru, Paraguay, Brazil, St. Lucia, Cape Verde, and Uganda.

I also found out, in our exchanged emails, that he is a friend and close acquain-

tance of my brother Dr. Manuel R. Estioko (Ret.), surgeon/cardiologist, who was one of two surgeons who pioneered the bloodless heart surgery and was in medical missions too, just like Dr. Montero.

In his email, he included the 13-year-old enduring Thanksgiving letter penned

by MMM founding supporter Janie Lawton, which continues to epitomize MMM Board’s blessing of gratitude to all its board members, supporters, priceless volunteers, and friends here and abroad.

The Thanksgiving letter goes this way: “The Lonely Doctor traverses off a beaten path, onto the road less traveled.

Despite the uneven, sad, and often dangerous trail, nothing breaks the Lonely Doctor’s persevering march for the quest is noble. Mission work is a deeply human experience. The journey is a lonely one as it is very personal. It all starts from within. A single step. A pair of hands. Along the way, every step taken inspires another and multiplies the pair of hands as others rally behind

Dr. Juan Montero

the Doctor’s benevolent mission.”

This letter became the marching band for MMM’s crusade in helping the needy in the countryside.

Dr. Montero took the opportunity to thank their supporters for the abundant generosity of their time and talent they’ve given to Montero Medical Missions.

He said: “I am grateful for all you have done to illuminate our important work and what it mean to to those who serve. The true act of philanthropy is delivered from the heart and your commitment to our missions defines the depth of all Montero Medical Missions had done so far and will be able to do in the future.”

Since the Philippines is selected as the World Health Organization (WHO) World Health Assembly leader at its May 19-27, 2025 convention

in Geneva, MMM plans to have a presence for the last three days to personally meet and discuss with Philippine Secretary of Health Dr. Ted Herbosa, the Resolutions working on reading the funding of Mental Health Global and Hyperbaric OxygenTherapy issues.

Dr. Montero feels MMM should have a hand and be part of the crusade for a better and healthy community in partnership with the WHO. Dr. Montero immigration to the U.S. from Mindanao, Philippines in 1966.

He founded the Montero Medical Missions in 2011.

After training as a surgeon at the University of Virginia Medical School, he settled in Chesapeake, Virginia to practice his medical profession. What followed was several decades of serving the community of Southern Virginia using his surgical skill sets at local hospitals and clinics.

He also became deeply involved with non-profit Physicians for Peace as a trustee and started to spearhead missions at various locations around the world.

It has been his goal to reach out to people in the countryside and take care of

their health needs.

He first established Chesapeake Care Clinic in the early 90’s with the help of his physician friends and a local bank. Then, he recruited numerous medical personnel and volunteers to staff the free clinic serving the community.

Within a short period of years, his free clinic became self-governing and wellrun so that Dr. Montero relinquished the supervisory role to start a new non-profit organization to give back on a larger scale within the U.S., the Philippines and other countries where extreme lack of medical care causing sufferings exist.

This was the starting point of Montero Medical Mission (MMM) bringing in people together from all walks of life from medical, surgical, dental, allied health, and operations backgrounds to attain his vision.

Dr. Montero, we need more people like you! Keep it up and don’t give up on people who are in dire need! ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and a multi-awarded journalist here in the US. For feedbacks, comments… please email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com

MAINLAND NEWS

U.S. Withdraws from WHO Amid a virus. The strains of the H5N1 Outbreaks virus are identified by the

By Rose Cruz Churma

P

resident Trump issued an executive order to begin withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). While the order only begins the process, the effects of the withdrawal are already here.

A Centers for Dis-

ease Control and Prevention (CDC) official, John Nkengasong, sent a memo to CDC employees telling them to cease all communication with the WHO. The withdrawal comes as the United States faces outbreaks of Avian Influenza across the country.

Avian Influenza, also called “bird flu,” is an infectious disease caused by

proteins it contains: hemagglutinin (such as H1 or H5) and neuraminidase (such as N1 or N9).

The strain H5N1 was found in cattle and humans across multiple states in 2024. The strain H5N9 was recently detected in a duck farm in California.

All strains can cause severe disease in animals. (continue on page 11)

MARCH 22, 2025  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  11

Do I Need A Trust?

By Sheryll Bonilla, Esq.

