Daily Dose and Announcements: 02/27/09
February 27, 2009
» Filipino-American Vets May Get Lump Sum Payment
» Strait Talk at UC Berkeley
» APIAHF CEO Dr. Ho Luong Tran Honored as Trailblazer
» KSW’s Art Auction and Housewarming Party
» AADP’s 2nd Comedy Show Fundraiser Laugh for Lives
» Second Bird Flu Death in Vietnam
Compiled By Lian Qiu
Daily Dose & Announcements: 02/26/09
February 27, 2009
» Asian Americans and Poverty
» Adult and Community Education-Citizenship Classes
» Thriving in Challenging Times: International Feng Shui Master Joey Yap Shows You How
» Read Book with Lora Jo Foo
» Tiger Attacks Trigger Expert Plea
Compiled by Lian Qiu
Vets Benefits Not a “Pittance”
February 26, 2009
Even before the details of the $198 million lump sum payment to Filipino WWII veterans could be worked out and disseminated, there were already Filipino critics quick to denigrate the amount as a mere “pittance.”
In a radio interview on DZBB in Manila, Philippine Senator Joker Arroyo described the compensation granted to the Filipino veterans as “a pittance” and “too little too late” adding that “we waited for 63 years and this is the only compensation given to our veterans.”
Philippine Assistant Secretary for Veterans Affairs Jerry Adevoso asserted “the payment cannot be considered as part of the equity package of compensation long sought by our World War II veterans. In truth, equity has not been satisfied or addressed by the U.S. Congress. Therefore, the Rescission Act of 1946 is still very much in place. The symbolic tearing of the law is just that - a symbol of what we want, but have not yet obtained in full.”
In other cultures, success usually has a thousand fathers and while failure is always an orphan. But not so in the Filipino culture which seemingly thrives on glorifying failure. A prime example of this is the national music of the country, Kundiman, which speaks to this Filipino angst, this deep-seated spiritual condition of insecurity and despair that is embedded in the Filipino subconscious. The lyrics of the songs of the “Kundiman,” a contraction of the words “kung hindi man” (if it is not to be), speak of an unrequited love that is spurned but still remains devoted to the object of its affection.
What is so difficult about accepting as a victory for the Filipino veterans the inclusion of Section 1002 in the stimulus bill signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009? It contains a provision that declares that service by the Filipinos in the United States Army Forces of the Far East (USAFFE), as all Philippine conscripted soldiers were organized under, is “service in the Armed Forces” of the United States - rescinding the express wording of the Rescission Act of 1946 which stated that it was “not” service in the U.S. military for the purpose of benefits.
In the last 20 years, primarily as a result of the lobbying work of the American Coalition for the Filipino Veterans (ACFV), Filipino veterans have been incrementally awarded many of the veterans benefits that the Rescission Act had denied them.
While the amount of $15,000 lump sum benefits to U.S. citizen veterans and $9,000 to Philippine citizen veterans is far short of the benefits the veterans would have received if the Rescission Act had not been passed, it should be viewed in perspective.
The historical context is that the Philippines was a colony (”commonwealth”) of the US when US President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a military order conscripting the Philippine soldiers of the commonwealth army to the U.S. Army. The military benefits they were to be entitled to were awarded after they had already involuntarily signed up, and were not offered as an enticement for them to enlist.
These promised benefits were then revoked by the U.S. government in 1946 while the Philippines was still a colony of the U.S. and where the Filipino people, as subject colonials devastated by WWII, had no say in what the colonial masters would decide to do with their colony and colonial subjects.
In contrast, let us consider what happened to Japanese Americans during WWII. Shortly after President Roosevelt signed the Executive Order conscripting 460,000 Philippine soldiers to the U.S. Army, he signed an Executive Order 9066) authorizing the internment of 110,000 Japanese Americans in concentration camps throughout the U.S. They were U.S. citizens, not colonial subjects, and yet they were forcibly taken from their homes and removed from their jobs - sentenced to indefinite incarceration without ever being charged with any crime.
It was not until 1988 when President Ronald Reagan signed legislation which apologized for the internment on behalf of the U.S. government. The legislation stated that the internment of Japanese Americans was based on “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership” and awarded each interned Japanese American a lump sum of $20,000 and a letter of apology from the U.S. president.
The Japanese American leadership did not claim that the $20,000 was a mere “pittance” even though each of them lost millions of dollars in property and wages.
The Filipino soldiers were at least defending their homeland from vicious military invaders and not colonial mercenaries dispatched to defend Burma from Japanese attack.
The irony that should not be lost is that the fiercest most devoted supporters of Filipino veterans equity in the US Congress were Japanese Americans who spent three years of their lives in U.S. internment camps. Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Mike Honda (D-California) all experienced the hardship and desolation of living in U.S. concentration camps.
