Notebook

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar

 

*Let VIA TIMES be the first to great you MERRY CHRISTMAS and a PEACEFUL, PROSPEROUS, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! The Story of Thanksgiving, and its significant influences on Christian Faith

*Looks like Pres. Trump’s visit to Asia wins him many friends, including Pres. Duterte; but his one year at the Oval Office shows sinking popularity

*Our Very Own, Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban, first Fil-Am President of De Paul U, delivers a very impressive message at the City Club of Chicago

* Gov. Rauner declares Nov. 12-18, Nurse Practitioner Week in Illinois

* Worldwide Terrorism and political turmoil give more spiritual meaning to celebrate November 11 Veterans’ Day

*Getting to know better, Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough, candidate for Cook County Clerk *Edwin Pineda wins the PIWC 2019 Executive Chairmanship!

THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION: In addition to sacrificing a huge turkey and serving the best-looking pumpkin pies, how significant to you is celebrating Thanksgiving Day? History tells us that the First Thanksgiving was held in America by the Pilgrims and the Native Americans for three days to celebrate their Good Harvest in the autumn of 1621. The Pilgrims were members of the English Separatist Church (a Puritan sect), who came from England aboard the Mayflower to escape religious persecution. The Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. Their first winter was devastating. At the beginning of the following fall, they had lost 46 of the original 102 members. Their bountiful harvest in 1621 inspired them to celebrate a three-day “Thanksgiving” feast with 91 Indian Natives who helped them survive their first year. Held on December 13, 1621, the celebrants called it as a “day of feasting and prayer” showing the gratitude of the Pilgrims for “being alive”.

To give thanks to God for His gracious grace, President Abraham Lincoln officially set the last Thursday of November, in 1863, “as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.” In 1941, Congress ruled that the Fourth Thursday of November must be observed as Thanksgiving Day, a Legal Holiday. On the other hand, for those who believe in God, Everyday is Thanksgiving Day. Give Thanks. Anytime. Anyplace. Anywhere…

National Veterans Day Ceremony Today, with all these turmoils happening in the world, celebration of November 11 as Veterans Day in America, touches more sentiments especially in the hearts of those who lost their loved ones in the battlefield outside the Great USA, defending other nations. Hence, Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony commences precisely at 11:00 a.m. with a wreath-laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations, concluded by speeches. The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces. The Veterans Day National Committee recognizes select Veterans Day observances throughout the country with fitting tributes to America’s heroes who serve as models for other communities to follow in planning their own observances. On Veterans’ Day – the best gift to “Freedom Fighters”– is being allowed to visit their families. One of those lucky ones is US ARMY Sgt. First Class RUDY MORENO URIAN, JR., son of Rudyard “Rudy” Urian, Sr. and Normi M. Urian. Rudy, Sr. is the son of the late Manong Fred and Mrs. Urian, one of the Early Filipino Couples who worked hard to have their Dream — FILIPINO AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHICAGO (FACC) to become a Reality! Rudy, Sr. was my Best Chicago Political Buddy who engineered the formation of the ASIAN AMERICAN POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT and the FADOC or FILIPINO AMERICA DEMOCRATS of COOK COUNTY which helped Mayor Richard M. Daley and former President Bill Clinton win the White House. As shown on this page, a picture of Rudy, Jr., hugging his three-year-old son in his Homecoming, the Joyful meeting is mutually-shared. Please include our soldiers in your prayers.

LOOKS LIKE PRES. DUTERTE and PRES. TRUMP MAKE “GOOD BUDDIES” DURING THEIR MEETING IN THE PHILIPPINES! From the looks of their “buddy-buddy Body Language” during their meetings in the Philippines, President DU30 and the POTUS, indeed, make “strange bedfellows”. Duterte even volunteered to sing “Dahil sa ‘Yo” (Because of You”). Trump looked so handsome in his Barong, some Pinay ladies couldn’t take their eyes off him. There was a mutual admiration between them. According to the press, Trump kept praising Duterte, and called him by his first name. He also shared jokes and complimented the (humid) Manila weather. Let’s hope for the best for OurTwo Countries!

But… TRUMP GETS LOWEST JOB APPROVAL RATING AS NEW PRESIDENT IN ONE-YEAR TIME: One of several criticisms threwn by the Donald critics is the absence of his signing “any landmark legislation into law.” His Approval Ratings, are historically low; “ he remains significantly less popular than any of his recent predecessors one year after their election.” His critics said that “what also sets Trump apart from his predecessors is his lack of outreach outside of his base of voters.” Political scientist Jonathan Bernstein said: “He’s made virtually no effort at all to reach out to anyone but his strongest supporters, which would be risky even for presidents who were elected with strong majorities.” Three controversies are at hand for the President:

1) son Donald Trump Jr.’s correspondence with WikiLeaks in the 2016 general election,

2) the Justice Department decision to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton and

3) Roy Moore in Alabama. Me think that — if President Trump would find time to look up to the Heavens above, he will find Peace among the Stars even in a dark night.

