OCTOBER 11, 2025
MEDICAID Q & A what yoU need to Know aboUt the one big beaUtifUl bill aCt
CANDID PERSPECTIVES shUtdown Comedy? we’Re in the King Zone
HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS
CelebRate filipino ameRiCan histoRy month with loCal events this oCtobeR
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS Rise Up, pilipinas!
Just last week California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta sued the Trump administration for allegedly stripping California of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal security and disaster relief funding based on their unwillingness to aid in federal immigration enforcement.
Bonta said in a statement. “President Trump doesn’t like that we won’t be bullied into doing his bidding, ignoring our sovereign right to make decisions about how our law enforcement resources are best used to protect our communities.” As of October 7, 2025, AG Bonta has filed 39 lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s second administration and had multiple victories.
Whether we are Republican or Democrat, this is a historical moment for our Filipino American community, to see a Filipino American AG representing close to 40 million Californians and by extension due to the subject matter could impact the entire nation. Furthermore, his arguing against capitulating to Trump’s vitriolic and cruel immigration policy, in essence, is defending our immigrant community, Filipinos included. This is something for Filipinos, both immigrant and non-immigrant alike, can be very proud of.
AG Bonta, an immigrant from the Philippines, who graduated from Yale Law School, in many ways represent the hard work, grit, perseverance and fighting spirit that many in our Filipino community possess. There are countless of Filipino Americans in various industries who’ve achieved well beyond the American dream – Filipinos who’ve helped to shape the nation’s culture, economy and social fabric.
There are too many Filipino individual pioneers and present personalities to mention, but for younger Filipino Americans in Hawaii, it’s worth recognizing here Ben Cayetano, another feisty and smart attorney, who became governor of Hawaii and the first and only governor in the U.S. of Filipino ancestry. As we celebrate Filipino American History month this October, we encourage our younger generation to research on Cayetano and other trailblazing Filipinos for their impact in moving forward our community.
Like the limitless number of Filipinos to recognize this Filipino American History month that cannot be abbreviated in one editorial, we can only highlight a few historical moments that occurred in our community.
*Clearly the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 must be mentioned as the most transformative piece of legislation which led to the dramatic increase and diversity of our Filipino population. Prior to the enactment of this law, the Filipino community was mostly comprised of plantation and farm laborers (some transient on their way back to the homeland) and Filipinos in the military. Not only did the Act abolish quotas on Filipinos but it also made possible for Family Reunification immigration which became the legal tool for much of Filipino immigration into the U.S.
For those Gen X Filipinos (those born between 1965 and 1980), we vividly recall living out this expansion. Our parents – professionals or beneficiaries of Family Reunification – migrated to the U.S. in the late 1960s and 1970s. We were second generation naturalized citizens or natural-born citizens old enough to live among those earlier Filipino plantation workers the sakadas and U.S. military who’ve settled in the country alongside our newly minted immigrant parents. Late millennials and Gen Z did not have the opportunity to know the hardworking and
It’s Filipino American History Month (FAHM), and we join the community in celebrating our heritage. FAHM was introduced by the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) in 1992 and officially recognized by Congress in 2009. For our cover story this issue, associate editor Edwin Quinabo gives us not only a snapshot of our community’s historical moments but reports on some of today’s Filipino city-hubs across the U.S. Find out which states Filipinos are residing, those already established and burgeoning ones. How is our community faring today socioeconomically? Who are some of our national Filipino personalities giving our community visibility? Answers to these questions as well as the perpetuation of Filipino values generationally are all explored.
Publisher & Executive Editor
Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D.
Publisher & Managing Editor
Chona A. Montesines-Sonido
Associate Editors
Edwin QuinaboDennis 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
Complementing the cover story recognizing FAHM, we have news on the Filipino Community Center hosting several events that highlight Filipino American history and culture. For example, on October 18, 6 to 9 pm, there is the ADHIKA: Philippine Dance Showcase featuring Parangal Dance Company and on Oct 19, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, attendees can enjoy the Kamayan Experience (hand-to-mouth dining). Find out the other events in the article.
Also, the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is celebrating FAHM by spotlighting films from the Philippines. Find out what’s playing and where the venues are. One the most anticipated films is “Quezon” a film about Manuel L. Quezon’s fight for independence. It will be the film’s international debut this Oct 26 at the Kahala theater, Oct 28 at Consolidated Kapolei theater. We hope our community comes out to support these events.
Speaking of delving into our history, the Filipino Association of University Women (FAUW) published in August 2025 “From Memory to Meaning,” an anthology book of personal narratives. HFC columnist Rose Cruz Churma wrote in this issue’s Book Review about the anthology, “It reflects our history as Filipinos of Hawaii as culled from the recollections of the authors who are represented in all aspects of the socio-economic spectrum...” Find out who some of these fascinating individuals are in the anthology.
Onto some of the national news topics dominating today’s headlines – read our articles from HFC columnist Emil Guillermo’s “Shutdown Comedy? We’re in the King Zone” about the current shutdown of the U.S. government in relation to healthcare; HFC columnist Will Espero’s “Charlie Kirk, Gun Violence, and Jimmy Kimmel”; and HFC columnist Gary Hooser’s “Did You Watch His [Donald Trump’s] United Nations Speech?”
Finally, we have a Medicaid Q&A contributed by the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), “What You Need to Know About the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Find out who could be losing benefits and what extra steps you can take to keep them. It’s a very important article to read for anyone on Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps) or health plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
We hope you enjoy these and our other informative columns and news. Thank you to all our readers and advertisers for your support over the years. Visit our website thefilipinochronicle.com to get your free e-copy of each issue. Until the next issue, Aloha and Mabuhay!
brave tatas and nanas who arrived in the U.S. to do back-breaking hard labor. It’s a good time this month to learn about the waves of Filipino migration.
*Another significant moment in Filipino American history is the Delano Grape Strike of the 1960s when Filipino farmworkers such as Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz teamed up with the newly formed
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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 LarsonDitas Udani
Kauai
Millicent Wellington
Maui
Christine Sabado
Big Island Distributors
Grace LarsonDitas Udani
Kauai Distributors
Amylou Aguinaldo
Nestor Aguinaldo
Maui Distributors
Cecille PirosRey 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
No, Portland is not war-ravaged. President Donald Trump called Portland “war ravaged” and described Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities as being “under siege from attack by domestic terrorists” when he announced sending troops to Portland.
Like Portland, Chicago is another blue city where Trump plans to send National Guard troops to allegedly stop crime. Trump described Chicago as a “disaster,” a “hellhole,” and the “worst and most dangerous city in the world.”
In Washington, DC where the National Guard was deployed in August, Trump justified the action by saying DC was experiencing a severe crime emergency with “bloodshed, bedlam and squalor.”
The Trump administration has deployed or threatened to deploy National guard troops in more than half a dozen American cities that it says are crime-ridden.
Clearly, California Governor Gavin Newsom was right after Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June this year saying, “This is about all of us. This is about you. California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next.” Newsom called the federalization of the National Guard a “brazen abuse of power.”
(Filipino Americans ....from page 2)
Gov Newsom rightly challenged Trump’s uninvited federalization of troops to Los Angeles and a U.S. District Judge Charles R. Justice Breyer determined that the deployment of troops in Los Angeles was in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.
Portland is seeking a restraining order against the deployment, saying Trump is overstepping his legal authority.
Like Gov. Newsom, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker of Chicago had sharp words about Trump, saying “the deployment was not about public safety but about sowing fear and division among Americans.” He also stated, “ICE is running around the Loop harassing people for not being white… With one voice, we are telling this unwarranted and unconstitutional occupation by ICE and potentially by military troops to get out of Chicago. You are not helping us,” Pritzker said.
Trump’s deeply disturbing address to US Military Generals
To inflame the situtation, Trump’s address to the nation’s top military brass recently suggests that the militarization of states and Americans could get worse.
Trump said, “In our inner cities…I told Pete that we should use some of these dangerous cities as
United Farm Workers to fight for better wages and working conditions. The strike became a template for American labor strikes in the U.S. American unions followed this template of nonviolence tactics like consumer boycotts, community organizing and marches to win economic justice. Filipino Americans were the leaders of this workers movement. Unfortunately, Larry Itliong is only now being recognized for his leadership that Filipino American historians and his then fellow strikers have been working to get his role in the strike better known. This is only one reason why Filipino American History month is important – to get history straight and to recognize our people’s contributions to American society.
*This last historical event relating to our community is not one commonly referenced but needs greater recognition –the sacrifice and heroic role Filipino nurses had during the peak of COVID-19. A 2023 Berkely Interdisciplinary Migration Initiative study found that Filipino nurses make up only 4.5% of the workforce, yet they accounted for 31.5% of nurse deaths from COVID-19 in late 2020. Filipino
training grounds for our military… San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles. They’re very unsafe places. And we’re gonna straighten them out one-by-one. This is gonna be a major part for some of the people in this room. It’s a war, too. It’s a war from within.”