Their experience with injustice was so seared into their consciousness that it likely inspired them to fight tooth and nail to make sure that the aging Filipino WW II veterans would receive the justice that was denied them in 1946.
Yes, the lump sum payments are not nearly enough, they never are, but politics is always the art of the possible. In a time of deep recession, when millions of Americans are losing their jobs, their health care benefits and their homes in record numbers, the U.S. government still found $198 million to give to the Filipino WWII veterans despite the stinging criticism of Republican senators that the awarding of the benefits to the Philippine-based vets would not stimulate the US economy.
Let’s accept the fact that the rescission of the Rescission Act on February 17, 2009 was a victory for us. I know it’s against our nature to accept victory. (For example, this week, there are no celebrations to mark the 23rd anniversary of the People Power victory over the Marcos Dictatorship).
To those “all or nothing” advocates like Adevoso and the young activists in the U.S. still fighting for “full equity,” let us remember that those Filipino WWII veterans who were 21 in 1941 when the war began are now about 89 years old and dying at an exponential rate. As Adolfo Paglinawan asked, “Aanhin mo pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo?” (What will you do with the grass when the horse is dead?).
(Send comments to Rodel50@aol.com or mail them to the Law Offices of Rodel Rodis at 2429 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127. For past columns, log on to Rodel50.blogspot.com).
Social Notes: Parties Kick off Lunar New Year
February 26, 2009
Covering all grounds in the start of the Lunar New Year of the Ox, the Bubba Gong family of Palo Alto threw an all-out bash that celebrated: first - the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama, who was elected against all odds with the theme of hope and change, “Yes We Can,” second – the joyous union of two very talented and accomplished persons, Bubba Gong and John Celona, third – the momentous birthday of a very strong and idealized woman, Megan Gong Jenson, who became a widow very early on in her marriage and who raised three successful children as a single mother, fourth – the beautifully remodeled home and fabulous buffet party given by sister Sherrie and her husband Mark Taguchi, and fifth –the family reunion of the Gongs who are originally southerners all travelling to California to celebrate the New Year of the Ox. What a loving family and wonderful time with friends!
On the global scene, the Hong Kong Trade and Development Office, San Francisco, led by San Francisco Director Doris Cheung and international officers including Donald Tsang at the Asian Art Museum on Feb. 9 hosted a Grand Reception. As the international gateway to Asia, Hong Kong is still reveling in its success at the 2008 Olympics and Paralympic Equestrian Events. Hong Kong is considered the tops in having a clean and efficient government, level playing field in business, free flow of information and capital, low and simple tax regime, innovative and skilled workforce, world-class infrastructure, and the freest economy in the world.
Fabulous parties just keep on going with the new generation. Baby Jaydan Thomas Kwong was heartily welcomed at a gala coming-out party held at the Empress of China Restaurant on Feb. 15. How could anything be less than perfect when his grandmother, Bonnie Kwong, who chairs major fundraisers for the University of Pacific Dental Foundation waves her magic wand in overseeing a grand party for her first grandson!
Fun and dancing were also enjoyed by several hundreds of friends attending the debut party for baby Sophia Evangeline Lum also held at the Empress of China Restaurant, recently. Baby Sophia’s Grandmother is the accomplished singer, dancer and community fundraiser Evangeline Lum.
A competent and courageous San Francisco police chief, Heather Fong has demonstrated her commitment to the City and its people for five full years. A retirement luncheon to honor the first Asian American female Police Chief of San Francisco will take place on March 6, at the New Asia Restaurant, and is sponsored by the Chinatown Community Development Center. Tickets are $30 for individuals and $1,500 for a gold tables for 10 people. Send checks to CCDC, 1525 Grand Ave; San Francisco, CA 94133-3323.
Daily Dose & Announcements: 02/25/09
February 25, 2009
» Obama Nominates Locke for Commerce Chief
» Vietnamese-American Scientist Wins Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship
» Pilgrim Software Named a Top 500 Asian-American Owned Business for 2009
» Small Press Spotlight on Rina Ayuyang
» China Condemns Christie’s Auction
Compiled by Lian Qiu
Reinstate JROTC
February 25, 2009
As a co-chair of Choice for Students/JROTC, I was involved for the passage of Proposition V this past November. Additional development has taken place at the California Department of Education regarding the issue of physical education credits for the JROTC program that has clarified the local school board’s authority to grant such credits. Some of you may remember the school board voted to take away PE credits from JROTC fearing the granting of such credits would be in violation of state law under the education code. The California Department of Education has opined and issued a written clarification stating local school board does have authority to grant PE credits to programs such as JROTC and Marching Bands.
JROTC is sponsored and partially paid for by the Department of Defense. Fifty percent of the instructors’ salaries and the cost of 100% of all program related materials are paid by the Department of Defense. When the program was granted PE credits toward graduation, the program had enrolled over 1,600 students. Our district is facing an unprecedented financial shortage this coming school year. Reinstating JROTC will give our district some welcomed financial relief. The San Diego School Board recently voted to grant PE credits to its JROTC participants citing its acknowledgement of California Department of Education’s clarification.
