Hawaii Filipino Chronicle - June 17, 2023

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JUNE 17, 2023 AS I SEE IT PhiliPPine indePendence: A Must lesson For everyone OPEN FORUM Act now to liFt hAwAii’s uneMPloyMent tAx Burden FEATURE new FiliPino FM rAdio stAtion lAunches ProgrAMs CANDID PERSPECTIVES the truMP indictMents unseAled And why won’t wAltine nAutA FliP?

Happy Father’s Day! Thank You Dads for All Your Love and Support

Out of all the important roles in society, many would put fatherhood among the top. Glorious, inglorious, loaded with selflessness, pressure and responsibility – fatherhood is a tough job of a lifetime. How a father fulfils this role, there must always be context to consider. For many in our Filipino community, our fathers are immigrants dealing with transition, assimilation and often experience discrimination because of their accent. The immigrant status adds extra stress onto fathers, who also must be a financial provider in Hawaii, one of the most expensive states in the nation.

Fathers are our security blanket growing up. He is usually tasked to bring order to the family as the prime disciplinarian. But especially in contemporary times, the disciplinarian father must find a reasonable balance between enforcing rules strictly and instead inspiring our children to do what’s best. In the latter, our father is a teacher of life who guides his children to understanding the big important things that matter like love, justice, fairness, truth. And on practical matters like how to earn a living that can be both satisfying and prosperous.

For most fathers, their parental guidance is truly rooted in love. But as imperfect as human beings are, fathers often do not communicate as effectively as they should; and children often misinterpret or get confused about what is expected of them.

In the older traditional ways, a father might have been raised to believe that parents do not owe their children an explanation on certain matters. To them, too much talking or questions from their children is an act of defiance and entitlement. For their children, particularly among the youngest generation, such thinking by their fathers is archaic, a cause of friction, even perceived as abusive.

Most households still have both parents present

Without a doubt, households with two parents sharing responsibilities and resources contribute to a more stable and secure environment for their children.

Data from the 2016 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement shows of the 11 million families with children under age 18, and no spouse present, the majority are single mothers (8.5 million). Single fathers comprise the remaining 2.5 million single parent families. Married couples make up 68 percent of all families with children under age 18, compared to 93 percent in 1950.

Using data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey 2018 five-year estimates, Stacker ranks Hawaii as a state among the lowest rates of single-parent households. The total of single-parent households is 30,418 (6.7% of all households), single mom households: 21,225 (4.6% of all households, #50 highest among states), single dad households: 9,193 (2.0% of all households, #43 highest).

Stacker did not break down data of single parenting by race in Hawaii. But we can infer that Filipinos follow the overall trend of less single parenting in Hawaii compared to the mainland, which is encouraging for the family unit.

Higher rates of single parenting in other studies Black and Hispanics have higher rates of single parenting, which could explain or at least contribute to both these groups lower educational attainment. Generally, students from stable households tend to go on to college. And higher levels of education usually correlate to higher income earning potential and a host of other socio-economic benchmarks.

Therefore, going forward the active presence of a fa-

FROM THE PUBLISHER

It t feels like we were just welcoming 2023 but here we are already halfway into the year. At this mark, two significant events come to mind in late June: 1) the beginning of summer, and 2) Father’s Day celebration.

For our cover story this issue we interviewed three Filipino families who are well recognized in our community – the Joaquins, the Casaminas and Judy Ilar to see how they typically celebrate Father’s Day. Dr. Nicanor Joaquin and his family prefer celebrating earlier in the day by attending church, followed by a poolside luncheon and video conference with his children living on the mainland. For Roland Casamina (President of House of Finance) and his family, Father’s Day is an all-day affair from breakfast to dinner. Judy Ilar, daughter of Jerry Ilar, said her father likes to keep things simple and is contented with a phone call or brief visit from his children. What’s special about this article is the stories told of these community leader-dads. From all of us at the Chronicle, Happy Father’s Day to all our dads. Thank you for all that you do.

To complement our cover story, HFC columnist Seneca Moraleda-Puguan submits “Honor Thy Father.” HFC’s Carlota Hufana-Ader contributes a special Father’s Day Chronicle pulse. Ader also wrote a feature on a new Filipino Radio Station. Award-winning entrepreneur Imelda “Emmie” Collado Ortega Anderson launched 104.7 FM in April 2023. Best of luck to our fellow Filipino ethnic media in Hawaii.

HFC columnist Elpidio Estioko submits an important article “Philippine Independence: A Must Lesson for Everyone.” The Philippine Independence Day traces back over a century ago when the Philippines – after three centuries under Spain’s rule –declared independence on June 12, 1898. Then, it took years for the Philippines to gain independence from the United States, on July 4, 1946 through the Treaty of Manila.

HFC’s Rose Cruz Churma reviews “A MAN AND HIS MUSIC, An Autobiography of Angel Pena.” Angel Pena joined the Honolulu Symphony in 1969 and for the next 20 years played as a double bassist, becoming the musical arranger for the symphony’s Starlight Concert Series.

The big national news is on new legal charges against former President Donald Trump. HFC columnist Emil Guillermo submits “The Trump Indictments Unsealed and Why Won’t Waltine Nauta Flip?” Waltine Nauta, Jr. works for Trump at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club and could be involved in the top classified files case.

In local news, Gov. Josh Green signed a new law that strengthens keiki health protection against unlawful tobacco products which includes electronic smoking devices and e-liquids under the term “tobacco products.” Kudos to Gov. Green, lawmakers, the Department of Health and all advocates who pushed for this important legislation.

We hope you enjoy this issue. Remember HFC is published online at www.thefilipinochronicle.com for your convenience. Thank you for supporting the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle. Until the next issue,warmest Aloha and Mabuhay!

ther-and-mother household bodes well for our Filipino community.

Father’s Day

Typically, when asked specifically what people are thankful for on Father’s Day, often we hear something like, “My father was my role model growing up. He taught me by example how to overcome challenges, how to be strong, to believe in myself, and that I could do and be anything I want.”

We commonly hear children expressing a desire to be like their father and mother in most cases. However, often it takes maturity before children can fully understand and appreciate effective parenting.

This Father’s Day we encourage our community to cele-

Publisher & Executive Editor

Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D.

Publisher & Managing Editor

Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Associate Editors

Edwin QuinaboDennis Galolo

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Belinda Aquino, Ph.D.

Design

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Columnists

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Elpidio R. Estioko

Perry Diaz

Emil Guillermo

Melissa Martin, Ph.D.

Seneca Moraleda-Puguan

J.P. Orias

Pacita Saludes

Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq.

Charlie Sonido, M.D.

Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq.

Contributing Writers

Clement Bautista

Edna Bautista, Ed.D.

Teresita Bernales, Ed.D.

Sheryll Bonilla, Esq.

Rose Churma

Serafin Colmenares Jr., Ph.D.

Linda Dela Cruz

Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand

Amelia Jacang, M.D.

Caroline Julian

Raymond Ll. Liongson, Ph.D.

Federico Magdalena, Ph.D.

Matthew Mettias

Maita Milallos

Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D.

Renelaine Bontol-Pfister

Seneca Moraleda-Puguan

Mark Lester Ranchez

Jay Valdez, Psy.D.

Glenn Wakai

Amado Yoro

Philippine Correspondent:

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Maui

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JP Orias

2 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  JUNE 17, 2023 EDITORIAL
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Republicans: Win Independents, Win the White House, But This Will Require Disavowing Trumpism

It’s becoming clearer that the current crop of Republican candidates for presidency are not attacking frontrunner Donald Trump because they’re hoping that Trump falls further into legal trouble, and maybe it pulls him off the campaign trail, then they would be able to swoop in, pick up Trump supporters and come out on top.

