VIA Times – December 2017 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Elsie Sy-Niebar
*Philippine Consul General Calonge sends Christmas Greetings to the Filipino American Community!
*CHRISTMAS BELLS ring earlier at Cook County Treasurer Pappas’ office!
*’There are things which Pres. Trump should not be doing, but I believe he is doing a good job as the President’, Perspective by Don Azarias
*Gov. Rauner’s MEDICAID FRAUD Prevention initiatives save the state over $450 millions…
*Early CHRISTMAS Celebrations in our Community evoke a ‘feeling of Home’
THIS proverbial expression “a picture speaks a thousand words” find truism on the pictures from our VIA TIMES and CPRTV FAMILIES taken at our early CHRISTMAS PARTY
December 3, at the Pavillion Party Room, now the New Home of these popular media outfit which provide monthly and weekly TV entertainment and information to our Filipino American Community and to the mainstream as well… “under the baton” of two hardworking, jolly folks, VERONICA LEIGHON and JOE MAURICIO. Served with the abundance of Food Blessings, the “anything goes ” program was made more fun and suspenseful in some areas, by the on-the-spot “performance” according to the pleasureto- choose by our ever-beautiful and FUN Mistress of Ceremonies, Girlie Pascual. CPRTV host Jovie did some on-the-spot numbers… with audience participation giving their hearts out.
But the BIG HIT was the “reincarnation” of “MICHAEL JACKSON” whose debut- performance in the Fil-Am community was introduced by Cousin Hilda Sy (Best Half of Dr. Fred Sy, my Best Cousin), at her Fun Fun Fun SEVEN O Birthday Bash last September 30, at the Algauer’s Hilton Hotel. After his performace, “MJ” told me he is indeed, having a great time in our crowd. With no further ado, just see our pics in this VT Christmas edition… Thank you Vero and Joe! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU BOTH. AND A BLESS-FULL NEW YEAR 2017! Luv yah!
CHRISTMAS BELLS ring the merriest sound of Christmas at the office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. She’s been hosting this “wunnerful wunnerful” Christmas Around the World reception for so many years… featuring miniature Christmas Trees representing each country. Last December 5, the Polish Mardi Gras Chicago performed their very colorful numbers along with the chorale group, and singing from various groups like the Greek, etc. Had I known I could have brought a copy of our Pilipino Christmas Carol to sing solo, since, I did not see or perhaps, I missed seeing a Filipino in the crowd. What was so heartwarming was the presence of Greek Seniors from the Home, enjoying the Sound of Christmas in their wheelchairs. Keep up the good spirit, Madam Treasurer. Maybe you should run for the Mayor’s seat! You’re so People-Oriented. Not like some of our government Public Servants who choose the People they want to meet, more so to LISTEN to.
Now for the serious side I have invited one great Editorial writer, Don Azarias to contribute his analytical perspective about our current President Trump:
“Although I’m a Republican, there are really things, I believe, that Donald Trump, as president of the United States and leader of the free world, should not be doing. What he does and says often result in self-inflicted wounds that hurt his image and, at the same time, undermine the dignity of his office. Indeed, he has a big mouth. I have every reason to believe that he is the most controversial U.S. president ever elected. But I’m also one of those people who believe that he is doing a good job as president especially with regard to the U.S. economy. We may recall during the 2016 presidential election, while on the campaign trail, Trump had shown that he was not a true politician due to his brash and abrasive manners when dealing with his fellow Republican candidates and news reporters. That would have been sufficient to sink a candidate’s chances and enough for him to abort his campaign. But not Donald Trump. And Trump stunned the entire world by defeating the favorite Hillary Clinton despite the odds and poll numbers that were stacked against him. Suddenly, poll numbers became meaningless and deemed unreliable in the eyes of most observers.
Trump won because the vast majority of the American people had made it clear that they were tired of those establishment candidates in Washington. They wanted an outsider who is not beholden to any interest groups over those who would rather be politically correct that often times results in political gridlock in the nation’s capital and, consequently, nothing gets accomplished. Under President Trump, the stock and bond markets are at an alltime high – unprecedented in the securities trading history. Job gains are on the rise at a record pace. Trump wants to remain true to his campaign promises but the Democrats, liberals and all his opponents are doing their best to prevent him from succeeding. Why can’t they seem to see those gains that had eluded former president Barack Obama during his eight years in office?
Trump’s philosophy of making the United States live within its means are angering those Democrats and liberals who want the U.S. to spend money it doesn’t have on those unaffordable social service programs like public assistance and welfare benefits for those who don’t want to work and illegal aliens who find how easy it is to abuse the U.S.’ welfare system. As expected in the federal system of government, the Democrats and his political opponents are talking about impeaching Trump for various non-impeachable offenses and sexual harassment. But even the Robert Muller investigation on the Russian collusion still has not uncovered any wrongdoings on the part of Trump. The Republicans are calling it a witch hunt and politically motivated. Trump’s opponents have been hell-bent on removing Trump from the presidency since the start. While a Democrat won a senate seat in Alabama, the composition of congressional members still favors the Republicans – by a very slim margin.
And I still believe that, in the final analysis, the Republican House members, who are not really enamored with Trump, will not allow any attempt to remove him from office and thus preventing the articles of impeachment from reaching the Senate floor. The Republicans in both chambers, where they are the majority, simply will not allow a president, who happens to be a Republican to be impeached and removed from office. And I hope I’m right.” By Don Azarias, Guest contributor
Governor’s Medicaid fraud prevention initiatives save the State more than $450 million, for patients, taxpayers. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Health Care Fraud Elimination Task Force reported that the State has saved, prevented or recovered approximately $450 million in fraudulent or wasteful Medicaid spending in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. In the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS), which manages the State’s $20 billion Medicaid program, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) saved or recouped an estimated $195 million in FY17. Last fiscal year, FY16, HFS-OIG reported $220.2 million in similar savings. In addition, in FY16 the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Unit reported 46 fraud convictions and $35.4 million in recoveries through criminal prosecutions, civil actions and administrative referrals.