This meeting to bring the nation’s top generals to a televised meeting is unprecedented. It’s clear the audience was not just specific to the generals – who could have been addressed privately – but also directed to the American public to whom the president wants to signal a warning that more of the same (militarization of states) plus potentially more is to come. He is preparing the military and U.S. citizens what is likely to be a dramatic escalation.
What the president wants is to instill fear in his opponents, to stop free speech, to stop freedom of assembly to protest him. What he wants is to suppress Americans’ constitutional rights. Trump’s rhetoric of “war within” and “enemy within” is despicable that only tyrants say.
Trump wants to use the military as what ICE is currently doing across the nation, spreading fear and chaos in our communities, arresting suspected illegal immigrants and in the process also detaining countless U.S. citizens who look like foreigners.
ICE is out of control and doing severe damage to our cities, but it would be nothing to what the
nurses were key players in stopping the spread of the pandemic and caring for COVID-19 patients.
While our Filipino community has made great strides, we must keep chasing down progress and work together as a cohesive community. We have socioeconomic challenges. While Filipinos attain higher levels of education and income above the national average, with regard to average household income, that could be misleading due to our ohana living situation. Filipinos still face workplace discrimination and underrepresentation. We have identity issues among the younger generation. Our community is still misrepresented. There’s an ongoing effort to ensure that Filipino American experiences are recognized and accurately portrayed in the mainstream narrative. We face cultural prejudice, English-accent prejudice. Immigration backlog is a problem under Trump and Family Reunification is at risk. Also at risk are undocumented Filipinos going through the process of attaining legal status but instead are arrested, detained and deported without due process.
military could do if Trump were to weaponize them onto Americans, and not just to seize illegal immigrants, but to crack down on whomever Trump deems to be an enemy.
Retired military officials called the meeting “chilling,” “insulting,” “offensive,” saying that the U.S. military must remain nonpartisan. The top military command was brought into a deeply partisan situation and fortunately the generals and admirals acted professionally throughout Trump’s “war within” speech by staying silent.
Our governors, Congress and citizens must not allow our cities to be battlegrounds. They must pursue all legal avenues to prevent the militarization of our communities. We already have local and state law enforcement to deal with safety. Beyond using local police for law enforcement would require extraordinary conditions which are not present.
The end game of state militarization is dangerous and mimics police states in other parts of the world. It’s a threat for all Americans to be alarmed especially as the midterm election approaches. The last thing we want is to see soldiers in the streets intimidating voters, which is a form of voter suppression.
Americans should not fear our government. It should be the opposite that elected officials and political appointees be concerned about.
Let’s continue to work together. Filipino Americans have a lot to celebrate and be proud of. Happy Filipino American History month to all!
By Edwin Quinabo
Building Filipino communities is at the heart of Filipino Americans’ future
Filipino Americans just got another mainland hub. Home to 250,000 Filipino Americans and growing, Clark County or more popularly known for its most famous city Las Vegas, officially proclaimed the area along Maryland Parkway between Desert Inn and Flamingo roads as “Filipino Town.”
Las Vegas’ Filipino Town joins a growing list of already distinctly “Pinoy” districts and neighborhoods on the mainland: Historic Filipinotown-Los Angeles in Westlake, SOMA Pilipinas-San Francisco in South of Market (SoMa), Little Manila-Queens, NYC in Woodside, Daly City-San Mateo County, CA, Mira Mesa-San Diego, Beacon Hill-Seattle, Washington, and Southwest district- Houston, Texas.
Spearheaded by Rozita Lee, a longtime Las Vegas resident and advocate for the Asian American Pacific Islander community, said “Filipino Town is here to show we contribute tremendously to this community. We have doctors, nurses, teachers, workers in casinos. We have people who take care of your parents, uncles, and aunties.”
Like other Fil-Am mainland hubs, Filipino Town is already a vibrant hub for Filipino culture and commerce, anchored by Seafood City supermarket, Jollibee, Red Ribbon Bakery, and many other Filipino-owned businesses, especially within the Boulevard Mall. Other ethnic businesses will be opening and Lee said part of her masterplan is opening a Filipino museum showcasing Filipino artifacts and promoting Filipino artists.
Lori Miel, a second-generation Filipino living in Ewa, is thrilled that Las Vegas now has a Filipino Town which was established April this year. “Hawaii Filipinos have a special connection to Las Vegas because many Hawaii Filipinos have made
Las Vegas home. Venturing off the strip like along Charleston, when I visit Las Vegas, I see many Filipino owned businesses even outside of the new Filipino Town. Some areas there feel like you’re in Waipahu’s business district.”
She adds, “Why are Filipino towns across mainland communities important? I think at the heart of Filipinos’ future in the U.S. is the communities we Filipinos are building. When we are together in shared spaces as a community, we are stronger and happier. We feel connected and empowered.”
The Filipino American community is one of the largest and fastest-growing Asian American groups in the United States. They represent the third largest Asian American group, with 4.45 million Filipinos, according to recent census data.
Each Filipino community has its own unique migration story. Migration from the Philippines to the U.S. has occurred in waves since the early 20th century, punctuated by labor needs at farms and plantations common in Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest at first, then followed by family reunification, and educational and employment opportunities made possible by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.
This Act significantly transformed Filipino immigration to the U.S., leading to a dramatic increase in their population and the emergence of a skilled professional community. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 ended migrant quotas and welcomed in doctors, nurses, engineers and other Filipino professionals.
Today, Filipino immigration is hampered by a broken immigration system with visa backlogs and unjust deportations, immigrant advocates say.
Where do Filipinos live? California leads all states with 1,705,090 Filipinos while Hawaii has the highest
concentration of Filipinos in the U.S. at 25.47% (369,479). Other states well known for their Filipino communities are Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Washington and Nevada.
Lesser populated Filipino communities are popping up in the South (Georgia), the Southwest (Arizona, Colorado), Midwest (Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana), East (Pennsylvania) and along the East Coast from the north in Virginia and south in Florida.
In Virginia, their Filipino community of 120,000 trace their beginnings to the U.S. Navy with many Filipinos there being descendants of Navy veterans. Virginia Filipinos have vibrant communities in the Hampton Roads region that includes Virginia Beach and Norfolk. In Virginia Beach, it has the Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia. Virginia is home to the highest-ranking Filipino politician in the U.S., the U.S. Rep Bobby Scott of Virginia’s 3rd District who was elected to Congress in 1992 and has been serving at the Hill since then.
Florida’s Filipino community of 180,000 also have their roots in the U.S. Navy similar to Virginia’s. Jacksonville became a major naval center in the 1940s. The highest concentrations of Filipinos in Florida reside in Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa Bay.
Cultural events, entrepreneurship, and the success of Filipino American leaders all help raise visibility and foster pride in these communities.
Filipino visibility in the U.S.
It’s reasonable to say that the Filipino American community punch above their weight when it comes to visibility. Fil-Am Jessica Sanchez just won the 20th season of America’s Got Talent (AGT). Filipinos Darren Criss and Nicole Scherzinger both won a Tony this year for Best Actor and Leading Actress respectively for their roles in Sunset Boulevard. Months earlier Sofronio Vasquez finished on top of The Voice Season 26. On top of the entertainment industry in the U.S. are A-lister singers Bruno Mars, H.E.R., Olivia Rodriguez and comedian Jo Koy.
Jordon Clarkson, Dylan Harper (just recruited, 2025 #2 Draft Pick), Raymond Townsend and Jalen Green are a few basketball stars of Filipino ancestry playing in the NBA. Josh Jacobs, Camryn Bynum, Tyler Allgeier, Andrei Iosivas are some of the Filipino American active players in the NFL.
Beyond entertainment and sports are well known Filipino Americans in various industries like Silicon Valley billionaire venture capitalist Diosdado Banatao; Josephine Santiago-Bond, Systems engineer at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center who helped develop launch systems for shuttle and lunar missions; world renowned fashion designer based in Los Angeles Monique Lhuillier; Lilia Clemente, known as the “Wonder Woman of Wall Street,” a global investment pioneer and philanthropist, whose company Clemente Capital managed over $7.5 billion in global investments; tech billionaire Susan Ocampo whose estimated net worth by Forbes is $2.3 billion; and in government, California Attorney General Rob Bonta who’s been in the national press lately having sued President Donald Trump over the National Guard being federalized in Los Angeles.
“There are countless Filipino American national and local personalities, heads of industry and government and community leaders throughout the U.S. Most notable national celebrity from Hawaii is actress Tia Carrere and the younger generation follow social media star Bretman Rock,” Miel said.
Filipino American educational level is higher than the national average with about 50% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Filipino median household income for Filipino Americans is above the national average – Stanford University study has it at $102,998 in 2021 while the Pew Research Center reported $106,400 in 2023.
Clement Bautista, Honolulu, President of the Filipino-American Historical Society of Hawaii, said “As a group, Filipinos in America are above the national average in terms of education and income, and we need to be proud of and celebrate those who are successful in their occupations and educational attainment.
