asian journal dec 18 2009

(Continued on page 2)


December 18 - 24, 2009

Zena Sultana Babao EntertainmentChristmas Carols

and Colors

Msgr. GutierrezThe joyful wonder of

a divine surprise

Philippine Scene

Underground River - At the cave entrance of the Underground River a natural world heritage site in Puerto Princessa Subter-ranean River National Park in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, Philippines.

Warning: The California Department of Real Estate has not examined this offering, including but not limited to the condition of title, the status of blanket liens of the project (if any), arrangements to assure project completion, escrow practices, control over project management, racially discriminatory practice (if any), terms, conditions, and price of the offer, control over annual assessments (if any), or the availability of water services, utilities, or improvements. It may be advisable for you to consult an attorney or other knowledgeable professional who is familiar with real estate and development law in the country where this subdivision is situated.

Attend the free presentations of the affordable but luxurious housing developments in the Philippines! Presented in San Diego, Hemet and Temecula December 2009. Call 619-746-3416 for reservations.

Presidio at Britany Bay, near Laguna de Bay, Sucat, Paranaque, Makati and Taguig areas

Call for Schedules of Presentations inSAN DIEGO

TEMECULA

HEMET

ORANGE COUNTY

Call (619) 746-3416 or brochures and reservations

Luxurious single family homes beside Alabang For brochures and other info, call 619-746-3416.

Single family homes in Antipolo; Bacoor, Imus and Dasmarinas, Cavite; Sta. Rosa

and Cabuyao Laguna; and Las Pinas

Baguio and La Union Beach properties.Single family homes in Pan-gasinan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Batangas, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro

Retirement or vacation homes in Tagaytay


Diether on Reader’s Digest cover for KIDS advocacy


A Philippine ChristmasSimbang Gabi and Noche Buena,

the family’s hopes are rebornThe church was over-flowing with people

when Eric and his fam-ily arrived. They had to stand in the middle of the street, as they listened to the priest

over the loudspeaker. The congregation did not mind discomfort because every word

that the priest uttered brought a strange feel-ing of joy and expec-tation on that starry

Christmas Eve. It was different to hear a mass said in the vernacular, a rare experience now that Eric had lived in the United States for the past twelve

years. “This is what Christmas in the Philippines is all about,” he muttered.

By Simeon G. Silverio, Jr., Publisher & EditorAsian Journal San Diego

The original and first Asian Journal in America

Third in a series of Christmas StoriesSee page 3

What began as a charity run to raise money to fight tuberculosis and heart disease has become a fire of inspira-tion for all Filipinos across the nation.

A survivor of tuberculo-sis herself, Filipina runner Joy Rojas began her journey in the Eagle Rock Plaza in Los Angeles, California on May 10 and arrived in New York City on November 23, completing a run of over 3,000 miles across the United States.

Joy Rojas running along the mountains of Kanab, Utah.

Filipina completes 3,000-mile run across America

“They said it couldn’t be done, but with hard work, determination, commitment, endless prayers, and the help of so many people, running across America—and any dream for that matter—can be achieved,” Rojas said.

“Thank you to Western Union and everybody who paved the way for us to run from California to New York. It was a privilege and an honor.”

She was welcomed into New York City by her proud sponsor, Western Union Company, a global payment services company which also sponsored her Takbong Pang-arap Trans USA Run.

“We are so proud to sup-port such a great cause and also build awareness about our great services. She per-fectly exemplifies the can-do spirit that matches Western Union’s yes! campaign,” shared Silvia Eliat, marketing director of ethnic segments for Western Union.

Overcoming countless odds and experiencing ma-jor hurdles, the journey has not been smooth for Rojas. Throughout the run, she en-countered elevations as high as 8,000 feet and weather that ranged from 100 degree scorching heat to near-freez-ing temperatures. She even

Engineer Rodolfo Lubis, who worked in Saudi Arabia for 31 years, together with his wife Sonia and children Annabelle, Charisma, and Rudyson won the 2009 Model OFW Family of the Year National Awards (Land-Based Cat-egory) for their contribution

Saudi based Pinoys are OFW Family of the Year

in providing education and sustainable income to under-privileged members of soci-

(Family Features) The holiday season is the perfect time to relax and enjoy spending time with family and friends. Unfortunately, for many of us, the joys of holiday celebrations often get lost in a flurry of gift shopping, cleaning, deco-rating, cooking and entertaining. With ever-growing to-do lists, finding time to enjoy the holidays can be difficult. In fact, a recent survey by Lindt, a pre-mium chocolate confectioner, found the majority of women agree they could use more “me-time,” especially after a holi-day gathering with friends and family.

While you rush to buy gifts for loved ones and prepare for festive parties, keep in mind indulging in “me-time” can actually provide some much-needed benefits. Coupling daily chores with moments of relaxation can help improve your mood and relieve tension. In fact, 77 percent of women found taking a momentary breather helps give them an energy boost, making it easier to tackle the growing list of daily tasks during the

Indulge in “Me-Time” for a Smooth Holiday Season

“Me-time” – Taking a personal time out, even for only a moment, can make a big difference.

By Ashley Silverio

After a visit from Santa at Martin Luther King Library in San Diego this Tuesday, approxi-mately 100 children clutched new toys rang-ing from soccer balls to dolls to games. It’s a common sight during the holiday season, however, for these children, whose families live up to 200 percent below the pov-erty line, it was truly the gift of Christmas.

Project Concern Inter-national (PCI) hosted the holiday party for families of the California

Santa pays a visit to California Border Healthy Start families

Children from Project Concern Interna-tional’s California Border Healthy Start program celebrate Christmas with Santa.

Border Healthy Start (CBHS) program. The Southeast San Diego families,

December 18 - 24, 2009Asian Journal - (619) 474-0588 Visit our website at http://www.asianjournalusa.com

10717 Camino Ruiz, Ste. 122 San Diego, CA 92126Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry• State-of-the-Art Technology and Sterilization• Digital X-rays and Massage Dental Chairs• Caring and Friendly Staff• Affordable Fees• Military Dependents Welcome• Evening and Weekend Appointments Available• New, Walk-in and Emergency Patients Welcome• Most PPO Plans Accepted•

Email: [email protected] Phone: (858) 566-6099

Open: Monday – Friday 9am – 6pmSaturday 8am – 2pm

Credit Cards AcceptedZOOM!

Exam, Digital X-rays & Cleaning *

*Over $200 in savings, in the absence of gum disease, new

patients only.Limited time offer.

$3499Reg. $238 Towards Any

Dental Service$550 or more

Cannot be combined with insurance.

Limited time offer.

$10000

In Offi ce Teeth WhiteningIn Just an Hour!

Limited time offer.

$29899Reg. $600

Santa pays a visit to California Border Healthy Start families

many of whom would not have been able to afford presents this Christmas, saw Santa and his elves, ate cookies, made orna-ments and sang carols. All of the children received a gift from Santa.

“We want to make sure that every kid gets to have a holiday this year,” said Uli Imhoff-Heine, Director of Institutional Advancement for PCI.

The event was hosted by PCI’s SHE (Strong Healthy Empow-ered) Committee, led by coordi-nators Linda Cipriani and Terri Thomas. The group provided

the gifts, cookies, and the visit from Santa and his elves while spreading holiday cheer.

“We’ve got a lot of happy children and happy families, so that tells us that it’s been a success” said Thomas, who is also co-founder of PCI’s SHE Committee.

PCI hopes to reduce infant mortality in areas stricken by poverty and poor birth outcomes in San Diego County though CBHS. In October, PCI orga-nized a community baby shower

to inform low income families about healthy birthing and chil-drearing practices.

Jennifer Gonzalez and her one-year-old Ernesto and Alicia Astorga and her ten-month old Isaac were two families enjoy-ing the carols and cookies. They currently share an apartment and have been using CBHS services since they were expectant moth-ers.

“[The kids] have been enjoy-ing it,” Gonzalez said as her son nibbled on a sugar cookie. “For low income families, California Border Healthy Start gives us more resources… and refers us

to other places if there’s some-thing they can’t provide.”

Astorga said that CBHS the most vital necessities for low income families, including bus passes and food stamps. “It’s a great program,” said Astorga, “I hope more people get active and involved.”

Astorga and Gonzalez are also HINI emergency preparedness ambassadors for CBHS, and share information about staying healthy during the fl u season with other underserved families.

The National Healthy Start Association hopes to get more mothers involved by inviting them to participate in commu-nity consortiums at each of their 120 sites across the nation. The consortiums are aimed at reduc-ing infant mortality in the most blighted areas of the U.S. and empowering the families that they serve.

With the help of the National Healthy Start Association in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, Dr. Maria Reyes, Project Director of California Border Healthy Start, and Estrel-lita “Lo” Berry, Project Direc-tor of the Central Hillsborough Healthy Start Project in Tampa, Florida, are currently laying the groundwork for an expanded lo-cal consortium, which they hope will be active by next year.

Alicia Astorga and her ten-month-old son Isaac and Jennifer Gonzalez and her one-year-old son Ernesto at Project Concern International’s holiday party for California Border Healthy Start (CBHS) families. CBHS participants since they were expectant mothers, Astorga and Gonzalez now serve as H1N1 emergency preparedness ambassadors for the organization.

(Continued from page 1)

YOGURT SHOP

Dissolving a partnership. Great opportunity. Beau-tifully done Yogurt Shop. You don’t have to buy a thing. You can get into the business for free. Just

step in and take over the lease payments. Located in Chula Vista Ca.

2240 Otay Lakes Rd.#303, Chula Vista Ca. 91915

Los Angeles, 16 December 2009 – The annual “Simbang Gabi and Parade of Parols”, which marks the start of the 9-day novena mass before Christmas, was held on 15 December 2009 at the Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral located in downtown Los Angeles. The event was sponsored by the San Pedro Region Filipino Ministry under the auspices of the Offi ce of the Filipino Ministry of the

Consulate Participates at the Annual Simbang Gabi

Mark Calizo, one of thirteen seminarians at San Carlos Seminary, is joined by family led by mom Lyn Sarino-Calizo of Kalibo, Aklan during the investiture ceremony on Decem-ber 13, 2009.

“As agencies seek to create strategies this time next year, our goal is to have at least ten moms who have received [Healthy Start] services on the board,” Berry said. The goal is to get mothers actively involved in the process.

Program participant Gonzalez said that the consortium was a way “to get a voice in the com-munity.”

Dr. Reyes, a multi-awarded community leader, shared thankful sentiments on the joy of giving and leadership, “Dur-ing these very tough economic times, we can learn to bring ourselves to greater heights of service. “It was heartwarming to see the smiles of our project’s mothers and children.”

Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The main celebrant, Cardinal

Roger Mahoney, was joined by the four (4) Auxiliary Bishops of Los Angeles and more than 30 clerics during the celebration.

The Simbang Gabi’s theme for this year is COME JESUS, GOOD SHEPHERD – “HALI-NA HESUS, BUTIHING PAS-TOL” to commemorate and to honor the Year of Priests.

San Carlos Seminary Investiture

Cardinal Roger Mahoney (center) leads Filipino-American parishioners in celebrating the Simbang Gabi mass at the Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral.

Asian Journal - (619) 474-0588 Visit our website at http://www.asianjournalusa.comDecember 18 - 24, 2009


Philippine Stories

Read Sim Silverio’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Simeon G. Silverio Jr.

Third in a series of Christmas Stories

Manila, PhilippinesDecember 24, 1996

After visiting Ma-nila’s shopping malls all day, Eric

and his family rested their tired feet in the hotel room before they prepared for the highlight of their Christmas celebration: the Christmas dinner of noche buena.

“Better take a nap and get some rest,” he told his daugh-ters. “We’re going to stay awake until midnight at your grandma’s house.”

“Why?” his inquisitive young-est daughter asked.

“This is how we celebrate Christmas Eve here in the Philip-pines. We go to mass at mid-night and partake of some food afterwards with our relatives.”

“Can’t you do it tomorrow morning?”

“Of course not! This is the tradition here. There’s a separate celebration tomorrow.”

Although they spent Christmas in the Philippines in 1992, Eric realized that this would be the fi rst time his American-born children would enjoy Christmas Eve in their parent’s homeland. They visited the country four years ago, arriving late in the morning of Christmas. He knew

A Philippine ChristmasSimbang Gabi and Noche Buena, the family’s hopes

are rebornthat they had missed a lot of fun, as he remembered his own excitement as a kid whenever Christmas Eve approached. While the midnight mass was quite boring, the dinner after-wards with his relatives, espe-cially his cousins, was fun.

“Why don’t we go to that car-nival fi rst?” his eldest daughter,

who didn’t seem to be too tired, asked.

Across the street, near the reclaimed land of the Cultural Center complex, the colorful lights of the carnival was beck-oning. Called “Boom na Boom sa Maynila” the carnival was one of the few spots that had sprouted around Metro Ma-nila to celebrate the Christmas season. Somewhere in Alabang, another carnival called “Bang na

Bang sa Alabang” was attracting people. There’s another carnival on West Triangle in Quezon City, and Eric was sure that its orga-nizers had come out with another crazy name for it.

“Let’s just stay here and rest,” he said.

Full swing

At around eight o’clock, his brother Willie called from the hotel lobby to pick them up. By quarter to nine, they were at his mother’s house getting ready to go to church. The Christmas celebration in that Quezon City community was in full swing. As Christmas carols played on the stereo, Christmas presenta-tions of local programs appeared on television. Movie star hosts, hostesses and their guests would sing Christmas carols (some of them, obviously out of tune). Sometimes choral groups from different associations, churches or clubs would belt out harmoni-ous Christmas melodies. Eric’s favorite was the professional singers who would sing Filipino

Christmas carols. There was one segment depicting Christmas celebrations in a barrio, complete with beautiful young women and good-looking young men in na-tive attire.

In the streets, small children were singing Christmas carols door to door hoping to get a brisk head start on Christmas almsgiving. When he was a teenager, Eric used to organize


caroling with other teens in their neighborhood. They would go out every night fi ve days before Christmas, calling on the friends and relatives of each member, who would then give them a minimum of fi fty pesos per visit. By Christmas, they would have raised at least one thousand pesos, which they would use to organize a mini festival in the afternoon of New Year’s Eve. It featured games for the young children in the neighborhood. The tradition ended abruptly when in 1975, a fi ght with some new neighbors erupted because of a miscommunication, result-ing to some serious injuries and a long protracted court case. The neighborhood was never the same again.

Traditional dishes

In the kitchen, the maids were busy preparing food for the noche buena. They had the traditional dishes served during such an occasion: Chinese ham, queso de bola, hot chocolate and native delicacies like suman, biko and kalamay. One of Eric’s sisters-in-law makes a very good ube, a sweet dessert made of yams.

Eric’s father, who just passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 83, used to insist on having chicken nilaga, a Filipino dish, for noche buena. Now that he was gone, the family continued the tradition in his honor. His father also insisted that they should fast hours before the noche buena. It meant that they had to dispense with their six o’clock dinner and eat only at midnight. It was an imposition that was hard for Eric to follow. Unknown to his dad, he would always complain to his mother, until she secretly brought food to him in his room. Now that his father was no longer with them, Eric decided to keep his father’s rule. Eric believed that he was somewhere in the house, watch-


the family’s hopes are reborning over them, and he would know if his mother would give him food behind his father’s back.

Later in the evening, his other brothers would come one after another with their families. It was certainly different when they were kids under one roof. His sisters would entertain male suitors while the boys would hang out with their neighbor-hood friends in the front yard. Sometimes, they would move the stereo to the yard, hang out with their uncles and cousins who lived in the compound, and listen to the Christmas songs of Andy Williams and Harry

Belafonte. The clinking of beer bottles accompanied the merri-ment as they grew older. Some of those uncles and a couple of those cousins had died over the years and the rest married and

moved out of the neighbor-hood.

Small chapel

At around ten thirty, Eric and his family walked towards the small chapel just around the corner. Their mother had to stay home and watch the mass on television as she could hardly walk because of her age. A maid stayed with her, while the rest of the clan went to mass. The evening was peaceful yet merry. People were com-ing out of the houses and

were dressed as festively in their Sunday-, err, Christmas-best.

Occasionally, Eric would see the familiar old faces of neigh-bors who grew up on the same street some twenty years ago. The young kids that he remem-bered now had their own kids in tow. Some parents of his neighborhood friends suffered the same fate as his father. They were now pushed in wheelchairs toward the church after suffer-ing from a stroke, almost unable to talk. Some neighborhood beauties before who once broke one-too-many hearts had also been touched by time.