Now that San Franciscans have spoken and Prop. V has won. What kind of message are we sending to the students who are learning the values of democracy if the school board does not act? Proposition V was approved by a large majority of San Franciscans and we are governed by the ideal that government entities must follow the will of the people. If the school board does not reinstate JROTC, it illustrates their lack of acceptance for the principles of our constitution, and exemplifies a lack of respect for the will of the people.
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma recently introduced legislation at the state level to grant PE credits to JROTC participants and to compel the San Francisco Unified School District School Board to reinstate JROTC. Her legislation simply put forth what the San Francisco School Board has failed to do thus far, which is to obey the wishes of the people.
When the State of Alabama refused to allow “Negroes” to attend an all white school, it took the actions of the Federal government to forced Alabama to accept integration. When a City School Board refuses to implement the will of its voters, it is perfectly appropriate for the State to compel such school board to act in accordance with the will of the people. I simply don’t understand why the school board has not taken any actions to resolve this issue. Regardless of how we feel about JROTC personally, it is a voluntary program. What gives us the right to deny others the chance to participate in a program of their choosing?
The SFUSD School Board needs to reinstate JROTC immediately. San Franciscans have stated the abolishment of JROTC was a mistake and needs to be rectified. Addressing this issue locally without being compelled by the State is the reasonable course that our school board must take.
- Nelson Lum is Co-Chair of Choice for Students/JROTC.
AsianWeek.com WonderCon 2009 Exclusive
February 25, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Last year over 29,000 comic fans filled San Francisco’s Moscone Center South for the annual WonderCon comic convention, and this year, organizers are anticipating an even larger crowd due to the premiere of Alan Moore’s Watchmen. To celebrate this weekend’s WonderCon, Grapple Entertainment and eigoMANGA will be hosting a Greet and Meet, featuring a special tasting from Haamonii Smooth at Horizon Ultra Lounge on Feb. 28.
AsianWeek.com sits down with Grapple Entertainment President and CEO, Ludon Lee, and Director of Business Development, Lisa Lee –AsianWeek’s former Yin Yang celebrity entertainment columnist, to discuss the company, comprised of members from the local Asian and Pacific Islander community and comic industry.
Read more
Daily Dose and Announcements: 02/24/09
February 24, 2009
» AJPH Call for Papers on Health
» First 5 California Launches Asian Parenting Resource
» Asian American Film Festival Call for Volunteers
» Obama to Name Locke for Commerce
» Arrests in India After Hepatitis B Kills 32
Compiled by Lian Qiu
Read more
Amazing Grace
February 24, 2009
Korean-Canadian beauty Grace Park began acting for very practical reasons.
Speaking by phone from her Vancouver hotel room, she states, it was the discovery of catering after she secured her first commercial.
“I booked a couple of commercials through my modeling agent and found out that you could get fed, get a room, and I thought, this is the way to go,” she recalls.
Daily Dose & Announcements: 02/23/09
February 23, 2009
» AALDEF Justice in Action Awards Winners
» Public Safety in L.A.’s Koreatown Improves
» Asian Art Museum’s MATCHA 2009-2010 Design Contest
» NAAAP-SF Event Thursday Employment Opportunities in China
» Asian Speaker at the First State-wide Microfinance Conference
» Tsunami Museum Opens in Indonesia
Compiled by Lian Qiu
Daily Dose & Announcements: 02/20/09
February 20, 2009
» Indian Americans Best Educated, Top Earners: US Census
» Asian Community Mental Health Services 35th Anniversary Gala
» Assemblywoman Fiona Ma Presents School with Grant
» Seminar on How to Buy Commercial Estate
» Chinese Language Newspaper Exits U.S. Market
» Au Co Vietnamese Cultural Center - Spring Performance of Love
» Tokyo Flight Turbulence Hurts 47
Compiled by Lian Qiu
Japanese Youth Learn to Document Family Stories
February 20, 2009
Growing up Alicia Kagawa would listen to her grandmother’s countless tales about life in the internment camps. Kagawa thought about interviewing and documenting those stories, but always procrastinated.
Unfortunately her grandmother passed away a few months ago and Kagawa has lost the chance to document those stories forever. She does not want the same thing to happen to others, which is why she along with the Japanese Community and Cultural Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) has organized REEL NIKKEI STORIES: A Nikkei Family Legacy Project.
Designed to empower youth with the confidence, training and tools to interview, video document and share the untold stories of elders before their family histories are lost forever, REEL NIKKEI STORIES hosts workshops to teach attendees these basic skills. The next one is scheduled on Feb. 21 and future workshops will take place March 14 and May 9, all at the JCCCNC located at 1840 Sutter St. in San Francisco.
