filipino

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 »

2010 SANGDAAN FLOOD PREPAREDNESS INFO CAMPAIGN: 100 SCHOOLS IN 7 MONTHS

HELP GOODBRANCH VERGARA REACH 100 SCHOOLS (high schools, colleges, universities) in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines by September 26, 2010 with its flood preparedness message below. STEP 1: Send the info below to your contacts in these countries. Help prevent unnecessary loss of life from flooding and extreme storms during the 2010 storm season. … Continue reading »

Videos on 2010 Philippine presidential candidate forum

Climate change impact on Philippine economy serious: ADB warns

RP, 3 other Asian countries face costly climate change risks By Purple S. Romero, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | 04/29/2009 12:52 AM Send to friend | The Philippines is one of 4 Southeast Asian countries likely to experience wider economic contraction of 6 percent by 2100 because of environmental risks, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Tuesday. Without … Continue reading »

Candidate forum for 2010 Presidential candidates: Videos

Sorry…may be out of order; this post is intended to show some of the efforts by Philippine media to ‘educate’ voters. — Try not to be annoyed; many of the questions are…well…juvenile and stupid. To watch all the videos, follow this youtube channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/pinaswatch1

Marketing opposition to health reform; insurance industry insider reveals dark truth

Op-Ed Columnist Health Care Fit for Animals By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF Published: August 26, 2009 . Opponents suggest that a “government takeover” of health care will be a milestone on the road to “socialized medicine,” and when he hears those terms, Wendell Potter cringes. He’s embarrassed that opponents are using a playbook that he helped … Continue reading »

Do you want to know the Philippine govt’s 2010 budget?

Thursday, August 27, 2009 Palace submits 2010 budget Malacañang has submitted to the House of Representatives on Wednesday the P1.54-trillion budget for 2010, proposing heavy spending for the President Gloria Arroyo’s priority programs—social services, health, infrastructure and education. . Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya handed the 2010 budget proposal to House Speaker Prospero Nograles, reiterating his … Continue reading »