“I bet Dindo, my cousin, would not fall madly in love with Susie if he sees the way she looked now,” Eric muttered to himself as he was reminded of his cousin who passed away at the young age of twenty-two.

Just like in a high-school re-union, some of Eric’s neighbor-hood playmates had surpassed expectations; others fell short.

“You’re a varsity basketball player for Far Eastern Universi-ty now?” he asked with disbelief as he met six-foot tall Dick, the small kid who used to carry bags for Eric and his friends while they played basketball in Danmar Village and other places nearby.

Andy, who was expected to fulfi ll his father’s ambition of becoming a doctor someday by attending the most exclusive colleges was a disappointment. He got their maid pregnant before he could learn how to use a stethoscope. Although he lives in the neighborhood with his wife, the former maid, and his kids, his father hardly talks

fi lling the streets on their way to the church. The stars above were bright; so were the stars below from the multi-colored Christmas lights to the lanterns that adorned the houses. Kids and adults alike (Continued on page 9)



With more than a century of strength, integrity and customer trust behind it, American General Life and Accident Company is ready for another successful century with you.

Maximize your potential with the company that is changing the way you think about, purchase and use lifeinsurance. We are looking for sales agents and management candidates in the San Diego area. We offer:

• Paid training• Excellent earnings potential• Competitive compensation plan• Comprehensive Benefits plan• On-going education and continued professional development

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIS CAREER OPPORTUNITY,

PLEASE CONTACT US AND JOIN OUR TEAM!

2650 Camino Del Rio North, Ste. 2San Diego, CA 92108

Jeff Comunale, J.D.General ManagerCA Lic #OB29002Office: 619.299.5213Cell: [email protected]

AGLA is an equal opportunity employer. © 2009 American General Life and Accident Insurance Company

Alfonso MercadoAssociate ManagerCA Lic #0742860Office: 619.299.5213Cell: 619.200.4404

Law Offi ces of Chua Tinsay & Vegawww.ctvattys.com

by Atty. Dennis ChuaLegal Buzz

Read Atty. Dennis Chua’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

HIV InadmissibilityUnder the current law, persons who are affl icted with the Human Immunodefi ciency Virus (HIV) infection will not be allowed to get his or green card unless he/she fi les for a waiver. If the waiver application is denied, her green card application will automatically be denied.However, effective January 4, 2010, HIV infection will no longer be a ground of inadmissibility. Thus, those who have the H1V infection will be able to get their green cards without need of fi ling a waiver application.The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently issued a memorandum to provide guidance on how to adjudicate cases involving applicants with the HIV infection. The memorandum states that between now and January 4, 2010, USCIS offi cers should continue to adjudicate cases involving HIV infection under the following guidelines:

If an applicant has • already fi led a waiver of inadmissibility be-

IMMIGRATION UPDATES…..

Immigration Reform Bill, HIV inadmissibility

cause of HIV infection and the waiver is ap-provable under current law, the offi cer should adjudicate the waiver and the green card ap-plication.

If the applicant has al-• ready fi led for a waiver and not approvable un-

der current law, the USCIS offi cer will hold the case in abeyance until January 4, 2010.

If an • applicant is inad-missible because of HIV infection but has not yet fi led a waiv-er, the of-fi cer

should advise the applicant

that the case will be held in abeyance until January 4, 2010 unless the applicant requests that the application be decided by fi ling a waiver.

As for those cases • which have already been denied solely

based on HIV infection, USCIS will re-open and/or reconsider the application upon the fi ling of a motion to re-open/or reconsider even if the motion to reopen was fi led 30 days after the date of the decision. However, USCIS will only reconsider those applications which have been denied on or after July 2, 2009 which is the date of the HHS proposed rule. For those applications which were denied be-fore July 2, 2009, they should just refi le their applications for adjust-ment.

COMPREHENSIVE IMMI-GRATION REFORM BILL

Rep. Gutierrez (D-IL) just announced on December 11, 2009 that he will be introducing before Congress a Comprehensive Immigration

Reform Bill on December 15, 2009. Call your legislators now to signify your support for a fair and equitable comprehensive immigration reform law.

Atty. Dennis E. Chua is a partner in The Law Firm of Chua Tinsay and Vega (CTV) - a full service law fi rm with offi ces in San Francisco, San Diego and Manila. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. The CTV attorneys will be holding regular free legal clinics at the Max’s Restaurant in Vallejo, California. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (415) 495-8088; (619) 955-6277; [email protected]


by Dr. Ofelia Dirige Co-Founder and Exec. Director, Kalusugan Wellness Center

Contemporary Asian American Issues

Read Dr. Dirige’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

Perspectives

ASIAN JOURNALThe fi rst Asian-Filipino weekly in Southern California

An award-winning newspaper, it is San Diego’s most widely circulated Asian-Filipino newspaper!

Ashley SilverioAssistant Editor

In Pursuit of ExcellenceEugenio “Ego” Osin, (1946 - 1994)

Joe Cabrera, (1924 - 1996)Soledad Bautista, (1917-2009)

Dr. Rizalino “Riz” Oades, (1935-2009)

The Asian Journal is published weekly and distributed in all Asian communties in San Diego County. Publication date is every Friday of the month. Advertising deadline is Thursday prior to publication date at 5 p.m. For advertising rates, rate cards, or information, call (619) 474-0588. Subscription by mail is available for $50 per year (56 issues). The Asian Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs but welcomes submissions. Entire content is © 2009 copyrighted material by Asian Journal. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced without specifi c permission from the publisher.

Genevieve SilverioManaging Editor

Simeon G. Silverio, Jr.Publisher & Editor

Miles BeauchampAssociate Editor

Santi SilverioAssociate Publisher

At Large...

Read Miles Beauchamp’s previous articles by visiting our web-site at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Miles Beauchamp

Well, it’s that time and so here it is again, my Christmas gift column. I always like to do this column as a public service for busy parents. This is, naturally, the time when many of you boys and girls around the world make lists to give to Santa Claus. But with all that writing and every-thing I began to wonder if there might be a way to simplify it. And there is, I have designed a simple list that you can use to make sure Santa gets you everything you desire. Feel free

A Christmas list for kidsHey kids, here’s a way to help Santa get you

everything you want for Christmas

to clip it and use it to your hearts content.

Dear Santa, here is what I want for Christmas

_____ toys

_____ cash

_____ computer games

_____ bicycle

_____ scooter

_____ dolls

_____ plenty of “other”

_____ toys

_____ cash


_____ bicycle

_____ scooter

_____ dolls


_____ toys

_____ cash


_____ bicycle

_____ scooter

_____ dolls


_____ toys

_____ cash


_____ bicycle

_____ scooter

_____ dolls


Okay, okay. Please also bring something for my parents and brother (s) and/or sister (s). Bring them whatever they want.

Now, back to where I was. Oh, yeah, my list. Please bring me:

_____ toys

_____ cash


_____ bicycle

_____ scooter

_____ dolls


_____ toys

_____ cash


_____ bicycle

_____ scooter

_____ dolls


_____ CDs

_____ videos

_____ video games

_____membership to a skate-board park

_____ a skateboard

_____ Treasury bills


Did I mention that I wanted a new scooter? Well, it should be one of the electric Razor scoot-ers, don’t give me one of those things I have to actually push.

And as far as the computer games go, don’t bring me any dorky, childish ones or an old version. I want cool games, the kind that cool people play on cool computers. Okay, bring me a new cool computer too. Gotta keep up that cool image ‘cause I’m cool. Love ya, Santa!

Whoops, almost forgot. Also bring world peace. And an end to hunger. And sickness. Thank you Santa!

Sincerely yours,

Insert name here

Well kids, I sure hope that helps get Santa’s attention and you get what you want this Christmas. If it doesn’t, don’t blame me. Just remember you could have been a bit better, you know. After all, you did pick a few fi ghts, you did tattle on someone, and you did spit on the

sidewalk. How do I know all this? Hey I’m a grown up!

And one other thing, have you tried to be less selfi sh? I mean really tried? Don’t lie to me now! That’s what I thought. Well try! And a good way to

Third in a series

By Dorothy Olsen

Despite hardships, being bira-cial really is a beautiful thing. The blending of different back-grounds is unique. By embrac-ing the customs and cultures of both sides it shows society the positive aspects of becoming a melting pot. One day all people will become multiracial and the problems that biracial individu-als face today will become a part of history.

Being biracial can be challeng-ing growing up. You embattle defi ning yourself because of the dominant culture that you grow up with inside and outside of your home. Being a Filipino-American is already somewhat of a challenge due to the com-plex mix of cultural and ethni-cal characteristics embedded in Filipino heritage. Even more challenging is adding one or more races to that mix. Coping with being biracial is a journey to self identifi cation, acceptance, and application to mainstream culture.

To racially and ethically iden-tify myself, l am a mestiza. My mother is an immigrant Filipina from Ozamis City, Mindanao, Philippines. My father is White and is originally of Scandinavian stock, specifi cally Norwegian, Danish, and Scottish. Techni-cally I could be categorized as multi-racial, but for the purpose of simplicity, I am bi-racial.

My mother’s immigration

Being a Biracial Child

Author Dorothy Olsen

The port city of Ozamis City, Mindanao, Philippines. Hometown of Dorothy Olsen’s mother.

U.S. Navy vessels on deployment.

to the United States came as a direct result of my father’s employment with the United States Navy. They met while he was stationed in the Philippines and maintained a relationship throughout his stay there. Upon receiving orders to report back to the United States, my father asked my mother to marry him and come along. At twenty seven years old my mother was a fi rst time bride and a new immigrant to America. Nine months after my parent’s wedding, I was born and three months after my birth, my father passed away due to pancreatic cancer. Ever since the death of my father, I have been raised by my widowed Filipina mother.

Growing up in America with an immigrant mother and being half Filipino and half White meant that I grew up as a hybrid. My culture at home was completely different from that of my friends. At home my family ate rice ev-eryday and ate all meals together at the table while my friends who

were Ameri-can ate their meals at dif-ferent times. My family had a kara-oke machine and loved entertaining. We watched Filipino mov-ies and were raised with strict conser-vative values. The mainstream culture around me embraced liberal attitudes about everything from educa-tion to sex. Any White American culture that I had absorbed came from my friends and school. I grew up in what I believe to be a Filipino household and this often clashed with mainstream ideas.

Despite the fact that I was raised by my mother and did not have my White father as-sist in my upbringing, I am not completely accepted by some Filipinos. Often times, Filipino adults would assert that I was not a real Filipino and in their eyes they only saw me as Ameri-can. Whether that was because l am half white or simply because I grew up here, it puts me in an awkward position. It was already hard enough navigating through life with two different cultures, but now I was not being accept-ed by people of my own race.

Luckily for me, this was not the attitude of all Filipinos. Some really embraced me due to the fact that I was so proud of my culture and wanted to learn more about it. They often admired that I was a mestiza and were very eager to help intro-duce foods and customs that were new to me. The acceptance that those kind Filipinos have given me has been the encour-agement that I needed to accept myself as a Filipino-American. I have had to learn to ignore those that do not accept me and just be proud of who I am.

To aid in my acceptance of self-identity, I strive to get more involved in the Filipino culture. I am taking a class on Filipino his-tory and in the future I plan on taking Tagalog classes as well. These things have helped me to feel more comfortable in assert-ing myself if l am questioned

about how much of a Filipino I re-ally am. With this new knowledge I teach my friends about my culture and I encour-age them to join in family celebrations. My boy-friend, who is also biracial, but in no part Filipino has

even taken somewhat of an inter-est in it as well. He acknowl-edges me as Filipino-American and is proud to let people know that. He also understands my struggles with identity and is a great voice of reason.

I know that I am not alone when it comes to the identity issues of biracial, Filipino-Amer-icans. It is a complexity that so few really understand and if I could give any advice on how to deal with it I would say that learning is everything. A lot of the issues with others accepting your identity stems from igno-rance. If you learn about each culture that is a part of you and teach others about it, you will begin to embrace it. When you gain this confi dence others will see that and often will respect it. You do not need to prove your-

self, but when you know who you are and are comfortable in your own skin, outside percep-tion will matter less.

Despite hardships, being biracial really is a beautiful thing. The creation of blending characteristics of different back-grounds is unique. By embrac-ing the customs and cultures of both sides it shows society the positive aspects of becoming a melting pot. One day all people will become multiracial and the problems that biracial individu-als face today will become a part of history.

Dorothy is a junior majoring in Sociology at San Diego State University. She is a student of Dr. Dirige in AS 460, “Contem-porary Issues in Filipino Ameri-can Communities”.

San Diego – SOUTHWEST CENTER FOR ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN LAW (SCAPAL), a nonprofi t law center, will be conducting free workshops in January to educate the public on redistricting and the State’s new Citizens Redistricting Commis-sion (“the Commission”).

Redistricting is a critical com-ponent affecting voting rights. Every ten years based on the lat-est Federal Government’s census data, the geographic boundary lines for State legislative and Board of Equalization districts are redrawn so they contain rea-sonably equal populations. How those geographic lines are drawn can determine who will run for offi ce and who will win and whether communities are kept to-gether or split unfairly.

Asian and Pacifi c Islander Americans need to apply for the State’s Citizens

redistricting commissionThe Commission was autho-

rized when voters passed Propo-sition 11 (called the Voters FIRST Act) in the November 2008 gen-eral election. The Commission will have 14 members (5 Demo-crats, 5 Republicans, and 4 oth-ers from neither party). The bulk of the Commissioners’ work will take place in 2011. The Com-mission will hold public hearings throughout California, analyze and evaluate relevant data, hire staff, draw new district maps for the entire State, and vote on re-districting plans. Commissioners will be paid $300 per day plus personal expenses when doing Commission business.

The intent of Proposition 11 was to take redistricting for State

start would be to begin planning what to leave out for Santa to eat when he visits your house. We’ll talk some more, for now just get to bed and don’t bother your brother or sister. I mean it. Santa’s watching.

Street Poetry

Read about Michael’s upcoming book of poems by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Michael R. Tagudin

©2009 Michael R. Tagudin, “Crushed Violets”

About the Author: Michael R. TagudinEducated as an engineer in the Philippines, the City of Los Angeles employee hopes his legacy of poems will provoke a dialogue about the human condition. He is donating the proceeds from the book to anti-human traffi cking efforts in the City of Angels. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Poem No. 21Life is just a moment

A moment of awarenessA moment of feeling

Most of the timeI am lost in my thoughts

Thinking ...About you ..About me ..About us ..

About our moments .. ...in life....



Tuloy PoKayo

Tel: (619) 477-5643 • Suite # 5

V i e t n a m e s eNoodle House

Permanent Make-up and Skin Care

TESS R. REYESREALTOR

(619) 477-4173 • FAX: (619) 477-4819CELL: (619) 252-8377

MEDICAL CENTEREDNA M. BAY, R.P.T.(619) 474-3294 • Suite 14

Nesty and Elvie Arbulante(619) 477-1666 • Fax (619) 477-1690Specializing in Women’s Clothing and Gift Items

SUITE 10

ELVIE’SBOUTIQUE

Bernardita N. Lizan, D.M.D.

550 E. 8th St., Ste. #12National City, CA 91950

Tel. (619) 477-7570

San Diego

Asian JournalLJ Printing

(619) 474-0588 - Asian Journal(619) 474-1878 LJ Printing

Fax: (619) 474-0373Suite # 6

Quality Custom Framing

Manny I. MiclatOwner

(619) 477-2010Suite # 7

NOBLE PREMIUMS, INC.GENERAL SUPPLIES/INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

“Excellence through Quality and Service”Phone: (619) 477-4387

550 E. 8th Street, Suite #1

(619) 336-1880 Of fice(619) 575-2598 Home(619) 336-1891 Fa x

600 E. 8th St., Suite #1

ED PASIMIORealtor - Broker

ROSE PASIMIORealtor - Owner

OLD SCHOOLHOUSE SQUARE

Gra

phic

sby

The

Filip

ino

Pre

ss

“Your Little Manila Shopping Center”

550 East 8th Street Suite 3

AMY’SHAIR SALON

550 East 8th St. #16 (619) 477-1795

MabuhayTailoring & Cleaners

DYNAMICProperties & Investments

(619) 336-0761 • Ste. 15FULL SERVICE SALON • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Hair design • ColoringNail service • Perms

General Dentistry

Law Offices ofA. Erwin Bautista

Attorney at Law

550 E. 8th St. #11National City, CA 91950

(619) 474-7755 • Fax (619) 474-0051

24 HOUR REMITTANCETel: (619) 336-1112

Hours: 9-6 M to F • 9-1 Sat.

