Fil-Am Who's Who February 2015

fil-am who’S WHo FEBRUARY 2015

Bill Schiffmiller & Elizabeth “Ninez” Recto Arreglado Philippine Airlines

Launches New York - Manila Service March 16, 2015

In This Issue. . .

Ollie’s Grapevine

3

PAL Launches NY - Manila Service

A Word from The Editor

Oliver Oliveros

4

Paying Homage to the Patriotism of Dr. Jose Rizal “I die without seeing dawn’s light shining on my country... You, who will see it, welcome it for me...don’t forget those who fell during the nighttime.” – Dr. Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere

Cover Story: Bill Schiffmiller & Elizabeth

8 Community Calendar 13 The World Is My Oyster 14 “Ninez” Recto Arreglado

Vigan City, Ilocos Sur—Fil-Am Who’s Who publishers Dr. Prospero A. Lim and Olivia “Ollie” David and editorial board members, represented by yours truly, recently visited Vigan, one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites, just in time to celebrate not one but two momentous occasions, namely (1) Vigan’s latest feat: its declaration as one of the Wonder Cities of the World; and (2) the 20th international assembly of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, a fraternal and cultural organization that upholds the ideologies of Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines.

At the international assembly (Feb. 19-22), the more than 140 Knights of Rizal, alongside their ladies and guests, from the United States, led by USA Regional Commander Sir Francis Sison, KGOR, formed this year’s biggest delegation, which left a good impression on Supreme Commander Sir Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson, and special guests Philippine Consul General to New York Mario De Leon, Jr. and Former Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations Hilario Davide, Jr. “There’s so much that has been done to improve the membership and to promote further the objectives of the Order [which include emulating and practicing the teachings of Rizal],” said Ambassador Davide in a short interview with yours truly.

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

He added, “I have to congratulate USA Regional Commander Sir Francis Sison and his area commanders for all the extra effort.”

Bill and Ninez in their Manhattan home

From my end, I would like to extend my huge congratulations to fellow Knights of Rizal who were bestowed distinguished awards during the international assembly: Sir Emilio P. Quines, Jr., KCR, Distinguished Service Medalist and Lifetime Member; Sir Prospero A. Lim, MD, KGOR, Distinguished Service Cross Recipient; Sir Rocky Singson, KCR, Lifetime Member; and last but not the least, Sir Rev. Dr. Gaudencio J. Soriano, Lifetime Member, who was also one of my generous roommates at Ciudad Fernandina Hotel in Vigan.

Sirs Francis, Emilio, Pros, Rocky, and Rev: I was truly humbled to be part of your league of tireless community leaders.

Agyamanak Unay (Thank you in Ilocano).

We use information sources that we believe to be reliable, but do not warrant the accuracy of those sources.

Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Fil-Am Who’s Who articles and other information on the website are up-to-date and accurate as possible, as of the publication date.

fil-am who’s who 2 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

february 2015

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Oliver Oliveros • Managing Editor Myrna Gutierrez • Layout Artist & Photo Editor Rolan Gutierrez • Marketing/Sales Director & Columnist Ollie David • Marketing/ Sales Executive & Columnist Prospero A. Lim, MD • Contributing Writer Maricar CP Hampton Contributing Writer Dennis Clemente • Publisher Fil-Am Who’s Who, Inc. Copyright © 2015 Fil-Am Who’s Who, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Fil-Am Who’s Who invites you to contribute articles, letters, comments, or pictures to the editor. Please email submissions to filamwhoswho@gmail.com. For advertising inquiries, please email adsfilamwhoswho@gmail.com or call (732) 499-7995, (917) 502-9887, or (917) 502-9891.

How to Stay Clean in a Dirty World

Ollie’s Grapevine

Ollie David

Here are simple, easy detox tips!

“Sweat therapy” is as simple as using the sauna at a local health club or gym. If you don’t have access to a sauna, consider any other activity that can make you sweat such as brisk walking.

