Notebook

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar

 

*Some Americans and Filipinos born-in-America who attended Philippine President Aquino’s reception last May 6, were UNHappy over his Tagalog/Pilipino-all-the-way message. Some said the speech ‘ was insulting’!
*Why did PNoy’s Malacanang Bright Boys who coordinated the visit disregard the Fil-Am media to meet with the President? More so, the mainstream media???
*’The only thing we bring with us when we die are the things we gave away’, Words of Wisdom by the beloved Francis Cardinal
George (1937-2015)
*Presenting the PIWC 2015 Beauty Queens! Gala/Crowning: Saturday, June 13, Crowne Plaza Hotel

The small-size ballroom of the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Chicago was bursting to the seams last May 6, where the Reception for Philippine President Benigno Aquino, Jr., was held. The hard work of the staff at the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago under Consul General Generoso G. Calonge was well-rewarded with the overflowing presence of various Filipino leaders/delegates from all Midwest States under the jurisdiction of the Chicago Consulate. In his welcome remarks, ConGen Calonge talked about the Filipino-Americans and Filipinos’ significant celebrations in Chicago, particularly honoring the WWII veterans. Following is a gist and short quotes from his speech:

“MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: The entire Filipino community and your official family in the Midwestern United States would like to welcome you and thank you for giving us the once-ina- lifetime opportunity to listen and to interact with you.”

“We looked forward to your presence… a rare chance to be with you, our Leaders who have changed the Philippines in moving towards the direction of good governance, economic progress and peace.”

He also talked about the WWII veterans being honored during Bataan Day by the City and more so by Maywood Bataan Day celebration. He mentioned about the “opportunities for growth in the Philippines brought about by companies like Emerson, McDonald’s, Ford, etc.” The Consul General talked about the “estimated 90,000 Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the Midwest “whose significant professional achievements have been widely recognized especially in the field of medicine.

“ Consul General Calonge acknowledged the kindness of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel for meeting with President Aquino, and the various high-ranking government officers, the Secret Service and Chicago Police Department who welcomed President Aquino at the airport, many of whom were present at the reception. Also in the audience were US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and other state senators, state representatives and some high-ranking government staff.

Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr., also delivered an inspiring speech acknowledging the hardworking and highly-educated Filipino Americans who contribute to the Philippine economy through their financial assistance for their families back home. And CHICAGO, as one of the Greatest Metropolitan Cities in the United States!

Of course, the audience welcomed President Aquino with a resounding applause when it was time for him to deliver his 45-minute speech. Unlike ConGen Calonge and Ambassador Cuisia who spoke directly to the microphone for better audio sound, President Aquino was a little away from the microphone. To top it all, his conversation-like delivery did not create an impact or listening interest to the audience! The worst part: his speech was 101 percent in Tagalog or Pilipino! Did he forget he was in America and the saying, “if you are in Rome, do what the Romans do”?

Did President Aquino play blind not to see the boredom and discomfort of the audience, especially the non-Filipinos who could not understand what the heck he was talking about?

Even FILIPINOS were not happy about Aquino’s full-Tagalog speech delivered to an Englishspeaking audience. What happened to our national pride that the Philippines is the first Englishspeaking nation in Asia and the third in the world? That English is the Philippines’ Second Language? That the Filipinos speak English? In fact, after President NoyNoy Aquino’s long and boring Tagalog speech, Paul Carlson and Ralph Sirianni, both married to Filipina ladies – sisters Melanie and Jovy, were kind of upset listening to President Aquino’s Tagalog speech.

Ralph said to me: “Was President Aquino blind not to see many non-Tagalog-speaking folks like me in the audience? I felt disrespected. What was he talking about? Why was his speech always followed with laughter among some Filipinos in the audience? Is it I he is talking about? I know that the Philippines is an English-speaking nation. Did President Aquino fail to realize he is in America?”

I had a chance to talk with American-born-and-raised-in- America young professionals who were likewise disgusted. One said, “President Aquino’s speech sucks!” One distinguished Filipino American professional told me: “I felt insulted. He treated us like morons.”

I agree with how this Kababayan (Compatriot) felt. Due to stereotype-thinking and racial prejudices, most Americans and other English-speaking nations think Filipinos do not speak English. PNoy’s mostly-Tagalog speech to a mixed-audience in America supported such stereotyping outlook towards the Filipinos.

And oh, yes, one does not need to be a college graduate to understand that IT IS UN-ethical to speak your native language in the presence of one who does not understand it… especially in America. Did PNoy overlook this social ethics?

Among my Martial Law Collectible souvenirs are taperecorded speeches of anti-martial law government (Movement for a Free Philippines) officials like the late Sen. Benigno Aquino, Sr., Sen. Raul Manglapus, etc., who fled to America for fear of being put to prison or, worse yet, assassinated under the President Ferdinand Marcos’ Martial Rule. Veronica and I were among Ninoy’s anti-Martial Law foot soldiers and press fighters! One tape in my collection was a blood-clotting anti-Martial Law speech by former and late Sen. Benigno Aquino (father of PH current President Aquino)… gives his audience chills and admiration!

The late Ninoy Aquino spoke like Demosthenes, the great Greak orator. Ninoy, spoke with elan and power! His jokes are not corny. Or LOL bakya crowd unlike his son’s! (Pedestrian.)