“However, like other major Asian groups in America, this does not mean all Filipinos are above the national average in education attainment or income. Many Filipino families still struggle with lower paying jobs, and, in fact, many Filipinos have multiple jobs which raises their family income above the national average, especially in multigenerational households. Moreover, cities with the largest numbers of Filipinos also happen to be cities with high costs of living, in particular, regarding necessities such as food and housing,” Bautista said.
What are some historical moments Filipino Americans be proud of?
October is officially recognized as Filipino American History Month, commemorating the arriv-
al of the first Filipinos in 1587 and celebrating the community’s contributions and legacy. Bautista said, “We should remember and recognize the groundbreaking programming at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, including the formation of the Ethnic Studies department (with Dean Alegado), the Center for Philippine Studies, the Philippine Language programs and the outreach program, Operation Manong. Current federal policy is both attacking and trying to dismantle these DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs.”
Bautista adds other moments and figures that many in Hawaii’s Filipino community agree on as significant historically:
“Hawaii’s pioneering Filipino labor leader, Pablo Manlapit who, like many Filipinos, was forward-looking in seeking multiethnic labor organizing. His charisma and influence among the growing Filipino labor population had so threatened Hawaii’s oligarchy that they conspired to exile him from Hawaii...twice.
“The 1st and 2nd Filipino American Regiments of the U.S. Army and their service during WWII in the Philippine Campaign is noteworthy. Initially barred from serving in the Army, they lobbied the U.S. government to change policy, allowing them to sign up and help liberate the Philippines.
“I remember two proud moments were when Angela Baraquio was crowned Miss America and Benjamin Cayetano was elected Hawaii’s governor -- two firsts in the nation,” Bautista said.
Teresita G. Bernales, Kailua, HI, University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association of Hawaii, Ohana Medical Missions, mentioned historical proud moments: “The arrival and the contributions of the Sakadas hold a special place in the history of Hawaii. World War II Veterans’ bravery and post -war benefits advocacy in-
“My dad was a lawyer in the Philippines. Due to the economic hardship, having 14 children to raise, my parents migrated to the U.S. for a better way of life and opportunities for the family. Being new to the country and having to support a family back in the Philippines, my father worked as a janitor for two years, petitioned my mother, my brothers and sisters. My father never gave up nor felt bad about working as a janitor. He persevered, learned, and pursued understanding of how the government worked until he was able to find employment as an eligibility worker in San Francisco. My family worked hard and took advantage of every opportunity presented to them with the American way of life. I, myself, went to City College of San Francisco, then UC Berkeley. I supported myself through schoolwork study programs. I believe that America has been good to Filipinos and Filipinos are grateful for the opportunities. Filipinos want to give back for the betterment of the people and the American way of life, which include Filipinos.”
–
Myrna Lim Attorney and a Documentarian/ Filmmaker in San Francisco
cluding U.S. citizenship rights. Formation of organizations like National Federation of Filipino Americans Association (NAFAA) for advocacy and community support and various Hawaii organizations of like nature. Cultural Impact- influences in arts, entertainments, politics and sciences like Carlos Bulosan, writer/ activist, Belinda Aquino, expert in Philippine Affairs and Politics, Jessica Sanchez, America’s Got Talent’s latest winner, Diosdado Banatao, tech-preneur known for single-chips, PHY chips, PHY chips, former Governor Benjamin Cayetano, first Filipino American to
serve as a state governor in the U.S.”
She adds, “There is a strong community bond evident in Filipino enclaves like Kalihi and Waipahu, and in numerous organizations like the Oahu Filipino Community Council, Filipino Chamber of Commerce, Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii, Ohana Medical Missions. Filipinos in the US demonstrate resilience in balancing multiple identities, celebrating heritage through events, food arts and community activities, while contributing to America’s multicultural tapestry.
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By Gary Hooser
Don’t just take my word for it. PLEASE take the time to watch the entire speech –it’s online @ CSPAN, of course.
Watch it, and make up your own mind.
See, hear, and judge for yourself the totally embarrassing spectacle of President Donald J. Trump making a complete ass out of himself, and all of us.
Words cannot adequately describe his pompous, sneering arrogance.
It’s so bad.
It’s gag me with a spoon, throw up, walk away, throw a brick through the television, bad.
And it’s not just his style and delivery that’s bad, it’s EVERYTHING.
He directly and repeatedly insults everyone in the room and the sovereign nations they represent. He essentially refers to the United Nations delegates in the auditorium as incompetent idiots un-
deserving of even being in the same room as himself.
He pours lavish praise and adulation upon himself and makes it clear that no other president or prime minister on the planet even comes close to matching his skill and success as a truly great leader.
He spouts fictitious facts after fictitious facts and then piles on gross exaggerations from the imaginary world that he lives in.
Again, don’t just take my word for it. Please watch, listen, and make up your own mind.
This man, the President of the United States of America, is clearly drunk on power, AND he is mentally unstable.
The damage to American foundational institutions as a direct result of Trump’s actions during these past nine months — and indeed, to the lives of people around the planet — is nothing short of criminal.
He’s ordering arrests, deportations, incarcerations, and killings – without due process, trial, or
(COVER STORY: Filipino Americans ....from page 5)
Personal stories of Filipino values, work ethic, sacrifice, perseverance and collective action passed on generationally
Rose Cruz Churma, community leader, explains, “When I was promoted as project manager at one of the design firms here, my mom and dad came to visit us in Hawaii. My dad could tell this new job title was stressing me out. I was in a field dominated by men, and I graduated from a foreign university nobody then has heard of—supposedly not accredited by U.S. standards. I recall his counsel then, which I still apply now.
“He said, there are three things that you should remember: 1) make sure that you are competent in whatever you undertake, 2) be fair and just, and 3) always be kind and compassionate because you are dealing with human beings.”
conviction.
He bludgeons and bullies those who dare challenge him, using political, monetary, and legal retribution to threaten, coerce, and silence.
Meanwhile, he, his family, and his enablers are laughing all the way to the bank, reaping the benefits of insider government contracts and international corporate cronyism.
We have a Mad King setting in the Oval Office.
As the commander-in-chief of the largest military power and nuclear arsenal in the world, he is without question the most powerful person in the
Those are the three tenets of my daily actions as an individual, if I were to be effective in affecting my sphere of influence—or be effective in the collective action. We all know that it is through collective action if we are to effect lasting change. Which we saw in February 1986 in the Philippines, and what we are seeing now in almost all major cities of the United States. And this is what we are striving for as we resist the creeping dictatorship here.”
Churma adds, “So I am glad that last year, the Hawai’i Filipinos for Truth Justice & Democracy (HFTJD) and its officers launched the annual commemoration of People Power, when Filipinos showed the world how peaceful collective action can effect change, and how we can show it once more.”
Myrna Lim, attorney and a documentarian/
world — and he knows it.
The Constitutional “checks and balances” of an elected Congress and independent Judiciary have, to this point, been an ineffective sideshow.
So what can we do?
Active physical disruption is what the Mad King is hoping for. He will respond, of course, by calling out the troops and National Guard to even MORE towns and cities.
In the days and weeks ahead, people will be gathering throughout the islands and across the continent to express their outrage and opposition. Some will hold signs along the highway; others will be marching; and inevitably, in some cities and towns, there will be disruption.
My hope is people will gather in strength and in large numbers — but always in a nonviolent and legal manner.
Another action that is effective, nonviolent, and easy to implement from the comfort of home is the focused economic disrup-
filmmaker in San Francisco, said “My dad was a lawyer in the Philippines. Due to the economic hardship, having 14 children to raise, my parents migrated to the U.S. for a better way of life and opportunities for the family. Being new to the country and having to support a family back in the Philippines, my father worked as a janitor for two years, petitioned my mother, my brothers and sisters.
“My father never gave up nor felt bad about working as a janitor. He persevered, learned, and pursued understanding of how the government worked until he was able to find employment as an eligibility worker in San Francisco. My family worked hard and took advantage of every opportunity presented to them with the American way of life. I, myself, went to City College of San Francisco, then UC Berkeley. I supported my-
tion via boycotts of his billionaire enablers.
Case in point: Just FIVE days after the Disney/ Hulu boycott began, Jimmy Kimmel was back at work.
At the end of the day, I always return to the maxim that has guided me for decades: Think globally and act locally.
We must prepare here at home for the storm that is coming.
We must gas up the cars, buy the toilet paper and batteries and canned goods, and check on our elderly neighbors who live alone down the road.
And we MUST keep calling our elected officials at all levels — to demand that they wake up, and take proactive actions to push back and protect us from our own federal government.
PLEASE watch that U.N. speech, then take action and make those calls.
GARY HOOSER is a former Hawaiʻi State Senator and Majority Leader.
self through schoolwork study programs. I believe that America has been good to Filipinos and Filipinos are grateful for the opportunities. Filipinos want to give back for the betterment of the people and the American way of life, which include Filipinos,” Lim said.