I

f you have young children, a trust is helpful.

Children cannot legally own property, so a trust allows the parents to name a successor trustee who can hold and manage the assets to support the children, then transfer the assets when the children are old enough to receive them.

Parents can specify an age at which they want the children to receive their inheritance. Parents can also set out contingency plans, such as who inherits a child’s share if a child dies before inheriting, such as the grandchildren or living siblings to receive it.

It helps if the trust is named as the beneficiary of life insurance policies if the children or grandchildren

beneficiaries are under age 18.

Without a trust named as beneficiary, the parent has to go to court to be appointed as conservator so the parent can receive the policy benefits for the children.

A separate conservatorship case has to be brought for each child, so legal fees can add up.

If the trust is the policy beneficiary, the successor trustee can collect the policy benefits without any court orders and manage the funds for the children or grandchildren.

A trust also helps if real estate is involved. If a parent adds the children to the deed, this creates multiple owners. Do they own as joint tenants or as tenants in common?

The parents might have intended that their grandchildren get their deceased mom or dad’s (the adult child)

LEGAL NOTES

share, but that doesn’t happen in a joint tenancy.

In a joint tenancy, whoever dies last owns the entire property. Did the parent owner add their children as tenants in common?

If the adult child dies before the parent owner, that child’s share has to go through probate to pass it to their children. The living siblings can’t do much with the property until the probate court appoints a personal representative for the dead sibling’s estate.

With a trust, the successor trustee has the flexibility to manage the property and distribute the rental income or sales proceeds from the real estate to the beneficiaries.

In a trust agreement, parents can set restrictions so that an adult child cannot receive any cash distributions if the child has problems like exces-

sive debt, gambling, alcoholism, or drugs, or is not gainfully employed.

Or parents can direct the Trustee to pay college expenses while the adult child is a student, or set an amount for down payment to be given if the child wants to buy a home.

If the home is going to be used as a rental, the trust can say how the rental income will be divided among the children, until the house is sold.

Trusts are also helpful because it can state that children who are born after the trust is created, can also inherit, so parents can prepare in advance for later-born

justice, advocacy of the poor and climate change.

“As a practicing Filipino Catholic, I would very much like for Cardinal Tagle to be elected as our next Pope. For Filipino Catholics, Cardinal Tagle represents hope, inclusivity, and a bridge between tradition and modernity— qualities that make him an inspiring choice. The election of a Filipino pope would likely have significant impacts on the lives of Filipinos. It will be a historic moment of pride and unity, fostering a sense of

national identity and solidarity. It would strengthen the Catholic faith in the Philippines. There will be renewed focus on social justice such as poverty, inequality and environmental concerns in the Philippines,” Bernales said.

Painter said, “Cardinal Tagle will be a great successor to Pope Francis. He will continue the work that Pope Francis started especially caring for the poor and the oppressed.”

“Tagle is a holy man filled with joy. You see that joy overflowing in his

speeches at Catholic events and homilies. His election would be historic, not just for Filipinos, but the Catholic world and non-Catholic world,” Cadiz affirmed.

Fuller said, “Cardinal Tagle’s service as the third highest ranking in the Catholic Church, is already a great honor to our home country, the Philippines. My thoughts about the next Pope? I’ll just let the hand of the Lord and the Holy Spirit move. For now, let us continue to pray for the healing and strength of Pope Francis.”

the United States. His administration is silencing information about infectious diseases.

This echoes Trump’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unlike COVID-19, however, the outbreaks of Avian Influenza originated in American farms.

The WHO reports data received from its government partners. The WHO has the authority to declare that a specific disease has become a pandemic.

The CDC web page on Avian Influenza recommends limiting exposure to potential sources of infection.

This means avoiding close contact with sick or dead wild animals; wearing protective equipment such as masks and gloves when touching farm animals; and avoiding raw milk and raw milk products.

A vaccine for Avian Influenza exists, but it is unavailable commercially.

The U.S. government

has a stockpile of doses.

The Trump Administration has the power to distribute the stockpile should they choose to do so.

At the time of writing, there are no known human cases of any strain of Avian Influenza in Hawaii.

