Hawaii Filipino Chronicle - June 19, 2021

JUNE 19, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  1

JUNE 19, 2021

NEWS FEATURE

CANDID PERSPECTIVES

PERRYSCOPE

Local Chefs Whip Up Dishes For Filipino Food Week

Celebrating the Fil-Am Students Who Helped End the SAT/ACT at the University of California

Battle of Titans Looms

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Gov. David Ige Signs Bill to Regulate Payday Loans with Lower Interest Rate

2 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE JUNE 19, 2021

EDITORIAL

A Big Mahalo to Our Dads – Happy Father’s Day

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s Mother’s Day is dedicated to our first source of love and nurturing; perhaps Father’s Day is that special time to honor our first source of strength and security. Of course, clearly there is overlapping of all the influential roles both our parents have played in our lives, particularly in contemporary

society.

We are thankful, grateful and celebrate both on each of their special days.

Mother’s Day in the US came much earlier in 1907. The idea of celebrating the first Father’s Day was observed in 1910 in Spokane, Washington. But the official recognition of Father’s Day came much later when in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued a proclamation designating the third Sunday in June to honor fathers.

But the significance and meaning to observe Father’s Day in 1910 was aptly captured when Sonora Smart Dodd came up with the idea when listening to a Mother’s Day Sermon in 1909. Her father William Smart had raised her and her five siblings alone on a farm after her mom died giving birth to their last child.

Sonora felt why shouldn’t her father be given recognition for his role in parenting. Her ministers at her church agreed and soon after preparations were made, the first local celebration in the US of Father’s Day occurred the following year on June 19.

Like Mother’s Day, a day to honor fathers caught on worldwide. The Philippines also celebrates Father’s Day annually on the same day as in the US, the third Sunday of June.

Perhaps similar to why Father’s Day took many decades later (after Mother’s Day) to be officially recognized, Father’s Day for some reason is not as commercially celebrated. For example, Mother’s Day is actually the busiest day in the year for restaurants. Mothers are usually showered with an array of special gifts from flowers to chocolates and greetings cards. Fathers, not so much.

Why this is the case could be rooted in the traditional role of the patriarch, as lead provider and lead protector of the family.

In such traditionalism, it’s a step out of character for the leader to be, suddenly, the receiver of gifts. But again, as contemporary society is evolving, so too has the commercial aspect of Father’s Day changing in that giving dad gifts is increasingly common.

Besides gift-giving, taking dad out to a restaurant is catching on, too. But the venues tend to be much more masculine like BBQ restaurants or large buffets. On the mainland, it’s still typical for families to hold BBQ’s at home on Father’s Day, which could be why BBQ restaurants became the common sense alternative if dining out. In Hawaii, family potlucks and BBQ at the beach is popular on Father’s Day. There are also beer specials at restaurant-bars both locally and on the mainland. Mother’s Day dining is usually held at restaurants more cozy, quiet, and intimate with wait help.

Father as role model and teacher 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.”

Fathers often are looked upon as our first teacher who gave us gems of wisdom. He is often said to be the prime source who laid foundational values of the family, especially in the areas of work ethics and sacrifice. He is the one remembered for working through sickness and storms to be able to feed the family, (continue on page 3)

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

ast year most families skipped Father’s Day celebration due to the pandemic. With many Hawaii residents already having received their second shot, this year most families can celebrate, get-together and honor their dad the way he deserves.

For our cover story this issue, associate editor Edwin Quinabo begins looking at the changing role of fatherhood.

Already for several generations, fathers were not the sole breadwinner of the family as mothers have also been full-time workers since the 1980s. But it’s taken some time for attitudes toward parenting (traditionally relegated to mothers) to change. A Pew Research Poll shows fathers today are equally involved and enjoy parenting as much as mothers. There are other changes. One trend is that some fathers have now assumed roles that mothers had generations ago, as full-time stay-at-home dads, while their wives work. There are others changes to fatherhood like due to divorce (more frequent), often a father will be the one granted full custody and take on single fatherhood responsibilities. It’s common to hear about single moms. But added to the many roles of modern fatherhood is the single dad. Also in the article, we have interesting tips on things to do on Father’s Day and gift-giving ideas. To make it a complete article on Father’s Day, some members in our community share their memories of their fathers, what it means to be a father, and how their father influenced their own life. HFC columnist Carlota Ader made contributions to this part of the article. If you didn’t know, the Philippines also celebrates Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June. We have a unique perspective of fatherhood from our ancestral homeland as well.

Also in this issue, HFC columnist Emil Guillermo contributes “Celebrating the Filipino American Students Who Helped End the SAT/ACT at the University of California.”

It’s been long criticized that the SAT/ACT scores should not be the primary basis for college admissions. Instead other factors should be weighed in like GPA, courses taken, and so forth. Studies show that the SAT/ACT has proven not to be an indicator of college success. The movement to strike down this discriminatory feature in education has finally been successful at achieving their goal, at least temporarily in California up through 2025. Emil brings attention to Filipino student activists who have been a part of this movement.

HFC columnist Perry Diaz looks at possible leading contenders to next year’s Philippines Presidential race: Sara Duterte-Carpio (daughter of the current president) and former Senator Bongbong Marcos (son of former President Marcos).

A poll has both of them on top, one and two, respectively. It looks like dynastic politics is still strong in the Philippines.

Diaz mentions that former world champion boxer and Senator Manny Pacquiao could be in that presidential mix.

HFC contributor Rose Cruz Churma gives us a Book Review on “Ilocano Responses to American Aggression 19001901.” The book gives a very important historical chronicling of the Philippine Independence and what happened in the Ilocos region of the country during the Philippine-American war. It’s truly revelatory. Be sure to read our other interesting and informative articles, including HFC columnist Carlota Ader’s News Feature “Local Chefs Whip Up Dishes for Filipino Food Week.”

Lastly, we extend to our dad’s around the world – Have a wonderful Father’s Day! Thank you to all of you for your love, fatherly guidance, and many sacrifices for our families and community. Until the next issue, warmest Aloha and Mabuhay!

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

Publisher & Managing Editor

Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Associate Editors

Edwin QuinaboDennis Galolo

Contributing Editor

Belinda Aquino, Ph.D.

Design

Junggoi Peralta

Photography Tim Llena

Administrative Assistant Lilia Capalad Shalimar Pagulayan

Editorial Assistant Jim Bea Sampaga

Columnists

Carlota Hufana Ader 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: Greg Garcia

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

Cecille PirosRey Piros Molokai Distributor Maria Watanabe Oahu Distributors Yoshimasa Kaneko Jonathan Pagulayan

Advertising / Marketing Director Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Account Executives Carlota Hufana Ader JP Orias

JUNE 19, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  3

EDITORIAL

Hawaii’s Filipinos Among Lowest Vaccinated in State; Let’s Trust the Science, Get Vaccinated

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udos to the residents, state and public health officials of Hawaii for ranking in the top tier nationally (fluctuates daily between 10-14) for the highest percentage of vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the CDC data tracker.

Gov. David Ige wants to push for vaccination harder, declaring the month of June Vaccinated Month. For June only, the Department of Health and its partners will have 300 locations across the state to get vaccinated. In addition to the normal places offering vaccines, they will be targeting public places like beaches, malls and farmers markets. The June program is laudable and our residents should take advantage of this added convenience.

As of June 11, 53% of Hawaii’s residents was fully vaccinated while 60% had at least one dose. Health experts say the herd immunity threshold -- when a significant portion of a population becomes immune to an infectious disease – is reached when between 70-90% of a population is vaccinated.

The Mayo Clinic explains it this way: “a percentage of the population must be capable of getting a disease in order for it to spread. This is called a threshold proportion.

If the proportion of the population that is immune to the disease is greater than this threshold, the spread of the disease will decline. This is known as the herd immunity threshold.”

If people are still doubtful of the efficacy of vaccines, remember that vaccination programs have successfully controlled contagious diseases such as smallpox, polio, diphtheria, rubella and many others.

State Survey, Filipinos have lowest vaccination rate While Hawaii is on its way toward achieving a goal everyone has been hoping for since the outbreak of COVID-19, there is still work to be done.