Bautista shared, “My father, Mario Bautista, grew up in Caloocan, Manila. After graduating from UST with a medical degree during WWII, after the war he joined the U.S. Army medical surveillance corps. Needing to earn money to feed the large family displaced by the war, he was later hired to be the medical officer in Guam. In Guam he met my mother, a Chinese woman from Hawaii who was working for the U.S. Army. They eventually married and, via Chicago and extra medical training, settled in Hawaii.
“One of the earliest
Filipino physicians in Hawaii, he delivered the first baby at the new Kaiser Hospital (Waikiki) and continued to practice for over three decades. He was very active in the Filipino community. My mother worked as a bookkeeper in several hotels, starting at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and, later, opening the Kahala Hilton and Hawaiian Regent Hotels. She was active in labor unions. It is from my parents’ experiences that I continue my involvement in the Filipino community and awareness of Hawaii’s social issues and inequalities,” Bautista said.
Bernales said, “I am proud of my father who as a young USAFFE Captain made the ultimate sacrifice for the U.S. He was honored with a Congressional Medal of Honor in recognition for his outstanding wartime achievements and honorable service to the U.S. during WWII.”
By Atty. Emmanuel S. Tipon
ake haste slowly” is a Latin phrase, festing lente, that means to proceed quickly but with careful deliberation and caution, rather than rushing and making mistakes, ensuring quality and avoiding errors that would ultimately slow you down.
Does President Marcos believe in “festing lente”?
Despite public clamor to immediately jail all contractors, government officials, and other culprits in the flood control corruption cases involving at least P350 billion, President Marcos Jr. said that he does not want a rushed and haphazard investigation, as that may backfire on his administration’s anti-corruption campaign, according to the Philippine Inquirer.
“Much of what we have heard are allegations. We have to prove it. You don’t want to go after people who are innocent. Now, we know many of these people are not innocent. But if you’re going to bring them to court, you must have a very strong case,” Marcos told Philip Cu-Unjieng of the Manila Bulletin in an October 5 interview.
The President cautioned that rushing to file weak cases that might later be dismissed would only set back the government’s anti-corruption drive.
If we have incomplete and unclear evidence but we still pursued the filing of cases “I think that would be much, much, much worse,” he said.
He pointed out that “some of the guilty ones, they’re trying to derail the system.”
On September 11, 2015, President Marcos issued Executive Order No. 94, creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate all the questionable government infrastructure work, especially flood control projects, during the past 10 years. The ICI would then recommend the filing of charges against those involved.
According to the Order “The Administration is firmly committed to maintain honesty and integrity in public service, and will take decisive measures to repress and hold accountable government officials and employees, and any other individual, who engage in graft, corrupt practices, or other acts that undermine the national interest and betray the people’s trust.”
As a recommendatory body,
the ICI will, acting on complaint or motu proprio (on its own motion), “hear, investigate, receive, gather, and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports, and information, against all government officials and employees, and any other individual, involved in anomalies, irregularities, and misuse of funds in the planning, financing, and implementation of government flood control and other infrastructure projects nationwide,”
Marcos said: “We will not interfere with their work. Of course, we will be in discussion with them, asking what has happened, what they have found, and what the next steps are. But we will not direct how they conduct their investigations; that will be entirely up to them.”
Marcos appointed former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. as chairperson of the ICI. The commission members include former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV & Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong was also designated as the commission’s special adviser and investigator, but he later resigned.
The public wants the ICI to open its hearings to the public for the sake of transparency. However, the ICI is reluctant to do so, saying that it wanted to “avoid trial by publicity and will not allow itself to be used for any political leverage or agenda by any individual or group.”
To date, the ICI has made one interim report urging the Office of the Ombudsman to recommend the filing of graft charges against 18 individuals including former congressman Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol Party over the substandard flood control project in Oriental Mindoro worth P289.5 million.
The Ombudsman is not simply going to file charges. It will have to study the charges and determine if they will fly. That will take a lot of time.
Justice Secretary Remulla reportedly wants to be the Ombudsman. Why? Some are wondering whether he wants the office to go after Vice President Sara Duterte so that she will be disqualified from taking over the presidency in case something happens to Marcos before he finishes his term on June 30, 2028. Others, like me, believe that that is not the case. I knew his father. We were schoolmates at the U.P. College of Law.
In his second podcast, Marcos said that the erring actions of a few public servants do not reflect the integrity of the entire government.
“You cannot paint everyone in government with the same brush as all of these corrupt operators that you see in government.” Marcos emphasized that many government employees
are making serious sacrifices—such as spending time away from their families and even using their own money—in the name of public service.
“I remember that when I was a governor, no project could be considered completed unless it was accepted by the local government. We are reinstating this rule—it was removed by the previous administration—and we are putting it back because it is one of our best safeguards,” he added.
“I was a little surprised to learn that the rule requiring local government officials to formally ‘accept’ completed national government projects had been removed. Previously, mayors, governors, and even barangay captains had to acknowledge and inspect the project,” Marcos said Marcos is optimistic that the flood control mess can be fixed by sending to jail the contractors and government officials involved.
But can he send them to jail? They can delay the process. They can buy investigators, prosecutors, and judges. If they cannot buy them, they can scare them and their families.
ATTY. EMMANUEL SAMONTE
TIPON was a Fulbright and SmithMundt scholar to Yale Law School where he obtained 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 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 publisher and writes columns for newspapers. He wrote the annotations and case notes to the Immigration and Nationality Act published by The Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Co. and Bancroft Whitney Co. He wrote the best-seller “Winning by Knowing Your Election Laws.” Listen to The Tipon Report which he co-hosts with his son Attorney Emmanuel “Noel” Tipon. It is considered the most witty, interesting, and useful radio show in Hawaii. KNDI 1270 AM band every Thursday at 8:00 a.m. Atty. Tipon was born in Laoag City, Philippines. Cell Phone (808) 225-2645. E-Mail: filamlaw@yahoo. com. Website: https://www.tiponimmigrationguide.com.
By Will Espero
war by some extremist voices.
o one should ever be murdered for political views or religious views. No one should be shot in front of thousands, if not millions of people, on national television due to their opinions and thoughts.
Assassination in the United States is a heinous act, and it is a sad commentary about the political violence permeating within our nation. It used to be that assassination was something in the news, history books, or in movies.
Now, it can be seen live via streaming or television due to advancements in technology and personal devices. The slow death of George Floyd on live TV around the world is one example of what’s viewable in today’s electronic environment.
The horrific shooting of Charlie Kirk, who was closely aligned with the Republican Party, is another death that brought shock, anger, outrage, and calls for civil
It was a terrible scene shown on television, and I must say the graphic video showed bloodfilled images that many viewers have never seen. I’m guessing it was probably pretty dramatic and traumatizing for some.
It’s apparent that gun violence is out of control, and our Congress should do more to regulate guns without violating anyone’s Second Amendment rights to bear arms.
Background checks for all buyers of firearms, closing loopholes in gun sales at gun shows, and limitations on the number of bullets in a clip or magazine are some reform measures that should be considered.
A national waiting period for gun purchases is another idea worth considering.
From 1994 to 2004, Congress passed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which banned assault weapons like the AR-15. The ban was successful, and killings by assault weapons during the ten years decreased.
Unfortunately, Congress did not extend the ban on assault
weapons, and assault weapons are used in mass shootings today. Congress should do the right thing and pass an assault weapons ban again, but the Republican-led Congress has refused to consider such common-sense legislation.
Charlie Kirk was a vocal young Christian leader with a strong following, and when he preached his feelings and thoughts, his followers listened.
I didn’t know who Charlie Kirk was until the assassination, and upon researching his words and opinions, I was appalled by some of his messages.
He was certainly confident and articulate, and despite his personal intentions and his desire for debate and discussion, many of Kirk’s words were controversial, hurtful, and mean. The First Amendment addresses freedom of speech and freedom of religion, but his words also created division and anger.
Examples include when Charlie Kirk spoke ill and negatively against black women, President Biden, LGBTQ individuals, immigrants, and Democrats to name a few.
His words spewed hate and intolerance such as the verbal attacks against George Floyd, Zohran Mamdani, the Pelosi family, Muslims, the Civil Rights Act, women, vaccines, Taylor Swift, and many others. One just needs to Google or research online to see his views.
It’s one thing to disagree with another; however, Kirk’s style and words were often offensive and insulting, such as his comments about the qualifications of black airline pilots. He also stated President Biden should get the death penalty for his “crimes against America.” These comments and thoughts are harmful and inflammatory and have no place in our society.
Charlie Kirk also made mil-
lions for his non-profit organization and himself due to his positions and ideals. He was friends with Donald Trump and considered a rising star in the Conservative movement.
The story of Charlie Kirk is a lesson for all of us.
Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are not to be taken for granted, and in our world today, caution should be taken when publicly stating one’s opinion.
There are too many people in our cities and towns with mental health and anger management issues who have easy access to guns, and words can be a trigger for human behavior.
Speakers and leaders must be mindful of their words and tone, recognizing that people respond differently.
Until Congress and individual states pass important gun reform laws, the gun violence in our country will continue.
