oBAMA trIEs to BrEAk tHE Bro CUltUrE, kAMAlA’s GUN, AND trUMP’s BAD GENEs
HI-FILIPINO NEWS
FIlIPINo FooD wEEk lAUNCH: kAoN NA tA!
BOOK REVIEW UNBENDING CANE –PABlo MANlAPIt, A FIlIPINo lABor lEADEr IN HAwAI’I
Trump -2.0 vs Harris (Biden) 2.0 – It Will Be a Nail-biting Finish
Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? Who wins is not a bet of confidence by any stretch just a few weeks before November 5th.
Kamala Harris
Vice president Harris, 55, was riding high the first weeks after replacing a beleaguered and tired Joe Biden. Her campaign did everything right, hauling in record-breaking fundraising and reenergizing the traditional Democratic Party coalition. Kamala’s national and battleground states polling numbers shot up practically overnight from Biden’s nearly two-years of flatlining digits.
But after several lackluster interviews and her resistance to set herself apart from Biden, constantly dodging the question, “What would you do differently from Biden?” -- it’s clear Kamala is not the change agent Americans were hoping for, and consequently, her poll numbers plateaued.
Her “I’m with Biden” political strategy may be appealing to the mega donor class that prefers stability and an iron-clad marriage to institutional politics, but it’s certainly lacking vision that financially struggling and young Americans find to be an extension of the status quo. It was never just about Biden’s mental acuity that held up factions within the Democratic party from supporting him. It was “change in direction” – at least in the way of bold legislations -- that Americans were and are wanting. But this hasn’t sunk in for Harris who remains in her silo of the well-heeled and powerful establishment Dems and a corporate mainstream media applauding her every move. The parallel to Hilary Clinton’s run is starkly similar.
For better or worse, even though Harris downplays her ethnicity and gender, identity politics appear to be a driving motivational force in her base support. She’s outpacing Trump in the polls among Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, women and the LGBT. And while it shouldn’t be the overarching reason (but it appears to be the case), identity politics is keeping her in the game despite her lack of specificity in her plans that she’s failed to flesh out opportunity after opportunity. What’s also missing is Harris doesn’t have a major centerpiece legislation like Obamacare to invigorate excitement.
Donald Trump
Former president Donald Trump, 78, has a long laundry list of disqualifying arguments that can be made against him. While Harris is the institutional die-hard, Trump could be the rattling force to shake up the nation’s foundational democratic pillars. His promises to use the government to attack his political enemies – that he likened to “vermin” -- is just one among many “clear dangers” to democratic norms.
His vow to deport between 3–15 million of undocumented immigrants using the National Guard is destabilizing. It would be the largest deportation operation in American history. The way he would do it is frightening -- rounding up longtime U.S. residents without legal papers, confining them to detention camps, and then deporting them.
Trump’s legal woes alone make him unfit to be president again. He faces federal charges over his alleged participation in a scheme to overturn his election loss in 2020 and has already been convicted of felonies for hush-money payments connected to his 2016 presidential campaign.
Disturbing and intimidating to minority populations,
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FROM THE
The election season is coming to an end in just over two weeks on Nov 5, the day of the General Election. Many of you have probably already received your ballots in the mail. Be sure to send in your ballots before the deadline indicated in your ballot package.
For our cover story this issue, HFC associate editor and political analyst Edwin Quinabo reports on the presidential race between frontrunners Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. He highlights the candidates’ strengths, weaknesses and possible winning strategies. He reviews multiple professional polls and bookmakers that all show there is no clear favorite in this late stage, which is even more imperative why you must vote. Also, HFC columnist Carlota Ader and I, assisted in gathering several members in our Filipino community representing various backgrounds – socioeconomic, age, political party affiliations – to get their important feedback on who they will be voting for and their decision-making process based on the issues. It’s a comprehensive cover story we hope will help as you contemplate who to vote for in these final weeks.
This issue we also present our General Election supplement. HFC editorial assistant Jim Bea Sampaga presents our Filipino American candidates running in local races. She gives us their background and issues-platform. Sampaga also provides an Election Vote Guide. This is Hawaii’s third year of doing mailin ballots and remember there is also in-person voting available. In the supplement we also have a Chronicle Pulse by Carlota Ader asking the question “Who Would You Vote for President and Why?” We have an editorial on the importance of voting and what qualities to look for in a public office leader in local government vs federal government. Lastly, HFC columnist Elpidio R. Estioko features San Diego, California Mayor Todd Gloria who is the only Filipino mayor in the nation. Gloria came from humble beginnings. His mother, Linda, worked as a maid in a hotel, and his father, Phil, worked as a gardener around apartment complexes. But through hard work, education and a desire to help his community, Gloria has risen against odds to be Mayor of the eighth largest city in the U.S.
Back to our regular issue, HFC columnist Rose Cruz Churma submits a book review on “UNBENDING CANE–Pablo Manlapit, A Filipino Labor Leader in Hawai’I.” Manlapit was a migrant laborer, lawyer, labor organizer, and activist in Hawaii, California and the Philippines. He became one of the few Filipino lawyers in the 1920s and distinguished himself as spokesman for the Filipino labor movement in Hawaii.
In news, we have an update on the Filipino Food Week, which is happening now until October 21, written by HFC contributor Renelaine Bontol Pfister. Eighteen restaurants are participating: 12 on Oahu, five on Maui, and one in American Samoa. Find out which restaurants are nearest to you. Let’s show our ethnic pride and support these restaurants and Filipino cuisine.
HFC columnist Emil Guillermo contributes “Obama Tries to Break the Bro Culture, Kamala’s Gun, and Trump’s Bad Genes” and HFC columnist Dr. Arcelita Imasa writes “What is Project 2025?” We hope you enjoy these stories and our other columns and news.
Please remember to vote. Empower yourselves and our Filipino community! Thank you for your support. Until the next issue, Aloha and Mabuhay!
Publisher & Executive Editor
Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D.
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The Conundrum of Voting Third Party: It’s a Losing Option but Voting Shouldn’t Solely Be Based on Pragmatism; Vote for A Candidate You
Besides hardcore partisans, politicians and party volunteers -- many Americans are dissatisfied with the two major political parties. Polls reflect this, and we hear it from our fellow Americans at social gatherings and family dinners.
Unfavorable/Favorable Poll of Democratic and Republican parties
According to Gallup poll trends both the Democratic and Republican parties have higher unfavorable than favorable polling numbers.
When voters were asked whether you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the Democratic Party here are Gallup’s findings: September 2024
Trump is mostly campaigning on “cultural wars” – xenophobia, book bans, anti-wokeness, anti-DEI, etc. -- an encore strategy he knows will keep his base intact.
This time around, what could be an indication that Trump is in better standing than in 2020, Trump is not only polling higher than he did among independents, but these independents are also not shy about announcing their commitment to voting for Trump, unlike in the past when a vote for Trump – outside of his extremist loyalists – was kept quiet. There is less taboo now than in his past runs associated with Trump’s campaign.
Weighing the two on taxes, the economy and inflation
When it comes to the economy it’s a straightforward Republican vs Democrat model we’ve seen in the past. Trump promises to lower taxes and cut government spending while Harris vows to raise taxes
Most Fully Support
- 55% unfavorable, 42% favorable; September 2023 – 58% unfavorable, 40% favorable; November 2022 – 56% unfavorable, 39% favorable; September 2021 – 59% unfavorable, 39% favorable.
In the same period posing the same question of the Republican Party here are the findings: September 2024 - 54% unfavorable, 43% favorable; September 2023 – 56% unfavorable, 42% favorable; November 2022 – 52% unfavorable, 42% favorable; September 2021 – 56% unfavorable, 40% favorable.
It’s worth noting that this trend is not relegated to the Joe Biden and Donald Trump era but has been unfavorable over favorable in July 2015 during Hilary Clinton (Democratic nom-
for the wealthy and big companies to pay for wider social safety nets like Medicare and Social Security.
The devil is, of course, in the details, for example the threshold of taxable income when an increase or decrease kicks in, percentages and so forth, which would make all the difference than just looking at this old Republican vs Democratic economic model on face value.
The big picture has most economists and investment banks like Goldman Sachs saying Harris’ economic plan (that includes tax revenues and spending) would be better than Trump’s.
Trump doesn’t really have a plan to release the nation from the grip of inflation except to boost U.S. energy production. Harris identifies well that inflation is partly a result of corporate greed, price gouging and concentration of industry, but says little in detail on how she would combat inflation.
Both Trump and Harris, economists say, would
inee) and Trump race, as well.
Favor a Third Party, Voting for the Duopoly out of pragmatism
Gallup polling trends also show high support for a political third party because of dissatisfaction among the two-party system duopolies. But election results do not reflect this desire for a third party as Libertarians, Greens, and other third parties historically haven’t been competitive, suggesting that the American electorate ultimately are persuaded to vote either Democratic or Republican out of pragmatism, or what Americans crudely but commonly refer to as “choosing between the lesser of two evils.”
Americans for what-
increase the deficit. Trump’s plan would add $5.8 trillion to it over a decade versus Harris’ $1.2 trillion.
The major cause for alarm is Trump’s proposal of levies 10-20% on all imports and 60% on those from China that economists say will reignite trade wars. These higher tariffs could have a negative supply shock, raise the price on consumer goods and worsen inflation that Americans are already struggling with.
Big picture
Clearly both candidates have degrees of flaws, leadership flaws, policy flaws, campaign strategy flaws. A second Trump presidency is unpredictable and potentially ruinous. Americans should recall the national instability and never-ending crises from impeachments to racial tension during Trump’s presidency. At the same time, it’s highly unlikely that Trump becomes a dictator. He doesn’t have enough years left and his ego compels him to want to be loved by
ever reasons – believing in mainstream media’s narrative that only one of the two-party candidates can win or the fact that third party candidates are unable to raise enough funds from big donors to adequately compete – eventually find themselves despite support for a third party, choosing a Democrat or Republican candidate.
According to a Gallup September 2024 poll, 69% of political independents, 53% of Democrats, 48% of Republicans favor the creation of a third party.
Gallup shows partisans have typically been more supportive of third parties when the sitting president is from the opposing party, and less supportive when their own party is in the White House. The U.S. has maintained a two-party system since the Republican Party became the second
the people. And Americans do not love dictators. Trump just wants to avoid prison time – that’s his real motivation in running again.
Harris is not the break from Biden many have hoped for. But voters who liked Biden (a mentally sharper Biden), that’s what Kamala would deliver, another Biden administra-
major party in 1854. The two-party duopoly system appears to be unbreakable and almost guaranteed to uphold this trend in the upcoming November 2024 election.