Detoxification is a basic, natural part of life: You take in what you need and get rid of what you don’t need. You take in oxygen and get rid of carbon monoxide; you take in food and get rid of bodily wastes. For the most part, you’re getting rid of toxins, which are useless waste products that cause diseases and damage cells if they hang around too long.

If you do build up sweat, however, it’s important to rinse off to wash away the toxins out of your body.

Speed Up Transit Time A healthy transit time—the time it takes a meal to move from mouth to anus—is about a day, although conventional doctors say that three days is just fine.

Toxins include formerly good stuff, i.e. hormones that have done their jobs and now ready for disposal, and bad stuff, i.e. pollutants that do not belong in the human body in the first place.

To discover your personal transit time, eat some corn-on-the-cob or a can of corn. The outer yellow hulls are indigestible and will show up in your stool. The time from eating the corn to making a bowel movement, which shows the corn’s yellow hulls, is your transit time.

So how can you detox your body more efficiently? Here are a few simple ways.

Detox Supplements Detoxifying the liver requires specific nutrients. For example, glutathione—a protein-like antioxidant—is a must for detoxifying various drugs, pollutants, alcohol, and fungi found in food. To make glutathione, your body needs three key amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamine, along with vitamin C.

If your personal transit time is slower than one day, here are some tips to help you speed it up.

Eat More Fiber: Eating more whole grains, which are rich in fiber that bulks up the stool, is probably the easiest way to speed up transit time.

Drink Up Water plays a key role in daily detox. In fact, drinking enough water is probably the best thing you can do to aid your kidneys as they clean your blood.

It’s good to remember that water is also a key part of daily nutrition that’s as important as essential fatty acids, and amino acids, among others, which your body doesn’t make on its own.

There’s an easy way to make sure you’re drinking enough water: check out your lips and mouth. If they’re dry, you need to drink more water. It’s that simple. You can also take a look at the color of your urine. If it’s dull yellow, there’s not enough water diluting it.

Take Magnesium: Magnesium promotes healthy muscles and nerves, including those responsible for peristalsis—the rhythmic muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Magnesium-rich food include beans, pumpkin seeds, cooked spinach, and halibut.

Drink More Water: Withoutt water, your stool becomes hard and small, which slows down transit time.

Funny Things to Think About

Also when you feel tired, try drinking a glass of water and see if your energy improves after a couple of minutes. If it does, you were dehydrated.

Old is When…

• Your friends complimented you on your new

Sweat It Out

alligator shoes and you were barefoot.

Regular “sweat therapy” is a great way to aid detoxification.

Recent studies have shown that “sweat therapy” can be helpful to those with Type 2 diabetes, heart failure, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, rheumatoid arthritis, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

• Going braless pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.

• You don’t care where your spouse goes,

just as long as you don’t have to go along.

• You’re cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of the police.

• Getting a little action means you don’t need to take a laxative today.

Christmas with Renee Salud

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

• “Getting lucky” means you find your car in the parking lot.

• An “all-nighter” means not getting up to use the bathroom.

• You’re not sure if these are facts or jokes. february 2015

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 3

Rachelle Ocampo

Steve Derodar

Melojane Valisno

L-R: Helen Kwong, Sheila Logrono, Consul Felipe Carino, Consuelo Almonte, Albert Diala, Myrna Gutierrez, Maria San Jose

PAGASA sfi Community Fashion Dinner Dance Philippine American Group of Active Seniors Association Social Foundation, Inc Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel

December-January November Rewind Rewind Rolan RolanGutierrez Gutierrez

L-R: Dr. Rod Castillo, Steven Raga, Consul Felipe Carino, Miguel Braganza

Fashion Designer Renee Salud visits NYC

Renee Salud with friends at Nonoy & Joji Rafael’s residence Renee Salud with Dr. Marissa Santos

L-R: Rena Avendula, Rap Cruz , Renee Salud, Linda Braga

L-R: Arianney Dacumos, Renee Salud, Chin Gomez

Boxing idol Manny Pacquiao visits the Consul General residence.

Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr. hosts the Filipino-American Press Club of New York (FAPCNY).

Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr. addresses members of the FAPCNY.

Congressman Manny Pacquiao, our ‘National Sports Hero’

L-R: Consul Felipe Carino, Deputy Consul General Kira Danganan-Azucena, Consul General Mario De Leon, Congressman Manny Pacquiao, Eleanor De Leon, Consul Kerwin Tate, Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz

Group shot with Congressman Manny Pacquiao

Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr. and Ryan Moore who directed the documentary film ‘Manny’. february 2015

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 7

Up the Corporate Ladder, Hearing the Call of Charity

By Maricar CP Hampton Photos by Rolan Gutierrrez

E

lizabeth Recto Arreglado, the highest-ranking Filipina in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), seamlessly blends her thriving professional life with her heart of philanthropy.

Ninez, as she is often referred to, is passionate about making a difference in society and serving the marginalized communities. Amidst a very busy work schedule, she finds the time to advocate for the hard-ofhearing and deaf community in the Philippines. “I think success is making an impact in one’s work, community and society at large. It is having the influence and ability to change someone’s life and to make this world a better place,” she said.

Ninez is senior vice president and head of the Global Compensation, Talent Management & HRIS (Human Resources Information System) at the NYSE. Her climb up the corporate ladder begun in the ‘80s when as a new immigrant, a fresh graduate from Assumption, she was hired at The Conference Board, a global, independent business membership and research association working for the public interest. “When I first started my career my first job was Staff Assistant B - an assistant to the lead assistant,” she said. “There I was fresh out of school with no prior work experience because in the Philippines we did not work while we were in high school or college unlike here in the US. I didn’t even know how to answer the phone nor how to type. I was hired by Audrey Freedman, a leading economist at that time.”

Six months into her job, Ninez felt she needed a change. What happened next started her career on research. “While I have learned a lot and enjoyed working at The Conference Board, I wanted to broaden my responsibilities and gain expertise in a specific field of research. I approached senior management to address these concerns. Audrey then assigned me to a senior researcher whose expertise was in the field of compensation. I loved it,” she recalled. Not long after, she was promoted to Research Associate where she gained knowledge in the field of compensation and corporate governance. “All throughout my career I think one of the critical aspects of my success is not only that I was willing and excited to try on new things but I initiated and got involved in many different projects.

You cannot be a person on the sideline; you need to be engaged; you need to participate for you to be relevant and for you to learn,” Ninez shared.

She spent the bulk of her career working at Lehman Brothers after its spinoff from American Express.

“During my tenure at Lehman Brothers, we developed, designed and implemented compensation programs, processes and systems that were used by the company until the bankruptcy.” It was in late 2008 that she joined NYSE where she assumed various roles and increasing responsibilities.

“Throughout my career, I have been blessed with having mentors to guide me and advocates who promoted my interests and were invested in my success. I also am very fortunate to have been able to work with very smart individuals.”

Born to a prominent political family, Ninez is the great grandniece of former Senator Claro M. Recto and the granddaughter of Ambassador Juan Arreglado. Growing up in Lipa City, Batangas, she recalled, the concept of giving back has always been emphasized in her family. “At a very young age, I was seven or eight, we would visit children at the orphanage. My mom, grandmother and aunts would bring us to medical missions.“ Ninez told Fil-Am Who’s Who, “We were taught that those who are privileged have the responsibility to help the less fortunate.”

Today, the same passion burns in her heart. “Charity work is a part of our DNA,” she said. Ninez and husband Bill Schiffmiller founded The AKOIO Foundation, to raise awareness, educate people and eradicate the misconception and biases towards people who are hard-of-hearing. The missions are designed to give individuals who are hard-of-hearing a chance to rise above their challenges and give them opportunities.

