VIA Times – June 2016 Issue Vital News, Vibrant Views for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Veronica Leighton
In my exclusive interview with our Honorable Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., who is poised to retire from his ambassadorial position by the end of this month due to the change of the administration, we touched on the topic of “Filipino disunity,” and how it is his ardent dream to see the Filipinos unite particularly those living in the U.S. He adds, “I don’t understand why they all want to be presidents of organizations.”
Having lived here for many years and having interacted with different ethnic groups, I inferred to him by saying that the Filipinos are not unique in this human characteristic or frailty, in fact, I find them to be subtler than the other groups who live in communities that are divisive, until death do them part because of warring factions, mostly political. As Filipinos are more of social animals, the enmity, jealousy, or envy, get more personal than community-wide, and easily forget and forgive, in many instances.
So, to the other celebrating groups whose ancestors are proud to be living independently and not under the shadows of stern and abusive conquerors, we say Mabuhay ang Pilipino at Pilipinas! Time to review the history of the Philippines.
Cheers to the Philippine Week Committee (PWC), FACC’s Kasarinlan, and, particularly to the Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) who have been the outstanding organizers of Philippine independence celebrations every year, in their own theme, mission and purpose. Watch for our extensive coverage of the PIWC activities on CPRTV (this Sunday) and in VIA Times, as we feature and focus on the PIWC Queens 2016.
Many of your favorite columnists thought of writing their articles on the topic of independence in this issue. There is our senior editor Elsie Sy-Niebar (Notebook, page 14-15), Joe Mauricio (Objectively Harsh on page 22), Girlie Pascual’s G-Mail (page 29) takes us to the annual Philippine Independence Golf Tournament and Marl Mabaquiao’s “Medicare Smart on page 10. Veronica’s Vibes on page 5 focused on our leaders’ independence messages, such as Ambassador Cuisia, Consul General Calonge, and Mercy Matousek, PIWC Overall Chairperson 2016.
I hope you had an enjoyable June celebration and that you feel independent, in mind, spirit and body.
A n n o u n c e m e n t : Nominations for our upcoming annual pet project, the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame 2016, are quickly filling up as it is coming up soon on October 29. Please see SAVE THE DATE on page 7. We will be closing the nominations soon and will let you know the list of honorees soon.##
Veronica’s birthday greeters inside CPRTV studio, from left to right: Teri Cruz, Biboy (AC) Mangubat, Dely Villalon, David Rivas, Jovie Calma, Veronica, Sychar Yebra (behind V), Gerry Rebello, Janet Guinsatao, Melody Dizon, Girlie Pascual, front: Evelyn Tolledo & Elsie Sy-Niebar (not in picture are James DC & Joe Mauricio). June birthday celebrants David & Jovie, and April birthday celebrant Dely, and another May birthday celebrant, Gerry, were also feted.