LUCKYMONEY

Specializing in: Military Uniforms,Embroidery Name Plates and Patches

and Mounting Medals

– Produce, Seafood, Meat –Open 7 Days a Week • 8:30 am - 7:30 pm

(619) 477-7954

WORLD-CLASS REALTY, INC.Ellen Nobles-Sexsion

Tel: (619) 336-4885

��

�

� �

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FORBANQUETS UP TO 100 PERSONS, CALL (619) 477-8512

• C L O S E D O N M O N D AY S •

Fried Chicken and Filipino Cuisine None Can Compare.

Comevisit us!

Tuesdays & WednesdaysBUY ONE & GET ONE

50% OFF ONFRIED CHICKEN

from 11:00am to 2:00pm ONLY**Some Restrictions apply. Void on holidays and special days like Valentines Day, Christmas Day, Father’s Day etc.

MELINDA S. CASASOwner

(619)474-9640 • 550 E. 8th St. #17

MSC Physician Billing Services, Inc.

500-600 E. 8th St. National City, CA 91950 (7-Blocks East of I-5)

(619) 474-2300

MANANSALAINSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

• BOOKKEEPING • TAX PREPARATION •• NOTARY PUBLIC •

LOURDES B. MANANSALAAGENT/ BROKER/REALTOR

TEL: (619) 477-9709RES: (619) 428-4191

SUITE # 2

COIN LAUNDRYFluff & Fold

(619) 477-8613

Filipino Desserts & Turo-TuroSuite #9 (619) 434-6255

Pan-de-sal Bakery& Barbeque

Coming soon!Expansion &Frozen Yogurt

Coming soon!Expansion &Frozen Yogurt

600 E. 8th St., Suite # 3

Of fice: (619) 477-0940Fa x: (619) 477-1024email: [email protected]

Your Key to the Filipino Community

NEW!

“MURA NA. MABILIS PA”

A.C.E.associated consolidators express

balikbayan boxes directNVOCC#17753NF

Sub-agents and co-loaders are welcome - We accept credit cards. Subject to Terms & ConditionsPrices are subject to change withoout notice * Subject to peace & order in some parts of the Philippines.

*Subject to weather conditions, typhoon, fl oods & other calamities. * Palawan, Puerto Princesa & Mindoro. Calapan Only.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS PHILIPPINE VILLAGE CENTER

4515 Eagle Rock Blvd. Ste. 133 Los Angeles, CA 90041(323) 258-0087 (323) 258-0089

For box pick-up and inquiries, please call:

Billy Spring Valley

(619) 384-6438 (619) 784-1006

Carol (RP Engineer, Inc.)National City

(619) 245-1539 1-877-490-1004NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS

1273 Industrial Parkway Unit #290 Hayward, CA 94544Satellite Offi ces: Las Vegas and Phoenix, Arizona

SUPER SALEDROP-OFF ONLY

NO REPLACEMENT BOX

REGULAR BOX (23” x 20” x 17”)(Kalookan City, Quezon City, Malabon, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Muntinlupa, Makati, Marikina, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Navotas, Pateros, Valenzuela, San Jose Del Monte)

METRO MANILA

$35Regular Box

$40 $45 $50LUZON

VISAYAS

MINDANAO

PICK - UP (EVERYDAY) + FREE STRAPPING PROMO VALID UNTIL September 30, 2008

METRO MANILA$40 PICK-UP ONLYNO REPLACEMENT BOX

REGULAR BOX (23” x 20” x 17”Regular Box

$45 $50 $55LUZON

VISAYAS

MINDANAO

Carol RP Engineer, Inc.

833 E. 8th St., National City, CA 91950

Billy

Spring Valley552 Felicita Ave., Spring

Valley, CA 91977

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:

“MURA NA. MABILIS PA”

A.C.E.associated consolidators express

balikbayan boxes directNVOCC#17753NF

Sub-agents and co-loaders are welcome - We accept credit cards. Subject to Terms & ConditionsPrices are subject to change withoout notice * Subject to peace & order in some parts of the Philippines.

*Subject to weather conditions, typhoon, fl oods & other calamities. * Palawan, Puerto Princesa & Mindoro. Calapan Only.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS PHILIPPINE VILLAGE CENTER

3420 Verdugo Road Los Angeles, CA 90065(323) 258-0087 (323) 258-0089

For box pick-up and inquiries, please call:

Billy Spring Valley

(619) 384-6438 (619) 784-1006 1-877-327-8900NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS

1273 Industrial Parkway Unit #290 Hayward, CA 94544Satellite Offi ces: Las Vegas and Phoenix, Arizona

SUPER SALEREGULAR BOX(23” x 20” x 17”)

(Kalookan City, Quezon City, Malabon, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Muntinlupa, Makati, Marikina, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Navotas, Pateros, Valenzuela, San Jose Del Monte)

METRO MANILA

$45Regular Box

FREE REPLACEMENT BOX + PICK - UP (EVERYDAY) + FREE STRAPPING PROMO VALID UNTIL December 31, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO - LOS ANGELES - SAN DIEGO - LAS VEGAS- PHOENIX

$50 (Rizal Province, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon Province, Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, San Mateo, Antipolo, Angono, Cainta)

4550 (Rizal Province, Bulacan, Batangas,

Cavite, Laguna, Quezon Province, Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija,

luzon 1(Baguio, La Union, Benguet, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Cgayan Valley, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Bicol, Camarinez Sur, Camarinez Norte, Sorsogon, Albay, Marinduque, Catanduanes)

San Juan, Muntinlupa, Makati, Marikina, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Navotas, Pateros, Valenzuela, San Jose Del

San Juan, Muntinlupa, Makati, Marikina, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Navotas, Pateros, Valenzuela, San Jose Del Monte)

(Rizal Province, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon Province,

(Baguio, La Union, Benguet, Abra, Ilocos (Baguio, La Union, Benguet, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Cgayan Valley, Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Cgayan Valley, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Bicol, Camarinez Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Bicol, Camarinez

luzon 2

anywhere in visayas

$55 anywhere in mindanao

$60

$60For box pick-up and inquiries, please call:

Billy Spring Valley 1-877-327-8900

FREE REPLACEMENT BOX + PICK - UP (EVERYDAY) + FREE STRAPPING PROMO VALID UNTIL December 31, 2009

50 Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, San Mateo, Antipolo, Angono, Cainta)San Mateo, Antipolo, Angono, Cainta)

Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Bicol, Camarinez Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Bicol, Camarinez Sur, Camarinez Norte, Sorsogon, Albay, Sur, Camarinez Norte, Sorsogon, Albay, Marinduque, Catanduanes)

anywhere in visayas

$55 anywhere in anywhere in mindanaomindanao

$6060

6060metro manilaJUMBO BOX (24” X 18” X 24”)Outside Metro Manila, Visayas & Mindanao, please call for pricing.

2340 E. 8th St., Suite H, National City, CA 91950 (Near Friendship Manor)

619-470-2558 We Speak Tagalog & Spanish

Walk - In & Emergencies welcomeOpen: Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm

Saturday & Evening Appointments Available

We accept most insuranceMost insurance cover 100% of initial visit

Service Offered:Preventive and Restorative Dentistry• Porcelain crowns and bridges• Cosmetic bondings & veneers• Partial and complete dentures• Valpast / Removable Non-Metal Partial •

DenturesTooth Extractions• Root canal treatment• Gum treatment• Teeth whitening - in offi ce or take home kit•

Service Offered:

Military Dependents Welcome

Senior Citizens Discount

Zero Interest Payment Plans

Gentle & quality dentistry for children and adults

Rossana T. Alfonso, DDS

New Image Dentistry

FREECONSULTATION!!!

FREETeeth Whitening(Take Home Kit worth $200)

With CompleteDental Treatment

Coupon $aver

Coupon $aver

New Client Special

Zoom 1 hr. Teeth Whitening

$29900*Reg. $600.00

$3500*DENTAL EXAM & CLEANING

(or insurance payment)

Reg. $160.00

INCLUDES:A Full Oral Examination• Individual Diagnosis & •

ConsultationAny & All necessary X-rays• Plus: One Thorough Cleaning & •

Polishing*Does not include periodontal treatment in

adsence of gum disease

Rossana T. Alfonso, DDS

Mira Mesa Dental Care 6755 Mira Mesa Blvd. Ste. #142

San Diego, CA 92121

Tel: (858) 457-7747 Fax: (858) 457-0731

Bill’s Corner

Read Bill Labestre’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Bill Labestre, MBA

Holiday season is here again. Some of us are busy buying gifts for the people we love or presents for family members and friends. Maybe we can spare some for people not related to us but really need some help. It need not be any material thing since we can also share some of our precious time. Giving does not always come from our wallet. Giving can also come from our heart.

In some places, it does not take much or cost a lot to make some-one happy. There are so many inexpensive items we take for granted here in the U. S. that can mean so much for people in other countries.

I admire those Filipinos who buy and collect various items and give them away to their former neighbors and other needy fami-lies during their visit to the native land.

A number of us will be spend-ing the holidays in the Philip-pines. Some still worry if they have enough presents for every-body at home. Instead of being excited and happy to be home again, now they’re stressed out thinking of what problems will be presented to them. There seem to be no end to relatives’ fi nancial crisis. You can’t help everybody even if you bring lots of money.

Some things will never change in your hometown. You are still expected to shoulder all the expenses while you’re home. You will be presented with their money problems and updated to all the local gossips. You are also expected to reciprocate on all the gifts given to you by your long lost relatives. It could be the most expensive chicken or package of puto bumbong you ever had.

GivingSome Filipinos will say that

Christmas or New Year’s Eve celebration is more fun in the Philippines than here. Of course it can be if you have suffi cient money. If you’re poor and live in most big cities like Manila, it’s like any other day. While other families prepare for their “Noche Buena”, most poor are scaveng-ing for food just to survive for another day.

It’s hard to enjoy your meal at a downtown restaurant when looking out the window you see malnourished children begging for food. Imagine you are a fi rst time foreign visitor. What would you think?

Once inside those Philippine mega malls, you can hardly notice the poverty. You’ll never know it is a Third World country. When visiting the nice resorts, only the wealthy, the healthy and beautiful Pinoys can be seen. Try hiring a taxicab and be driven around the city late in the after-noon and you will see the real city dwellers. They’re coming in and going out of the narrow passageways between large build-ings or shanty houses. They hang out on the side walks or in front of sari sari stores. But, if you observe closely, they don’t seem to worry about anything.

For one thing, Filipinos never lost hope. No matter how hard life can be, they still manage to smile or laugh. They learn to live their lives one day at a time. They know how to enjoy simple living.

Giving without expecting some-thing in return can be a satisfying experience. Give suffi cient tips to all deserving service people dur-ing your trip. Giving may change your life for good or even better.


888-268-2527

NOW

OPENMira Mesa Branch

11269 Camino RuizSan Diego, CA 92126

(858) 536-8808

MABILIS AT LIGTASMAGPADALA SA ALAS

PADALA TIME? ALAS CARGO NA!!!

MAIN OFFICE: (310)808-0041 (310) 8080042FAX: (310) 808-0047

205 W. TORRANCE BLVD. CARSON, CA 90745

GRAND OPENING SPECIAL

$40Price valid at new ALAS Cargo Branches: Mira Mesa, Artesia, Long Beach,

Los Angeles (North Vermont and South Vermont), Moreno Valley

Metro Manila Drop-off Only

REGULAR BOX

23 X 20 X 17

$65$70$80$85

Travel Period : 08/01/09 - 11/27/09 $580 2 Mos





Travel Period : 08/01/09 - 08/31/09 $440 60 Days


TAXES/FUEL SURCHARGES TO BE ADDED TO BASE FARESPrices valid for travel during weekdays and subject to change without prior notice.

SAN DIEGO:MIRA MESA 858-536-8808858-536-816911269 CAMINO RUIZSAN DIEGO, CA 92126

NATIONAL CITY619-470-1023619-472-25273126 E. PLAZA BLVD STE FNATIONAL CITY, CA 91950

LOS ANGELES310-808-0041229 S. VERMONT AVELOS ANGELES, CA 90004(Inside Island Pacific)

LOS ANGELES627 N. VERMONT AVELOS ANGELES, CA 90004(Inside Island Pacific)310-808-0041

LOS ANGELESTRI-MEDIA BLDG4515 EAGLE ROCK BLVD. SUITE 145LOS ANGELES, CA 90041323-340-8888323-340-8896

LONG BEACH2535 SANTA FE AVE. STE ALONG BEACH, CA 90810310-808-0041

ARTESIA/ORANGE COUNTY562-809-507011620 SOUTH STREETARTESIA, CA 90701(Beside Sea Palace Supermarket)

PANORAMA CITY818-894-56888340 VAN NUYS BLVD. UNIT APANORAMA, CA 91402(Inside Island Pacific)

WEST COVINA626-820-88701512 E. AMAR ROAD. UNIT DWEST COVINA, CA 91792(Inside Island Pacific)

MORENO VALLEY951-220-5374951-243-958124907 SUNNYMEAD BLVD. UNIT BMORENO VALLEY, CA 92553

SAN JOSE408-661-61031188 N. CAPITOL AVE.SAN JOSE, CA 95132

UNION CITY510-475-88374122 DYER ST.UNION CITY, CA 94887

VALLEJO707-644-03882110 SPRINGS ROAD #24VALLEJO, CA 94591

DALY CITY650-616-8886950 KING PLAZA UNIT 103DALY CITY, CA 94015

TAWAG NA!!!TIPID REGULAR JUMBO

$35$40N/AN/A

$50$55$65$70

MANILALUZON VISAYASMINDANAO

PICK-UP PRICES:

Prices may vary in some provinces.Prices subject to change at any time.

$5.00 Off Promo Drop off only (Regular/Jumbo) Expires 10/31/09

Christmas Carols

Hearing the sound of Christ-mas carols puts us all in the mood during this wonderful time of the year. Each song expresses joy at the coming of the baby Jesus, our magnifi -cent Savior and Lord who later gave His life to save us from our sins. Some of these songs are the following:

Silent NightO Come all Ye FaithfulLittle Drummer BoyJoy to the WorldIt Came upon a Midnight

ClearHark! The Herald Angels

SingAway in a MangerDo you Hear what I HearO Holy NightWhat Child Is This?Angels we have Heard on

HighO Little Town of Bethlehem.

A very favorite song of mine is entitled “Mary Did You Know” by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. Not only are the lyrics and music so beau-tiful, but it captures entirely why Jesus is the reason for the season.

Mary, did you knowThat your Baby Boy would

one day walk on water?Mary, did you know That your Baby Boy would

save our sons and daughters?

Christmas Carols and Colors

Carolers

Wreath

Did you knowThat your Baby Boy has

come to make you new?This Child that you delivered

will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you knowThat your Baby Boy will give

sight to the blind man?Mary, did you knowThat your Baby Boy will

calm the storm with His hand?Did you knowThat your Baby Boy has

walked where angels trod?When you kiss your little

Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know … Ooo Ooo Ooo

The blind will see.The deaf will hear.The dead will live again.The lame will leap.

The dumb will speakThe praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you knowThat your Baby Boy is Lord

of all creation?Mary, did you knowThat your Baby Boy would

one day rule the nations?Did you knowThat your Baby Boy is

heaven’s Perfect Lamb?The sleeping Child you’re

holding is the Great I Am.

And then there are some Christmas songs that bring back memories of time gone by and of past Christmas days

that arouse in us mixed emotions of joy and sor-row, sweetness and pain, love and love lost.

For example, some baby boomers would always re-member Karen Carpenter’s “Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas”, Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” and

Dean Martin’s “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” Old timers can still recall Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”, Gene Au-try’s “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer”, and Nat King Cole’s “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.”

Some Christmas songs are so humorous that they make us laugh, like “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by Jimmy Boyd, “Grandma was Run Over by a Reindeer” by Dr. Elmo, and “The Christmas Song” by Alvin & The Chipmunks. Just listen to all the Christmas songs and enjoy them all!

Christmas ColorsThe color red is usually as-

sociated with Valentine’s Day, and the color green with St. Patrick’s Day. Together, these two colors immediately bring Christmas to our mind.