“We advocate for individuals with disabilities, especially the children,” Bill said. “If we give these kids the opportunity to hear, then perhaps they can go to school and have a better chance to change their lives.

It’s a long-term commitment.“

B

ill is an entrepreneur and founder of AKOIO, LLC, a company that develops products and services for those with disabilities. He is passionate about Accessibility – to enhance the lives of those with physical and mental challenges and to empower individuals despite physical challenges. Bill also advises Apple on Accessibility awareness and training for its global retail operations. Putting up the foundation and helping others is something personal for both Bill and Ninez who have been together for 25 years. “I am hard-of-hearing; I didn’t get my hearing aids ‘til I was six years old,” Bill said. “I underwent speech therapy along with being in the mainstream - meaning I was part of the public school system just like any other kid. I know firsthand the power of the gift of hearing; we are passionate about giving that same opportunity to others.”

In March 2013, the couple’s vision became a reality. In collaboration with the Starkey Hearing Foundation and local partners, such as UST’s Audiology Department, the Rotary Club of Lipa City and local community leaders, the AKOIO Foundation was able to provide free hearing aids to over 1,500 patients in the cities of Lipa and Batangas, and the neighboring towns. Last year, they were able to help over 700 people in Lipa City alone.

The hearing mission with the Starkey Foundation is held in several locations in the Philippines including Manila and General Santos. In 2015, they expect to reach over 5,000 individuals and expand their missions to other areas.

Away from their demanding jobs, the couple enjoys exploring the sights and sounds of New York City. “We are very blessed to live in a city with so much to offer. Bill and I like to go to the museums and galleries, the ballet, the opera and walk throughout the city. Bill and I like to travel and are tango aficionados.”

Asked about their secret of balancing family life and career? “Understanding and knowing what’s important helps me balance family life and career. A willingness to compromise and to not take things and people for granted,” Ninez said.

(Update: As of this printing, Ninez has left NYSE to pursue new ventures.)

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Photos by • Mark McCarthy/Starkey Hearing Foundation • Raymond Panaligan/The AKOIO Foundation • Nana Buxani/The AKOIO Foundation

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fil-am who’s who FIRST ANNIVERSARY ISSUE JANUARY 2014

fil-am who’s who

fil-am who’s who

APRIL 2014

FEBRUARY 2014

Joyce Penas Pilarsky

Filipina Couture Designer

Ollie David Community Leadership & Glamour Megan Young

Beauty with a Purpose

Rommel del Rosario Young Entrepreneur

PIDCI

Lemuel Sison

50th Birthday Bash

Bringing Filipinos Together

2013 REWIND

Ron Richer

Stockbroker by Day Arts Advocate by Night

FAWW Turns One

Cardinal Tagle

Conferral at Fordham University

Bong Santos Of DirecTV

Central Park West Dentistry Convenience for Patients

2014 REWIND MAY 2014

fil-am who’S WHo JUNE 2014

fil-am who’S WHo JULY 2014

Ismael Jampayas Leadership and Success PAMET Through the Years

Special to Fil-Am Who’s Who

Nicole Ponseca

Philippine Culinary Hero

by Jose Antonio Vargas

fil-am who’S WHo SEPTEMBER 2014

NOVEMBER 2014

Cheers to Ultimate Health and Beauty Faith, and the Faithful

Beloved Grand Marshals PAGASA Social Foundation Making the difference

fil-am who’S WHo

Marissa T. Santos, MD A Celebration of Fashion

Drs. Emilio & Fely Quines

AFTA Crystal Apple Award

Major General Antonio Taguba Community Ambassador for AARP

fil-am who’S WHo DECEMBER 2014

Drs. Michael and Elizabeth Avaricio Treating babies to baby boomers

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO Celebrating 2nd Year of Inspiring Life Stories for Filipino Americans Fil-Am Who’s Who magazine, which primarily features Filipino Americans from the New York Tri-State area, started publication, which resembles a broadsheet, in January 2013—a far cry from what the monthly magazine looks like today: 16 glossy pages of striking photographs placed against a crisp, clean layout design, and printed on 100-pound paper stock.