What happens in a two-party system duopoly?
An entrenched two-party system ultimately does not reflect a healthy robust democracy. We see in Europe there are multiple political parties. In the last French election just months ago, a third-party was able to win a majority in their Parliament by coalition-building among multiple parties.
Like in the free market where consumers benefit from more competition, it’s also in the best interest that Americans have more choices.
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tion, but as the first woman and Black-Asian president. She’s a safe pick in guaranteeing the continuity of mediocrity in governance. Perhaps, that will be enough for a win, unless a major expansion of war breaks out in the Middle East that’s bound to spark volatility, and potentially hurt Harris in November.
(Trump ....from page 2)
Filipino Community Opine on Harris v Trump
By Edwin Quinabo
With just over two weeks until the Nov. 5th General Election, professional pollsters and betmakers show there’s no clear favorite to who will occupy the White House. The fate of the 47th U.S. president will ride on this year’s seven swing states – Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin – together worth 93 Electoral College Votes.
Pollsters have Harris up by a slim majority and Betmakers have Trump leading
The latest WSJ’s poll (Sept. 28-Oct 8) shows Vice President Kamala Harris with a narrow majority in the Electoral College over former President Donald Trump. Harris is up 2 percentage points in Arizona, Georgia and Michigan, Trump up 6 points in Nevada and 1 in Pennsylvania, and the two tied in North Carolina and Wisconsin.
According to the latest from RealClearPolitics bookmakers, Trump now has a 51.3% chance to Harris’ 47.5% at winning next month’s election. Trump is outpacing Harris in other betmakers too. Betsson, Bovada, Bwin and PointsBet all have Trump as a 52-48 favorite. Polymarket gives Trump even better odds, 51-44. Arguably the most comprehensive scientific poll is ABC 538, a polling aggregation of multiple leading polls like YouGov, the New York Times/Siena College, CBS News, RMG Research, and others, using sabermetric to balance out the polls with comparative demographic data. In that poll, Harris is up 1 percentage point in Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, Trump leads 1 percentage point in North Carolina, Georgia and Arizona. Using a 1,000-simulation model, ABC 538 predicts Harris wins 53 times out of 100 and Trump wins 47 times out of 100.
Anything short of some unforeseen political quake or a clear disaster waiting to happen like should the U.S. engage in a direct war with Iran before the election, the neck-and-neck result in this late stage suggests a razor-thin margin separating the two will playout the day of election.
Harris and Trump: strengths, weaknesses, winning strategy
HARRIS. Politicos say Harris, as a first woman, Black and South Asian vice president, has diverse appeal as her foundational strength, receiving energized support among minorities and women that typically back Democratic party presidential candidates. But her ethnic background could tilt further in her favor among minority demographic groups this time around, even as Harris downplays identity politics as a calculus to not alienate the huge white male electorate. The abortion debate will also work heavily in Harris’ favor among women this election, politicos say.
Unlike former president Barack Obama who roused similar demographic fervor, critics say Harris’ weakness is articulating clearly her proposed policies, how to accomplish them or her flipflop on a range of issues. This inability to communicate effectively – that Obama masterfully perfected and someone who she seeks to follow as a historic glass-ceiling breaker -- makes her vulnerable to critiques as an ineffective leader with little to no plans.
Harris’ winning strategy is to find the optimal balance to get the two factions within the Democratic Party to support her. To date, analysts say she’s been leaning on the side with the Democratic centrists, pro-corporatocracy, pro-donors disproportionately by not introducing bold legislations that would have widespread appeal among the pro-workers liberal left.
The only major concession progressives say she has given them is her picking Tim Waltz as her vice-presidential running mate. A weak demographic in her corner, seniors, Harris threw out a last-minute hook to reel them in with her Medicare at Home plan that aims to have Medicare pay for home services. Politicos say in a close race, which it is, Harris must also need to change course on the ongoing wars, which she has repeatedly given empty lip service to and refused to pivot away from Biden.
TRUMP. Right-wing pundits point to Trump’s populist messaging, fight-
ing spirit and PR spins as his main strengths. Trump served as president and is the ultimate insider but presents himself as the persecuted outsider fighting for “the average Joe” Americans’ best interests. He’s won on populism in 2016 and seeks to do it again with that strategy. His “fighter” persona was amplified after surviving two assassination attempts; and he’s turned rather convincingly in a PR spin to MAGA, his legal woes and criminal conviction into a victimhood narrative that he’s a wrongful target of the “deep state.”
Politicos say Trump’s greatest weakness is his polarization of the American electorate which undermines any chances of broad multi-sectoral appeal. He’s banking on his loyal base and independents discouraged by the current state of the country – high inflation and a pores border -- to overlook his past political and personal transgressions. A winning strategy for Trump could be is to turn the fearmongering used against him as a possible dictator to fearmongering that Harris, an extension of Biden, would lead the country to WW3. Which fear is greater? That’s a tough call, many Americans are debating. But the danger to this strategy – a ploy he’s already used in his closing statement in the first presential debate warning of an impending war – is that the American public are fatigued with Trump’s never-ending fearmongering from so-called murderous invaders at the southern border to pet-eaters in the suburbs. The Trump who cried wolf
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could no longer be believable even in this stark and valid threat. Rather any fearmongering from him is simply viewed as chaotic from a man that chaos seems to follow him his entire life.
For this special presidential election cover story, the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle, asked people in our Filipino community representing various ages and socioeconomic backgrounds who they plan to vote for, which top issues led them to their decision-making and their political party affiliation. Comments have been edited for space, clarity and facts.
THE ECONOMY, INFLATION, HIGH COST OF LIVING –FILIPINO RESPONDENTS TOP CONCERN
Polls show Americans have greater confidence in Trump over Harris in dealing with the economy and inflation. Even as the economy shows strong indicators of growth and low unemployment, the high cost of living and rise in essentials eclipses any “euphoria” that some Americans are enjoying. Inflation (the rate of rising or falling prices, not actual prices themselves) has slowed down due to the Federal Reserve raising the interest rates, but the high prices of a rapidly growing economy since post-pandemic has yet to stabilize. A majority of Filipino respondents in this article had the economy, inflation and the high cost of living as their top concern this election.
Harris’s plan to tame inflation includes the first-ever federal ban on price gouging on food and groceries, which her campaign says aims to stop big corporations from unfairly exploiting consumers while generating excessive corporate profits.
Economies say besides a desire for higher profits by corporations, the price of goods are also determined by supply chains and a lack of industry competition.
Trump said his focus on increasing the U.S. energy production would help to combat inflation. The idea is cheaper energy will have a mushrooming effect on the price of all goods.
Klem Unciano, Waipahu, businessman, 73, will be voting for Trump. He remarks the difference in cost of living has dramatically increased the past four years which he says it was better
under Trump. “The price of everything is up. If you go to work and your company is far away from your house, you can tell the difference in gasoline prices. It used to be filling up my full tank would last for one week. Now, it only lasts for four days. Overall, expenses for a family of four persons are higher, remarkably higher,” Unciano said.
Gina Gerolaga, Ewa Beach, manager of Kona Mountain Coffee, said “The economy was in much better shape under Trump. The daily cost of living today compared to Trump’s administration is significant. Look at your gas expenses, grocery bills, look at the cost of eating out, almost everything has gone up.”
Ray Romero, M.D., Kapolei, is a Republican and supports their platform and a Trump second term. He says prices are sky high and that people can no longer survive with the high cost of living.
Rowena Salvador, Moanalua, retired, expressed high in her priorities stabilizing inflation and the price of goods. She is a Democrat who supports Harris. “People are hurting and struggling financially. Trump talks about improving the economy but he hasn’t addressed inflation much in the way of solutions but only identifies it as a problem. The two, economy and inflation, are related but separate. When people complain about the high cost of goods, they should be supporting Harris who has talked about working on inflation and price gouging. Trump mentions inflation but has no plan to get it down.”
Michael Berueda, registered land surveyor in Hawaii, 67, will support
Harris who has attributed in part high inflation to corporate greed. This resounded with Berueda. “I’m not an economist, although my understanding is that it is ‘supply and demand’ that drives prices. We are in an age where the investors’ [or corporations’] goal is to maximize large profit margins, which drives the consumer deeper [in debt] and makes them poorer, and they lose the opportunity to advance financially. I want economists to look into and recommend profit caps agreeable with the investors and the government that they can implement.”
Glory Jane Yorke, PA-Family Practice, Las Vegas, Nevada, 44 years old, said “I would like Harris to invest in building resilient food supply chains and revitalize competition in food distribution and groceries. A competitive marketplace means lower costs for consumers and in addition to that it will give small businesses, grocers, and growers the resources to compete, injecting competition back into our food markets and lowering costs for Americans. I also suggest that she follow-up in Congress to pass the first-ever federal ban on price gouging.”
Gregorio Bonilla, Honolulu, Student, 23, Kalihi, supports Harris. On inflation, he said, “We need to break up monopolies, prevent mergers that would increase prices and get rid of junk fees.” On the economy, he says, “the wealth gap, started by Reagan’s deceitful and failed trickle-down policies, and exacerbated by the three Republican presidents after him - has to be shrunk as a moral and economic priority, so that all Amer-
icans have hope for a decent life.”
Gregorio said he’s a Democrat because “Democrats prove over and over that they are trying to improve the lives of Americans and seek real solutions to our problems. Republicans say they are fiscally responsible and create trillion-dollar deficits. They claim to be tax cutters but create wealth gaps that make it harder for ordinary Americans to better their conditions and concentrate wealth in those who don’t need all the extra money.”
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IMMIGRATION
Filipino respondents felt affordable housing and immigration as the next top concerns this election. Polls show Americans have greater confidence in Harris on affordable housing while they believe Trump would be better on immigration. Affordable Housing. Harris has a four-year plan to lower housing costs, including $25,000 in down payment assistance for qualified first-time homeowners and actions aimed at spurring the construction of new housing, including tax incentives for building starter homes.
Trump wants to ban undocumented immigrants from getting mortgages, a move he says would cool the housing market. Another
Trump plan involves loosening zoning laws, which he blames for slowing down construction and inflating costs. He argues that environmental regulations and complex permitting processes are holding builders back.
Harris supporter Berueda, who has a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Geodetic Engineering, said, “these days ‘affordable’ is not really affordable for everyone. The housing cost is too high that more citizens give up on the idea of having their own home, and instead rent or worse become homeless. I would like to see affordable housing with minimum [qualifying] requirements and the market not be so profit-driven. Small house units may be a good example of affordable housing, coupled with proper planning and implementation that benefit both the consumer and the investor.”
