Notebook
*I’m writing this column with one eye covered like a pirate!
*July 4th; FUN at Lorne’s ‘God’s Country’ at the Yooper, Michigan with my Church Family!
*Wanna bet? Former guv Blagojevich will escape conviction!
*Thumbs down, Gov. Pat Quinn, for laying off several state employees, then giving RAISES to his executive staffs!
*Congratulations to Estrella Alamar, FAHSC executive director!
*AFIRE on fire on its advocacy and empowerment programs!
*Silliman Alumni invites friends to picnic, Saturday, August 7
Yes, my dear readers, I am writing this column with my left eye covered like a pirate!
I just underwent a surgery last July 19th, the third surgery on my left eye. Our eyes are the most important parts of our God-given human body. It is our Mirror to the World.
As I type this column, I am indeed in a great discomfort. I grope for the keyboard and any typo errors are beyond my sight.
For the love of our VT readers, I begged our Big-Hearted publisher Vero, to waive my late deadline. For the love of our VT readers, a small sacrifice is well-worth it!
I leave everything that I do to the Great One up there. I have friends and Church Family who are praying for me. Oh, yeah, finally, my Church Family finally accepted Lorne’s long-standing invitation to his beautiful Log Home in “God’s Country” in Iron River, Michigan. (An open invitation to Joe and Vero remains open, likewise.)
Known as the “Yooper” or the UP for Upper Peninsula, the Iron County is surrounded by 117 beautiful lakes and a good number of awesome waterfalls… and verdant forest I call “God’s Garden.” It is known for its hunting ground and ski resorts.
Three days before July 4th, Bong and Lai Valmores, two of our Elders and Sunday School Teacher
at my church, the Faith Community Presbyterian Church (FCPC), surprised Lorne with this question:” Is your invitation to your home in Michigan still open on July 4tih?”
Without raising an eyebrow, Lorne’s quick reply was, “Of course. You’re always welcome.” So, Lorne and I went ahead to prepare the house. Friday, July 2.
The “Gang” arrived, 17 of them, including a two-month-old Baby Leo! Ready to live outdoors, they were equipped with a BBQ grill and gas tank; a real professional chef, Mark Guatelara, and grilling meats. Saturday was made for swimming and boating at Camp Lake. Thanks to Lorne’s former Chicago Police buddy, Chuck Gardner, who graciously offered his beautiful lakefront home and allowing our Church Family to use his speedboat, paddle boat, and his home, which is like my own home, too.
We capped July 3rd watching the awesome “best in the County” fireworks at Land O’Lakes, in neighboring Wisconsin, about 40 minutes drive from Iron River.
July 4th was kind of a dreary day with continued drizzle. Early Sunday morning, we attended the Worship Service at the First Baptist Church, took Holy Communion and had a great conversation with Pastor John Fish and retired pastor Mike Rucinski and his wife, Arlene. After the service, we proceeded to Horse Trail Falls, 15 minutes drive from Lorne’s house.
Luckily, we had three four-wheel-drive vans to beat the thrilling and scary drive along the horse-trail, rocky, narrow bumpy roads made for horses! That was the FUN part of the drive! Horse Way Falls is like the Philippines’ Hidden Valley. The young, adventurous youth had fun walking on slippery rocks where the water runs and playing “Tarzan’s Jane” climbing half-fallen tall pine trees while dodging the chance of falling into the waterfalls. It was a great day for fishing except that the Gang had no fishing license.
We then proceeded to the most awesome Bond Falls at Land O’Lakes, about 45 minutes drive. Bond Falls is so beautiful and huge, hundred times bigger than our famous Pagsanjan Falls in Pangasinan, Philippines!
Pictures speak a thousand words! You can see some of our thrilling activities in this column. With great BBQ and picnic goodies, Karaoke singing brings out the best vocal talents from the group during the Night Finale! Lorne was overwhelmed with joy sharing the Home he built (with God’s help) with our Church Family. Oh, yeah. The invitation to Joe and Veronique is open, especially during the deer-hunting season in the Fall.
The BLAGO DRAMA:
In spite of the ongoing media brouhaha on former Gov. Rod Blagojevich-turned-media-superstar and Reality TV Star, I got this GUT feeling that Mr. Blago will escape conviction of all those corruption charges splashed on his face!
