VOL 34 NO 51 | DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

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COMMUNITY Thai king billboards » PAGE 6

VOL 34 NO 51 DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015 FREE 33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Angry Asian Man? Phil Yu is more than that

By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly Phil Yu isn’t an Angry Asian Man. In fact, he’s far from it.

Yu is the founder behind the blog Angry Asian Man—one of the most popular sources online for news, pop culture, media, social issues, and Yu’s own commentary and spin about the Asian American experience.

The blog’s creation was a culmination of Yu’s experiences prior to 2001. While pursuing his Bachelor’s of Science in Radio/Television/Film from Northwestern University, Yu took an Asian American film studies class that opened his eyes to ongoing social and cultural issues affecting Asian Americans.

After graduation, Yu returned to his home state of California and set up a free website in February 2001. Inspired by his coursework

Phil Yu

as well as other Asian American influencers online, Yu launched a sub-domain on his site where he vented about Asian American issues in a blog titled “Angry Asian Man”.

“Technology allowed people like me to have a voice back then,” said Yu about the launch of his initial blog in 2001. “I was just out of college when I started this project and it gave me an outlet to call out things that I believed people needed to pay attention to in our community.”

One such topic was the demeaning T-shirt that Abercrombie & Fitch released in the early 2000s, which featured caricaturized Asian faces with slanted eyes and rice-paddy hats supplemented with text that read: “Wong Brother Laundry Service – Two Wongs Can Make It White”.

Playwright recovering

The New York Daily News reported Dec. 3 that Tony Awardwinning playwright and Yale alum David Henry Hwang was recovering in his Brooklyn-area home after being the victim of a random assault.

Christy Phu

By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly A pair of Nike Air Jordans may have been the reason that 24-year{see PHU cont’d on page 11}

{see YU cont’d on page 15}

David Henry Hwang attacked, neck slashed

By Jenn Fang Northwest Asian Weekly

Columbia City teen reportedly killed over shoes

Tsuguo Ikeda, community mentor, dies at 91

By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly

Hwang was apparently walking near his home when he was attacked from behind by an unknown assailant who slashed his neck. After the attack, Hwang noticed he was bleeding and walked to a hospital.

“Thanks to the excellent work of

Tsuguo “Ike” Ikeda, a pioneer who opened doors to many—especially troubled youths—and broke down barriers for people of color, died on Dec. 2.

Surrounded by his family, Ikeda

{see HWANG cont’d on page 11}

{see IKEDA cont’d on page 13}

Pearl Harbor memorial service in Hawaii to move to new site

HONOLULU (AP) — The National Park Service and the U.S. Navy plan to hold a joint memorial service Monday to mark the 74th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

The joint service is a rehearsal for what is expected to be a much bigger memorial service next year to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack by Japan that killed over 2,400 Americans and brought the U.S. into World War II, KITV TV reported.

Pearl Harbor attack

In previous years, commemorations took place at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

This year and next year, the ceremony will be at Kilo Pier, KITV reported. More than 3,000 guests and the general public are expected to attend. Next year’s 75th anniversary will be a much larger event with almost 6,000 people. {see PEARL HARBOR cont’d on page 14}

The Inside Story NAMES People in the news » PAGE 2

■

FOOD Holiday samosas! » PAGE 3

HAPPY HOLIDAYS Gift guide » PAGE 7

BLOG Adventures in Cambodia » PAGE 10

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asianweekly northwest

■ names in the news Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic athlete, philanthropist, author, artist, businesswoman, wife, and mother.

She is recognized as an awardee for the 2016 Asian Hall of Fame by the Robert Chin Foundation.

Her Japanese heritage stems from both her mother’s and father’s side, with her mother’s parents being among those sent to internment camps during World War II. Kristi Yamaguchi Born with a congenital foot deformity, Yamaguchi’s figure skating began as a form of physical therapy. Her career escalated quickly, and Yamaguchi won her first junior national title as a pair with Rudy Galindo in 1986. After much success as a pairs team with Galindo, Yamaguchi went on to focus on her singles career.

Rising in the ranks, she peaked at the right time as world champion in 1991 and as U.S., World, and Olympics Champion in 1992. Following her victory at the 1992 Winter Olympics, Yamaguchi founded the still-active Always Dream Foundation to support the lives of children through educational and recreational activities. 

Sharon H. Chang’s new book on mixed-race children Sharon H. Chang, a Seattle-based author activist who writes on race, mixed-race and Asian America, was recently recognized as The Seattle Globalist Social Justice Commentator of the Year. Her debut book, Raising Mixed Race: Multiracial Asian Children In a Post-Racial World, is being published through internationally-distributed

publisher Routledge/Taylor & Francis.

The book focuses on the fiveand-under age population which are now majority children of color.

In America, Asian and Multiracial are the fastest growing groups.

In 2010 over nine million people Sharon Chang reported being mixed-race on the census. The book hopes to support this next generational cohort and their parents in becoming politically conscious and engaged citizens. 

and contrast. JIS also has curriculum that supports Japanese language classes in high schools by giving students opportunities to use their new language skills with native speaker volunteers. The JIS program was created by JASSW in 1994 and offered to teachers and their students free of charge. Entertainment for the celebration was provided by the Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association. 

NEH chairman visits the Wing Luke

Japan-American Society celebration

Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW

Kristi Yamaguchi named to Asian Hall of Fame

Bottom left, Mayumi Sklar; bottom right, Hiroko Huntoon; top left, Aditya Mohan; top center, Dale Watanabe; top right Hiroko Huntoon

The Japan-American Society of the State of Washington (JASSW) held its annual holiday celebration dinner and auction at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center on Dec. 2.

The celebration raised over $40,000 in the auction.

The “Making a Difference” raise-the-paddle donations supported the Japan in the Schools (JIS) program that introduces Japan to American students by showing the typical day of a Japanese student of similar age to compare

Photo by George Liu/NWAW

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DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

William Adams (center) with Wing Luke staff and board members

William “Bro” Adams, chairman of the National Endowment of the Humanities, toured Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum on Dec. 3.

Founded in 1965, the National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent grant-making institution of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities.

Adams, president of Colby College in Waterville, Maine from 2000 until his retirement on June 30, 2014, is an advocate for liberal arts education. A native of Birmingham, Michigan, and son of an auto industry executive, Adams earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy at Colorado College and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Cruz History of Consciousness Program. He studied in France as a Fulbright Scholar before beginning his career in higher education. 

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ food

DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

Holiday samosas?

Indeed! Just add mushrooms and walnuts

By Meera Sodha Associated Press Samosas probably are India’s favorite snack. These crispy triangles are loved by everyone from Bollywood actresses to business managers and toddlers to grandmas.

When I was growing up, samosas made an appearance at any significant family gathering, whether it was small and festive or a huge celebration. A week or so prior to the big event, my mother, sister and I would form a production line in the kitchen.

My mother would make the filling, my sister would fill the samosas (I could not be trusted not to eat the mixture) and I would fold them into neat triangles.

The samosas then would be covered with plastic wrap and frozen on sheet pans, ready to be baked a few minutes ahead of our guests’ arrival, leaving us all happy and out of the kitchen to enjoy the party.

Traditionally, samosas are filled with a medley of mixed vegetables, such as potatoes, peas and carrots or minced meat and herbs, then deep-

fried to crisp perfection. In our family kitchen, we’ve evolved them over time to use whatever ingredients grew in our farming community. We also bake them instead of fry so that they’re healthier (and easier to cook). families make Some their own pastry (which is surprisingly easy), but I like to use phyllo pastry, as it’s quick, light and easily stored in the freezer. During the holiday season, I love to use walnuts and mushrooms together. Their savory flavors marry perfectly and feel very festive. Plus, their meaty textures persuade even the most hardened of carnivores to get involved.

Once you’ve mastered the folding technique, feel free to use this recipe as a blank canvas for whatever spicy filling you desire. After a few goes, the world will be your samosa.  EDITOR’S NOTE: Meera Sodha is an Indian foods expert and author of “Made in India: Recipes from an Indian family kitchen.” She lives in London, blogs at www.meerasodha.com and tweets at @meerasodha

CREMINI MUSHROOM AND WALNUT SAMOSAS The key to perfecting this mushroom and walnut samosa recipe is to cook the filling mixture until it is dry. This keeps your samosas lovely and crisp. If the mixture is wet, you might get soggy samosas. A food processor also makes swift work of chopping your mushrooms and walnuts. The samosas also can be prepped and frozen, then baked directly from the freezer. Frozen samosas should bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

Start to finish: 1 hour 15 minutes (45 active) Makes 18 samosas 1-1/4 cups walnuts (5 ounces) 3 cups cremini mushrooms, roughly chopped 3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon nigella seeds (plus extra, to garnish) 1 large yellow onion, diced 1-inch chunk fresh ginger, grated 6 large cloves garlic, minced 2 serrano or jalapeno chilies, finely chopped 1-1/4 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 8 ounces phyllo dough (1/2 a 16-ounce package) 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted Heat the oven to 400 F. In a food processor, pulse the walnuts until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl, then add the mushrooms to the processor and pulse until reduced to pea-sized chunks. Set aside.

