Notebook

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By: Elsie Sy-Niebar

 

*VIA TIMES NEWSMAGAZINE DOES NOT ENTERTAIN ‘FAKE NEWS’!
*Some ‘Kababayans” (Filipinos) are ACCUSING ROSIE REED of ‘spreading Fake News’ about the ROBBERY done to her by ‘Three Respectful Young Filipinos’, reported in Notebook, VT Nov. issue
*MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! VIA Times WINS the 2019 PRINT JOURNALISM AWARD ‘MAM’ or MIGRATION ADVOCACY and MEDIA AWARDS!
*FAHRA-CHICAGO holds Human Rights Anniversary Conversation. DON’T miss out the Message about Human Rights affecting the Philippines yesterday and today, from US SEN. DICK DURBIN and US Congresswoman
Jan Schakowsky
*Chicago Mayor Lightfoot couldn’t wait for Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson’s retirement this December; she FIRED JOHNSON! Celebrate in your heart the Birth of Jesus our Lord. Everyday. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

VIA TIMES NEWSMAGAZINE! WOW WOWEE! Our 37-year-old monthly “Baby” won “the BEST MAGAZINE IN 2019 — the MIGRATION ADVOCACY AND MEDIA (MAM) AWARDS”! Our “Labor of Love” every month was finally, rewarded. Congratulations to our Lady Boss, Ms. Veronica B. Leighton for her hard work!

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago was among those who sent congratulations to VIA Times Newsmagazine for winning the Print Journalism Award, 2019 Best Magazine on Migration category, Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards.

MAM Awards recognize the positive and significant contributions of media outlets, institutions and practitioners in the fields of print, radio, movie and television, advertising and internet from the government and private media organizations in the Philippines and abroad, in raising public awareness on issues on Filipino migration, advocating the cause of Filipinos overseas, or promoting a positive image of Filipinos overseas.

All the entries were screened and evaluated by the MAM Awards Committee composed of representatives from the CFO, Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW), Inter-Agency Committee on the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos (IAC-MOF), overseas Filipino sector, and media sector. The awarding ceremony will be held in Manila on 17 December 2019.

Chicago Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin lauds VIA Times Newsmagazine publishers Veronica Leighton and Joe Mauricio, “for its award-winning journalism and enduring service to the Filipino-American community in the Midwest. She urges VIA Times to continue raising awareness on Filipino migration and advocating for the interests of Filipinos overseas.”

From this “Notebook” columnist: To all my colleagues at VIA TIMES who “dreaded the first-of-the-month warning call “DEADLINE NA” from Veronica – the award is worth our love and sacrifices to reach out “what’s happening now” in our community and in the mainstream. Most of all, THANK YOU DEAR READERS and ADVERTISERS. If you got news, I personally ask you to email it to me (elsyniebar@msn.com) first day of each month for news happening that current month. Thank you All. MABUHAY VIA TIMES! MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT!

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot did not wait for CHICAGO POLICE DEPT. SUPERINTENDENT EDDIE JOHNSON to retire. She fired him! According to the news, Lightfoot stuck to her gun in firing Johnson on account of “his intolerable actions related to the night he was found asleep behind the wheels of his SUV,” the Mayor said.

Today, former CPD SUPT. EDDIE JOHNSON, is now a civilian showing relief and avoiding more press exposure. Nonetheless, in fairness to Mr. Johnson, he had done his best on his job as a CPD Superintendent at this Times of High Crimes in Chicago. He’s only human.

Johnson was immediately relieved of his job, as interim CPD Supt. Charlie Beck , former Los Angeles police Chief, immediately held his first Comstat meeting with the CPD command staff. God bless you, Mr. Beck. “Walk slowly and carry a big stick.”

