rbvergara

Life is lived forward

“Life is lived forward” is not just a positive-thinker’s mantra, or a spiritual refrain, it is a fitting rule-of-the-road in these times of great and unusual challenges. The past three years have been stressful, with the stress of daily work aggravated by that of ‘not-knowing’ and ‘having-doubts- about-tomorrow’. The existential angst is palpable. The frustration that … Continue reading »

Fallen hero: Faustino “Mang Peping” Baclig, 1922-2011

Faustino “Peping” Baclig Filipino World War II veteran, Bataan Survivor and FASGI lifetime volunteer,  passed away today, Sunday, February 27, 2011 @2:30am . . . . Viewing Friday, March 4, 2011, at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary Skyrose Terrace 3888 S. Workman Mill Road Whittier, CA 4:30-8:30pm . Funeral Service Saturday, March 5, 2011, 11:00AM … Continue reading »

Faith and fatherhood: A Valentine’s Day reflection

There are different types of Dads out there: with kids, without kids, even those still preparing to be a dad someday soon. Like you, I am in search of my personal definition for fatherhood. It was July 2007 when my father passed away, a period in my life that my rational mind figured would be … Continue reading »

A future that “works”

Happy New Year, first of all, and belated Merry Christmas. As optimism creeps back into our lives, I think you would all agree when I say 2011 is a welcome year. From a President Noynoy Aquino beginning to live up to the symbol behind his name, to a President Obama reclaiming for us the hope … Continue reading »

VIDEO: PACQUIAO fights for U.S. textile and Philippine apparel workers

S. 3170/H.R. 3039, the SAVE Our Industries Act, introduced on March 25, 2010 by Senators Daniel Inouye and Christopher Bond and on June 25, 2009 by Congressman Jim McDermott and Brian Bilbray, help revitalize the United States textile and Philippine apparel industries. Initial estimates from industry groups such as the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) and … Continue reading »

Obama on Bush tax cuts: TRANSCRIPT of Dec 6 press conference

Transcript of Pres. Obama’s press conference on Dec 6, 2010 announcing compromise deal with Republicans on the Bush tax cuts temporary 2-year extension. *** Good afternoon, everybody. Before I answer a few questions, I just wanted to say a few words about the agreement we’ve reached on tax cuts. My number one priority is to … Continue reading »

21st century enlightenment

VIDEOS: HBO 24/7 Pacquiao vs Margarito

Episode 1, Part 1 (bad sound) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ec2m5LYoG4&feature=related Episode 1, Part 2 (bad sound)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp3zBlR-P0E&feature=related Episode 2, Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rximmP4slz8&feature=related Episode 2, Part 2 (bad sound) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeXTKcixAiw&feature=related Episode 3, Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=213ReJKbysc Episode 3, Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V884yQCoOs

Making bitter sweet, and sweet, bitter

Is religious faith compatible with social justice work? This question is intriguing and jarring, at least for me, because it has no easy answer. The answer is shaded gray in a political moment riveted by age-old issues of Black or White. This moment in U.S. socio-cultural and political history is shaped by a backlash from … Continue reading »

The purpose of an education

On Friday, October 22, 2010 at the Viewpoint Conference Room in Ackerman Union, UCLA Samahang Pilipino celebrated what would have been Manong Larry Itliong’s 97th birthday. Alumni had an opportunity to share some remarks; this is an abridged version of mine. I have a reflection and a challenge. Both are fitting with the economy being … Continue reading »

Someone Else’s War: Filipino migrant workers in the Iraqi war zone

“Someone Else’s War”    www.someoneelseswar.com Future Airs: 10/21/10, Thursday,  10:30 pm KVCR-DC Digital 24.3  (Channel 18 Palm Springs); 10/22/10, Friday,  3:30 am KVCR-DC Digital 24.3 (Channel 18 Palm Springs) Someone Else’s War investigates the conditions which draw thousands of Filipino migrant workers to work in the volatile Iraqi war zone. Show length: 30 minutes* “Someone Else’s War” is making its … Continue reading »

Positive Filipino America is in the Heart: October is Filipino/a American History Month

“America is also the nameless foreigner, the homeless refugee, the hungry boy begging for a job and the black body dangling from a tree. America is the illiterate immigrant who is ashamed that the world of books and intellectual opportunities is closed to him. We are that nameless foreigner, that homeless refugee, that hungry boy, … Continue reading »

Scent of Grapes: Pilgrimage notes on the 45th anniversary of the ’65 Delano Grape Strike

The Los Angeles City Council last week adopted a Resolution acknowledging the 45th anniversary of the historic Delano Grape Strike started on September 8, 1965. Picture by Jonny Itliong. . That strike was led by Larry Itliong, Pete Velasco, Philip Veracruz and other Filipino labor leaders who organized themselves into the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) AFL-CIO. … Continue reading »

Filipino Americans and the psychology of a middle child

When I am older, I will be stronger, They’ll call me Freedom, just like a wavin’ flag. (To hear the song, click Wavin\’ Flag ) These lyrics by the artist K’Naan are worth thinking deeply about, and for Filipino Americans, worth considering a life lesson. Freedom is a relative pursuit: we are never completely free; we are … Continue reading »

A significant life: A eulogy for John Delloro

Here’s the brief eulogy I gave for my friend John Delloro, Filipino American labor and community leader on Saturday, June 12 at the San Fernando Mission Rey Church, Mission Hills, California. I share the prepared version; some parts were unintentionally omitted during the actual delivery. John loved music, and one of the songs that captured … Continue reading »

Eliminating ethnic disparity: A case for openness

Since John’s passing, I’ve been thinking about a lot of stuff, including where his friends have spent their lives since separating after college. His friends have spanned the great diversity of career options; but a common thread remains social justice work. Naturally, I’ve stepped back to evaluate how I am spending my life, and how … Continue reading »

In memoriam: JOHN DELLORO, labor and thought leader

In the few months that elapsed since my last post, a few major personal life events have occurred. One, in fact, just happened yesterday, June 5, 2010 — the passing of a great friend, John Delloro. As the news of his untimely death reverberates through the ethernet and the communities he touched, I am reminded … Continue reading »

The closing of the American conservative mind

The White rage against the Obama administration represents a closing of the American conservative mind. Taken over by the most extreme fringe of its base, the modern Republican Party is unable to engage in reason, which is the foundation of good governance and effective, credible political debate and leadership. The American conservative mind has closed … Continue reading »

Health insurance reform and the end of conservative White hegemony

The violence and extreme opposition that followed the passage of health insurance reform is not really about the fear of a government take-over, as the right-wing wants us so desperately to believe. As the public finds out the specific benefits of health insurance reform, the conservative claim of a government takeover rings hollow. In the … Continue reading »

Pacquiao defeats Clottey; turns focus on congressional race

Pacquiao’s Focus Turns From Boxing to Politics Mark Ralston/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Manny Pacquiao, who defeated Joshua Clottey on Saturday, appears no closer to a showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. By GREG BISHOP Published: March 14, 2010 ARLINGTON, Tex. — The future of Manny Pacquiao — in politics, in boxing, in acting, singing or … Continue reading »