One would think that the countless school shootings, student deaths, neighborhood gun violence, and criminal activity would produce meaningful changes. Sadly, that is not the case.
In Hawaii, we have some of the strongest gun laws in the nation. Gun crimes are few here, but from the news, it seems like there has been an increase in gun-related crimes.
I know some will say guns don’t kill people; people kill people. That’s true, and how we treat our fellow humans on this earth is paramount. Respecting with dignity for all is the proper way to engage in a conversation.
When one starts talking in a superior, condescending, and hateful tone, the interaction changes. However, no one should be murdered for having an opinion.
Moreover, diverse views must be accepted, tolerated, and debated in a peaceful manner.
Disney did the right thing to allow Jimmy Kimmel back on the air. His suspension from his show created a major firestorm for Disney, and it was the wrong action to take against a comedian doing his job. I heard Kimmel’s comments, and they did not justify a firing or suspension, in my opinion.
Trump and FCC’s Brendan Carr need to chill when it comes to the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Freedom of Speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble and protest, and freedom to petition are the bedrock of our democracy.
By NAPCA Staff
The 2025 reconciliation bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is now law.
It changes eligibility rules for important programs like Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), and health plans through the Affordable Care Act. The Q&As below explain what’s changing, when it takes effect, and what you need to do to stay informed and maintain your benefits.
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: What is the biggest change in this new law?
A: Many “able-bodied” adults of working age will now need to work, volunteer, or participate in job training for at least 80 hours each month to keep their benefits. (See Question 3 for specific age groups.)
The state will redetermine your eligibility every 6 months, not just once a year, so you will need to report your work regularly for both Medicaid and SNAP.
Q: When will these changes happen?
A: The changes are not happening right away, but they are coming. Some states may begin the new rules as early as late 2025. All states must have the new rules in place by early 2027. The exact start date depends on your state, since each state sets up its own system.
TIP: Watch your mail starting in late 2025 for letters from your state explaining when the changes will take effect for you.
Q: Who will be most affected? Will I lose benefits?
A: Not everyone will lose benefits, but some people will need to take extra steps to keep them. Just meeting income limits may not be enough if you’re in a group required to work.
Medicaid: Adults ages 1964 must meet the 80-hour work rule unless they qualify for an exemption. States will check eligibility every 6 months. If you miss a form or deadline, you could lose coverage even if you still qualify.
SNAP: The 80-hour work rule now includes adults ages 55 - 64, not just 18 - 54, and there will be fewer exemptions.
If you meet your state’s rules, you can keep your benefits. If you can’t meet the 80-hour rule, check right away to see if you qualify for an exemption.
Q: Who is exempt from the new work rules?
A: Not everyone will have to meet the new work rules.
Medicaid exemptions often include people who are pregnant, have disabilities, or are caring for children or dependents.
SNAP exemptions are fewer. Only parents with children under age 14 are exempt. Some groups that used to be exempt - such as certain veterans, people experiencing homelessness, or young adults leaving foster care - may no longer be automatically exempt.
The exemptions vary by state. Each state decides who qualifies. Check with your local Social Services Office to find out if you’re exempt.
Q: What should you do now?
A: Update your contact information with your state Medicaid or SNAP office. Open and read all mail from your state, especially starting in late 2025. Check if you qualify for an exemption if you cannot meet the new work requirements.
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.
By Elpidio R. Estioko
FilAm freshman legislator Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, representing Downtown Los Angeles, projected an economic boost for the city based on the council’s plan, which was approved recently, to expand and modernize the city’s convention center.
According to Jurado, the Los Angeles City Council passed LA’s Convention Center expansion and modernization plan, thereby pushing the city forward.
Jurado said, in her statement issued recently:
“By moving forward with this expansion, we’re creating thousands of good union jobs, supporting local businesses, and making sure our city has the revenue it needs to fund vital services. In doing so, we’re building strong communities where workers are treated with dignity and residents can thrive.”
chosen power and profit over the working people who sustain it.”
The first Pinay member of the city council of LA was very optimistic about her projection when she said, “This project is about giving the heart of our city the boost it needs to keep Los Angeles moving forward.”
During her campaign when she ran for the city council, she has been advocating reforms and positive projects for the city that will make it the most progressive and advanced city in California and a major city worldwide.
The expansion and modernization project is expected to generate significant economic impact for the City of Los Angeles, a vision she has wanted to happen even when she was still a candidate for the city council.
Now that she is an elected member, she will see to it that progress will be achieved as she becomes an
active advocate for change and development.
Foremost of which is the creation of nearly 9,000 union jobs, including 1,600 apprenticeships. This is a big chunk of the labor force that the residents will be looking forward to.
As far as income for the city is concerned, there will be an anticipated $1.8 billion additional local business sales; $103 million in tax revenue for city services; and a boost to the city’s tourism business with an anticipated 3.6 million visitors annually.
In a separate development, Jurado voiced opposition to Home Depot opening in Eagle Rock Plaza following a series of federal immigration raids targeting day laborers at Home Depot locations across Los Angeles.
A few weeks ago, federal agents conducted a warrantless raid at the Home Depot in Westlake, the fourth at this location since June. In fact, similar operations have been reported at several stores across Los Angeles, where ICE has targeted parking lots commonly used by day laborers to hang out.
Home Depot has not publicly addressed the raids or their impact on the communities that help sustain its business.
Jurado said, “When your name becomes associated with terror and you refuse to speak, you are complicit. Home Depot has
October is Filipino American History Month to celebrate the history and culture of Filipinos in the United States.
There are many Filipino things to celebrate in October. October 18 is the anniversary of the arrival of the first Filipinos in 1857 in what is now Morro Bay, California. Filipino American labor rights leader Larry Itliong was born on October 25, 1913.
The Filipino Community Center in Waipahu is hosting several events this October to highlight Filipino American contributions to American history, culture, and society.
Filipino American History Month History Fest featuring Eskrima
• October 18, 10am to 2pm
Learn about Eskrima, the traditional Filipino martial art that represents centuries of Philippine history and fighting spirit. Filipino American Historical Society of Hawaii will have educational exhibits, live demonstrations and cultural presentations about how Eskrima embodies the resilience and strength of Filipino American communities.
Philippine Rural Dance Workshop with Ray Rausa
• October 14, 21, and 28, 5 to 7pm
Join Bayanihan Philippine Folk Dance Company member Ray Rausa for a class on the rural folk dances that Filipino plantation workers performed during
community celebrations in Hawaii camps to sustain their cultural identity across generations.
Rondall Workshop with Dr. Joy Marfil
• October 14 to 20, 3:30 to 5:30pm
Led by international award-winning composer Dr. Joy Marfil, this workshop continues the rondalla (Filipino string instruments) tradition brought by Filipino immigrants.
Two-Day Intensive Workshop with Parangal Dance Company
• October 16 to 17, 9am to 12pm
This is a rare chance to learn from the internationally acclaimed Parangal Dance Company from San Francisco. These world-
class artists bring centuries of heritage to life through movement, teaching traditional folk dances passed down through generations of indigenous groups in the Philippines.
ADHIKA: Philippine Dance Showcase featuring Parangal Dance Company
• October 18, 6 to 9pm
This showcase demonstrates how traditional Philippine dances have been maintained, adapted, and celebrated by Filipino Americans, serving as powerful expressions of cultural pride and identity across generations.
Kamayan Experience
• October 19, 5:30 to 8:30pm
The kamayan tradition is a communal hand-tomouth dining that is prac-
This is the dilemma, Jurado said, and that’s why she opposed the opening of its branch in Eagle Rock Plaza.
She said: “That’s why I unequivocally oppose Home Depot coming to Eagle Rock Plaza, a mall that has long been a gathering place for the Filipino community in Los Angeles. I won’t allow violence to take root in our neighborhoods. Our communities deserve safety, dignity, and businesses that fight for the people, not against them.”
Jurado is committed to protecting immigrant communities and working families across Los Angeles. Council District 14 will continue to monitor this project closely.
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
ticed by Filipinos. In partnership with Ramar Foods and Cools in Catering, this feast celebrates how Filipino culinary traditions have enriched Hawaii’s food culture scene.
• October 25, 9am to 12pm
Fil4Kids Hawaii will host age-appropriate cultural activities that will connect the next generation of Filipino Americans to their heritage. Keiki ages 5 to 12 are welcome to join and explore Filipino culture, language, and traditions.
The Filipino Community Center is a cultural cornerstone for Filipinos and Filipino Americans in Hawaii. Visit filcom.org/ fahm2025 for more information on this year’s Filipino American History Month celebration.
By Emil Guillermo
The October shutdown of the U.S. government is a joke.
I explain that in a bit.
But first, I had the pleasure of performing with comedian Shawn Felipe, who hails from Honolulu. He just won the famed San Francisco International Comedy Competition.
I caught up with him backstage at the Filipino Comedy Festival, held this year at San Francisco’s Bindlestiff Studio, and later this month in New York.