Harris supporter Yorke said, “The government should build more affordable houses and apartments and offer first time buyers an incentive like lower down payments or if there’s a possibility that the government can assist them even a small amount to help them. For low-income families who don’t have any alternative but to rent an apartment or a house, sometimes the rents are too
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high. I suggest government should look into lowering costs by taking on ‘abusive’ corporate landlords. One other way of helping people is for the government to invest in promoting small businesses that drive growth, innovation and jobs. If you have a good paying job, it’s most likely that your chance of buying a house is better.”
Immigration. Harris said she would bring back the bipartisan Border Bill that was introduced earlier this year but failed to even get a hearing in Congress. That bill, which was supported by Biden, puts $20 billion toward new security measures at the southern border and imposes new restrictions toward asylum seekers and migrants without offering much to pro-immigrant groups that call for improvements to processing legal immigration. Her tougher stance on immigration also includes millions of dollars to fund a southern border wall that she in the past criticized and called “un-American.”
Trump also focuses on beefing up border security and personnel. He wants to launch a massive deportation plan to detain and deport 3 to 15 million undocumented immigrants. It’s uncertain how the half a million DACA residents who have legal permits to stay in the country would
be affected by Trump’s deportation plan.
Trump supporter Unciano gripes about the long processing times of immigrants who go through legal channels compared to asylum seekers who are granted entry immediately while they wait in the U.S for their asylum case to be heard. “Why is it that when we petition our immediate families, it could take years for a wife and sometimes 10-20 years for siblings even with full supporting papers.” Unciano said he used to be a Democrat but switched to the Republican party. He’s an immigrant, has been in the country as a U.S. citizen for over 20 years.
Trump backer Gerolaga expressed concern over the large number of illegal immigrants and the possible benefits they receive. She too is an immigrant who’s been living in the U.S. for over 20 years and is a U.S. citizen. She is a Republican.
Erlinda Worley, Manoa, retired government worker is a Harris supporter. She said, “We need com prehensive immigration reform to hasten process ing of green card holders. Trump’s past proposal to replace family-based immigration with merit-based immigration will hurt our communities. He also wanted to get rid of the legal status of birthright
COVER STORY
citizenship. This is upending the entire system. Then how would citizenship be conferred? When Americans say they’re concerned about immigration, it’s not only about border security and illegals that people automatically think. We also mean fixing the broken legal immigration system that needs long overdue updating.”
END TO WARS AND LESS MONEY FOR FOREIGN MILITARY AID
According to the WSJ poll, Trump leads Harris 50% to 39% on who is best able to handle Russia’s war in Ukraine; and he has a 48% to 33% lead over Harris on who is better suited to handle the Israel-Hamas war.
Trump has expressed a desire to end the war in Ukraine but allow Israel to take an even more aggressive approach to wrap up the war in the Middle East. Kamala has vowed to continue unconditional support for Israel like Biden and to fully back Ukraine against Russia.
Harris supporter Salvador said, “We are spending too much money on these wars that do not benefit Americans. We have critical domestic issues to take care of first like strengthening Medicare and Social Security and upgrading our infrastructure.” Salvador is a Democrat.
Worley said she is voting for Jill Stein this election. She voted Democrat since turning 18 years old and this will be her first time to vote third party. “I cannot vote in good conscience for Kamala or Trump because they both indicated a desire to stand by Israel unconditionally even as a genocide is occurring. It breaks my heart to see the killings of tens of thousands of innocents. It is immoral and we should have an immediate arms embargo. We need a leader to be able to tell Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop and accept a ceasefire or we will stop sending
weapons. I hold no illusions that Stein will win. But a moral message must be sent that some Americans do not approve what the U.S. is doing in supporting Israel’s genocide.”
Trump supporter Gerolaga said, “Our money should be spent on our U.S. citizens. Why are we not fixing our internal issues, homelessness, hurricane disaster victims? We give so much to Ukraine and other countries and now FEMA is in financial trouble. We need to fund our own peoples’ needs before we give billions away to other countries.”
PRESERVATION OF DEMOCRACY
A Reuters/Ipsos poll in September found that 58% of respondents in a two-day poll said Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement is threatening America’s democratic foundations. One of the principal arguments Democrats have been making is that if Trump is elected to a second term, Donald Trump would be a threat to democracy. They cite as possible indications of this happening: Trump said himself he wanted to be a dictator for one day if reelected, he sent a mob to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, he is friendly with other world strongmen like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, and many of his former staffers were involved in creating Project 2025. Republicans are mostly unfazed over threats of a future Trump dictatorship.
Raymund Liongson, Ewa Beach, retired professor/civil rights advocate, 69, said he will vote for Harris. “The preservation of freedom and democracy is the existential and most important issue in this coming election. It is more than a Harris vs Trump choice. It is whether we will continue to have America as a free country under the rule of just laws or a repressed nation ruled by a narcissistic, xenophobic, and misogynistic dictator. One candi-
date presents a pro-people, pro-working-class agenda while another promises to be a dictator on Day One. And as far as I know, no dictator has ever given up absolute power on Day Two.” Liongson said he is a Democrat but would not support anyone in the Blue Party who would not meet the three criteria of pro-democracy, decency and good character, and competence.
Salvador said, “Trump is a threat to democracy. If he wins, he will be prepared to implement changes that will challenge our institution. We will have constitutional crisis after another. Trump disavows association with Project 2025 but many of his former staff and appointees were involved in that plan that would upend many of our current systems like changing civil service career employees to political appointees. Of course, that means picking people loyal to Trump.”
Other considerations listed
Filipino respondents also listed as other reasons for choosing their presidential candidate to include healthcare, Medicare/Social Security, lower taxation/reign in on government spending, character and competence.
On the two-party system
A majority of respondents said they were satisfied with the two-party system. Two respondents said they would like to see a viable independent party to challenge the Democrat and Republican Party. Currently, there are many small parties across the U.S. with historically the most organized among them are the Libertarian and the Green Party. In other democracies around the world, there are multiple political parties, and multi-coalitions are formed among these parties.
(Chona Montesines-Sonido and Carlota Ader contributed to this article.)
(
By Emil Guillermo
You know it’s serious when the Democrats bring out their big gun on the campaign trail, Hawaii’s native son, the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama.
The problem is a certain subset—people of color, notably men who are Blacks and Latinos, as well as about 30% of Asian Americans, mostly Filipino and Vietnamese—say they are voting for Donald Trump and not Kamala Harris.
The reason?
“Part of it makes me think that you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president,” Obama told a small group in Pennsylvania last week,
Obama Tries to Break the Bro Culture, Kamala’s Gun, and Trump’s Bad Genes
suggesting that men of color have a misogynistic streak.
But Obama wasn’t stopping there. “So now you’re thinking about sitting out or even supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you… because that is a sign of strength?”
Obama was right, of course. Bypassing Harris for the other guy just doesn’t make any rational sense. The guy who wants to round up and deport all undocumented people? The guy who says immigrants poison the blood of America? The guy who wants to cut the Affordable Care Act?
Some Black critics say Obama was bullying and lecturing men of color, an approach that could backfire among those who don’t want to be told what to do.
The best way to overcome 2024’s intractable Black/Latino/Asian males may not be to persuade them to do the right thing.
Rather, if they are an obstacle to victory, simply go around them with more voters who understand what’s at stake.
That means the fundamentals are still important-registering voters and getting them to turnout.
Hawaii allows in-person voting and same-day registration at voting centers beginning 10 days prior to and through election day.
Online registration deadline: Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked by Monday, October 28, 2024
In-person registration deadline: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Kamala’s Gun
Kamala Harris started the week with a bang.
“I have a Glock and I’ve had it for some time,” she told Bill Whitaker on the special edition of 60 Minutes. “I mean look at my background in law enforcement.”
Duh, right? But it’s a point she needed to ad-
dress. Kamala is a badass with a gun.
Trump? He’s the big ass with a bag of burgers. Voters need to know the things that separate the two candidates. Kamala is the law and order person. Trump is a lawbreaking felon with 34 convictions who thinks he’s above the law.
And that’s how Harris kicked off her media blitz that included “The View,” “Howard Stern,” “Call Me Daddy,” and the Colbert Late Show, then ending up this week in Vegas for good reason.
Guns might help her get the guys.
Black men and Latinx men I talk to get overly macho when you ask them about voting. They blurt out the name “Trump” as if in self-defense.
So again, Harris was
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Former Pres. Barack Obama
Uraro, the ‘Obedience Cookies’ of Liliw, Laguna
By Ivy Regina Montesines Gura
Uraro cookies are those crumbly cookies shaped into bite-sized flowers and wrapped in cellophane or papel de Japon (Japanese paper).
Marinduque, Pampanga, Bataan, and Quezon Province have their own traditional ways of making uraro cookies and have all attained legendary fame in their own right and added richness to Philippine culture.
But let me tell you about the uraro cookies from the little town of Liliw in the province of Laguna, because it has a sentimental and permeating presence in our home.
My mother hails from Liliw. I vividly remember when I was a child, my mother would return to Metro Manila from her occasional trips to Liliw bearing uraro cookies. It was like an “uraro festival” in our home. A time for sweet indulgence without any qualms.
My brothers and I could finish bags of these goodies in one sitting, washing down the sweet,
powdery morsels with glasses of cold milk.
I would often think to myself: “Really, you don’t have to be rich to enjoy such delightful luxury!”
Uraro cookies also sweetened our efforts of building and maintaining friendships with other people.
At Christmas time, street c hildren who knocked on our door got uraro gift packs. We served them to friends and acquaintances who came to visit. Balikbayan relatives were welcomed with platefuls or bags of these delicacies.
As a child, there was a time when I shuddered at the crazy and childish thought that uraro could be the name of a weird wood made into cookies until my mother told me that it was the name of a local plant: the arrowroot plant, the source of flour used in making cookies.
“Farmers and botanists fondly call it the obedience plant because it is easy to control, resilient, and compliant, adapting
well to tropical conditions without big demands,” she explained. And that is why I call uraro the “obedience cookie.”
Many years ago, Liliw was sleepy and uneventful. But look at it today: it has become a bustling town attracting tourists and traders in search of small-town wonders.
Fashionable footwear, mountain resorts, rustic restaurants and food products, including uraro cookies, have contributed much to its transformation as a tourist destination.
The most popular uraro cookies from Liliw are those known for their melt-in-the-mouth quality. They come from the closely guarded recipes of the producers.
Some folks presume the secret lies in the bigger ratio of arrowroot flour to all-purpose flour. Arrowroot flour has a low gluten content, which explains the delicate and powdery texture of the cookie.