This is simply a losing political strategy that might work in the primary, but the reality is Americans do not respect nor would vote for a weak, timid candidate, and more so not for the presidency.

Republican candidates not attacking Trump, especially after this second indictment by the Department of Justice, is flat out being dishonest by ignoring truths that must be articulated –that Trump is unfit to be president.

There are aspects of Trumpism that independents are absolutely against. And the current crop of declared Republican candidates –arguably with the sole exception is Chris Christie, former governor of New Jersey – are failing to break the mold of Trumpism. What do independents hate about Trumpism? CULTISM. Independents do not embrace political cultism – which is at the heart of why they’re independents in the first place. Any signs that a Republican standard bearer is kowtowing to the Trump cult or Trump himself to get votes are major turnoffs and will not win over independents’ confidence or support in the general election.

DETACHMENT FROM REALITY AND FACTS.

DOJ being made by Trump and other Republican candidates for presidency are grossly deceptive and not anchored in facts.

First, the Biden files were not classified documents.

Second, Biden’s files were not those collected while he was president or vice president, but during his tenure as a U.S. senator. Unlike the presidency, there is no law stating that the files of a U.S. senator belong to the government. Therefore, no law has been broken there. The Biden files were stored temporarily to be handed over to the University of Delaware for public consumption (it’s typical for senators to hand over their files to universities).

and conspiracy theories on institutional bodies like the DOJ and FBI.

UNDERMINING THE RULE OF LAW AND INSTITUTIONS.

is anti-pluralism as most evident by their anti-woke campaign. The “woke” movement is about pluralism, diversity, shared power. These are tenants that Republicans are not open to but rather seek to promote exclusivity and power centered on traditional groups – white and Christian nationalists.

Political independents are political minorities. They relish this status because it’s fundamentally who they are – not fitting in completely with neither Democrats nor Republicans. Independents understand wholly what it feels like to be a minority, which is why pluralism is important to them.

Third, Trump claims that Biden fought against the DOJ and FBI looking over and taking those files. That’s not true. Biden offered no resistance.

Independents certainly can appreciate a candidate coming from outside the institutional power structure (as they did when Trump first ran for office), but they’re not anarchists and respect the institutions we have and founding principles of our country such as democracy and the rule of law. Each call to defund the FBI, each wild conspiracy theory of election fraud, each false claim of a witch hunt by prosecutors – all of these only push further away independents from the Republican party. Such actions are destabilizing government by nature and over time seriously rot our foundations’ core.

How can independents –the group that Republicans must win over and basically do not want Trump back in office – have faith in a Republican candidate who hasn’t laid it clear that he or she isn’t another Trump, if such candidate hasn’t separated himself or herself from Trumpism?

Built into independents’ political DNA is a maverick. But not to the extent of what we’re seeing wherein Republican candidates are detached from reality and the facts. In the case of Trump’s second indictment, there is absolutely no sign of partisan hackery. The investigation is headed by a special career federal counsel in DOJ, not a political appointment. The evidence couldn’t be more damaging when you examine all the charges.

What’s political anathema in Trumpism according to independents?

The comparisons between Trump files and the Biden files obtained by the

All the brouhaha over the Biden files is completely unwarranted and like comparing apples to oranges when looking at Trump’s handling of classifieds documents, and Trump’s alleged obstruction of justice (which was clear from the public statements Trump made).

The second indictment and Trump’s response to it is yet another feature that independents scoff at – the undermining of the rule of law and casting aspersions

Even more serious, the threats to democracy by enacting state laws making it more difficult to vote with unreasonable restrictions or laws that undermine voters by overly empowering a State Secretary (who is appointed by the state legislature) to overturn an election (just passed in Texas) –such tactics supported and employed by Republicans make independents cringe. ANTIPLURALISM. Another principle important to independents is pluralism, which is again at the heart of their very existence. The current Republican core brate their dads and express to them their crucial role in the family.

For many devout Catholics in our community, we were raised to appreciate fatherhood by the father-son/child relationship God has with His son Jesus. That relationship is so important that they are one and the same. And as parents, teaching our children about this relationship between God and Jesus could inculcate in their minds and values-set just how significant it is to be an active father-role model. It should be emphasized that fatherhood is a sacred bond between a father and his children. It’s not just biological, but sacred.

Happy Father’s Day to all our dads. Thank you for all that you do to make our lives better and easier. Enjoy your special day.

So, each time Ron DeSantis goes off on his anti-woke rhetoric – he’s really turning off independents who see those attacks as assaults on pluralism in society.

If Republican candidates really want to attract independents which is the only hope they have in winning in the general, they need to disavow Trumpism. To go hard pro-Trumpism in the primary to win the primary and later pivot to more mainstream after the primary – that strategy is too transparent and fake. Voters know better. There’s still time to do things right if Republicans really want to recapture the White House. 

JUNE 17, 2023  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  3 EDITORIAL
(Happy.....from page 2)

Filipinos Celebrating Father’s Day, Special Memories of Fatherhood

hat to do? Where to go?

WAnd what to get as a gift?

The families of an estimated 72 million fathers in the U.S. are brainstorming these questions as Father’s Day approaches. Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. This year it falls on June 18.

By serendipity, the third Sunday in June falls on or near the summer solstice, which is the longest daylight in the year and when summer officially kicks-off. Fatherhood fittingly embodies the season of summer. A father is the longest daylight of optimism. He is like the sun – bright and powerful – a life force to his family.

A father is a hero to many families. He is a provider and a source of inspiration -- not the kind of in-the-moment only inspiration from a movie or social media meme. His inspiration sticks with us from our formative ones to the wildly imaginative teens and into the idealistic early adult years. A father’s and mother’s inspiration are believed to be lasting because they have that intuitive alchemic touch to transform the lives of their children.

It’s not through words alone that father’s inspire their children, but through consistent modeling of behavior, leading by example that psychologists say are the most effective way to teach their children.

In folkloric fashion as seen through generations, in time learned behavior becomes instinctual and it’s said we commonly become our parents, or at least a lot like them. It’s not written in stone, but sons become similar fathers and daughters marry spouses who exhibit similar qualities, psychologists say.

The Joaquins

Reflecting on fatherhood, Nicholai Joaquin, 37, former Hawaii resident now living in New York, said his father Nicanor Joaquin, a retired physician, gave him the gift of music appreciation growing up and influ-

The first Father’s Day celebration was started in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910, by Sonora Dodd. She wanted a special day to honor her father William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children. In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson assigned a day for Father’s Day. Then in 1972 President Richard Nixon signed a law making it a permanent national holiday.

Father’s Day is less commercialized but not undervalued when compared to the festivities of Mother’s Day.

It’s a day most families will show gratitude and love to their fathers for all their sacrifice and selflessness, their steadfastness to pressure and rise to responsibility. As adult children, it’s at this point that many come to fully understand the tremendous role of fatherhood and the lasting imprint it has had in building character and influence on the careers they’ve chosen.

Father’s Day is not all emotionally charged and sentimental. Children often say the most memorable Father’s Days were good old fashion fun. Key to that enjoyment usually involves the simple act of getting together as a family and knowing what your father enjoys doing. The gifts showered are secondary to the laughter, hugs, stories, and for Filipinos, the karaoke.

Unlike mothers who enjoy going to a restaurant for Mother’s Day, fathers relish home gatherings, a dinner or lunch is the ideal activity. Fathers are said to enjoy barbecuing for their families. Beyond that, fathers enjoy relaxing on their special day, experts say. Instead of getting up at the crack of dawn, dads like to sleep in for an extra hour or two, take an afternoon guilt-free nap, guilt free TV time or

enced him to pursue a career in music.

