Notebook

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar

 

*Will First Lady Melania Trump Revive ‘CAMELOT’ at the WHITE HOUSE?

*Pres. Trump’s BAN on Immigration rocks America! His criticism on the Judicial System gets stern disapproval from his SUPREME COURT JUDGE Nominee, Judge Gorsuch

*Pres. Trump on Violence: ‘CHICAGO is like a war zone!’

*16,500 applied to become CHICAGO COPS

* Chicago Bids Farewell to India’s Consul Gen. Ausaf Sayeed

*The VALENTINOS who went away… after getting a ‘Green Card’ or US Citizenship!

*Pres. Donald Trump’s famous ‘YOU’RE FIRED’ mandate used at the Filipino American Council of Chicago!

In English literature, the word “CAMELOT” refers to the “legendary palace and Court of King Arthur as a “very idyllic place surrounded with happiness.” Another word for “Shangrila.” It was during the shortlived reign of the late President John F. Kennedy when the White House was transformed into a “Camelot” by the glamorous and sophisticated First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy! Jackie’s high-fashion and classy taste of Royalty transformed the White House into a glamorous castle with the ambiance of romance and grandiose parties fit for the Royalties!

Sadly, “Camelot” vanished a little too soon like a dream by the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy, on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, while riding on an open-top convertible. He was gunned down by Lee Harvey Oswald. The end of Camelot. And the classic era in America’s presidential “palace.” In 1968, Jackie married Greek mogul Aristotle Onassis who later died on March 15, 1975. Jackie died of cancer on May 19, 1994 at age 64.

Watching the glamorous new First Lady Melania Trump at President Donald Trump’s inauguration last January, flashed back the glamorous image of the late Jaqueline Kennedy. Majority of viewers I asked agreed that Melania, an international fashion model from Slovenia, has all the qualifications to revive “Camelot” in the White House. Let’s wait and see. Let us give President Donald Trump a chance to make America greater.

IMMIGRATION: First Hurdle of President Donald Trump: Cracks down on Undocumented Immigrants. One of his first agenda after his beautiful and solemn Ecumenical swearing-in as the 45th President of the United States of America last January 20, was to sign an executive order outlining the mechanics to crack down on cities that protect undocumented immigrants and to abolish “Sanctuary Cities” like Chicago. Since Mayor Rahm Emanuel has a “love lost affection to Trump,” he stands firm to his promise to keep Chicago a Sanctuary despite the loss of millions of dollars for the city. Trump’s executive order says: “Jurisdictions that willfully refuse to comply (with state federal immigration laws) are not eligible to receive federal grants except as deemed necessary for law enforcement purposes. We are going to get the bad ones out, the criminals and the drug leaders and gangs and gang leaders.” He also ordered to build a wall along the southern border of the United States to “save thousands of lives, millions of jobs, and billions and billions of dollars.”

According to the news, “before the Supreme Court Judge meeting at the Capitol Hill, Trump slammed the court deliberating on his immigration and refugee executive order,” and told the police officers that his immigration order was ‘not about racism but for the security of our nation.’”

President Trump quoted the immigration law which he said gave him the power to enact the ban. “Courts seem to be so political and it would be so great for our justice system if they would be able to read a statement and do what’s right. And that has to do with the security of our country, which is so important,” he added. New reports said that President Trump’s criticism of the judiciary prompted a rebuke from Judge Gorsuch, his nominee for the Supreme Court, who told a senator that the president’s comments were ‘demoralizing and disheartening’.”

Ban News: The State Department also reported lately saying that “fewer than 60,000 visas were provisionally revoked after the order was signed and those people would now be allowed to travel to the U.S. Trump’s order banned travel to the U.S. for people from Syria, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Somalia.”

Hitting Chicago harder, President Trump said: “People are being shot left and right. Chicago leaders are not doing the job. Chicago is like a war zone…Chicago police officers are being overly politically-correct. I want them to fix the problem. They have a problem that is very easily fixable. They are going to have to get tougher and stronger and smarter.”

He also said that if violence does not change in Chicago, he will send his Feds over. Which Mayor Emanuel said he appreciates that. Standing firm on his ground, Mayor Emanuel tells the people: “We’re going to stay a sanctuary city. Wherever you came from, you’re welcome here.” But Chicago would lose huge amount of Federal help?

As the whole World sees it today, worldwide rallies against President Trump rocks the already troubled World. Well, regardless of our Faith, let us implore for a Divine Intervention, to bless President Trump’s honest intention to make America Greater and the American People Happier. Amen.