As a nutrition and dietetics graduate, I know that arrowroot is rich not
The arrowroot plant is used not only as a source of flour for cakes and cookies but also as a staple food like sweet potato and other roots and tubers.
In fact, in Liliw and other parts of the country where arrowroot is grown, the rhizome or tuber is boiled and eaten with salt and grated coconut, or even with fish and meat.
Using improved cultivation technology and modern flour processing techniques, and with ample support from the government, the uraro cookies producers of Liliw of the province of Laguna, Quezon Province, Marinduque, Pampanga, and Bataan have brighter prospects, now more than ever before, both in the local and export markets.
“What a better place
HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS
Commission Encourages Public Opinion on Hawai’i Gas Rate Increase
The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will conduct a series of hearings where consumers, stakeholders, and the public can express their opinions and ask questions regarding the proposed gas rate changes by Hawai’i Gas, the state’s regulated gas utility.
Hawai’i Gas filed a request for a rate adjustment with the PUC. The rate adjustment will affect monthly bills for residents and businesses across the state.
Hawai’i Gas is seeking an increase in total revenue of approximately 17.67%.
However, the impact on consumers will vary depending on factors such as gas usage, customer classification (residential or commercial), and island of residence.
Those who cannot attend the public hearings, virtually or in person, are encouraged to send written comments to PUC.
“Attending the public hearings or submitting your comments ensures
your voice is heard and your concerns are considered. Together, we can ensure that the final decision reflects the needs and interests of everyone across the state,” noted Executive Director of the Division of Consumer Advocacy (DCA), Michael Angelo.
Hawai’i Gas cites rising operational costs, compliance with regulatory requirements, and ongoing infrastructure investments as reasons for the increase.
DCA acknowledges these challenges for Hawai’i
Gas but its role is to evaluate the proposed rates and aim to minimize the potential financial burden on consumers.
The public hearings are essential in helping the PUC and DCA understand the broader impact of the proposed adjustments to individuals, families, and businesses.
See below the schedule of the remaining in-person public hearings: October 25, 5:30 pmOahu
PUC O’ahu Office, 465 South King Street, Room 103, Honolulu
it would be if we all – the whole world – had cookies and milk at about three o’clock in the afternoon,” wrote Rober Fulghum, author of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”
Indeed, the world would be a better place if all children and adults in the Philippines and around the world could afford to have a snack of cookies, especially uraro or arrowroot cookies, and milk every day – and know no poverty and hunger.
IVY REGINA MONTESINES GURA has degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics and in Education. At present, she works as a public high school teacher. She is married to Francis Gura, also a public high school teacher; they have three children, namely Iris, Bea, and Xavier.
October 28, 5 pmKona, Hawaii Island Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority, Hale Iako Building, Collaboration Area, 73-987 Makako Bay Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 October 29, 5 pmHilo, Hawaii Island University of Hawaii Campus Center, Room 301, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 For the schedule of the remaining virtual public hearings, please visit https://puc.hawaii.gov/ news-release/notice-ofpublic-hearing-hawaiigas-rate-case-docket-no2024-0158/.
Filipino Food Week Launch: Kaon Na Ta!
By Renelaine Bontol Pfister
Kaon na ta is Ilonggo for “let’s eat,” and it’s an apt phrase to use for this year’s Filipino Food Week, which is happening until October 21.
The event coincides with Filipino-American History Month. This is the sixth year of celebration and the theme is “Flavors of Iloilo,” putting the spotlight on the Western Visayas city.
The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu launched the event at the consulate grounds on October 7 with organizers, participants, sponsors, media, and other guests in attendance.
Pamela Durian-Bailon, Acting Head of Post at PCG Honolulu, delivered the welcome remarks at the launch.
Eighteen restaurants are participating: 12 on Oahu, five on Maui, and one in American Samoa.
These restaurants are Balai Pata, Basalt Restaurant Waikiki, Chef Chai, Joey’s Kitchen, Magnolia’s Ice Cream and Treats, Max’s of Manila, Merienda Maui, MW Restaurant, Obake, Olena by Chef Ron Simon, Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi, Sama Sama, Shan-J Restaurant, Skull & Crown Trading Co., Tante’s Island Cuisine, Tiki’s Grill & Bar, Tiffany’s Maui, and Tin Roof Maui. They will be highlighting Ilonggo cuisine, which in November 2023 was cited by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy. Iloilo’s popular dishes include La Paz batchoy, chicken binakol, pancit molo, and KBL (kadyos, baboy, langka).
Bailon remarked how Filipino Food Week aims to highlight the Philippines’ rich culinary offerings and raise awareness and interest in the Philippines.
It is in line with the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour (2024 Ambassador’s Tour) in July this year, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and Rajah Tours.
Close to 230 people from across the United States participated in this tour of Metro Manila, Bacolod, and Cagayan de Oro.
Max’s of Manila, one of the participating restaurants, catered dinner at the media launch on October 7. Maly San Luis, General Manager of Max’s of Manila, talked about one of the
dishes featured that night: Chicken Binakol.
Chicken Binakol is different from the more common Chicken Papaya. Chicken Binakol in coconut water and lemongrass. The dish will be highlighted on the menu of Max’s of Manila during Filipino Food Week.
The other dishes offered at the launch included Fish Cardillo, Chicken Inasal, laswa vegetables, and for dessert, mango sticky rice with coconut sauce. The delicious flavors made me proud of Filipino food.
The drinks were sponsored by G.K. Skaggs, a distributor of beer, wine, and spirits. Michelle Achong, who manned the table, of-
fered well-known Filipino brands like Red Horse beer, San Miguel, and Fundador Brandy. There is a new apple-flavored beer from San Miguel that is light, flavorful, and refreshing.
The drinks paired well with the excellent food and the mood of the night is like that of a fiesta back home. Everybody loves lumpia and adobo, but I was reminded that there is so much more Filipino food to enjoy. Supporting Filipino Food Week will give us the opportunity to do just that.
Mango Sticky Rice with Coconut Sauce
Chicken Inasal
Chicken Binakol
Project 2025 – Trump’s Plans If Elected
By Martina Agunoy
Donald Trump promised he’d be a dictator on day one. The 922 pages of Project 2025 published by the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation are terrifying plans the Republicans have to replace our democracy with a dictatorship run by right wing fascists, dismantle our government, and tear down the United States and life as we know it. Project 2025’s “Mandate for Leadership 2025: The Conservative Promise” sets out the radical actions Republicans will take in the first six months of Trump’s second term.
The Foreword to Project 2025 (page 13), written by Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance, tells what Republicans mean by freedom: the requirement that each person obey the duties of the authors’ views of Christianity, pursue “blessedness” and find fulfillment in the confines of marriage and children. Read Project2025.org. or watch its training videos.
Donald Trump’s senility has been covered up for months. While Joe Biden is constantly criticized for simply aging – talking and walking slowly but still mentally competent – Trump gets a free pass. His psychologist niece Mary Trump warned of his dementia and said American Psychiatric Association rules prohibit MDs from professional opinions. Republicans refuse to remove Trump because as long as he has power, they can manipulate him to do as they direct.
Kamala Harris invited viewers to watch Trump’s rallies to see his cogni-
tive decline. FOX News stopped broadcasting Trump’s rallies because his mental incapacity is too evident. Trump:
• praises the “late, great Hannibal Lecter, a fine human being”
• tells that California has a giant faucet that diverts all the water to the Pacific Ocean
• insists immigrants steal their neighbors’ cats and dogs and steal geese from parks to eat them
• says that windmills cause cancer in whales and humans
• claims that children go to school as a boy or girl then come home as the opposite gender, without any parental consent
• talks about choosing between being eaten by sharks or electrocuted by batteries in seawater
• claims that in Democratic states, doctors can kill babies who were just born, something that never happens anywhere in the country
People would consider anyone else a crazy man for talking like this. Trump is fit to be in a nursing home, not in the White House. He should not be anywhere near our military’s nuclear codes.
Republicans want to control your sex life, even if the mother dies
Deaths among pregnant women rose by 56% in Texas since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022. In Texas, private citizens can sue those who help pregnant woman
travel and can sue doctors or clinic employees who help or arrange for abortions. The fear of being sued by anyone ended abortion in Texas even before Roe was overturned. Women with cancer or other conditions requiring treatment that hurts the fetus are not protected. Doctors are afraid to save lives because of the threat of criminal prosecution, loss of medical licenses, fines, and bounty hunter lawsuits.
• 1 in 5 pregnancies ends in a miscarriage and an abortion is needed to remove the dead fetus to prevent the mother from dying of infection
• 22 Republican-led states have abortion bans
• 1 in 3 women of childbearing age lives in a Republican-led state with an abortion ban
Project 2025:
• Allows emergency rooms to deny abortions to save a mother’s life
• Blocks access to birth control
• Orders the Centers for Disease Control to monitor and track pregnancies and miscarriages to prevent abortion and to require pregnancies to be carried to birth. States that refuse to provide this data would lose federal funding.
• Allows criminal prosecution of women who receive abortions
• Prohibits training medical students on abortion procedures, which techniques are also used to save pregnant women’s lives when complications arise
• Renames the Dept.
of Health and Human Services to the Department of Life, to “maintain a biblically based definition of marriage and family”
• Allows institutions to deny reproductive care in all 50 states
• Bans mailing abortion pills
• Criminalizes pornography
• Prohibits in vitro fertilization because embryos are given the legal status as persons born
If you work for the federal government, you will lose your job
• Tens of thousands of federal workers would be immediately fired and replaced by Trump loyalists. Merit would be replaced by loyalty as the basis for hiring in federal jobs.
• Thousands more federal employees would be fired under abolishment of the Department of Education, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, Of-
fice of State and Community Energy Programs, and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs, and others.
• Trump would control agencies that currently operate independently based on expertise.
If you have a job, expect to lose pay and opportunities
• Allows employers to stop paying for overtime pay by changing the rules on overtime
• Remove all unions
• Favors Jews and Christians in union-sponsored apprenticeship or vocational education
• Directs federal prosecution of all employers that promote DEI in their workforce, including state and local governments –resulting inevitably with hiring fewer nonwhites or women
President Biden is the most labor friendly president in our history, being the first to join workers on the picket line. He averted the recent ports strike
(continue on page 11)
by refusing to invoke the Taft-Hartley law and instead encouraged management to share its profits with the workers who produce them.
Presidents Obama and Biden expanded workers’ ability to earn overtime pay by increasing the threshold under which employers must pay for overtime. Obama set the threshold to $47,476 (1.3 million workers) and Biden raised that to $58,656 (4 million workers). President Trump slashed the limit to $35,568, blocking workers who earned more than this from getting overtime pay.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) would lose its independence
• Removes independence of 2,000 locally elected district attorneys across country
• Removes independence of DOJ, giving control of prosecutions to Trump
• Trump promised on October 13-14. 2024 that he would send the military to arrest, prosecute, and potentially execute political opponents.