Felipe was the headliner, and I was the feature. He’s been at it longer than me, a journalist/comic. Felipe told me he was performing in cruise ships for years, and then when COVID hit, he was forced to go back into his day job in aquatics. But now he’s back, and winning the SF Comedy Competition is a big deal.
I bring up Felipe because comedians, not politicians, know jokes.
And for some reason the October shutdown is a laugh riot for Republicans.
It’s anything but that for normal folks.
If you’re a Filipino American federal worker living in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia), you’ve got to be worried about being among the tens of thousands of layoffs and furloughs that Republicans are threatening.
Most people voted Republican in 2024 because Trump promised to cut prices and make life affordable. According to exit polling, 40% of Filipinos voted for Trump.
Now, he’s cutting your jobs.
And it’s really simple to understand why we’re in this. Republicans control the presidency, the House, and the Senate.
They run it all.
And they want a budget that rewards their rich
friends with tax cuts and punishes their opponents and all of the American people.
When there was still time to avert a shutdown, there was no serious attempt to stop the pain that the majority of us will undergo.
What did President Trump do approaching the deadline?
He put up on his official social media account a fake AI-generated video featuring Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the first African American to lead a major party in the history of Congress, in a Mexican hat.
It was a racist and demeaning video. And Trump reposted it as truth.
Jeffries was depicted in the video standing next to Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, and he was given a fake voice mouthing how Democrats wanted to give “illegal immigrants” health care.
The Republicans used a fake video to illustrate a lie, knowing many people would think it was real.
VP J.D. Vance said the next day, it was a joke. They were just “having fun.”
Funny how Vance didn’t laugh when Jimmy Kimmel joked about how Trump was exploiting Charlie Kirk’s death.
But that’s how politics is played today. Fake videos, fake truth used to justify real pain to Americans.
On day two of the shutdown of the U.S. government, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson picked up where the fake video left off.
He didn’t need AI; he just personally lied to the American public on live TV.
Johnson was on cable news saying the impasse is because Democrats want to give health care to “illegal immigrants” (his racist term).
He was simply parroting the thinking of his
political lord and savior, Donald Trump.
They all seem to be following the pattern of Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propagandist who wrote in 1941, “When one lies, one should lie big, and stick to it.”
Because people will believe the lie to be true.
To its credit, CNN, which was airing Johnson’s “news conference,” cut away and stopped showing Johnson on its air.
And then the CNN anchor confirmed the health care/illegal immigrant charge, as stated by the House speaker, was a lie.
Will that undo Johnson’s GOP lie?
Will it stop many Filipino Americans today from saying, “We need the shutdown because we don’t want illegal immigrants to get health care benefits.”
This is the problem with the shutdown.
The Republicans want it and will do all they can to confuse the American
public about why it’s happening.
The fact is Republicans are for cutting credits that will make your health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act unaffordable.
And that’s for everyone who has insurance under the ACA. If Republicans have their way, your premiums will skyrocket, and up to 24 million people could lose coverage.
Democrats want to negotiate the point now and end the shutdown.
Republicans would rather play dumb, keep the shutdown, and do all they can to tear down the government.
As an example, Trump isn’t just threatening to cut thousands of federal jobs; he’s also holding up federal money. “Roughly $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects,” according to Russ Vought, the Trump official who created Project 2025.
And why are they holding up those funds? It’s because of “unconstitutional DEI principles,” Vought said on social media.
DEI principles of inclusion are unconstitutional? It is more unconstitutional for the executive branch to withhold funds that have already been ap-
(LINGERING THOUGHTS: Charlie ....from page 8)
Threats and intimidation from the Trump administration are unacceptable, inappropriate, and must stop.
It’s time for Trump to stop acting like a wannabe dictator and act like a statesman. I know it’s a difficult ask, but the United States of America deserves no less.
On a final note, the power of the American people through their consumer spending can be a very powerful force.
Imagine if all the Jimmy Kimmel supporters cancelled their subscriptions to Hulu, Disney, and ESPN. I didn’t expect this
proved by Congress. But to use race as part of the excuse to withhold the money?
This shutdown is fueled by racism.
It’s the perfect environment for the autocratic tendencies of the Trump administration to rear their ugly head.
When GOP leadership in Congress, fearing Trump, cedes power to the executive branch, and when the courts are more than willing to let Trump be, there’s just one branch standing.
That’s why the shutdown will go on. The Republicans and Trump like a shutdown.
It puts us in a place where the unlawful, the unconstitutional, the illegal, and the immoral can all happen before our eyes. And no one can stop him.
Believe me, a sometime comedian, it’s no joke. The Republicans can stop the pain whenever they want. But all they do is laugh and lie.
They’ve parked us in The King Zone. TFN.
If you’re in San Francisco, see the author perform his latest “Emil Amok” monologue, Nov. 19 at the SF Marsh. Save the date and get tickets now. Visit https://themarsh. org/shows_and_events/ marsh-rising-emil-guillermo/.
EMIL GUILLERMO is a journalist and commentator. His talk show is on www.amok. com.
to happen, but the Walt Disney Company’s bottom line would certainly be negatively affected.
Or imagine if families boycotted Disneyland or Disney World for one month. Or imagine if advertisers on the ABC network were identified and threatened with a temporary boycott.
Trying to end Jimmy Kimmel’s career should be a wake-up call to Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Government and politicians ending a television show because it does not like the content is
un-American and not to be tolerated by any political party or group.
Freedom of speech cannot be muffled. It can never be suppressed in our free nation. To think otherwise is a reflection and support of an autocratic, authoritarian government.
WILL ESPERO retired from the Hawaii legislature after serving 19 years in the state House of Representatives and State Senate. He is currently a novelist, poet, and supporter of the arts. Lingering Thoughts provides a glimpse of his perspective on current events and issues
In September, the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCC) announced its Fellows Class of 2026, the fifth cohort of its distinguished leadership development program.
This year’s program reaches a historic milestone as the Fellows Program expands to include participants from Oahu’s neighbor islands. This reflects the program’s mission to develop leaders across the state.
Applicants went through a rigorous committee interview process with FCCH advisors who are respected community leaders, and some were Fellows themselves.
FCCH says the Class of 2026 reflects the diversity, breadth, and depth of Filipino-American leadership in Hawaii. This year’s cohort is proudly called the Evolve Class.
The Fellows Class of 2026 are: Jaynnel Agrade – Director of Nursing, Caring Manoa
Matthew Aqui – Brand Marketing Manager, Servco Pacific Inc.
Addison Bulosan (Kaua‘i) – Coun-
cilmember, County of Kaua‘i
Ryan Corpuz (Maui) – Food and Beverage Manager, Westin Nanea
Linda Dela Cruz – Multimedia
Storyteller, Jerrette K. Productions
Linette Medina – Administrative Assistant, Amethyst Builders, LLC
Judy Relosimon Ng – Director, Brand Marketing, Servco Pacific Inc.
Melissa Pineda – Project Engineer, Amethyst Builders, LLC
Dean Anthony Ramos – Owner, Dean’s Solutions
Doug Williams – Director of Engineering, Laulea Engineering
“The Class of 2026 showcases the talent, dedication, and vision of the Filipino-American community in Hawai’i,” said Su Lazo, Chair of FCCH Fellows Committee.
“Their collective experience is wide-ranging, but what unites them is a shared commitment to leadership and service. This is the kind of investment that will continue to shape Hawai‘i’s future.”
The eight-month fellowship will engage Fellows in executive mentorship, leadership intensives,
community impact projects, and professional development experiences.
The Fellows Program has become a cornerstone of FCCH’s mission to empower, inspire, and lead. Fellows alumni contribute significantly to business, public service, and non-profit leadership sectors.
To learn more about the 2026 cohort and the Fellows Program, visit https://filipinochamber.org/ fellows-cohorts.
The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) celebrates its 45th anniversary in October alongside Filipino American History Month. To celebrate, HIFF is highlighting Filipino stories from the Philippines and those in the diaspora.
“Spotlight on the Philippines” is an HIFF special program in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Below are the screening times of this program’s film slate:
Eraserheads: Combo On The Run
Directed by Maria Diane Ventura
• October 30, 6pm — Consolidated Kapolei
Food Delivery: Fresh From The West Philippines Sea
Directed by Baby Ruth Villarama
• October 18, 2:15pm
— Consolidated Kahala
• October 23, 6pm
— Consolidated Kahala
Magellan Directed by Lav Diaz
• October 24, 4:15pm
— Consolidated Kahala
• October 25, 5:30pm
— Consolidated Kahala
Quezon
Directed by Jerrold Tarog
• October 26, 2:30pm
— Consolidated Kahala
• October 28, 6pm
— Consolidated Kapolei
FilAm Frames – Short Films from the Diaspora (Shorts Program)
• October 21, 6pm
— Consolidated Kahala
• October 22, 3:30pm
— Consolidated Kahala
• November 2, 6pm
— Kauai Community College
The Shorts Program will feature the following:
Along Comes Larry, The Larry Ramos Story
Directed by Rick Quan
East Did Meet West
Directed by Aiko Lozar
Maybe It’s Just The Rain
Directed by Reina Bonta
Myself When I Am Real Directed by Angeline Gragasin
To find out more about the featured works, visit hiff.org/hiff45spotlight-on-the-philippines/.