MORE THAN 16,500 APPLIED TO JOIN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT: The CPD announced this month that 16,500 have applied to join Chicago’s “Men in Blue” to fight the escalating violence in the Windy City, recorded as follows: 762 murders in 2016, or 56 percent higher than the 335 homicides in New York City. Today, 2017… murders are keeping pace.” Police Supt. Eddie Johnson and many others, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, credit New York’s tougher gun laws for the wide disparity.

According to the city, these applicants will take an exam in April to find out if they quality to be on the five-month police academy. Considered to be more raciallydiversed, CPD reports say: over 35 percent of the applicants are African-American; 33 percent Hispanic and 2.4 percent Asian American; close to 32 percent are female and more than 73 percent are nonwhite. The last survey on population made by the American Community Survey, showed that Chicago is 32.2 percent white; 31.5 percent black; 28.9 percent Hispanic; and 5.7 percent Asian.

QUOTES FROM GOV. BRUCE RAUNER’s “State of the State” address last Februry 24, this year. “Today marks a new beginning for Illinois. And a new partnership between the General Assembly and the governor.Last November, voters made it clear they want bipartisan government. They want a government where people come together to solve problems and get things done. They don’t want partisan bickering, political infighting or personal conflict to get in the way of serving the needs of the families of Illinois. All of us were elected to do a job; to deliver real results; to serve the people of Illinois to the best of our ability.”

“The good Lord didn’t make us Republicans or Democrats. He made us in His image to do His work, to help each other, to make the world a better place. We all have a moral duty to serve the longterm interests of the people of Illinois – to focus on the next generation, not the next election. I am personally committed to working closely together with each and every one of you – meeting together, solving problems together, listening and learning from each other. Together, we will do great things for the people of Illinois. We will once again make Illinois the greatest state in the greatest nation on earth.The task ahead of us is daunting and we have no time to waste.” “Our property tax burden is one of the biggest impediments to growth, and it hurts both businesses and middle class families. The average homeowner in Illinois pays more than three times the amount of property taxes as a homeowner in Indiana. Our property taxes are outof- control and are crushing middleclass families… high property taxes have skyrocketed…

“Education: Now, let’s talk about the most important thing we do as a community – education. I promised to increase education funding and will keep that promise. We will increase k-12 education support, which will particularly help our most disadvantaged school districts Let’s end the era of cutting funding for technical training and community colleges. Every child deserves access to excellent schools, but that’s not what every child is getting in Illinois. Too many students are trapped in failing schools or schools that are not a good fit for them.”“On Teachers: Next to being a parent, teaching is the most important job in the world. We must support our many good teachers. That means putting more resources directly into classrooms, reforming the education bureaucracy and rolling back costly mandates. We must ensure that the amount of time we test our students doesn’t get in the way of high-quality instruction. It’s now or never for Illinois. It’s time to act. Today marks a new beginning. I’m excited and honored to work closely with you. Together, we will get great things done for the people of Illinois. Thank you, and God bless you.” Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Thank you, Gov. Rauner. However, unless the STALEMATE between you and Speaker Mike Madigan continues, WE, the People of Illinois will continue to sink deeper.

Chicago Bids an Emotional Farewell to India Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed: Known to his Asian Indian people as “an exceptionally successful Diplomat,” a recipient of several Letters of Appreciation in his diplomatic service in US Midwest, a huge crowd from the Indian community in Chicagoland bid Dr. Sayeed goodbye. Irrespective of their nationalities and religions, they gave Dr. Ausaf a first-of-itskind show of appreciation as the outgoing Consul General of India in Chicago, last January 13, this year, held at Monty’s Banquets. Some American government officials honored him with their presence along with more than 300 guests.

In his address, Dr. Sayeed paid tribute to the 500,000 Indian-American Diaspora in the US Midwest, who have contributed significantly in education, science, technology, etc. He expressed his gratitude to them for their unflinching support to the Consulate and its activities during his tenure. Dr. Sayeed mentioned that the efforts of the Consulate during his tenure were directed towards strengthening the political, economic, cultural, educational, and people-to-people relationships between India and the US Midwest. Mr. Hardik Bhatt, Chief Information Officer from the State of Illinois, said that the charismatic leadership of Dr. Sayeed resulted in the signing of MoU for Smart State cooperation between the State of Illinois and Government of Telangana. Bhatt handed over the Official Letter of Appreciation from Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, Mayor of Oak Brook, thanked Dr. Sayeed in forging unity among different organizations among the Indian-Americans. He said: “The unity among Indian-Americans are worth-emulating by other nationalities. Dr. Sayeed has raised the bar too high for his successors to reach.”