Hawaii residents who have recently visited farms on the mainland should call the Hawaii Department of Health’s Disease Reporting Line (808-5864586) to discuss potential risks.

children. This can also be written to include as beneficiaries any grandchildren who are born after the trust is established.

If you don’t have children and are contemplating creating a trust, you may be thinking of setting out percentages of assets to your friends.

You may want to use fractions instead, just to make the math easier if a friend beneficiary dies before you do.

Trusts can be helpful estate planning vehicles. Give it some thought before you create one. The information provided in this article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Publication of this information is not intended to be created, and receipt by you or reading by you does not establish or constitute an attorney-client relationship.

(COVER STORY: Filipino Catholics ....from page 6)

ers, not even monarchies, empires and great civilizations throughout history have had such a long continuous succession.”

op of Manila, currently Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization for the Dicastery for Evangelization. The head of this Dicastery -- one of the Could the next pope be largest and most important of the Roman Curia -- is Filipino?

Since Francis’s often considered to be the lengthy stay in the hos- third highest rank of the pital, the world press has Catholic Church, behind been speculating about the Pope and Secretary of his possible successor. A State. Tagle is a global figfrequent name that comes ure in the Catholic Church up among those consid- praised for his gift of evanered papabile (Italian term, gelization. He is often “worthy to be pope”) is referred to as the “Asian Cardinal Luis Antonio Pope Francis” because of Tagle, former Archbish- his similar stance on social (MAINLAND NEWS: U.S. Withdraws....from page 10)

In January 2025, Louisiana reported a human death from the H5N1 virus strain. This is the first known human death from this disease in the United States.

There are at least 67 human cases. So far, all the cases appear to have been contracted by contact with infected animals or by consuming infected animal products.

The WHO tracks disease through partnerships with government agencies

like the CDC. Most countries in the world partner with the WHO. International cooperation supports public health in tracking diseases across international borders.

Tracking outbreaks is crucial to ensure that people can know whether they are at risk and how to take steps to protect themselves.

By withdrawing from the WHO, the Trump Administration has isolated

12 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE MARCH 22, 2025

BOOK REVIEW

Gastronomic Expressions of our City: ILOILO— Nature, Culture, and Geography

By Rose Cruz Churma

I

loilo City has recently joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a Creative City of Gastronomy. This has inspired the Ilonggos to celebrate their culinary excellence and share their gastronomic heritage.

One of the city’s goals in being part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is to establish Iloilo as a destination for those wanting to experience authentically produced good food that could spur economic activity, attract infrastructure investments, create jobs, and open opportunities for innovation.

Clearly, the city has succeeded!

When I first visited Iloilo City in 1998 as part of the Filipino Chamber’s trade mission, it was a quiet place with mostly low-rise buildings.

Nowadays, airlines arrive at the City’s recently built airport. The tarmac of the old airport is now the

location of high-rise hotels and multi-level shopping malls. The city has a vibrant vibe—one can feel the pride of the locals in the transformation of their city.

Despite the influx of investments and technology, the city has nurtured and preserved its rich heritage and history.

The book consists of a foreword from the current Secretary of the Department of Tourism who touts tourism as a “crucial economic pillar.” She describes the essence of this book as a testament to how “food reflects the convergence of history, culture, and innovation.”

The preface from the executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts notes that the gastronomy of a place is a valued culture, or a representative of its heritage—“…the memory of the past, the identity of the present, and the reason for continuity in the future.”

In the introduction by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, he notes that food is the city’s love language—the Ilonggo is always concerned with what to eat for the day.

But this love affair with food is a gift to those who are part of the food chain— from the farmers and fisherfolk, to the cooks and chefs, the artisanal makers and food vendors, and the mothers and homemakers who prepare the daily meals that keep families together.

The main part of the book consists of six chapters followed by an afterword.

Chapter 1, titled “Framework” explores Iloilo’s gastronomic identity through the lens of geography, ethnicity, ingredients, and technology. Written by Ige Ramos of the Ugnayan Center for Filipino Gastronomy, he notes that food has a crucial role in bringing people together, from shared meals, community gatherings and religious or secular festivals.

Chapter 2, “Geography” written by Vicente Segovia Salas explains that Iloilo City’s gastronomy is indelibly intertwined with the Island of Panay’s history and geography.