Why? All the charges are circumstantial as shown on those tape-recorded conversations. The conversations do not document Mr. Blago receiving any payments or the like, in exchange of any political “favors.” One thing good about Rod (as I* called him before), he finally realized he “talked too much” hence, he refused to testify on the stand. And, of course, we should not just overlook the fact that Rod has a father-and-son great defense lawyers: Sam Adam, Sr. and Sam Adam, Jr.
And, more importantly, Rod has his Patty “Angel” on his side who holds his arms and pull them where they belong when Blago becomes unstoppable in his gab gab gab to the media.
Behaving like a Soap Opera Superstar, Blago interspersed his courtroom drama signing authographs inside the courtroom!
A Personal Look Back: In the late ‘80s, the height of political empowerment of the Filipino American Democratic of Cook County (FADoCC) was soaring like an Eagle after its recognition from the Daley Camp for going solid for Daley during his first election. Modesty aside, I was one close supporter of Rod Blagojevich, then a state representative. My late husband, Dennis and I were long-time residents at 35th Ward, headed by Ald. Richard Mell, Rod’s father-in-law.
I organized several successful block parties where I literally held Rod’s hand and introduced him to the voters, including the Asian American community when I invited him to be the guest speaker at one of my Asian American Seniiors’ Day, my job for the City.
Rod was a good listener, he did not mind me yelling at him in public telling him, “ROD, COME HERE. LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO THESE FOLKS!’ I treated him like a son.
The truth, so help me God, I was one of those who pushed Rod to run for Governor. Many times when we were doing political things, Rod would ask me: “Elsie, do you really think I should run for Governor?” My answer: YES, ROD. RUN FOR GOVERNOR!
With Rudy Urian, Matthew de Leon, Maurice Mudlong, Met Castelo, and a host of other politically-empowered Fil-Ams, we supported Rod. One thing changed when a certain Filipina whose name I FORGOT, was appointed to manage Rod’s political headquarter. This Pinay was so snobbish, at one time she reprimanded me when I was taking Rod’s picture at a rally. I smelled a rat from that snobbery! (Is she still at the guv’s office, today, I wonder? Hmmm).
When Rod took his oath of office as governor, I did not get an invitation. So… that was the End of my concern for the governor. I SMELLED ARROGANCE and INGRATITUDE!
However, down deep in me, like a PSYCHIC, I predicted a Bad Fairy Godmother will put a bad spell on the governor and blow his chariot away! The day Rod was KICKED OUT as governor was a sad day for me, because I remember the friendly and humble young “Rod” turned-an-arrogant-toad! But take my bet: He will escape conviction!
THUMBS DOWN TO GOV. PAT QUINN:
Pat Quin is another politician whom the same group of Filipino Americans and Asian Americans have supported every election time he runs for office. I’ve always VOTED FOR PAT QUINN! So, when he took the seat of the evicted Gov. Blagojevich, I was dreaming of political changes in the State of Illinois which will address the needs of the ORDINARY PEOPLE particularly at this time of bad, bad economy.
But, what did Gov. Pat Quinn do, lately? He laid off several state employees (on the lower level) and then GAVE RAISES to some of his high-ranking ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF!!! How HEARTLESS AND INHUMAN!!!
PERSONAL NOTE TO GOV. PAT QUINN: How could you, G0V. QUINN, be so HEARTLESS AND UNFEELING towards the Ordinary People whom you laid off from their State jobs? During the interview on Channel 11’s “Chicago Tonight,” you’ve shown not a speck of HUMAN COMPASSION to those employees you laid off, so you can GIVE RAISES TO YOUR CHOSEN HIGH-RANKING STAFF!
The folks you laid off were parents, too, who have children to feed, clothe, and send to school. They have mortgages and daily needs of survival. The RAISES you gave to your chosen employees was like, you ROBBING the poor laid off employees.
If you had a heart, as a politician, you DO UNDERSTAND the word “FURLOUGH”? As a retired city employee MYSELF, let me tell you this: what Mayor Richard M. Daley did when the budget was low.
He gave employees on salary one-day furlough (unpaid absence) a month or twice a month to avoid layoffs. The blessings were shared to fill everyone’s needs. But, in your case, Mr. Governor, you SACRIFICED low-ranking employees to SATISFY your SELF-fish desire to give RAISES to some of your chosen, already-high-ranking, high-salaried employees! If you were sensitive enough, you could have given your Chosen Employees furloughs to SAVE some FAMILIES. Mr. Quinn, I have voted for you all these years. Come next election, you LOST not only my vote…
FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF CHICAGO RECEIVES SMITHSONIAN COMMUNITY GRANT TO SUPPORT HISTORY AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS:
Estrella Alamar, the most dedicated executive director of the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago (FAHSC), happily shared the good news about the $5000 grant from the Smithsonian Community Grant program supported by MetLife Foundation.
