Notebook

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar

 

*President Obama, ‘snubbed’ and denied of ‘red carpet welcome’ in China; bad-mouthed by Philippine President Duterte?

*Chicago Tribune editorials: ‘Vulgarity is Duterte’s Calling Card. The US should get tough with Duterte’

*’We have a lot of ties between the United States and the Philippines, … there has to be a certain level of respect…on both sides”: Hilary Clinton, Democratic presidential candidate

*OCTOBER is Philippine Heritage Month in the USA; check out ongoing Fil-Am cultural/ historical programs

*FACGC unveils new bust of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal

*Please attend the informative lecture/ workshop in handling personal properties like home, etc., Sat., Oct. 8, presented by the Cook County Recorder of Deeds and the FACGC

*FILIPINOS worldwide rallied against Pres. Duterte’s mandate to bury the late Pres. Marcos at the National Heroes’ Cemetery

*Clinton and Trump’s battle to win the White House hangs on cliffhanger; Clinton’s health issue puts a dent on her campaign

* ‘Election 2016, most difficult in the annals of presidential US elections, commentary by Don Azarias

AMERICA’s President, his Excellency, PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, was not given the protocol of a “red carpet welcome” by the host of the G20 Summit when the U.S. Air Force One landed in China. According to newspaper reports, the president had no choice but to come down through the US Air Force One built-in staircase, like an ordinary guy.

On the other hand, other dignitaries like Micchel Temer, president of Brazil; Theresa May, British prime minister; Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, Vladimir Putin, Russian president, and other leaders, walked on the red carpet, a protocol for dignitaries served by the host country. Such snobbery, which tantamounts to insult and disrespect to President Obama led to an unfriendly exchange of words between the US officers (who were on the President’s official entourage) and the Chinese officials. The same unfriendly exchange of words affected the US reporters accompanying the President. A Chinese airport official was quoted shouting at the US Presidential Aide: “This is our country. This is our airport.”

OUCH!What a reception to the President of the United States of America, the only country in the world which says “give me your poor…”. The “Global Giant country” which buys ultra-huge amount of “made in China” products!

I admire the educated coolness and nada personal insecurity complex of President Obama. He kept his cool and treated the insults like one of those things, and “no big deal.” Except, perhaps, the hurt in his heart from the INSULTs given to his beloved country –America, “the Land of the Brave and the Home of the Free.” The most generous and compassionate country in the world. A country that stands up and fights for the freedom of other countries, at the expense of the lives of American soldiers who died on battleground to save lives of the oppressed.

Unlucky, indeed for our President Obama in that Summit because, he was also aware that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, had an axe to grind against him. Duterte told news reporters that, “I will call him (Obama) son of a whore if he starts talking about human rights,” re the murderous tactics that Duterte uses to solve the drug problem in the Philippines: order to shoot drug addicts and drug pushers, and/or Rehabilitation.

Thinking out loud, President Obama cancelled his (first time) meeting with Duterte. During the reception, news reports said that the two greeted each other cordially. Translation: “Hi” and “Goodbye”. Hats off, President Obama! You’re indeed, A Gentleman!

Here are some excerpts from the Chicago Tribune, Sept 8, 2016 “Editorials” which hits the nail right on its head:

“We shouldn’t be surprised by the coarseness spewing from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who insulted President Barack Obama by calling him “son of a whore.” Vulgarity is Duterte’s calling card. Miffed at the traffic jam that Pope Francis’ visit to Manila caused in 2015, he called the Pontiff exactly what he called Obama… And, at an election rally last spring, he joked about not getting a chance to rape an Australian woman, a missionary, who in 1989 had been taken hostage, raped and killed during a prison riot.

What’s more worrisome about Duterte is how he oversees a vicious campaign of extrajudicial killings …of Philippine drug dealers and addicts. Local estimates… of people killed…2,400 in two months. …telling a crowd in a Manila slum on the day of his inauguration: ‘If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself, as getting their parents to do it would be too painful.…

Obama was right to respond to Duterte’s intemperate babbling at an Asian Summit in Laos by canceling a bilateral meeting with the Philippine leader, who now says he regretted it.…

The NEW BUST of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal, who was executed by the Spaniards at the Luneta Park in 1898, “welcomes” patriotic Filipinos and a few non-Filipino friends — to the Filipino American Council of Chicago (FACC), a Legacy from the Early Filipino Elders or Manongs and Manangs, who worked hard to realize a Filipino Center they can call “Home” in Chicagoland.” (ESN photo)

Officers and FACC Knights of Rizal members listen to the “Dedication” read by Knight of Rizal officer, Willi Buhay, with Philippine Consul General Generoso Calonge on his left, who gave the message. Also in photo from left are KOR Emil Garcera, Carmen Estacio, Trustee and Decoration Chair; Bobby Luna and wife, Rowena Luna, Emcee, Dr. Rufino Crisostomo, FACC President, and other unidentified guests. (ESNphoto)

 

 

We think the answer is simple: The U.S. should get tough with Duterte. (Bold is mine.)