Innocent people could be prosecuted on false
charges if deemed “an enemy” and preventing prosecutions of crimes for “friends”. Trump Attorney General Bill Barr blocked prosecution of Trump for illegally accepting $10 million cash from the Egyptian government, and prosecution under the Mueller investigation.
The Republicans are setting up people to die of natural disasters
• Dismantles National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which tracks tornadoes, floods, snowstorms, hurricanes, tsunami, storm surges, derechos, and weather. NOAA is the source of evacuation warnings to leave affected areas or seek shelter.
• Abolishes federal aid for disasters, shifting all costs to the states
• Eliminates disaster relief loans to small businesses
• Privatizes the National Flood Insurance Program that provides affordable insurance to almost 23,000 communities in high-risk flood areas, a move that leads to unaffordable rates
(EDITORIAL: The Conondrum ....from page 3)
Because of this lack of real options, we see changes within the Republican and Democratic parties are painstakingly slow and unresponsive to the urgent needs of Americans. But when these transformations within parties finally do occur -- for better or for worse -- because of this sluggish response, these changes appear to take a sudden extremist turn out of desperation like when water suddenly reaches a boiling point.
The clearest example of this occurred in the takeover of Trump MAGA right-wing extremism in the Republican party from
OPEN FORUM
and uninsured homeowners.
Trump as president refused to help victims of natural disasters unless they voted for him.
• Hurricane Matthew, North Carolina, October 2016, damage $1.5 billion, 26 dead North Carolina needed $929 million – Trump approved $6.1 million in aid
• Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico, September 2017, 3,000 dead -- no aid
• COVID: diverted supplies and equipment ordered by Democratic states to Republican states
• Wildfires, California, 2018
To get him to approve aid, security aides Mark Harvey and Olivia Troye had to show him there were more Trump voters among wildfire victims than in all of Iowa.
• Trump pledged on October 12, 2024 in Coachella not to send wildfire aid to California
• Olivia Troye reported that government officials regularly called her office begging for help because Trump refused to sign docu-
traditional GOP neocons.
That change was swift and caught even political experts by surprise. Certainly, the Tea Party’s reemergence in 2012 paved the way for a MAGA revolution in the GOP, but prior to that the traditional neocons have been running the show since Ronald Reagan with little challenge in the Republican party internally.
What transformations are happening in the Democratic Party? In 2016 and 2020, the Democratic Party showed the emergence of Progressivism politics which movement continues. However,
ments approving disaster aid.
The Republicans will abolish public schools
• Abolishes Department of Education
• Eliminates HeadStart, which provides preschool for children from low-income families
• J.D. Vance said the solution to childcare is for aunts and grandparents to watch children, and that this was the function of post-menopausal women.
Republicans plan to restrict access to medical treatment and let you die
• Eliminates Obamacare, depriving tens of millions of Americans (in 2024, 21.3 new enrollees)
• Allows insurers to deny coverage for medical treatment
• Allows denial of enrollment in health plans to anyone who has a pre-existing condition
• Changes Medicare to a “prior authorization provider network” system where treatment can be denied and patients have to use providers in the network
because the neocons and traditional conservatives lost their place within the GOP, the more independent faction of this group has now moved to the Democratic Party. This shift is more prominent among the big donors and establishment corporatocracy of the GOP. As a result, there is a “hijacking” effect of the Democratic party with the new infiltration of disenfranchised Republicans-independents with greater tension within the Democrat party as a result. Furthermore the 2016, 2020 progressive revolution has lost ground, and their
• Increase Medicare prescription drug prices, reversing price cuts achieved by Biden (insulin cap $35/month, caps on 10 most common prescriptions for senior citizens)
Immigration
• Elimates: family-based visas, Guest Worker visas, student visas from “enemy” nations
• Targets for deportation about 11 million migrants, with a 100% deportation rate
• Empowers Federal agents to arrest immigrants in private homes, churches, job sites, and schools, without checking if these persons have documents of legal status
• Overseen by Tom Homan, who separated children from parents at border without records for reuniting families - Homan said he did not care about the controversy.
vision stunted in development in 2024.
Third party this election
While the need for a viable third party in the long-term would benefit Americans in having more choices and a stronger democracy, each election voters are faced with a real conundrum to either finally jump ship and vote third party knowing they would be voting for a losing candidate -- and have the candidate they absolutely abhor -win or continue to vote once again for the same party out of a logic that you are voting for “the lesser of two evils.” This election we are
not advocating either way that voters should vote for a third-party. What we encourage as we do with all elections is that voters choose a candidate that best reflects their values and needs. This idea of a “spoiler” candidate is old and absurd. A political party cannot blame a third-party option as a spoiler candidate. All it shows is that your political party hasn’t earned enough votes to win because the leaders in your political party haven’t been listening to the needs of a majority of the electorate. And this should signal to the losing party to do better the next time.
Prolonged Eruptions Detected at Taal Volcano
By Dominique Nicole Flores October 16, 2024
MANILA, Philippines — Taal Volcano has been experiencing extended periods of phreatic eruption events over the past three days, according to state seismologists at Phivolcs.
From October 13 to October 15, two phreatic eruptions occurred each day, following a 10-hour volcanic tremor on October 12.
The bureau reported on
Wednesday, October 16, two phreatic eruptions at Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours, lasting between two and 14 minutes.
An October 15 advisory noted that the two phreatic eruptions on Monday lasted four to seven minutes.
On Sunday, two phreatic eruptions ranged from three to 13 minutes, according to Phivolcs’ October 14 advisory.
“Yes,” Harris laughed. “Of course, I have, at a shooting range.”
Lyft Focus Groups
When I visited Nevada recently, I saw a “Harris Supports Filipino Pride” billboard along the highway. But I still sensed that freedom-loving women there would have to carry that battleground state.
That’s after talking to Nevadans during my “Lyft ride focus groups,” (the only times I had a real captive audience).
One Black male driver was so anti-Harris that when I pointed out a previous passenger left a pro-Harris poster, he reached back, grabbed the sign, and ripped it to shreds.
He explained he wasn’t supporting anyone. He had no time for politics. He was just happy driving his Lyft and being left alone.
In fact, few really wanted to talk politics. The Filipino guys I talked to weren’t willing to engage. Among folks I randomly encountered, there was a real disenchantment with the government and our leaders. Most all the drivers I had were youngish, under 40, and concerned about the economy.
The Latinx drivers were slightly more willing to talk.
Phivolcs often logged one phreatic eruption each day.
This came after October 5, when there were seven eruptions.
Since October 9, most
“Voting for Trump?” I asked.
“Look at the price of gas, the price of anything,” they said. “It’s been tough.”
I told them inflation is down to 2.5%. And that if Trump got in, he’s going to impose tariffs on Chinese goods, that companies would pass on to consumers. Nobel economists say Trump’s economic plan guarantees greater inflation.
Their best response?
“Harris has had four years.” Really? In the No.2 subordinate role, where you serve at the pleasure of the president. If a vice president is so influential, why don’t the MAGA guys take the guy they wanted to hang more seriously? Mike Pence says he’s not voting for Trump for good reason.
On my last day, I got a driver, a Mexican immigrant named Enrique. To him, there was no question who he’d be voting for.
“Anyone but Trump,” he said. “I’m voting for her.”
A shot of testosteronic sanity in the desert.
The race is so close, that it’s hard to figure out what the national polls truly reflect.
Harris is ahead by 2 percentage points, 4947%, according to the latest Times/Sienna College poll. But that could reflect an abundance of California voters where Harris leads big. Or it could reflect an abundance of Florida vot-
eruptions have been less than seven minutes long. However, eruption durations have increased after October 12.
Sulfur dioxide flux. Sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano have also risen significantly.
As of October 14, the volcano emitted around 2,064 tonnes of sulfur dioxide daily, with a plume reaching 900 meters.
This marks an increase from the 1,256 tonnes emitted on October 12 when
ers, where Trump leads bigly.
The Electoral College is what counts, and that’s where attracting men of color in swing states could make a bigger real difference than swaying undecideds or independents.
Racist Trump’s bad genes
Harris said a lot in that “60 Minutes” program in which Donald Trump refused to participate. He didn’t want to be factchecked. But the show factchecks everybody. He also claimed “60 Minutes” lied about him in a 2020 report. It didn’t.
Maybe Trump backed out because he was spouting off Hitlerian philosophy on a friendly conservative talk radio program. Trump has gone beyond the simple “they’re eating dogs, they’re eating cats.”
Now Trump says this:
“How about allowing people to come to an open border, 13,000 of which were murderers. Many of them murdered far more than one person. And they are now happily living in the United States. You know, now a murderer, I believe this, it’s in their genes, and we got a lot of bad genes in our country right now.”
Trump was shooting off his mouth like the conservatives in California in the 1940s who espoused Eugenics – the belief that had our state’s mental hospitals rounding up, commit-
the volcano’s plume only reached 600 meters. Phivolcs classified this as weak emissions.
However, the present sulfur dioxide flux remains less than the emissions produced by Taal’s eruption on October 9, which was at 2,256 tonnes per day with the mixture of magmatic gases and volcanic particles reaching a height of 3,000 meters.
Phivolcs has maintained Taal Volcano at Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest with moderate emissions. (www.philstar.com)
ting and sterilizing all those deemed “imbeciles” in order to control the genetics of our state in the name of a better society.
Hitler liked going after bad genes too. It’s an idea that may peel off some men of color to take a second look at Harris.
But the “60 Minutes” exchange that stunned me was when Whitaker, an African American reporter, asked, “There’s so many people supporting Donald Trump, the man you’ve called a racist. How do you bridge that seemingly unbridgeable gap?”
What a weird question. People of color have had to bridge the racist gap all our lives. Harris knew how to answer.
“I believe that the people of America want the leader who’s not trying to divide us and demean,” Harris said.
“I believe that the American people recognize that the true measure of the strength of a leader is not based on who you beat down. It’s based on who you lift up.”
We know Trump lifts up elite whites and billionaires. Now add dictators, according to Bob Woodward (the Watergate author with Carl Bernstein). In his new book, Woodward reports Trump, when COVID-19 tests weren’t readily available to Americans, sent Putin COVID-19 tests for his personal use.
That’s who Trump lifts up. The enemy.
To further cement his lack of fitness for office, Trump continued talking to Putin long after losing the presidency, according to Woodward. Harris addressed all that on the “Howard Stern” show.