I felt bad for President NoyNoy Aquino. Especially that some good-hearted Filipinos in Chicago believe “he is honest and is far from being corrupt.”

In a jocular mood, someone behind me, said: “After listening to PNoy’s speech this evening, I no longer wonder why some writers in the Philippines, tag President PNoy as “AbNoy”.

What? First time I heard this word. What does “AbNoy” means? Could someone tell me? Pleeze… ***

My international diplomatic protocol questions: How come the display of American Flag was missing on-stage at the reception? First time I saw the Philippine flag alone and lonely. AND how come there was no singing of the National Anthems: “Star-Spangled Banner” and “Bayang Magiliw”? Remember this issue came about a few months ago at the PIWC kick-off party? Could any Malacanang Bright Boys respond? ***

Presenting: The six Philippine Independence Week (PIWC) Beauty Queens in photos. See them in person during the PIWC GALA NIGHT this coming June 13, Saturday evening, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel-Chicago O’Hare, 5440 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois. ***

“The only things we bring with us when we die are the things we gave away.” Francis Cardinal George (1937-2015) Cardinal Francis George, the first Chicago native to serve for 17 years as Archbishop of Chicago, was wellloved by his over two-million Roman Catholic parishioners in Chicagoland, died on Friday, April 17, 2015, after several years of struggle with cancer since 2006. He was 78.

“This was the death of a very private, quiet man with people around him who cared about him,” said longtime friend Colleen Dolan, at the Cardinal’s deathbed, holding his hands.

As head of the nation’s third-largest Catholic Archdiocese, Cardinal George looked after Chicago’s church through school closings and the priests’ sexual abuse scandals.

“A man of peace, tenacity and courage has been called home to the Lord,” the new Chicago Archbishop Cupich said. “Let us follow his example, a little more steadfast and a lot more loving. This is the surest way to honor his life and celebrate his return to the presence of God.”

From his childhood on the Northwest Side of Chicago, George embarked on a spiritual career. Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain, Cardinal George’s best friend, gave the homily at the Cardinals funeral mass. The best part of his Homily which I watched on television crying was: “Cardinal George once said that ‘the only thing we can bring with us when we are called by the Lord to come Home, are the things we gave away.’

Cardinal George was also fond of reminding us that our relationships with the Lord and with each other are all that endure; all else goes to the grave,” Archbishop Sartain added.

The death of Cardinal Francis George left Chicago in mourning for a long time. He will always be remembered as a True Servant of the Lord.

HAPPY 117th PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY this coming June 12! Let us include our Homeland in our prayers for Peace and from disastrous calamities. Amen.

Francis Cardinal George

PNoy saluting the VIA TIMES and CPRTV beauty staffers sitting in front of him?, top, Amb. Jose Cuisia, Jr., Philippine President Benigno Aquino, Jr., & Finance Sec.Cesar Purisima, at PNoy’s reception held at the J.W. Marriott Chicago — during his visit to Chicago last May 6. From left, bottom, are Jovy Calma, “Wassup” host; Veronica Leighton, Via Times publisher and CPRTV executive producer; and Elsie Sy-Niebar, VT senior editor/columnist. Also in photo is Joseph Lariosa, of Journal GlobaLink. Aquino, Jr. (Photo by Edna Pavel)

L-R:Chicago Philippine Consul General Generoso Calonge, welcomes His Excellency, Philippine President Benigno Aquino, Jr., a.k.a PNoy, at the presidential reception his office hosted, last May 6, at the JW Marriott Hotel. (This photo by Elsie Sy-Niebar was not taken at the presidential reception. Cameras with flashes were not allowed.); Yoly Zoleta, outgoing “MRS. PHILIPPINE” PIWC 2014, is Dance Lovers Santacruzan participant 2015, escorted by husband, Ben Zoleta, President, Filipino American Lions Club.; Happy 40th Anniversary to my church, FAITH COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH in Chicago. Photo was taken last Sunday, May 10th, from left are: Celia Villanueva, Moderator and overall coordinator; Rebecca Chu with husband, the Rev. John Chu, our Church Pastor; the Rev. Dr. Robert Reynolds, Anniversary guest preacher with his wife; and Jesus “Bong” Valmores, Moderator, Mission Committee. By Elder Elsie Sy-Niebar.

MORGAN TORRE RECINTO (MISS PHILIPPINES PIWC 2015);MORGAN TAYLOR LOXLEY (MISS PIWC 2015);GINALENE LOPEZ, (MRS. PHILIPPINES PIWC 2015); MARITESS V. WYNKOOP (MRS. ILLINOIS PIWC 2015).

SUSAN FRANCISCO, (MRS. CHICAGO PIWC 2015);Dhollie Morales Weil (MRS. PIWC 2015).

President Benigno Aquino, Jr. poses with the guests, from the Philippine Medical Association and other community leaders during his Community Meeting reception held at JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Chicago (Photo by Pavel).

 

Lourdes Corvo Livas, CPRTV/VT “Woman of the Year 2014” was crowned “MRS. SAMPAGUITA USA 2015” last May 8, 2015, at the Chateau Ritz, a fundraising project of the “Sampaguita Ball” headed by Rose Tibayan. Lourdes was nominated by Notebook columnist Elsie Sy- Niebar.( Photo by Ernie Antonio, Jr.);