In a large skillet over medium, heat the oil. Add the cumin and nigella seeds. When the seeds start to sizzle in the hot oil, add the onion and cook for 8 minutes, or until starting to soften and brown. Add the ginger, garlic and chilies, then cook for another 5 minutes, or until the onions are darkened.

Add the mushrooms and gently fold into the onion mixture. Season with the salt and pepper, then cook for 15 minutes, or until all the liquid evaporates. There should only be the tiniest trace of liquid in the bottom

of the pan. Once the onions and mushrooms are ready, add the walnuts. Cook for another 3 minutes, then remove from the heat and leave to cool while you get your samosa station ready.

Line 2 baking sheets with kitchen parchment.

On a large chopping board, unroll one sheet of phyllo pastry. With a pastry brush, lightly cover the sheet with melted butter, then layer over it a second sheet of pastry. Brush the second sheet with additional butter. Using a sharp knife, cut the sheets into 3 horizontal strips measuring 4-by-10 inches.

Place 1 heaping tablespoon of the mixture on one end of each strip. Fold the filling over on itself at an angle to form a triangle. Continue folding the filling and pastry over on itself in this way, similar to folding a flag, to form a triangular packet. When you get near the end, stick the final bit of pastry down with a bit of melted butter. Cut off any bits that don’t fall into shape.

Pop the samosa on a tray and repeat with remaining ingredients.

To bake the samosas, brush them on both sides with butter, sprinkle with nigella seeds and place them in a single layer. Bake for 15 minutes. Serve hot.

Nutrition information per serving: 170 calories; 120 calories from fat (71 percent of total calories); 14 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 15 mg cholesterol; 200 mg sodium; 10 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 1 g sugar; 3 g protein.

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asianweekly northwest

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DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

■ world news

Singapore re-arrests Dan Tan over ‘public risk’

By Annabelle Liang Associated Press

SINGAPORE (AP) — Dan Tan was re-arrested earlier this month because he was suspected of running a global soccer match-fixing syndicate and was a danger to public safety, the Singapore government said.

Tan, whose real name is Tan Seet Eng, was arrested a week after his Dan Tan release from jail was ordered by the Singapore Court of Appeal, which had ruled he was not a risk to public safety.

The Ministry of Home Affairs released a statement saying the fresh detention order was for Tan’s “involvement in global soccer match-fixing.”

“The new detention order ... expressly sets out the grounds which show the extent of (his) match-fixing activities from and within Singapore.

“The grounds set out the seriousness of Dan Tan’s criminal activities over many years, their impact on public safety, peace and good order within Singapore, and the fact that he has intimidated witnesses to the extent that they continue to be unwilling to testify against him for fear of reprisal.”

Singapore’s detention laws are used in cases involving insufficient evidence for prosecution.

Hamidul Haq, one of Tan’s lawyers, told the Associated

■ national news

Press he had not seen the detention order, and was unable to comment whether his client will appeal.

Tan was previously jailed in October 2013 after Italian prosecutors accused him of coordinating a global crime syndicate that made millions of dollars betting on rigged Italian matches and other games around the world.

When the Singapore Court of Appeal ruled that he was being held unlawfully and ordered his release, officials from international sports bodies were outraged.

Italian prosecutor Roberto Di Martino referred to Tan as the “general director of the ring” that fixed matches for more than 10 years.

He is also being tried in absentia by a Hungarian court for allegedly manipulating 32 games in Hungary, Italy, and Finland. 

Thai printer of Int’l NY Times blocks stories again

Thailand’s largest seafood company abandons tuna merger

BANGKOK (AP) — The New York Times decried limits on media freedom in Thailand on Friday after its local printer refused to publish articles about the Southeast Asian country for a third time.The printer removed a column from the opinion page of Friday’s edition of the International New York Times about Thailand’s Crown Property Bureau, which manages the financial affairs of the royal family. The column said the bureau was not publicly accountable and its assets may total as much as $53 billion.

Discussion of Thailand’s monarchy is highly sensitive, and criticism can be punished by up to 15 years in prison.

Instead of the column, the newspaper ran a blank space with a notice in the middle saying, “The article in this space was removed by our printer in Thailand.

The International New York Times and its editorial staff had no role in its removal.”

On Tuesday, the Thailand edition of the newspaper had a similar blank spot on its front page where there was supposed to be a story about the country’s sagging economy and spirit a year and a half after

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chicken of the Sea and Bumble Bee have called off their proposed merger after the Obama administration told the companies it would hurt competition in the U.S. canned tuna market.

The Justice Department announced that the deal, announced a year ago between Thailand’s largest seafood company and Bumble Bee Foods of the U.S., was off. If Thai Union Group, owner of Chicken of

By Grant Peck Associated Press

a military takeover. The story briefly mentioned the monarchy.

A statement on the corporate website of the New York Times said the printer’s refusal to publish the articles denied readers in Thailand the right to open access to news.

“This second incident in a week clearly demonstrates the regrettable lack of press freedom in the country,” it said. “Readers in Thailand do not have full and open access to journalism, a fundamental right that should be afforded to all citizens.”

On Sept. 22, the printer didn’t publish the newspaper because of a front-page story about the monarchy.

All three stories appeared in other regional editions of the newspaper as well {see THE NEW YORK TIMES cont’d on page 14}

By Marcy Gordon AP Business Writer

the Sea, had bought Bumble Bee, it would have combined the second- and third-largest sellers of tinned tuna in the U.S. in a market {see TUNA cont’d on page 14}

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33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ WORLD NEWS

5

Nepal struggles with challenges

Many residents, their lives at risk, face bleak existence

Ahn Young-joon/Associated Press

In S. Korea, a town of Kims — and an unusual shared history

DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

Hwang You Yeon, left, points at his family’s two-volume gemological book written in 1723 at a museum commemorating one of his prominent ancestors in Paju, South Korea. The Yun family in Paju keeps woodblocks used to publish its family tree from 1630 to 1863; and Kim Sun Won has a modern version of genealogical books at his home.

Nepalese people sit on the top of a crowded public bus in Kathmandu

By Hyung-Jim Kim Associated Press

By Binaj Gurubacharya YA Associated Press

NONSAN, South Korea (AP) — Many of his students are Kims. So are his fellow teachers, an elementary school alumnus and the owners of restaurants and pubs that he patronizes in his small farming village.

Lots of Kims in his neighborhood, too. Such is everyday life for Kim Sun Won, who, obviously, is a Kim too.

He’s lived all his 70 years in a tile-roofed home in a clan village, surrounded by people who share his connection to an illustrious ancestor from centuries ago. Other clan villages in South Korea are dominated by Hwangs, Yuns and many other names.

“This is the house where my father, grandfather, great-grandfather and greatgreat-grandfather lived,” Kim said, walking down a small hill dotted with his ancestors’ tombs and gravestones. “I’ve never wanted to abandon my hometown.”

Modernization is turning the villages into a fading tradition. Dozens with at least 100 clan members remain, but there were once hundreds. The others have been lost to the frenzy of construction across much of the country, and to young people leaving smalltown life for bigger opportunities in Asia’s fourth-largest economy. Ancestry does not have the pull it once did for some, perhaps because some Koreans generations ago gained their prestigious surnames by buying

them, not through birth.

For Kim, however, ancient family ties remain as tangible as the large earthen tombs behind his house.

As a direct descendant of 17th-century Confucian scholar Kim Jang-saeng, the 70-year-old holds about 15 memorial services per year for his ancestors at his home, a responsibility he calls his “destiny.”

“I don’t mind living near the tombs,” said Kim Sun Won, a retired local civil servant in the city of Nonsan who now teaches filial piety, the life of Kim Jang-saeng and local history at a traditional Confucian school. “I feel secure here because I have the support of all my family clan members here.”

Clan villages thrived under Confucian, traditional value systems that prize family connections, filial duty, respect for ancestors and regional ties.

In Kim’s Yeonsan village there are now about 130 households associated with his family clan, but there are many more nonKim households. A generation ago, Kim said there were about up to 300 clan households, mostly extended families.