“Since I was a baby, I remember my dad filling the house with music--whether he was rehearsing the choir selection for the upcoming Sunday church service, singing along to Beatles tracks on his

karaoke laser discs, or accompanying himself at the piano while crooning a Broadway ballad.

“These early memories--of both music and mettle--deeply influenced me. I dared to pursue a music degree in college, and I built

get a pass on weekend chores. Experts say planning activities are good, but not overplanning that could take away time for rest from the typically super busy dad looking forward to respite from the daily grind.

Ideal gifts, what are they? Dads like to save money which is why tools and materials for do-it-yourself projects would be appreciated. Stereotypical but practically universal, dads like, or in some cases obsess over, sports. If your dads are still under 40 years old, a trip to the sporting goods store can still be an option to purchase golf clubs, work out equipment or professional teams’ sports jerseys. Beyond 40, men’s clothing stores are good gift-buying destinations. Fathers of all ages love electronics and high-tech goods from phones to PCs to tablets.

By now you know your father best, what gift worked in the past but just needs to be updated, what gift was followed by an awkward sounding thank you with a sigh. Remember the rule of thumb: a gift out of the ordinary, a surprise gift is a gamble. It could be a legendary homerun your father could be talking about for ages. Or it could be the euphemistic, “thank you, but you shouldn’t have comment” that suggests, “you could have done better.”

my career on knowledge of the repertoire I had first discovered in my family’s living room. In my late 20s and early 30s, I served as the Director of Artistic Operations at The New York Pops, where I produced orchestral concerts at Carnegie Hall. During count-

less rehearsals, I would marvel at the fact that so many songs that I was listening to, as they were being performed on the world’s most celebrated concert stage, I had first learned from my father.”

Nicholai said his father

4 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  JUNE 17, 2023
COVER STORY
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( Filiupinos Celebrating....from page 4) grew up just outside of Manila with larger-than-life ambitions. “After making his way through medical school in the Philippines, he moved to Baltimore, MD for his residency work. I can only imagine the tenacity that it took for a young Filipino man to dare to leap over those geographic and cultural borders.”

Besides being a busy internist, Dr. Joaquin is an active humanitarian and community leader. He is former President of the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii (PMAH) and former President of the Bayanihan Clinic Without Walls (BCWW). He’s been a cast member fixture of the Doctors on Stage musical productions which serve as the main fundraiser for BCWW.

Nicholai shares a story on his father’s sense of humanity. “My dad has retired from his medical career. But when he was an active physician, he owned the building where his private practice was located. In front of the building there was a dumpster. Every so often, one particular unhoused man would rummage through the garbage, looking for something to eat. My dad did not ask this man to leave his property. He shook this man’s hand, bought him food, and--on at least one occasion--invited him to the office holiday party.

“I will always remember how my dad honored the humanity of that man, even when the rest of the world had written him off,” Nicholai said.

“My father has a thirst for life. He will always find a reason to dress up, to elevate an event. He loves to travel to far-flung places. And you will likely find him making new friends, no matter where he goes. That deep passion has long been planted in me. Inspired by him, I had the audacity to pursue a life in the arts in New York. (He even accompanied me to Manhattan on my college auditions.) And today, here I am: my personal dream--and his legacy--fulfilled. Thank you for making it all happen, Dad. Happy Father’s Day,”

Nicholai said.

Dr. Joaquin looks forward to Father’s Day as a dad with his 7 children from two marriages: Nikki, Noelani, Torey, Alexi, Nicholai, Bubba and Desiree. He typically spends Father’s Day first going to church to thank God for all his and his family’s blessings. Following that he’d have a luncheon with his children and grandchildren living in Hawaii. Then have a video conference with his other children living in the mainland.

Dr. Joaquin shared one of his most memorable Father’s Day. “It happened on my birthday. My four children living in Hawaii Nikki, Noelani, Alexi and Desiree gave me a birthday party. Each of them wore my clothing: Nikki, a choir gown, Noelani, a Barong Tagalog, Alexi, tennis outfit and Desiree, my office wear of long sleeve shirt and matching necktie.

On fatherhood, Dr. Joaquin said, “My role as a father is to be a good provider and send my children to school in their chosen career.” He also believed in taking frequent family vacations.

He elaborates on his children: Nicholette (Nikki), is an attorney, married to Jayson Byelotzer, they have a son Jacoby, 13; Noelani is an Emergency Room nurse, married to Wally Tillery, and they have three children Aiko, 21, Pomaikai, 19 and Kekoa 15; Torey is a Criminal Justice Swat Team for Seattle Federal Prison, she adopted a daughter Emily 20 years old; Alexi is in Business Administration, married to Pam Nakayama, they have a son Jude 4 yearsold; Nicholai, graduated cum laude. New York, double majored in Performing Arts and Ethnic Musicology, he has a partner Jake; Doneliza is in Urban Planning, married to Yev Yankov; and Desiree, is in Elementary Education, single.

“With the help of my wife Imelda, we raised the children to love each other,” Dr. Joaquin said.

Like Nicholai, Nicholette, 48, Honolulu, mentions her father’s love for the perform-

ing arts. “He is always singing, dancing, or learning an instrument. I think he wishes he were a Broadway star. My husband is a professional musician. I could tell he earned my father’s respect when he did a good job singing at a family karaoke session. Karaoke or sing-a-longs around the piano are one of our favorite family traditions. The arts are so important to my dad. When I was performing in high school plays, he would always send a big bunch of roses backstage for me.”

She said her father’s patients respected and valued her father. “He would get a lot of gifts from them. The patients would often bring food and fruit. One time one of his patients gave him a live goat.

“I could always see how hard my father worked to build his business and provide for his family. I always try to have that same level of dedication to my family,” Nicholette said.

The Casaminas

Chanel Casamina, 33, daughter of Roland Casamina (President, House of Finance) said for her family Father’s Day is an all-day affair. “Our dad has never been one for big gifts or extravagant parties. What he enjoys most is quality time with the family, so on Father’s Day, we gather the whole family together from breakfast till dinner and celebrate simply by being together,” she said.

Chanel’s siblings are Matthew (44), Clarice (36), Celine (30), Oahu, Hawaii. She said, “If we had to sum up our relationship with our dad, it is that we have always heard how influential he has been as a leader in our community, how savvy he is with business, and how hard working he is. But to us, his kids, and grandkids, he is the man who will lend his shirt when we need to blow our noses but don’t have a tissue, the man who shows up at all of our games and performances, the man who makes us saimin in the morning, and walks our dogs so that we can rest after getting home from work at night. He built his success-

“My dad [Dr. Nicanor Joaquin] has retired from his medical career. But when he was an active physician, he owned the building where his private practice was located. In front of the building there was a dumpster. Every so often, one particular unhoused man would rummage through the garbage, looking for something to eat. My dad did not ask this man to leave his property. He shook this man’s hand, bought him food, and--on at least one occasion--invited him to the office holiday party. I will always remember how my dad honored the humanity of that man, even when the rest of the world had written him off.”

es from the ground up and has so many accomplishments to be proud of, but when you ask him what he is proudest of, his answer is consistently ‘his kids.’”

Roland describes what also happens on Father’s Day. To begin, his wife gets up early to prepare a special breakfast. He gets one greeting card signed by his wife, children and grandchildren. They also get him a gift separately on their own.

“I am very lucky to have a loving wife, and loving children. The best part I love about Father’s Day are the

lengthy messages from each one,” he said.

Roland said what’s important for him on Father’s Day is that all his children and grandchildren come together at the same time. “It’s really how close and caring they all are. It just makes me so happy to see those moments. It’s not too often that we can get together all at the same time.”