“Donald Trump has the desire to be a dictator,” she said. “He admires strong men, and he gets played by them because he thinks that they’re his friends, and they are manipulating him full time, manipulating him by flattery and favor.”
Americans were dying trying to get COVID tests and the president was sending tests in secret to a murderous dictator, Harris said on the Stern show.
With less than a month to go, hard to imagine people don’t have enough in order to commit to one candidate now. Even hardcore MAGA males must realize the danger of Trump. Whenever Trump opens his mouth, he shoots himself in the foot. Every news cycle there’s something Trump says or does that reinforces the notion that he’s a depraved, older man who isn’t qualified to lead the world’s No.1 democracy.
If you can vote early, do so, then tell your friends why it’s important to vote in an election where every vote counts.
EMIL GUILLERMO is a journalist and commentator. His talk show is on www.amok. com.
UNBENDING CANE–Pablo Manlapit, A Filipino Labor Leader in Hawai’i
By Rose Cruz Churma
Filipinos arrived in the islands due to Territorial Hawai’i’s need for labor and the promise of bettering their economic status.
However, low wages limited their access to a better life, thus triggering their active role in labor organizing, which continues to this day.
A confluence of recent events raised interest in the Filipino labor leader, Pablo Manlapit.
Although this book was published in 2002— more than two decades ago, it is as relevant and should be read to those who value the Filipinos’ role in Hawai’i’s labor history.
According to his family’s stories, the teen-aged Pablo tried to “run-away” three times and was successful in eluding his father the third time from being taken off the ship that was leaving Manila Bay for Hawaii.
His family was originally from Lipa, Batangas, known for its coffee. The young Pablo was nine years old when the Americans occupied Lipa and introduced a public system of education.
He completed his elementary and intermediate education in Lipa before the family moved to Manila. It must be through these Thomasites (American teachers sent to teach in the Philippines) that he learned English.
He later honed his English-speaking skills through his jobs at American companies when he and his family moved to Manila.
He arrived in Hawaii on 10 January 1910, seven days before he turned 19, and was immediately sent to work at Kuka’iau sugar
plantation on the Big Island.
After working for just a week in the fields (he never had any experience as an agricultural field worker before), he was promoted to the foreman (luna), then later to the timekeeper. His ability to speak English worked in his favor.
But in 1913 when the price of the workers’ harvesting contract was reduced from $4.50 to $4.00 per hectare without notice, Manlapit led a strike with his fellow Filipino workers. Because of this, he was blacklisted and fired in the late 1913.
By then, he had been married to Annie Kasby who was of German American ancestry. Their oldest daughter Alice was born at the Kuka’iau sugar plantation in 1913 before the family was forced to leave the plantation.
The family moved to Hilo and Manlapit supported his family with various jobs—serving as a court interpreter, managing a pool hall, and publishing the weekly Ang Sandata.
By this time the Hawaii Sugar Planters Association (HSPA) had him under watch, but the sugar planters were unsuccessful in getting him convicted and out of circulation.
The family eventually moved to Honolulu in 1914 and Manlapit earned his livelihood by doing a variety of jobs— re-publishing his newspaper weekly in 1916 while working as a stevedore.
That same year, he joined the longshoremen’s strike and was beaten up when he admonished fellow Filipinos not to break strikes.
From 1918 to 1919 he worked for Attorney Wil-
liam J. Sheldon as a janitor and interpreter.
Manlapit studied his boss’ law books during his spare time and then applied for a license to practice law in Territorial Hawai’i.
He passed the required exams and was granted a license to “represent clients in the District Courts” on 19 December 1919. He would be the first Filipino to practice law in Hawai’i.
During these years, Manlapit was one of the few Filipinos who spoke up for the workers. However, unlike his Filipino comrades, he was not focused on Filipino issues alone but advocated for all workers regardless of their ethnic backgrounds.
Among those who shared the same view as Manlapit was Fred Makino, who spearheaded the Japanese Plantation strike of 1909, who after conviction and serving his prison time started the Hawaii Hochi, a Japanese-language newspaper.
Manlapit and Makino’s friendship survived the tests of time. Makino would be one of Manlapit’s dependable supporters throughout the hard times.
Despite the sugar planters’ desire to foster distrust between the Japanese and Filipino workers and their leaders, the two groups joined forces in the strike of 1920.
Manlapit survived the
1920 strike and all sorts of charges against him were dropped. But not for the majority of Japanese labor leaders who were convicted and sent to prison. The number of Japanese workers declined in the plantations, replaced mostly by new recruits from the Philippines.
In 1921, Pablo Manlapit was 30 years old and lived a comfortable life with his wife and four children as a practicing lawyer in Honolulu. He was a happy family man (and even had his photo taken at a studio as shown on the book’s cover) and kept abreast of news from the Philippines, but had no plans of returning. Hawai’i had become home for him and his family.
Instead of leading a quiet and comfortable life, his labor activities continued. By late 1922, Manlapit and George Wright, a labor organizer, launched the High Wages Movement, which gained momentum in 1923.
Among the demands of the group were an eight-hour work day, an increase to the minimum wage, double pay for overtime and Sunday work, better living conditions, equal pay for men and women doing the same work, and recognition of workers’ rights to collective bargaining— demands that we now take for granted.
The HSPA ignored the demands, such that the “…big strike of 1924 flowed like a slow-moving lava from April to September on the islands of O’ahu, Hawai’i, Maui, and Kaua’i.”
This would be the first strike that involved all major islands in the Territory of Hawai’i, and Pablo Manlapit was the
acknowledged leader. It would also be the most violent with the death of 16 strikers and four law enforcement officers on September 9, 1924, and came to be known as the “Hanapepe Massacre.”
Those in power back then believed that the strikers shot first and blamed the strike leaders for the tragedy in Hanapepe. In 1924, Manlapit faced several legal suits, one of which was a conspiracy charge lodged by the government. That trial started on September 15, a few days after the “Hanapepe Massacre” and was found guilty.
His defense attorney believed that Manlapit was “railroaded in the penitentiary.”
Manlapit’s family fell on hard times when he went to prison. His children were sent to the Kalihi Orphanage for temporary institutional care while his wife worked at a commercial laundry to survive.
From his prison cell, Manlapit fought for his release and was granted conditional parole, such that on 13 August 1927, he left for California. His parting letter was published the next day.
He wrote, “My offense was not against any law of morality or against any political statute but against a system of industrial exploitation…”
He was 36 years old, and little did he know then that his extraordinary life was just gaining momentum.
If the first three chapters of the book covered Manlapit’s life until his deportation to California, the last six chapters would describe the next decades of his life’s trajectory.
(continue on page 15)
He Reigns
By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan
In recent months, I have found myself losing sleep, consumed by thoughts of the future and the uncertainty it holds.
Living in a beautiful and peaceful country, I should feel secure, but as a temporary resident, I am constantly reminded of how tenuous my place here is.
My feet feel unsteady as if they cannot fully plant on the ground beneath me.
Yet, while I am caught in this spiral of worry about the unknown, I am repeatedly confronted by far more immediate realities— the tragedies and disasters that flood the news: wars, hurricanes, human suffering.
This stark contrast struck me deeply.
Here I am, lying comfortably in my bed, sheltered by a roof and warmed
by a blanket, preoccupied with an uncertain future beyond my control.
Meanwhile, across the world, countless people— young and old—cannot afford the luxury of peaceful sleep.
For them, the future is not a distant worry but a fragile thing, one that could be extinguished in an instant.
Recently, a friend reached out, asking for prayers for her friends in Lebanon who were fleeing for their lives.
At the same time, friends in Israel messaged me, pleading for prayers as missiles streaked across the sky.
My mother, who lives in Florida, warned me of the powerful winds and rains sweeping across the state, asking for prayers for her friends in the storm’s path.
(BOOK REVIEW: Unbending ....from page 14)
He would receive the pardon he deserved in 1952, and passed away at his country of birth in 1969 at the age of 78.
Although this book is primarily a biography of Manlapit, it is also “the closest work to a preWorld War II history of Filipino Americans in Hawaii” as Jon Okamura wrote in his review of the book.
This adds to the book’s merit as it captures the essence of what it was like to live in the plantation era from a Filipino worker’s perspective.
Melinda Tria Kerkvliet received her doctorate in history from the University of Hawai’i. Her book, Manila Workers’ Unions, 1900-1950, was published in 1992.
She is a former director of Operation Manong (now Office of Multicultural Student Services) at the University of Hawai’i. She was fortunate to
My daughter’s Ukrainian friend expressed fears for a loved one who had returned to their war-ravaged homeland.
Everywhere I turn, I am surrounded by stories of suffering: families fighting for survival in Gaza, Sudan, and other war-torn and disaster-stricken nations, including my homeland.
The terror these people face each day is unimaginable.
While I have the privilege of worrying about the distant future, they are focused on surviving the next hour, the next minute, and even the next breath.
meet the children of Pablo Manlapit whose recollections of their father’s activities, hopes and dreams added depth to this biography.
As a member of the Filipino American Historical Society of Hawai’i (FAHSOH) she has conducted oral interviews with several Hawai’i residents to ensure that Filipinos’ contributions to Hawai’i are documented and preserved for future generations.
The best activity to commemorate this year’s Filipino-American History Month—read this book and be inspired.
ROSE CRUZ CHURMA established Kalamansi Books & Things three decades ago. It has evolved from a mail-order bookstore into an online advocacy with the intent of helping global Pinoys discover their heritage by promoting books of value from the Philippines and those written by Filipinos in the Diaspora. We can be reached at kalamansibooks@gmail.com.
For me, the future is something I can plan for. For them, it is something that might never come.
We live in a world so painfully divided—a world where some rest easily in their beds while others tremble in fear, where some feast extravagantly while others scrounge for crumbs.
In witnessing the suffering of these faceless people, my heart began to change.
I am no longer consumed by my own worries and ambitions. My eyes have been opened to the needs and cries of those around the world.
The concerns that once occupied my mind—my plans, my future—seem small and selfish in comparison.
Now, as the nights pass, I find myself losing sleep for a different reason. No longer am I kept awake by anxiety about my future.
Instead, I lie awake in prayer, my heart breaking for the families, children, and communities facing unimaginable horrors.
PHILIPPINE NEWS
As tears fall, I feel an overwhelming sense of compassion—a deep connection to the pain of others.
It is in these quiet, sleepless moments that I sense God’s presence, reminding me that He is with those who suffer.
He hears their cries. His heart breaks for them, too. Despite the darkness that seems to engulf the world, He assures me that He is still sovereign, still at work, still victorious, and always the Light of the world.
