VIA Times – June 2014 Issue Vital News, Vibrant Views for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Elsie Sy-Niebar
*Columnist’s segment on Philippine Independence on ABCTV Ch 7 draws great comments!
*Incumbent Gov.Pat Quinn (D) and Republican opponent Bruce Rauner, ‘stole the show’ at PIWC Gala
*Former US president Bill Clinton will be at Mayor Emanuel’s campaign fundraiser, on June 20
*’Asian Health Coalition advocates concern on prevention of chronic Hepatitis B
*AFIRE honors Clarita Santos as ‘Illinois Public Health Champion’
*President Obama appoints FIL-AM Billy Dec, as member of AAPI Advisory Commission
HAPPY 116th PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY! MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT! GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES and the FILIPINO PEOPLE! This month of June, WE, Filipinos are celebrating our 116th Philippine Independence Day to commemorate June 12, 1898, when the Philippines was freed from the 350 years of tyrannic rule from Spain. The year also marked the beginning of “America’s takeover” of the Philippines under the Tydings-McDuffee Law which made the Philippines a Commonwealth to America. From thereon to 1946 after World War II in the Pacific Islands, the American Flag and the Philippine Flag, side-by-side, gracefully waved together in the Philippine breeze. The Philippines eventually became like “Little America.” The Americans brought the Three Rs of Learning which made the Philippines the First English Speaking Nation in Asia. The “Star- Spangled Banner” became the Philippine National Anthem, followed by “Land of the Morning,” the English version of today’s “Bayang Magiliw.” So we Filipinos can say: “Oh, yes, Virginia, for half a century, WE FILIPINOS were Americans, too. We speak English with an accent, of course! We are not total strangers to the American culture and ways.” As we celebrate our Homeland Independence, WE also say: GOD BLESS AMERICA! Our NEW HOME!
Philippine Independence Day segment on ABCTV Ch 7 received great feedbacks, especially from non-Filipino friends. First call came from our Woman Coordinator, for the Presbytery Women of Chicago (PWOC): “Dear Elsie: I saw you on the news today being interviewed about Philippine Independence Day. You did a great job. The Filipino fashions looked lovely. Congratulations!” Eulalie West, Coordinating Team, P.W.O.C.
Thanks, Eulalie for loving our Filipino National costumes! From fellow writer and friend, Don Azarias: “Manang Elsie: My usual waking hour on Saturdays is 12 noon. Last Saturday, I made it a point of setting my alarm clock at 8 A.M. so I can watch your presentation honoring the Philippine Independence Day. Even Stacey Baca couldn’t match your telegenic looks. You looked wonderful on the small screen. The show went on smoothly and flawlessly with the male and female models highlighting the show with those authentic Filipino costumes. That was a big boost for the Filipino community and I know you have been doing this segment for several years now but, mostly likely, unbeknownst to your critics and pundits who lack the ability and contacts, like you do, to showcase a presentation on a major broadcast network. I just hope some of those knife-throwers were awake to watch the real Elsie Sy-Niebar and her group promoting and honoring the Filipino people in very meaningful way. Now, that’s deserving of the Fil- Am community’s highest compliment. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give a big round of applause to the senior editor of VIA Times, our very own and my special friend, Ms. Elsie Sy-Niebar!” (Don Azarias) “Hi Manang Elsie, I purposely woke up early to watch your ABCTV Ch7 Philippine Independence day program. Your models especially Ben and “Mrs. Philippines PIWC 2014” Yoly Zoleta really look great! I just found out that Tracey Baca, Ch 7’s Anchor Lady is of Filipina-Mexican Heritage. Thanks for the timely segment/ announcement.” Debonair Farrales Thank you, Don and Deb, for your inspiring appreciation of my efforts in promoting our Philippine Independence Day celebration — a speck in mainstream media. Celebrating our Independence as immigrants in America is not just having dinner balls among ourselves but, more importantly, sharing our culture and love for our Nativeland to America or wherever Continents we are drifted to, in search for our Dreams. On behalf of our Filipino Community, let’s say, “maraming salamat (thank you so much) to WLS/ABCTV CH 7 for honoring our Independence celebration; to Astrid Greve Spencer, the producer, and especially to our ‘Filipina-Mexican Kababayan (compatriot)’ Stacey Baca, who takes pride in her “25-percent Pinay ancestry.” Stacey, is an inductee of the CHICAGO FILIPINO HALL OF FAME 2012, co-sponsored by Via Times and CPRTV.
MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS! LONG LIVE THE PHILIPPINES! And many thanks to the models: “MRS. PHILIPPINES PIWC 2014” Yoly Zoleta escorted by her husband, Ben; to their two sons, Bryan and Mark, escorts of the two models, Julia Jouravel and Maryknoll Rambac, respectively. And, of course, to the Fashion Designer, Mar La Pena, whose fashion designing includes, once owning a fashion shoppe in Saudi Arabia, whose clienteles included Saudi Arabian Princesses!
INCUMBENT GOV. PAT QUINN, Democrat, and his Republican opponent this coming November election, BRUCE RAUNER stole a segment of the Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) Gala Dinner, last Saturday, June 7, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare! Politics was a High-Five scenario at the PIWC gala starring two gentlemen—incumbent Illinois Gov Pat Quinn (D) and his Republican millionaire-opponent, Bruce Rauner. Following a very lengthy introduction by Dalisay Villalon, past PIWC chair, Gov. Pat Quinn delivered his brief Philippine Independence Day greetings, followed by his political speech summing up his achievements and vision as governor of Illinois. He then, happily obliged posing with the crowd of photo-ops voters! Indeed, it seemed like the Gov has a strong foothold among Filipino Americans of Illinois. Which brings back memories of Quinn’s Early Times as then, candidate for the Illinois Treasurer’s office, supported by the Filipino American Political Empowerment and the Asian American Democratic Organization. To remember a few strong Fil-Ams political Soldiers were Rudy Urian, Dr. Prisco Olaya, Dr. Vince Battung, Matthew de Leon, Maurice Mudlong, Met Castelo, Rudy Figueroa, the late Bert Roque, Ben Capili, of course Veronica Leighton and Elsie Sy- Niebar! My apology to the rest I could not remember under Deadline! (Hey, Guys, we must have a REUNION!) Wonder if Gov Quinn still remember us? My good friend Richard Diesterheft and I came a little late to the PIWC dinner. We were guests of Yoly Zoleta and Leticia Freihaut. (THANK YOU, LADIES!) We were seated with CPRTV producers/VT publishers Veronica Leighton and Joe Mauricio. Veronica told me Bruce Rauner had already spoken. He was introduced by Lourdes Mon. No wonder I did not see him around when Pat Quinn took the stand. I thought I’ve missed out Bruce. Guess what? After Pat left, Bruce suddenly appeared right on our side of the hall, being led by a group of obviously, REPUBLICAN FILIPINO AMERICANS! Oh, my, my, Bruce happily posed with the PHOTO-ops crowd, standing tall like “John Wayne”. When he finally came by us, I told him, “I emailed your campaign office for an interview but got no response”. He immediately referred me to Jared Melamed Dubnow, his special assistant who enthusiastically gave me his card and promised to get back to me. Well, looks like Republican Bruce Rauner has also a strong foothold with the Fil-Am voters! Personally, I like his sassy political commercial with his wife, a Democrat now advocating for her husband: BRUCE RAUNER, a REPUBLICAN! POLITICS! Indeed, makes a Strange Bedfellows! Including among or between Families and Friends!
ASIAN HEALTH COALITION is hot on its track educating the Asian American communities to increase awareness of Hepatitis B and C diseases, the cause of more than 80-percent liver cancer to Asian American. As its ad on Via Times says: “THERE IS A VACCINE FOR HEPATITIS!” Matthew Johnson, MPH, Program Manager of the Asian Health Coalition, who was interviewed over Via Times’ sister company, CPRTV, said: “ The Asian Health Coalition (AHC) has played a critical role in improving the health of Asian Americans in Illinois since 1996 through communitybased education, health advocacy, capacity building and research.