…Filipinos know how vital the U.S. is to keep China from a crucial swath of the Pacific. China has been creating artificial islands in the South China Sea to justify its claim to territorial waters there… Under Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, Manila bolstered an already strong military alliance with the U.S. as a counterpoint to China’s actions in the South China Sea, allowing Washington to build military facilities at five Philippine bases.(Bold is mine.)

…While Duterte’s gutter talk is meant almost exclusively for domestic consumption, his lack of regards for human right is something the West, and the U.S. in particular, shouldn’t and cannot ignore…” ***

This is a very realistic editorial by the Chicago Tribune which sensitizes what’s up, for the Philippines if President Duterte lives up to his One Man Rule. ***

More about Duterte’s abusive name-calling to our US officials: US Ambassador Philip Goldberg and US Secretary of State John Kerry were not spared from President Duterte’s “gutter” language. According to CNN, at one of Duterte’s speeches, he called US Ambassador Philip Goldberg “a gay son of a bitch” because, according to Duterte, ‘I was annoyed at him, for interfering in the elections, giving statements here and there. He wasn’t supposed to do that.’ According to CNN, Duterte’s remarks prompted the “US diplomats to raise the issue with their Filipino counterparts in Washington. “

On another setting, Duterte was reported recounting US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to the Philippines, not so long ago. Duterte, speaking in Tagalog, told his officers about his feud with US Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. Philip Goldberg.

Duterte was quoted as saying: “I was with (incoming defense chief General) Delfin Lorenzana.We talked to (US Secretary John) Kerry. He was actually OK because I had a fight with his Ambassador. I also called Kerry crazy. Kerry came here, we had a meal, and he left me and Delfin $33 million. I said, OK, maybe we should offend them more, so this crazy (Kerry) will just give more money, just to make peace.”

So, looks like to President Duterte, his “gutter language” like ‘son of a bitch’ or a “son of a whore” is nothing, only an expression copied fromAmerica? But even in America, folks utter these “offensive expressions” when they are insanely out of their minds… sometimes when on the verge to strangle someone!

In retrospect, I trust that President Rodrigo Duterte is historically- old enough to remember how MANY TIMES AMERICA SAVED THE PHILIPPINES from being a Colony of other countries, i.e. — from the 350 years of slavery from Spain; and from the fierce attempt of Japan to colonize the Island, 1942- 1946? Yes, the Philippines was a Colony to the United States of America for 50 years. However, unlike Spain which ruled the Islands with an iron hand, and left the Filipinos mostly uneducated, America gave the Philippines EDUCATION, thus historically making the Philippines as “the first Englishspeaking nation in Asia.” Without America’s intervention duringWorld War II, the Philippines could have been a slave to the Japanese government. Today, the Philippines is facing a threat from China concerning ownership of the Sprately Island.

 

PATRIOTIC QUESTION TO PRESIDENT DUTERTE:

Without the United Nations which you threaten to remove the Philippines out, and if America would not extend her helping hand to the Philippines on account of your verbal insults to the American officals, starting with the US President, are you sure, President Duterte, that the Philippines alone, under your RULE, will survive any invasions? Like invasion by China?

As a Filipino American, this columnist heartily says this prayer: GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES. Land that WE, FILIPINOS LOVE DEARLY WHEREVER WE ARE. And God bless President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte. ***

CLINTON and DONALD TRUMP’s RUN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE: As America is nearing the homestretch to elect the new President, many of us who are concerned about America’s future, take time to “monitor” the presidential drama on the news – starring former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton, and billionaire Donald Trump. Like every human being, these candidates have their human imperfections. Lately, Hilary’s “fainting out” during celebration of the 15th anniversary of the SEPTMEMBER 11 bombing by the terrorists of the World Tower, put a dent in her otherwise, “edge” over Trump. Some pro-Hilary supporters are becoming skeptical about Hilary’s health issue to be the next President of the United States of America! We’ve all heard the pros and cons issues about these two candidates. This columnist will give our VT readers a brief summary of those pros and cons on our October issue, last issue before the November 6 presidential election.