He said, “each time we get together, it reminds me of how my father always appreciated each one of us. I always tell my kids, now I

JUNE 17, 2023  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  5
COVER STORY
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JOAQUIN Family CASAMINA Family

The Waltine Nauta Scale?

That’s part of the broader unofficial “loyalty scale” Asian Americans know all too well from U.S. history.

For some of us, it’s the difference between incarceration and freedom (Japanese Americans/WWII). For others, it’s the price of fighting in a racist Army to prove just how American we were (Filipino 1st and 2nd Regiments, the only non-citizen units in World War II).

Now in 2023, add Waltine Nauta as a new historical marker on the AAPI loyalty scale.

What would you do for… your country? Or Donald Trump?

Not break the law, I hope.

But first, as most of you are Asian Americans, I trust you completed the weekend assignment given by Prosecutor Jack Smith recently that all good Americans read the unsealed federal criminal indictment against the 45th president of the United States.

Do it. Here’s the link: washingtonpost.com/docu -

The Trump Indictments Unsealed and Why Won’t Waltine Nauta Flip?

ments/e6276c02-dfd0-428d9731-8594c1f7261d.pdf?itid=lk_inline_manual_4

It’s easier than reading a textbook in Organic Chemistry.

And the allegations are substantial, 37 felony charges connected to how classified documents were inappropriately handled, stored and moved – violations of the Espionage Act.

And then there are the charges of obstructing justice and making false statements. All of it is substantiated by evidence and photographs, with consequences of decades of prison time.

If a Martian looked over the document, he’d wonder why there wasn’t a better bathroom to store top-secret documents on Earth.

And then the said gender-neutral Martian would wonder how a man like Trump could have ever been seen as qualified to be president in 2016, let alone be the leading candidate for Republicans in 2024?

Trump is twice impeached, found liable in one sexual assault, and is now facing more than 70 state and federal criminal charges, with more charges in at least two other cases to come.

Is Trump qualified for the

presidency? It doesn’t seem possible in any galaxy. Must be a case of affirmative action for whites?

And yet as MAGA types in Georgia proved this weekend, the level of indignation and repulsion is not as high as you’d expect, among Republicans.

Trump played victim and claimed the Deep State is weaponizing government. Trump said the Deep State was really the communists and fascists in America, painting it in clear “us-versus-them” terms.

“If you put me back in the White House, (the Democrats) reign will be over and America will be a free nation again,” Trump said to 15 seconds of solid applause.

Trump’s characterization of the threat to freedom is concerning, when it’s Trump himself, the indicted one who

is the real threat.

Many AAPIs are in the U.S. because our families escaped autocracies. We fled dictatorships. Be it in China, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan. We know when freedoms are stripped. We escaped oppression and anti-democratic forces in our ancestral homes.

I met a man from China the other day, who is awaiting his asylum interview and is so glad to be in America.

That’s why we’re all here.

We know the difference between autocracy and democracy. So should all Americans, if they stopped blindly cheering Trump enough to read the indictment.

I hope they do. But as I drove today in the red part of the blue state of California, I see someone hasn’t read the indictment and instead has spray painted a concrete overpass with the words, “Kill Dems.”

That Indictment

Funny, when I read it, I cheered justice, accountability, and the rule of law. But I admit as I held the document, I dwelled for more than a moment on that first page.

The stark print just stops you cold.

“United States of Amer-

ica” it reads, meaning all of us.

Then, “v. Donald J.Trump and Waltine Nauta.” Nauta. One of us.

The 40-year-old Guamanian native just put the AAPI in the evolving sordid political history of Trump. Who’s the ex-president’s new running mate? It’s not the former VP, Mike Pence who is making his own history by being the first veep to directly challenge his old boss ever. It’s not Nikki Haley or Vivek Ramaswamy, the latter so quick to pander to Trump’s base by promising to pardon Trump.

No, Trump’s new running mate is our AAPI man Nauta, Trump’s own personal valet and now newly minted co-conspirator.

More than anyone you can think of from Ivanka, Don Jr., Melania, Stormy Daniels or even E. Jean Carrol, Nauta will be the name that makes the most consequential pairing. The president and his loyal Guamanian charged with felonies against our democracy.

It struck me as an odd bit of negative diversity. The first AAPI on the pile of those who have sold their soul to Trump, including those who have actually served time, like attorney Michael D. Cohen and Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg.

And then there are those who have done time only as key enablers like Rudy Giuliani. Or enablers who have been somewhat rehabilitated like Bill Barr.

And then there are those who were actually convicted but then pardoned by Trump, white men all. Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Steve Bannon.

Maybe that’s what Nauta is hoping for. Be loyal. Stick to Trump. Ride with the “winner” and get what the big boys get. A pardon.

It would be easier not to break the law in the first place. Nauta has reportedly told his family in Guam he did nothing wrong; he just did (continue on page 14)

6 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  JUNE 17, 2023 CANDID PERSPECTIVES
Donald Trump

Why Do We Celebrate Father’s Day? What is his greatest gift to you?

Every third Sunday of June, Father’s Day is celebrated annually around the world including United States and the Philippines. This year, the celebration falls on June 18th. To celebrate the Dad, Tatay, and Tatang around the world, we asked Hawaii Filipino Chronicle readers why they celebrate Father’s Day.

Percy Early, Hotel Worker, Honolulu

We celebrate Father’s Day to give appreciation to our father for all he has done to us like giving us a good education that molded us into who we are today. This is the day to give our father a special treat like taking him out for lunch or dinner. The greatest gift he gave me was every Christmas, he would give me money to shop for my family. He does this every year. He really is so generous to me.

Maria Aroma Estrada, Event Planner, Waipahu

I celebrate Father’s Day by giving him a beautiful lei of my creation because he is special. We go out to lunch at his favorite restaurant with my mom. The most memorable gift he gave me was escorting me to my wedding as way of releasing his responsibility to my husband. He knew then that my husband is the right man for me. He also gave me money as a good luck gift as I begin my new family life with my husband.

Priscilla Galanto, Insurance Agent, Mililani

We honor fathers on Father’s Day to recognize that they are the family builder and supporter. The greatest gifts my father gave me were priceless. He pampered me when I was in college. Through his love and kindness, he helped me

earn my bachelor’s in business administration from the University of the East in the Philippines..

Pat Gonzales, Retired Military, Ewa Beach

One of the greatest gifts I received from my father is to value our family with love, respect and care. We celebrate Father’s Day to honor them and let them know we are forever grateful for all their love and support for the family. All the wonderful memories will be forever cherished. One of the greatest gifts I received from my father was spending quality time with me.

Salvador Maza, Retired Military, Kapolei

First of all, we celebrate Father’s Day to thank God that He is standing by our side all the time. We give our fathers the great honor and recognition for everything they did from day one when were born. It is the day we can say our big thank you and express gratitude for giving us a strong family foundation. The greatest gift I received from my father was his patience to pick me up from church every day. The discipline he provided me with made me the way I am today.

Arnold Jay-Ar Salacup, Student, Waipahu

We celebrate Father’s Day to give honor and respect to our father for supporting us and sending us to a good school to fulfill our goals and ambitions. This day is special for fathers, so we give them that respect. The greatest gift my father gave me was when I was 10 years old, he surprised me with a complete cowboy outfit: a suit with silvery stones, hat, boots, and a toy gun pistol. We went outside to try shooting cans that day.