Home Healthcare owners, please listen to this: “Medicaid fraud is a multibillion-dollar industry in the U.S.,” Rauner said. “Cheating through overpayments or improper billing may seem like a victimless crime to some, but every dollar that is diverted from our health programs is one that could have been spent on a needy beneficiary. That’s a crime our administration won’t tolerate.” The governor’s Health Care Fraud Elimination Task Force was created in April of 2016. Under the leadership of Executive Inspector General Maggie Hickey, its purpose is to develop and coordinate a comprehensive plan to prevent and eliminate health care fraud, waste and abuse by deploying a cross-agency, data-driven approach. “The collaboration among agencies for this effort has been outstanding,” Hickey said. “We have more work to do, but we have now set a standard for intergovernmental cooperation on fraud prevention in our health systems that will continue to produce results.”
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a BLESSFULL NEW YEAR TO ALL! Let’s be Home for Christmas only in our dreams…as We celebrate the Holy Birth of Jesus, the Son of God, who was born in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes, a Gift from the poor shepered who were watching their flocks that night under the Loveliest Christmas Stars in Heaven. Let us not try to ask for more for ourselves … but for what We Can Share. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR! MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON! On NEW YEAR’S EVE, LET US REFLECT ON THE PAST 12 months as we prepare to welcome the NEW YEAR. Give Thanks to Him. Every Moment. Amen.
To the Filipino-American Communities in the Midwest and parts o/the South, Your Consulate General in Chicago expresses its fondest greetings to you for the holiday season as well as the coming New Year. The Yuletide Season is the most festive and the most significant celebration ever observed by the entire Christendom. It is a time of good cheer, sharing with family and loved ones and giving more than receiving. As we celebrate this Season, let us reaffirm once again, our tradition of pagkakaisa, pagtutu/ungan and bayanihan. Let us continue to share with others the blessings we have received through the years and, most importantly, contribute to the welfare of our respective communities here in the United States and with our kababayan in our homeland, the Philippines. We all welcome the coming year by looking back at our achievements and looking forward to another year of success. Mabuhay ang ating mga kababayan at mabuhay ang bansang Pilipinas! – CALONGE Consul General 13 December 201
President Donald Trump, one Great American President, whose “greatness” starts with creating CONTROVERSIES for himself. Quo Vadis, Donald. Qho vadis America under Donald?
“Medicaid fraud is a multibillion-dollar industry in the U.S.,” Gov. Rauner said. “Cheating through overpayments or improper billing may seem like a victimless crime to some, but … that’s a crime our administration won’t tolerate.”
Fresh from being the PIWC 2017 Executive Chairmanship, Lourdes Livas took another challenge as overall chair of the Joy Dance Club last Nov. 24, held at the Chase Banquet Hall. Candid photo shoots by Edna Pavel.
Jet Jet Gruezo in her award-winning “Miss Brazil Best Costume” stunning gown at the CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD colorful early Christmas wing-ding in our Fil-Am Community ! With her is JR ROQUE, President of the MAGNIFICENT LIONS CLUB, which Jet was Charter President. (Photo by Dr. Manny Escalona)
At the recent Fil-Am Asian American Hall of Fame, last minute, I picked Ellen Maguad (3rd from left), owner of Elena’s Floral Design, as my co-HOF Greeter to the Awardees, as well as Corsage pinner. It was fun! Also helping around is her hubby, Rey in photo above. Thanks to you both.
VIA TIMES wishes MYRNA SABIO MAHANT and VISHNU MAHANT a HAPPY 39th Wedded Bliss last December 12. The couples are very active in many community clubs giving aids to the Philippines and India, Vishnu’s homeland. The Mahants are blessed with two successful children: Kinjal, a Physical Therapist, and Shyam Sabio Mahant, finishing up a degree in Network Communication Computer at DePaul University. Vishnu is currently the President of Chicago Filipino American Lions Club (CFALC). The Mahant Couple were also former co- presidents of the FILIPINO INT’L COUPLE SOCIETY (FICS), the first club of its kind co-founded in the ’80s by this columnist (Elsie) and Margie Boerema, which stood up against the prejudicial racial stereotype calling the Filipina women married to Americans as “airmail brides.” 
The famous Polish American RHINEINISCHER Von CHICAGO or Mardi Gras Chicago, rendering their choral lovely voices in Polish and German, joined by their respective compatriots. Their lovely costumes are awesome! The group has a year-round performances in various events.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGING by Cook County officers and employees. Last two ladies at right are Cook County Board president Toni Prickwinkle and Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough, running for the Cook County Clerk this coming 2018 election. Noted for her humility and excellent public service, she has no opponent as of yet. A great Lady? How did I know it? She’s a good friend.
A minature Philippine Christmas Tree representing the Philippines at Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ annual “Christmas Around the World”celebration. The Christmas tree is donated by Estrella Alamar of the Philippine National Historical Society in Chicago. (EHSphoto)
Treasurer Pappas at the piano with the “instant chorous” participated by her staff and other Cook County employees. (ESNphoto)
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, once a friend, remains a friend, with me (Elsie) and State Senator Kwame Raoul, running for State Attorney General’s position this coming election. Picture taken at a fullhouse “Christmas Around the World” community event hosted by Treasurer Pappas last Dec. 5.