According to a new DOH poll, specific segments of the state’s population are underperforming in getting vaccinated.

Our very own Filipino community, along with Native Hawaiians, are behind in vaccination rates. Only 40% of Filipinos in Hawaii are vaccinated, 49% for Native Hawaiians. Compare those rates to Japanese (71%) and Caucasians (68%).

The survey also found Hawaii’s populations with lower vaccination rates are young adults under 35 (55%) compared to seniors at 92%; households with incomes less

than $50,000 (55%) compared with 78% for households with incomes above $100,000; and non-college educated (47%) compared with college educated 75%.

The state should be targeting these groups behind on vaccination in addition to their general population campaigns. Working with active organizations within these subgroups will help to raise confidence in vaccination.

In the case for Filipino outreach, Hawaii’s Filipino media would be a good avenue for the state to get their vaccination message across to our community.

Perhaps more importantly, the general public should know that as soon as more residents are vaccinated, this means more restrictions will be lifted and the state could move closer to business as usual.

For example, Gov. Ige said at reaching 55% vaccination, inter-county travelers will no longer be subjected to testing and quarantine rules; at 60% those vaccinated traveling domestically can bypass testing and quarantine requirement; at 70% all travel restrictions will be lifted. Also at 70%, restrictions on businesses and the indoor mask mandate will also be dropped.

These are goals to benefit travelers and ultimately our Tourism industry and local businesses. But we must reach that finish line together.

Reaching these benchmarks is in sight.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, “We’re almost there. Let’s get there.

This is going to be the hard part ― down the home stretch.”

Incentives, less restrictions For the state-recognized June Vaccinated Month, private businesses are offering discounts and prizes in travel, entertainment, restaurants and professional services (see a complete list at www.higotvaccinated.com).

Stress that vaccination is good for your health Besides the emphasis on vaccination being key to ending state restrictions and offering discounts and opportunities to win prizes as incentives -- it should be drilled over and over that getting vac-

zkei at the University of Pécs in Hungary. This is related to a human species desire to successfully pass on healthy genes, fortuitous genetic combinations.

Along this train of thought, what children typically say of their fathers who are very successful, is that they also prefer their husbands be at least similarly successful.

Day even after their passing, in the Asian culture particularly among Chinese, fathers in death are practically venerated. In Filipino culture, it’s typical in our prayers to God for us to also appeal to our deceased parents to watch over us.

Whether your father has passed on or is still among us, we hope that your family (if fully vaccinated) can get together and honor him especially if you’ve forgone last year’s Father’s Day celebration due to the pandemic.

Mabuhay and Happy Father’s Day!

(EDITORIAL: Do Yourself....from page 2)

put clothes on our backs and provide for our schooling and vacations. He gave us our first car, and our first driving lesson (on the latter, we wished mom had given us that lesson).

He is also credited for tough love, the person who put us back on track when needed – the disciplinarian who set and enforced house rules. The first person to talk with children about rules and when they’ve been broken usually was mom with a softer touch and actual reasoning explained. But when things are left unsettled, usually dad would come in and simply

make demands to be abided by, end of discussion, end of story.

There is also a saying that subconsciously women tend to seek husbands who possess similar attributes and life perspectives as their fathers.

It’s reported in the prestigious magazine New Scientist that women even tend to choose husbands who look like their fathers – even if they are adopted, a study revealed.

The research shows that women use their dads as a template for picking a mate by a process called “sexual imprinting,” said Tamas Berec-

Beyond death While cross-culturally from American to European households, fathers are remembered on special holidays and occasions like Father’s

cinated will benefit the individual by greatly reducing his or her chances of getting sick or dying from COVID-19.

At some point, the remaining non-vaccinated will be those who are not getting it not because of inconvenience or scheduling difficulty. That remaining group will be people convinced vaccination doesn’t benefit their health (in fact could cause harm it) or those who have religious reservations against it. And we don’t know how large this group is at the moment and whether they could prevent the rest of the state from achieving herd immunity threshold.

This is why the scientific, health benefits reason for vaccination must be stressed above all other incentives.

We cannot under stress that COVID-19 is still a very dangerous health risk.

A very concise health explanation we can tell friends or family who still do not trust getting vaccinated is this: “Getting the vaccine will help your immune system to fight against Covid if it is exposed to it. This will keep you from getting sick.” Very simple.

Let’s trust the science.

We’re almost where we want to be. Let’s get vaccinated and be done with COVID-19.

4 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE JUNE 19, 2021

COVER STORY

Fatherhood, Memories, Father’s Day Tips and Gift-giving

By Edwin Quinabo

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hen the first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910, there was no significance behind the date chosen beyond that it was convenient for the ministers who organized it. In 1966, when President Lyndon Johnson issued a proclamation designating the third Sunday in June to honor fathers – that date was to accommodate those who were already observing Father’s Day unofficially since 1910.

By serendipity or by design historians are unaware of, the third Sunday in June falls on or near the summer solstice (varies each year), which is the longest daylight in the year and when summer officially kicks-off. This year’s Father’s Day is on June 20, the day of the summer solstice.

Fatherhood, fittingly embodies the Fatherhood today The traditional reasons why families are most thankful for their dads on Father’s Day are gradually changing as fatherhood itself takes on new roles – similar to how working moms also altered what motherhood means in contemporary society.

The cookie cutter role of older generations had fathers as the sole breadwinner and the parent less involved in parenting.

Typically on Father’s Day to anyone Gen X (40 to 56 years in age) and older, this usually meant they were most grateful for their father as main provider, a role model in work ethics. Or the parent who brought a sense of security and stability to the household.

The modern workplace with two-income earning parents had already reached full swing by the 1980s. But fathers own perceptions of what it means to be a father – a transition from classical patriarch to co-household

season of summer. A father is the longest daylight of optimism. In literature often the sun – its brightness and strength – represents the hero, a life force and wisdom.

To many, their father is that towering strength they’ve leaned on all their lives, their heroic figure who kept them safe, and in many instances their first teacher who taught them values, the pitfalls to navigate away from, and the A through Z secrets to success.

Summer is also associated with joy, fun and adventure – areas where fathers by their natural boyish nature excel at. Who made those childhood vacations happen, made it memorable, made you laugh hysterically? Thank dad for that.

Traditionally Father’s Day is less commercialized and downplayed (but not undervalued) when juxtaposed to the festivities of Mother’s Day. This is where the summer-father analogy ends, as mothers

leader and equal-parenting partner – is just beginning to catch up to the outward roles they have today.

What are some of those changing roles?

According to Pew Research Center, more dads are staying home to care for their kids. By 2016, dads made up 17% of all stay-at-home parents. In 1989, it was 10%.

Of those stay-at-home dads, 24% of them reported the main reason was to care for the family. In other words, 17% of dads have undergone a complete reversal of traditional working and parenting roles with moms.

Specifically on parenting, dads now see the role of raising their children extremely important to their identity (57%), practically equal to moms (58%). Dads appreciate the benefits of parenthood (54% to moms at 52%) and fathers find it enjoyable (46% to moms at 41%).

Today’s attitudes toward parenting are basically equal

among dads and moms, Pew Research Center found.

Other findings: *Less fathers are the sole breadwinner. In 1970, 47% of families had only dad working. Today families with only dad working is 27%. *More fathers report finding a balance between work and family difficult (52% compared to moms at 60%). Decades ago, there was little pressure in this area for dads. *Besides fathers who now assume a full-time parenting role, in general dads today are much more involved in child care than they were 50 years ago. Today fathers spend triple the time with their children than in 1965. Fathers household chores have increased. But mothers still spend more time with children and household chores, even if they are working.

Besides changing working and parenting roles of dads, single fatherhood due

seem to always take the “summer-of-love” crown on her special day.

How will you be celebrating Father’s Day? Why are you grateful to your father?

From Hawaii to US mainland, the Philippines and elsewhere, answers to these two are almost as universal as fatherhood itself.

to divorce or children growing up without a father in the home (on the flipside) due to divorce are also more common in recent decades. Both changing further, the roles of modern fatherhood.