JUNE 17, 2023  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  7
CHRONICLE PULSE

Haili Christina School Robotics Team At The 2023 VEX IQ Robotics Championship

In April, Hilo’s Haili Christian School Robotics Team flew to Dallas, Texas to compete in the 2023 VEX Robotics World Championships. Although VEX assigned team number 10161 to them, teacher Jodi Kalawe calls their team Akamai Ma’alahi which means “simply genius.”

The team was divided into two teams with Team A’s middle schoolers Makayla Saymo, Noah Lorenzo and Madison Williams and Team B’s elementary students Gianna Larson and Taylor Pedro.

“Team A is ranked 370th in the world for skills out of 710 teams. They ranked 59th in the Innovate division out of 80 teams. Team B is ranked 317th in the world out of 694 teams. They ranked 25th in the Engineering division out of 80 teams,” Kalawe said.

To prepare for the championship, Kalawe shared that the children were balancing schoolwork and their robotics assignments every single day after school.

“Dedication and commitment were key factors in the success of both teams,” she said. “Students and coaches sacrificed many hours of planning, engineering, strategizing and team building.”

The event left a positive mark on the students. Kalawe said it widened their horizons. Aside from applying their robotics knowledge, the kids learned the importance of communication as they teamed up with different teams from China, Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam.

When asked about their strengths as a team, Kalawe said:

“First and foremost, it is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our teams prayed before and after every competition and gave thanks to the Lord for all the many blessings and opportunities they were given. Both teams persevered through obstacles with great character and attitude.” 

know how Papang (my dad) feels.”

Roland is proud of his four children. Two of his oldest work with him at House of Finance. The third child is a doctor at Queen’s hospital. The youngest works as a management consultant, advising strategies for client companies.

Chanel recalls one of her most memorable Father’s Day, “Dad’s favorite music was playing in the background - Dan Fogelberg, Petula Clark, Matt Monro, and a mix of classic 60’s tunes. He’d sing along to his favorite parts while mom danced through the kitchen, cooking up a feast of his favorite foods, enough for second and third servings plus leftovers for each of us to take home. The grandkids played in the living room while we, the kids, enjoyed the comfort of being at mom and dad’s house. We celebrated and shared memories of our grandfathers, funny stories of our childhood, and proud moments of Matt now being a father himself.”

The Casamina siblings sums up what fatherhood was like for their dad.

“Our dad led by example, instilling in us the ethic of hard work and perseverance. He supported our personal interests and passions and encouraged us to do our best in anything we attempted.

He emphasized the importance of an education. He showed us what it meant to make a positive impact in your community. He pulled from the wisdom of his own father and upbringing, including reminding us of the ‘golden rule’ - to always treat others the way you want to be treated.”

Judy Ilar

Judy Ilar, RN, BSN, RA, 56, works for Jerry Ilar Realty, a company her father Jerry founded nearly 40 years ago. She said her father is simple and just appreciates the simple gesture of a phone call or a quick

8 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  JUNE 17, 2023
JERRY ILAR
BIG
ISLAND MEMORIES
Elementary and Middle School delegates from the Big Island for the VEX World Championships. Photo taken at Texas Roadhouse during a dinner get-together. Team Akamai Ma’alahi with coach Kumu Alicia Hui. The Akamai Ma’alahi team with teammates from China. Vex Robotics Worlds Championship at Katie Bailey Hutchison Stadium in Dallas, Texas last April 27-May 5, 2023. Gianna Larson and Taylor Pedro of Team B from Haili Christian School in Hilo, Hawaii. (COVER STORY: Filiupinos Celebrating ....from page 5)
(continue on page 15)

New Filipino FM Radio Station Launches Programs

In this day and age, social media is a vital tool in today’s highly competitive business world. Billions of pairs of eyes constantly scroll through apps and computer screens for bits of information and services.

Surprisingly, the good old-fashioned radio station is still one of the most effective ways to market your product and reach both new and existing customers. With 92% of Americans tuning in to AM/ FM radio stations, one is still able to get the message to a very broad audience. Radio stations are cost-effective, a proven and valuable local resource, absolutely vital during emergencies, and accessible 24/7.

Award-winning entrepreneur Imelda “Emmie” Collado Ortega Anderson launched 104.7 FM in April 2023, joining a very short list of Filipino ethnic radio stations. It is currently the only station that plays Filipino music.

A former Mrs. Hawaii Filipina Pageant winner, Anderson founded Pinoy Power Media in 2007. Her business acumen and drive to succeed led to her receiving several impressive awards. In 2009, she was recognized as one of the Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad (TOFA) and one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the U.S.

In 2017, she received the Tally Award for Excellence in Cultural Broadcasting. In 2022, she won the Gawad Award in Business and Entertainment, which was presented by the Philippine government.

Hawaii Filipino Chronicle was granted an exclusive interview with Anderson. The following excerpts have been edited for space and clarity.

Q: What made you decide to join the radio station industry?

A: Radio is a powerful tool for Filipinos to express and verbally share their voices which all too often go unheard. Radio is also an effective vehicle for overall community empowerment.

Q: What is the purpose of your radio station?

A: The mission of this radio station is all about the 5 E’s—Enriching, Enlightening, Educating, Entertaining and Empowering the Filipino

community. And to always give respect and listen to what our listeners have to say. We

will always play good Filipino music and entertain with good shows and programs.

Q: What kind of Filipino music will you be playing? Will it be mainly songs in Tagalog? Who is your target audience?

A: We want to appeal to and attract a wide range of listeners from all types of ages and backgrounds, but mostly those who originally hails from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. We pride ourselves in playing hit songs and wellloved OPMs (Original Pinoy Music).

Q: How many employees have you hired? What are (continue on page 10)

JUNE 17, 2023  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  9
FEATURE
104.7 FM founder / producer Imelda “Emmie” Collado Ortega Anderson

Whether in the United States, the Philippines, or any part of the globe, Philippine Independence Day must be celebrated annually. It must be taught not only in the classroom but in all gatherings and meetings all over the world.

The Philippine Independence Day traces back over a century ago when the Philippines – after three centuries under Spain’s rule – declared independence on June 12, 1898.

Then, it took years for the Philippines to gain independence from the United States, but after one last setback to World War II and the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the Philippines was finally declared independent on July 4, 1946 through the Treaty of Manila.

For 15 years, the Philippines celebrated its independence annually on July 4 until 1962 when Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal officially changed the date back

Philippine Independence: A Must Lesson For Everyone

to June 12.

This legalized the holiday, which was based on the Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898 by General Emilio Aguinaldo and his Revolutionary Forces from Spanish colonization.

The Philippine flag was raised, and its national anthem was played for the first time on June 12, 1898 in Aguinaldo’s residence in Kawit, Cavite. Independence was, however, short-lived because Spain and the United States did not recognize the declaration.

However, when the 1898 Treaty of Paris ended the war between Spain and the United States, the Philippines started a revolt against the US in 1899 and achieved national sovereignty on July 4, 1946, through the Treaty of Manila.

Independence Day was officially observed on July 4 until the Republic Act No. 4166, which set out to move the holiday to June 12, was approved on August 4, 1963. Since then, we have been celebrating our Independence Day every 12th of June.

The original iteration of the flag, unfurled in 1898, is the one Filipinos still fly proudly today and was never changed.

The flag’s white triangle

stands for equality, while the sunburst inside represents the eight provinces that took up arms against Spain. The blue stripe stands for peace, truth and justice and the red stripe for patriotism and valor. The three stars symbolize the three island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Now, Filipinos in the US continue to honor Philippine Independence Day.

Philippine Independence Day in the US is a huge event for many Filipino-Americans to rekindle their origin and heritage and to create awareness of the Philippine culture as part of the goal: Know your roots!