AFIRE honors Clarita Santos, as Public Health Champion! Last May 24, AFIRE or Alliance for Filipino For Immigrant Rights and Empowerment, honored Clarita G. Santos, Director of Community Health Initiatives at BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, as one of “Illinois Public Health Champion.” Jerry Clarito, AFIRE executive Director, said: “Clarita has inspired AFIRE to address the high incidence of cardiovascular disease in the Filipino American community. She shared with us the relevance of heart health education and information dissemination at the grassroots level. Her insight on the importance of community health education stemmed from her own personal experience with her father, unknowingly having had a heart attack. Clarita continues to provide AFIRE guidance in ensuring Filipinos’ access to health care services and how to lead healthy living. AFIRE is also very pleased to partner with the Asian Health Coalition in mounting this celebration during the Asian American Heritage month. Honoring Clarita is a fitting recognition as one of the major contributions of Asian Americans to a healthy Illinois. AFIRE is proud to honor a Kababayan like Clarita Santos.” On a personal note, Clarita was one of my Networking support as a director of an Asian American social services agency, when I was Assistant to the Commissioner, Chicago Dept. of Human Services. I am very happy at your professional progress, Clarita. You are an Achiever!
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA appoints BILLY DEC, as member of his President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Filipino American Billy Dec, CEO and Founder of Rockit Ranch Productions, a hospitality and entertainment development company in Chicago, hosted a “Meet and Greet” party at his popular Sunda Restaurant in downtown Chicago last May 31, attended by Asian American advocates and young professionals. Billy’s main agenda was to share the mission of Pres. Obama’s AA Advisory Council. With other Commission members, Billy was sworn in by the president at a White House Ceremony, Washington, DC, last May 6. Without going too deep on my five-minute interview with Billy at his Sunda Restaurant, I quickly asked him about his growing up as a Filipino American. His Mom, Mrs. Celia Bumanglad Dec, is a humble Ilocana, married to the late William Dec. Celia kept herself low-profile during the party, I had to search for her in the crowd. Billy breezed through his growing up with so many Filipino “half-blood relatives,” which inspired him to dig up his Asian roots, by traveling to Asian countries, also while building up his restaurant business. Billy is very much involved with various community-oriented activities always dealing with mostly “marginal people.” He is a People- Person. Oh, yes, Billy is a lawyer by profession, but “did not practice as a lawyer,” he said. His main agenda is on Education, which he said “is very important to Asians and Asian Americans.” Followed by job opportunities, business and involvement in government. Billy said he feels “so honored” to having been appointed by Pres. Barack Obama to the Advisory Commission” he will do his best to carry on his assignment for all Asian Americans in Illinois. However, he said he’s not interested to run for political office… as of now?
THUMBS UP, BILLY! We’re here to support you! Oh, yeah! Billy is one of the inductees to the CHICAGO FILIPINO AMERICAN HALL OF FAME, a VIA MAN OF THE YEAR co-sponsored by VIA TIMES and CPRTV.
MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL INVITES YOU TO HIS CAMPAIGN FUND FUNDRAISER : Mayor Emanuel is CHICAGO’s First Mayor who is NON-TRANSPARENT to Chicago’s Ethnic communities! Unlike former Mayor Richard M. Daley who met citywide leaders at ethnic city-sponsored events like the Asian American Heritage Month luncheon receptions, Mayor Emanuel is very non-transparent during the past three years of his Mayorship! Except for politicallyhot ethnic communities like the Black and Hispanics. So, if you want to see him in person, attend his forthcoming fundraiser on Friday, June 20, at 6 pm at the Studio Paris, Studio Paris, 59 West Hubbard, Chicago. The lowest “General Admission” is $500 person (OUCH!)! You will be able to see and listen to his “Special Guest,” former president BILL CLINTON. Want to know how much would it further cost you to see Mayor Emanuel if you want to be a “special guest”? Here’s the line-up: Chair: $25,000, Details forthcoming as of press time);Host:$10,600, photoline and VIP Reception; Sponsor: $5,300, Photoline and VIP Reception; Friend: $1,000, preferred seating; and Guest: $500, general admission. This used to be $125 during Mayor Daley’s time. And I thought it was too much for a Voter? FYI: $5,300 is the maximum contribution per individual and $10,500 is the maximum contribution per corporation. Would we wonder if Mayor Emanuel has millions of dollars for his campaign fund? When I received this “Invitation,” my response is as follows: “I am a member of the PRESS. I do not pay to cover any events. Especially for Politicians.” Among my piles/files, I found a picture of me seated right next to Bill Clinton during his first political rally in Chicago, and another pic with Pina Mudlong and Atty. Mimi Runo. I also had a picture showing me whispering to Hilary Clinton, while campaigning for her husband’s Presidency!