By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan
adness. Frustration. Disappointment. Grief. Anger.
These are the emotions that flood my heart as I am bombarded daily with news of large-scale, systemic corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways and across various arms of the Philippine government.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Many more agencies remain unchecked, rot festering beneath the surface.
Sometimes, I am tempted to shut it all out. To focus only on my family, my children, and the safe little world we are building. It’s easier that way, lighter on the soul.
But every time I step outside, I see the weary faces of our ordinary kababayans working tirelessly just to survive.
I talk to Grab drivers and supermarket baggers
who share their stories of long hours and meager pay, all for the love of their families. I see it in the broken roads, the failing systems, the inefficiency, the injustice. Life is hard.
All the while, government leaders, those we’ve entrusted with our votes and our hard-earned taxes, fill their pockets and flourish at the expense of the people.
I can’t help but be angry. Furious, even. How selfish? How greedy can one possibly be?
Every time I tune into the Senate hearings, my blood boils. The injustice is staggering. A poor man who steals a few hundred pesos worth of food is jailed instantly, while politicians who plunder millions, billions even, are given platforms, respect, and due process.
They deny. They delay. And more often than not,
they walk away unscathed.
It’s infuriating. It’s heartbreaking. I grieve for the Philippines. I ache for the Filipino people.
How did we get here? Why does this keep happening?
Because we’ve tolerated it. Because we’ve stayed silent. Because we’ve normalized it.
We’re all part of the problem in one way or another. We’ve compromised integrity in our own small spheres: our homes, our jobs, our daily interactions.
We are a nation that lacks discipline. We don’t hold ourselves or others
accountable. And still, we keep voting for the same names, the same dynasties, the same tainted figures. We reward them with second chances they never earned.
If we want real change in our government and a better future for our children, it must start with us.
Yes, we demand change from our leadersbut we must begin with ourselves.
Having lived abroad and experienced a higher quality of life, my heart grieves for my children.
We’ve lost so much that we no longer enjoy upon returning home: efficient public transport, quality healthcare, worldclass education, and the safety and structure of working systems.
If other nations can make this a reality, why can’t we?
Sad. Frustrated. Disappointed. Grieving. Angry. Yes, I feel all these.
But amidst the darkness, I choose to remain
The Center for Philippine Studies (CPS) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Founded in 1975 with the support of the Hawaii State Legislature, CPS has been providing scholarship programs, cultural preservation, education, and community partnerships to strengthen and honor the richness of Filipino culture.
This year’s anniversary theme is “Rooted in the Past, Growing Together.” The theme pays tribute to the history of the Filipino community in Hawaii and beyond while inspiring future generations.
“We’re proud to present a dynamic range of programs in the coming year that reflect our commitment to education, culture, and community engagement,” said CPS Co-Director Dr. Patricia Halagao.
Several events are open to the public to celebrate CPS’ 50th anniversary.
Kulturang Makulay: Colorful Cultures of the Philippines Exhibit
October 12, 2025 to March 15, 2026 – EastWest Center Gallery, UHM This exhibit features Filipino fashion, music, art, and artifacts. Curated by artist and fashion designer Iris Gil Viacrusis, the exhibit honors the vibrant tapestry of the Philippines’ many traditions and influences.
Philippine Rare Collection Workshop: Cartographies of Skin and Soil
October 15 to 16 –Hamilton Library, 4th Floor, Asia Reading Room, UHM
Learn how rare 16th-century Philippine maps and traditional Filipino tattoos tell powerful stories of identity, resistance, and survival. The workshop
is guided by Philippine librarian Elena Clariza.
Dancing in the Diaspora: Celebrating 50 Years of CPS
November 14, 15, 21, 22 at 7:30pm and November 23 at 2pm – Kennedy Theatre, UHM
A mainstage dance production, “Dancing in the Diaspora” explores the experiences of Filipinos navigating belonging and exclusion in Hawaii and beyond. The production is written and directed by Dr. J. Lorenzo Perillo, associ-
hopeful. I choose faith. I choose gratitude. Because I believe God is moving.
The exposure of evil is the first step toward healing and renovation. God is sovereign.
He sees everything. Justice may feel delayed, but it is never denied. He is merciful but also just. He reigns. He rules.
This is my prayer: that those who have stolen from the people would encounter the mercy and grace of God, but also face accountability.
May they be compelled to return what they have taken, and turn from their wicked ways.
The Filipino people are angry.
But more importantly, we are awake. We will no longer be silent. We will no longer be passive. We will make our voices heard. We will fight. And we will win. We will see a better nation.
Rise up, Pilipinas!
ate professor and Co-Director of CPS. CPS champions connecting Filipinos across the diaspora and generations. For more information on its 50th anniversary events and celebrations, visit https:// manoa.hawaii.edu/philippine-studies/50th-anniversary-event-celebrations/.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program announces that WIC clinics across the state will remain open and fully operational, providing essential nutrition services and food benefits to qualifying families.
All scheduled appointments, nutrition education, and benefit issuance services are proceeding as normal.
WIC Services Branch chief, Melanie Murakami, advised participants to continue using WIC services.
“We encourage all our
participants to keep their appointments and use their eWIC benefits to purchase the healthy foods their families need,” she said.
All local WIC agencies and clinics are open for scheduled appointments and services. Participants are encouraged to contact their local clinic to confirm specific hours and appointments.
It is essential for participants to keep their scheduled appointments to ensure they receive next month’s benefits and to continue meeting the program requirements.
Food benefits are still
being issued and can be redeemed using the eWIC card. WIC-approved foods are available to purchase using eWIC cards at all authorized grocery stores and retailers. WIC provides supplemental foods, healthcare referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support. Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, or have children under the age of 5 are encouraged to see if they qualify for WIC benefits.
To find the nearest WIC clinic, visit https://health.hawaii.gov/wic/. To learn more about eligibility, check out the online pre-application form at https://www.hiwic. org/PreAppPortal.
By Rose Cruz Churma
This anthology book consists of personal narratives collected by the Filipino Association of University Women (FAUW) and published in August 2025.
In April 2023, the FAUW conducted its first writing workshop in Honolulu that gathered together voices that may have remained unwritten and unspoken.
With some nudging and support, these voices weave a tapestry of experiences that remind us of the healing that is found in storytelling.
The 14 submissions generated from this workshop are grouped together in Part One of the book.
Part Two consists of mini-memoirs from the community. Some were unable to attend the writing workshop but submitted their narratives for publication. Others offered their memoirs in audio format, which were then transcribed, edited, and converted into a written narrative.
As noted in the back cover of the book, “within each of us lies a story—fragile, powerful, and deeply human. In this collection, ordinary individuals become storytellers, breathing life into moments that shaped them: childhood joys and sorrows, journeys across oceans, lessons of resilience, and quiet triumphs of the heart.”
It also reflects our history as Filipinos of Hawaii as culled from the recollections of the authors who are represented in all aspects of the socio-economic spectrum, and also diverse in terms of the specific island traditions in the Philippines from which they came and the languages that they speak.
The authors represent those who are in the second to third generations since the sakadas’ arrival to work in Hawai’i’s sugar plantations. Their life experiences differ to some degree from those who came after the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965, which allowed easier access to the US. These overlapping gen-
erations form a tapestry of stories that need to be told, especially those of the ear lier immigrant generations whose life stories will never be known if not document ed now.
These stories define us and express who we are, our values, and traditions. It is important for the next generation to have first-person accounts of what life was like for those who paved the way. It becomes part of their heritage and the expression of their core values.
One of the most poignant stories was written by Romel Dela Cruz, a retired hospital administrator from the Big Island who now lives with his sons in Georgia after a health incident while visiting Laoag.
The story is an ode to his father, who started as a cane cutter in Pa’auilo in the Big Island, retiring as a truck driver. In retirement, he became an entrepreneur, offering yard services to well-to-do families who were primarily white folks.
One of his clients was a retired general who could not fathom that the county hospital hired a local Filipino to serve as administrator. Little did the general know that his yardman, the recipient of his “put-down,” was the administrator’s father.
Another eye-opener is the narrative offered by Roland Casamina, a 1972 graduate of Farrington High School and currently the president and CEO of House of Finance.
Titled “I Was Ashamed to be Filipino,” he recalls the time he was mistaken for a staff worker at the Waialae Country Club (of which he was a member for the past two decades) by one of its Caucasian guests and was ordered to finish some chores.
Instead of being offended by the incident, he reflected: “I cannot change the people’s perception that Filipinos in Hawai’i, especially those with the color of my skin, are the service workers, the yard men, the ones who clean the hotels.”
He offers this perspective instead: “I can’t change people’s perceptions, but I
Llena, Michelle Aquino, Melga Gendrano, Margot Adair, Nilda Boland, Gemma Weinstein, Melody Calisay and Nanette Carreon-Ruther) shared their stories last September 27 at the Hawaii State Library.
can change the career trajectory of those who want a better future.” He now offers scholarships, “so more people of color will become members of the board of directors or presidents of a thriving company.”
