Notebook

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar

 

*June 12 this year marks 120th years of Philippine Independence Day!

*Yes, Kababayans (fellow Filipinos), we have a new Consul General in Chicago!

* Kimberly M. Foxx, first African American woman Cook County State Attorney holds reception to celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

*The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) will host 17th biennial conference in Chicago, July 11-14; Fil-Am Younger Generation are encouraged to attend to better understand their ‘Roots’

*Mayoral Candidate Paul Vallas responds to Report re ‘Chicago Ranks as Most Corrupt City’

 

As we celebrate our 120th Philippine Independence on June 12 this year, I dedicate this month’s NOTEBOOK by re-writing, re-sharing and re-explaining the history of how our beloved Philippine Nativeland, “Pearl of the Orient Seas,” struggled to gain her Independence from various conquistadores or conquerors. More importantly, to inspire and encourage our New Generation of YOUNG FILIPINO AMERICANs, especially those who were born in AMERICA — to get involved in the preservation of such a beautiful history of the Filipinos’ bravery and Love of Country!

Talking about “looking back at our Roots” like all other immigrants, We Filipinos are the least “to look back.” Start it from teaching our children to learn a little bit of our Pilipino language. We are too far behind our fellow immigrants like the Hispanics and other Asian Americans in this area. Why? Most of us still carry that “colonial mentality,” i.e., that speaking Pilipino or Tagalog to our kids is “low class.” So, we always speak English to them. Of course, it is a must for us to use English where English is the medium of instruction.

Yes, I want to address this historical perspective to our Young Filipino American Generation or FAG in America, which many of you – dear VIA TIMES READERS — are aware of. The Philippines was ruled by an “Iron Hand” by Spain for over 350 years. In 1896, the Philippine Revolution started. On May 1, 1898, the United States defeated the Spanish in the Battle of Manila Bay. General Emilio Aguinaldo decided to return to the Philippines to help American forces defeat the Spaniards. He became the first President of the Philippines. On June 12,1898, he declared the PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY!

The Malolos Congress modified the declaration upon the insistence of Apolinario Mabini, “Brain of the Katipunan,” who objected to the original proclamation which essentially placed the Philippines under the protection of the United States. The declaration was never recognized by either the United States or Spain. Later in 1898, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish–American War.

After several negotiations, at the end of World War II, the United States granted independence to the Philippines on 4 July 1946 via the Treaty of Manila. July 4 was observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until August 4, 1964 when, upon the advice of historians and the urging of nationalists, President Diosdado Macapagal signed into law Republic Act No. 4166, designating June 12 as the country’s Independence Day.

In 1945, the Japanese Imperial Army came and invaded Manila. After the defeat of Japan in 1945, the US granted the Philippines Independence on July 4, 1946. Since then until 1962, Independence Day is celebrated by Filipinos on July 4. It was the late President Diosdado Macapagal who declared JUNE 12 as Philippine Independence Day. The “positive impact” to us Filipinos brought by being a colony to Spain and especially the United States are: the Philippines and the Filipinos are the first Christian nation in Asia (influence from Spain); we are the most “westernized people in Asia; most Americanized, and the first English-speaking nation in Asia.”

These challenges which the Early Filipinos went through, inspired a Filipino writer Ismael Mallari to write a beautiful essay titled “Pliant like the Bamboo.’ The essay describes the Filipinos like the bamboo which swings not only against the breeze but more so against strong winds. But never breaks. The Filipinos are flexible to withstand pressures from various invaders who tried to conquer the Philippines. All failed. Like the bamboo, the Philippines today continues to swing with the breeze and the storm which haunt the country very often. Yes, WE FILIPINOS are indeed, pliant like the bamboos. Hardworking, God-loving. But happy and God-fearing people.

***

The FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY or (FANHS) of the Midwest will host the 17th Biennial National Conference at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel from July 11 – 14, 2018, with the support of the Filipino American Historical Society of Greater Chicago and Filipino American Historical Society of Wisconsin. FANHS-Midwest consists of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The conference will start with a Tour of Chicago from 10 am to 4 pm on Wednesday, July 11th, followed by plenary and workshop sessions on from July 11 through July 14, Sunday, capped by a Gala dinner. Most importantly, the FANHS looks forward to the participation of the YOUNG-Adult FILIPINO AMERICANS to whom this conference is earmarked for.