celebration of Asian American Heritage Month: For the United States of America, we owed this Ethnic Recognition from former President George Bush’s (the Dad) Proclamation; for Chicago, we owe it from the late Mayor Harold Washington, to-date, the first African American Mayor of Chicago. HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY. Kids, take your Dad out to the Ball Game! ###
Photo shows the models of our Philippine Independence Day segment last June 7, over ABCTV Ch 7 in Chicago: From left are Mark and Mary Rambac, in Barong and modernized “Patadyong”; Elsie Sy- Niebar, impressario; Mar La Pena, fashion designer; Stacey Baca, anchor Lady; “Mrs. Philippines PIWC 2014” Yoly Zoleta escorted by husband, Ben; and Bryan Zoleta with Julia Jouravel.
“Mrs. Philippines PIWC 2014” Yoly Zoleta and your columnist/ impressario Elsie Sy-Niebar, with ABCTV Ch 7 producer, Astrid Greve Spencer.
A fun scene at the Philippine Independence Week Committee Gala night when two opponents for IL governor, incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn (D) and opponent Bruce Rauner(R), “stole the show”. Above photo showsCora Guzon, Don and Flor Kramer gleefully welcome Rauner! (esnphoto)
llinois Gov. Pat Quinn, speaks before a guest-filled ballroom of the Hyatt O’Hare Hotel, at the Philippine Independence Week Committee gala night, last Saturday, June 7. He endeared himself to Chicago Filipino Americans for his support to the fundraisers for the victims of typhoon Haiyan. (Photo by Rosie Reid, Via Times official photographer)
Republican candidate for IL Governor, Bruce Rauner, poses with VIA TIMES publisher and CPRTV executive producer Veronica Leighton; senior editor/columnist Elsie Sy-Niebar, and Richard Diesterheft, at the Philippine Independence Week Committee Gala night, where he was Guest Speaker. (Photo by Rosie Reid)
“Mrs. Philippines PIWC 2014″ YOLY ZOLETA, amid applauses, marches on escorted by her husband, Ben Zoleta, at the PIWC Gala Night, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, last June 7, 2014. (Photo by Rosie Reid)
The Faith Community Presbyterian Church (formerly Filipino Com. Presbyterian Church celebrated its annual FILIPINIANA Independence Day last Sunday, June 8. Shown are some FCPC men donned in Philippine Barongs. Seated, l-r: Ding Tamanio, Pastor John Chu; and Fred Benemerito. Standing second row from left are: Francis Hernandez, Ernie Ramos, Romy Abiera, Vic Canoy, Ramon Fernandez, Men’s Moderator; Pike Aduana; David Villanueva and Rodolfo Navarro. At back are George Villegas, Bert Estavillo, Jesus “Bong” Valmores, Victor Gamez and Edilberto Fernandez, Jr. (esnphoto).
Some FCPC WOMEN in their saya and other Filipiniana dresses. Left to right are: this columnist, Elsie Sy-Niebar, Women’s Moderator; Ms. Luat, Edna Mariano, Belen Festin, who lectured on the various struggles of the Philippines from foreign conquests in the name of INDEPENDENCE; Edna Benemerito, Mabel Estavillo, Lily Canoy, Edith Navarro, Laila Villegas, Rosita Fernandez, Laila Valmores, and Dahlia Yeung.
The Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrants Reform Empowerment (AFIRE), last May 24, awarded Clarita Santos, as one of the ” Illinois Public Health Champion”. She is the Director of Community Initiatives- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Show in photo from left to right are: Joseph M. Harrington, Regional Health Officer/Administrative Law Judge -Illinois Department of Public; Steve Merritt, spouse of Clarita Santos, with their two kids, Ian and Lily: Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr., Deputy Consul General-Consulate General of the Philippines in Chicago; Ricarte Abejuela III, Vice Consul-Consulate General of the Philippines in Chicago; Edwin Chandrasekar, Executive Director-Asian Health Coalition and Jerry Clarito, AFIRE Executive Director. (Photo by AFIRE)
Billy Dec, an American-Filipino who was recently appointed by President Barack Obama as a member of the Asian American Advisory Commission, shares his vision and agenda for the Asian Americans in general. “Meet and Greet” was held at his Sunda restaurant in downtown Chicago. (esnphoto)