This transformation in my heart is profound. I feel God calling me to shift my focus from myself to others, to become a vessel of His love and compassion. While I pray for those who suffer, He comforts me, reminding me that He is mindful of my own needs and my future. In caring for others, I am reassured that He is taking care of me. Isn’t He a great God indeed? Take courage, my heart. Stay steadfast, my soul. He reigns.
Pinoy Math Wizards Win 19 Medals in International Contest
By Neil Jayson Servallos October 15, 2024
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino students from public and private schools across the country brought home 19 medals during the 21st International Mathematics and Science Olympiad in China from Oct. 1 to 6.
The Mathematics Trainers’ Guild Philippines (MTG), the organization that trained the students, said the students won a gold, 10 silver and eight bronze medals in the competition.
The Filipino students competed at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences against over 300 students from Botswana, Bulgaria, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Ne-
pal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and China.
MTG head Simon Chua commended the Philippine contingent’s gold medalist, Heal Job Esio, a Grade 6 student of Pangasinan Universal Institute in Dagupan City. The silver medalists are Elizur Daniel Anabieza of Divine Light Academy; Bianca Jayne Ong and Annette Tiffany Yu of St. John’s Institute Bacolod; Ezekiel Anton Tan, Mishael Oikos Chan and Yingqi Lu of St. Jude Catholic School; Steve Jacob Yu of Xavier School; Leonard Vash Cay of Xavier School Nuvali; Savannah Lucia Sabeen de Guzman of St. Paul Col-
lege Pasig and Sophia Yzabel Tiu of Special Education Center for the Gifted. The bronze medal winners are Eunice Gaerlan of BHC Institution, Erin Leighton Go and Carlo Aceret of St. Jude Catholic School, Kaylee Nichole Tan of Pangasinan Universal Institute, Miguel Yee of St. John’s Institute Bacolod, Issaiah Sean Escobido of Iloilo Scholastic Academy, Alexander Gabriel Ho of Paco Citizen Academy and Anne Dorothy Madrazo of Timoteo Paez Elementary School. MTG-trained math students have won 242 medals so far this year from international contests, bringing the country’s medal haul to 6,556 in five years. (www. philstar.com)
A Global Saint With Ties to the Philippines
By Norma Olizon-Chikiamco
The saint that’s almost ours. That, perhaps, is how Filipinos can call St. Sharbel, the first Lebanese to be canonized a saint.
That’s because St. Sharbel has relatives who have lived in the Philippines since the early 20th century when a group of Lebanese migrated to the Philippines. Among them was Butrous Fakhris, who was St. Sharbel’s cousin.
According to his son, UP Professor Pedro Abraham, their grandmother Hanna was the sister of Sharbel’s mother, Brigitta. Thus, Butrous and Sharbel were cousins. Butrous married Josefina Pagulayan Reyes, and they settled in Tuguegarao, Cagayan. Among their children were Joe and Professor Pedro Abraham, who in effect are the grandnephews of St. Sharbel.
Joe Abraham later married Julie Roa and it was through my friend
Tess Bernales, who’s the cousin of Julie, that I first learned of St. Sharbel. That makes Julie the grandniece-in-law of St. Sharbel.
Born Yousef Antoun Makhlouf on May 8, 1828 in North Lebanon, St. Sharbel was the youngest child of Antoun Zaarour Makhlouf and Brigitta Elias al-Shediyaq. It was from them that the young Yousef learned piety and devotion. Religiosity, in fact, ran in the family. His two maternal uncles were monks who inspired him just as the hermits of the Lebanese Maronite Order did.
According to the organization Family of St. Sharbel USA, the young Yousef was so pious that the villagers called him “the Saint.” When he would take his small herd to graze in the fields, he would slip away to pray before a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
At 23, he entered the monastery of Mayfouk. It
was then that he chose the name Sharbel (sometimes spelled Charbel) in honor of a second-century martyr. He was ordained a priest in 1859 in the Lebanese Catholic Maronite Order.
An early miracle was the “Miracle of the Lamp.” According to legend, he once asked a worker to refill the oil lamp he was using. Although the worker filled it only with water, the lamp continued to glow, spreading its wondrous light all through the night.
On Dec. 16, 1898, St.
cle happened in St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona. A woman regained her eyesight after praying over the relics of St. Sharbel. Subsequent medical tests confirmed that she had been healed.
Because of this, St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church was designated a pilgrimage church by Bishop A. Elias Zaidan. A shrine dedicated to St. Sharbel was inaugurated in March 2017.
Sharbel suffered a stroke. He endured eight days of pain, all the while praying and saying the names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. He died on Christmas Eve that year, and was buried on a bleak, snowy winter day.
Witnesses said that immediately after his burial, bright lights illuminated his tomb. When Church authorities opened his tomb, they found St. Sharbel’s body intact and incorrupt but emitting sweat and blood. Soon, many began to flock to the Maronite monastery. Two spectacular miracles were the healing of Sister Maria Abel Kamari, S.S.C.C., and of Alessandro Obeid.
According to the Family of St. Sharbel USA, Sister Kamari suffered from an intense intestinal disorder. But after praying to St. Sharbel, she was healed. Likewise, Obeid regained his eyesight after praying to St. Sharbel.
According to St. Maron’s monastery, there have been at least 26,000 documented healings attributed to the intercession of St. Sharbel. These miracles happened not just in Lebanon but also worldwide, even to those who belonged to other religions.
One recent mira-
My friend Tess Bernales and her companion Dr. Fides Buenafe recently attended Holy Mass in that church. “It was a moving experience,” Tess said.
A more recent miracle happened to the mother of a Filipina working in Lebanon. In the website Family, Tradition, Property, Ben Broussard narrates the story of a Filipina who worked as a nanny in Lebanon. The nanny soon heard that her mother back in the Philippines was dying of cancer.
After praying to St. Sharbel the nanny called her mother, who excitedly said, “Tell the family you work for thank you for the doctor they sent.” But they hadn’t sent any doctor. The doctor, she said, gave her some juice to drink, which immediately made her feel better. Her description of the mysterious doctor fits the image of St. Sharbel exactly. Subsequent examinations by doctors confirmed her complete healing.
Miracles in Phoenix, the Philippines, Lebanon, and all over the world, St. Sharbel has truly become a global saint. He belongs not just to Lebanon, to Catholics, and to the Filipinos. St. Sharbel belongs to the world. (philstarlife. com)
St. Sharbel
Civic Engagement - New Leader Call to Action
By Gary Hooser
While it may sound a bit corny, I believe every one of us wants to change the world for the better.
We each see the injustice, the pain, the hardship, and the ugliness, and each of us wants to help in some way.
Over time some become jaded and perhaps forget the earlier moments of idealism.
But deep down each of us knows in our heart and soul that we as individuals, have the power to make the world a better place - in big ways and in small.
Imagine if we each acted daily on that belief. Imagine the combined power of each of us daily helping the elderly neighbor next door cut the grass or take out their trash.
What if we, on occasion took, some small amount of food down to the food bank, and/or made a $10 recurring financial contribution to a worthy cause?
How about if every single time we went for a walk - we made it a point to pick up litter instead of stepping over it?
Imagine that
Imagine the positive energy that would flow from taking one small step each day toward improving the world around us - every single day. Then multiply that by all of us.
Yes, of course, we have to put the oxygen mask on our own family members first, before we try to help others.
I get that, but I also believe that “we are all in this together”. At least that’s the creed I live by.
So, put that mask on
your youngest, then turn to your neighbor and help them as well.
Then plant a tree, recycle your cans, paper, and food waste - and take ownership of your democracy by filling in that ballot that came in the mail.
Civic engagement and community service go hand-in-hand. Putting family first is a must but it’s not a valid excuse for neglecting the other.
We’re all busy. We all have bills to pay, health and family issues to deal with, etc.
However, we’re not so busy we can’t pick up litter when we’re outside, offer our neighbor a hand when they need it, or simply share a smile and kind word with a stranger over the counter.
Voting by mail takes 15 minutes every two years - max. If you’re not sure who to vote for, Google the candidates,
ask a friend or neighbor whom you respect or visit https://garyhooser. blog/
Ditto to making the phone call or sending an email to your legislator or Councilmember a couple of times per year. It takes only a few minutes and the cumulative impact is potentially huge.
Voting, sending off that email testimony, helping your neighbor, picking up trash along the road, and other small acts of civic and community service are essential basic components of citizenship - but to move forward, we need that and more.
From those who can give more, we need moremore time, more fundraising help, more involvement in the community, and more participation in policy and politics. You know who you are so please step up. Don’t wait to be dragged
PHILIPPINE NEWS
Philippines, US Hold Anti-Submarine, Coastal Defense Drills
By Michael Punongbayan October 16, 2024
MANILA, Philippines — It was a show of force and test of interoperability by the militaries of the Philippines, the United States and other major allies, which kicked off their joint maneuvers in different parts of the country both at sea and on land on Monday.
In the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Navy and the US Navy conducted anti-submarine and night patrol exercises as part of their Sama-Sama (together) military drills. Japan, Australia, Canada and France will later join the exercise.
The naval maneuver took place against the backdrop of the increasing number of Chinese vessels – including warships – in the West Philippine Sea.
Based on monitoring by the Philippine Navy, Chinese vessels in Philippine waters totaled 34 from Oct. 7 to 13, up from 28 the previous week.
In Pili, Camarines Norte and in other parts of the Bicol Region, Filipino and Australian soldiers held war drills as part of the second leg of this year’s Exercise Kasangga 2024.
The joint exercise, involving 216 Philippine Army personnel and 50 Australian soldiers, will run until Nov. 8.
The Western Mind-
kicking and screaming down the aisle of community and civic service - step up and step forward now.
Our world desperately needs new leadership at all levels, public and private. We need leaders who share in the “We are all in this together” creed and who put the needs of people and the planet first - above greed and corporate profits.
If you’re interested, if you feel a calling, if you have roots in your community, if you have some track record of leadership, and perhaps you’re not sure and want to learn more - I’d be happy to possibly help or at the minimum share with you my experience working in the world of policy and politics.
GARY HOOSER is a former Hawaiʻi State Senator and Majority Leader.
anao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, is spearheading a two-week capability enhancement drill dubbed as Joint, Combined and Inter-Agency Maritime Security Training Exercise.
AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the launch on Monday of the Sa-
ma-Sama advanced maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea was a success.
Participating in the naval exercise were the Philippine Navy’s guided missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal and US Navy destroyer USS Howard.
“Focusing on anti-submarine warfare and joint patrol operations, the
exercise highlights both nations’ commitment to enhancing interoperability and collective defense capabilities in maritime security,” Trinidad said.