The place-names affixed to dishes are examples of how geography is linked to the origins of the food. An example is Pancit Molo, a signature Iloilo dish, comes from the Molo district, which was originally a Chinese enclave called Parian, established by the Spanish colonizers in the 18th century to control and tax the Chinese traders.

Hazel Palmares Viila describes how Iloilo’s food tells the story of its place and people in Chapter 3 “Ethnicity.” Its three signature dishes of Pancit Molo, Batchoy and KBL (Kadios-Baboy-Langka) are examples of this. KBL is considered its truly native dish which is made of

pigeon peas, pork and unripe jackfruit and soured by the endemic fruit batwan, all native to the island of Panay.

Pancit Molo and Batchoy, on the other hand, are influenced by trade with merchants from China.

Chapter 4 “Ingredients” examines the sources of food in the Western Visayas Region that play a crucial role in the rich culinary heritage of the place.

Sustainable sources of ingredients or panakot (sangkap or rekado in Tagalog) are from three community-based supply chains: upland, lowland and coastal geographical origins.

This chapter, written

by Glenda S.Tayona and Pearl Rylene S. Socias, with beautiful illustrations from Victorico Nabor and Kevin Z. Fernandez, highlights the basic ingredients of Ilonggo cuisine—from the staples of rice, corn and sugar to its native chicken called darag or the rare and popular snail called ige.

A section is devoted to ingredients that elevate the region’s cuisine to another level like ginamos (shrimp paste), kalkag (dried salted small shrimp) and hibi (sun-dried skinned shrimp).

Ted Aldwin Ong discusses in detail in Chapter 5 “Technology” where the blending of heritage and modernity takes place. The coexistence of old practices and use of contemporary equipment has expanded Iloilo’s culinary possibilities without compromising taste or the essence of the heritage dishes.

Chapter 6 contains the recipes of Iloilo’s heritage dishes like binakol na manok, a chicken soup dish with young coconut.

The young coconut meat is scraped and shaped like pasta noodles, its mildly sweet coconut water provides the liquid base and

seasoned with ginger, onions, tomatoes, and simmered with pounded lemon grass stalks.

The last chapter is an afterword written by Lara Boquiren Gonzales. She notes that this book positions Iloilo as a gastronomic hub, but as a creative city it must also prioritize food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

She also challenges the consumers and encourages them to use local produce, embrace seasonality and pay fair prices—and to be guardians of Iloilo’s cultural landscapes. She cautions that consumers can also be change makers—and any small gesture can make a significant difference— whether one is a local resident or a visitor.

Iloilo’s food experience is a celebration of life and a reflection of the Ilonggo’s love for their land and heritage. The Ilonggo story is told through the flavors of its dishes, its aroma, textures, and vibrant colors.

But what makes this happen is its people—their zest for living and appreciation for their rich heritage and history.

This is the time to visit Iloilo—a few days maybe, or for a much longer time.

Consider it as a retirement location: it has the combination of a well-run city with warm and friendly locals, a dynamic economy, and a happy mix of green landscapes around modern structures.

And of course, the food: a culinary paradise! ROSE CRUZ CHURMA established Kalamansi Books & Things three decades ago. It has evolved from a mail-order bookstore into an online advocacy with the intent of helping global Pinoys discover their heritage by promoting books of value from the Philippines and those written by Filipinos in the Diaspora. We can be reached at kalamansibooks@gmail.com.

MARCH 22, 2025  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  13

OPEN FORUM

Perennial ‘Green Fee’ Proposal Would Harm Hawaii Businesses

By Keli‘i Akina

F

or the third year in a row, Hawaii policymakers are considering a bill that suggests they believe tourists are an endless source of funds.

Two years ago, state lawmakers made waves for contemplating an initiative supported by Gov. Josh Green to levy a $50 “visitor impact fee” on tourists who visit a state park, beach, trail or natural area.

Ultimately, they struggled to agree on how not to impose the fee on Hawaii residents — and the U.S. Supreme Court frowns on taxes that treat nonresidents differently anyway.

The idea resurfaced last year, morphing into

a $25 “check-in” surcharge to the state’s transient accommodations tax.

As the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii pointed out, any TAT hike would also affect locals who stay in hotels for pleasure, business or even medical procedures Thankfully, the effort failed again.