Dr. A. GABRIEL ESTEBAN GETS A ROUSING APPLAUSE AS GUEST SPEAKER AT THE CITY CLUB OF CHICAGO held at the Maggiano’s Banquet Hall in downtown Chicago, last Nov. 7. As a Filipino, indeed, I am very proud to see one of OUR VERY OWN, Dr. Esteban delivered his lecture on the educational trend among young people influenced by Social Mobility. He is the first Filipino American president of DePaul University, the nation’s largest Catholic university. He oversees a $599 million budget and 22,769 student on two major Chicago campuses at DePaul, which employs more than 3,550 full- and part-time faculty and staff. Among his first initiatives was to launch a strategic planning process to drive the university’s activities to 2024.

A national leader in higher education, Dr. Esteban recently joined the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Since 2012, he has been a member of the Commission on Inclusion for the American Council of Education, and currently serves on the board of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education. He is a member of Chicago’s most influential organizations, including the Economic Club, Chicago Club, Commercial Club and University Club. Dr. Esteban has extensive experience in higher education and strategic planning. Prior to arrival at DePaul, he was president of Seton Hall University, a Catholic institution in South Orange, New Jersey. He holds a doctorate in business administration from the Graduate School of Management of the University of California and a Master’s in Japanese business studies from Chaminade University. Dr. Esteban earned his MBA and Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of the Philippines. His wife, Josephine, a very friendly Lady was with him. During the Q & A forum, instead of asking a question to Dr. Esteban, I wrote: “As a Filipino American, I am very proud of you as the first Filipino American president of DePaul University in Chicago.” With this info, the audience gave him another resounding round of applause, followed by “so do we.”. Dr. Esteban is a Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame Awardee in 2015. The HOF is a 24-year long project annual community endeavor of Via Times and CPRTV, owned and produced by Veronica Leighton.

Gov. Rauner declares Nov. 12-18, Nurse Practitioner Week in Illinois: More than 13,500 licensed NPs provide primary, acute, specialty care. Recognizing their many contributions to the health of residents throughout the state, Gov. Bruce Rauner has declared this Nurse Practitioner Week in Illinois, saying:

“Licensed nurse practitioners are trusted frontline providers of care for patients throughout Illinois, and their reputation for excellence is well-deserved,” Rauner said after making the Nov. 12-18 proclamation. “These professionals gain advanced clinical education and capably diagnose and treat patients of all ages, expanding and speeding access to reliable care. Their contribution to our healthcare system is profound. Five decades of research has shown the high quality of care that nurse practitioners provide. The state is proud to recognize and honor their service”, the governor concluded.”

Many of our rural communities already face the challenge of gaining and maintaining health care access,” State Senator Dale Fowler said. “This proclamation is just a small way to increase awareness, show our appreciation and applaud the hard work of all the nurse practitioners that go to work each and every day.”

“ U.S. News & World Report ranked NPs No. 2 on its 2017 list of “100 Best Jobs in America,” just behind dentist. With 44,700 projected new openings in the field nationally by 2024, and a present median salary of $98,190, nurse practitioners enjoy a low .7 percent unemployment rate. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, there are more than 234,000 licensed nurse practitioners in the United tates this year. Roughly 13,500 are employed in Illinois. I hope Gov. Rauner is aware that many years ago, Chicago’s hospital would close doors without the Filipino nurses!

Getting to know — better — The Hon. Karen Yarbrough, Cook County Recorder of Deeds. Firstly, let me share with you how I got to know this Lady. I was at WTTW Ch 11 attending a community gathering. During the refreshment hour, as usual, easily I had a pleasant conversation with an amiable African American Lady. We talked and later were seat together inside the studio auditorium. As we got ready to go home that dark evening, I told her I got to rush to find a cab since I was not driving. She offered to take me home. I was so very pleased. With the two gentlemen with her, before they dropped me home, I asked the “driver”: By the way, what does Karen do? “She is the Cook County Recorder of Deeds,” his nonchalant respond. “Oh, my God!” I said. “Never realized we still have a humble Public Servant these days.” So, then, my friendship with Recorder Karen blooms. Twice, I’ve invited her to be a guest speaker: at my late husband’s Memorial fundraiser and at the Philippine Independence Day cultural program at the Daley Center when Brenda Stevens was the Chair.

This coming election, Recorder Yarbrough is running as Cook County Clerk, vacated by David Orr. Unopposed. But who knows? As a brief intro for ths Lady — as Recorder of Deeds, Ms. Karen Yarbrough has established herself as a national leader in the growing movement to change the office of county recorder from a place where property fraud happens, to a place where property fraud is confronted. She s a strong advocate for our nation’s open land records system, which allows regular people to easily acquire and finance property. In many countries that lack such a system, home and property ownership is impossible, and Yarbrough recognizes the important role her office plays in making America great. While all the other countywide land offices in Cook are a part of the system to assess and collect property taxes, she is the only countywide advocate on behalf of property owners and home ownership.