Mayor Lalmalani also thanked the Consul General for working closely with the Village of Oakbrook and for introducing friendly Polo matches between Delhi Polo Club and Oakbrook Polo Club. He handed a Proclamation of Oak Brook to Dr. Sayeed and to Ms. Farha Sayeed in appreciation of his diplomatic services. Several dignitaries and elected government also officials expressed their appreciation to Consul General Dr. Sayeed for his invaluable service in building bridges between India and the United States. Dr. Prem Rupani was the Master of Ceremonies. (Contributed by Ashfaq Syed, a Community Leader in the Indian American Community in Chicagoland).

President Donald Trump’s expression “YOU’re FIRED” hit several members of the FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHICAGO (FACC) Board of TRUSTEES, lately, including vice president THELMA BASCOS! Those fired who said “without prior notice”were: VP THELMA BASCOS, Trustees: MAE LANT, MARINA ALBAN, MILA BENSING, PASTOR RAUL FERMIN, and NITA ORIA. All of them said they have not received a notice or warning from the FACC president, Dr. Juanito Crisostomo.

It was indeed shocking to see TERMINATED officers like Thelma Bascos, Marina Alban, Nita Oria and Pastor Fermin! These are the people who we see were working at the Center. Every meeting, Thelma served her homemade food; Marina takes care of the food ration, etc. Thelma’s TERMINATION was a big shocker. Yes, she was not at the Center for a month or so because she was attending to her husband, Al 24/7, first at the hospital, then to a rehab center. Al was just discharged few days ago at this writing. Al also received an “eviction” from a certain Elaine Lehman, FACC executive director.

In other words, under this administration, the Bascoses are nothing but memories to the FACC! To find out what’s going on, I called FACC president Crisostomo several times, no response. Emailed him, no response. When I asked some Trustees who ordered the TERMINATION of these officers, Carmen Estacio, now under a new position as “Committee Chair, Governance”( a VERY POWERFUL POSITION) told me it was not Crisostomo who ordered the termination but “the Board.” WHO COMPOSES THE BOARD? Is that so? Again, I emailed Dr. Crisostomo, still no response. Oh, well.

I tried to attend the FACC Board meeting last Friday, but I was not allowed by Lehman. Ok, I understand. Although the Bascoses were like totally discarded by the FACC’s “new governance,” Atty. Al Bascos crawled out of his bed to attend the Board Meeting presided by Carmen Estacio. Sadly, the meeting ended up with hollering… I heard outside of the room. Now that the Bascoses were ordered OUT, WHO IS/ARE THE POWER BEHIND THE FACC TODAY?

Go figure: The Bascoses were the ones who helped Dr. Crisostomo to be the FACC president since 2014. Now, they kicked Bascos out! While he was being confined at a rehab center. What has Dr. Crisostomo done to improve the “Governance”? I heard he spent his own money for some immediate needs of the FACC. Generous. Thelma Bascos, Bobby Luna told me, did the same. President Crisostomo’s first project with JENITA JULIAN to rent the FACC to accommodate her Northwestern School of Technology, was nipped in the bud… a case of “love has ended before it begun.” Hope to hear more from the new FACC GOVERNANCE to keep our FIL-AM COMMUNITY informed where FACC is going…

Wish this new Governance under Ms.Lehman as Executive director can tap government funding. The FACC is a LEGACY from our EARLY FILIPINO PIONEERS in CHICAGO who paved the way for us in America. I welcome comments and feedback. Preferably, positive feedback to help our FIL-AM Community. (My phone rings): HELLO, what? More resignation by Trustees? Give me the names: JIMMY ALBAN, CORA OPENA, CARLOTA GRONKE. Okay, thanks. Yeah, more resignations. Who’s minding the house now? I welcome Feedback. Please.

IT’s TAX TIME; Be worry-free when giving back what is due to Uncle Sam. Call the NAVARRO CPA Accounting office at 773) 736-2677. Check their advertisement in this issue. Highly-professional. I’ve been their client for… too long to remember. Since 1980s…owned and managed by his late Dad, RIC F. NAVARRO, CPA.

THE VALENTINOs WHO WENT AWAY after getting their Green Card or US Citizenship: Saint Valentine’s Day is a Happy Day for the Hearts in-Love. On the other hand, Valentine’s Day is one very sad Day for the Hearts which Lost Love, particularly for women who were duped, fooled and used by Illegal immigrants through marriage to get a Green Card.