Surprisingly, these traditional

Christmas colors were not in-spired by Holiday characters or festive decorations. Red didn’t come from candy canes or Rudolf’s nose or Santa’s suit. And green wasn’t inspired by Santa’s elves, holiday wreaths or sprigs of holly.

According to Christian belief, the color green is a natural representation of the eternal life of Jesus Christ, specifi cally the evergreen tree because it can survive even with the harshest winter. The color red symbol-izes Christ’s blood which was shed during His crucifi xion.

Historical fact, on the other hand, showed that back in the 14th century, Christian churches presented miracle plays or religious plays used to educate the public. Every December 24, the churches presented the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In place of an apple tree which was not avail-able in winter, they used a pine tree, and they decorated it with red apples.

But it didn’t stop there. Fol-lowing the church’s example, people began assembling pine trees in their homes and deco-rating them with red apples. This act could be the beginning of two modern traditions: the Christmas tree, and the colors red and green for decorations.

Nowadays though, colors for Christmas are not only red and green, but multi-colored with white, silver, blue, and gold. All together, they make a beautiful blending of colors which provides a real feast for the eyes.

saw snow for the fi rst time in her life.After a knee injury delayed her expedition by several weeks, Rojas fi nally arrived in Washington DC, where she was greeted by a large crowd of fans excited to see her. One of the Western Union® Agent locations in Fort Washington, MD hosted a welcoming party where Rojas shared her experi-

ences and rested to complete her run to New York.She arrived in New York City on Sunday night and was ready to meet and greet with fans and media on Monday afternoon at an event hosted by Western Union at the Philippines con-sulate general.Running with her trainer Mat Macabe, who underwent open-heart surgery last year, Rojas decided to challenge herself with this Trans USA run to ben-efi t a division of the Philippine Heart Center and the Anti-TB Program of the Inner Wheel Club, District 378. Good News Pilipinas

Filipina completes 3,000-mile run

across America(Continued from page 1)

Light &Shadows

Read Zena Babao’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Zena Sultana Babao


SIGN UP TFC, GMA & MYX FOR ONLY

$24.99 A MONTH AND WATCH PACQUIAO VS COTTO ON PAY-PER-VIEW THIS

COMING NOV 14. TAWAG NA ! FLB CORPORATION

NATIONWIDE SALES & INSTALLATION SERVICES(310) 816-9371 TOLL FREE: (877) 532-2677

to them, unable to get over his disappointment.

Tetchie, the smart and beauti-ful Tetchie, who would have easily married rich now has seven kids.

“All my boyfriends must have a car,” she once confided to Eric. She boasted that she never had to take a jeepney to school because she always had a boyfriend with a car to drive her around. It turned out that the husband that she eventually got is driving her around indeed. He is a jeepney driver.

“What went wrong?” Eric asked Tetchie in disbelief as he met her on the way to the Church.

“You mean, what went right?” she happily corrected him.

“I fell in love,” she conceded.She had gained weight, but

still pretty and is very happy, she insisted.

Overflowing

The church was overflowing with people when Eric and his family arrived. They had to stand in the middle of the street, as they listened to the priest over the loudspeaker. The con-gregation did not mind discom-fort because every word that the priest uttered brought a strange feeling of joy and expectation on that starry Christmas Eve. It was different to hear a mass said in the vernacular, a rare experi-ence now that Eric had lived in the United States for the past twelve years.

“This is what Christmas in the Philippines is all about,” he muttered.

Eric’s eyes roamed around, hoping to see more familiar faces. He was reminded of long lost friends who used to hear those Christmas Eve masses with him. Some had passed away, others had moved abroad. A not so close friend, the neigh-borhood bully he once dreaded, is now in jail. There were

memories buried in the very spot where he now stood. It was the same spot where he watched a movie being shot in the neigh-borhood featuring some famous basketball players of the day.

Merry Christmas

After the mass, everybody greeted each other a “Merry Christmas,” Tetchie happily hugged Eric who kidded: “Just imagine, we could hardly even touch the tips of your fingers before. Now, you freely give yourself.”

If the walk towards the church was merry, the walk back home was joyous. The loudspeaker on top of the church was blar-ing loud Christmas Carols, first “Jingle Bells,” and later the Tagalog favorite, “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit” by the legendary Levy Celerio, composer of the immortal “Inday ng Buhay Ko” at “Hahabol-habol” both sang by Bobby Gonzales, and other popular songs.

As they approached his mother’s house, Eric’s nephews and nieces, children of his cous-ins who live beside their house, swarmed over and took Eric’s hand. In a gesture of respect, they touched their forehead against his hand in a custom known as the “mano.”

“Wait, wait,” he pleaded “It’s not yet Christmas, you’ll get your gifts tomorrow.”

In the Philippines, adults are

expected to give the children gifts or money after receiv-ing this gesture. With their many uncles and aunts, Eric, his siblings and his cousins used to make a bundle. They would visit them in groups and would search for them the whole Christmas Day. When the day is over, the adults are free from the obligation and would natu-rally feel relieved. Eric’s own godfather, a provincial governor, however, would blatantly ignore this tradition. He would hold Eric’s hand and merely press it with his thumb during the few times he saw him.

“Is he a tightwad?” Eric, puzzled, at one time, asked his dad.

His dad laughed. He told his son how his godfather, a scion of a rich family, would spend the whole day playing majong after renting out their family’s fish-pond to the caretakers for one whole year.

“The only time he would work is whenever they would collect the rent once a year,” his dad would observe.

When Eric grew up and be-came an editor of magazines, his politician godfather, who was seeking good publicity looked, for him to ask some favors. When they met, Eric took his godfather’s hand, pressed his palm with his thumb, but never promised him anything. Some-times, it pays to take care of one’s godchildren.

Inside the house, Eric’s mother was still watching mass on television when they arrived. She ordered the maids to set the table. When Eric was a kid, they would have their noche buena in the dining room downstairs.


the family’s hopes are reborn(Continued from page 4)

When these parents became old and could hardly walk out of their room, the tradition was moved to the open terrace up-stairs.

The food was great, but the company was better. Except for a sister in Guam, a brother in

California, and their dad who just passed away, all the family members were present. It was a bittersweet moment. Although no one was mentioning it, in the back of their minds was their father, who for the first time ever was not physically with them to

share their Christmas feast. But Eric was sure that he was lurking somewhere in that terrace, happy in the knowledge that his family which is doing fine, which, after all, is the best gift that one can hope for during Christmas time. - AJ


Balik-Tanaw: The Filipino Stars

of Yesteryears

Read Dr. Romy Protacio’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Dr. Romy R. Protacio

When I drew the list of movie stars of yesteryears for my book, I have Mona Lisa, like Paraluman, on top of my list. As the entertainment writer Bayani San Diego said, “Mona Lisa’s life story is a valuable documentation not only of the local movie industry, but Philippine his-tory as well.”

But I had a long journey in getting the connections to contact Mona Lisa. It was not easy to get an interview granted by Mona Lisa who has been quite elusive with the media for several years now. In the fi rst place, nobody among my friends, including my trusted “coor-dinator”, Pempe Rodrigo has her recent phone number. I was getting disappoint-ed yet still very determined to fi nd her and include her story in this book.

My luck changed when I interviewed Anita Linda (Alice Lake in real life). I mentioned to her about my interest to interview Mona Lisa. I almost lost hope when Tita Alice told me that it is true Mona Lisa is avoiding the media. Also, Tita Alice is making a movie, “Lola”, a story about two Lolas. One Lola is portrayed by Tita Alice and the other was offered to Mona Lisa who declined the offer.

Tita Alice did not have the Mona Lisa’s telephone number also, but she remembered that Bayani San Diego of

At the Walk of Fame (L-R Celine Fabie, Mona Lisa, Evangeline Guinto)

Mona Lisa then.

Mona Lisa with German Moreno.

Mona Lisa: Through the Eyes of Her Apo, Celine

Philippine Daily Inquirer wrote an article about her. She suggested that I contact Bayani instead, but I was unsuccessful to reach him thru his home and cell phone numbers that were always busy. After two weeks, I fi nally got a hold of Bayani, who was very gracious in sharing with me the contact numbers for Mona Lisa. He gave me the telephone numbers of Mona’s daughter, Kathleen, and her granddaughter, Celine Fabie.

I always believe in the Tagalog saying, “”kung iyan ay nauukol para sa iyo, matatanggap mo ito.” or “kung hindi ukol, hindi bubukol.” I was fi nally able to write about Mona Lisa through the eyes of Celine Fabie, her grand-daughter.

Celine is the daughter of Mona Lisa’s daughter, Evangeline Guinto Bocobo. She took up her bachelor’s studies in communication in Ateneo. She counts as her most precious achievement to date, the book she wrote entitled “Behind the Smile of Mona Lisa”, a refl ection on the life and works of her grandmother, Mona Lisa.

Tagumpay sa Likod ng Paghihirap at Dalamhati

If there is anybody who knows the meaning of pain and suffering, Mona Liza would be the one. Her childhood was a life full of challenges, brought about by extreme poverty and prejudice. Mula sa pagkabata, marami siyang pinagdaanang paghihirap at dalamhati sa buhay. Ang kanyang pinagdaanang hirap sa buhay ay hindi dapat ikahiya bagkus isang bahagi ng kanyang buhay na dapat ipagmalaki dahil sa tagumpay na kanyang tinanggap matapos ang wa-lang humpay na dagok ng tadhana sa kanyang buhay.

Gloria Yatco in real life, Mona Lisa was born on June 22, 1923. Her father, Manual Yatco, was a prod-uct of a wealthy and famous family, who shared their roots with our national hero, Jose Rizal. Her grandfa-ther, Mercado Yatco, and Jose Rizal were fi rst cous-ins. Mona has memories of visiting Rizal’s brother Paciano in his Binan home, and paying respect to him by doing the “mano” (kiss-ing his hand).

However, after living the lifestyle of the rich and famous, Mona’s father’s fortunes ran out and he was eventually forced to work as a janitor in order to survive. He ended up mar-rying a movie ticket seller Melecia Lerma, something that he would be ashamed of later on, as it was like marrying beneath his level. He decided to migrate to California with his family in order to escape the scorn of his well-to-do friends.

It would turn out to be a wrong decision, as he mi-grated to California during

the great American Depression. He and his family would suffer racial prejudice and can only live in squalor, working as fruit pickers and staying in stables.

Food was scarce for the eight kids and they all had to help in fruit picking in order to survive. Mona Lisa remembers how she and her brothers would not have food to bring to school, but in order to avoid the scorn of their classmates, they would bring paper bags fi lled with stones.

After seven years of hard life, Mona’s parents divorced and her mother brought all her children back to the Philippines. With no strong education and work experience to back her up, her mother had a hard time fi nding a decent job to support her children. Being the eldest in the family, Mona found herself playing the role of the family’s breadwinner.

Her foray into acting was not only to realize a dream. She knew that it could also be her only means to survive. Before the family returned to the Philip-pines, Mona became Miss Luzon when San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge was inaugurated in 1937. That was her fi rst taste of fame, and she knew that it was destined not to be her last.

Her Movie Career

She had always wanted to be a movie star – it was a childhood dream which she knew in her heart would one day come true. She just loved to watch the movies and often appeared in school plays. It was no wonder that she would be attracted to acting, as her maternal grandmother, was once an actress in the Carvajal stage troupe.

Mona found a way to jumpstart her career by asking her aunt, Celing Lerma, who was a close friend of the Parla-tone Hispano Studio Filipino owner, Raymundo Navarro to help her. She was a young lass, 15 years old and when she was presented to the studio executives,

she wowed them with both her beauty and talent, and soon, the Parlatone publicists orchestrated a buildup for her, giving her her fi rst screen name, “Fleur de Lis”. Her fi rst role was in the movie “Ang Pagbabalik” although her name was not included in the billing. That was the start of Mona’s career in the movies.

She played second lead in fi lms like “Walang Pangalan,” “Sangumay,” and “Bago Lumubog ang Araw.” She appeared in the fi lms “Mga Sugat ng Puso” and “Giliw Ko.” She was often given the role of a liberated woman who smokes, drinks, and wears “indecent” Western clothes. Her picture in a bath-ing suit was both a revelation and a shock to the ordinary Filipina women of that period, who were more used to the “baro’t saya”.

Eventually, she moved to X’Otic Films where she met the production head, Eduardo de Castro. Eduardo changed her name to Mona Lisa, and she did not only catch his eye, but his heart as well. Eduardo and Mona Lisa started a love affair and he would eventually become the father of one of her sons. The X’Otic studio had big plans for Mona and was ready to launch her to full stardom with her movie, “Princess Urduja”. However, the Pacifi c war broke out, and although the movie was shown during the war, it did not achieve the acclaim that the producers envisioned for it.

After the war, Mona continued to make fi lms for X’Otic Production. She

appeared in “Siyudad sa Ilalim ng Lupa” under the direction of Carlos Vander Toloso, Mona made several “fi rsts” in the Phil-ippine cinema such as the fi rst to engage in a torrid kissing scene with Serafi n Garcia in “Tinangay ng Apoy” (1940), the fi rst to swim in the nude in “Sun-set Over Corregidor,” and the fi rst to don a swimsuit in ”Giliw Ko”

She also appeared in “Buhay Alamang” di-rected by Eddie Romero. When X’Otic Films closed down, she made fi lms for independent companies like “Bisig ng Batas,” “Babaeng Silangan,” “Maria Kapra,” “Hanggang Langit” star-ring Leopoldo Salcedo, and “Ulila ng Bataan” starring Tessie Agana.

It was in the 50’s, when she decided to marry Abelardo Guinto and become Mrs. Gloria Guinto. Her husband Abelardo was a mason and later the fi rechief of Vientiane, Laos. Mona raised a family of four children: Kath-leen, Evangeline, Abelard, and Marlon. She chose to put her fi lm making career on hold and become a full time wife and

mother for the next 20 years.With acting running in her veins, she

was not able to refuse the invitation of the late Joey Gosiengfi ao for her to get out of retirement and play a glamorous



Read previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjo-urnalusa.com

by Atty. Rogelio Karagdag, Jr.Member, State Bar of California & Integrated Bar of the Philippines

Phil - Am Law 101

Christmas nears and we are once again reminded of that glorious event some 2000 years ago when a Child was born in Bethlehem. Spiritually, Christ’s birth means our salva-tion. Historically, it marked the beginning of Christianity which would reach the shores of the Philippines some 1,500 years later. Traditionally, it provides us with a reason to share gifts, hold Christmas parties, attend sim-bang gabi, and eat noche buena with our family.

Christmas or not, the birth of a child is always a happy occasion for all families, including future immigrants who have set their minds in someday leaving the Philippines to settle in the United States. But of course, foremost

A child is bornin their mind is to make sure that everyone goes, especially the newest member of the family. How they go about doing it, now that the petition was already filed without the newborn’s name in it?

A family petition usually has what we call the principal and derivative beneficiaries. If, for example, your citizen parent filed a petition for you as a mar-ried son (F-3), you are the princi-pal beneficiary, while your wife and children are the derivative beneficiaries. If a child is born to you or if you adopt a child after the petition had been filed, what you need to do is to register your child with the U.S. Embassy in Manila at the following address:

Operations Unit, Immigrant Visa Branch

United States Embassy1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita,

Metro Manila 1000

If you are already in the United States or somewhere outside the Philippines, you should send your letter to the following address:

Operations UnitImmigrant Visa BranchPSC 500, Box 26FPO AP, 96515-1000 USA

All you need to do is to write a simple letter, with your name, case number and contact details, and the name and birth information of your child. Attach a copy of your green card or your latest USCIS or NVC letter showing your case information, and a copy of your child’s birth certificate and/or adoption decree. Send it by ordi-nary mail only, not by registered mail because the Embassy will not have the time to collect your mail from the post office.

Remember, even if you are petitioned as a single son (F2B), you must register your children if you want them to immigrate with you. Having children will not affect your qualifications un-der the F-2B petition, for as long as you remain unmarried.

We always advise our clients to immediately register their children. This will save them the trouble of explaining to the USCIS later on, when they apply for naturalization or petition the children, why they omitted to put in the names of their children when they filled out their DS-230 Part 1. We had a client who did not inform the US Embassy that he has four children, because he was under the mistaken belief that it might affect his eligibility to immigrate. Years later, when he applied for naturalization, the USCIS asked him a lot of questions, particularly on how he took care of his unreported children. Remember, the USCIS will examine your good moral character and part of this is your willingness and ability to pro-vide support to your children.

