SBLC 10th Anniversary

The Seattle Bituin Lions Club (SBLC) held a dinner and dance to celebrate the club’s 10th Anniversary. The celebration provided a unique opportunity for Lions in the district to gather in fellowship and discuss the exception accomplishments and goals of the Seattle club. In his welcome address, SLBC president Celso Tolman mentioned the club’s projects and accomplishments last year. He also announced that the club has been granted by the IRS with a 501(C) 3 status during his incumbency as President. He hopes that such status would enhance the club’s fund raising activities since all donations are tax deductible to the extent as allowed by law.
Evening’s guest speaker was the Past District Governor (PDG) Peter Gomes. With Gomes, incumbent District Governor (DG) Nathalie Fuentes inducted the evening’s new members. I was one of them.
The evening’s entertainment was provided by Teresa Oh and Coring Zapata with their lovely hula dance. Philip Augustin serenaded the guests with love songs. I did a special Tango number with Bert and Siony Caoili, Mar and Luz Murillo, Rino and Grace Rabang. My dance partner was Armida Gabuat. I was the last minute substitution as Armida’s partner. It was a choreographed danced number that requires practice. What do you expect to happen when you have an hour practice --- two days before the event? And on the final rehearsal a few hours before the party, my partner did not show up. She came a few minutes before the party because she had to work. As expected, I made an error although almost at the end part. Rather than making the error unnoticed, my partner made sure the audience was aware of my mistake. Ayos lang, kabayan. Kung minsan, medyo kulang tayo sa professionalism. By the way, I accepted the request to be Armida’s partner as a gesture of “lionism.” It won’t happen again, I assure you.

Pastor Jim Celebrates 60th Birthday

Dr. James McElroy, Pastor Jim to the Christian community, comes from a missionary background. He lived in the Philippines with his parents for 20 years. After college, he served in a couple of churches in the United States in the field of education, music, and youth. In 1980, he left for the Philippines with his wife, Karla, and children Charise and Jared. After five years of missionary work in the Philippines, the family returned to Dallas to serve with a Bible translation agency (Pioneer Bible Translators). In 1993, Jim moved to Seattle with his family to serve with Puget Sound Christian College as chair of the Missions Department and Degree program. Pastor Jim has a bachelor’s degree in theology, a master’s degree in linguistics, and a doctoral degree in cultural anthropology.

Currently, Jim McElroy is the Pastor of the Filipino-American Christian Church (FACC) in Shoreline, Washington. The FACC congregation gave Pastor Jim a surprise party to celebrate his 60^th birthday anniversary. Sixty guests were asked to describe Pastor Jim in one word. They describe him with different words like kind, understanding, etc. I would describe him “kalog,” a description which means you can easily relate to him.

Eleuterio Delasan: A Celebration of Life

A loving husband, a father, grandfather, and a friend to many Filipinos, Eleuterio Delasan, Mang Terry to his friends and “suki,” passed away on April 20, 2008. Marami ang nakipaglamay at nakipaglibing sa yumaong Mang Terry na nagpapatunay lamang na si Mang Terry ay napakaraming kaibigan na nagmamahal sa kanya.

Mang Terry was born in Cotobato. In 1969, he married Lerie Guilorez and they made their home in Everett. He attended the University of Washington and graduated with a master’s degree in Business Administration. He began his career as a CPA and later owned and operated the Everett Oriental Grocery store for 21 years.

Mang Terry is survived by his wife, Lerie, his daughter, Stephanie, and son-in-law, Paul Snider, as well as his four grandchildren, Saverio, Sean, Ysabella and Giovanni.

SENATOR INOUYE and SENATOR AKAKA MOVE VETERANS

Press release from: www.nationalfilvets.org

BIPARTISAN SENATE VOTE IN SUPPORT OF DECIDING TODAY ISSUE
TO RESTORE WWII WAR-TIME BENEFITS TO FILIPINO VETERAN

WASHINGTON -- In a unanimous vote (94-0), the Senate voted to invoke closure on a motion to proceed with floor debate for S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act. The bill, since 2pm yesterday, moved forward for a Senate floor debate. A decision is expected to be reached before close of business today, April 23.