Clan villages are usually made up of people who share prominent ancestors: royal princes, top officials, revered scholars.

The villages preserve ancestral shrines and regularly hold memorial services by burning incense, offering food and liquor at {see KIMS cont’d on page 13}

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Shiva Parwar has been camping on the pavement for five days, waiting in line for cooking gas. There are 521 gas cylinders ahead of his, and not even the dealer knows when more fuel will arrive, thanks to a twomonth-long border blockade that shows no sign of ending.

“I sent my wife and child back to our village home because we don’t have the gas to cook,” said Parwar, whose roadside candy stall is shuttered while he waits.

“I have been eating in restaurants with borrowed money but that too has run out. I have no option but to wait in line.”

An ethnic group’s blockade of a key border point with India is leaving Nepal with only about 15 percent of its normal supply of gasoline, diesel and cooking fuel, and creating shortages of other goods including food and medicine.

The group’s dispute with the government is part of the political dysfunction that has held back development and even prevented the adoption of a constitution for nearly a decade. Now it is threatening lives as hundreds of thousands of people, many of them displaced by Nepal’s devastating spring earthquakes, face the winter without fuel, secure housing and many essential goods.

“We are all suffering. Prices of food have gone up and there is shortage of many things here,” Parwar said in Kathmandu, the capital. “It is the common people who are suffering. The rich and the leaders are getting the fuel and gas and living comfortably.”

A look at Nepal’s crisis through the eyes of those close to the dispute, and others who are struggling with its consequences: THE MADHESIS’ COMPLAINT Members of the Madhesi ethnic group in south and southeast Nepal are blockading the border to protest Nepal’s new constitution, which was adopted in September after years of infighting. The group wants a larger Madhesi province and more seats in Parliament than they have been given.

Madhesi protesters have clashed with police, attacked public vehicles and shut down highways. At least 50 protesters, police and bystanders have died in the

violence.

Upendra Yadav, a leading Madhesi protest leader, blames the government for ignoring their demands and using excessive force to crush peaceful demonstrations.

“Just last week the government sent their goons to disrupt our mass gathering, burning down the stage and chasing our supporters,” Yadav said.

The Madhesis have held talks with government negotiators at least nine times but have not reached any agreement.

“We are very clear with our demands,” Yadav said, accusing the government of failing to present a clear agenda.

THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE The coalition government led by Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli took office after the protests began with promises it would resolve the conflict, but two months later, a solution is nowhere in sight.

The government has said it’s ready to make changes to the constitution but has said little about protesters’ demands for a bigger province. The Himalayan country has more than 100 ethnic groups, and while the Madhesi are among the largest, making up about a fifth of Nepal’s 30 million people, there are fears that a deal to end the blockade could set off protests elsewhere.

“We fear that giving more land to the Madhesi province and making changes to the state boundaries could trigger new conflicts in the country,” said Pradip Gyawali, secretary of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist). Gyawali said any such changes would require detailed research and agreement among the main political parties.

A TENT FOR WINTER Sundari Lama was forced to live in a tent this spring after her house was destroyed in the April earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people. She eventually moved into an apartment, but now she’s back in the tent, this time because of the blockade.

With no gas available, she must cook with wood, but she’s not allowed to burn wood in the apartment. So she’s bracing for near-freezing winter temperatures in the drafty tent in the outskirts of Kathmandu with her husband and their 5-month-old {see NEPAL cont’d on page 12}

asianweekly northwest

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DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

■ COMMUNITY calendar ■ briefly THU 12/10

SAT 12/12

WHAT: NAAAP & TAPS Signature mixer and ACRS Holiday Drive WHERE: Suite Lounge, 10500 N.E. 8th St. Ste. 125, Bellevue WHEN: 6-9 p.m.

INFO: seattle.naaap.org

WHAT: 6th Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony, “Wreaths Across America” WHERE: Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park, 11111 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle WHEN: 9 a.m.

INFO: 206-362-5200

WHAT: Meet artist Bo Choi WHERE: CoCA at Rubix, 515 Harvard E., Seattle COST: Free admission INFO: cocaseattle.org

SAT 12/12 THRU 1/30

FRI 12/11 WHAT: Handel’s Messiah, symphony orchestra under the direction of Marcus Tsutakawa WHERE: Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave., Seattle WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

COST: $10-$15 INFO: garfieldorchestra.org WHAT: Welcome Reception & Dinner for Delegates WHERE: China Harbor Restaurant, 2040 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle WHEN: 6 p.m.

COST: $40/person INFO: seattlechinesechamber.org WHAT: AAJA’s The Holiday Scoop 2015 WHERE: Fado Irish Pub, Seattle COST: $15/advance, $20/at the door TICKETS: brownpapertickets.com/ event/2465291

WHAT: Exhibit, “Slash and Burn,” will feature two Japanese artists: Naoko Morisawa and June Sekiguchi WHERE: Kirkland Arts Center, 620 Market St., Kirkland INFO: kirklandartscenter.org

SUN 12/13 WHAT: George Song’s art exhibit reception WHERE: Bellevue Library, 1111 110th Ave. N.E., Bellevue WHEN: 12:30-4:30 p.m.

INFO: ritacao4.wix.com/georgesong

SAT 12/19 WHAT: Free Speaking Engagement WHERE: Sammamish City Hall, Commons Hall WHEN: 2:30 p.m.

PRE-REGISTER: auspicioushomes. builders

SUN 1/3 WHAT: Mochi Tsuki WHERE: IslandWood, 4450 Blakely Ave. N.E., Bainbridge Island WHEN: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

INFO: 206-491-2336

Downtown Seattle will get its dumplings

Din Tai Fung to open in Pacific Place, its only downtown Seattle location Madison Marquette announced Dec. 1 that Din Tai Fung will open at Pacific Place in Seattle the summer of 2016. With only six U.S. restaurants, Din Tai Fung will be located in a 9,216 square foot space on level four of the shopping center. Founded in 1958 in Taiwan, Din Tai Fung is one of Taiwan’s popular restaurants and is famous for its “soup” steamed dumplings. The restaurant currently operates more than 100 locations worldwide with branches in Japan, the United States, South Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, and most recently in Dubai.

“We are honored that Pacific Place will be the only downtown Seattle location for Din

Din Tai Fung Bellevue

Tai Fung, and know it will appeal to our local clientele as well as the area’s out-of-town visitors,” said Tory Glossip, Vice President, Management Services, Pacific Place. 

NAPAWF opposes attacks on Planned Parenthood Just days after the attack on a Planned Parenthood health center in Colorado Springs, which left three dead and nine wounded, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is expected to push through a budget reconciliation that includes a measure “defunding” Planned Parenthood. The proposed measure would block low-income patients from accessing essential, preventive health care at Planned Parenthood health centers and would repeal important features of the Affordable Care Act. The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF)

Executive Director Miriam Yeung issued the following statement in opposition to the attacks on Planned Parenthood and women’s health: “Budget attacks on Planned Parenthood and other family planning providers less than a week after a stunning act of domestic terrorism against a Planned Parenthood in Colorado are depraved.

Asian American and Pacific Islander women depend on Planned Parenthood and family planning health centers for basic health care and critical reproductive health services that deserve more funding, not less.” 

■ COMMUNITY news

Thai king, longest-reigning monarch, marks 88th birthday Seattle posts billboards honoring Bhumibol Adulyadej

The Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) — The people of Thailand on Saturday marked the 88th birthday of their king, the world’s longest-reigning monarch – but with their once-vigorous leader in a hospital and unseen in public for three months, the celebrations were the most subdued in memory. However the Seattle Thai community posted billboards commemorating his birthday.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej looked frail on his last appearance before the general public on Sept. 1, when he was taken on a brief tour of the Bangkok hospital where he has spent most of the last six years. His most recent ailment was a lung infection that required him to be fed intravenously and use a machine to aid his breathing.

Many public activities were being held for the royal birthday, but there were no joyous celebrations of the type that used to be held before the decline of the king’s health. One major gathering point this year was outside the hospital that has become his de facto palace, where well-wishers came to offer their prayers.

The king’s other medical issues in recent years have included excess fluid in the brain and an operation to remove his gallbladder.

A somber reminder of his generation’s passing came Saturday morning with the death of 96-year-old former Foreign Minister

Siddhi Savetsila, a member of the Privy Council, the king’s personal advisory board.

While he is a constitutional monarch with no formal political role, Bhumibol — King Rama IX — has generally been regarded as Thailand’s unifying figure. His intervention

during major political crises is generally seen as having been key to restoring the status quo.

Before the decline in his health, Bhumibol’s birthday had also been the occasion for a much-anticipated annual speech in which he would speak his mind to exercise his authority as the country’s moral leader.