Now, if you were petitioned as an unmarried son of a citi-

zen parent (F-1), you must also register your marriage if you get married after the petition was filed. Do the same thing – send a letter by ordinary mail and attach

a copy of your marriage contract. What will happen is that you will

be converted from F-1 to F-3, with an additional waiting time of around 2 years. One advan-tage of updating your petition

(aside from not committing immigration fraud) is that your wife will be able to join you when you immigrate to the United States.

Again, remember that if you were petitioned as a single son or daughter (F2B), marriage will revoke your petition, unless your parent-petitioner was already a natu-ralized citizen before you got married, in which case, your petition will be converted from F-2B to F-1 (after you parent naturalized) then from F-1 to F-3 (after you get mar-ried).

Congratulations on your new-

born. And a Merry Christmas to your growing family!

Atty. Rogelio Karagdag , Jr. is licensed to practice law in both California and the Philippines. He practices immigration law in San Diego and has continu-ously been a trial and appellate attorney in the Philippines since 1989. He travels between San Diego and Manila. His office address is located at 16486 Ber-nardo Center Drive, Suite 228, San Diego, CA 92128. He also has an office in the Philippines at 1240 Apacible Street, Paco, Manila, Philippines 1007, with telephone numbers (632)522-1199 and (632)526-0326. Please call (858)348-7475 or email him at [email protected] for your free consultation. He speaks Tagalog fluently.


3499512/07/09

IW GROUP

03 100 240 Conv JC F-F

X CS3 CS4 CS4


EVELYN SALAZAR D.D.S.FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY

(619) 426-2040 We Speak

Tagalog

Offi ce Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30AM to 6:00PM

Saturday 9:30AM - 3:00PM

1339 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911 across Seafood City, Chula Vista

EXTRACTIONS (Bunot) $60

For new patients without insurance Limited time offer only

GET ACQUAINTED OFFER!$39 Reg. $125

$25 for childrenIncludes: A full oral examination, Necessary X-Ray Cleaning (in absence of

existing periodontal disease)Plus FREE Toothbrush and ToothpasteFor new patients without insurance Limited time offer only

TEETH WHITENING( Special 1 Hr.) In Offi ce Whitening“ZOOM” as seen on TV $289

EVELYN SALAZAR D.D.S.

For patients without insurance, Limited time offer only

Looking For A Gentle Dentist?

• Personalize Attention• New and Modern Offi ce• Most Insurance accepted• Payment Plans (Zero Financing)• Digital x-ray (very low radiation) • Cosmetic (Veneers-lumineers)• Crown and Bridge, Dentures• Children and Adult Braces

from

COMPLETE DENTURESUPPER OR LOWER 750$

For new patients without insurance Limited time offer only

Medical Insurance Accepted

By Jose Ma. MontelibanoPhilippine Daily Inquirer

Before I left California a few days ago, I bumped into several Filipino-Americans who were seething with anger at one trag-edy to another, the Maguindanao massacre and the imposition of martial law in the same province. The Maguindanao massacre, with its barbaric brutality, is easy to understand as an act that a whole world can condemn. Martial law in one affected province, though, is feared and resented deeply only because of an unforgotten history and the propensity of a president to hold on to power no matter the cost. Martial law in the case of Gloria is, to many, an act consistent with her shameful intent to run for Congress to subvert all rules of decency and legality in order to protect her neck from a fate worse than hanging.

While many Filipino-Amer-icans who continue to send billions of dollars to relatives in the Philippines are attempting to fi nd solidarity against a president they regard with scorn, I con-sistently responded a comment which catches them as jolting. I say over and over again that Filipinos need to be abused some more, shamed before the world some more, because whatever they complain about have not breached their level of tolerance. In other words, we complain a lot but have not found the courage to rise against the high

Massacre To Martial Law

crimes we accuse Gloria of.Different observers to the same

political scenario in the Philip-pines have different conclusions. To my mind, the administration of Gloria has been consistent in one way - pushing what it wants against the sensibilities of citi-zens to the farthest it can without provoking instant civil unrest, and another successful people power revolution. I believe that the individuals who have been orchestrating what can appear to be as wholesale looting and plunder of people’s resources are guided by the behavior of the highest leadership. When even the World Bank can estimate a third of the national budget as lost to graft and corruption, the highest leadership is not wor-rying a bit. After all, the World Bank is not the Filipino people.

Taking the model of a frog being boiled slowly without inducing it to make a mighty try for freedom, heating the water in

such a way that the frog gets slowly cooked but does not react according-ly, the Arroyo administra-tion calibrates whatever it does that would be considered high crimes with

effective legal and legislative power. Of course, it has tried to sweeten the pot for the pliant military offi cers who rationalize their cooperation by their culture of obedience, even if such obedi-ence can mean playing along with wrongdoing for gain. There has been a consistent rewarding of retired offi cers, on the surface through juicy positions, and any-thing you wish to imagine under the table.

It helps matters for the pres-ent administration when several candidates participating in the 2010 elections are not eager to

prosecute Gloria, or go as far as saying they will not. It seems that they, too, have observed that the Filipino can be abused, and abused again, with impunity. It makes the saying, “laughing their way to the bank,” so precise in describing thieves, liars and cheats among the highest of pub-lic offi cials. One can easily be led to wondering if divine justice is powerless in inspiring human justice to follow its spirit.

I, too, have been brought be-fore many moments of despair-ing refl ection. I have wondered time and again if seeking profi t over truth would have saved me great moments of diffi culty and pain, if cooperating with wrong-doers would have proven to be benefi cial over holding on to one’s sense of integrity. Review-ing the last twenty-three years since Edsa I, and all the high and mighty personalities of Philip-pine politics and business whom I had the experience of going against in the streets, in the media, and in political engage-ments, I sometimes would doubt the course of action I took.

Perhaps, just to give myself a serious change of scenery, I steadily withdrew from political advocacy in favor of non-par-tisan community development work. I thought that working with the poor would be a refresh-ing service and would allow me rest from an environment of confl ict. I was not wrong. Work-ing for and with the poor brings with it instant satisfaction every time a smile replaces a look of pain or despair. I was not right either. When the poor are all over, I know that poverty is not a divine inheritance but a result of greed and abuse of power. And the knowledge that what is stolen from government coffers year after year is more than enough to lift our people from poverty.

How does one fool himself that corruption can be left to the corrupt to eliminate? Where does one fi nd the stupidity to delude himself that he can isolate himself from the evil around him and expect evil to commit suicide? How long can fear and cowardice dominate conscience and obligation?

It is not as though I have not found pins of light along the

way, as though my life in com-munity development work has not blessed me with co-workers whose nobility never failed to inspire me. I cannot count the times when the generosity and courage of people convinced me that there is more basis for hope than frustration. Yet, my own ability to step back and refl ect, assess and conclude brings me unerringly to the same perspec-tive – that the crumbs go to the poor and the real wealth goes to the greedy. Worse, evil is re-warded and innocence made to pay the price.

Well, evil is on the rampage. Gruesome murder is the result of greed and the lust for power so that the treasury and the people can be looted some more. The same authorities who armed the killers are re-introducing martial law by playing to the rage of people and their desire for ven-geance. The frog is swimming in the pot while the water is slowly being heated. When the frog is at the point of death is only when it realizes its stupidity.

Filipinos have much to learn in such a short time. From the Maguindanao Massacre to martial law, the water is slowly boiling.

***Responses may be sent to jlmg-

[email protected]

While many Filipino-Amer-

such a way that the frog gets slowly cooked but does not react according-ly, the Arroyo administra-tion calibrates whatever it does that would be considered high crimes with

effective legal and legislative

Actor Diether Ocampo is on the cover of Reader’s Digest Asia December 2009 issue for his philanthropic work through his “Kabataang Inyong Dapat Suportahan” (K.I.D.S.) Founda-tion.

The feat is the second recog-nition Ocampo has received in 2009 for K.I. D. S.

Earlier this year, the 33-year-old’s humanitarian efforts got him a special invitation from Harvard University. He partici-pated in the school’s On-Campus Conference Harvard Project for Asian and International Rela-tions (HPAIR).

In the cover story dubbed “My Wish for New Year,” Ocampo reveals that he established the charity as a refl ection of his own childhood, admitting that he

Diether on Reader’s Digest cover for KIDS advocacycame from humble beginnings himself.

“I haven’t forgotten that I come from a poor family,” the ABS-CBN contract star told Reader’s Digest Asia. “This keeps me grounded and grateful for what I have today.”

Ocampo is urging for “volun-teerism,” encouraging readers to pay it forward this 2010.

Aside from Ocampo, the De-cember 2009 issue features other inspiring Asians such as Ma-laysia’s Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina, the fi rst Asian woman to trek to the Arctic and Antartic; Marina Mahathir, columnist, women’s rights activist and blog-ger; and Singapore’s Dr. William Tan, paraplegic and world record holder for fastest person to com-plete seven marathons in seven

countries.The actor is only the third

Filipino to have had the honor to be on the cover after Manny Pacquiao and Michael V.


$50

Left to right: Republican Party of San Diego Chairman Tony Krvaric; former San Diego Mayoral Candidate Steve Francis; FACE President Mitz Lee; California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring; FACE VP for Voter Education and Registration Julio DeGuzman; FACE VP for Media and Communications Alden Salcedo.

1341 East 8th St. Suite D National City, CA 91950

$700Dr. Art Palaganas

Dr. Aleli Amos Palaganas

Lumineers

Please call for appointment

(619) 474-8441

Restorative Dentistry

8979 Mira Mesa blvd. San Diego, CA 92126

“Homemade Filipino Cuisine at its Best”

Manila FastfoodRestaurant and Desserts

COMBINATION PLATESDESSERTS AND KAKANIN FOR ALL OCCASIONS

“Whole LECHON also available”

Lechon Kawali, Pancit, Kare-kare, Crispy Pata, Fried Lumpia, Menudo, Dinuguan, Sinigang and many more Filipino dishes.

DINE IN - TO GO - CATERING

HOURS: Tues – Fri 9:30 am. –7:30 pmSat. 8:30am - 7:30pmSun. 8:30am - 6pm & Monday - Closed

(858) 695.9104(858) 578.0968WE SERVE

BREAKFASTON SATURDAY

& SUNDAY

New Loacation!!!

8979 Mira Mesa Blvd.

x

Post Offi ce

SAN DIEGO, California (De-cember 14, 2009) – The Tiki Pavilion at Mission Valley’s Town and Country Hotel was the perfect venue for the Filipino American Community Empowerment (FACE) Holiday Celebration and Induction of Officers held December 9, 2009. Arriving guests were quickly trans-formed with celebratory spirit and holiday cheer at the site of colorful lights, Christmas trees, wreaths, bright ornaments; even a life sized Santa complete with reindeer and sled.

The crowd of close to 100 attendees mingled in pleasant conversation, while enjoying the light cuisine and warming bever-ages. It was clear, even at first glance, that the effects of the new FACE leadership were already taking root. President Mitz Lee, during the FACE Re-launch ear-lier in September, announced that

FACE Induction of Officers and Holiday Celebration

Unite Political Parties

Asian and Pacific Islander Americans need to apply

for the State’s Citizens redistricting comission

Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization districts out of the control of the Governor and State Legislature and transfer it to fair and impartial citizens. “This is a unique opportunity for our Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) citizens to apply for a position on this important Commission,” said Palma Hooper, President of SCAPAL. “This Commission should reflect the diverse popula-tion in California as well as San Diego County, and APIAs should have a voice on redistricting plans that will impact political rights over the next decade.”

The initial application process for the Commission begins De-cember 15, 2009 and ends on February 12, 2010. It is open to California registered voters who have voted in two of the last three statewide general elections, not changed party affiliation in the past five years, and who meet the conflict of interest requirements. Applicants must fill out an on-line application form through the State Auditor’s Office. This form as well as the eligibility require-ments can be found at www.we-drawthelines.ca.gov.

SCAPAL will be conducting free workshops in January to edu-cate the public on redistricting and applying for the Commission.

The first workshop will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010

Time: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pmLocation: Kalusugan Commu-

nity Services1419 East 8th Street National City, CA 91950Seating is limited. Anyone

wishing to attend the workshop must pre-register with SCAPAL by emailing [email protected] or [email protected] or call-ing Palma Hooper at 858 715-0003. SCAPAL will provide food and refreshments.

SCAPAL will have a guest speaker from the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) in Los Angeles who will cover the eligibility and conflict of interest requirements, application forms, and selection process for the Citi-zens Redistricting Commission. APALC and SCAPAL will offer technical assistance with apply-ing online for the Commission and answer questions about the application and selection process. In addition, the State Auditor’s Office has handouts in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Ta-galog and Vietnamese about the Commission posted on its web-site at www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov/toolkit.html.

SCAPAL is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and has been conduct-ing pro bono community law clinics specifically targeting the APIA com-munity in San Diego County for the past nine years. For more informa-tion on its programs and services, send an email to [email protected].


FACE would become a politically centered, non-partisan organization with mass appeal for the Filipino American community. This was evident from observing the numer-ous attending public officials and community leaders, representative of a diverse range of political affili-ations. Also evident was the rapid pace of FACE growth, which began at barely 30 members just four months ago and now stands at over 100 members, thanks to the efforts of Ms. Katrina Benfer, FACE VP for Membership.

The formal program began with the introduction of the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Julio DeGuzman, FACE Vice President for Voter Education and Registration. The program progressed with introduc-tions of VIPs, and culminated with several 2010 political candidates giving brief presentations regard-ing their respective platforms. The

program concluded with the induc-tion of FACE officers for 2010; the oath given by Deputy District Attorney Janice De Leon.

Other public officials, candidates, and community leaders in atten-dance included Assemblymember Mary Salas; Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox; Office of the Governor San Diego Field Office Director Charlene Zettel; Congressman Filner Representative Manny Doria; Congressman Bilbray Rep-resentative Marc Schaefer; Assem-blymember Salas Representative Ralph Dimarucut; District Attorney PAO Jesse Navarro; Councilmem-ber Frye Representative and San Diego City Council Candidate Steven Hadley; Congresswoman Davis Representative Katherine Fortner; Councilmember Young Representative Liezl Mangonon; California Republican Party Chair-man Ron Nehring; Republican Party of San Diego Chairman Tony Krvaric; former San Diego Mayoral Candidate Steve Francis; COPAO President Merly Ferrer; former COPAO President Aurora Cudal; FACC President Audie de Castro; San Diego Eagle Forum President Woody Woodrum; Majes-tic Lions President Pressy Gar-rovillas; Premier Lions Represen-tative Tess Paje; Executive Lions Representative Blessie Trott; 50th Congressional District Candidate Tracy Emblem; 50th Congressional District Candidate Francine Busby; 53rd Congressional District Candi-date Michael Crimmins; San Diego County Sheriff Candidate Bruce Ruff; and Chula Vista City Council Candidate Larry Breitfelder.

The highly successful and well-attended event was testimony to the meticulous planning by the FACE Special Events Committee composed of Mitz Lee, Rosanna Salcedo, Alden Salcedo, Julio DeGuzman, Katrina Benfer, Myrna Lazaga, Laurence Lazaga, Myrna Reyes, Leila Hermosa Shields and

Yolly Zamora. Suffice to say that the “bar has been set high.” FACE and its new leadership will wel-come the coming year with a clear sense of purpose and optimism.

FACE is currently registered in the State of CA as a non-profit Political Action Committee. It was founded in 2005 to empower the Filipino American community by creating positive change through the political process. Activities include voter registration, voter education and increasing voter turnout; political advocacy and political endorsements; legisla-tive advocacy and holding public officials accountable to the voters; and working with other community organizations to increase voter involvement in politics. For mem-bership information, please contact Ms. Katrina Benfer, VP of Mem-bership, at [email protected] or visit the FACE website at http://www.filamvote.org/


Materials that are passed around may be true or just work-ings of the imagination; people are left to their discretion. This is a good example. True or not these are interest-ing or amusing, aren’t they? ----

People often think of The Twelve Days of Christmas as the days preceding

the festival. Actually, Christ-mas is a season of the Christian Year that last for days beginning December 25 and last-ing until January 6- the Day of

Epiphany- when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the light of the world and recalls the journey of the

Twelve days of ChristmasMagi.