In her first two years as Recorder, Yarbrough made fundamental changes to CCRD and the Office of County Recorder – adding advocacy to an office traditionally seen as a ministerial repository of documents. In addition to good stewardship of budgeted funds by doing more with less funding each year, she has made the Cook County Recorder’s Office a national model in the fight against property fraud. She advanced three laws through the legislature in 2013: Public Act 98-99 empowers county recorders to help property owners fight property fraud, and serves as model legislation for recorders across the country; Public Act 98-98 raises the penalty for knowingly filing false claims of interest or attempting to cloud a property title from a misdemeanor to a felony; and Public Act 98-29 requires Cook County notaries who validate transfers of property to maintain detailed records of each and forward them to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds office.

EDWIN PINEDA WINS the PIWC Executive Chairmanship, at a friendly election vs. Jane Cannon, last November 5, held at St. James Lutheran Church in Chicago. After various cancellations, the PIWC dedicated Team had a relief! In his brief Victory Speech, Edwin thanked everyone and promised to do his best when his Leadership will be put to work in the Philippine Independence Week Committee 2019. Of course, to achieve success, he appealed for everyone’s cooperation. As a long-time PIWC leaders, Edwin knows what he’s talking about. His hard work and professionalism was demonstrated as immediate past Treasurer and “right hand” of PIWC 2017 executive chair, Lourdes Livas. Edwin’s “transparent financial report” was applauded by officers and members of the PIWC. Congratulations, Edwin. Keep up an HONEST HANDLING of the COMMUNITY FUND. The new COMELEC chair is Art Dilay, in lieu of Romy Gumila, who resigned due to health issue. But he was present at the election and was happy for the result.

Happy Thanksgiving and advanced Merry Christmas to our Via Times Advertisers and Readers. God bless you and us. MALIGAYANG PASKO!#

When it comes to Christmas Lanterns or Parol creativity, no other countries can beat the Philippines, where Christmas celebration starts on December 15 “Simbang Gabi” (Midnight Mass) and ends on January 6, the Day of the Three Kings. Above our few of the brightest Christmas Stars created by Filipino artisans which can be ordered on the internet. MERRY CHRISTMAS and a VERY PEACEFUL and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!! As Filipinos speaking from our hearts we say: MALIGAYANG PASKO at MASAGANANG BAGONG TAON!

Bing.com/images: THE WORLD’s TWO GREAT LEADERS WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE FLAGS: AMERICA’s President Donald Trump and PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, faces their audience in a more serious plans to work together to attain World Peace among nations, during President Trump’s ASEAN VISIT to the Philippines last November 9, 2017.

Dr. Gabriel Esteban , first Filipino American president of the DePaul University in Chicago, received a round of applause on his highly-informative speech about the excellent academic programs of DePaul U, overseeing a $599 million budget; d 22,769 student on two major Chicago campuses, more than 3,550 full- and part-time faculty and staff. Photo by: W. Li <Tw@VideoParachute.com>

This columnist, Elsie Sy-Niebar (center) with Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban andhis wife, Mrs. Josephine Esteban.

The smooth Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) 2019 election held last Nov. 5 to elect its 2019 Executive chairman is shown on the happy faces of the two candidates and the PIWC COMELEC officers after the counting of the ballots. From left are Mercy Matousek; Neriza and her hubby, PIWC 2019 Chairman-elect EDWIN PINEDA; his opponent Jane and her very supportive husband, Dave Cannon; Dr. Manny Escalona, COMELEC and Faye Mendiola, incoming 2018 PIWC Board of Trustee President. (ESNphoto)

HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY to Dr. Ben Butuyan, shown above with his loving Family who prepared his birthday bash at Faith Community Presbyterian Church last Saturday, Nov. 4, in lieu of his Nov. 1, real birthday. With him in photo, at back are his three sons: Homer; Warren and wife, Lynette; Elly and Bradley. Son Brian and his wife, Debbie were not able to attend. Seated are the Celebrant Dr. Ben Butuyan and his wife, Emy Navarro Butuyan. Not in photo are the Butuyan’s grandkids: Joshua, Grace, Caleb, Noah, Sarah, and Leia. (ESNphoto)

This columnist (Elsie) presents her Tribute from the Heart, a personalized Happy Birthday Plaque to Dr. Ben Butuyan, which in part, says: “HAPPY and BLESSFULL 80th BIRTHDAY to DR. BEN BUTUYAN, a faithful Servant to the Lord whose unwavering faith is manifested in his services to his Brothers and Sisters-in-Him. A Brother who never says ‘No’ when needed… inspired by the strength from Above…”

Filipino American Nurses on their National Convention aboard the Caribbean Crusie Line, last year. Shown above are Geraldine Gaden, Social Committee Chair for Philippine Nurses Asso. of Illinois (PNAI); Betty Hermosa, former president, Philippine National Nurses Asso. of America; and another fellow nurse on their cruise. Geraldine was “Mrs. Philippines PIWC 2017”.

AMERICA CELEBRATES VETERANS’ DAY: Above picture of US Army Sgt. 1st Class RUDY MORENO URIAN, and his 3-year-old son Evan, shows the very touching moment of Love between the father and his son, long separated by the young Dad’s service to his country, the Great USA. Sgt. Urian, Jr. is the son of Normi and Rudy Urian, Sr., one of the original Political Empowerment Leader in the Asian American Community.