Love of the monarchy is almost seen as the definition of Thainess. But it is not so clear whether the people’s strong devotion for the king will be transferred to his son and heir apparent, 63-year-old Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, who does not have his father’s record of public service.

Social and political schisms that have sometimes led to violence over the past decade have added to the air of uncertainty about what may happen after Bhumibol’s reign is over.

“I don’t know what to think,” said Thaweewat Chongsuanoiy, a banker. He was wearing a “Bike for Dad” T-shirt promoting a mass cycling event scheduled Dec. 11 under the prince’s auspices to honor the king.

“He has been the person that holds the people together; without him, people would be lost,” Thaweewat said. 

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ happy holidays!

DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

7

Gift suggestions! All good things come in 12!

By Andrew Kim Northwest Asian Weekly Just in time for the holidays, we have a list of 12 holiday gift ideas, perfect for the “12th Man” in your family and friends.

5

For the techie on your list, consider getting them a Raspberry Pi, a creditcard sized computer that enables people of all ages to explore computing and learn how to program. Kids all over the world are using the Raspberry Pi in a wide array of amazing projects.

1 Have a music lover on your Christmas

9 If you want to give the most interesting

and fun gift of the year, consider the Syma X5C. The X5C is a quadcopter drone which can also take pictures and video when it is up in the sky. It is easy to learn how to use and fun for all members of the family.

And at prices from $50-$80, it is actually affordable.

11

The holidays can be a good time to self-reflect, be thankful, and set new resolutions. For the thoughtful person on your list, a new journal can be a great way to write down all those thoughts and keep the good vibes throughout the year.

list? Give them a special holiday card this year – a card that transforms into a record player! (http://www.recards.co.uk/)

6

Pop some popcorn and gather your family around your TV with Chromecast.

Chromecast is a media streaming device that plugs into your TV. Simply use your mobile device to cast your favorite holiday movie straight to your TV.

2

Make sure to thank those who are working hard to prepare all the delicious holiday food. Be sure to lend a helping hand in the kitchen and help save some time by getting a vegetable peeler. For $10, you can get this hand-held tool that doubles as a peeler and julienne slicer – much faster than using a knife.

these chilly winter mornings with a French press. A French press can be as cheap as $10 and makes much better coffee than your standard ordinary coffee maker.

Whether you are decorating, baking cookies, or reconnecting with friends and family this holiday season, make sure to capture all the holiday cheer by taking pictures with the Polaroid Snap. Instantly print a physical copy of the photo (2”x3”) and get creative with six different shooting modes.

8

4 For those on the more adventurous side,

consider getting a Xiaomi action camera, similar to the GoPro but considerably more affordable. Take time-lapse videos of the snow falling, take photos of your family building a snowman and, of course, get video of the requisite snowball fight.

10

Get out and enjoy all that Seattle has to offer this holiday season, including a visit to our local museums. Be sure to check out the contemporary Korean art exhibit (Paradox of Place) at the Seattle Art Museum and stop by the Wing Luke Museum to see the Bruce Lee exhibition.

Complimentary guest entrance tickets with your holiday card will be much appreciated by the recipient.

Happy Holidays! 

7 Wake up to some great coffee during

3

12

Make sure you give the best gift of all: Information. Why not gift a subscription to your favorite paper or organization newsletter? Simple and strong.

Capture the aroma of the holiday season and help set the holiday mood by gifting scented candles. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla (or ginger and clove!) in the air can create a cozy atmosphere without doing all the work of baking.

Andrew Kim can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

8

DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

■ arts & entertainment

#NotTheSame... ...Hwang attacked and“The Big Sick”

#NotTheSame social media campaign

By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly With the holidays officially underway, we’re counting down the final days of 2015. Take a second to reflect on what has happened this year including November’s latest events with Asians and Asian Americans in the media.

#NotTheSame awareness campaign

The Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, a nonprofit based in Washington D.C., has begun a month-long campaign to raise awareness about the varied and unheard stories of struggle experienced by members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

A-pop!

Kumail Nanjiani

Executed as an online campaign, using the #NotTheSame hashtag on social media, the campaign challenges the idea that all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders look the same, speak the same language, share the same culture, and have access to the same opportunities.

The #NotTheSame campaign hopes to empower and encourage Asian American and Pacific Islanders to share their personal experiences and life journeys on social media channels.

“This is truly a campaign that is inspired by the community and the real stories, and it’s a campaign that we want the community to own and to narrate,” said Joy Yoo, the associate director of marketing and communications for the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship

Fund.

The #NotTheSame campaign is also broadcasting a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) that highlights Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders speaking about their experiences about being overlooked or misunderstood based on racial stereotypes or perceptions. The PSA is currently airing on Comcast and NBC affiliates throughout the country for the remainder of the month.

Be sure to join in the online conversation to connect with others and share your own experiences about growing up Asian American or Pacific Islander. {see A-POP cont’d on page 12}

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ community NEWS

DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

9

Top contributors to the Asian American community

It is an event organized by Northwest Asian Weekly and the Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation to mark the noteworthy achievements of local Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders.

Held at the House of Hong Restaurant on Dec. 4, the 23rd annual Top Contributors to the Asian Community Award Dinner began with a thank-you presentation to former Seattle City Councilmembers Sally Clark, Tom Rasmussen, Jean Godden, and Nick Licata.

Over 200 people attended and gave the former city councilmembers a standing ovation for their almost half-century of combined public service.

King County director of transportation and master of ceremonies Harold Taniguchi said, “Tonight, we honor eight leaders and role models who have dedicated their lives to serve others.” The dinner honored Van Dinh-Kuno, executive director of Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest; Chong Dameron, vice-president of National Unification Advisory Council, Seattle chapter, and former director of Korean Women’s Association; Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA) and CACA Seattle president Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman; Rick Polintan, chair of 11th Legislative District Democrats; Mel

Photo by George Liu/NWAW

By James Tabafunda NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

From left: Mel Kang, Chong Dameron, Rick Polintan, Elsie Taniguchi, Bill Tashima, Van Dinh-Kuno, Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman, and Vandana Slatter

Kang, civil-rights activist and community volunteer; Bill Tashima, former president of Japanese American Citizens League (JACL); Vandana Slatter, Bellevue city councilmember-elect; and Elsie Taniguchi, former Puyallup Valley JACL president, who received a Life Achievement Award for her 50 years of community service.

Dinh-Kuno immigrated from Vietnam during the fall of Saigon in 1975 and arrived in Minnesota as a refugee.

She said, “I just want the new refugees and immigrants to remember the United States of America is the greatest country

on earth for us to live, to work, to get our education and raise our children.”

While employed at Tacoma-based North Pacific Bank (now Heritage Bank), Dameron made the decision to volunteer at the Korean Women’s Association almost 30 years ago. Now, she serves as a mentor to the younger generation.

“For me, helping others is the greatest thing,” she said.

Tung-Edelman immigrated from Taiwan at age 14. She has worked as a clinical pharmacist for almost 20 years, runs her own clothing line – MiMi Bug Artful Wear

– and co-authored with Stephanie Olson the children’s book, “MiMi Bug’s Day with Friends.”

To add to her busy schedule, she is a founding member of CACA Seattle – established in 2011 – and helped organize CACA’s 53rd Biennial National Convention in Seattle last August. She says CACA is a united voice for Chinese Americans to protect their civil rights and interests.

“At organizations like ours, it’s one place {see TOP CONTRIBUTORS cont’d on page 16}

asianweekly northwest

10

DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

OPINION

■ publisher’s blog

Adventures in Cambodia

Photo by George Liu/NWAW

Six reasons why you should visit Cambodia (part one of a two-part series)

Angkor Wat

By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly “Why go to a backward country?” my friends reacted when they heard that my husband and I were going to Cambodia.

“Are you crazy going alone and not with a tour?” another asked.

Why people think Cambodia is not a safe country puzzles me. It could have to do with Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime, which committed the notorious genocide, as later portrayed in the film “The Killing Fields.” But that was 40 years ago, 1975-79.

Cambodia was also made famous because movie star Angelina Jolie did a movie there, “Tomb Raider”, and even adopted a Cambodian son as a result. This spot is a must-see in Cambodia. (More about this in my second article.)

Prior to my tour, I didn’t know what to expect as I knew so

little about Cambodia (except I have quite a few Cambodian friends). But it turned out to be a relaxing and adventurous journey compared to my overwhelming England trip last June.

Fascinating country

“Cambodia has amazing history,” commented a few Seattle friends.

Cambodia is a country full of multicultural influence including Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, French, and Chinese. One of the things I didn’t know about Cambodia was that it was a French protectorate for more than 90 years since 1863.