From 1558 until 1829 people in Englandwere not allowed to practice their faith openly. During this era someone wrote

‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without risk of persecution. The song has two levels of interpre-tation: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the

church.Each element in the carol is a

code word for a religious reality.1. The partridge in a pear tree

is Jesus Christ.


Food for thoughtRead previous articles by visiting our website at www.asian-

journalusa.com

(619) 702-3051

2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

5. The five gold rings recall the torah (Law) the first five books of the Old Testament.

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

7. Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.

9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the spirit (Gal.5).

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.

12. Twelve drummers drum-ming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles Creed.

There you have it, the HID-DEN meaning of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and the secret behind the song.

Received this from a friend and it gave new meaning to the song we sing at this time of year, Hope you find this as “New/Old Meaning” to the season.

ety in Lipa City, Batangas.The Lubis family devel-

oped the first Gawad Kalinga reunion village which gives employment or livelihood capital to the residents as well as scholarship grants to the children. The Lubises have also planted more than 45,000 narra and mahogany trees as their contribution to the

Saudi based Pinoys are

OFW Family of the Year

greening of the environment advocacy of the government.

Now on its fifth year, MOFYA is an annual recogni-tion program organized by the Overseas Workers Welfare Adminsitration in partnership with Globe Telecom and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to honor outstanding OFW families. Globe and BPI gave cash prizes of P400,000 and P200,000, respectively.

“It is inspiring to know that despite the many sacrifices that our OFW families have to make, they remain concerned about and involved with the welfare of their respective communities. The material improvement in their lives as

a result of the sacrifice of their OFW loved ones have not taken away from them their sense of generosity and love for country. That is definitely very Filipino,” said Vice President Noli de Castro.

Room for Rent $400 plus utili-ties. Call (619)

656-0409


Spiritual Life

Read Monsignor’s previous articles by visit-ing our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Msgr. Fernando G. Gutierrez

Lower Your Nets Balintataw

Read Virginia Ferrer’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Virginia H. Ferrer

KailanganKailangan nang talaga na ako ay magpaalampakiusap ko lamang ay huwag ka sanang magdamdam‘di mo lamang talos kung ano itong nararamdamannapakasakit mang tunay ito’y nararapat lamang.

Hindi ko nga alam kung kakayanin ko itong lahatang mawalay sa iyo na aking pinakaliliyaggaano man kasakit asahang gagawin ko’ng lahatmahalaga ka sa akin sinasabi ko ng tapat.

Dumating na sa hanggahan ang aking nararamdamansa mundong ibabaw ako ngayon ay mamamaalambabaunin kong palagi hanggang sa kabilang buhayang matatamis nating sandali na pinagsamahan.

Joke of the Week: In olden days it was the practice, at least in some convents, to have one of the nuns awaken each mem-ber of the religious community at 6 a.m. by knocking on each door and declaring, “Benedi-camus Domino – let us praise the Lord.” Each nun was to answer, “Deo gratias – thanks be to God.” In the wee hours one morning an older nun spied a prowler tip-toeing down the hallway. She informed the “Sister Awaker,” who quickly and quietly hurried from door to door with the warning, “There is a man in the house.” To which each nun replied with what seemed more than the usual alertness, “Thanks be to God.”

Scriptures: First Reading: Micah 5: 1-4a. Micah is an eighth-century prophet who lived through the destruc-tion of the northern kingdom of Israel and the invasion of Judah by the Assyrian king, Sennacherib in 701 B.C. He exposes Judah for its injustices against the defenseless poor people. At the same time the prophet raises the peoples’ hope by announcing that God would set them free and restore the Davidic monarchy through the Messiah who is coming from the little town of Bethlehem. Second Reading: Hebrews 10: 5-10. The birth at Bethlehem is an invitation to the readers to reflect on God’s abundant love in sending us his Son that led to his death on the Cross. According to Reginald Fuller “Bethlehem was the prelude to Golgotha.” The mystery of the Incarnation is closely linked to the death and resurrection of Jesus. He came,

Advent: Fourth Sunday

The joyful wonder of a divine surprise

was born of the Virgin, and died that we may have eternal life. Gospel: Luke 1: 39-45. Hundred of years before this visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth occurred, the prophet Micah foretold that out of Bethlehem, the smallest town of Judah, would come a ruler who will feed God’s flock Israel as well as all the nations. Today this promise is fulfilled. Reflections: The world’s

measurement of greatness lies in doing big things in grandiose ways. Some people are consid-ered successful in life, when they own mansions, castles, or palaces. In spite of the skyrock-eting gas price, others feel safer and comfortable driving around huge vehicles. The more money a person has in the bank and the bigger is his/her investment portfolio, the better. It does not mean, however, that we should

not save for the rainy days. But to set our hearts merely on doing it big to be great, famous, and acceptable is to miss the lessons in today’s readings. The little town of Bethlehem was incon-spicuous. Because it is just a tiny town, Joshua did not include it among the towns apportioned to the twelve tribes. Out of this little town comes the shepherd who would truly take care of God’s flock. The Gospel focuses not on the busy, well-known Temple at Jerusalem where sacri-fices are offered, but on another “Temple,” the womb of two simple country peasant women, Mary and Elizabeth. God favors more the simple and the humble. “Not to be encompassed by the greatest, but to let oneself be en-compassed by the smallest – that is divine (Non coerceri maximo, contineri tamen a minimo, divi-num est)” The former Cardinal Ratzinger, now Benedict XV1, writes, “To him who as spirit bears up and encompasses the universe, a spirit, a man’s heart with its ability to love, is greater

than all the milky ways in the universe.” Greatness in God’s eyes does not depend in doing quantitatively big things, but in qualitatively doing even the smallest things.

When God does some-thing for his people, he does it unexpectedly and in a way that is the very oppo-site of the world’s standard. When the prophet Samuel was looking for a succes-sor to replace King Saul, he did not choose anyone among Jesse’s robust and tall sons. Samuel picked out David, Jesse’s youngest son. Joseph, youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, had been abandoned by his broth-ers in a well, was sold into slavery, and later was ap-pointed as pharaoh in Egypt. This youngest son, left for dead by his own brothers, saved his family from dy-

ing of hunger. There is a series of OT miraculous births that occurred for a specific function: Isaac’s mother, Sarah, Samuel’s mother, Hannah, and Samson’s mother. The children born of this miraculous conception are testimonies to God’s grace-filled intervention in salvation his-tory. This intervention goes with Elizabeth and reaches its apex with the Blessed Virgin Mary. The greatest surprise of all is the

virginal conception and birth of Jesus. How could the greatest Lord become a small and fragile child? This Messiah reveals the ultimate and highest intervention of God in salvation history. Mary accepted God’s words in faith. Because of her faith, the promise of a Messiah is kept. Steadfast in faith, Mary, while remain-ing a virgin, became a mother. A miraculous surprise! We too, while keeping our faith in God who does marvelous things unexpectedly for his people, will help keep that promise going. It is a promise of salvation through Jesus who became a fragile child so that we can all be children of his Father. God is always full of surprises. His surprise is guaran-teed to bring glad tidings to all concerned. May we all have a Christ-centered Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Quotation of the Week: “The virgin birth is first and last a the-ology of grace, a proclamation of how salvation comes to us: in the simplicity of acceptance, as the voluntary gift of love that redeems the world.” Joseph Car-dinal Ratzinger.


Los Angeles, 16 December 2009 – A team from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles will conduct a Consular Outreach Program in Chula Vista, Califor-nia on 9 January 2010:

Location: Comfort Inn & Suites, 632 E Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Service Hours :9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

The consular outreach program is being undertaken in cooperation with the Council of the Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County, Inc. (COPAO).

The following consular services will be rendered:

1. Applications for Machine Readable Passport (Cost: $50), to be returned to the applicant by mail at an additional cost of $6.

2. Applications for the retention and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship pursuant to Republic Act 9225 or Dual Citizenship Law (Cost: $50). Oath-taking will be scheduled on the same day for qualified applicants.

3. Applications for Report of Marriage & Birth (Cost: $25) will be accepted but this will be processed in Los Angeles and returned to the applicant by mail at an additional cost of $6.

4. Notarization of documents (Cost: $25) will be accepted but this will be processed in Los An-geles and returned to the applicant by mail at an additional cost of $6.

STRICTLY BY APPOINT-MENT ONLY (by following the applicable scheduling steps be-low) AND WITH COMPLETED DOCUMENTS ONLY. No walk-in applicants will be entertained.

Consular Outreach in Chula Vista, CA, 9 January 2010

May God’s Blessings reach all of us this Holiday Season

“Little Chapel of Roses”Open 7 days a week

• Our Lady of Fatima Lawn• Private Estates• Beautiful Outdoor Mausoleum• Veterans Discounts

3838 Bonita Road * Bonita(619) 498-4600 / Cell: 203-9465 / Res.: 946-7588

Pre-Planning Is a Gift of Love

Vilma Alferos GantalaFamily Service Counselor

Over 14 years experienceLic#0540899

Speaks Tagalog & Ilocano Funeral & Cemetery PlanningPayment Plans Available

WILROCRealty & Mortgage

Andy VelbisRealtor

Cell: (619) 518-4839Office: (619) 336-0536FAX: (619) 475-9393

450 E. 8th Street, Suite GNational City, CA 91950

Happy Holidaysto all our clients & friends!!

Greetings from:

MESALVI REALTY3D SMART CLASSROOM ONLINE

IMS EXECUTIVES

TM

ARMAN L. DEMESABroker/Notary/EducatorCell: (619) 572-2681

ELSIE V. DEMESAOwner/Coordinator

390 Calle La Quinta, Chula Vista, CA 91914(619) 571-1895

email: [email protected]

2010 Plaza Acapulco, Chula Vista, CA 91914

ARMAN L. DEMESA, Ed. D.

1. Appointment Scheduling Steps for Machine Readable Pass-port (MRP) Applicants

a. Visit the Philippine Consulate website (www.philippinecon-sulatela.org) and print the pass-port application form;

b. Complete the passport appli-cation form; and,

c. No later than 7 January 2010, send an advance copy of the com-pleted passport application form and data page (bearing the name and photo) of the old passport to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990. Thumbprint and photo are not necessary; these will be done on site. Incomplete forms will not be processed.

2. Appointment Scheduling Steps for Dual Citizenship Ap-plicants

a. Visit the Philippine Consulate website (www.philippinecon-sulatela.org) and print the Dual Citizenship Application form;

b. Complete the Dual Citizen-ship Application form; and,

c. No later than 7 January 2010, send an advance copy of the completed Dual Citizenship application form and supporting documents to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990. Thumbprint and photo are not necessary; these will be done on site. Incomplete forms will not be processed.

Note: Oath-Taking will be scheduled on the same day for qualified applicants.

3. Appointment Scheduling Steps for Report of Marriage (ROM) & Birth (ROB)

a. Visit the Philippine Consulate website (www.philippinecon-sulatela.org) and print the ROM

or ROB form;b. Complete the ROM or ROB

form; and,c. No later than 7 January 2010,

send an advance copy of the completed form and supporting documents to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990. Incomplete forms will not be processed.

4. Appointment Scheduling Steps for Notarization of Docu-ments

a. No later than 7 January 2010, send an advance copy of the document to be notarized to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990.

Information FOR ALL APPLI-CANTS

The Consulate regularly updates the appointment schedule posted on the website as they receive the completed applications.

The final list of all applicants with pre-processed applications will be posted at the Consulate’s website (www.philippinecon-sulatela.org) by 7 January 2010. Personal appearance is required for all applicants for data verifica-tion, finger-printing and signature capture. Applications by mail are no longer accepted.

All applicants are advised to transact their business directly with Consulate officials and not through travel agencies.

Private photographers, who are knowledgeable of the photo requirements for the machine readable passport, will be present at the venue during the Consular Outreach for those who will need photos for passport renewal. To obtain details regarding the new passport photo requirements, ap-plicants may visit the Consulate’s website (www.philippinecon-sulatela.org).

FeesFees must be paid in person

at the scheduled appointment. The Consulate will only accept

payments in cash, postal money order or cashier’s check. Personal checks will not be accepted.

Machine Readable Passport: $50 processing fee + $6 for pass-ports to be returned to the appli-cant by mail

Dual Citizenship: $50 process-ing fee

Civil Registry: $25 process-ing fee + $6 for documents to be returned to the applicant by mail

Notarization of Documents: $25 processing fee + $6 for documents to be returned to the applicant by mail

Contact InformationFor information on consular

matters, interested parties may wish to call Vice Consul Char-maine Serna-Chua at Tel No.: 1-213-637-3004.

General Summary of Machine Readable Passport Requirements & Processing Time

For the information of the pub-lic, the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in the U.S. started to accept and to process applications for Machine Read-able Passports (MRP) on 2 June 2008. This is in compliance with the requirements of the Interna-tional Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for its member states, including the Philippines, to issue MRPs not later than 1 April 2010.

Since applications are sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila via diplomatic pouch, it may take six (6) weeks for a passport to be released to the ap-plicants, from the time the applica-tion is accepted.

While some countries may still honor valid green Philippine passports beyond 1 April 2010 as bona fide travel documents until they expire, most countries will require travelers to be holders of either machine readable passports or e-passport for their sojourn by 2010.

In this regard, all Philippine passport holders are advised to renew their Philippine passport six (6) months prior to its expira-tion, in accordance with ICAO regulations, and to secure their plane tickets only after they have received their new passport.

All Filipinos, including those with valid green passports, are therefore encouraged to apply for their machine readable passports as early as possible.


WHOLESALE & RETAIL SEAFOOD

OUR DAILY WHOLE FISH + FILLET & SHELLFISH:SALMON, TUNA, RED SNAPPER, HALIBUT, CAT

FISH, PINK GROUPER, YELLOW JACK, CROAKER, MULLET, SIERRA, SHINNER, YELLOW TAIL, MAHI-

MAHI, SEA BASS, SHARK, SWORDFISH, DOVE SOLE, PERCH and much more...

ALL PARROT FISH * SEA-URCHIN:OYSTERS, NELSON, CHERRY-STONE CLAM, SCALLOPS, MANILA CLAM, BLOODY CLAM, GREEN MUSSELS, LIVE

BLUE CRAB, OCTOPUS, SQUID, CUTTLE-FISH, IMITATION CRAB MEAT, SNOW CRAB LEGS, KING CRAB LEGS

WE HAVE ALL SIZE SHIRMP, LIVE LOBSTER & CRABS - COCKTAIL SHRIMPS AND LOBSTER TAIL

3753 MISSION AVE #117 OCEANSIDE, CA(AT MISSION CAMINO PLAZA)

TEL: (760) 966-1038FAX: (760) 966-6236

Christmas Specials

Pampano

Live Lobster & Dungeness Crabs

$2.99 lb.

Blue Crab

$3.99 lb.

Mussels

$4.99 2 lbs. Box

Shrimpswith head

$9.99 4 lbs. box

Happy Holidays! Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!!!

Eastlake Village Shopping Center South

2260 Otay Lakes Road Chula Vista

LISA’S DESSERT2720 E. Plaza Blvd. National City, CA 91950(619) 472-8718

LISA’S BAKERY PLUS 2220 E. Plaza Blvd. National City, CA 91950

(619) 479-3648

EASTLAKE BRANCH

1828 Coronado Avenue, San Diego, CA 92154(619) 429-5778

Lisa’s Dessert, Bakery & Food to go

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!!!

Other stores to serve you!

Lisa’s Filipino Cuisine

(619) 656-1022

By: Father Shay Cullen

When I was growing up in Ireland, everyone in our fam-ily gave each other little gifts at Christmas. We saved up our pocket money and went shop-ping thinking of what we could afford and what gift would please our parents and our broth-ers and sisters. It made us think about them and about each other and not about ourselves. It was a way a family bonded and we were taught that giving was more joyous that receiving.

As a small boy, I felt that receiving is the best part and waited with great excitement for the special moment after returning from morning mass when we all gathered around the Christmas tree and the gifts were shared out.

I remember the strong smell of the pine tree and the twinkling lights and decorations that we unpacked year after year. The joy of receiving gifts or presents simple and inexpensive as they were, was a great joy. It made me feel happy, that I belonged, that I was a worthy member of a family, and I was loved. The cost of the gift was immaterial. The value it conveyed was the most important of all. The poorest family sharing the simplest of exchange gifts could experience

The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we ac-cept that free gift of love. “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Ro-mans 5:8).