This year’s version of a so-called “green fee,” as embodied in HB1077, aims to increase the TAT instead — by almost 20% — from 10.25% to 12%.

For a $400 hotel room, that would amount to increasing the nightly TAT by $7 a day, from $41 to $48, or $49 total for a seven-night stay.

That’s nearly double

the $25 “check-in” fee proposed last year — at a time when Hawaii already has the highest tourism taxes in the world.

The extra $49 might not seem like much in the grand scheme of vacation spending, but studies show that increasing those expenses would give visitors another reason to go elsewhere — or spend less if they still come.

A 2017 study from the European Union

found that coastal and leisure destinations were especially affected by higher costs brought on by higher tourism taxes.

Additionally, a study of the Maldives, which gets about 70% of its revenue from tourism taxes, found that a 10% increase in those taxes reduces demand by 5.4%.

The proposed increase for Hawaii’s TAT would be almost double that.

But it’s not only tourists we should care about.

It should be painfully obvious by now that a massive TAT hike would also impose a burden on those of us who live here.

In addition to locals having to pay the higher tax themselves, visitors are likely to decide either to not come here or else at least adjust their vacation budgets to spend less on other Hawaii businesses besides their

accommodations.

And when restaurants, retail outlets, boat rentals and other tourism-related attractions fall on tough times, it affects the entire community.

Ironically, that domino effect also can result in decreased tax revenues.

Simply put: Imposing a tax hike on a major industry in order to pay for more government-funded programs will not boost Hawaii’s economy.

Plus, climate issues should be dealt with more forthrightly and through a more direct funding and accountability process.

Let’s hope the third time is not the charm for this shape-shifting fee targeted at tourists that is sure to have unintended consequences for all. KELI‘I AKINA is president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

14 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE MARCH 22, 2025

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

Caught in the Crossfire: A Family’s Perspective on the U.S.-Canada Trade War

By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan

M

y mother is a naturalized American.

My youngest brother is a naturalized Canadian.

While they are not in conflict, the countries they now pledge allegiance to—are.

Lately, my husband and I have been glued not to our usual Korean dramas, but to news about the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada (and also the U.S. and Mexico).

It’s an issue we find both fascinating and frustrating—so much so that it makes our blood boil.

Even our children have

picked up on it.

My six-year-old, overhearing our discussions, now insists he doesn’t like U.S. President Trump because of the “exchange” war. I’ve been trying to understand tariffs and the complexities of the trade war.

It’s complicated, yet undeniably important.

Living in Switzerland, we don’t feel the immediate effects, but the global economy will suffer if this drags on.

After all, as the saying goes, “When America sneezes, the whole world catches a cold.”

My mother, now re-

tired, is especially worried. She relies on a U.S. government pension, and if the cost of living rises, she’ll have to stretch an already limited budget.

My brother in Canada, who works at Costco, fears his U.S.-based employer could take a financial hit, jeopardizing his job.

If stock markets plunge and inflation surges, ordinary people—not just in the U.S. and Canada, but worldwide—will

bear the brunt of it.

I understand that President Trump wants to prioritize American workers by imposing higher tariffs and bringing factories back home instead of relying on cheap imports.

But can he truly accomplish this within his term?

I’m no economist, but decades of entrenched systems don’t change overnight.

Along the way, there will be sacrifices—especially in international relations, even with trusted allies like Canada.

For billionaires like Trump and his circle, the impact may be negligible.

But for people like my mother and brother, the effects will be painfully real.

As an observer (and intercessor) of this trade war, I can only hope both countries find a resolution that benefits their citizens.

Short-term gains should not come at the expense of long-term stability. National strength is a worthy goal, but it shouldn’t cost ordinary people their livelihoods or strain relationships with longtime allies.

After all, in today’s interconnected world, no nation stands alone—what harms one inevitably ripples across borders.

For my mother, my brother, and countless others caught in the crossfire, I hope that diplomacy, fairness, and foresight prevail over division and economic strife.

COMMENTARY

Appeasement Is Not the Answer

By Gary Hooser

P

resident Trump has demonstrated through words and action, unequivocally – he will do whatever’s necessary to maintain control and power.

He publicly sneers, belittles, and mocks anyone and everyone who has the audacity to disagree with him or push back against his proposed agenda.