“Itan Ok Tayo Ti Masakbayan!” is this year’s theme, which translates to “Looking Ahead with Pride!” The three main islands of the Philippines, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will be featured as cultural villages, highlighting the rich diversity of Filipino Americans in Hawaii.

their job titles? If any or are they independent?

A: We have about 20 dedicated and loyal DJs and programmers. Our youngest DJ hails from Laoag City, Philippines and is in his 20s. His name is Francis Dy, a teacher by profession. He has the ability to wake up listeners and uses his energetic and powerful voice to report the very latest headline news, current events, hottest showbiz updates and political coverage. His unusually jovial laugh is quite infectious.

Q: Are you familiar with FCC rules and regulations that govern your radio station?

A: We are quite familiar with FCC rules and regulations. We remind all of our DJs and programmers to comply with Ethical Broadcast standards and to refrain from expressing any radical or extremely biased views. They must be able to backup and identify the source

The Filipino Curriculum Project will educate keiki about Filipino culture through traditional games, dances, storytelling, and more from their curriculum.

A “Maarte” benefit sale and silent auction will feature pieces from local artists Eduardo Joaquin, Iris Viacrusis, Leni Acosta Knight and Zach Angeles.

Earlier this month, the FilCom Center hosted “Habi at Baro,” an extensive exhibit of indigenous fabrics, jewelry and artifacts like antique looms from across the Philippines collected over a threeyear period by Hilo-based designer Viacrusis, with grant funding from the Atherton Foundation, Bank of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

The Filipino community, in association with the Filipino, Community Center and the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu presented an interactive storytelling and

of their articles, stories, and topics.

Q: What are some of the most important qualities a radio station manager should have?

A: He or she needs to be able to lead effectively by being transparent and having a good reputation. A radio station manager needs to be able to instill a sense of fairness and balance among the staff. They should never be biased or one-sided. Most importantly, a leader must have unshakable integrity and credibility.

Q: What previous experience do you have in the radio station business?

A: I’ve been in the radio industry since 2007 when I founded Pinoy Power Media. I have also been a DJ and programmer. As the CEO of this network, I managed and monitored all the DJs and their productions to make sure that we were within FCC

re-enactment of Kasarinlan: A Journey to Independence last June 11.

In almost all cities in the US with a heavy concentration of Filipino-Americans, the Philippine Independence Day celebration starts with the flag-raising ceremony in the morning to honor the special connection with the Philippines and the many contributions that its Filipino residents have made.

The goal of the celebration is to promote a sense of pride in Filipino heritage and celebrate its collective identity as a Filipino, create cultural awareness among the diverse Filipino community.

The celebration will highlight the many positive contributions and the importance of community and having a safe and supportive community that Filipinos can be part of.

To our Filipino-American community, thank you for sharing your rich cultural heritage with us all!

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.

rules and regulations. At KPHI 101 AM, we were the only Filipino radio station that was geared to play Filipino music and programs. And at KPRP 1040 AM, we received the Tally Award for Excellence in Cultural Programming. People from other ethnic groups appreciated our broadcasting style, programming, and variety of Filipino music from latest hits to present favorites. We gained a number of foreign advertisers because of how well we projected our station to our listeners.

Q: Describe your management style. How do you deal with a difficult customer or client?

A: I believe in managing my staff by setting examples. As I mentioned earlier, credibility is important. I also lead by example and show my team that I’m willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. In everything that I do, (continue on

10 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  JUNE 17, 2023 AS I SEE IT
page 13) (FEATURE:
9)
New Filipino ....from page
JUNE 17, 2023  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  11

A MAN AND HIS MUSIC, An Autobiography of Angel Pena

In June 1987, to commemorate Philippine Independence Day, a concert was held at the Mamiya Theater for the Performing Arts by the Hawaii-Pacific String Quintet, where they performed the musical arrangements and original compositions of Angel Pena.

It is unfortunate that very little is remembered of that evening, nor of the talent that produced these musical compositions, except for this autobiography and a CD of the recording of the musical performance that night.

Tomas “Buddy” Gomez, who was then Consul General of the Philippines in Hawai’i instinctively knew

that it was important to record the concert for posterity. It not only represented a preservation of Philippine art and culture but also showcased the talents of the Filipino.

After sending me a CD of the musical performance, his email in July 2021—before he left for his pilgrimage in Spain—expressed his interest in visiting old friends in Hawaii. It was not meant to be. It would be his last message to friends in Hawai’i.

Angel Pena joined the Honolulu Symphony in 1969 and for the next 20 years played as a double bassist, becoming the musical arranger for the symphony’s Starlight Concert Series.

In 1979 the Hawaii State

Foundation of Culture and the Arts sponsored “Pamana ng Lahi” an all-Pe na com position concert in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the sakadas of Hawaii.

Among Angel Pena’s prize-winning works are the well-loved “Igorot Rhapsody for Symphony Orchestra” which won first prize in the 1960 National Symphonic Poem Composition Contest and the “Sonata for Double Bass and Piano” which he performed in 1971 at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

Like most autobiographies, the book starts with his genealogy and his family. Several chapters were devoted to his adventures as a professional musician, but the part that interested me the most was his memoirs of his Honolulu days.

He remembered how he auditioned

for Maestro Robert La Marchina

“who hired me right away to join the Honolulu Symphony.” He recalls arriving at the airport on March 4, 1969, when one of the Philippine consuls intercepted him at customs to facilitate his entry into the US without inspection (at the directive of then Consul General Trinidad Alconcel).

He described how his cousin, Vida, brought her schoolmate, Teresita Ramos (who would eventually be one of the professors at UHM) to give him a tour of Honolulu, including watching the dolphin show at Sea Life Park.

When Maestro Donald Johanos led the Honolulu Symphony in 1979, he introduced a format where music and dance by different ethnic groups that comprise Hawaii were performed at the “Concert at the Waikiki Shell”.

He described how a local Filipino dance group called Pearl of the Orient (led by Pat and Orlando Valentin) performed a dance piece called “Maglalatik”. Orlando Valentin suggested that Angel Pena do the arrangement, instead of the symphony’s music arranger.

Maestro Johanos was so impressed with the arrangement that Angel Pena did most of the musical arrangements for the symphony after that. He notes that from 1979 to 1989, he had written 124 musical arrangements which he says should be at the library and catalog of the Honolulu Symphony.

Unfortunately, the Honolulu Symphony, which

was established in 1900 was liquidated under Chapter 7 and ended its operations after 110 years. The following year, a group of businesspeople revived the symphony, naming it Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.

It bought out the bankrupt symphony’s assets and negotiated with the remaining musicians and opened a new season in the fall of 2011. What is not clear though, is whether the previous musical arrangements produced during the old symphony’s tenure survived.

In 1986, the musicians of the Honolulu Symphony staged a 15-week strike! Aside from getting heavily tanned from walking the picket line, and being saddled with mounting bills, Angel Pena’s string quintet compositions and arrangements of Filipino music were recorded through the initiatives of then-Consul General Tomas “Buddy” Gomez and Consul Leoncio “Jun” Cardenas.

The following year, the musical pieces were performed at a concert to commemorate Philippine Independence Day in June 1987.

Perhaps someday, Angel Pena’s musical arrangements and compositions will be performed again. Although the autobiography provides a view of his life and times, it is his music that defines the man, and the only way to appreciate that is to listen to his music.

ROSE CRUZ CHURMA established Kalamansi Books & Things three decades ago. It has evolved from a mail-order bookstore into an on-line 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.

12 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  JUNE 17, 2023 BOOK
REVIEW

Honor Thy Father

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”- Exodus 20:12

(ESV)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”- Ephesians 6:1-3

(ESV)

The Bible emphasizes honoring our fathers and mothers.