John William Hufana, Honolulu, divorced, father of three, was granted full custody of all his children.

His ex-wife and mother to his children lives on a neighbor island.

“We are friends with their mom and whenever there’s a spring break or so, I let my children be with their mom because I want them to keep that close relationship with their mom. My oldest daughter is now a freshman in college and I will be sending my youngest son to be with his mom in the other island. He will be in summer school and stay with his mother. They [both children] will be home with me again during regular school time.”

Hufana says his responsibilities to his children is his priority; and their educa-

tion is a big part of that.

Despite his current family circumstances being different from his own growing up, Hufana is committed to making sure his children are prepared to meet whatever ambitions they might have in life. He said he wants to give them opportunities through solid parenting which he received from his own father.

John reflects on his father Juan Galvez Apiado Hufana as Father’s Day approaches. Juan was a fisherman and business owner of the Hufana’s in San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines. It was one of the largest fishing businesses in the area. Juan was also a politician and Barrio Captain of San Agustin, a town within San Fernando City.

What John remembers is his father was extremely busy with his multiple hats on as business owner and government official, but he says his father always spent quality time with him, “whether it (continue on page 5)

JUNE 19, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  5

COVER STORY (Fatherhood....from page 4)

“There wasn’t really a bad thing [while apart] that happened to us but I do find the idea of him being a working single dad was hard. But he did it with pride and joy. I am so proud of him. My Father was a great man, friend, brother and father.”

— James Gaddi,

was eating outside or strolling Waikiki Beach [while on vacation] with my baseball hat on. Baseball was one of my dad’s favorite sports.”

Juan passed away when John was 14 years old. Thirty some years later, “memories of him seems fresh and will forever be that way,” John says.

Father instilling values Juan had that personality larger than life. Beyond his personal success, he also possessed a heart of gold that kept giving.

Fathers are often the key influencer of instilling values in their children. But family experts say values are taught my example, not just saying what’s important for values to really stick with children.

One value Juan impressed upon his family is the importance of giving back to others. And Juan was brilliant at setting this example.

“He [Juan] not only took good care of the family but also others who were in need. He was respected and well loved by the whole community because of this.

The Hufana family donated a clinic, fully furnished and staffed with nurses and physician. The Poro /San Agustin Elementary School in San Fernando City was donated by my family.”

John said his father also allowed families to live on the family’s beach property free of rent.

Charitable work now lives on in Juan’s children.

“My oldest sister organized the Johnny Hufana Scholarship Fund that is licensed both in the Philippines and in Hawaii to help college bound students with their education. The foundation had many graduates from Education, Liberal Arts, Engineering and Nursing since 1994 when my dad passed away.”

Protector of family, the goto person to get things done A role that hasn’t changed much over the generations for fathers is being the lead protector of the family. Children, young to teens, and

Pasig City, Philippines

Isaiah Matanza with his Dad

even adult women reflecting on what they remember of their fathers often speak of their fathers making them feel secure and safe.

Isiah Matanza, 14, Yokohama, Japan, recalls an incident. His family came home one day to find their house had been robbed. Items from their flat screen TV, personal laptop and clothing were stolen. “Our family felt very unsafe. But dad was that solid rock we needed at the time. He made sure my mom and I could sleep through the night without having to worry. We felt violated.

“Over the next several days, my dad worked with the insurance company to get some money for our stolen items. My dad took care of everything. The whole incident is something I remember when I think of why I am grateful for my dad this Father’s Day. He really made us feel safe and made everything right,” said Matanza.

That protector role happens to come easy for Isiah’s father who enlisted in the US Marine Corps after graduating from high school in California. Born in Olongapo, Philippines, his father was stationed in Hawaii temporarily. Today, he is a pastor.

Victor Tamayo recalls how impressed he was with his father Paul Apollo Gonzales Tamayo when Victor’s sister moved to the mainland. “I remember my dad going above and beyond to help my sister as she moved to Last Vegas. He helped her with just about everything from shipping her car to getting all of the essentials she

needed for a smooth transition to life in another state.”

It’s often moments when children undergo major life changes like moving to another state, and how a parent has made that transition easier is what children remember most.

Fatherhood in the Philippines Filipinos observe Father’s Day on the same day as Americans, the third Sunday in June. There is the typical Filipino dad who is together with the rest of the family all year-round.

But the Philippines also has a unique working abroad culture where fathers at times will be gone for work in the US, Europe, the Middle East and other places around the globe for months to even years before returning home to be with the family.

It’s not just dad. At times a mother might have a contract abroad and the father would stay home to hold the family together.

In both situations, fatherhood for this subgroup of Filipino dads is different from most.

James Gaddi, Pasig City, Philippines lived with his dad while his sisters lived in the US with his mom. His father passed away a few years ago and he says he will celebrate Father’s Day this year praying the rosary in his honor.

“There wasn’t really a bad thing [while apart] that happened to us but I do find the idea of him being a working single dad was hard. But he did it with pride and joy.

Ed Ramos with his Tatay

I am so proud of him,” said Gaddi.

His father was a computer technician that codes java and fixes computers and did various jobs on the side like making skin clay and selling products.

“My Father was a great man, friend, brother and father. He lived in Manila in his early days before moving to Pasig. If I become a father, I will definitely do my part in the family. I will love, protect and take care of my children.”

Honoring our Father is one of God’s commandments Edmund Ramos also lost his father. His father had cancer treatment close to Father’s Day 2018. “We did not know that it would be our last Father’s Day dinner with him.”

Ramos says honoring your father is a part of God’s Commandments. He says through his father, he’s learned the gift of faith in God and to be “a growing disciple of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

An important part of fatherly guidance often is related to religion in households where it is of significance. Pew Research Center found that not only do children take on their parent’s religion, but about half have all the same “religious beliefs as their parents.”

“The best thing my father taught me is to love life and be happy, to persevere and follow your dream as the world is full of disappointments and discouragements coming from all facets of life,” said Ramos.

Gift-giving ideas/what to do on Father’s Day While Father’s Day is not as commercialized as Mother’s Day, gift-giving on Father’s Day is moving beyond just a hug and “I love you.” *COMBO GIFT. Most common as a gift and event to-do on Father’s day is treating dad to his favorite restaurant or one that he’s talked about wanting to go to but hasn’t found an occasion or time to do it. (continue on page 6)

6 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE JUNE 19, 2021

CHRONICLE PULSE

How Are You Celebrating Your Dad for Father’s Day Despite the Distance?

By Jim Bea Sampaga

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t’s our second year into the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also our second year celebrating our Dads during the pandemic.

With lockdowns in place, we aren’t allowed to go out and celebrate special occasions. Staying home is one of the keys to fight the virus which also became a precious opportunity for families to get closer and spend more time together.

Staying home also means limited air travel and for some family members who live oceans away from their Dads, the pandemic has truly changed the way they celebrated Father’s Day. For Father’s Day, we asked our readers to share the way they’re celebrating their Dads this year despite the distance.

June is a special month for our family because we’re not only celebrating Father’s Day but also our Papa Rey’s birthday. Since my siblings and I are away from him, we Papa Rey with Seneca usually call, greet and pray for him. We also send money to the Philippines so he can treat himself with food he wants and buy something he wants for himself.

We are grateful for technology because it enables

us to celebrate and honor our Dad despite the distance.

— Seneca Puguan, 35, South Korea I’m grateful for technology that makes it easier to connect with people you love the most. Since my Dad lives on the mainland, my sister and I plan to spend time with our Dad virtually through FaceTime. After all, virtual celebrations are the new Dad Elpi with Paul norm!

— Paul Estioko, 28, Mililani

For this year, we would be celebrating Father’s Day by video calling each other. Since the start of the pandemic, our only way of communicating with our Dad was through social media and video calls. The pandemic really played a big factor in family reunions especially with those who have OFW relatives. My Dad works in Singapore and having the chance to talk to him at least through video calls gives us a sigh of relief that we know he’s doing okay.