Delegates from the 35 Chapters of this national organization will convene to share their experiences, learn and promote our history and heritage, and showcase our positive contributions to the mainstream society. Participants from the Philippines will bridge the gap between our native land and the new generations of Filipino Americans. Among those confirmed to make presentations are Butch Dalisay, Nick de Ocampo, Durian Collectives, FANHS Executive Director Dorothy Cordova, and others from various chapters all over the USA. The topics COVER food, oral history, health, education, religion, politics, legal, arts, cinema AND films, writing, personal story/identity, etc. Invited speakers are Cristeta Comerford, Billy Dec and Brendan Flores, young Filipino Americans. ******

Kimberly M. Foxx, first African American Woman Cook County State Attorney held a reception to celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, last May 24, at Furama Restaurant in Chinatown. It was fully attended by Asian Americans from almost all communities. Highlights of the reception were the presentation of awards as follows: Asian American Pacific Islander Law Internship Awards to Megan Huynh and Stephen Choi, presented by Jasmine Hernandez, Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. Recipients of the 2018 Asian American & Pacific Islanders Community Leadership Awards were Dr. Karen Eng, President/CEO of CSMI and Sufyan S. Sohel, Deputy Director & Counsel, Council on American Islamic Relations, CAIR-Chicago. Awards were presented by the Hon.

Kimberley M. Foxx, Cook County State’s Attorney. Kimberly M. Foxx is the first African American woman to lead the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office – the second largest prosecutor’s office in the country. She took office last December 1, 2016 with a vision for transforming the Cook County State Attorney’s Office into a fairer, more forward- thinking agency focused on rebuilding the public trust, promoting transparency, and being proactive in making all communities safe.

In her first year in office, Kim has already undertaken substantial reform. She has revamped the office’s Conviction Integrity Unit, resulting in overturned convictions in over 20 cases, including the first-ever mass exoneration in Cook County for 15 men whose convictions stemmed from misconduct by a Chicago Police Officer. She has been a leader in bond reform, instructing prosecutors to agree to recognizance bonds where appropriate, and reviewing bond decisions in cases where people are detained because they are unable to pay bonds of $1,000 or less. Kim has taken the lead on prioritizing resources away from low-level offenses, including raising the threshold for approving felony charges for retail theft to $1,000, and declining to prosecute misdemeanor traffic offenses for failure to pay tickets and fines.

Vallas for All Chicago: Former Chicago Public Schools’ CEO Paul Vallas, who is running for Chicago Mayor this coming mayoral elections, held a press conference, recently. Among several loopholes he discussed in the current Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration, Vallas said that “Chicago ranked as the most corrupt city in the country”.

He said: “ Chicago has again been found to be the most corrupt city in the United States. This is unacceptable. Emanuel responded by saying, ‘we’re not resting on our laurels I think when you look where I was on day one and where we are today, we’ve a series of changes.’

Vallas cited the “facts”: “The scandals in Chicago’s red light camera contract that sent a top official and City Hall insider to jail for 10 years; the $20 million no-bid contract at the Chicago Public Schools that sent its CEO to jail for fraud; and the court ruling that Emanuel violated state law by withholding emails from his personal accounts that related to the corrupt red light camera program prove otherwise.” Vallas promised that when elected mayor, “ the Vallas administration will commit to conducting all business in a transparent, accountable and honest manner from day one.” We’ll hear more from other mayoral candidates before the “over crowded” primary elections in November.er.

Very often these past few months, Fil-Ams asked me: “Elsie, I heard we have a new Philippine Consul General. Is it true? Is he or she a people-person, like most of our past ConGens?”. Told them “Yes, we have a new lady ConGen. But until now I haven’t even met her. I heard she invited the Filipino press people to a “meet and greet.” I was not invited because this ConGen, I was told, limits her invitation to only ONE PRESS PERSON from each publication.”

To answer the above questions and for the sake of NOTEBOOK avid readers, I requested Liezel Acantara, one of the most hardworking Cultural and Visa Dept. head at the Consulate, to please send me a brief intro of their new ConGen to help get the word out to the people. The following is an unedited intro of the new Philippine ConGen:

“CONSUL GENERAL DR. GINA ALAGON JAMORALIN: A career diplomat and economist by training. Dr. Jamoralin joined the Philippine Foreign Service in January 1992 after passing the Philippine Foreign Service Examination in 1991. Upon entering the Foreign Service, she was immediately assigned as Special Assistant to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Philippine National Secretariat from 1993-1996 and assisted in the first Philippines’ hosting of APEC Summit in 1996 in Subic. Prior to assuming her Post in Chicago as Consul General on February 1, 2018, her postings included Consul General in Honolulu, Hawaii from 2014-2018; Deputy Chief of Mission and Economic Officer in Tokyo from 2006-2012 and Vice-Consul, then Consul and First Secretary in Bucharest Romania from 1996-2002.