The Joys of Christmas

the same bonding and love.The commercialization of

Christmas has changed much of that. Today, the self-serving advertisers of the commercial world spends millions to per-suade us that the more expensive the gift, the greater the love it expresses. It is a fallacy of the greatest magnitude and we must reject it. It would mean that the rich love each other more than the poor. It also creates huge

expectations between people that cannot be met, leading children and adults alike to believe that if they receive a gift of lesser com-mercial value they are unloved, or loved much less that anyone else.

Commercialism is the materi-alistic subversion of Christmas to make greater sales and profits and it undermines the whole meaning of Christmas. If we want to celebrate Christmas in a meaningful way, it ought to be a celebration of the great values that Jesus brought to civilization: unselfish giving, sacrificing for others without seeking rewards, risking ourselves to protect the weak and the vulnerable and working for equality, justice and peace.

The capture of the Christmas celebration by the commercial and materialistic world has prac-tically made it a pagan festival. In some government circles the word Christmas is not allowed. They have taken Christ out of Christ-mas and have banned Christmas greetings as discrimi-natory as favoring one religion over another or as a infringement of secularism. Now greetings are almost meaningless, phases have replaced Happy Christmas, such as Happy Holiday, Seasons Greetings, Joyful Festival and so on. Most Greeting cards don’t even indicate that Christmas cel-ebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps Christians should take

this further and forbid the use of the word Christmas in any secu-lar or commercial context other than a religious one and sue for damages when it’s misused.

The hedonistic parties, sumptu-ous meals, drinking binges and meaningless and loveless gift giving and all the other practices that corrupt the religious na-ture of Christmas is an insult to Christianity.

The materialistic takeover of Christmas is a contradiction of all that Jesus came to teach and achieve in this world. Today much of the birthday celebration of the Son of God is the wor-ship of materialism under the guise of gift giving. The greatest gift of all is to give our own life of service and help to the poor, the needy and the downtrodden without asking for payback or a gift in return. That is what we ought to be thinking about every day especially at Christmas; how we can stop damaging ourselves trying to gratify our own selfish desires and instead finding ways help others. It’s the road to hap-piness.

We need to strive to share wealth with the abused children the refugees, homeless, sick and victims of abuse and oppres-sion. There is no better way to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth since this is why he was born in the first place. (Gifts for children to St.Columan’s, Dalgan Park, Navan, Ireland)

With the holiday just around the corner, residents who cross the border to visit family and friends are encouraged to apply for their passport card at the County. To better serve its cus-tomers, the County offers walk-ins at 1600 Pacific Highway in San Diego, Room 402 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary. For more informa-tion, the public can call (619) 531-5600.

Since June 1, 2009, the second phase of the Western Hemi-sphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) went into effect, and travelers must now have a passport book, passport card or other travel document approved by the De-partment of Homeland Security. Residents need these documents to be able to re-enter the U.S. when returning from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda by land or sea ports-of-entry.

The passport card is different from a passport book because it was designed to meet the requirements of the land and

Crossing the border for the holiday? You must have a passport card

sea phase of the WHTI. The passport card is valid in border communities where crossing the border is a daily occurrence and it is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card can only be used for land and sea travel and is not valid for international air travel. The passport card may only be used at U.S. and sea ports-ofentry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. A passport book is required for international air travel.

If you need your passport card soon to visit family, you will need to apply right away because it can take up to six weeks to re-ceive your passport; however for an additional fee you can receive it within two to three weeks if you need to travel.

At the County, there are no lines, no hassles and free two-hour parking! Photos are also available. First-time applicants will pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children. Additional information is available at www.sandiegocob.com.

Apply for Your Passport Card at the County; Walk-Ins Accepted and No Appointment Needed



JOCHI’S FAST FOOD, INC.

1340 3RD Ave. Suite B Chula Vista, CA 91911(Inside Seafood City Supermarket)

Del & Chit Rivera(Proprietors)

(619) 426-7804

Pinakamasarap na Lechon and Filipino cuisine

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon

L L L L LUNCHUNCHUNCHUNCHUNCHSPECIALSSPECIALSSPECIALSSPECIALSSPECIALS

COMBINATION PLATESRice + 1 Entree - $ 3.99Rice + 2 Entree - $ 4.99

PARTY SPECIAL PACKAGE

$199.00 Only Good for 50 person or more

100 pcs. Lumpia ShanghaiMedium Tray PansitMedium Tray of Chopsueyor PinakbetMedium Tray of Menudoor Beef CalderetaMedium Tray Korean Chicken WingsMedium Tray Chicken & Pork Adoboor Lechon Kawali

LUMPIA SHANGHAI (Beef) 100 pcs. for $30.00 Only

FREDCELlULumpias & Catering

RESTAURANTDine-in Take Outt

Masarap Na, Mura pa!Lutong Pinoy Talaga

For more information andCatering needs please call us at:

(619) 282-23053876 38th Street, San Diego, CA 92105

FREDCELLumpia & Catering

RestaurantMasarap na,

Mura pa!Lutong Pinoy

Talaga!

For more information and Catering needs please call us at

(619) 282-23053876 38th Street, San Diego CA 92105

holidays. With hectic schedules fast

approaching, how do you find a moment to yourself? Taking an hour or more to relax during the day can be unrealistic; however, almost two out of three women

Indulge in “Me-Time” for a Smooth

Holiday Season

admit indulging in premium chocolate, like Lindor Truffles, can give them a moment of “me-time.” Taking time for yourself, even for only a few minutes, can make a big difference, espe-cially when trying to avoid the strains of everyday life. As you go through your to-do list, keep in mind these tips from Lindt that will help make this holiday season a smooth one.

Holiday shopping can be enjoyable. As you think about the perfect gift for others, don’t forget to think about yourself. While shopping, pick up a small, delicious treat to keep you going through the day.

Finding the perfect present can be made simpler by choosing gifts that are elegant and ready-to-give. You can even use the time you save on gift wrapping to do something for yourself.

If you do need to gift wrap your presents, turn this tedious task into the perfect time to re-

juvenate. Put on relaxing music, get comfortable and treat your-self with your favorite Lindor Truffle.

When running holiday errands, try to plan ahead, consolidate trips and remember to factor in some “me-time” when you get home. Put your feet up and enjoy an indulgence or a cup of tea or coffee to reward your holiday efforts.

You can’t get through the holidays without spending a day or two in the kitchen, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a chore. Add some fun by inviting friends over to bake together and take the pressure off. Try rolling Lindor Truffles in chocolate fol-lowed by powdered sugar, coco-nut shavings or nuts for a simple and elegant way to personalize holiday desserts.

For more information on “me-time” tips or Lindor Truffles, visit www.LindtLindorTruffles.com.

SAN DIEGO, CA – December 16, 2009 – In today’s corporate world hiring managers often give as much consideration to an applicant’s personality as they do to educational background or professional experience. When hiring for positions that are calculating in nature, an ac-countant, a technician, perhaps a computer programmer, a hiring manager will likely be looking for candidates who are reserved, focused, and task-oriented, with the belief that these character traits are important contributors for success in their line of work. In sales, intuition tells us that the outgoing, people-oriented candidate is going to be more productive than someone more reticent or introverted. Besides

Hiring with Personality Theorygeneral sociability, the hiring sales manager will also factor in other personality traits: sincerity, empathy, doggedness, and the resilience to hear “no thank you” repeatedly while maintaining a positive attitude and moving for-ward. For years these have been the attributes we instinctively look for in a sales person, but are we justified in doing so?

Preliminary studies in this field have produced some revolution-ary findings that suggest that our instincts may be well off the mark. Contrary to intuition, recent evidence-based research demonstrates that the outgoing and gregarious person might not be best suited for sales. Such a counter-intuitive finding could radically alter the measures by

which companies recruit and hire young salespersons. Imagine if every company that has placed a heavy emphasis on the degree to which a candidate proves to be outgoing or extroverted was in fact passing on people better suited for the job. For sure the company may be hiring effec-tive communicators, people who are able to make contact and maintain relationships, but quite possibly they are overlooking the potential salespeople that can produce the most sales, and in the overall picture, isn’t that what every company seeks?

Sam Johnson, an expert in personality theory, and President of ALC points out that, “The overall amount of money that hypothetically has been lost in unrealized sales is enormous if preliminary studies are correct. What is important though is that we believe we know what to do now, we believe we know what personality type does sell the most, and we are confident that better decisions can be made in the future.” The next question that begs to be answered is, if outgoing and people-oriented are not the traits we are looking for, then what is the personality type best suited for sales?

With over a decade in sales training and an academic back-ground in personality theory, Johnson has developed his own hypothesis. “The outgoing indi-vidual, who is at the same time task-oriented, has the most ideal combination of personality traits for sales. Such an individual is generally direct, dominant, driven, and constantly striving to achieve one task after another.” Recently concluded evidence-based research from Dr. Kirk Wakefield of Baylor University supports this hypothesis, with outgoing/task-oriented personali-ties prominently out producing other personality types in sales. Interestingly, the same study found that the reserved/people-oriented personality types were the second best in sales perfor-

mances. The study suggested that this is because such indi-viduals are very conscientious of their clients’ needs and look to fulfill them.

If your company has been hir-ing outgoing and people-oriented personality types for sales and you are wondering why you are not closing enough business...well we think we might have an answer for you.

ABOUT ALC

ALC provides sales profession-als, corporate groups, students, athletes and every day individu-als the real mental tools needed to unlock their potential. ALC runs a gamut of programs to im-prove aspects of an individual’s life, or a corporate environment. Success Training with ALC truly focuses on the goals and aspirations of the participant(s) at hand. Programs range from meeting the goals of everyday individuals concerned with improving life aspects such as: performance enhancement in sales and athletics, weight loss, life balance, financial gain, team building, work place advance-ment, confidence building, grow-ing sales and businesses. The possibilities with ALC are end-less and every program is custom tailored to the participant’s direct needs and desires.


14897 Pomerado Road Poway, CA 92064(Right next to The Original Pancake House

Combination PlatesOne (1) Entree w/ Pancit

& Rice....$5.99Two (2) Entree w/ Pancit

& Rice....$6.99BBQ w/ Pancit & Rice....$6.99

Phone/fax: (858) 679-0644 www.amerasiancuisine.com

Dine-In or Carry-Out

Special Events

Catering


Laughing MatterRead previous articles by visiting our website at www.asian-

journalusa.com

Tawa at TulaRead previous articles by visiting our website at www.asian-

journalusa.com

ni Joe Cabrera

Ang Panaginip Ay Nagka-totoo

Ang panaginip ay, malaking hiwagaSa buhay ng tao, misteriong mistulaMayrong simpleng-simple, may naka-katuwa

Alalaon baga, sa pagtulog natinMadalas na tayo, ay biglang pukawinMga pangyayaring, parang tunay mandinNa sa pag-gising mo, nais mong suri-in

Mayrong nagsasabi, dyan sa karamihanAng panaginip daw, ay kabaligtaran“Suerteng panaginip”, kamalasan iyanAt kung kasayahan, kalungkutan naman

Ang panaginip daw, ay may kahuluganSa bawat araw ng, buhay nating tananKayat iyong mga, marurunong diyanBawat panaginip, pinag-aaralan

Apoy at tubig daw, sakuna and badyaPusa’t aso naman, babag ang balitaPag ahas daw naman, mayrong na-niniraKapag tsinelas daw, may “biahe” kang sadya

Ano pa’t lahat na, ng bagay sa mundoAy may kahulugan, sa panaginip moSa ‘kin okey lahat, kahit ano kamoHuag na huag po lamang, aking “mother-in-law”

Ang katotohanan, nitong panaginipSa aba nyong linkod, napunla sa isipNang ako’y mangarap, tungkol kay “fighting pip”Isang buong linggo, pinag-lirip lirip

Itong si “fighting Pip”, ating pag-usapanMamaya ng kaunti, sa banding hulihanPagkat sya ay mayrong, laking ka-ugnayanPanaginip pala’y may katotohanan

Ang mga sugarol, hintay ay numeroKumislap-kislap sa, panaginip nitoSapagkat baka dyan, suerte nila kamoMataya-an man lang, ng kaunting dinero

Hindi po sugarol, ang abang lingkod nyoNgunit karera lang, and dibersyon nitoEh ma-itanong nyo, kung bakit nga kamoKapatid kong Tony, may mga kabayo

Bakit ko nasabing, nangyayaring tunayMga panaginip, sa ating pong buhayEtong pang-yayari, sa inyong pagtunghay“Sang panaginip ko, aking isasaysay

Bakit nga ba hindi, ako mag-kukwento‘Tong panaginip ko, ay nagka-toto-oKitang kita ko po, pangyayari ditoAt para bang tila, nagaganap ito

Ang panaginip ko, tunkol sa numeroAko’y nakatitig, dun sa kalendaryoSa bwan po ng Julio, ‘yo’y araw ng LinggoAng kinatapatan, bilang nga a pito

Buwang ika-pito, yata iyang JulioLucky seven yata, ang panaginip koNgunit tuloy pa rin, pangarap ni akoSa sungk-an naman, ang sumunod kamo

Ito pong sungkaan, dapat daming batoWala ‘kong nakita, kundi pito-pitoPano kaya ako, maglalaro nitoIto nga pong butas, ay pi-pito kamo

Sumunod naman dun, ako’y nasa barkoPito lamang kaming, mga pasaheroAno na ba ito, naku “sus Mariano”Mayron na nga kayang, ibig sabihin ‘to?

Natapus din kamo, Ang biahe sa barkoAt umibis na nga, ang aba nyong si JoeHuni ng sirena, hudyat ika pito‘Yan po ang sa akin, ay gumising kamo

Mula sa ‘king kama biglang talon akoTanghali na pala, papasok pa si JoeHuni ng sirena, hudyat ika pito‘Yan po ang sa akin, ay gumising kamo

“But” biglang tumunog, aming teleponoNasa kabila’y itong kapatid koAno’t wala ka pa, biglang tanong nitoMayron tayong takbo, dun sa San Lazaro

Ipadala mo na, ang mga kabayoSa pitong karera, ay kasali tayoAt ang si “fighting pip”, na paborito moNumero siete sya, sa race seven ito

Anong laking kaba, sa aki’y gumuloAno’ng relasyon ‘to, sa panaginip koBihirang-bihira’ng, ganitong anunsyo‘To yata’y araw ko, Oh-no oh-no oh-no

Isinalo-ob na, ang pagtaya kamoWala akong imik, kahit na kaninoIsang taya-an lang, itong gagawin koSa ika-pitong race, number seven ako

Ano’t dumating na, ang takbong pang pitoAt si “fighting pip” nga, number seven itoAng pera kong dala, na pitong-pung pisoIpinustang lahat, dun kay “fighting pip” ko

Sa madaling sabi, natapos ang takboAng panaginip ko, naganap ng hustoAng aking anunsyo, ay nagka-toto-o“tong si “fighting pip” ko, dumating pang pito.

LEE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

(Residential Remodeling Specialist)

• Room Addition • Patio Deck & Fences• Flooring (Laminate & Tiles)• Painting (Interior & Exterior & custom Crown Moulding)• Roofing, Renew, Repair • Bath Remodeling

For FREE ESTIMATE Call

[email protected]. # 824754

(858) 717-5778

GF: Saan tayo?BF: Punta tayo roon... sa

madilim!GF: Ha?BF: Trust me!GF: Ok.Pagdating sa madilim...GF: Bakit ka naghubo?BF: Huwag kang maingay!GF: Maghuhubo rin ako!BF: Bakit? Tatae ka rin ba?

Sinungaling Daw!

Namatay ang isang mister na babaero. Sa requiem mass, sinabi ng pari patungkol sa

Saan Tayo?namatay, “An honest man, a good man, a family man” et-cetera. Binulungan ng biyuda ang panganay na anak, “Paki-silip nga ang kabaong kung ang daddy mo nga ang nasa loob!”

Lasang Sabon

Kustomer: Ang linis talaga ng restaurant ninyo!

Waiter: Salamat po. Paano ninyo nahalata?

Kustomer: Kasi, lahat ng pagkain n’yo, lasang-sabon!

mother in “La Paloma,” (1974). This was followed by another movie in 1976, “Insiang”, a classic directed by the late Lino Brocka, one that would bring her back to the limelight with her extraor-dinary portrayal of Aling Tonyang, the mother who chose to close her eyes to the sexual abuse brought by her lover to her daughter, Insiang (played by Hilda Koronel). “Insiang” has been credited to be the first Filipino movie to be shown in the Cannes Festival

Unlike the movie stars of the younger generation who now go through acting workshops, Mona’s dramatic perfor-mances are expressions of the pain and suffering she went through during her growing years. She used her disadvan-taged years to create the very soul of her craft.