Here’s a truistic analysis from one of our political critics, Don Azarias, a retired bank executive and community leader…

 

The 2016 Presidential election is no ordinary election, by Don Azaras

“In the annals of the United States’ presidential election, no candidate from a third party had succeeded and no one who ran as an independent had made it to theWhite House. In an ordinary presidential election cycle, the subject of having a third party or an independent candidate is always a moot point that no one even pays attention to those ‘wannabes’ simply because the voters know that they have no chance of winning.

But the 2016 presidential election is no ordinary election. We have two candidates from both major parties who are both ‘flawed’ for lack of a better term. In other countries, voters, even though they are of different political colors and religious persuasions, would likely vote for a third party candidate or an independent candidate if they feel that those candidates backed by major political parties are deemed unqualified or untrustworthy to be elected president. In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is viewed as untrustworthy and dishonest by 67-percent of theAmerican electorates in the latest national poll. That is a very high adverse factor for a candidate running for the country’s highest public office. That unfavorability rating was up seven percent from polls taken a few months ago. Still, seasoned political observers and analysts believe that Clinton will be elected president.

On the Republican side, Donald Trump’s qualifications and fitness for the presidency have been viewed negatively by 64-percent of the American voters in a new national poll. That unfavorability rating was down 6 percent from several polls also taken a few months back.

Overall, the latest national poll taken by CNN/ORC shows a dead heat battle for the White House with Clinton at 46-percent and Trump at 45-percent. Third party candidates Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party’s Jill Stein stand at 7- percent and 2-percent respectively. Like what I’ve been saying all along, third party candidates just don’t have any chance of winning the presidency of the United States.

It is a stunning turnaround for Trump whose poll numbers continue to surge after his Immigration Speech on August 31st. Back to the subject of a third party candidate should a scenario present itself– I would say that the only Republican candidate who has a good chance of defeating Hillary Clinton is former Florida governor Jeb Bush. He is academically smart and a magna cum laude graduate from the University of Texas. He is married to Columba Bush, ofMexican descent, held in the highest esteem by the vast majority of the Latin-American voters.

Hillary Clinton is supposed to be incarcerated for illegally using a private email server containing top secret and classified documents that were allegedly hacked by Russian and Chinese spies which she still continue to deny. She should have been disqualified for saying that the Clinton Foundation has no foreign donors or heads of states making donations, when she was Secretary of State– found to be untrue.

Why is Hillary Clinton not in jail for compromising the national security of the United States and covering up the illegal acts that have taken place in the Clinton Foundation? Are the Clintons above the law? And with the liberal mainstream media’s support, I won’t be surprised if she wins the presidency. After all, it is the same liberal and biased media that help catapult Barack Obama to the White House.

As a Republican, I will be glad to see Trump victorious come November 8. But I am predicting that Clinton will win the contest. And…I am ready to eat crow should Trump become the 45th U.S. president.

And one important thing that people seem to forget: unlike other countries, the United States is a ‘melting pot’ where African- Americans, Latinos and other members of the minority who have their own agenda, tend to vote Democrat. With their sheer number and solid voting record, they can dictate the outcomes of U.S. elections. It is for this reason that Hillary Clinton will capture the White House this coming election. It is sad because it runs contrary to the true concept of Democracy that the Founding Fathers had Envisioned.”

Jerry Clarito, rally Coordinator, explained to Philippine Consul Gen. Generoso Calonge, the objective of their rally which is simultaneously happening worldwide among Filipinos. Also in photo are Deputy ConGen Romulo V. Israel, Jr. and new Consul Erica Abad (ESNphoto)

Among those FIL-AMs who rallied last Sept 7 in front of the Philippine Consulate in Chicago, against Philippine President Duterte’s order to bury the late president Ferdinand Marcos at the Heroes’ Grave, above are Sally Richmond, Ven Capili, Sol Anderson and Jess Bernales. (ESNphoto)

 

Property and Assets Protection and Fraud Prevention Initiative Workshop:

If you own a house or have some assets you’ve saved for “the rainy days” and “retirement” and “when the inevitable comes,” this workshop will teach you how and save big money for lawyer’s fee. Date: Saturday, October 8, from 10 am – 12 noon, at the Dr. Jose Rizal Center, 1332 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL, corner of Irving Park Road and Clark Streets. Light breakfast will be served before the workshop.