Headed by True-tothe- Spirit HUMAN RIGHTS Advocate JERRY CLARITO, a die-hard Coordinator of the FILIPINO AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS ALLIANCE-CHICAGO, it held a human rights conversation with a group of Fil-Am compatriots concerned of what’s going on today in the Philippines under President Duterte in his fight against drug addiction. In collaboration with allies and friends in the broader human rights community, they got together last Saturday, December 7 to observe this year’s World Human Rights Day. Thanks to the Philippine American Ecumenical Church in Chicago for accommodating the group. Highlight of the commemoration was the showing of “On the President’s Orders”- a searing documentary, on-the-ground, looking at President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly campaign against suspected drug dealers and users in the Philippines, told with unprecedented access to the police themselves. It offers a gripping, visually stunning window into the war on drugs — those carrying it out, and those most impacted by it. It shows the very inhumane treatment of “drug addicts” being treated less than human beings, it made me cry. This documentary was shown weeks ago over PBS “Frontline” on CH 11 in Chicago. I’ve watched it and it made me sick watching how the Duterte police officers maltreated their fellow countrymen less than human beings. Sad reflection and anger towards the Duterte government’s treatment of the “drug addicts” was the common denominator which prevailed among those present. QUO VADIS, PHILIPPINES, MY PHILIPPINES?

The following letters are touching commendations to our FILAM community from US Senator Dick and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, two very dedicated politicians towards the cause of migrant communities like the Filipino Americans. The letters were addressed to FAHRA to the attention of Jerry Clarito. Take time to ingest their historical messages many of us are not aware of.

December 7. 2019

Dear Friends: It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you to the Filipino American Human Rights Alliance-Chicago’s (FAHRA) 71st anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This gathering is a special opportunity to recognize the great work of FAHRA and celebrate International Human Rights Day.

When the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948, along came the commemoration of International Human Rights Day; celebrating human dignity, liberty, equality and the global efforts to ensure that all people have the right to human rights. FAHRA has done notable work building a community that is committed to protecting and raising awareness about human rights in the Philippines. I share your organization’s commitment to these ideals and tried to use my time in Congress to champion human rights efforts around the world, including in the Philippines.

For example, I have been fortunate to work with Senator Leahy to add an amendment to a recent appropriations bill that sought to foster the release of jailed Philippine Senator Leila de Lima. I am also a co-sponsor of a Senator Markey resolution highlighting human rights concerns in the Philippines. Over the years, I have also been pleased to meet with the Philippines ambassador to the United States, and was honored to speak with members of our Filipino American community in Chicago in 2013 after Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.

Again, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to today’s attendees for your dedication to FAHRA and equal human rights. Congratulations on all your work and achievements, and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

Very truly yours,

(Signed) Richard J.

 

Durbin, United States Senator

From US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

Dear Filipino American Human Rights Alliance-Chicago Thank you for inviting me to attend your commemoration of the World Human Rights Day on December 7, 2019, I commend you and the Filipino American Human Rights Alliance-Chicago for commemorating the 71st anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This Declaration is the backbone of the human rights building of many nations including the United States of America and the Philippines.

Unfortunately, affronts on human rights are still happening all over the world. Against this backdrop, the commemoration of the World Human Rights Day reminds us of the basic principles of justice, equality, non-discrimination, inclusion and respect for people of all races that this Declaration stands for. Let me assure you that the United States will continue to stand for respecting and defending human rights of all people. The U.S. Department of State’s commitment in protecting and supporting human rights defenders is a key pillar of U.S. foreign policy. The Department acknowledges that “the desire to live freely under a government that respects and protects fundamental freedoms and human rights was the primary motivation of the founders of the United States. Human rights have not only been part of the United States since its beginning-they were the reason our nation was created.”

(1) The United States and the Philippines are long-standing partners in promoting bilateral and regional cooperation on peace and security issues. As per State Department reporting, the Philippines faces continuing challenges in combatting transnational crime, including lengthy and porous maritime borders, which allow the trafficking of drugs, people, and illicit goods through and into the country. The Philippine also faces challenges in enforcing human rights and ethical policing standards. The Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is committed to working with the Philippine government and non-governmental organizations to strengthen the overall capacity of Philippine justice and law enforcement institutions and promote access to justice, respect for human rights, and accountability for human rights violations.

On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I wish your organization success in commemorating World Human Rights Day and your celebration of the 71st anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

(Signed): US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

VIA TIMES DOES NOT ACCEPT “FAKE NEWS”! Here’s how I found out about the insinuations by some VT readers who are accusing VT’s official Photographer ROSIE REED, a most recent holdup victim – of telling “Fake News”.