Her Awards & NominationsShe was recognized for her excellent

portrayal in the movie, “Insiang” by all the award giving bodies – she won the FAMAS and the Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Awards given in 1976 and was also nominated for the same award at the Gawad Urian Awards.

She was nominated FAMAS Best Actress for her role in “Cain at Abel” (1982), and in later years would also get nominations from Gawad Urian for her roles in “Huwag Mong Salingin and Sugat Ko” (1991), “Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim” (1985), “Cain at Abel” (1982) and “Mother Ignacia – Ang Uliran” (1998). She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Gawad Urian in 1999.

TodayIn my conversations with her grand-

daughter, Celine, I found out that Mona has recently survived a mild stroke. Other than an occasional weakness in her legs, however, her health has improved since then. At 87 years old, Mona Lisa chooses to live a quiet life, often seen by her neighbors giving away dole outs to those who are needy.

Celine confirms that a movie version of her biography is in the offing. She gave the movie rights of her book to Mona’s grandson, Marion Guinto, a filmmaker in the United States. Mona hopes to play her mother Melecia Lerma when the movie gets into reality. Mona’s mother passed away a decade ago at the age of 92.

Celine grew up with her Lola Mona because her parents who work for Philippine Air Lines were often out of the country. She describes her Lola as “kunsintidora, liberated lola, hindi siya ‘old school’ and a very loving lola.” I

told Cecile that if she pursues her mas-ter’s degree, Mona Lisa would be a great subject for her thesis.

Although no longer in the limelight these days, she would always be remem-bered as the Mona Lisa of Philippine movies and her legacy will surely outlive her name.

Some of the movies and TV series she made were:

Camiling Story (2005) Kiskisan (2003) Mother Ignacia - Ang Uliran (1998) Pagsubok sa Hirap at Ginhawa (1996)Huwag Mong Salingin ang Sugat Ko

(1991) Anna Luna (1989) Babangon ako’t dudurugin kita (1989) Barbi: Maid in the Philippines (1989) “A Dangerous Life” (1988) Tiyanak (1988) 1 + 1 = 12 + 1 (1987) Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie (1986) Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim (1985) Soltero (1984) [Actress] Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Na-

karaan (1984)Cain at Abel (1982) Oro, Plata, Mata (1982) Alfredo Sebastian (1981)Sino’ng Pipigil sa Pagpatak ng Ulan?

(1979) Atsay (1978) Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak

(1978) Mananayaw (1978) Electrika Kasi, eh! (1977) Itim (1976) Insiang (1976) Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi (1975) La Paloma: Ang Lalapating Ligaw

(1974) Romantiko (1970) Blood of Bataan (1953) Ulila ng Bataan (1952) Buhay Alamang (1952) Dugo ng Bataan (1951) Sundalong talahib (1950) Siyudad sa Ilalim ng Lupa (1949) Naglahong Tala (1949) Sagur (1949) The 13th Sultan (1949) Batang lansangan (1948) Forbidden Women (1948) Krus ng Digma (1948) Matimtiman (1948) Outrages of the Orient (1948)Bisig ng batas (1947) Hanggang langit (1947) Maria Kapra (1947) Barong-barong (1946) Princesa Urduja (1942) Ang Viuda Alegre (1941) Bayani ng Buhay (1941) Luksang Bituin (1941)Palaris (1941) Puting Dambana (1941) Datu-talim (1940)Dilim at Liwanag (1940) Giliw Ko (1939) Bago Lumubog ang Araw (1938) Bahay Kubo (1938) Dasalang Perlas (1938) Walang Pangalan (1938) Ang Pagbabalik (1937)

Mona Lisa: Through the Eyes of Her Apo, Celine


For Rent

One bedroom, one bath apartment near trans-portation and grocery store. $800 per month.

4 bedroom house, 3 bath in San Marcos, $2,500 a month.

Call: Tony at (858) 705-0458

Room for rent$400 plus utilities

No smoking, no drugs(619) 656-0409

RN’s, LVN’s, CNA’sCAREGIVER, COMPANION, HOMEMAKER

To:

From: Eugene De Leon

Herewith is proof of your classified ad for publication in the Asian Journal. Please proofread i t and fax back the correction if any or call us for your approval. The ad is tentatively scheduled to be published in the

issue of the Asian Journal if we receive your approval on time. At $4 per line

lines, it costs

$______.00 to be paid upon your receipt of the invoice and tear sheet. Thank you.

Fax #

If approved please sign and fax back to

(619) 474-0373

__________________

Asian JournalFirst Asian Weekly Newspaper in Southern California & San Diego’s Most Widely Circulated Asian-Filipino Newspaper

550 East 8th Street, Suite 6, National City CA 91950 • Tel. (619) 474-0588 • Fax (619) 474-0373

12/18/09

T Pinones

1x4x10 = 40

Senior Transportation Planner

The Senior Transportation Planner will provide leadership for a team of professionals who manage outreach for the region’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program and will manage technical analyses, planning studies, and the implementation of projects. Qualifications: a degree in planning, engineering, public/business administration, or a related field, and a minimum of five years of project management experience in transporta-tion planning/operations. SANDAG offers competitive salaries and benefits. Visit www.sandag.org/jobs or call (619) 699-1900 for information. Closes: Friday January 15, 2010. EOE.

Regional Transportation Planner

The Transportation Planner will play a key role in the design and delivery of high occupancy toll (HOT) lane facili-ties on the region’s freeways. This position also is integral to developing and implementing programs and services that advance the region’s transportation demand management (TDM) and systems management strategic plans. Qualifications: a degree in planning, engineering, public administration, or related field, and recent experience in regional congestion management or transportation planning. SANDAG offers competitive salaries and benefits. Visit www.sandag.org/jobs or call (619) 699-1900 for information. Closes: Friday January 15, 2010. EOE.

1.5x4x10 = 60

2 ads total of $100

To:

From: Eugene De Leon

Herewith is proof of your classified ad for publication in the Asian Journal. Please proofread i t and fax back the correction if any or call us for your approval. The ad is tentatively scheduled to be published in the

issue of the Asian Journal if we receive your approval on time. At $4 per line

lines, it costs

$______.00 to be paid upon your receipt of the invoice and tear sheet. Thank you.

Fax #

If approved please sign and fax back to

(619) 474-0373

__________________

Asian JournalFirst Asian Weekly Newspaper in Southern California & San Diego’s Most Widely Circulated Asian-Filipino Newspaper

550 East 8th Street, Suite 6, National City CA 91950 • Tel. (619) 474-0588 • Fax (619) 474-0373

12/18/09

T Pinones

1x4x10 = 40

Senior Transportation Planner

The Senior Transportation Planner will provide leadership for a team of professionals who manage outreach for the region’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program and will manage technical analyses, planning studies, and the implementation of projects. Qualifications: a degree in planning, engineering, public/business administration, or a related field, and a minimum of five years of project management experience in transporta-tion planning/operations. SANDAG offers competitive salaries and benefits. Visit www.sandag.org/jobs or call (619) 699-1900 for information. Closes: Friday January 15, 2010. EOE.

Regional Transportation Planner

The Transportation Planner will play a key role in the design and delivery of high occupancy toll (HOT) lane facili-ties on the region’s freeways. This position also is integral to developing and implementing programs and services that advance the region’s transportation demand management (TDM) and systems management strategic plans. Qualifications: a degree in planning, engineering, public administration, or related field, and recent experience in regional congestion management or transportation planning. SANDAG offers competitive salaries and benefits. Visit www.sandag.org/jobs or call (619) 699-1900 for information. Closes: Friday January 15, 2010. EOE.

1.5x4x10 = 60

2 ads total of $100Holiday Greetings From HOPE ADHC

WANTED: Live-In Caregiver

Must be able to communicate in English, can perform

required dutiesSend Resume to:

POB 2142, Spring Valley, Ca 91977

Tuesday, December 08, 2009 — The American Red Cross wants everyone to be prepared and safe when Ole Man Winter comes knocking on the door.

“Heating the home is ex-pensive and one of the leading causes of home fires,” said Scott Conner, Red Cross senior vice president for Preparedness and Health and Safety Services. “We have steps people can follow to cut their risk of starting a fire in their home, and to cut down on their heating bills.”

Use Alternative Heaters Safely

First, never use your stove • or oven to heat your home.Never leave alternative • heaters unattended—turn off space heaters or extin-guish the fireplace before going to bed or leaving home.Keep all flammable ma-• terials and potential fuel sources—including but not limited to newspapers, matches, bedding, clothing, carpets and rugs—at least three feet away from heat sources such as space heat-ers, fireplaces and stoves.

Place your space heater on a hard, level, nonflammable surface. Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets, near bedding or drapes, and keep children and pets away. Look for a space heater model that shuts off auto-matically if the heater falls over.

Keep the fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. Never leave fireplaces unattended. Be sure to have wood and coal stoves, fire-places, chimneys and furnaces professionally inspected once a year.

Be Prepared

Install smoke alarms on every

Heat Your Home Safely and Keep Winter Weather Out

Winter calls for special preparationsfloor of your home. Check them once a month by pressing the test button, and replace batteries as necessary.

Make sure both your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly, and practice your home fire escape plan so every member of your family, including young children and elderly, can get out quickly and safely. Your escape plan should include at least two routes out for every room in the home, and a meeting place outside your home.

Reduce Your Heating BillsSome experts are predicting

that most of the country will see temperatures below normal this winter. The Red Cross offers these suggestions on how to get your home ready for the cold weather.

Simple solutions—

Turn down the thermo-• stat and put on a sweater. You’ll be surprised at the savings on your heating bill.Close off any rooms you • aren’t using and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms.Make sure heat vents aren’t • blocked by furniture.If you can, buy heavy • curtains to help keep cold air out of your home, even in the kitchen. Open them during the day to let the sun help warm your house, and close them at night. Use “fabric snakes,” or old rugs in front of windows and doors to help eliminate drafts.If you have a wood burn-• ing fireplace, use it to cut down on your heating bill. Make sure you close the damper when not in use or heat will escape through it. If you can seal off the fireplace when not in use, do so.

Turn off vent fans in the • kitchen and bathroom as soon as the job is done. Set your ceiling fans to • blow air down.

Insulate—

Drafts mean cold air is leaking into your home. Use either insu-lating tape or caulking strips to surround your windows and door moldings. You can also cover windows with plastic sheeting. If you have storm windows or storm doors, get them up to keep the cold out.

Cold air can even seep into the house through outlets, so insu-late your light switch and outlet plates with foam pads.

Additional insulation tips:

Cover your hot water • heater with insulating material. You’ll use less energy to heat the wa-ter. Prevent frozen pipes - when the weather is very cold outside, open cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around water pipes. Let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing. Keep the thermostat set to a con-sistent temperature.If your home sits above • ground and some of your pipes are exposed, wrap them to save on energy and prevent freezing.Turn off any outside • faucets, drain your hose, and cover the faucets. Use caulking or weather stripping around all pipes where they enter the house—yet another way to eliminate drafts.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides inter-national humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and de-pends on volunteers and the gen-erosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

NEW YORK, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Caregiving is still mostly a woman’s job and many women are putting their career and fi-nancial futures on hold as they juggle part-time caregiving and full-time job requirements. This is the reality re-ported in Caregiving in the U.S. 2009, the most comprehensive examination to date of caregiving in America. The sweeping study of the legions of peo-ple caring for adults, the elderly, and children with special needs reveals that 29% of the U.S. adult population, or 65.7 million people, are caregiv-ers, including 31% of all households. These caregivers provide an average of 20 hours of care per week.

Caregiving in the U.S. 2009, which was funded by MetLife Foundation and conducted for the National Alli-ance for Caregiving in collaboration with AARP by Mathew Greenwald & Associates, is the result of inter-views with 1,480 caregivers chosen at random. The study was designed to replicate similar studies conducted in 2004 and 1997 and includes, for the first time, a sampling of those caring for children as well as those caring for adults over the age of 18.

Among the findings: American caregivers are predominantly female (66%) and are an average of 48 years old. Most care for a relative (86%), most often a parent (36%). Seven in ten caregivers care for someone over age 50. One in seven caregivers provides care, over and above regular parenting, to a child with special needs (14%). Caregiving lasts an average of 4.6 years.

The study also revealed that both caregivers of adults and their care re-cipients are now older than their coun-terparts were five years ago. Among caregivers of adults (ages 18 or older), the average age of the caregiver rose from 46 to 49. The change can be attributed to a decline among younger caregivers (those under the age of 50) and a shift upward among caregivers age 50 to 64. Among caregivers of adults, the average care recipient’s age increased from 67 to 69, mainly be-cause of an increase in the percentage age 75 or older (from 43% to 51%).

The main reasons people need care are old age (12%), Alzheimer’s dis-ease (10%), mental/emotional illness (7%), cancer (7%), heart disease (5%) and stroke (5%). However, the list of illnesses/problems for which children need care is quite different. It is led by ADD/ADHD, autism, mental/emotional illness and developmental delay/mental retardation. Caregivers of children provide the most time-intensive care. Increasingly, the study

Comprehensive Report Details the Prevalence, Implications, Costs of Caregiving and Demographics of Caregivers

Almost One-Third of U.S. Adult Population Plays Caregiver Role in Households Across America: 65.7 Million Caregivers

reports, there is a use of prescription medication for adult care recipients.

Caregivers are also receiving more help than they were five years ago, which is encouraging news, since one in six caregivers (17%) report that caregiving has had a negative impact on their health. Since 2004, there has been a sharp increase in the share of caregivers of adults who say they are getting help from other unpaid care-givers -- up nine percentage points among those not caring for an adult in a nursing home. However, during the same time period, there has been a six percentage point decrease in those who report that their recipient uses paid help, a decrease that could poten-tially be linked to the recent recession.

“More and more people who are 65-plus are providing care to both children and adults,” said Gail Hunt, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving. “The shift to an older population of caregivers points to a real need for assistance for these individuals from family, friends, employers and social service pro-grams. With more support for caregiv-ing, older and disabled people would be able to do what is so important to them, to remain in their own homes with those they love.”

“Now in addition to family and work, boomers have added caregiv-ing, the equivalent of a part time job, to their responsibilities,” said Elinor Ginzler, AARP Senior Vice President for Livable Communities. “Their work, health and time with family and friends already bear some of the cost for this amped up juggling act. Caregivers need help and information to continue to keep all the balls in the air and assure that they don’t end up paying further with their own retire-ment security.”

“Caregivers report they need help looking after their loved ones, but they also need help managing their own stress,” said Dennis White, presi-dent and CEO of MetLife Foundation. “Those surveyed suggested potential solutions for these challenges, includ-ing greater access to information re-sources, emergency response devices, transportation assistance, and respite services for caregivers.”

MethodologyCaregiving in the U.S. 2009 is based

primarily on quantitative telephone screenings of 6,806 adults and inter-views with 1,480 caregivers age 18 or older. Caregivers are defined as those who provide unpaid care to an adult or a child. The interviews included a random sample of 1,000 caregivers reached using random digit dialing and an additional 601 interviews

consisting of 200 African American caregivers, 201 Hispanic caregivers, and 200 Asian American caregivers. The results were weighted by house-hold, based on the race/ethnicity and age of the householder, and type of household (family or non-family).

The National Alliance for Caregiv-ing is a nonprofit coalition of more than 40 national organizations that focuses on issues of family caregiv-ing across the life span. Established in 1996 by founding members AARP, the American Society on Aging, the National Association of Area Agen-cies on Aging, the National Council on Aging, and the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the Alliance was created to conduct research, do policy analysis, develop national programs, increase public awareness of family caregiving issues, and work with state and local caregiving coalitions. The Alliance also represents the U.S. often at international caregiving confer-ences.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse can-didates for public office or make con-tributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-cir-culation magazine with over 35.5 mil-lion readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

MetLife Foundation, established in 1976 by MetLife, has been involved in a variety of healthy aging initiatives addressing issues of caregiving, inter-generational activities, mental fitness, health and wellness programs, aging in place initiatives, and civic engage-ment opportunities. For more than 20 years, the Foundation has supported research on Alzheimer’s disease and provided support for a number of caregiver initiatives, including educa-tion and outreach activities, caregiver videos, Alzheimer’s education and awareness resources, and resources for the Hispanic community.