This forum/workshop is co-sponsored by the office of Cook Country Recorder of Deeds, the Hon. Karen Yarbrough, who will be the main speaker, and the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago (FACGC). The workshop is an opportunity to learn about lowcost alternatives to transfer their homes, cars and checking/savings accounts; Property Fraud Prevention to help homeowners avoid property and recording fraud, helping assure their home is never stolen.

For more information and reservation to attend the Workshop/Forum, please call or email any of the following: Elsie Sy- Niebar, Volunteer Lead Coordinator; 773) 610-1287, elsyniebar@msn.com ; Jerry Clarito, Trustee; 224) 619-6677Thelma Bascos, FACGC VP, 312) 208-3122; Bobby Luna, FACGC Trustee, 773) 524-9798; Carmen Estacio, Trustee, 773) 661-2021; Sally Richmond, Volunteer, 773-541-1725.

 

ACTIVISM ALIVE.

Filipinos in Chicago and worldwide, call on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to honor ‘true heroes worthy of emulation’ by not giving Ferdinand Marcos a hero’s burial. A group of Filipinos in Chicago staged a protest/rally in front of the Philippine Consulate General, at 122 South Michigan Avenue, last September 7, to oppose President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to bury dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (National Heroes Cemetery).

They marched and sang and read historical and horrible data—murders/imprisonment of thousands, corruption, etc., during the dictatorial regime of the late President Marcos – when Great Men were assassinated or shot dead by the military, including the late Sen. Benigno Aquino, number one Nemesis of Marcos. It was a peaceful rally.

The amiable Philippine Consul General Generoso Calonge first agreed to meet the leaders and the media at his 16th floor office, but the building guards on 122 South MichiganAvenue did not allow them.

A fierce-looking Big Woman Guard told me right on my face: “If you proceed to that area (pointing at the inside entrance of the building) you will go to jail,” she barked at me. “I am the Press and the Consul General had sent an emissary saying he will meet with us at the Philippine Consulate office on the 16th floor,” I responded, smiling. “It doesn’t matter who you are. You will go to jail if you disobey me,” she responded like a robot.

Hmm… I kept smiling, telling myself: What a “martial law drama” under a Democratic American government! Knowing that the demo led by Jerry Clarito, a respectable Community Advocate who supports the Consular programs, the smiling Consul General Generoso met us outside of the building and listened to Jerry who handed him a copy of the signed petition against a heroes’ burial for Marcos. Consul General Generoso Calonge told them he would forward their demands to the Office of the President of the Philippines. “All the views that are being ventilated right now worldwide will reach Manila,” Calonge promised the group.

“Considering what the late President Marcos had done during his two decades of Martial Law dictatorial governmet, burying him in the Libingan ng Mga Bayani is a disgrace to the true Filipino heroes who were buried there,” Jerry Clarito told ConGen Calonge. “It will contradict to the honorable objective to honor Filipino heroism who served the Filipino people giving by sacrificing their lives and not by taking their lives. It will be a disgrace to the history of the people who fought against dictatorship under Marcos’ oppressive system,” Jerry concluded.

 

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL HERITAGE MONTH COMMUNITY CULTURAL PROGRAMS

for Kids and Adults, at the Rizal Center, 1332 W. Irving Park, Chicago: Sept 25, Sunday, 8:30 am- 2pm, Health services and Food distribution/ Sept. 27, Tues., 10 am-2 pm, Super Seniors Day & Mini-Health Fair; Mobile service fair sponsored by the Illinois Secretary of State office, issuance of State ID, Drivers license, etc. Oct 1 , 2-4 pm, Marian Devotion; Oct 1, 10 am-3 pm, Sining Mulat, for Kids drawing and water color painting for kids, 6-2 yrs old, call Artist Willi Buhay at 312) 692-9068/Oct. 8, 10am-12 noon, Cook County Recorder of Deeds workshop to protect homeowners, working adults and retirees personal assets, etc., light snacks will be served/Saturdays, 10am-3pm, Bingo Fun Days/Saturdays, 6 pm-12 midnight, Joy Dance Club, Donation $7 with dinner And dancing! Call Malou Tabo at 773) 816-8439. ***

Happy Philippine National Heritage Month in America to Everyone! May Understanding of Who We Are prevail among us. Understanding has no Color.