If you talk to Cambodians, you will find out that many hated the French. But Hong Kong Chinese would likely tell you some of the good things the British did, included designing a social welfare system for seniors and affordable housing during its colonial days.

“The French did nothing good,” said our driver whom we

hired to take us from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. “They were just interested in money (getting taxes) and control.”

Ironically, Paris was under attack while we were in Phnom Penh. I felt bad that our hotel’s French tourists were glued to their cell phones to watch updates.

Cambodia is not exactly a friend of Vietnam or Thailand either if you study its past. Its conflicts with these countries began hundreds of years ago to the present. When the Viet Cong were fighting Americans, many of its soldiers were hiding inside Cambodia’s borders. It was hard for Cambodians to fathom why the Viet Cong left land mines there after they left.

Currently, Cambodia is a friend of China. China is building shopping malls and roads, and especially highways, in Cambodia. “We don’t share borders with China so we don’t have problems with each other,” said our Cambodian driver. {see CAMBODIA cont’d on page 15}

Thank you for your contribution to the Asian American community!

A special presentation to thank current and former Seattle City Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen, Jean Godden, Nick Licata, and Sally Clark From left: Kiku Hayashi, Bill Tashima, and Paul Tashima

From left: David Della, Rick Polintan, and Huy Nguyen

Honorees: Ming-Ming Tung/ Chinese Americans Citizens Alliances, Elsie Taniguchi, Mel Kang, Vandana Slatter, Van DinhKuno, Bill Tashima, Rick Polintan, and Chong Dameron From left: Tony Lee, Van Dinh Kuno, and Diane Narasaki

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsor Pearl Sponsors

Presented by Northwest Asian Weekly and Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation

Top Contributors

to the Asian community Making a difference

Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 ● House of Hong Restaurant

Master of Ceremonies: Harold Taniguchi Beautiful plaques made by Bonnie Miller

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

■ national news

11

“Oriental” deemed offensive, removed from legislation

The U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously last Wednesday to remove two instances of the word “Oriental,” along with other dated references to minorities, from federal legislation. The proposal was co-sponsored

by Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY) and Ed Royce (R-CA).

Meng co-authored a similar law in 2009 as a member of the New York State Assembly.

“We’re technically ‘AAPI’, so we’re replacing it with all those four words: Asian American Pacific Islanders,” Meng told NBC News. “We want to be as inclusive as possible…

As far as we know, these are the only two remaining sections of the code that have these terms, so hopefully that will take care of that.”

The language in the legislation that would be removed by Meng’s and Royce’s amendment, which is contained in the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, goes beyond just Asian Americans. The instances in the U.S. Code relate to attempts in the late ’70s to define the term “minority.”

In Title 42, section 7141, on minority economic impact, the definition reads: “(A)ny individual who is a citizen of the United States and who is a Negro, Puerto Rican, American Indian, Eskimo, Oriental, or Aleut or is a Spanish speaking individual of Spanish descent.”

In Title 42, section 6705 on land grants, minority is defined as “Negroes, Spanish-speaking, Orientals, Indians,

Eskimos, and Aleuts.”

“Our ethnicity, our identity cannot be described as ‘oriental,’ ” Meng said. “That essentially means nothing about one’s origin. And it’s not about being politically correct. There are some people who use the term without bad intent. The point is to make sure that federal law as it is written is using accurate and factual terms and labels.”

The Obama administration has said it would veto the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, sponsored by Republican Congressman Fred Upton, “because it would undermine already successful initiatives designed to modernize the nation’s energy infrastructure.” 

{HWANG cont’d from page 1}

equals four years in the outside world. It’s been four years since ‘Chinglish’ played on Broadway, and the U.S.-China relationship has evolved at a breakneck pace, including puncturing the myth of Chinese economic vulnerability in 2015.”

Hwang said. “I wanted to revise the ending of my play to reflect this new complexity, and am grateful that the success of East West Players’ production has given me an opportunity to premiere these changes. Our two nations now seem joined at the economic hip, but we travel together into an uncertain future.”

“Our production of ‘Chinglish’ was very special in that we attracted both English speaking and Mandarin speaking audiences,” says Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director. “It

is rare that any changes are made after a play has received a Broadway run and has been published. However, for these 10 performances, audiences will experience an exclusive world premiere ending.”

On Dec. 4, Hwang posted the following message of gratitude to his Twitter for the support he has received from the community: “Thanks for your outpouring of support! Doing fine - no pain, just a little tired - after Sun’s random attack and expect a full recovery.” 

to multiple reports, Si wanted to sell the shoes. Air Jordans are of high value for sneaker collectors. Some editions of the shoes, named after the retired basketball player, could draw several hundred dollars to over $1,000.

A woman called Seattle Police reporting a shooting in the 3500 block of South Brandon Street in Columbia City.

Christy Phu died a short time later at the scene, according to police reports. Although police could not confirm the reports of why Si Phu allegedly shot Christy Phu, indications point to the fight over the shoes.

Si Phu had been convicted of cyberstalking-domestic violence earlier this year. Court documents state that he threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend and 5-year-old son. The records indicate he carried a handgun.

Christy Phu was a freshman at West Seattle’s Chief Sealth High School. A statement released by Chief Sealth’s principal Aida Fraser-Hammer states: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I share the tragic news that one of our students was the victim of a fatal shooting.”

Friends described her as an encouraging, smiling teen who was protective and supportive of her friends.

Si Phu was arrested in the South Seattle area Tuesday morning and will be booked into the King County Jail for investigation of homicide. 

the doctors at Brooklyn Hospital and Mount Sinai, I’m now home and expected to make a full recovery,” Hwang told the Daily News.

Hwang is an esteemed librettist and author of several notable plays that focus on aspects of Asian and Asian American identity such as M. Butterfly, FOB, Chinglish, and Yellow Face. He also helmed an acclaimed revival of Flower Drum Song, featuring an all-Asian American cast. Hwang has mostly been involved with the East-West Players to prepare a new production of his popular play, Chinglish.

Broadway World recently reported: “When it comes to the pace of change, one year in China

{PHU cont’d from page 1} old Si Phu reportedly killed his 14-year-old niece Christy Phu. Si Phu was arrested by the Seattle Police Department on Tuesday after leaving the scene on Sunday.

According to Christy Phu’s father, Si Phu Si Phu’s brother, she texted him indicating that her uncle was threatening her with a gun.

There reportedly was an argument in Christy’s home in her room on Sunday afternoon. While her father was away from their home, Si Phu argued with the high school freshman over a pair of Nike Air Jordan shoes. According

Jenn Fang can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Jason Cruz can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

Have a story idea that you think would fit perfectly in Northwest Asian Weekly?

We want to know about it. Send it to us at info@nwasianweekly.com.

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asianweekly northwest

12

DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

{A-POP cont’d from page 8}

Latest updates from the film industry

News recently broke that stand-up comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani will star in the new Judd Apatow-produced film “The Big Sick”. Apatow, who has directed box office smash comedies such as “Trainwreck,” “Bridesmaids,” and “Knocked Up,” has historically been a sure thing when it comes to comedy hits, which means “The Big Sick” promises to be in good hands.

Pakistani American Nanjiani, who readers may know best for his role in the HBO comedy “Silicon Valley,” wrote “The Big Sick” script along with his wife/producer Emily V. Gordon. “The Big Sick” is based on true events in their lives. Nanjiani is also a wrier, executive producer and co-

{NEPAL cont’d from page 5} daughter.

And the fuel shortage is just part of her family’s hardship.

Food prices are soaring: A bottle of vegetable oil has tripled in price to 300 rupees ($2.81). And work has become scarce for her husband, a day laborer.

“First we got hit by the earthquake, losing our homes and then this blockade is causing so much difficulty and pain,” Lama said. “We are collecting wood from fallen houses and from wherever we can, but how long can we go on like this?”

OPPOSITION’S VIEW Nepali Congress, the main opposition and largest party, says it is trying to mediate a solution between the government and the protesters. It blames government apathy for the lack of progress, though it shares the government’s concern that overly generous concessions to the Madhesis could drive other ethnic groups to protest.

“The government is not clear on what they are doing to deal with the situation. They have no idea or any plan and come to talks unprepared,” said Ram Hari Khatiwada, a

WNPA STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS WEEK OF December 7, 2015

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ONE DAY WITH GAS, SIX WITHOUT Since most of Nepal’s imported goods flow through India, many businesses are being squeezed by the blockade.

They are having a tough time paying rent, utility bills and employee salaries.

