Fresh for Spring

By: Veronica Leighton

 

For beginning ofApril, many have the tendency to become kind of loony for April Fool’s Day on April 1st, but after that as Spring comes forward and everything starts to smell fresh, fresh flowers, fresh grass, fresh garden, we start to be serious in ourselves and in everything that we do. See, the environment affects us as we go about in our day-to-day activities and in all areas of our life. Spring is when everything starts over again, spring is looking forward to warmer weather, spring is vibrance and vitality, just like the VIA Times personality.

We find ourselves really moving forward, jumping from one place to another cramming for exciting coverages which you will all find to be interesting reading, from cultural, political, business, community, religious, professional, your favorite columnists have them all for you.

As the Philippine general election is coming up fast (May 16), you will find that our editorial written by Joe Mauricio on the candidates’ election promises on this page, entitled “Promises, Promises on Election Times,” is quite apropos not only in the Philippines but also here in the U.S.. Same politics all over.

Speaking of politics, we are proud to report that our “Health Matters” Columnist Melody Dizon was one of the leading delegates who marched to Washington D.C., to advocate some very important health issues that affect the elderly population in the U.D. legislature. She joined other health care organizations lobbying on Capitol Hill “our cry to expand, reform, repeal, ban, allow, oppose any legislation that would give our Medicare beneficiaries limited access to their health care benefits.” Melody got so fired up with this cause as she is a passionate professional when it comes to care and health as she is a nurse who owns a home healthcare company, and takes everything seriously when it comes to health matters. Please read her interesting report from Washington D.C. on page 29, entitled “What It Means To Be An Advocate”.

Another Columnist whose passion in writing and pursuit of more creative ideas to entertain, to educate, and to reach out to her readers is our house – poet, Vicki Smith, who has been garnering awards and accolades with her quality literary works. Vicki just launched her latest award-winning novella, “The Faith Healer” and a book signing in Beverly Hills, CA., the first week of April, attended by hundreds of people. Following that, as when it rains it pours, Vicki was nominated for the Presidential Pamana Award after her book-signing event, and after that, will be her Pulitzer Prize (just kidding now, but will surely materialize as she puts her heart and soul in her creative pursuits). She was VT’s March Cover Girl feature and will be inducted into the 2016 Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame as the Woman of the Year on October 29, 2016. She will also be the guest speaker of the Circulo Capampangan gala event this coming April 30th. Congratulations really pour on you, Vicki!

Help us welcome a new young Columnist who will be writing about the elderly and their Medicare insurance issues. His name is Mark Mabaquiao and the title of his column is “Medicare Mark” that will be giving advice to the elderly’s dilemma (confusion) in understanding and untangling some issues about Medicare, its supplements and other problems. To the senior folks, Mark is the junior who really understands and really very knowledgeable to give you a helping hand and lead you in every step of the way.

Mark Mabaquiao is a Financial Advisor since 2005, currently an independent broker who is licensed in life & health and property & casualty. He has previously been recognized as a top sales agent for life and health products from multiple companies, and his management experience includes Owner/Manager of a home care agency and managing a team of licensed agents.

If your kind heart is looking for an opportunity to help someone who is in dire need of your assistance, please read Veronica’s Vibes on page 5 and help a very young music student to fulfill his dream in life.You will be blessed.

Your favorite columnists are showering you, like the April rains, with delightful topics that you will enjoy reading, as usual.

Happy birthday to all April-born, please see the pictorial pages of our April celebrators, dear friends Dely Villalon, Fred Tsai, and Ellen Tan; happy, wonderful birthday to my one-andonly dearest son, Bobby Leighton, and Kristoffer Wildoer, Girlie’s one-and-only son.

Mark Mabaquiao