The most heart-wrenching story was the one written by Divina Telan Robillard, who chronicled her inner conflicts as she struggled with the decision to have her aging mother live in a care home. Trained as a nurse in the Philippines, she cared for her husband 24/7 as he succumbed to the ravages of ALS.
Her mom asked: “Hindi mo na ba ako gusto sa iyong bahay?” (Don’t you want me in your house?)
Her heartfelt response was: “I’ve been caregiving half of my life. Pagod na po ako. Kailangan ko na rin ng kaunting pahinga.” (I am exhausted. I need to take a break, too.)
Out of the 30 authors who submitted, eight immigrant women (Evelyn
“Quezon”
The women’s backgrounds are as diverse as the process by which they arrived in Hawai’i— some had come to reunite with relatives who came as sakadas, while others came as students, or as spouses who followed their husbands. Others came on the fiancé visa, which requires the foreign fiancé to marry their petitioner within 90 days.
In February, as part of the People Power commemoration, others who shared their recollection of those days in the Philippines (Raymund Llanes Liongson), as well as the Marcos family’s exile in Hawai’i (Rev. Joe Lazo), will be asked to share their mini-memoirs.
Significant events in our recent history—such as the establishment of the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu and the annual Filipino Fiesta are shared by Eddie Flores Jr., who considers both events his pride and joy.
Lito Alcantra, president of Group Builders, considered the only Filipino-owned construction company in the State’s Top 16, shared a narrative titled “From Janitor to President and CEO” where he
acknowledged the help in 1978 of the executive director of Hawaii’s Contractors’ Licensing Board. He recalls his advice—“Do not work for somebody. Go on your own,” and matched his words of wisdom with $30,000 that served as seed money for the small company. He also recalls with pride that when he became a union trustee, he recruited a lot of Filipinos to join the union by providing training in the construction industry. He also helped prepare potential contractors to complete the required paperwork, including passing the test for licensure, thus increasing the number of licensed Filipino contractors. This is one aspect of his life’s journey that is not well-known.
Through these personal narratives, we get a glimpse of our recent history and our contributions to our adopted State. For those interested in acquiring a copy, the books can be ordered online via Amazon.com. All proceeds are donated to FAUW to fund its future publications. For more information, email the organization at fauw1987@gmail.com.
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.
The Filipino historical film “Quezon,” starring Jericho Rosales, is making its international film debut this October at the 45th Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF45) as part of its “Spotlight on the Philippines” special program that honors Filipino American History Month.
“Quezon” will be showing on October 26, 2:30pm at Consolidated Kahala Theater, and on
October 28, 6pm at Consolidated Kapolei Theater.
The film follows Manuel L. Quezon’s fight for independence from the United States and his Philippine presidency in the early 1930s. The film is directed by Jerrold Tarog with production by TBA Studios.
“We are thrilled to share ‘Quzeon’ with audiences in Hawaii and beyond at HIFF,” said TBA Studios Chief and “Quezon” producer Daphne Chiu.
“We’re thankful to HIFF for its warm Aloha to our film and hope audiences will be as exited to see it abroad as they have been in the Philippines.”
“Quezon” is the third installment in the studios’ “Bayaniverse” (Bayani is the Filipino word for Hero, and -verse pertains to universe). The first two movies were 2015’s “Heneral Luna” and 2018’s “Goyo: The Boy General.”
2025 BAYANIHAN GALA | Filcom Center | October 11, Saturday 5:30 to 9pm | Tapa Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village | Celebrate and invest in community programs that empower the Filipino community in Hawaii. For more information, visit filcom.org/bayanihangala-2025.
OHANA MEDICAL MISSION MASQUERADE BALL, “RIZAL THEME” | FilCom Center, Association |
Saturday, October 12, 2025, From 6 pm - 9 pm | Contact JP Orias at jporias808@aol.com for more information.
PARANGAL DANCE COMP ANY CULTURAL SHOWCASE | Filcom Center | October 18, Saturday 6 to 9pm | Casamina-Flores Ballroom | Witness the Philippines come alive through dance! For more information, follow Parangal Dance Company on facebook.com/parangal/.
GONGS ON THE ROAD: FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH; DIASPORIC, MODERN AND INDIGENOUS | October 18 & 25, 2025 Saturdays | Capitol Modern Honolulu PAGHILOM: SOUNDS OF HEALING | October 31, 2025 Friday DANCING IN DIASPORA | November 14-23, 2025 | Kennedy Theater, UHM For more information, contact 510-480-0118 or email thehouseofgongs@gmail.com. Visit https://www.houseofgongs.com/
By Bermie Dizon
These past weeks, my heart has been heavy. The headlines are filled with violence, assassinations, wars, corruption, bombings, and shootings. It is not just here in America—it is everywhere.
Even back in the Philippines, the land I came from, corruption is so rampant that billions meant for flood control projects and basic services are stolen by politicians and their cohorts.
Sometimes I don’t even know what to say when a friend on social media asks for my thoughts. I don’t want to argue or add to the noise.
But when I pray, I can’t help but cry out: “Lord, why is this happening?”
The Bible gives us a way to bring our pain to God: lament—pouring out our hearts honestly before Him. The psalmist cried,
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1).
Jeremiah wept over Jerusalem’s ruins. And Jesus Himself wept over the city, longing to gather His people though they rejected Him (Matthew 23:37).
Lament is not hopelessness. It is an act of faith. It is trusting that God hears us, even when our words are soaked with tears.
We weep over the violence that scars nations. We grieve the fear that stalks children in their schools. We mourn the hatred that hardens hearts and kills compassion.
We cry out at how easily we turn against each other over politics or opinion—forgetting that every person carries the image of God.
In our lament, we also pray for our leaders—for presidents and prime ministers, senators and judges, governors and village
officials. Because the real problem runs deeper than politics—it is spiritual.
A heart far from God becomes selfish, violent, and corrupt. We pray that God would grant our leaders wisdom that is godly, not self-serving.
May He teach them humility and compassion, so they will care for all people—even their enemies. Scripture urges us to pray for “kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives” (1 Timothy 2:1–2). How much more do we need this prayer today.
But even in sorrow, hope breaks through. Jesus Himself wept. He endured the cruelty of violence, nailed to a cross by human hands.
Yet the cross was not the end. Jesus rose again, and in His resurrection, God declared that hatred, violence, and death will never have the final word.
Still, we must guard
makasuratka met daniw, sarita, salaysay ken prosa.
Tapao 3: Kayaw
Sirmataek, wen, sirmataek ti sabali
A panangmatmat iti pakabuklam Sarmingka koma a pagtamdak Ket birbirokek ti sungbat ti saludsod: Naipasngay kadin ti sabali pay Nga adipen da Lam-ang ken Bucaneg?
Kitkitaek, wen, urayek met A rumayray ti tarigagay ken essem
Da Eric, Allan ken Sherlyn a nagkuna: “kayatmi met ti agsurat, angkel bareng masurotanmi ti tugotmo” dakkel ti namnamak nga agbukarda a kas iti sabong nga imbatik a manuskrito iti “kasano” ken wen
Ammok: nabakbaknang ti bugas
Iti nakaparsuaan a kayaw ti pluma: Ti kalipkip, ti barikir, ti Pikkan a nagsusuon
Iti riniwriw a balitok ti talon, Adda orhinal a ladawan ti bahay-kubo; Agduma ti balor ti pan-aw ken galbasim; Ti datar a kawayan ken baldosa
Imutektekak ti tinidtid a bulo ken kawayan Adda kinabirhen ti away ken iti kinamintalon
Akuek: tugot ti panaglupos daydi ipapanaw. Ibulosko ti nawaya nga anges-bang-ar Awan ti pulosion ditoy nadam-eg a surong
Ti baresbes ti sibibiag nga ubbog Sakduen, wen, sakduen ti sursuro suroten ti tugot ti maysa a panawen.
our own hearts. If we only feed on outrage, bitterness will consume us. Anger alone cannot make us more like Christ. But when we bring our sorrow to Him, He gives us something greater—His peace that passes all understanding. His Spirit softens us, shaping us into peacemakers.
Following Jesus is not easy. He said His disciples would be known not for power or position, but for love—even love for enemies: “Love your enemies and pray for those who per-
secute you” (Matthew 5:44).
That feels impossible sometimes. Yet it is the way of Christ—the way that turns grief into grace, sorrow into joy, and hatred into love.
So we pray, “Lord, this is too heavy for us. We give it to You.”
And as our tears fall, we lift our eyes to Jesus. He alone can heal what is shattered.
May our weeping not end in despair but lead us deeper into His peace, His love, and His light in a world that so desperately needs it.
BERMIE DIZON is a retired pastor of Grace Communion International (GCI), Glendora, CA and a former writer for USA Tribune for nine years. He is also the author of the book “God, In Every Step” which is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and other outlets.