Dr. Jamoralin earned her A.B. Economics and Master of Public Administration from the University of the Philippines and her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila; and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from McGill University, Desautels Faculty of Management, Tokyo, Japan. She completed a Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations from the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) at The Hague, Netherlands and the Diplomatic Course for Junior ASEAN Diplomats at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.”

By the way, if this new Philippine Consulate ConGen does not consider me as a member of the Fil-Am Press, through my NOTEBOOK column, and as a Senior Editor of Via Times, I would like the Philippine Consulate to STOP sending me its press releases, effective immediately. Everyday, I am splurged with press releases from various American government offices including President Donald Trump’s White House Press office. My plate is overfull. Thank you.

HAPPY 120th PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY. MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT. GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES! GOD BLESS AMERICA! LANDS THAT WE LOVE!!!(30)

Bishop Vic Esclamado with his only son, Dr. Julius Esclamado. At back are Elsie Sy-Niebar, his former writer for Philippine News and Dely Villalon, one of their
best family friends. (Rosie Reed photo)

Our sweet reunion after so many years with Bishop Vic Esclamado, at Veronica Leighton and Joe Mauricio’s wedding last May 31st. Bishop Vic was our Boss in Chicago for the PHILIPPINE NEWS (pre-Via Times), the first Philippine weekly newspaper based in San Francisco, California, owned by his brother, the late Alex Esclamado. Bishop Vic remains good looking and healthy, and a happy senior citizen today, except that he completely lost his voice and could not talk except through texting. His beloved wife Julie passed away few years ago. With Vic is their only son, Julius Esclamado, M.D. In photo are Jovie Calma, this columnist, Elsie Sy-Niebar, Bishop Vic Esclamado, and the bride, Veronica Leighton Mauricio. (Rosie Reed photo)

Above is the PHILIPPINES’ 1898 original RED, WHITE and BLUE! (photo from the archives). The three stars symbolize the three regions, namely: LUZON, VISAYAS and MINDANAO.This is the original Philippine flag celebrated by President Emilio Aguinaldo when he proclaimed Philippine Independence from Spain, on June 12, 1898 in Cavite, his hometown. The flag was woven in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herboza. The Philippine National Anthem originally known as “Land of the Morning”, later translated in Pilipino became “Lupang Hinirang” — was composed by Julián Felipe, played by the San Francisco de Malabon marching band. A year after, on June 12, 1898, the Philippines gained her Independence from Spain. On June 12, 1946, the Philippines gained another Independence as a Colony of the United States of America, following the defeat of the Japanese Imperial Army which governed the Islands in terror for four years. Count yourself as a very blessed and strong Filipino American!

CONSUL GENERAL GINA A. JAMORALIN A career diplomat and economist by training. Dr. Gina Alagon Jamoralin joined the Philippine Foreign Service in January 1992 after passing the Philippine Foreign Service Examination in 1991. Upon entering the Foreign Service, she was immediately assigned as Special Assistant to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Philippine National Secretariat from 1993-1996 and assisted in the first Philippines’ hosting of APEC Summit in 1996 in Subic. Prior to assuming her Post in Chicago as Consul General on February 1, 2018, her postings included Consul General in Honolulu, Hawaii from 2014-2018; Deputy Chief of Mission and Economic Officer in Tokyo from 2006-2012 and Vice-Consul, then Consul and First Secretary in Bucharest Romania from 1996-2002. Dr. Jamoralin earned her A.B. Economics and Master of Public Administration from the University of the Philippines and her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, she also earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from McGill University, Desautels Faculty of Management, Tokyo, Japan. She completed a Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations from the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) at The Hague, Netherlands and the Diplomatic Course for Junior ASEAN Diplomats at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Awesome and heart-rendering Celebration of Philippine Independence Day Parade in the United States by Filipino American Kababayans (Countrymen) showing patriotism, pride and Love of Country.

Cook County State Attorney Kimberly Foxx with a family at her Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month last May 24. (Photo by Edna Pavel)