Its printed version reaches more than 4,000 Filipino Americans who are based in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Boston; its digital version, found on filamwhoswho.com, reaches tens of thousands of Filipinos around the world.

The magazine remains free, and we are thankful to our sponsors and advertisers whose business donations have helped us survive and proliferate while striving to tell the Filipino American’s most inspiring life stories. f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

11

How diabetes raises risk for heart disease

Diabetes and Heart Disease in Women By Michael L. Avaricio, MD Cardiovascular risk can occur earlier in women with diabetes Among both men and women, diabetes is one of the strongest cardiovascular risk factors. Many studies have shown that people with diabetes have more than two times the chance of getting cardiovascular disease than people without diabetes. This includes premenopausal women, a group normally at lower risk for cardiovascular disease.

Men generally have heart disease in their 40’s and 50’s, about a decade before women. But this is generally not true for diabetic women. For diabetic women, the cardiovascular risk occurs earlier. Diabetes takes away much of the protection premenopausal women would normally get from estrogen.

The concentration of blood glucose or blood sugar, and how much it sticks to red blood cells and impedes the flow of oxygen in the blood, plays a large role in cardiovascular risk. An important measurement of sugar in the blood over a three-month period is the hemoglobin A1C test.

Hemoglobin is just one of the proteins that transport oxygen in the blood. Diabetes is a disease that impacts large blood vessels (such as the coronary arteries) and small vessels (such as arteries that carry blood to nerve endings and kidneys). Diabetes can affect the cardiovascular system by: • Attaching glucose to (glycosylating) blood proteins and disrupting the distribution of oxygen throughout the body • Causing the clumping of cholesterolcarrying proteins like LDL (bad) cholesterol, which leads to more plaque buildup in the vessel walls • Producing fatty acids that can destroy proteins in the blood vessels • Accelerating the development of atherosclerosis by playing a significant role in blood vessel inflammation

Risk factors for diabetes A clear-cut cause for diabetes is not fully known. But there are several factors that increase the risk of getting diabetes, some factors for women in particular:

• Family history of diabetes • Overweight or obesity • Lack of exercise • Age – being over 45 • Weight gain from having a large baby during pregnancy • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – sometimes characterized by elevated insulin levels • Being part of an ethnic group with a higher incidence of diabetes – including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders • Metabolic syndrome – a group of simultaneously occurring conditions that can include abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting blood glucose level, high triglycerides, and low HDL (good cholesterol)

The challenge and importance of living a healthy life High-sugar, high-calorie, high-salt packaged food is relatively inexpensive, extremely accessible, and very tempting for people with very little free time. But it’s essential to take the time to learn your genetic risks and recognize your individual condition, and make the effort to cut portion sizes, follow a healthy diet, and make physical activity part of daily life.

It is important to be proactive and talk with a physician about diabetes and its associated conditions, like hypertension and cholesterol disorder.

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Community Calendar

Mar 8 Filipino American Community Fair at NYU UNIPRO (Pilipino American Unity for Progress) is inviting young Fil-Ams to attend the Filipino American Community Fair at Palladium Hall (140 E 14th St.), New York University, from 12 noon to 5 p.m. For more information, email info@unipronow.org.

Mar 14 Lea Salonga Live In Concert at Town Hall Tony and Olivier winner Lea Salonga (“Miss Saigon,” “Les Miserables”) returns to the Town Hall (123 W 43rd St.) for a solo concert at 8 p.m. For tickets ($55-65), visit ticketmaster.com or Town Hall box office.

Mar 16 PAL Launches New York - Manila Flights To coincide with Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) 74th founding anniversary, the airline is adding New York City to its current four US networks, which include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Guam. Book your flight at philippineairlines.com or call 1-800-435-9725.