When confronted with genuine resistance, he loudly threatens harm to the person, organization, or country.

If the resistance persists, he then uses the full power and authority of his office AND the money of his oligarch patrons – to bring actual economic, political, and/or personal harm to those failing to comply.

“Do what I tell you, or I will hurt you.” Is the President’s message.

This is not hyperbole.

Even those who support him will agree the above is an accurate description of President Donald Trump.

“While I don’t like all his actions and statements, I like his policies and what he stands for.” are common statements from MAGA supporters.

Hawaii must take the moral high ground on this one. We can’t just roll over for the money, keeping our true values in the closet, hoping the President doesn’t notice.

We cannot succumb to the fear and intimidation.

While pushing back against changes in federal policy and actions that bring harm to our community, we must simultaneously take meaningful and aggressive steps toward food and energy self sufficiency, and we must wean our economy off its dependency on military spending.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense Of-

fice of Economic Adjustment (OEA), Hawaii ranks #2 in the United States for the highest defense spending as a share of state GDP, indicating increased vulnerability to significant DoD spending changes.

Hawaii must lead. Our Governor, the legislature, County Councils, University of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, our courts and law enforcement, and non-profit advocacy groups across the islands – all of us and each of us must step up and push back.

We must oppose the current Trump energy policy that seeks to expand the use of fossil fuel and instead, increase state incentives for solar power while phasing out fossil fuel, including liquified natural gas.

Ditto to food and agriculture. We must fast-track the “Farm to School” mandate, add prisons, jails, hospitals, and hotels, AND im-

plement strong incentives for local food producers.

Our goal must be to shrink, not expand the U.S. military’s foot-print in our islands – think Pohakuloa, Kahuku, Kawailoa-Poamoho, and Makua. The U.S. Military has not been a good steward of our land, and we should not trade our health and natural environment for the promise of money and jobs.

Education, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are all on the table.

Environmental protections and the upkeep of our public lands are also at risk.

The wrecking-ball the Trump/Musk regime is using against a wide variety of international aid programs is causing serious, tangible and irreversible harm to people on every single continent.

Appeasement is not an option.

Many benefit from the abundance of our islands

who do not pay their fair share – absentee owners, foreign investors, and offshore corporations to name just a few. To protect Medicare and Medicaid, we must counter federal tax cuts for the wealthy, with state and county tax increases impacting those same populations.

We don’t trade our ethics, morals, and integrity for money. We don’t look the other way, and we don’t keep our mouths shut because we’re afraid the bully will turn off the funding spigot.

Instead of tip-toeing around D.C., ignoring the travesty now unfolding, and hoping the President won’t remember Hawaii is a blue state, Hawaii leaders at all levels must follow the example of Congresswoman Jill Tokuda.

We must stand strong and wear our values on our sleeve, proudly for the whole world to see. GARY HOOSER is a former Hawaiʻi State Senator and Majority Leader.

MARCH 22, 2025  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  15

COMMUNITY CALENDAR SPRING 2025 CULTURAL PROGRAM | Filipino Community Center | Various schedule until April 30, 2025 | FilCom Center, Consuelo Courtyard, 94-428 Mokuola Street, Waipahu | Join this comprehensive program this spring for an enriching journey through Filipino culture. The program fee is $25. To register, visit https:// filcom.org/communityprograms.

HAWAII TRIENNIAL 2025 | ALOHA NO | Hawaii Contemporary | February 15 to May 4, 2025 | Various locations across the state | Hawaii Triennial 2025 is the state’s largest, thematic exhibition of contemporary art from Hawaii, the Pacific, and beyond. For over 78 days, HT25 features 49 artists and art collectives with site exhibitions on Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island. For more information, visit hawaiicontemporary.org.

CAREGIVERS APPRECIATION DAY | Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Workers Center, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns | Susannah Wesley Community Center, 1117 Kaili Street, Honolulu | April 13, starts at 4pm | This event is for all caregivers out there. Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and hardwork in promoting the wellbeing of others. For more information, contact mailto:hiworkerscenter@gmail.com.

BIBLE REFLECTIONS

Being Salt and Light in My Family

By Maria Ninna Salta Versoza

M

y brother was the first in our family to encounter God, and in 2005, my mother and I began joining him at Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF) during the St. Francis Square days.