— Paolo Jimenez, 22, Metro Manila This year is my second year away from home for Father’s Day. As a masteral student in Australia, I send food and gifts to my family in Manila every ocassion as a way to mark my presence.

This Father’s Day, we will be having a virtual celebration to honor my Dad. Social media and technology helped a lot when it comes to these celebrations but to be honest, I’m still not used to it. But I’m grateful to have the means to make my Dad feel special despite the circumstances.

— Jemary Tantiado, 22, Australia I celebrate Father’s Day by attending mass and praying for my Dad on that day. Of course, greeting him on that day is important. He lives in Metro Manila so I call to talk to him. I also express my gratitude by sending a monetary gift.

— Yvette Calayan, 42, Washington

(COVER STORY: Fatherhood....from page 5)

*WAIKIKI. Since the pandemic started, most Hawaii residents haven’t been to Waikiki, a magical place where many locals feel like tourists themselves, wanting to get away from the hum drum, daily scenery. Waikiki is now open for the most part. Plan an outgoing, dining plus leisurely walk down Kalakaua and along one of the most beautiful shorelines on Earth. Or make it a weekend

staycation and book a room.

Make reservations to wherever you plan to go to in Waikiki this Father’s Day because it’s expected to be busy and bustling. *OUTDOOR ACTIVITY. Father’s Day is on a Sunday but who says the celebration can’t begin on Saturday.

For the outdoor-loving dad, see if camping is an option.

Or on Saturday, plan a family hike or day at the beach.

Bring bentos from your favorite restaurants. Then Sunday, have an outdoor BBQ in your backyard. Try not to let dads work too hard. Time to bring the kitchen outdoors ladies and work that grill. *BUFFET HEAVEN. Face it, one of dad’s favorite pastimes is eating. And lots.

If there is a buffet open that your dad loves, that’s the goto place. But if that doesn’t work, home buffets can be equally scrumptious, even better if all of dads favorites are spread out in a long line.

But be sure that line of yummy is long. *GIFTS. -Tech gadgets. The key to getting the right gift is knowing your dad. Something to consider is a group buy if what your dad would really want is something pricey like the latest tech gadget or mobile phone.

-Massager. If your dad’s work is physically oriented, consider a mini portable massager to treat muscle soreness, relieve tension and reduce aches and pain. Each time he uses it, he will be reminded that it came from you. More importantly, we want to keep dad healthy and strong.

-Watch. Dads may not be into jewelry. But somehow watches don’t seem to count as one. Macho denial. A safe gift almost always appreciated is a handsome dress or casual watch. Or both.

-Tools. If your dad is a do-it-yourself kind of man, a gift certificate from one of the major hardware stores is a great idea. Why gift certificate? Because you don’t know what dad already has in his tool box or shed or what he might want. But be sure to buy that gift certificate from a large store so dad has a lot of inventory to choose from.

-Sports equipment. We want dad around for a long time. Added exercise will help. Any sport your dad loves, try matching that with equipment. For example, if your dad is a big boxing fan, get him gloves and a punching bag. Tennis? Racket. You get the drift. One sports item that can be a way to spark family sports fun is a ping pong table.

-Personalized gift. Potentially the most sentimental and memorable gift is one that is personalized. Children and wives with talent in art (all mediums) or writing might pursue this option. Buy a can-

vass and paint a masterpiece specifically with your dad in mind. For writing, it could be a poem. It could be a short story. It could also be an expository narrative on a particular chapter in your father’s life like when he came to America or met your mom. Maybe use special paper to print out your work. Be creative, even with binding. Perhaps make it look like a mini-book.

If you’re not the artist by any stretch, everyone can take a picture. Photography is art. Get one of your favorite photos with your dad in it enlarged and framed. Choose a custom frame or make one.

When presenting the gift, tell him why this picture meant so much to you. That story will be remembered whenever he passes by that photo.

Father’s Day is Back For many people it was difficult to skip Father’s Day celebration to the pandemic last year. Once was enough.

It’s time to continue this special annual tradition. Have fun and be safe. Happy Father’s Day to all dads around the world. Mabuhay! Carlota Ader contributed to this article.

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8 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE JUNE 19, 2021

BIG ISLAND MEMORIES

Hilo’s Recent Filipino Events and Celebrations

In celebration of Flores de Mayo, Filipino community organizations in Hilo hosted an event and attended mass to celebrate Santacruzan, the finding of the true cross wherein Christ was crucified.

Aside from Santacruzan, the community also had many different reasons to celebrate recently. Check out the photos! 

By Grace Larson Fr. Constantino Atinaja, Jr., officiating priest at Malia Puka O Kalani Church during the Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan celebrations

New members of Hilo Lions Club Grace and John Larson with their sponsor, club director Dennis Nagai, during their induction ceremony on June 8.

Khris Mai Eblacas Nagai graduated with a degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Recent event in Hilo showcasing grateful Medicine from Western University Comp North- Filipinos celebrating Santacruzan west. She is the daughter of Marites Eblacas and Dennis Nagai.

Girl’s night out at the newly-opened SWS steakhouse in Naniloa Hotel in Hilo

Ms. Hawaii Island Filipina 2019 Diana Roark and HVC Reyna Elena Abby Galvez

L-R: Rosanna Shelley, Jazz Tooker, Grace Manipol-Larson, Gerence Pilapil-Galvez, Guia Aoki, Pastor Marsha Krieger, Carlene Swnaholm-Wolf and Suzanne Woolley

Mayor Mitch Roth with the Hula Sisters

NEWS FEATURE

Local Chefs Whip Up Dishes For Filipino Food Week

By Carlota Ader

A

fter a year-long pause due to COVID, food connoisseurs and hungry diners welcomed back the restaurant edition of Filipino Food Week from June 6-12, 2021.

The week-long event celebrated the wonderful world of Filipino cuisine and offered participating diners an opportunity to visit participating restaurants to sample various dishes prepared by different chefs and food establishments.

In commemoration of the 75th year of the establishment of bilateral relations between the Philippines and the U.S., this year’s Filipino Food Week focused on the ways Filipino cuisine has enriched Hawaii’s culinary landscape.

Filipino Food Week was organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu in partnership with East West Marketing Inc., GK SKAGGS, Jun’s Awesome Sauce, Kasama Rum, Marigold Corporation (Mama Sita’s), Oishi,

Philippine FoodTrade Co., and Tanduay USA. The goal of the event was to generate more awareness and interest among locals and restaurants to feature Filipino dishes. Filipino Food Week is part of a nationwide effort of the Philippine Embassy in D.C. and various Consulates in the U.S. to promote Filipino cuisine and culture.

Food Tasting at Eating House 184 Restaurants across the State offered special Filipino dishes that combined both Filipino and Hawaiian influences.

One such restaurant was Eating House 1849 by Chef Roy Yamaguchi.

To launch the week-long event, Eating House hosted staff from the Philippine Consulate and the local media during a special event at the International Marketplace in Waikiki on June 6, 2021.

Consulate staff included Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona, Consul Grace Anne G. Bulos. Vice Consul Andrea Christine Q. Caymo and Cultural Officer

Seated (l-r): HFC writer Carlota Ader, Deputy Consul General Angelica Escalona and Consul Grace Anne Bulos. Standing (l-r): Cultural Officer Elaine Aldaya, Balitang America reporter Lalaine Ignao and partner, Tanduay Rum marketing representative Joseph Chiong and Vice Consul Andrea Caymo

Elaine Justine Aldaya. They were joined by the Star Advertiser, Moxie Hawaii, Honolulu Magazine, University of Hawaii, Radio DJ Personalities, Balitang America, Tanduay Rum Marketing and other members of the media.

The parade of dishes started with appetizers, including the Chicken Lumpia garnished with watercress and leeks with mango ginger sweet and sour sauce.

Another dish was Manila Clams topped with chopped Portuguese Sausage and Hon Shimeji mushrooms with curry sauce.

The traditional pancit or noodles was prepared as a filling for a fried Tai Snapper that spread out to the middle

of the plate, while the main dish was adobo glazed short ribs and pork belly garnished with Kabocha puree and luau sauce. Dessert was the E.H. Style Halo Halo which was a mixture of different fruits sliced small and thin like strawberry, blueberry, coconut and jelly and topped with ube ice cream.