This vote marks the FIRST time that the full Senate will be taking a vote on due legislation since Congress took away war-time benefits and pension compensation for Filipinos who fought for theUnited States in World War II. S. 1315 includes, among its provisions, the FilipinoVeterans Equity Act, which has been introduced in Congress every session for over a decade. This bill will restore U.S. veteran status for Filipino WWII veterans who have been denied recognition of their service to the U.S. military for 62 years.

“I believe that too many Americans are not aware of, or have forgotten the sacrifices of our Filipino friends," said Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI). "Let us not turn our backs on those who sacrificed so much. Let us instead work to repay all of these brave men for their sacrifices by providing them the veterans’ benefits they deserve. It is the right thing for our nation to do in honor of those who have bravely served in its defense."

In World War II, the estimated total of forces in defense of the Bataan Peninsula was 80,000 and comprised of troops from the U.S. Army, Philippine Scouts, and the Philippine Commonwealth Army. In the spring of 1942, the Japanese 14th Army overran the Bataan Peninsula and after a heroic but futile defense, more than 75,000 American and Filipino troops were captured. Of the 75,000, there were 15,000 Americans; the remaining 60,000 were all Filipinos.

“As anyone who has put on the uniform knows, you don’t leave your fellow soldier behind,” said Ben de Guzman, National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE) national campaign coordinator. "All we’re asking is that the Senate does the same. This comprehensive veterans’ legislation contains a range of provisions that will also improve the lives of ALL veterans."

NAFVE also calls for rapid action in the House on the Filipino Veterans Equity Act (HR. 760) under the leadership of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Mike Honda (D-CA), and Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA).

NAVFE represents over 20 local, national and international organizations committed to securing full equity for Filipino World War II Veterans. More information about NAFVE and the Filipino Veterans Equity Act is available on the NAFVE Web site:
www.nafve.org .

San Miguel Beer Answer

Here's my reply :

Thanks for your email, Mark. Sorry for the late reply. I have to ask around to confirm the response that I wanted to give you.

To answer your questions, the main reason why we do not have the products you mentioned in your email is because we do not have the Filipinos in Seattle who are willing to venture in this business. Probably because kalat-kalat ang Pinoy sa Washington. Sa California, it is like a Pinoy country. Malapit ng ma-disfranchise ang mga puti sa California. Pugad na ng Pinoy, Mexicano, and Armenian ang California.

Not only the products you mentioned that are missing in Seattle but also good restaurants. In California, dikit-dikit ang restaurants. You don't have to cook. In West Covina, for example, ang daming restaurants and Filipino stores. There is Max Restaurant, Jolibee, Goldilock, Chowking, Red Ribbon, etc. They even have Luisa & Sons, a very popular restaurant in Avenida Rizal during my time.

Re San Miguel Light, the Filipino stores here in Seattle could easily import this beer. Baka mahal ang mag-import. Dahil konti ang Pilipino here (yung mga manginginom), probably it is not worth tying up their capital to a slow moving product. At least Ranch 99 (in Edmonds and in Renton) should be able to carry this product in their store. Next time I am in Ranch 99 , I will ask why they do not have San Mig Light.

BTW Jolibee in California could be franchised. Again you need a capitalist.

I hope I answered your questions. Please continue to read One Philippines.

San Miguel Beer Question

April 17, 2008 11:57 PM

Magandang araw sa inyo Dr. Protacio...

Nais ko lang magtanong sa inyo, kung bakit maraming produkto sa Pilipinas na hindi makita dito sa Washington State... Nagpunta ako sa California last month... At marami akong nakitang mga produktong Pilipino... Mayroon silang Jollibee, Red Ribbon at Chowking... Mayroon bang balak ang Kumpanya ng Jollibee na maglagay ng Store nila dito sa Seattle... Kahit isa o dalawa man lang... Nagulat nga ako nung pabalik ako sa Seattle sakay ng eroplano... Bitbit ko yung Hamburger ng Jollibee, at nangangamoy sa loob ng eroplano yung sarap ng Hamburger... May isang Puting Babae ang nagtanong sa akin, kung Jollibee raw yung dala ko... Sabi ko, Yes Mam... Nagulat ako sa sinabi nung babae sa akin... Amerikana yun Sir, pero alam na alam yung produkto ng Pilipino...

