rbvergara

UCLA alum and Cerritos councilman Mark Pulido gets Trailblazer Award

Cerritos City Councilmember Mark E. Pulido was recently honored with the inaugural APAICS Trailblazer Award from the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) for his achievements in public service. Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, a member of APAICS, presented the award to Pulido at a special May 8 event held in Washington D.C. as part of … Continue reading »

The arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice: Obama’s same-sex marriage pronouncement

I re-post this as I watch the CNN news coverage on the passage of Amendment 1 in North Carolina and President Obama’s favorable open support for same-sex marriage. I am moved by the value of this moment in the overall arc of social justice. With equal intensity, I find myself troubled by the retrograde character of … Continue reading »

Industrialization urged as one anti-poverty solution

ADB urges Philippines to push industrialization in cutting poverty By: Michelle V. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, Philippines—The Asian Development Bank has urged the Philippines to aim for high level of industrialization—indicated by an ability to produce and export more goods—to squarely address the long-standing problem of poverty. In a comprehensive study on the Philippines titled “Taking … Continue reading »

My first novel in the making

I am finishing a novel, hopefully soon to be published by next year. It is about the life journey of a pre-Hispanic warrior in the Cordillera mountain region; it is about his response to ambition and brokenness amid the chaos of Spanish conquest. The lead character’s name is Aponidaydayawen (“The grandchild of one whom we respect” … Continue reading »

California’s cap-and-trade law: A win-win legislative template for greening and raising government income in the 21st century

Could this be a learning opportunity for other legislatures, including that of the Philippines? Legislators and policymakers truly committed to mitigating the impact of a changing climate has a real-life economic and social policy experiment to observe in California. I hope many will watch, learn, and follow suit. **** From Silicon Valley Mercury News **** … Continue reading »

Let tanks be beaten into tractors

About three years ago, I posted this because it struck a cord as the first African American U.S. President was inaugurated. I reprise it for three reasons: (1) as the 2012 U.S. Presidential election nears, let us not be manipulated to forgive the backwardness of the modern Republican party, (2) as we can only watch … Continue reading »

APA Organizations Condemn DC Councilmember Marion Barry’s Statements Regarding Asian Businesses (April 5, 2011)

A recent press release by National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA): . “As members of local and national organizations committed to advancing and protecting the rights of individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States, the undersigned organizations condemn District of Columbia Councilmember Marion Barry’s recent remarks regarding Asian-owned businesses at … Continue reading »

The therapeutic benefit of “alone time”

Around mid-January of this year, I finally took the leap into a career that I had actively avoided in the past because of what I thought it signified. I quit my 9-5, and focused all my productive energy on teaching and writing, the only things I now do. They are different, and also the same; … Continue reading »

“Philippines to leapfrog to be 16th largest economy by 2050″

By: Michelle V. Remo Philippine Daily Inquirer 2:12 am | Friday, January 13th, 2012  29 share659  570 The Philippines and Peru are among emerging economies that would become much more prominent in the next few decades, helped by demographics and rising education standards, with the Philippines set to leapfrog 27 places to become the 16th … Continue reading »

The most special day of my life

In front of the cross at our church, I knelt down and put a ring on it! She said, “YES”!!!. 6pm, January 1, 2012.

VIDEO interview with Pres. Noynoy Aquino re: OFWs and jobs mismatch

End of the year poem

[This is dedicated to all the OFWs and other wandering souls searching for their place in the world. May you find your way back home safely this holiday season. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!] . Once again we reach the end of yet another year of life pursued of dreams caressed that finding home is near; Each … Continue reading »

Patriotic food for thought

As we approach Pilipino American History Month in October it is appropriate to honor symbols of our roots. Thus, the Philippine national motto: Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan, at Makabansa (For the Love of God, People, Nature and Country) The National Motto of the Philippines is set in law. It is contained in the Flag and Heraldic … Continue reading »

DALAI LAMA: A meaningful life

NY Times Opinionator: The Meaningfulness of Lives

The Meaningfulness of Lives By TODD MAY  . Who among us has not asked whether his or her life is a meaningful one?  Who has not wondered — on a sleepless night, during a long stretch of dull or taxing work, or when a troubled child seems a greater burden than one can bear — whether … Continue reading »

San Francisco Pistahan Parade and Fair, Saturday, August 13

Hello everyone. . Excited to see you all tomorrow at the San Francisco Pistahan Parade and fair. Appreciate if you would share with all your family and friends the ff info: . PISTAHAN PARADE 1. Assembly at Beale and Market Streets – 9-9:30AM Look for the Philippine Consulate float (with coconut tree), which will be … Continue reading »

Practical way to help out with SAVE Act campaign

Hello Friends. . Appreciate if you would advise as many of our kababayans as we know to ask their Senators and Congress Representatives to support SAVE Act (S. 2387 / H.R. 1244) by going to www.saveourindustriesact.org . and clicking on the “Write Your Representatives” tab to access the automated petition letter. . Estimated time to … Continue reading »

The SAVE Act: “Free trade among free people”

By THELMA DUMPIT-MURILLO . VISITING US solons expressed their support for the SAVE Act now pending before the US Congress during a dinner hosted by the Philippines-United States Business Council. DTI Undersecretary Cristino L. Panlilio took the occasion to appeal to the visiting legislators as he cited the long historic ties between the Philippines and … Continue reading »

SAVE Act advocacy campaign gets second wind

Press Release SAVE ACT Campaign Relaunched in the Midwest Fil-Am Community Commits Strong Support Roll-out Next in Nebraska, Michigan, Wisconsin, Kansas, Indiana and Ohio (27 May 2011, Chicago) The campaign for the passage of the SAVE ACT was relaunched in Chicago and the Midwest  at the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago last 26 May 2011. … Continue reading »

Religion and modern life