Monday’s activities, he said, included the Combined Anti-Submarine Exercise (CASEX) involving Torpedo Exercises using the Expandable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target.
He noted that both navies were able to hone their anti-submarine warfare techniques in a realistic and controlled environment.
In addition to CASEX, both navies also conducted Joint and Combined Patrol (Night Steaming in Company), simulating real-world scenarios of patrolling contested waters.
“This drill aimed to enhance coordination be(continue on page 18)
A multi-role AW159 helicopter prepares for takeoff from the BRP Jose Rizal frigate, with the USS Howard destroyer trailing, during anti-submarine drills as part of the SamaSama military exercises in the West Philippine Sea on Oct. 14
By Dr. Arcelita Imasa
I’ve been hearing a lot about Project 2025 concerning the upcoming national elections. What is it, and what does it mean for everyday workers like me and our families? – Reader
Dear Reader,
We are so glad you asked.
The Hawai’i Workers Center is a non-partisan organization whose mission is to educate, organize, and advocate for policies that improve and uplift the well-being of working families, especially lower-wage workers.
Thus, we think the labor proposals in Project 2025 need a closer look.
Project 2025 is an almost 900-page document written by the conservative think-tank Heritage Foundation. Its purpose is to be the plan that former President Trump would imple-
tween participating units in a nighttime operational setting, improving response capabilities in crisis situations,” he explained.
Trinidad said Philippine and US naval forces also executed Search and Rescue Exercises and Shipboard Casualty Care drills, “further demonstrating their readiness to respond to both traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges.”
Trinidad said the ongoing Sea Phase of Sama-Sama 2024 highlight-
HAWAII WORKERS CORNER
What is Project 2025?
ment, starting on day one, if he were to be reelected.
Recently Trump has tried to distance himself from the largely unpopular, extreme set of policy proposals.
However, at least 140 people who worked for him were involved in writing the Project 2025 plan, and his vice-presidential pick, JD Vance wrote a foreword for the Plan’s upcoming book.
Trump has also said that the Heritage Foundation “was going to lay the groundwork and the details plans for exactly what (we) will do.”
The Hawaii Workers Center encourages everyone to do their own research on these matters, and please also check our website for policies the Hawaii Workers Center supports to uplift working families.
With that said, the bottom line is Hawaii Workers Center is very concerned that the proposals within Project 2025 would reduce or eliminate many bedrock protections for most workers, limit their bargaining
ed the shared objective of both the Philippines and the US to address maritime security challenges through cooperation and joint operations.
“These activities not only focused on combat readiness but also on humanitarian assistance and disaster response, integral aspects of modern naval operations,” he added.
He emphasized that the participation later of the Royal Canadian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and other allied navies would be
power, and set many workers back in terms of wages and workplace safety. Here are a few key examples taken directly from the Plan.
Project 2025, if enacted, would:
• Significantly reduce the budget of the Department of Labor, the agency that oversees wages, hours, worker safety, etc. The same agency that recently investigated the conditions of Max’s of Manila workers and awarded them years of back wages owed to them (see our column Tell Us More About Wage Theft, July 12, 2024 edition). Without enough manpower and
another demonstration of commitment of the Philippines and its allies to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Trinidad said Sama-Sama 2024, now on its seventh iteration, “represents the continuing evolution of bilateral maritime exercises, fostering stronger relationships among participating forces and enhancing overall regional security capabilities.”
Land drills
In Camarines Norte, Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said soldiers of the 9th Infantry Division based in Camp Elias Angeles made up the Philippine contingent in the Exercise Kasangga 2024
financial resources, the Department of Labor can’t carry out its mission to enforce workers’ rights.
• Restrict access to overtime pay for work beyond 40 hours in a workweek.
• Weaken and roll back child labor law protections.
• Limit Occupational Health and Safety investigations and protections.
• Seriously limit a worker’s rights to free speech.
• Eliminate public sector unions.
• Remove laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Allow states to waive some bedrock labor standards such as a 40hour workweek.
• Make it much harder for workers to win union recognition.
Having seen the plans above that Project 2025 would do, what do you think now? In the Hawaii
with Australian troops.
Dema-ala said the combined exercise covers critical areas of military operations such as urban operations, close combat techniques, combat shooting and tactical casualty care.
Soldiers will also undergo training in explosive assault breaching, cybersecurity operations, mortar gunnery with forward observers and Civil-Military Operations exchanges, he said.
Earlier, from May to June, the first leg of the joint training exercises was held in Gamu, Isabela involving at least 100 Filipino soldiers from the 86th Infantry Battalion of the 5th Infantry Division
Workers Center’s nonpartisan opinion, Project 2025 is bad for workers!
Project 2025 pretty much allows corporations to do whatever they please, and it rolls back years of hard-fought workers’ rights and leaves workers with weak or no federal agencies to enforce those rights.
And while Project 2025 states it wants to make work more “family-friendly,” nowhere in its proposals does it mention affordable childcare or covering all workers with family and medical leave or paid leave. Nor does it support an expanded child tax credit or other policies that truly help families balance work and family and put more dollars in their pockets.
Hawai’i Workers Center is fighting to advance these policies.
Sincerely, Hawaii Workers Center
Dr. ARCELITA IMASA is a practicing family physician and the secretary of the Hawaii Workers Center’s Executive Committee of the Board. She grew up in the Philippines before migrating to Hawaii with her family more than a decade ago.
and 50 troops from the Australian Army.
The first leg of the exercises covered reconnaissance, mortar, drone operations, logistics, signal operations, jungle and urban warfare, tactical combat casualty care and breaching operations.
In Zamboanga City, Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. William Gonzalez said JCIMSTX seeks to enhance and synergize maritime security and operation readiness through collaboration among the difference military security units of the AFP, their foreign counterparts and relevant law enforcement agencies within the operation area of his command. (www.philstar.com)
(PHILIPPINE NEWS: Philippines ....from page 17)
LET’S ZUMBA | Filipino Community Center | Every Monday starting January 8, 2024 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 program-types for FilCom Center.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
HONOLULU PRIDE PARADE & FESTIVAL
| Hawaii LGBT Legacy | October 19, from 4pm to 10pm | Kalakaua Avenue and Waikiki Shell | Celebrate Honolulu Pride with a sunset Parade down Kalakaua Avenue at 4pm and a night time Festival at Waikiki Shell starting 5pm. The event is free to all!
BIBLE REFLECTIONS
By Yasmin M. Villar
W Through It All
hen I was about four years old, my father was called into the full-time ministry of a growing religious denomination in the 1980s.
My mother, a full-time homemaker, served alongside him. My younger sister and I were expected to behave well and participate in church activities.
Everything seemed ideal, and as a family, we experienced love and respect from our church community.
However, there came a time when our church denomination’s beliefs and ways of doing things were shaken to the core. It was then, as a young girl of 10, when I first heard that:
“...It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Unfortunately, many were unable to accept the real gospel and left our home church.
My father chose to embrace the truth of the gospel and our family continued serving in the ministry. Because of his job assignments, our family had to move to various parts of the country over the years.
God proved Himself faithful time and time again. Despite our many transfers, my sister and I were blessed to be constantly among the top students in different schools.
We enjoyed academic scholarships and were both eventually able to attend the country’s premiere State University. These are only some examples of God’s amazing provision.
His great protection over us was also very evident like when He allowed our parents to miraculously survive a terrible car accident during my formative years; when He prevented my innocence from being snatched away by a playmate; and when He kept me from being molested by a relative,
on another instance. Surely, there are other instances of Divine Protection that I’m unaware of.
During my early years in university, God allowed me to struggle in my studies and experience feelings of inadequacy, failure, and loneliness.
It was during this low point that God made Himself more real to me.
He comforted me through His words in the Bible and also drew me closer through a group of joyful students who excelled in their studies. They were all part of our church’s campus ministry.
Not long after, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I was baptized together with my friends in the campus ministry and others from our local church.
One of the Spiritual gifts that the Lord gave me when I became a believer was the gift of music (I previously was not inclined to sing).
He then allowed me to minister with my Campus ministry siblings in many parts of the country through songs of praise and worship and the sharing of God’s message of salvation.
God also gave me the opportunity to serve as the leader of our campus ministry for two consecutive terms and blessed me with the privilege to serve in our church’s music ministry since then.
It was also during this time when the Lord gave me the wisdom to change my college course.
Among my classmates in that course was a young man who eventually became a very close friend. He is also a follower of Christ.
A few weeks before we graduated from university, after a long time of seeking God’s confirmation, he became my first boyfriend, and I, his first girlfriend.
When we started working, I eventually attended the same church as him, and we became
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God eventually blessed us with the gift of marriage after seven years in our relationship.
He affirmed our call to get married with an overflow of blessings—material provisions and support from our loved ones and church family. God is certainly in the details of our lives, making all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
As husband and wife, we continued to serve our Great God.
However, our prayer for a child had yet to be answered. We continued to wait on the Lord and He kept us busy with our work responsibilities and various ministry opportunities (music and medical ministries, discipleship, and missions support).
He also allowed us to enjoy an extended honeymoon phase by giving us opportunities to travel together, here and abroad.
As we continued with our medical work-up sessions to conceive, I eventually experienced being heartbroken whenever I found out that I was still not pregnant.
However, in our 10th year of marriage, the Lord healed our inability and blessed us with a healthy baby boy. He is a bundle of joy and a great blessing to our family and many others.
Truly, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shift-
ing shadows” (James 1:17).
I believe that it is God who impressed in my heart to be a stayat-home mom. My husband and I then decided to homeschool our child so that we could teach him to love God above all, develop a strong relationship with him, and allow him to enjoy childhood while experiencing a generous learning feast.
Of all the work that I have done, being a teacher mom is giving me the greatest fulfillment. I’m also reminded that homework is vital work, and as popularly said by David McKay, “There is no success that can compensate for failure in the family.”
As of the moment, my family and I are experiencing a number of challenges, setbacks, and disappointments due to various circumstances.
But I know that our God, who is Perfect in every way, will reveal His perfect wisdom and heart, in time.
And I truly believe that “He who has started a good work in us will be faithful to complete it” (Philippians 1:6).
And I declare (as Darlene Zchech’s song goes):
“You are forever in my life, You see Me through the seasons...And I sing to you Lord, a hymn of love for your faithfulness to me; I’m carried in everlasting arms, You’ll never let me go, through it all.”
YASMIN VILLAR is married to Samuel Anthony Villar, a fellow graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman. She is now devoted to homeschooling their 5-year-old son using the Charlotte Mason method of education. The family attends and serves at Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF) in the Philippines.