Madan Gautam has been able to open his Chakupat Fuel Center in Kathmandu only about once a week, and he’s not sure how long he can survive. He gets fuel only from the state-owned Nepal Oil Corp., which distributes its limited supplies to stations on a rotating basis.

“I get about 4,000 liters (1,060 gallons) of fuel one day a week to distribute, but there are hundreds of vehicles lined up outside the pump every day,” Gautam said. “I work one day a week and have nothing to do the next six days. ... At

fee of $40, provide information on which newspapers run a particular ad within a 30 day period. Substantive typographical error (wrong address, telephone number, name or price) will result in a "make good", in which a corrected ad will be run the following week.

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Nepali Congress lawmaker. “But if a solution is not found soon this situation could escalate.”

Nepali Congress and Oli’s ruling party are traditional rivals, and Khatiwada acknowledged that their rivalry “is one of the reasons for the obstacles in the talks with the Madhesi.” He said it’s time for that to end.

“The prime minister needs to act as leader of a nation and not chief of a party,” he said.

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came to appreciate the richness of the culture that his father was trying to pass onto him as a child. “Sanjay’s Super Team” is a manifestation of said cultural appreciation and highlights Patel’s experiences of growing up as a child of immigrants.

The charming short film sees the titular Indian American boy wanting to watch television shows about superheroes instead of praying with his immigrant father. However, Hindu deities become superheroes in the boy’s imagination, opening up and bridging his understanding of his immigrant father and place in America.

Catch “Sanjay’s Super Team” in theaters now. 

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host of Comedy Central’s “The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail”—a stand-up comedy television series.

I’m a big fan of Nanjiani who has been one of the most hilarious comedians in television and film the last few years.

There is no production date currently set for “The Big Sick”.

Pixar Animation Studio—the company behind beloved animated films such as “Up,” “Finding Nemo,” and “Toy Story”—has released its first human protagonist of color in a film. Pixar animator and storyboard artist Sanjay Patel directed a seven-minute short film titled “Sanjay’s Super Team” that opened for the latest Pixar movie “The Good Dinosaur” over Thanksgiving weekend.

In an interview with NBC News, Patel confessed that he felt embarrassed by his identity and tried to fit into mainstream American culture. But after Patel matured as an adult, he

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Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

A SMOKY DUMPLING SHOP Most people in Nepal blame politicians for their country’s troubles. After the end of an authoritarian monarchy and a bloody communist insurgency nearly a decade ago, a new constitution was supposed to bring positive changes in the new republic. The years since, however, have seen a host of political squabbles and seven different governments.

“Our leaders have failed us again and again. They have done nothing more than work either for themselves, their close supporters and or their own parties. They have done little for the country and the people,” said K.C. Raja, who serves buffalo dumplings and noodles at his Top Ten Momo Restaurant near the Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu. He too lacks cooking gas and must cook by burning wood, which fills his small shop with smoke and has already blackened the walls.

“These leaders don’t have to wait in line to fill their fuel tanks,” Raja said, “or worry about how to cook dinner without gas.” 

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33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ astrology

DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

13

For the week of December 12–December 18, 2015

By Sun Lee Chang

Rat — Sometimes you have to spend a little more than you want to upfront in order to save a much larger amount down the line.

Dragon — Does it seem like you are on the fast track, but everyone else is going in slow motion? Just remember that everyone has their own pace.

Monkey — Stuck in a rut, but not sure how to get out? Start with small changes, before you escalate to something bigger.

Ox — Are you feeling a bit nervous about attending a large gathering? Rather than retreat, opt to put your best foot forward.

Snake — A calm exterior could be hiding something else beneath the surface. Watch your step for the time being.

Tiger — When there is too much to do and not enough time, then you must decide what takes priority and tackle it in that order.

Horse — No matter how many lessons you have learned, it will only benefit you if you decide to actually apply them.

Rooster — Don’t estimate the power of a straightforward approach. You may be surprised at the positive reason that it garners from unexpected sectors.

Rabbit — A sudden change of course may be a cause for concern. There could be a good reason, but it will take some sleuthing on your part to figure out what that is.

Goat — Do you find yourself making the same mistake over and over again? Acknowledging there is an issue to be dealt with is the key to a new beginning.

Dog — A sticky situation has arisen recently, that has you slightly worried. While you are aware of it, the good news is that it will likely not involve you.

Pig — If you find yourself spending too much time ruminating about someone else’s concerns, then it could be a sign you need to shift your position.

What’s your animal sign?

Rat 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Ox 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 Tiger 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Rabbit 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 Dragon 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Snake 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Horse 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Goat 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 Pig 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.

{KIMS cont’d from page 5} altars and deeply bowing.

In Paju, a city near the North Korean border, two villages are home to dozens of people with the surname Hwang who claim as an ancestor Hwang Hui, a 15th-century prime minister renowned for his moral integrity and righteousness.

“He’s like our religion,” said Hwang You Yeon, a 69-year-old resident in one of the two villages where Hwang Hui spent most of his post-retirement years. “He’s our pride.”

Last spring, the Hwangs made headlines when they confronted a ruling-party lawmaker who alleged Hwang Hui took bribes and committed adultery. The lawmaker apologized after the Hwangs threatened to campaign against him.

These days, it’s largely the elderly who live in villages associated with their clans.

Young people migrate to cities, and while some eventually return, others with different surnames have moved in too. In some cases high-rise apartments have changed the character of once-rural villages.

In a nearby Paju village, seven out of 10 households were once associated with a Yun family. Now the number is about three in 10.

“In those times, there was less individual action. Young people today are spoiled.

Aren’t they?” said Yun Hoon Duk, a resident in the Yun village. “We had grown up with our grandfathers, uncles and nephews ... so we naturally learned the rules of etiquette.”

The clan clusters reveal a fascinating feature of South Korea, where a handful of surnames far outweighs the rest in popularity. More than 20 percent of the country’s 50 million people are Kims, from two former South Korean presidents to the South’s only Olympic figure skating gold medalist.

All Kims do not belong to the same clan. They are divided among about 350 “bongwans” that are associated with particular locations. Kim Sun Won, for instance, is a Gwangsan Kim, named after a southern town where his first ancestor is believed to have settled. Government surveys in 2000, the most recent census data available, showed there were 286 South Korean surnames and 4,179 bongwans.

The dominance of a few surnames is closely linked to Korea’s feudal and Confucian history and the legacy of Japan’s colonization of the Korean Peninsula from 1910-1945.

Surnames were usually reserved for nobility and royalty until the 18th century, when some bankrupt aristocrats allowed

commoners to be added to their genealogical books, called “jokbo,” in return for money.

There are no official records on how many commoners got surnames, but it’s believed to be significant because rampant poverty and the lack of efficient state surveillance systems made the forgery of jokbos widespread.

During the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled from 1392 to 1910, the aristocracy grew from less than 10 percent of the population to as much as 70 percent, in large part because of forged jokbos, said Park HongGab, an expert on Korean surnames at the state-run National Institute of Korean History.

When Japan colonized the Korean Peninsula in the early 20th century, it forced every Korean to have a surname.

Slaves took their masters’ surnames and the poor often picked ones used by high-level aristocrats: Kim, Lee and Park.

“There were slaves, many slaves in the past. But now there’s no one who says they are the descendant of slaves,” said Kim Jin Woo, a specialist on Korean surnames.

“This is why many people don’t trust jokbos.”

Those who want a prominent lineage can still hire jokbo brokers to fabricate genealogical books. The forgery of the books is linked to Korea’s traditional reverence for family background, which has long determined business, social and marital success. More prominent ancestors boost status.

Some records, however, would be quite difficult to fake. Historic clan villages keep centuries-old genealogical books that they say have been handed down from generation to generation. The Hwangs in Paju have a two-volume book written in 1723; the Yun family in Paju keeps woodblocks used to publish its family tree from 1630 to 1863; and Kim Sun Won has a modern version of genealogical books at his home.

The role of ancestral ties in North Korean life is minimal compared to that in the South, though the countries share similar surnames. The North, founded as a socialist republic, has tried to abolish clan systems it calls the legacy of feudalism.

Even so, the system’s legacy remains.

During a landmark 2000 summit between then-South Korean President Kim Daejung and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong Il — father of current leader Kim Jong Un — the two Kims joked about their shared surname but different clans.

“We’re really from the same family and we’ve finally met each other,” Kim Jong Il was quoted as saying in North Korean state media. 

{IKEDA cont’d from page 1} died peacefully at the age of 91, according to his wife, Sumiko.