All of the delectable dishes were prepared by Eating House 1849 Executive Chef Isaiah “Bobo” Badua who was born in Hawaii and attended Leeward Community College where he graduated from its renowned Culinary Arts program.

For Badua, cooking was a passion he had from a young

age. The dishes prepared by his Filipino and Japanese grandmothers inspired him to pursue the culinary arts as a career. He began working in the food service industry some 14 years ago but got his first big break at Roy Yamaguchi’s Eating House 1849 in Ko Olina before moving to the newest location in Waikiki.

Eating House 1849 pays homage to Hawaii’s vibrant culinary heritage by blending the easy ambience and simple flavors of an old plantation town with bold, modern cuisine to create a memorable dining experience.

But even as an executive chef, Badua is not one to rest on his laurels, choosing instead to continue honing his skills and learning from his peers and chefs at other restaurants.

“I always keep in mind what my two grandmoms taught me from their plantation-style dishes that reflect Hawaii’s multi-cultural mixture,” he says. “Whenever I cook and prepare food, it’s with my whole heart. My aim is to always satisfy the customer and of course to uphold the legacy of Roy Yamaguchi’s restaurants.”

JUNE 19, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  9

10 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE JUNE 19, 2021

AS I SEE IT

Let’s Not Forget Our Fallen Soldiers, They Deserve to Be Remembered!

By Elpidio R. Estioko

T

hey fought for our country – let’s remember them! They’ve fallen, but… with a cause!

These are the brave soldiers who risked their lives for us in all the battles America went through. They sacrificed for us!

This year, Memorial Day falls on May 31, 2021, being the last Monday of May. Let’s not forget that the government has set aside this day to remember our fallen soldiers who gave up their lives fighting for our country in the name of freedom.

We are bringing back to life their patriotic and heroic contributions to our beloved country… as we remember and honor them! They deserve to be remembered, in fact, we need to remember them every day!

They did the “ultimate sacrifice” for our country, for us and for freedom. They put our country before their families… what a sacrifice!

President Joe Biden, at the Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware,

spoke at the Annual Memorial Day Service: “Me and my family, we’ve tried to participate in this event every year because it’s an important tradition in the Delaware community. Even last year, in those early dark days of the pandemic, Jill and I didn’t want to let Memorial Day pass like every other day.

And there was no event here, but we came to lay a wreath at the plaza. It was the first time we did any sort of event since the lockdown had begun in March because we were determined — determined — to honor the fallen, to pay tribute to the women and men who braved every danger, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

“Because as a nation, we must always remember — always remember. We must remember the price that was paid for our liberties. We must remember the debt we owe those who have paid it, and the families left behind…”

Biden said in closing: “Thank you for allowing us to grieve together today.

I know how much the loss hurts. I know the black hole that it leaves in the middle of your chest, that feels like you may get sucked into it and not come out… Our military

community is the solid spine of this country. It’s literally the spine of the nation…”

While most people celebrate Memorial Day with many Americans viewing it as the official beginning of summer, marked by picnics, BBQs, and relaxing with friends and relatives, Memorial Day should be remembered as a very important and meaningful holiday.

As I See It, the traditional BBQs and picnics should only serve as icing in the cake, because we can do more important and meaningful activities on Memorial Day by attending or watching the parade; residents decorating the graves of the fallen soldiers; visiting the family of the fallen soldier; and bringing that tradition home decorating our houses and lawns with the stars and stripes. For those who have their flagpoles, they can raise their flags at half-mast from dawn until noon in reverence to our dead heroes.

I would like to share a story when a Facebook friend of mine sent me a photo of Angel Flights on Memorial Day. It was the plane that brings home our fallen, a song in honor of those who have fallen and for those who have

served. The message put me in tears.

To all the brothers and sisters who have given the ultimate sacrifice: this song whose lyrics were written by Radney Foster is for you: “We do what we do because we heard the call. Some gave a little, but he gave it all… Between heaven and earth, you’re never alone on the Angel Flight. Come on brother I’m taking you home.

Come on brother I’m taking you home,” Former President Barack Obama said via Twitter: “We can never truly repay the debt we owe our fallen heroes. But we can remember them, honor their sacrifice, and affirm in our own lives those enduring ideals of justice, equality, and opportunity for which generations of Americans have given that last full measure of devotion.”

As a general practice, Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day, paused for one minute in an act of national unity. This is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday.

I would like to honor and recognize friends and rel-

atives who served and still serving in the military: Denis Marks (US Army); SSgt. Jonathan Rasay (US Army); John Edward Estioko (EM 7, US Navy); Chief John Aquino (US National Guard); Milpitas Mayor Rich Tran (US National Guard); Jose Corpus (US Navy); Gus Castillo; Eliodoro Calacsan; Jose Cayabyab; Efren Austria; Eddie Sison; David Sumera; and Col. Lino F. Caringal, Jr. (PMA - Philippine Navy); among others.

I would also like to remember and honor relatives who gave their lives for our freedom: Sgt. Ising Estioko (US Army), Sgt. Jose Estioko (Philippine Army), Gen. Sergio Estioko (PMA - Cubao, Quezon City), Col. Gabriel Estioko (Nueva Ecija), and Col. Isidoro Estioko (Cubao, Q.C.), among others.

They deserve to be remembered! They fell, but they rose in our memories which linger around as we remember them on Memorial Day… every day! ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist here in the U.S. For feedbacks, comments… please email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com).

SUMMER TIPS

Hawaii Electric Reminds Customers to Stay Clear of Power Lines

A

recent fruit-picking incident in Wahiawa last month left a man injured after his metal fruit picker contacted a power line.

Hawaii Electric released a statement reminding customers to use extreme caution when near a power line.

“With summer right around the corner, many residents look forward to harvesting local fruits across Hawaiian Electric’s five-island service territory,” the company said in a statement.

“But the company wants residents to stay safe and avoid serious injury – or death – when picking fruits near power lines.”

To avoid the risk, Hawaii Electric listed down the following tips: • Always look up and around for any power lines before starting any harvesting or trimming activity. Be careful not to touch a tree that is touching overhead power lines as the tree can become energized.

• Use the 10-foot-rule: always keep your body, tools, and other instruments at least 10 feet away from powerlines.

• Never trim trees that have power lines going through them or touch any tree limb that may fall into a power line. Hawaiian Electric recommends that a

qualified arborist should trim and maintain tress, especially those near the power lines.

• If a person comes into contact with a power line, do not attempt to free the person as the line is energized and dangerous.

Call 911 immediately for help.

• If you see any object caught in a power line, call Hawaiian Electric’s Trouble Line at one of the following or call 911 in an emergency.

Oʻahu: 1-855-304-1212 Maui: (808) 871-7777 Molokaʻi/Lānaʻi: 1-877-871-8461 Hawaiʻi Island: (808) 969-6666

JUNE 19, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  11

CANDID PERSPECTIVES

By Emil Guillermo

M

aybe by time you read this Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Island Heritage Month will be over.

It’s still worth remembering.

This year we can proudly add the N.H. because President Biden put it in his proclamation. AANHPIHM? It’s in writing.

Plus, if you’ve done your homework, you know that Filipino American labor hero Larry Itliong came from Stockton, California.

He’s become a symbol for the fighting spirit of Filipinos some teenagers from South Stockton like Rain Romeo.

She knows a thing or two about standardized testing.

We all do. Tests like the SAT and ACT are discriminatory in nature, failing to reflect a student’s real ability, and advantaging wealthier students who can afford extra-tutoring to game the exam. But until a month ago, the system forced Romeo to live with that discrimination.

“I’m not just a score,” Romeo, a 17- year-old Filipino American student told me last month over the phone. She was one of the students who had been asked to testify to the University of California regents about the fairness and efficacy of standardized tests.

Recently, the major barrier to Romeo’s hopes and dreams was removed.

In an historic settlement, the UC Regents agreed they would eliminate the SAT and the ACT from admissions and scholarship decisions through 2025.