Apr 11 PIDCI Presents “2015 Diwa ng Kalayaan” Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. (PIDCI) will present young Fil-Am ladies vying for the title “2015 Diwa ng Kalayaan” at Double Tree Newark Airport Hotel (128 Frontage Rd.) Winners will be featured in the parade celebrating the 117th Anniversary of Philippine Independence in Manhattan on June 7.

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May 9 PIDCI Grand Marshal Ball Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. (PIDCI) honors this year’s grand marshal Reuben S. Seguritan, who also served as the founding president of the organization when it was incorporated in 2002. The Grand Marshal Ball will be held at Leonard’s Palazzo (555 Northern Blvd., Great Neck, NY). For more information, call Ollie David 732-499-7995.

May 15 Are you AARP’s Next Singing Superstar?

AARP holds its second national search to find the next 50+ singing superstar via “AARP Superstar 2015” contest, which is open to anyone who will be age 50 by May 15. “AARP Superstar 2015” is accepting submissions now through Mar 12. The live competition--$5,000 grand prize is at stake—will be held at AARP’s 2015 Life@50+ National Event &Expo in Miami on May 15. For more information, visit aarp.org/superstar2015.

June 27 Renee Salud Fashion Show Fil-Am Who’s Who Inc. presents “TATAKSALUDnyc 2015,” a major fashion event, featuring the newest collection of the Philippines’ premier fashion designer Renee Salud at Double Tree Newark Airport Hotel (128 Frontage Rd.) For tickets and more information, call Ollie David 732-499-7995.

Ongoing PropertyAsia, an online market place for real estate hunters and sellers, is inviting brokers and agents who are selling properties in the Philippines and across Asia to post their property listings for free for a limited time on propertyasia.ph. Chanz IT Business Solutions Inc., which is a partner of Chanz Global in the Netherlands, designs, develops, and maintains the website. february 2015

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 13

Tips for the Cold, Dreary Days The winter season is upon us with a vengeance. This may not be the best season for many of us who prefer the hot weather.

But deal with it we must. So here are some tips we can try to make ourselves safe and comfortable as we can be.

•

At home, make sure the windows are tightly closed to conserve heat. Place towels underneath the doors, especially those that lead to the outside such as the front or garage door.

•

Use heavy curtains for windows; they will help keep the heat on.

•

If you must use an electric heater, make sure it is placed far from combustible materials and from children.

•

Never turn on the oven for heat. It is not only dangerous, but it can also generate carbon monoxide that can kill you.

•

Do not leave lit candles unattended when you go to bed.

Always put them out to stay safe.

•

Make sure the carbon monoxide detector is in good working condition. Better be safe than sorry.

The World is My Oyster

Dr. Prospero A. Lim

•

Outside the house, leave the shoveling of the snow to the younger ones. The cold, together with your sweat, can cause pneumonia or, worse, a heart attack.

•

Be watchful of your steps when going to your car or leaving it. You are not a skating champion. Unshoveled snow can be slippery.

•

Avoid unnecessary trips during snowy days. You may be a very careful driver, but the other guy may be a “kamikaze” driver.

•

Do not forget to say a little prayer to your favorite saint before you start driving. It won’t hurt to be thankful and ask for guidance and protection.

•

Finally, winter in this country is part of life. We can enjoy the snow and the cold, but let us not forget to be extra careful so we can look forward to another season of winter. Or better yet, try being a “snow bird”—go to Florida or to the Philippines during the winter.

Enjoy the snow! But let us keep it safe.

SHOOTER’S TIP I took this photo on location at the lobby of the Double Tree Hotel in Newark, NJ. I asked my stunning model Marvee Sanagustin to do several poses for me.

The lighting setup was an off-camera flash mounted on a mini umbrella light modifier and triggered by a Canon ST-E3-RT. My good friend John Sohn held the flash directing it on Marvee’s lovely face giving a soft light and distinct catch light on Marvee’s beautiful eyes.

Happy shooting!

14 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

february 2015

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