The grant is used to assist in the development and implementation of history and cultural programs during the celebration of SINGALOT, in the month of July, featuring public educational intercultural events in conjunction with the Smithsonian traveling exhibition, SINGGALOT (The Ties That Bind), 100 years of Filipino American history.
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From Iowa, diehard Via Times reader, BUDZ PRODENCIO, a PRO of the University of Santo Tomas Pharmacy, Medical Technology, Biochemistry, & Botany Alumni Association (USTPMTBBAA), sent in a photo-release for Notebook. She writes: The University of Santo Tomas Pharmacy, Medical Technology, Biochemistry, and Botany Alumni Association (USTPMTBBAA, Inc.) held its 8th annual reunion and dinner ball in Iowa last June 4-5, 2010 at Coralville Marriott Hotel.
The reunion program started with a welcome to all attendees from Purie Gallardo, Secretary/Treasurer & reunion organizer, invocation, slide presentation.
Awards were presented during dinner, to Jubilarians and anniversary coordinators. A Mass was held at St. Mary's Church to commemorate the first death anniversary of USTPMTBBAA Founder and Executive Director, Professor Jose P.B. Gallardo.
CAAAELII honors AFIRE, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and McDonalds Corporation
For second time in a row, the Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE) headed by Skokie Park District Commissioner Jerry Clarito, is recognized by Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European and Latino Immigrants of Illinois (CAAAELII) for its solidarity work with the broader immigrant community in advancing the struggle for comprehensive immigration reform.
The (CAAAELII) honors AFIRE for its commitment to social change and social justice, and for its sense of solidarity with other immigrant and refugee communities.
Also honored were Congresswoman Schakowsky for her work on behalf of immigrants and refugees; her long years of collaborative work with CAAAELII and its member organizations.
McDonald’s Corporation received the recognition of its sustained commitment to give back to the global community, and its practice of integrating and maintaining a diverse workforce.
Tonette Geary, president of Silliman Alumni Int'l-Chicago, is calling on all Silliman alumni and friends in Chicagoland or anywhere, to please join the picnic on Saturday, August 7, from 9 a.m. to sundown, at the Veterans' Mamorial Park, 75 E. Richmond, Westmont, IL. FUN includes succulent lechon, children's games, arts and crafts for children, and ball games. Please call any of the followint: Tonette (773) 622-2954; Dorothy llosa 630) 362-2767 and Kara Woolard, 630) 789-2767 or Elsie 773) 610-1287.
"What about the Philippine Consulate Eskwelahang Pinoy?" someone asked me. My response: "Never heard about it... if ever there is one, I did not receive any press release from them."
Howcum, Congen Lim, or should it be Mr. Berth Salvador?
Tonette Geary, president of Silliman Alumni Int'l-Chicago, is calling on all Silliman alumni and friends in Chicagoland or anywhere, to please join the picnic on Saturday, August 7, from 9 a.m. to sundown, at the Veterans' Mamorial Park, 75 E. Richmond, Westmont, IL. FUN includes succulent lechon, children's games, arts and crafts for children, and ball games. Please call any of the followint: Tonette (773) 622-2954; Dorothy llosa 630) 362-2767 and Kara Woolard, 630) 789-2767 or Elsie 773) 610-1287.
"What about the Philippine Consulate Eskwelahang Pinoy?" someone asked me. My response: "Never heard about it... if ever there is one, I did not receive any press release."
Retired
Chicago Police Officer LORNEY BENDEL’s Log Home he built in Iron River,
Michigan, known as “God’s Country.” The happy crowd are his guests from
Faith Community Presbyterian Church, our Church Family. From left are
Luz Olan, Bong and Lai Valmores, Edna Mariano, Amy Olan and
Lance,Samantha, Lorne, the Host, Christy Rios, Jasmine Valmores Lloyd
Dotdot, and Flor Frondoso. Seated from left are Bea and Lance, Mark
Guatelara and Paul Mariano.Not in photo are Awit Valmores and Baby Leo
Rios, Photo by Elsie.