To honor parents who are loving, gentle, kind, generous and amazing is easy and expected. But how about fathers and/or mothers who are absent, abusive, hurtful? Are they still worth honoring?

What does ‘honor’ mean?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, to honor is to regard with great respect, and to demonstrate great esteem.

It is easier said than done. We live in a broken world. We are part of imperfect families.

I am “all in.” I don’t give a half effort—I give it my all.

I also stress compassion for others, open and honest communication, and transparency. This allows for team building. No individual is more important than the other. There is no backtalk because it affects unity. I always encourage my team to be cheerleaders and to work together to resolve any problems.

Q: How do you plan on generating revenue for your radio station?

A: We look at different strategies to increase revenue. We approach new businesses that could benefit from advertising and also tap into other ethnic groups besides the Filipino community. It’s also important to go back and

Some of us have parents–mothers or fathers or both–who have failed us, hurt us or wounded us in different ways. But despite all these, we are still called to respect and esteem them, give value to their insights and be generous with them.

This cuts my heart big time. I find myself doing this toward my mother, but I find it challenging when it comes to dealing with my father.

My relationship with my father is quite complicated. We are similar in some ways, but we clash in more ways than one.

I love him from the bottom of my heart. I listen to him when he speaks. I pray for him every single day. I try my best to generously support him. But it’s not easy for me to communicate with him.

My father, in the past, has spoken words that have broken my heart. I know he didn’t mean to, but it has caused me pain. Because of this, I have erected an invisible wall to protect myself from getting hurt again.

I have forgiven my father, but I have become more careful in communicating with

revisit old clients who may need customers to know that they are still open for business.

I’ve learned to focus not only on larger businesses but to also remember smaller businesses. I consider both to be the bread and butter of our industry. We also try to secure support from the private sector as well as federal and government funds.

Q: In your opinion, what is the most important aspect of running a successful radio station?

A: For me, the most important aspect of any business is leading from the heart. If your heart is aligned with the basic principles of life and guided by God’s commandments, then everything will fall into place. Integrity and

times I ignored you, disregarded you and dishonored you. I apologize for not valuing your thoughts and for withholding things that you deserve, like time and kind words. I am sorry for not always being there for you when you need me to listen and just be present. I am deeply sorry.

I honor you–simply because you are my father, my flesh and blood. I will forever carry your name. Our destinies are eternally intertwined. God chose you to be my Papa and for this, I honor you. I will forever be grateful to be called your daughter.

him. But little by little, by God’s grace, my heart is healing. I am being taught each day to cherish the relationship that I have with my father.

This month is special, not just because it’s Father’s Day, but also because it’s his 68th birthday. I want to take this time and grab this opportunity to write him a letter I hope I have the courage to let him read.

I hope that as you read this, it will encourage you to forgive, love, and honor your father no matter what kind of relationship you have with him.

Here it goes.

To my Papa Rey,

I am sorry–for the many

keeping my promises are key factors. My word is my bond. When I make a promise, my conscience will not rest until I deliver on that promise. You also need to stay focused and never deviate from solid principles that are essential to team building and continued success. Never allow “crab mentality” to enter your mind. Do something for others every day—although it may seem small, it is significant for others.

Q: What is your vision for this radio station?

A: My vision is to continue forging ahead and hopefully by the examples I set, someone will be inspired and enlightened. My desire is to continue empowering others. I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is my purpose

I forgive you–for the things that you’ve done and failed to do, the words you have spoken and failed to speak. I trust that your intentions were good, and your actions were out of love. I know you didn’t mean to, but your words have wounded my heart. I forgive you for your shortcomings and failures as a father to us, your children. I know that you tried to be the best father, and for this I thank you.

Thank you–for the wealth of wisdom you generously give, for your presence in different seasons of our lives, for loving us the best way you can, and for being a friend. Thank you for the discipline that molded us into who we are now, for the prayers you have sown into our lives and for the many valuable lessons we’ve gained from your experiences. Thank you for not giving up on our family when the world tells you otherwise.

in life. I want to etch an indelible mark and impression in my listeners’ hearts that all things all things are possible if your heart is in tune with God.

Q: What are your plans to engage your listeners and the Filipino Community?

A: My plans are to fulfill the mission goals of this radio station, which are to en-

I love you–for all that you are and all that you do. I love you because you are God’s precious gift. I will forever love you, even if many times I fail to express it in words and actions. I love you, Papa. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Your beloved daughter, Seneca

It is my prayer that we would choose to honor our fathers and mothers that it may go well with us, and we may live long in the land. His grace is sufficient, and He is faithful to keep His promise.

And to all the fathers in the world, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! What a wonderful privilege you’ve been given to be called a Dad! We honor you.

rich, enlighten, educate, entertain and empower. I also have fundamental principles that I live by, which include keeping an unwavering faith in the Lord, staying humble and always keeping my family close to my heart. I would like to share a quote from James Edward McCulloch that says, “No amount of success can compensate for failure in the home.”

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FILIPINO CHRONICLE  JUNE 17, 2023

as he was told by Trump.

He carried Trump’s boxes out of a storage room, 64 at first, but then brought back only 30. Was he hiding the balance so they couldn’t be retrieved and returned to the archive?

Nauta’s is seen on video moving boxes. In an interview, he contradicts the video. The video doesn’t lie.

That’s loyalty to Trump. But was Nauta any worse than even a Trump supporter – AAPI or not – who still, on

the weekend after the indictments were unsealed choose to cheer on Trump?

Guamanian Nauta

It pained me to see how Nauta was snarked at and made fun of, first in the pronunciation of his name in some form of the Anglicized “Nata,” which sounds like “nada” or “nothing,” which is how media folk seemed to patronize him in coverage I saw.

Nauta is Guamanian, a combination of the indigenous Chamorros and the first Filipinos who arrived in Guam in 1500 BC.

I didn’t reach Nauta back in October 2022 when his name was first revealed as a person of interest, but I have chosen to give every syllable their due.

Nata? Nowta? Go slow and it comes out Na-oO-tah.

And then there’s the patronizing comments about his job. “Glorified pool boy” one national anchor called him, as if the standard reference as “Diet Coke Boy” wasn’t bad enough.

Nauta must be used to that kind of disrespect as a

native Guamanian. By virtue of being a federal territory, you are a U.S. citizen. You can serve in the military, and according to the Census, Guamanians enlist in the U.S. military at a higher clip than any state in the union. One of every 20 of Guam’s more than 165,000 residents is a military veteran.

Nauta, who enlisted in the Navy as a teenager in 2001, rose the ranks to one of the prized jobs among the non-commissioned ranks, the naval steward spot in the White House. Sure, you’re in the mess detail, but you’re serving the commander-in-chief.

And that man, Trump, likes you.

In some ways, Nauta is the ideal “body man,” or as I prefer, Trump adherent. Guamanians don’t have a vote in federal elections. They have a non-voting delegate in Congress. With no electoral college, they don’t count in presidential politics.

Which is why they have an urgency and purity of loyalty and service to prove their existence. They care and so

they matter.

According to reports, Nauta was seen as genuinely caring for everyone he served. But of Trump, it’s been noted Nauta seemed to lack any ulterior motive to cash in on his closeness to the Donald.

He wasn’t a darn sycophant.

Former White House Attorney Ty Cobb, who has said the indictments, in terms of prison time and being convicted made Trump a “dead man,” talked about Nauta, the co-conspirator, in a completely opposite way.

“I’m shocked that he (Nauta) wasn’t adequately represented enough to be persuaded to abandon what is I think his perception that he is still serving his country. Because of his devotion to a man he looked up to in the job he was proud to have as an aide to the President of the United States,” Cobb said on CNN.