UC had already figured that standardized tests were unfair last year, but let COVID-19 be the excuse to put a temporary halt on the tests only through 2022. The settlement now bans the test for another three years.

This is significant. Many schools, private and public, in-

Celebrating the Filipino American Students Who Helped End the SAT/ACT at the University of California cluding University of Hawaii have gone with a “test-optional” policy.

But that’s like saying weapons are optional to a bar brawl. The guy with the deadliest weapon will generally be advantaged. But the rules, you say? If it comes down to a student with tests scores versus a student without, do you want to take a chance on implied fairness and equity?

That’s why a lawsuit on a ban was necessary in the first place, and why a settlement on that suit should become a model that allows for a greater diversity of students of all backgrounds, but especially Black, Latinx, and Asian groups from less wealthy communities.

“I’m thrilled and so happy to hear the news,” Romeo told me. The tests had put enormous pressure on her life, creating anxiety and self-doubt.

“Coming from a low-income household and a community that is constantly overlooked, I have always felt like I wouldn’t attain success,” she said. “I always based my perceptions and my entire life thought process on these scores. I believed if my score wasn’t good enough, then I wasn’t good enough.”

Romeo immigrated to the U.S. with her family from the Philippines in 2004. She has been active as a youth advocate with the Little Manila Rising group in Stockton. And she feels connected to her community, interested in building it up, not looking forward to leaving it behind. It’s a kind of ambition and drive that doesn’t show up in a standardized test.

More Than a Number “There’s more to me than what is seen on that piece of paper, and the number that score represents,” Romeo said. “I don’t want [admissions officers] to make an assumption or observation of me that they think is true based on a number.”

Romeo said she wanted

colleges to see her for who she is and what her true potential represents. In Stockton, Romeo has overcome a lot. She’s a star student (weighted GPA around 4.3) in a neglected, low-income neighborhood, and would be the first in her family to go to college. In school, she studies debate, Honors English, Honors Physics, and is in student government, as well as a community volunteer with Little Manila Rising.

She also isn’t ambitious for a corporate life that would force her to leave her home.

Instead, Romeo is ambitious for her community. Perhaps that is a quality colleges should find worth nurturing, as Romeo prepares to apply to UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Davis, where admissions will consider her uniqueness rather than her relative value to a made-up standard.

That makes the settlement good news for all young people who are overlooked and filtered out by that thing that has long been an admissions officer’s crutch – the SAT. Romeo will benefit from the SAT settlement. But it’s too late for some of the other students who participated in the suit like Danica Foronda, a 2019 Edison High grad.

She wanted people to know how the tests were a financial strain on her family who stretched to take expensive prep courses, and then retake the exam. Her score increased by less than 100 points.

She was deemed “ non-c ompeti tive,” but somehow through UC’s more comprehensive look at student achievement was able to gain admission to UCLA. But it took a toll.

“I experienced

burn-out and anxiety at such a young age, worrying about what my future would look like,” Foronda wrote in a letter included in the case documents.

Foronda and other brave Filipino American students who have since graduated like Celine Corpus, spoke out so that younger students like Rain would have a chance to stand out and be seen, not by a number, but for who they are.

And what exactly is that?

Importance of the SAT Struggle To Dillon Delvo, they’re all heroes.

“They need to be celebrated,” said Delvo, Little Manila Rising’s executive director.

“When you grow up in South Stockton, being marginalized means you don’t matter.We changed that by advocating for social justice and putting young people in a position to life their voices up to bring about change.

“We want our students to have this experience, the experience of victory from their voices to be lifted up,” Delvo continued. “I want them to tell their children, this happened because I stepped up and said something.”

Delvo believes the narrative shift in the community is the biggest way Filipinos fight that age-old plague, colonial mentality, or colonization.

“That’s what colonization is about,” Delvo said. “You don’t have a right to rule over yourself, you don’t have a right to say or have an affect on the society that you’re living in. You’re just victim to it, or just a passenger. This is about de-colonization.”

It’s an important lesson for the Filipino American students of Stockton who are part of that lesson. And it’s an important lesson for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage month.

These kids are from the same neighborhood as Filipino American Labor Leader Larry Itliong. They have inherited past that includes Itliong’s labor victories in the fields. And now they have added a victory over the discriminatory SATs at the University of California.

It’s part of a legacy Filipino Americans must realize is definitely worthy of celebration as we remember AANHPIHM 2021.

Call it by its full name.

Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. That’s the name on the presidential proclamation. It shows our diversity and inclusivity. That’s why it matters.

And the students in Stockton will be remembered for making that ideal of diversity a real part of their lives.

EMIL​ GUILLERMO​ is a veteran journalist and commentator. He was a member of the Honolulu Advertiser editorial board. Listen to him on Apple Podcasts. Twitter @ emilamok.

12 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE JUNE 19, 2021

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

To Our Superhero, Happy Father’s Day!

eralt ggoip s: jun aphic

As I write this article, I just won first place for the songwriting competition and third place for the essay writing contest organized by the Philippine Embassy and POLO-OWWA here in Korea for the Filipino Migrants in celebration of the Philippine Independence Day and Migrants Day. I am very much like my father who is a singer and a writer. I must say that I am his ‘mini-me’ and my siblings cannot refute this.

Our family was a happy one. We lived in a small house, and we didn’t have much but it was full of life.

Until one day, when I was already working in Singapore, I learned that my parents separated. My mother decided to stay permanently in the U.S., leaving our family behind physically.

But she continued to support us, communicate with us and still remained to be our mother whom we honor for laying her life for us. Because of her, all four of us were able to finish our studies.

But through all the difficult seasons we faced, it was our father who was there physically. And we praise God for his life.

Today, Papa Rey lives alone in our simple abode in the mountains of Baguio.

He enjoys hiking and having long walks. He spends his days cleaning and prop-

HFCG r

I

was 17 when my mother left for the U.S. so we can have a better life. On the day of her flight, it was my enrollment day as a Freshman at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. It was my father who was there to accompany me as I experience a major milestone in my life. And from then on, it was my Papa Rey who I would go home to every Christmas and summer vacation.

He was the one who was there to offer emotional support as I navigate the ups and downs of college life. It was also my father who attended the school events when my younger brothers were in high school, and my older sister was pursuing her course.

It was he who would bring me to the bus terminal in Baguio when it’s time to go down to Manila. In our family, my parents exchanged roles – my mother became the provider, and my father became the nourisher and emotional support.

He was the one who took on the role of being a mother to us, especially to my growing brothers. I remember my brother joining an art competition when he was in elementary. He painted my father doing the household chores and entitled it “Ang Tatay Kong Nanay” (My Father Who is a Mother).

a

By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan

agating plants and vegetables in our garden where he gets food to cook. During his rest times, he loves reading books and watching Netflix.

He loves welcoming friends and strangers to our home. He loves giving whatever he has to his neighbors because our home is open to anyone who needs someone to talk to. And he loves sending us messages through Facebook of whatever lessons he learns from the books he reads. He never forgets to remind us to enjoy REal MOments, just like his name – Remo.

In his loneliness, he finds joy. In his emptiness, he chooses to give. In his material poverty, he sees wealth on things that matter. In being

alone, he finds solitude and joy. This is who my father is.

I grew up desiring to have a complete and happy family. The separation of my parents really broke my heart and shattered my soul. It had a great impact to us siblings, especially to my two younger brothers who had trouble handling relationships. But by God’s grace, we are all happily married now and with children.

Coming from a broken family taught us to value the relationships that we have. For me, I learned to fight for my husband and my children. I learned the importance of being together physically, in all seasons and at all times.

It has become my prayer that there will come a time that families need not be separated physically by poverty. It is my hope that mothers or fathers need not go abroad just to support their children because I have seen its damaging effects on families. Impossible as it may seem, but it is a prayer I will continue to utter.

The story of my family may not be ideal, good and worth emulating but I have

seen the goodness of God in everything and in every way to us.

He has blessed me with parents, though separated, wanted the best for us. He has blessed me with a father who was not absentee, was always there, was loving and still faithful to our mother.