Two days after ViaTimes November 2019 issue came out, featuring VT Official Photographer ROSIE REED’s robbery by three “very respectful and helpful young Filipinos” (Rosie’s statement ), Rosie called to inform me that her camera and purse were, “by miracle,” returned to her former address (the robbers found among those notes in her purse).

Rosie told me: “Believe it or not, Elsie, the package had a note from the robbers saying: “Sorry, Ate Rosie,” a respectful apology in Pilipino.” Her two expensive cameras were returned, dismantled, but complete, including her purse with her personal information and credit cards. “Nothing was missing except the $130 cash,” Rosie told me. Which she said she didn’t mind. Maybe not known to many, Rosie is a God-loving and God-fearing person, who visited the Holy Land and Fatima miracle places in keeping with her Christian Faith. She told me: “I think, the Filipino parents of those young men have talked about God to them which moved them to return my stuffs. I have forgiven them.” I can tell the Christian sincerity in Rosie’s forgiving faith.

Surprise, surprise! The other day this early December 2019, Rosie called me sobbing, telling me that some fellow Filipino Kababayans (compatriots) were bitching at her for “identifying the robbers as Filipinos.” They told her what she did was “demoralizing to the Filipinos in this country.” Worse yet, they told her “she was lying about the racial identities of the robbers” because “the Filipinos will never do that.” And, yes, the callers told Rosie she was telling “FAKE NEWS” which is destructive to the Filipinos in America! Rosie was crying now for such accusation…

To Rosie’s Accusers: Hoping that you do believe in God, how could you ever accuse Rosie for “lying” about the racial identity of those thieves? WE, the FILIPINOS, like all other human beings are not PERFECT! Look back to what’s happening in our beloved Nativeland today. And way back? Similar incidents of treachery among us Filipinos happen all the time. EVEN AMONG BROTHERS AND SISTERS. We must thank Rosie for her honesty. It’s WARNING SIGN for US. Rosie is really hurting from YOUR UNGODLY ACCUSATIONS. How would you feel if you are on Rosie’s place??? Let us not be judgmental unless, the issue we are talking about happened to us. Like it happened to Rosie:

Rosie was robbed by her own Filipino “brothers,” she trusted as “very kind young men who offered to help me with my broken car – but instead STOLE MY CAMERA, the source of my livelihood. But again, I thank them for returning my camera and my purse with all my personal information. Consider the small cash you’ve kept as my ‘Thank You’ and Christmas Gift to you.”

Yes. The FILIPINOS IN AMERICA or maybe elsewhere, OUTSIDE OF THE PHILIPPINES have “good moral record.” However, WE ARE NOT PERFECT. Something which, perhaps, parents must ponder upon…on the life of their beloved and “well-behaved children.”

Hope Rosie’s experience could pose as a “warning sign of trust”. But for heaven’s sake, DON’T ACCUSE HER OF making up “FAKE NEWS”. VIA TIMES DOES NOT ENTERTAIN “FAKE NEWS.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESS-FULL NEW YEAR TO ALL! “The Lord is our Shepherd. Please remember those who are in need specially our hard-up relatives back home. Let us be Home for Christmas. If only in spirit. Amen.

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US Senator Richard Durbin(photo on left) and US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky(photo on right)

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WHAT HUMAN RIGHTS STAND FOR!!! As the World celebrates HUMAN RIGHTS DAY TODAY!

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CONGRATULATIONS, to newly-inducted Lion President Yoly Tubalinal, of the Chicago Eagles’s Wings Lions Club. She was inducted last Nov. 2. With her in photo is Lions International Gov. Joni McMillan. Yoly is publisher and editor of Mega Scene publication.

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Above are guests and officers of the CHICAGO EAGLES WINGS LIONS CLUB during the induction of President Yoly Tubalinal. Standing from left to right are: Elsie Sy-Niebar, VT columnist, Lions Benilda Hizon, Yoly Zoleta, Judy Agno, Ella Basilio, Chantimar Sriaroon, former president of the Thai Lions Club, Atty. Daniel Epstein, candidate for IL Supreme Court Judge; Lion Lourdes Livas, and Danielle Del Fierro, a Filipino American and Mr. Epstein Lady friend. A very approachable gentleman, Atty. Epstein is asking for the support of the Filipino and Asian Americans this coming election.

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