Lalo na itong San Miguel Light Beer...

Sikat na sikat ito sa atin... Pero isa man sa Filipino store dito sa Seattle, walang nagbebenta... Naturingan pa namang Filipino Store, kulang kulang... Kung ano yung dapat na mga mabenta at kilala sa Pinas dapat mayroon din dito... Alam nyo naman siguro na sikat yang San Mig Light sa Pinas...
Pansin nyo naman yan sa dalas ng uwi nyo sa atin pag napupunta kayo sa mga Berdey o Selebrasyon... Alam nyo naman ang mga Pinoy, malakas sa inuman... Kaya sigurado ako, madami rin ang naghahanap ng Beer na yan... Iniisip ko nga kung bakit sa California mayroon, bakit dito sa Seattle WA wala... Marami na rin namang Pilipino dito sa atin di ba... Maraming Salamat sa pagbasa nyo sa aking liham... Lubos na gumagalang...

Mark Lawrence

The Debutante’s Ball

From the French word “female beginner,” debutante is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who has reached the age of maturity. As a new adult, the debutante is introduced to society at a formal presentation known as her “debut” or “coming out” party. Originally, it meant the young woman was eligible for marriage, and part of the purpose of the party was to display her to eligible bachelors and their families with a view to marriage within the select upper class circle. This event is traditionally referred to as the Debutante’s Ball. In the Philippines, a debutante’s ball is very popular and widely celebrated when young Filipina turns 18.

Following the Philippine tradition of celebrating her 18^th birthday last April 6, 2008, Carmila May Lucas, daughter of Ramon and Mary Jean Lucas, was introduced to society in a grand Debutante’s ball. Together with Carmila’s elegantly-dressed court and with the music “So She Dances by Josh Groban, she danced the Cotillion with her evening’s escort, Carter G. Hershey. The Cotillion was choreographed by Stephanie Senon and Andrew Oledan.

The Cotillion was followed by the 18 Roses ceremony where Carmila shares a memorable dance with 18 men, each one offering freshly-cut beautiful roses. Finally, the traditional ceremony was concluded by the 18 Candles presentation. The 18 candles were lighted to resemble the 18 lights that will serve as guidance to the debutante as she makes her transition to the status of a full grown woman. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Carmila shares her thoughts of probably one of the most memorable times of her life.

Roxanne Somintac, daughter of Diego and Ester Somintac, is another birthday celebrant. Like other debutante, Roxanne celebrated her 18^th birthday in style. More than 200 guests attended her debut.

Roxanne was born in the United States but her roots are from the Philippines. Her parents, Diego and Ester, come from Tarlac, Tarlac. Michael is her only brother.

Roxanne studies at the Franklin highschool in Seattle, Washington. She plans to take up nursing after she graduates high school. When I asked why she would like to be a nurse, she said, “My mom used to work as a nurse in a hospice. I have cousins and aunts who are all in the nursing profession.”

As part of the tradition, the highlight of Roxanne’s party was the 18 Roses Dance where Roxanne shares a memorable dance with 18 men with each one offering a freshly-cut beautiful rose. The father was the last one to dance, often called “The Father and Daughter Dance.” The male participants normally include relatives, friends, godfathers, neighbors, and acquaintances.

Incidentally, I was invited at Roxanne’s party by the family’s hair stylist, Danny de Vega. Danny is well known to the Filipino community. He does hairstyling to a lot of Filipino customers. Danny came to the party with his friend, Justin Llaga, a make-up artist.