He would take our mom to the service, dropping my niece and me off at NxtGen. We were not a Christian family, so when my father learned about our Sunday routine, he disapproved. Out of respect for my father, my mother stopped attending CCF, and I followed suit.

Years later, in 2013, I stayed at my brother’s house on weekends for Dragon Boat training, which allowed me to attend Sunday services with him and his daughter.

My father, however, found out and again asked me to stop. I obeyed. Before graduating college in 2016, I felt something was missing. I was lost, and empty, so I made the personal decision to return to CCF. Quietly, I began attending the 3pm services with my cousin, without my father’s knowledge.

I remembered how my mother had longed to return, so I invited her to join me. She was hesitant, fearing my father’s reaction.

I proposed, “Ma, let’s attend the 3pm service, then leave by 5pm so we can still make the 6pm

Mass with Papa.”

This became our Sunday routine—CCF, then Mass. In 2017, my mother and I took a leap of faith and joined an inhouse True Life retreat at CCF. That same year, my mother joined her first Discipleship Group (DGroup). My father opposed this decision, questioning why I felt the need to go.

Lovingly, I stood firm and explained the gospel to him. He allowed me to continue, though Christianity was never openly discussed at home. It was a difficult journey, but I trusted God to reach my father in His time.

Later in 2017, I saw dancers leading Praise & Worship on stage. I felt a deep desire to join, thinking, “This could be my way of inviting Papa to CCF—he wouldn’t say no to watching me perform.”

By God’s grace, I joined the Saints Dance Ministry in 2018 and invited my father to watch, though he didn’t follow through. Still, I pressed on in my faith, reminding myself, “Honor your father and mother” and “Be salt and light to your family.”

That same year, I began serving in the B1G (Be One with God) Singles Ministry. Immersing myself in His community, I sought to equip myself spiritually, always praying for my family’s salvation.

The author in yellow along with (from left to right) her brother Jovel, niece Celina, cousin Cess, and her parents, Erlinda and Ed.

In 2019, God called me into full-time ministry at CCF. My parents gave their blessing, though my father didn’t fully understand what I was doing. He simply trusted that I knew.

During my third year working at CCF, I also pursued a master’s degree at De La Salle University and opened a coffee kiosk. My 22-year-old nephew worked for me as a barista, and during downtime, we often talked about faith.

I felt prompted to invite him to the B1G True Life Retreat 2022. We attended together—me as a facilitator, and him as a participant. In that retreat, he dedicated his life to Christ and was baptized. Today, he is active in his faith, serving as a facilitator in B1G Fridays and leading his own DGroup.

As for my father, I continued praying for his salvation and inviting him to join us for Sunday services. But after the pandemic in 2022, I grew discouraged, thinking,

“I’ve planted the seed; my work is done.”

I had stopped dancing on stage, so I didn’t feel I had a reason to invite him anymore. However, in October 2023, my cousin was baptized at a Family Camp by Across Ministry, which reignited my desire to prioritize my family’s salvation, especially my father’s.

During January 2024 Prayer & Fasting, I cried out to God, asking for another opportunity to invite him to CCF. A week later, knowing my father enjoyed dining out, I boldly asked him, “Pa, let’s have dinner later, but that means you’ll come to CCF with us for Sunday service.” To my surprise, he said, “Yes.” Sundays passed, and he continued attending services with us. Today, my father still joins us—not because of a performance on stage, but because he is slowly seeking to know the God I worship.

Though he sometimes complains about the late hours I spend at

CCF events, our conversations now reflect his growing understanding.

I recently heard him say, “Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos na yung anak ko ay naglilingkod sa Panginoon” (“I am thankful that my daughter is serving the Lord”).

My work is not finished. I have three brothers, three sisters-in-law, two nieces, and four nephews who still need to know Christ.

The mission continues. I will press on, striving to be the salt and light in my family, even as the youngest and only girl among the siblings.

I am far from perfect, but I take comfort in knowing that I am the daughter of a perfect God. I was placed in this family for a reason, and I trust in His strength to carry me through—one life at a time. NINNA VERSOZA is a Discipleship Ministry Coordinator of CCF Center and one of the full-time volunteers/leaders of B1G Singles Ministry at CCF.

16 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  MARCH 22, 2025