Ikeda was the first Asian American executive director of a nonprofit in the United States, according to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). In 1953, Ikeda was hired as the first professional director of the Atlantic Street Center (ASC), a non-profit social service agency that has now been operating for over 100 years in Seattle. Under Ikeda, ASC focused on services for troubled youths. He served with ASC for 33 years until his retirement in 1986.

“Ike was an amazing person who inspired a whole generation of multicultural individuals to become social workers and community leaders,” said Al Sugiyama, a community leader.

“Ike was always looking at ways to improve the greater community, which inspired him to create the Minority Executive Directors Coalition (MEDC),” said Sugiyama.

Ikeda was credited, during the 40th anniversary of the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees in the Pacific Northwest last spring, for helping to develop the first Vietnamese newspaper in America, the Dot Moi. Sumiko states her husband followed three important principles in life: Community, church, and family.

“He worked hard and long hours, yet he always made time for his family, his friends and the community,” said Sugiyama.

In 1942, Ikeda, a 17-year-old American of Japanese descent, and his family were ordered to leave his home and went to the Minidoka concentration camp in Idaho where he would spend the next year and a half. He graduated from Hunt High School in the camp in 1943.

After his time in the camp, Ikeda served along with more than 33,000 other Americans of Japanese descent in the U.S. Army until the end of the war. Ikeda and other Nisei (second generation) World War II veterans were awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 2011.

Sumiko said, “The injustice of being incarcerated in World War II propelled him to going into social work. He was an unusual Nisei in that he was very vocal when he saw any injustice and he did not hesitate to take part in marches and protests. Some in the community referred to us as being ‘different.’

It never bothered him.”

He continued his activism, and once he even got arrested and released and later that night he watched himself on TV handcuffed and being led away, Sumiko said.

Daughter Wanda said, “Despite his incarceration at the age of 17 for being an American of Japanese descent, my dad remained optimistic with an everlasting

concern for the welfare of others – especially for those on the periphery of life who often remain ‘invisible’ yet are crucial members of our community.”

His son-in-law Jon Matsumiya said, “I cannot recall a conversation with him without a smile or laughter.”

Another daughter, Julie Oshiro, referred to a quote by Geoffrey Covin in her father’s book, Ike’s Principles, that reflects her father’s philosophy: “Greatness isn’t reserved for a preordained few. It is available to you and everyone.”

Ikeda’s courage

Ikeda was often a pioneer in building multi-racial relations. In the late 1960s, Ikeda allowed the Seattle Black Panthers to use their facilities to provide a breakfast program for local underprivileged children. It was not common in those days to have Asian American and African American collaboration. Despite the controversial decision, Ikeda and the Black Panthers ended up developing a mutually respectful relationship.

“Ike was a visionary and pace setter, always ahead of his time. He loved our communities and worked tirelessly and collaboratively to strengthen them and bring about unity. He was my mentor and will always be the proud father of Atlantic Street Center,” states Edith Elion, Executive Director of the Atlantic Street Center.

Ikeda also organized and facilitated a minority inmate coalition at the Washington State Department of Corrections Monroe Reformatory (now Correctional Complex).

The coalition was successful at decreasing incidents of violence between groups of minority inmates and was the first of its kind in the state, according to NASW. Ikeda’s education included a bachelor of arts degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. In 1951, he earned his master’s in social work degree; he was one of the first graduates of color from the University of Washington School of Social Work.

Son of Minoru and Tomoe, Ikeda was born on Aug. 15, 1924, in Portland, Oregon. He had two brothers and one sister and grew up in Portland until his incarceration.

Ikeda is survived by his wife, Sumiko Hara, of Hawaii; four daughters; and seven grandchildren. Ikeda and Sumiko were married for 64 years.  A celebration of Ikeda’s life will be held at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church on Jan. 18, 2016, at 11 a.m.

Assunta Ng can be reached at assunta@ nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

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DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

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{PEARL HARBOR cont’d from page 1} The Kilo Pier offers not only more space, but also a better view, Daniel Martinez of the National Park Service told KITV.

{THE NEW YORK TIMES cont’d from page 4} as online.

After a military junta took power last year, it declared that defending the monarchy was one of its priorities, but also cracked down on criticism of its rule, saying it was necessary to do so to prevent disorder. The army seized power after a period of sometimes-violent political turbulence that affected Thailand after an earlier military takeover in 2006.

Reporters as well as media managers have been summoned by the military for talks, sometimes lasting for days, called “attitude adjustment” sessions. Many of those summoned have been forced to sign statements promising not to criticize the junta.

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“When you look out from Kilo Pier across the way, less than a quarter-mile away, you’re looking at the USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri, so it’s a wonderful venue,” Martinez said.

The theme of this year’s historic commemoration is

King Bhumibol Adulyadej has ruled for 69 years and will be 88 years old this month. His ill health has heightened concerns about what will happen after his reign, but little public discussion has been allowed.

Yuth Chinsupakul, chairman of Eastern Printing Co., which prints the Times, was quoted on the website of the Manager newspaper as saying the reason the latest article was not printed was because it touched on a sensitive matter of the country’s “highest institution,” a reference to the monarchy.

The International New York Times announced last month that it will cease printing and distributing its print edition in Thailand at the end of this year, attributing the decision to the rising cost of operations. 

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“Pathway to Reconciliation: From Engagement to Peace,” focusing on the rebuilding and solidifying the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. 

{TUNA cont’d from page 4} long dominated by three major brands.

The third major brand is StarKist Co., based in Pittsburgh, a subsidiary of Dongwon Industries of Seoul, South Korea.

Bumble Bee, which is owned by the British investment firm Lion Capital LLP, is based in San Diego. Tri-Union Seafoods, the Thai Union subsidiary operating as Chicken of the Sea International, also is based in San Diego.

“Consumers are better off without this deal,” Assistant Attorney General Bill Baer said in a printed statement. He said the two companies knew or should have known that competition already is lacking in the canned tuna market, and more consolidation would make the situation worse.

Bumble Bee CEO Chris Lischewski confirmed in a statement that the two companies had mutually agreed to terminate the deal. “During the last year, Bumble Bee

has conducted business as usual and now has a renewed focus to execute its vision for the company well into the future,” Lischewski said.

Representatives of Tri-Union Seafoods didn’t immediately return telephone calls seeking comment.

When the deal was announced in December 2014, Thai Union said its purchase of Bumble Bee would be its largest acquisition and would boost its earnings by reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Thai Union, with annual sales of about $3.5 billion and some 35,000 employees worldwide, also has international brands John West, King Oscar, Petit Navire, Parmentier, Mareblu and Century. Bumble Bee posts sales of around $1 billion yearly; it has roughly 1,300 employees.

In addition to Bumble Bee, its canned seafood brands include Wild Selections, Beach Cliff, Brunswick and Snow’s. 

Northwest Asian Weekly is always looking for Asian American community news. If you are the host or an attendee of an API fundraiser, e-mail us a big photo, event highlights, and the amount of money raised. We are also looking for news about APIs in new jobs and APIs getting public recognition and awards. Please send materials to info@nwasianweekly.com with “names in the news” as the subject line.

{YU cont’d from page 1} The racist T-shirt had Asian Americans up in arms with the then-trendy retailer.

Yu was one of the many outraged Asian Americans. His coverage on the controversial issue drew so much traffic to his blog that he had to move it into a new domain on www. angryasianman.com, which has since been the blog’s home.

Becoming a full-time blogger

Currently based in Los Angeles, Yu made the jump to fulltime blogger in 2013. Although he has a part-time intern and relies on his readers for story tips, Yu still runs everything on the site which includes researching and writing all content to website maintenance.

Yu is quick to note that his readers play a crucial role in the direction of his blog. At times, they even open his eyes to new industries and fields where Asian Americans are present—areas that Yu never once thought to look for such representation.

“I’m not that into sports, but a reader tipped me off about ice dancers Maia and Alex Shibutani,” said Yu. “[Ice skating] was a subject that I never would’ve looked into on my own”. The Shibutani siblings are a pair of Asian American ice dancers that competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Yu has been following the Shibutani siblings since then.

“My blog acts like a meeting point for a lot of diverse information,” said Yu. “I like to be a megaphone and pass said {CAMBODIA cont’d from page 10} “Besides, King Norodom Sihanouk had strong ties with China. He died in China during a visit.”

Why Cambodia?

DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

information on to interested parties among my audience. I’m not discovering these stories on my own—there’s definitely a lot of help from my readers. I’m just trying to find the right lens to project or amplify a topic.”

Not so Angry Asian Man

Despite the “Angry” implication of his website name and his extensive coverage on racism, Yu’s blog often spotlights outstanding people, milestones, and achievements in the community. With the rise of Asian Americans in Hollywood the last few years, Yu has had a lot more to celebrate and cover in his writings.

