Matuwid Na Daan (Straight Path)?

By: Joe Mauricio

 

“Ang aming hangad: Huwag nang bumalik pa sa bulok na sistema, bagkus magtuloy-tuloy ang mabuting transpormasyon ng bansa. Wala pong ibang paraan para matupad ito kundi sa pagtutulungan ng lahat ng Pilipino, saan mang bahagi ng mundo.” (Translation: Our mission, let’s not go back to the rotten system. Moreover, let’s transform our nation. There’s no way to achieve this but for Pilipinos to help one another, wherever you are in any parts of the world.)

Above quote is a portion of the speech delivered by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in his first Chicago visit. He was appealing to the Filipinos and Fil-Ams alike to achieve this honorable vision, the reason his speech was delivered in 98% Tagalog.

Although his visit was a little less formal with no big ceremonial events accorded to heads of state, no 21-gun salute, etc., as it was a working visit (not a state visit) to entice investors to the Philippines, he was received with a very warm welcome by Chicago. The grand ballroom of the JW Marriott Hotel was filled with over 500 guests, mostly community leaders who came from different Midwestern states of Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Kentucky, all eager to meet and hear the President who received overwhelming votes from the people five years ago.

What has Aquino achieved so far as the leader of a great country, the Philippines?

1. No more rice shortage: He said the Philippines is now on its way to achieving rice self-sufficiency, and the country now is alreally exporting some varieties of rice.

2. Increase in incomes for farmers and fishermen because of efficient government programs

. 3. No more classrooms backlog as schools construction is well underway and should be filled up soon.

4. Modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by purchasing new boats for Navy, helicopters and military planes for the Air Force, state-of-the-art rifles, guns, night vision goggles for the National Police and the Army.

5. The performance of the Philippine Stock Exchange is second to none in Asia.

6. Foreign investors are looking at the Philippines more seriously lately.

7. Inflation under control. 8

. Peso remains strong.

When President Aquino left Chicago for his scheduled Canada state visit, people were saying that he did not get investors from Chicago. Wrong! He got the love and affection of the Midwestern Fil-Ams, along with the increase of Philippine credit rating by Trans-Union of Chicago, which is a load of baggage to take home.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

P.S.: VIA Times and CPRTV would like to acknowledge the hard work of Chicago Consular group headed by Ambassador Generoso Calonge. With a few days lead time, the Consular group performed beyond the Department of Foreign Affairs’ call of duty. Kudos to all!

 

D-DAY & MEMORIAL DAY

On commemoration of DDay and Memorial Day, we would like to honor the man that commanded the invasion of Europe and the men that executed the plan that freed Europe from the hands of the Nazis.

U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was selected by Gen. Marshall to be the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe due to his military knowledge, his adeptness at strategic planning, and his diplomatic skills in dealing with other allied commanders. He was a superb planner and diplomat, and he held together many generals and statesmen from allied nations in a common cause to bring an end to conflict in Europe during World War II.

Upon his return to U.S., he was greeted as a great military hero and was named by President Truman as a Supreme Commander of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a unified confederation of Western European nations dedicated to defense against the communist-dominated Europe.

In 1953, Ike Eisenhower was elected President of the United States.##

 

MEMORIAL DAY was first enacted to honor the Union soldiers of the American Civil War, that was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

Memorial Day is always held on the last Monday in May each year since 1800. It is one of the most special days for those who had family members in various wars, battles, and conflicts over the decades.

Like the United States, the Philippines also commemorates men and women who died during World War II, who stood tall with the U.S. Armed Forces for the defense of the Philippines.

The Filipino veterans in the United States (and even back home) are slowly fading away. They deserve this memorial honor as they were official members of the U.S. Armed Forces after all when they fought with them during World War II. So, let’s also give salute and honor to our Filipino veterans on this Memorial Day.##

All smiles, Girlie Pascual and Hon. Jose Cuisia, Jr., PH Ambassador to U.S.

How about a president’s autograph on a small Ateneo de Manila banner from fellow alum VT columnist Joe Mauricio? Looking on are presidential aides and Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr.

Proudly displaying their signed memorabilias on President PNoy’s visit are VT/CPRTV’s Joe Mauricio and Girlie Pascual.

 

Calonge with his “seldom-seen” lawyer wife Gloria; Joe & Fred Tsai sporting nice pina barong tagalogs that will look good in GQ fashion page.