The Fall of Bataan

My growing years in the Philippines were filled with beautiful memories. During those years, I remember playing patintero, tumbang preso, luksong tinik, taguan, pitik bulag, piko, at jackstone. Nung highschool na ako, naaalala ko pa ang mga paborito kong mga artista gaya ni Carmen Rosales, Tita Duran, Anita Linda, Lilia Dizon, Paraluman, Gloria Romero, Chichay, Aruray, Zeny Zabala, Bella Flores, Etang Dicher, Rosa Mia, Rita Gomez, Pancho Magalona, Leopoldo Salcedo, Luis Gonzales, at Ric Rodrigo. I enjoyed watching the movies like Madam X, Dalagang Ilocana, Cofradia, Bathaluman, at Tugtuging Bukid. Paglabas ko ng sinehan sa Pasay, amoy kubeta ako sa baho ng sigarilyo, pero enjoy naman sa panonood ng sine. Nung magtatapos na ako ng highschool, ang istambayan namin nuon ay Luisa & Sons at mga karnabal. Ang mga sikat na sinehan nuon ay Avenue Theater, Lyric, Opera House, Clover Theater, Gotesco, Odeon, at Galaxy Theater. Ang Ate Meding at Ditse Letty ko ay sosyal. Pag nagpunta sila sa night club naka-strapless, long gown ang suot nila. Ang sikat na club nung kapanahunan ng Ate at Ditse ko ay Sky Room ng Jai Alai. Sikat na sikat nuon ang banda ni Carding Cruz at Babat. Those were the days.

Unfortunately, I have no recollection of the Fall of Bataan because I was only 6 months old when this happened. Nevertheless, I could very well remember the vivid description of the historic events as told to me by my grandfather. At sundown, I remember my “lolo” gathering all the kids and would tell us stories about World War II.

I remember the Bataan death march characterized by wide-ranging physical abuse, murder, savagery, and resulted in very high fatalities inflicted upon the prisoners and civilians along the route by the armed forces of the Empire of Japan. I remember the stories about the prisoners that were attacked for assisting someone falling due to weakness or for no apparent reason whatsoever. Strings of Japanese trucks were known to drive over anyone who fell.

History tells us that at dawn of April 9, 1942, Major General Edward P. King, Jr. commanding Luzon Force, Bataan, surrendered more than 75,000 starving and disease-ridden men. The majority of the prisoners of war were immediately robbed of their keepsakes and belongings and subsequently forced to endure a 90-mile enforced march in deep dust, over vehicle-broken macadam roads, and crammed into rail cars to captivity at Camp O’Donnell. Thousands died en route from disease, starvation, dehydration, heat prostration, untreated wounds, and wanton execution.

Bataan Day Celebrations

Every year on April 9, the captured soldiers are honored on Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), also known as the “Bataan Day,” which is a national holiday in the Philippines. This year, our veterans and leaders marked the 66^th anniversary of the Bataan Day of Valor in Washington D.C. They held a wreath-laying sunset ceremony at the National WWII Memorial on 17^th Street and Independence Avenue. Two Battle of Bataan Defenders, Pat Genio and Jesse Baltazar, both 87 years old now, led their comrades in commemorating this historical event.

Earlier in the week, there was a showing of an inspiring video documentary by Margaret Lacson-Ecarma, “In Servitude with Honor and Dignity.” This video documentary depicts the historic and inspiring military service of active duty Filipino men and women in the armed forces of the United States. Beginning in 1898, “In Servitude With Honor and Dignity” shows the wave and migration of Filipino joining the various American military services. The U.S. Navy is documented to be the largest military organization of service members from the Philippines and Americans of Filipino heritage.

Bataan-Corregidor Survivors’ Association (BCSA)

I attended recently the BCSA banquet and ball to commemorate the 66^th year of the Fall of Bataan and Corregidor and the death March. As usual, the event was a fitting tribute to the Bataan and Corregidor survivors.

Honored guest was Philippine Consul General in San Francisco, California, Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. The Consul General himself was a military man. He graduated from the Philippine Military Academy, class 1971. Paynor was introduced by Colonel (AFP Ret) Manuel H. Divina, overall chair, auditor, and board member of BCSA. Paynor’s message to the guests was an appeal to the more fortunate Filipinos in the United States to come and visit the Philippines. He encourages the members of the Filipino community to extend any help they could give to our kababayans.