He has a lot of shortcomings, mistakes and weaknesses that led to our family ending up like this but to be bitter and be angry at him never entered my mind and my heart. He still gave his best. He still raised us with love. He still was, is and will always be the father that God has blessed us with and called to steward me and my siblings.

For this, I will always be grateful. For this, I will always choose to honor him. For this, I will always be proud to be his daughter and call him my Papa.

To all the fathers in the world – to my Papa, the daddy of my children, to single dads, to adoptive dads, to all kinds of fathers... THANK YOU for being our superheroes!

Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for being our pillar of strength. Thank you for being you. We honor you and we will always be proud of you. Happy Father’s Day!

JUNE 19, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  13

PERRYSCOPE

Battle of Titans Looms

By Perry Diaz

B

arely a year to the 2022 presidential election, the field is getting crowded. And money is not a problem for the top three undeclared contenders.

They’re all super rich. But how they will fight it out is a subject of much speculation.

They’re all expected to slug it out in the open once the campaign season starts.

That’s only a short four months away. And as the last day of filing of candidacy on October 8th gets closer, the rivalry intensifies.

As expected, they’ll all hold their certificates of candidacies close to their chests.

However, it would be anti-climactic since they’re all known to harbor this chance of a lifetime to be the next president.

Let’s begin with the most obvious presidential wannabe who is Sara Duterte-Carpio, daughter of the colorful incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte, who by law is precluded from seeking a second term. Inday Sara, as she is known in political circles, is currently the 43-year-old mayor of Davao City.

Recent polls show her as the top choice of potential voters next year, followed by former Senator Bongbong Marcos, the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos’ son who is named after him. At 63 years of age, Bongbong is getting old. If he passes up an opportunity to run for president this year, he’d be 69 at the next presidential campaign. He’d be too old by Philippine standards, and he’d become the next Jejomar Binay, competing against younger candidates.

The third presidential

hopeful is none other than the famous world boxing champion, 42-year-old Sen. Manny Pacquiao. The youthful Pacquiao is a mega-billionaire and would be able to finance his own campaign against anybody. But his popularity is waning. He will be termed out in 2022 after serving as senator for 12 years.

Pacquiao is acting president of the PDP-Laban Party, now being chaired by President Duterte. Duterte, who is in favor of his daughter Sara for president, and he seems bent on knocking Pacquiao out of contention for the 2022 presidential election in support of his daughter.

Duterte-Duterte tandem President Duterte is being rumored to run for vice president, which would make it interesting to see a father-daughter tandem. But the president is denying such rumors.

How about Sen. Bong Go, Duterte’s former aide who remains loyal like a “lapdog”? Speculation is rife that he will run for president. Unless, he runs as Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential running mate, there is no guarantee that Go would win. But Go doesn’t have a chance without Duterte as his running mate.

Last March 11, Go denied that he wanted to run for president but said, “My mind might change if President Duterte runs for vice president.” The question is: If both were elected president and vice president, what would prevent Go from resigning the presidency so that his veep Duterte would assume the presidency?

With anti-Chinese sentiments running high in the country due to the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute, he’d be lucky if he’d get 3% of the votes. However, if Go runs with Rodrigo Duterte as his running mate, Duterte could use the govern-

L-R: VP Leni Robredo, former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, Sen. Manny Pacquiao

HFCGraphics: junggoiperalta

ment resources to push for a Go-Duterte victory. They’ll have the “power of incumbency,” which would put at their disposal all the government resources including the military and national police forces. It would be so easy for them to run a Triple G strategy – Gold, Guns, and Goons, which was popularized during the Marcos years.

Constitutional question Article VII Section 4 says: “The President shall not be eligible for any re-election.” Clearly, the operative word is “any.”

It prohibits the President from running for re-election in “any” office, whether it’s President, Vice President, Senator, Congressman or even Mayor or Council Member. Period. I’m pretty sure that the Supreme Court would interpret it as such. If Papa Duterte were disqualified from running for vice president, then Go would not run for president either.

Duterte’s best option is for daughter to run as the vice presidential running mate of Bongbong Marcos or vice versa.

It’s interesting to note that on May 29, Bongbong and sister Imee Marcos flew to Davao City to greet Sara “Happy birthday!” Presumably, Bongbong and Sara discussed a possible tandem between the two of them?

Why not? They’re the two

top winners in the straw polls taken last April.

The question is, who would be the presidential candidate?

MY guess is it would be Bongbong simply because of Bongbong’s age.

Besides, Imelda Marcos would veto it. She wanted her son to follow the footsteps of his father. Sara is still young. Another six years wait for her to move up the presidential ladder is just about right.

How about Pacquiao?

He is a formidable opponent, be it in boxing or in politics. Due to Pacquiao’s star power and wealth, he may be the one candidate who could mount an independent campaign. He also

has the “bakya” crowd behind him. And that’s a huge number of voters. He can campaign using his Pidgin English, which would delight his audience.

Ultimately, it would be a fight between a Marcos-Sara Duterte tandem vs. Pacquiao and his handpicked running mate.

How about Vice President Leni Robredo? Nobody is even sure if she’s going to run for president. Her main problem is money. She doesn’t have the financial wherewithal she needs to launch an effective campaign to win. She admitted that herself.

With Sara Duterte, Bongbong Marcos, and Manny Pacquiao having all the money to buy themselves an election, Robredo would probably just run for governor of her home province of Camarines Sur, where she’d be a sure winner. Or she could be the vice presidential running mate of Pacquiao who is capable of funding Robredo’s candidacy.

Yes, the battle of Titans looms. It will be a survival of the fittest or should I say, survival of the cheatest? PERRY DIAZ is a writer, columnist and journalist who has been published in more than a dozen Filipino newspapers in five countries.

14 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE JUNE 19, 2021

BOOK REVIEW

Ilocano Responses to American Aggression 1900-1901

By Rose Cruz Churma

T

he Philippines celebrates its Independence Day on June 12 in commemoration of the establishment of the first Philippine Republic by Emilio Aguinaldo at Kawit, Cavite in 1898.

Unfortunately, it was very short-lived. Commodore George Dewey struck Manila Bay on May 1,1898 and sank the entire Spanish fleet there.

He then helped in the return from Hongkong of exiled Filipino revolutionaries as allies back to the Philippines.

However, on December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris was signed where the victorious United States forced the Spanish government to cede the Philippines to American sovereignty. When the Americans realized that the Filipinos had no intention of dissolving the new republic to become an American colony, a military campaign was launched to de-

stroy and occupy the islands by armed force.

Very little is known of this period in Philippine history, especially the18-month anti-imperialist guerrilla war waged in the Ilocos at the beginning of the 20th century.

This book brings that period to life.

The American forces landed in Ilocos on November 18, 1899 in pursuit of Emilio Aguinaldo, and quickly occupied the towns but were unable to control the barrios and were continually harassed by the guerrilla forces led by the 23year old Brigadier General Manuel Tinio of Nueva Ecija who was a veteran of the 1896 Philippine Revolution against Spain and was one of the exiles in Hongkong.

Gregorio Aglipay, the Philippine army’s military vicar general organized his own campaign in Ilocos Norte.

Both units were reinforced by farmers in the barrios that they called “bolomen.”

In the foreword by Jose Maria Sison (who grew up in the Ilocos), he notes that the American generals would derive methods of conquering other parts of the country from their experience in defeating Ilocano resistance.

These methods “involved torture, arson and looting to enforce the relocation of barrios and the control of food supplies.” The American forces clearly showed these violent methods after the “Balangiga Massacre” in Samar, an island in the Visayas region.

In September 1901, 500

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Gov. David Ige Signs Bill to Regulate Payday Loans with Lower Interest Rate

G

ov. David Ige signed House Bill 1192 into law, a landmark payday lending reform bill that assists working families and individuals who likely do not have a checking or savings account, or credit card to pay for emergency and/or recurring expenses.

HB 1192 would phase out Hawaii’s statutory structure for payday loans — a shortterm, high cost loan — by the end of this year and replace the product with more regulated, lower interest rate installment loans in 2022. The new law aims to correct Hawaii’s current payday lending laws in which borrowers receive short-term loans with their uncashed paycheck serving as the collateral.