He pointed out that Nauta was neither a policy guy, nor an ideologue. He wasn’t a wheeler dealer. He was a man who was simply loyal

to the boss he served.

And Nauta was genuinely nice.

“He made meals for people working around the White House, many of us who work late at night, he would check in on us to see if we wanted to anything to eat, he couldn’t be a kinder more thoughtful guy,” Cobb added.

Cobb called Nauta not having worked out an arrangement with the government a “tragedy of the highest proportion.”

In fact, it’s been reported that last fall, the prosecutors sought Nauta’s cooperation to turn on Trump. In one specific instance, Trump lawyers have charged that the Justice Department tried to coerce Nauta to cooperate by bringing up Nauta’s attorney Stanley Woodward’s pending application to be a judge in Washington, DC.

None of Trump’s attorneys or Nauta’s attorney acted in Nauta’s best interest. The indictment says Nauta moved boxes at least five times. That he loaded them up on a plane. That he discovered a spilled

(continue on page 15)

14
HAWAII
(CANDID PERSPECTIVES: The Trump...from page 6)

LET’S ZUMBA | Filipino Community Center | Every Monday starting January 9, 2023 at 6:15pm | FilCom Center, Consuelo Courtyard, 94-428 Mokuola Street, Waipahu | Need to unwind in movement and dance after a long workday? Join the community as we Zumba through the evening. Only $5 per

class. Proceeds go to support these programtypes for FilCom Center.

10TH ANNUAL MO’ILI’ILI SUMMER FEST AND BON DANCE | Kamehameha Schools, the Mo’ili’ili Hongwanji Mission, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i, the Mō’ili’ili

Community Center, and the University of Hawaii at Mānoa | July 1, 5-10pm | Old Varsity Theatre Parking Lot, 1110 University Ave., Honolulu | This annual summer fest celebrates the historic Mo’ili’ili with Honolulu’s largest Bon Dance and modern street festival with various food vendors and retailers.

Act Now To Lift Hawaii’s Unemployment Tax Burden

Many Hawaii employers are being hit with large increases in their unemployment taxes, thanks in part to a lack of foresight by the 2021 state Legislature.

Because of its inaction, Hawaii employers are projected to pay an additional $113 million into the state’s unemployment insurance fund this year, or 46% more than they paid last year.

The genesis of this problem is that after the COVID-19 lockdowns began in early 2020, unemployment in Hawaii spiked to historic levels. At one point during the crisis, more than 22% of Hawaii workers were unemployed.

This, in turn, tanked the state’s unemployment fund, which had to pay out billions of dollars in benefits.

The result was that Hawaii employers, through no fault of their own, suddenly were looking at catastrophic increases in their unemployment insurance taxes. That’s because the unemployment tax rates are automatically adjusted depending on the balance of the state Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.

If unemployment goes down, the tax rates go down as well. If unemployment goes up and the insurance fund starts to run low, as it did during the coronavirus crisis, the tax rates automatically increase to replenish it.

The amount that individual employers pay into the fund

each year depends on the salaries of their employees and how often those companies experience layoffs. But in general, all employers pay more if the fund runs low.

In fairness to the 2021 state Legislature, it did mitigate unemployment tax increases that would have applied to 2021 and 2022 by lowering the rates and drawing on federal funds to improve the fund balance. But it did not lower rates for 2023 or beyond, so now Hawaii businesses are facing the tax hammer again.

But there might be some ways to counteract or soften the blow.

In the short term, the governor could call a special session of the Legislature with the goal of passing a bill to lower the unemployment insurance

fund tax rate. This would ease the burden on Hawaii employers for the time being.

The governor could also apply all or some of his $200 million discretionary fund to the unemployment fund, which could also help mitigate the need to collect higher taxes.

In the long run, the Legislature could take a hard look at how the state’s unemployment insurance system is structured, since Hawaii’s current model hardly seems to be the best way to help people who have fallen on hard times.

Chile and Austria both use a private account system, in which each employee has an individual unemployment account that they and their employer pay into.

Anti-Vaping Legislation Signed Into Law

On June 6, Hawaii Governor Josh Green signed legislation that addresses youth vaping which is turning into an epidemic worldwide.

“This legislation has been years in the making and I applaud the Department of Health and all the advocates, including youth advocates, who have successfully stewarded this to fruition,” said Green.

“This new law is going

to improve the health of our young people and will prevent damaging addiction to nicotine for many, many of our keiki. That said, I know we all have more work to do in addressing vaping in our society, especially in our youth culture. I know that the Health Department and my former colleagues in the Senate and House are going to stay focused on this as part of their ongoing efforts for the health and safety of

(COVER STORY: Filiupinos Celebrating ....from page 8)

visit. “What gives him great joy is seeing his children and grandchildren thrive. That’s Father’s Day to him.”

Judy is very close to her father, working with him and living with him and her mom. She said her father is a very patient man, a disciplinarian, a visionary.

She recalls life-changing words her father imparted

when she was in high school. His advice to her was “to get a good education but don’t make it a goal to work for someone else for the rest of your life, you need to own your own business”. I didn’t know what he meant then, but I do now. That’s a timeless piece of wisdom that I have not forgotten and strive towards. He raised his children

the people of Hawai‘i.”

The new law strengthens keiki health protection against unlawful tobacco products which includes electronic smoking devices and e-liquids under the term “tobacco products.”

“The science is clear that having appropriate taxes helps reduce the initiation of nicotine-containing products, especially for young people,” said pediatrician Bryan Mih, M.D., Medical

to be self-reliant and not to be dependent on anyone, except God. Today, his grandchildren receive the same counsel and advice.”

Considering all that fathers do for their children all year round, one day of giving back and making him feel like the center of the universe isn’t too much to ask for. Happy Father’s day!

Director of the Kapi‘olani Smokefree Families Program at Hawai‘i Pacific Health.

“We now have a new law that will help reduce

box with top secret documents of the U.S.’s top five allies. And he took a picture of the spilled box and shared it.

That’s a serious felony allegation.

At that point, I wish someone could have laid out Nauta’s option to hire a non-Trump connected attorney so that Nauta could act in his own interest, and to his country, and not to Trump.

It’s in Trump’s best interest to control Nauta until he no longer needs him. As Trump’s co-conspirator, Nauta is ideal. He always feels beholden. Has no in-

This model gives individuals more freedom to draw on their accounts and incentivizes them to find new jobs as quickly as possible when they become unemployed.

Researchers have also suggested front-loading unemployment benefits so that job seekers receive a larger benefit in the first week and successively smaller payouts in subsequent weeks. This would encourage job seekers to find high-quality jobs, and perhaps more quickly than the current system.

One way or another, we have to figure out how to avoid falling into this funding trap for unemployment benefits again — and sooner rather than later. 

exposure to harmful chemicals and decrease the number of young people and children becoming lifetime nicotine addicts.”

The new law will take effect on July 1, 2023.

terest in power, only in expressing his loyalty. And that may be the only thing that matters to Trump.

There’s still time to flip.

Though it may be harder than one thinks when he’s weighted down by that colonial mindset of service and loyalty.

Nauta’s has that look of a retired enlisted Navy man willing to go down with the ship.

I say Flip Waltine Flip. Save your hide, and America.

JUNE 17, 2023  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  15 COMMUNITY CALENDAR OPEN FORUM
NEWS
HAWAII-FILIPINO
(CANDID PERSPECTIVES: The Trump...from page 14) KELI‘I AKINA is president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
and
talk show is on www.amok.com.
EMIL GUILLERMO is a journalist
commentator. His
JUNE 17, 2023

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