From the Readers

On Jokoy

(From Facebook) If you’re a proud Filipino and you believe that #Jokoy has succeeded in hyping Pinoy Pride globally, hashtag: #ILoveJokoy!

It has been a week now and the world is still talking about Jokoy. It pains me that even in our country, tabloids and broadsheets celebrate his inadequacies rather than his achievement in opening doors for Filipino performers. Some headlines even calling him a “horrid host”.

Some people say it has been a wasted opportunity. Some say he shouldn’t have taken the job in the first place. Some say he was an embarrassment, he bombed, he’s the worst stand-up comic ever (Did they even watch his specials? Suddenly, he’s NOT funny?!) Bah, critics.

Oo na, kayo na ang magaling.

But as far as I am concerned, everyone in the world knows who Jokoy is now. And if you think, that the #GoldenGlobes or nobody’s going to hire him again… Think again… Or perhaps, you should ask STEVE HARVEY (who got hired again)!

A long time ago, we hung out at Mall Of Asia and he took this photo of us goofing around. He was nothing but sweet and kind. He taught us this sexy-look-away shot. Then I asked him, “What do you wanna do now?” He immediately said, “I just want more Filipinos to shine”. I teared up, and replied, “I was expecting you’d say you’re hungry. So let’s go and eat”. I made him laugh because he instead chose to be meaningful.

So the next time, you’d throw stones at him, remember this story. If you’re wise, you’d realize, THAT’s why he took the job. So more Filipinos can shine.

Bravo, Jokoy. More Filipinos will indeed shine because you showed them: IT CAN BE DONE!

Sent from my iPhone

Njel de Mesa

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Thank you

Thank you to Publisher Veronica Leighton for featuring Western Cluster Simbang Gabi in Via Times Newsmagazine December 2023 issue.

As the Simbang Gabi Western Cluster Overall Coordinator, I would like you to express my gratitude to you, salamat po ng marami.

Joan & RJ Turija

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Asian American And Pacific Islander Women Continue Fight For Abortion Access And Reproductive Freedom

“We are facing an abortion access crisis in our country. And the barriers to abortion care disproportionately impact people of color, people with low incomes, and immigrants. This is also a direct assault on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

AAPI women have been overlooked in the fight for reproductive freedom, despite 85 percent of AAPI women believing women should have the right to make their own reproductive choices and one-third of AAPI pregnancies ending in abortion.

For AAPI communities, the path to abortion is fraught with barriers, cultural stigmas, and low rates of insurance coverage. The myth that Asian Americans are the “model minority” – high achieving immigrants with economic stability – masks our reproductive health care needs.

NAPAWF will not stand silent. We will continue to organize, speak out, and push back against targeted efforts aimed at scaling back our reproductive rights.

The anniversary of Roe v. Wade is a call to action – to mobilize and build a world where everyone has access to abortion and the reproductive health care that they need and want.” Sung Yeon Choimorrow, NAPAWP Executive Director

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From AJC

Dear Editor,

I’m following up to share some encouraging news since the publication of my op-ed calling for the Grammys to honor the victims of Hamas’ October 7 terror attack on the Nova Music Festival — the deadliest tragedy in music history.

On Sunday evening at the Grammys, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. did just that in an eloquent speech watched by millions of people around the world.

He demonstrated the true power of music — a force that unites, heals, and remembers. He spoke about how music is a universal language that transcends borders and specifically honored the 364 victims and 40 hostages from the Nova festival massacre.

As time passes, we will make sure the world does not stop fighting for the remaining hostages and never forgets about the victims of October 7.

Sincerely, Ted Deutch

AJC Chief Executive Officer

Edward and Sandra Meyer Office of the CEO

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Thank you

Dear Editor:

I work as a caregiver although I was a teacher in the Philippines. On my (seldom) days off, I always look forward to be able to pick up a copy of Via Times, I really enjoy reading this community publication as it covers everything that I want to know within the community I live in. I love all the well-written articles written by many of my favorite columnistts. Keep it up, Via Times!

Soledad dela Rivas.