A state audit found a 14-day loan might have so many fees that if renewed over the course of a year, the annual interest could legally be as high as 459%.

“For too long, payday loans have trapped so many of our most financially vulnerable

people in a cycle of debt that they cannot escape. This legislation not only corrects this serious injustice, but also and more importantly enables access to needed capital while providing a path to greater financial self-sufficiency and opportunity,” said Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson, House Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee Chair and author of the bill.

“What Hawaii was charging was three times higher than what the same lender was charging consumers in other states. We had a really, really dysfunctional market,” said Sen. Rosalyn Baker, who has been pushing to regulate payday loans in Hawaii for years.

HB1192 phases out current unregulated payday loans and creates a licensed, regulated installment lending system. Interest rates and monthly fees are capped, making the loans ultimately less costly to the consumer.

Consumer advocates say the bill will help borrowers (3% in Hawaii) who do not have banking accounts. 

locals mostly armed with bolos attacked an US Army garrison in Balangiga and wiped-out a third of the infantry regiment including all of its commissioned officers.

It is described as the worst single defeat of the U.S. military during the Philippine American War. In response, the U.S. military retaliated with a “kill and burn” policy—its leaders were given orders to kill anybody capable of bearing arms such as those 10 years old and older to reduce Samar into a “howling wilderness” (from The Balangiga Conflict Revisited).

Since the more literate Filipino leaders of this resistance left no extensive account of their experiences, the author pieced together the events of the past from letters and telegrams, station reports and other records from both sides of the struggle, preserved in the US National Archives and the Philippine National Library.

In doing so, the author has clarified many misinformation about the revolution as fought in the Ilocos (such as the anti-Tagalog sentiment brought about by the execution of General Antonio Luna, an Ilocano as ordered by then President Emilio Aguinaldo who is from the Tagalog region).

William Henry Scott was a lay missionary of the Episcopal Church and a former director of the Aglipay Institute in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

He began his research on Ilocano history in Vigan in the 1960s and has written exten-

sively on Ilocano heroes, like Isabelo de los Reyes, and the Candon Uprising of 1898.

In this book, he has rescued from total oblivion the Ilocano struggle to defend the newly formed Philippine republic against foreign invasion. He brings to life Ilocano commanders like Blas and Juan Villamor, Estanislao Reyes and Gregorio Aglipay and the logistical support they received from all social classes, including Igorot and Tinguian tribesmen, that enabled them to maintain contact with their commander-in-chief, Emilio Aguinaldo, and repel a modern foreign army for more than a year.

The Ilocanos seem to have forgotten this struggle that contained events that can be part of national legend – it is neither in history texts nor part of popular folklore.

For example, Juan Villamor who fought the enemy at close quarters wrote his memoirs 25 years later – divided them into three parts but never wrote the second part on “Encounters and Combats between Americans and Filipinos.”

Very few Ilocanos are aware that the Ilocos enjoyed 15 liberated months as part of the first Philippine Republic – between the Spanish and American occupations. To read this book is to fill that gap. ROSE CRUZ CHURMA is a former President of the FilCom Center. She is also the co-owner of Kalamansi Books and Things, an online bookstore promoting works by Filipino Americans. For inquiries, email her at kalamansibook@gmail.com.

JUNE 19, 2021  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  15

COMMUNITY CALENDAR DR. JOSE RIZAL’S 160TH BIRTHDAY | KNIGHTS OF RIZAL – ALOHA CHAPTER | A month-long lecture series on the life, works and ideas of Philippine’s National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Lectures are on Saturdays of June, 5pm to 7pm. | June 19: Reading Rizal and Beyond: An Exploration in Making Sense

of Rizal and His Legacy. Register at tinyurl. com/virtualrizalianlecture5. | June 26: Rizal’s Legacy in Mindanao. Register at tinyurl.com/ virtualrizalianlecture4.

TIME FOR THE SHOTS | Binhi at Ani Filipino Community Center | Saturday, June 26 | B780 Ohehee Avenue, Kahului, Maui | 8am to 12pm l Free vaccination clinics with no appointment necessary but pre-registration is recommended. Visit https://www.signupgenius.com

MAINLAND NEWS

Netflix Premieres Filipino Folklore Anime ‘Trese’

By Jim Bea Sampaga

A

re you looking for your next binge-worthy series? Look no further. Netflix just premiered last week its newest anime-inspired series titled Trese, an adaptation of the award-winning Filipino comic book of the same name.

Set in Manila, Trese follows Alexandra Trese, a detective who solve supernatural crimes. The series heav-

ily portrays Filipino folklore and mythology through its dark fantasy and horror aesthetics.

With a total of six 20–23-minute episodes which is offered in Tagalog, English and Japanese dubs, Trese boasts star-studded casts in its Tagalog and English line-up.

Filipino-American actress Liza Soberano voices Alexandra Trese in the Tagalog dub while Filipino-Canadian Shay Mitchell for the English dub.

The English dub cast also includes Hollywood stars with Filipino ancestry such as Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss, Dante Basco, Manny Jacinto and Lou Diamond Phillips.

Trese is produced by BASE Entertainment and Filipino American animator Jay Oliva. The comic book creators Kajo Baldisimo and Budjette Tan served as the series’ showrunners.

“Kajo and I started Trese in 2005 and after all these years, we are finally reaching a global audience,” Tan said in an interview with AnimeNewsNetwork.com.

“I feel we were able to get here now because we never stopped working on this little story that we wanted to tell.”

Trese is now available to stream on Netflix.

Biden Signs Order to Create White House Initiative on Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders

L

ast month, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to renew the White House initiative that advances the “equity, justice, and opportunity” for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

The initiative also includes coordinating federal response to the rise in anti-Asian violence and discrimination.

“For far too long, systemic barriers to equity, justice, and opportunity have put the American dream out of reach for many AA and NHPI communities,” the

White House said on a press release.

“And racism, nativism, and xenophobia against AA and NHPI communities continues to threaten safety and dignity of AA and NHPI families.”

The initiative will be under the Department of Health and Human Services and it will aim to ensure that the federal government is denouncing COVID-related anti-Asian hate and advancing the health disparities in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

The initiative also hopes to help the community recover from the dual challenges they faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-Asian attacks.

“I applaud the President’s action to reinstate and empower the White House Initiative that will advance equity, justice and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities,” said Congressman Kaiali’i Kahele.

Native Hawaii Krystal Ka’ai will lead the White House initiative. Since 2013, she has served as the executive director of the bicameral Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Ka’ai is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama.  (Sagot sa Krosword Blg. 6 | June 5, 2021)

CROSSWORD

by Carlito Lalicon ACROSS

No. 6

1. Muslim honorific 5. Foolhardy 9. Fragrant oil 14. Drink garnish 15. Diva’s solo 16. African antelope 17. Close an envelope 18. Mound 19. Like some floors 20. Icelandic epic 21. Reserve 23. Courtroom event 25. Bite 26. Rushing sound 28. Warning device 29. Volume, for short 32. Boring

33. Dismiss 35. Augur 36. Blast from the past 37. Entreaty 38. Inclination 40. Claw 41. Final 42. Cold cuts, e.g.

43. Trig function 44. Cowboy boot attachment 45. Gloss 46. Italian appetizer 49. Copy 52. Foreigner 53. Informal denial 54. Eye, at the Eiffel Tower 55. Capital of Rizal

56. Be a kvetch 57. Eye layer 58. Father, Son and Holy Ghost

DOWN

9. Feeler 10. Drawing 11. Toiletry item 12. On the safe side, at sea 13. Awesome 22. Bill of fare 24. Any doctrine 26. Beach 27. Word on a door

28. Verb with thou 29. Francisco ______

(Former Senator) 30. Ancient Greek theater 31. Inclined 33. Department store event 34. In la-la land 36. Barely ahead 39. Have an effect

1. Abbey area 2. Turned right 3. In direct competition 4. Everywhere 5. Enthusiastic 6. Moon of Uranus 7. Bank deposit 8. Offensive breath

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