These are the Valentinos who used their charm. Some even pretend to be good Christians. The hardest part on the case of duped wives-victims-of-illegal-Valentinos is knowing later that their onceillegal Valentino (now her legal husband) is also playing around with other women who give him “support money” for his family back in the Philippines.

One “Playboy-former-illegal- Valentino” even brags to his friends saying: “Iba and taga-padala ko ng pera sa aking mga anak; iba ang tagabili ng aking designer clothes, at iba ang tagabigay ng aking allowance. Ang aking asaasawa ngayon ay ang tagabayad ng bahay at pagkain. Of course naman, hindi ‘nya alam ang aking agenda.” Translation: “ A different girlfriend sends money to my children; another one buys my designer clothes, and my wife, my current wife takes care of my board and lodging,” he brags.

Lately, a former illegal immigrant Valentino (now a US citizen) who was “happily married” to a highly-educated widow for almost a decade, just disappeared without a trace. His deserted wife just found out lately that he now lives in another state with another woman! An illegal looking for a Green Card? But the wife he left behind is now smarter. She said: “I have palpitation, just thinking of him. But I will not initiate the divorce. Spend my own money to give him his freedom? Oh, NO. Please, I am not saying here that all “Valentinos” are dupers. We know of successful marriages around which started under similar situations. Just be on-guard. Particularly at this time when Deportation of Illegals is on the plate of President Donald Trump!#

Happy Valentine’s Day! For those who love truly, Everyday is Valentine’s Day.(esn)

(1) Everyone is all eyes to the glamorous First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy doned in this sweet pink gown as President Kennedy joins his wife’s admiring crowd.; (2) First Lady Michelle Obama with President Barack Obama during his inauguration.; (3) First Lady Melania Trump with her husband, President Donald John Trump, during his inauguration last January 20, 2017 as the 45th President of the United States of America.

Without raising an eyebrow, I picked Dr. Manny and Dr. Remy Escalona as Notebook’s “Valentine Couple 2016” Thumbs Up! Known as the quiet Couple, the Excalonas celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary last year. They are a down-to-earth picture of a happy couple (even when at times, Remy would get grumpy towards Manny’s love for his photography). However, when Manny does his “dance exhibitions,” Remy takes over as Manny’s fotog. A very interesting scene on how Remy struggles with that heavy camera! Manny loves “pushing” Remy to sing solo in some parties, Remy obliges giving Manny a “dirty look.” A joyful scene to watch.

Doc Manny and Doc Remy, Always Together Couple, Happy Valentine’s to you both. God bless you! Thank you for your love of our community. Thanks, Doc Manny, for the lovely pictures you painstakingly shoot and develop and give away to your subjects everytime you and Remy are attending community parties/events, earning you the title of Fotog Doc. (Photo taken at quezon Association of the Midwest\s Pre-Valentine Presentation held last Feb 11).

(1) Former Illinois Gov. Pat quinn with San O and Peter Porr, co-founders of the 40-year-old South East Asia Center, serving between 9,000 to 10,000 low-income clients. Taken at the SEAC Chinese Lunar New Year luncheon last Feb. 4.; (2) Former Gov. Pat quinn (3rd from left) at the Chinese Lunar New Year luncheon hosted by South East Asia Center (SEAC) poses with some Asian American community leaders. From left are: Joe Nebrida, former SEAC president for 12 years; Martino Tangkar, from the Indonesian American Community; the former Gov; Peter Porr, SEAC co-founder and former executive Director for so many years; and this columnist, Elsie Sy-Niebar, who invited the former governor. In his brief remark, the former Governor emphasized unity among us, “at this time when America’s democratic principles are at stake.”

HAPPY DAYS among the Board of Directors of the FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHICAGO (FACC) celebrating the 41st FACC Anniversary last August 2016, when the building was purchased by the Early Filipino American pioneers, a building that FILIPINOS can call their HOME… totreasure their rich Cultural Heritage and Bayanihan (Nationalistic) spirit and Love of their Nativeland. Standing from left to right are: Atty. Jun Joaquin; Dr. Juanito Crisostomo, current FACC president; Carmen Estacio, Trustee; Thelma Bascos, Vice President; The Hon. Karen Yarbrough, Recorder of Deeds and guest speaker; Atty. Alfonso Bascos, former FACC president and Trustee; Jerry Clarito, to whom Atty. Bascos gave his position as Trustee; and this columnist, Elsie Sy-Niebar, a volunteer who invited Recoder Yarbrough.