“The media landscape has changed quickly in the last couple years especially on television,” said Yu on the current state of Asian Americans in the media. Yu credited mainstream projects with all-Asian casts, such as landmark television shows like “Fresh Off the Boat” or “Dr. Ken”, as ground-breakers for Asian American viewers.

“There’s currently a groundswell for more inclusive storytelling that reflects people of all backgrounds,” said Yu. “People just need proof of concept [about their presence in the media] and you need to have an Asian American family on television. Now, Asian Americans finally have it. It’s cool to be in the thick of it and experience the change alongside the readers.”

In addition to his blog, Yu produces a podcast and a YouTube talk show that explores and analyzes race and media representation issues regarding Asian Americans. He also

a dirty look from the server.

By the way, U.S. currency is more popular than Cambodian money. We never needed to exchange to Cambodian currency during our five-day stay.

And most people we met speak English.

In fact, they are versatile in many languages.

We met tour guides speaking fluent Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and even Polish in many parts of Siem Reap.

Cambodian food

15

participates in speaking engagements including a college speaking circuit around the country.

Connection to Seattle and Bruce Lee

It’s no secret that Yu has a great fondness for the late martial artist Bruce Lee. Yu cites Lee as one of his earliest positive representations of Asians in the media, and even uses an image of a Lee action figure as the landing page to his blog.

In October 2014, the Wing Luke Museum interviewed Yu for their oral history archive during one of his visits to Seattle.

It was during this interview that the museum staff invited Yu to write text panels for their multi-year Bruce Lee exhibit which was, at the time, in its initial stages of exhibition.

Yu’s involvement with the exhibition was so well-received that the museum requested that he write text panels for the second year of the Bruce Lee exhibit, which opened this past October. The whole experience has been a true delight for Yu. “Bruce Lee was an iconoclast and there are times when we take his image for granted in the media,” said Yu. “Although he was an incredible martial artist who kicked a lot of butt, he also broke through as an Asian man in the media by doing things no one else is or was doing. He broke barriers that, at the time, seemed even more insurmountable than they do today.”

Much like Yu did when he launched his news blog back in 2001.  Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

Hot weather

The temperature is hot in November, but bearable. Even though the weather is warm, you have to wear long sleeves and pants. Cambodian mosquitoes are famous. Luckily, we were prepared with mosquito-resistant cream. 

Photos by George Liu/NWAW

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Part II to be continued Dec. 24 Assunta Ng can be reached at assunta@ nwasianweekly.com.

Private dining huts at restaurant on the way to Siem Reap

Heavy traffic on typical street

Easy travel

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A version of Cambodian tapas for tourists

I give Cambodian food a thumbs up – a fusion between Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, and French. It is not like Thai food, too spicy hot. Cambodian food is not hot at all. I need not worry about picking the wrong items.

It also has fried rice on the menu, similar to Chinese fried rice. When we went to its night market, I checked out the restaurants. The one with lots of individual Chinese tourists, I jumped in. We Chinese are picky eaters. If they patronize, my confidence spikes. We enjoyed all our meals in local restaurants.

Fresh Thai Coconut $

PRODUCE

Three weeks ago, I visited Hong Kong (HK) to deal with family problems. It was stressful. We needed a side trip to de-stress.

Cambodia seemed to be the logical choice, as it only took two hours and five minutes to fly from HK to its capital.

I have traveled to Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, S. Korea, and Japan. Although I love to go to India, it is a bit far from HK. Our family’s dream is to visit as many new countries as much as we can.

Visiting my Cambodian friends’ homeland helps me understand their past and heritage.

My desire was to see Angkor Wat and not the Killing Fields museum. In fact, I tried to talk myself out of going to the “killing fields.”

But I changed my mind at the last minute.

$

1.29 ea

8.99 9pcs case

Transportation

What makes it beneficial for us Americans to go to Cambodia is its inexpensive standard of living. Everything is inexpensive. From food to hotels to souvenirs, it’s cheap.

For instance, our 5-star hotel was $128 a night in Siem Reap; our 4-star hotel Plantation in Phnom Penh was $100 a night (including breakfast and wi-fi, and 50 percent off for massages). Where can you get a $20 massage in the U.S., not even among Chinese massage spas?

If you give a $2 tip, the Cambodians are happy. But if you do that in the U.S., you get

Seattle is heaven compared to Cambodia’s traffic hell. There are no crosswalks, no sidewalks, no traffic lights, no public city buses, and no night lights. You get the picture.

The common transportation was to ride on a tut tut, a motorcycle converted to carriage seats behind the driver. Actually, it’s a quite comfortable and cheap form of transportation. For four hours on and off the ride for sightseeing, you only pay $25.

Everywhere, there are hundreds soliciting you for rides so we never waited for one.

SEAFOOD

Mr. Bunny, tut tut driver

$

$

$

$

$

4.99 lb

4.49 lb

$

$

$

$

4.49 lb

3.99 ea

Fz Bono Squid $

2.19 lb

Pork Belly Rib-On $

Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot Regular 3.9oz & Spicy 8.3oz $

0.39 ea

Ocean Farm Swai Headless Whole Cut Steak 2lbs

3.49 lb

Beef Ox Tail

1.99 lb

Green Onion

Fz Cuttlefish U1/2

7.49 box

Beef Short Rib

$

0.39 ea

Fresh Stripped Bass

19.99 4lbs box

$

Florida Makok

Cilantro

2.19 lb

White Shrimp 30/40 Headon

5.49 lb

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Sanford Fz Sealord New Zealand Greenshell Mussels 2lb

MEAT

The Plantation boutique hotel in Phnom Penh

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Malabar Spinach $

FEATURE ITEMS

Hawaii Longan

4.29 lb

3.49

L.A Lucky Taiwan Bean Vermicelli 10.5oz $

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Offer only good while supplies last. We reserve the right to correct all printed errors.

Whole Chicken with Egg $

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asianweekly northwest

16

DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2015

{TOP CONTRIBUTORS cont’d from page 9}

James Tabafunda can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

Honorees Mel Kang and Chong Dameron with Korean community members

From left: A thank-you presentation to Seattle City Council members who have served the City for decades and would not return in 2016 Hon. Sally Clark, Tom Rasmussen, Jean Godden, Nick Licata and Maiko Winkler-Chin of Seattle Chinatown/International District Preservation Development Authority

From left: Wells Fargo President Mary Knell, honoree Elsie Taniguchi and Keiro NW CEO Jeff Hattori

From left: Bettie Luke, honoree Ming Ming Tung-Edelman and Andy Chin, director general of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office

From left: Puget Sound Energy government relations director Nina Odell, Sen. Cyrus Habib, Bellevue City Council member John Stokes, honoree Vandana Slatter, family friends and Greg Slatter (far right

From left: Mel Kang and Rick Politan with members of the National Asian American Labor Alliance -Seattle chapter

Photos by George Liu/NWAW

that you can talk about the issues that you encounter in your community,” Tung-Edelman added.

Retired from organizing nurses and healthcare workers for the Service Employees International Union (or SEIU Healthcare1199NW specifically), Polintan is still active empowering others to act. He is currently the chair of the 11th Legislative District Democrats.

He immigrated from the Philippines in 1980 and has over 35 years of community service.

“We’re the biggest minority community in King County, and yet when you look at the data, 49 percent of Asians are not registered to vote. So how can we expect to set policies that are important in our communities without changing that?”

Polintan asked.

Kang is a third-generation Korean American and a U.S. Navy veteran who has devoted his life to standing up for immigrant and workers’ rights.

“Sometimes, we think that if we work really hard, we’ll arrive at a state where we’ll finally, once and for all, have a just and ethical society. But I think when we really participate, we realize that every generation has a responsibility and a role to move us toward that position, and that we can never stop working at moving in that direction,” he said.

Like Polintan, Tashima has a knack to get other people active and involved. Raised in Cleveland by Japanese American parents who valued volunteer service, he served two terms as JACL Seattle chapter president.

He said, “It’s dawned upon me as a Japanese American, the power of our legacy is in the advocacy, the moral imperative that we have to advocate based on our own experiences.”

Slatter – an Indian American biotechnology professional and community leader born in Vanderhoof, British Columbia, Canada – will officially swear-in as the newest Bellevue city councilmember on Dec. 14. Like Tashima, her parents value community service.

“I come from a long line of community leaders who have served their community in three, different countries,” she said.

At age 5, Taniguchi and her family were relocated to internment camps in Washington state and Idaho. She served as Puyallup Valley JACL president for 17 years.

Dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, she said, “It’s because of the sacrifices that our ancestors have made that we are what we are today.” 