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For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
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NEW YORK --- Two months ago, 57-year old Ligaya Lagman, a Filipino mother, whose application to join the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc was rejected, had been in pain and in tears, because she didn’t get the award intended to honormothers whose children died fighting in a war.
The award was denied because Lagman is not a U.S. citizen.
This week, Lagman spirit is high as the group reversed its decision and decided to grant her a Gold star award. She got a call from the group’s officer last Tuesday to inform her of their decision. She has yet to receive the formal letter of acceptance.” Masaya ako, kahit nasaktan ako, karapatan kong tanggapin ang award, ina rin akong nawalan ng anak. Iba ba ang buhay ko sa buhay nila? (I’m happy now, I was in pain before. It’s my right to accept the award, I’m a mother who also lost a son. Is my life different from their lives? ) said Lagman in a phone interview.
With the backing of many veterans group, specifically the Eastchester Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lagman’s request for the Gold star has been approved. Last Memorial Day, the Eastchester Veterans of Foreign Wars gave Mrs. Lagman a brilliant gold necklace to honor the sacrifice of her son. The veterans group, earlier, pushed to change the group’s by-laws so it can also award non-citizens.
The American Gold Star Mothers has been established since 1928 to honor mothers, who are U.S. citizens, who lost children fighting in a war.
The idea of the Gold Star was that the honor and glory accorded the person for his supreme sacrifice in offering for his country, the last full measure of devotion and pride of the family in this sacrifice, rather than the sense of personal loss which would be represented by the mourning symbols, the group web-site showed.
The group changed its ruling this week that non-U.S. citizen mothers could also get the Gold Star Award.
“I still miss my son. He used to call me regularly. It’s very painful to loss a son,” said Lagman, who immigrated to the U.S. 20 years ago and works as a seamstress in Yonkers.
Her son, staff sergeant Anthony Lagman, 26, was killed while fighting with insurgents in Afghanistan March 18 last year.
To honor him, one camp in Afghanistan was named as sergeant Anthony Lagman port.
“Myson was very quiet and very friendly. He used to bring his friends in our house during their free time,” said Joaquin Lagman, father of Anthony. The young soldier had been in the army for 10 years.
Mrs. Lagman said she’s also glad that the group has decided to honor non citizen families whose children served the country.
“There are so many parents who are immigrants whose children died fighting in the war, they also deserve an award,” said Joaquin.
“I’m happy that they finally accepted me, it is God’s will that I should also get the award,” Mrs. Lagman said.
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Cory warns of using people power for selfish reasons
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The icon of people power revolts that toppled two presidents warned yesterday that people power for selfish reasons will never succeed. Amid political turmoil, former President Corazon Aquino went on national television yesterday and called on Filipinos to pray for the country instead of taking to the streets.
She warned against using extra-constitutional means to oust President Arroyo, who is battling allegations of vote fraud and illegal gambling payoffs to her relatives.
“People power has succeeded only if it is for others. It was so in 1986 when those who led the revolution led from the front. It was so in 2001. But people power for oneself will never succeed,” she said in a statement read before the media at the Cojuangco Building in Makati yesterday.
Malacañang thanked Mrs. Aquino for the reminder, saying that the conditions that brought about the popular uprisings in EDSA in 1986 and 2001 were different from the situation facing the country today.
“We must work within the framework of our Constitution and our laws if we truly want a stable government that rests upon the rule of law,” Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.
Aquino, who would not specify what political course of action she would recommend to Mrs. Arroyo, said she had been pressured to speak, and so decided to break her silence yesterday “after praying hard and praying for light, for myself and our country.”
“Last night, I paid a call on Susan Sonora Poe. I congratulated her on the passion of her speech and the sincerity of her convictions,” Aquino revealed.
However, she stressed that she made it clear to the widow of Mrs. Arroyo’s former political rival, Fernando Poe Jr., that she would always stand by the Constitution.
In a fiery speech Wednesday, actress Susan Roces accused Mrs. Arroyo of stealing the presidency and declared that she was ready to replace the President if she decided to step down.
“I believe that the Constitution contains all the ways by which one may safely effect even the most difficult political changes,” Aquino said in her statement.
“There is no need to step outside it. To step outside the Constitution will only expose us to greater danger than the injustices we want to correct,” she explained, apparently referring to calls for another EDSA people power revolt.
Deposed President Joseph Estrada, however, challenged Mrs. Aquino’s remarks, saying she had conveniently forgotten that in 2001, she and the elite forces supporting then Vice President Gloria Arroyo turned their backs on the Constitution.
Estrada, who was ousted from the presidency in a popular revolt in 2001 after the collapse of the Senate impeachment trial hearing jueteng allegations against him, said that it was he who strictly upheld the Constitution while in office.
“Was she true to her Constitution when she, together with Jaime Cardinal Sin and the elite mob, demonized me, demanded my ouster and convicted me in the streets? Or was she unfaithful to the Constitution she and her 50 or so chosen commissioners drafted?” Estrada asked.
Aquino herself came into power in a bloodless military-backed uprising that ousted strongman Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. It was during her administration that the present Constitution was drafted.
Aquino, who granted no interviews or entertained any questions after reading the statement, centered her speech on requests that Filipinos pray.
“I don’t know how many people still believe in the power of prayer but I do. I really believe in prayer and prayer has always guided me rightly, both in what I should say and when I should say it,” she said.
Looking back at the time when she was the one in the limelight, she said she was criticized for being naive in running against Marcos in the snap elections in 1986.
“The victories of the opposition, notwithstanding a rigged election, gave the friends of freedom the true measure of their strength and the unwavering confidence to go on to the snap election and the EDSA People Power Revolution,” Aquino said.
She emphasized that prayer and the strength and courage it brings had restored freedom to Filipinos and helped to protect it.
“Prayer and prayerful reflection have never failed me or failed our country. It will not do so now,” she said in a closing statement.
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MANILA --- Twenty-seven Filipinos, including Haydee Yorac, former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) head; and Social Welfare Development Secretary Corazon
“Dinky” Soliman, have been included in a group of 1,000 women nominated as a group for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.
Also nominated were: Marilou Diaz-Abaya, director; Piang Tahsim Albar, Amanat Foundation Inc. president; Mary Lou Alcid, Kanlungan Center Foundation in the Philippines president; Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, playwright and founder of Philippine Educational Theatre Association; Adoracion Cruz Avisado, a women’s rights lawyer; Rissa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Akbayan party-list representative; Loreta Castro, Center for Peace Education director;
Maria Lorenza Palm-Dalupan, peace-building consultant; Teresita Quintos-Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process; Sr. Mariani Dimaranan, president of the Task Force Detainees; Teresa Banaynal-Fernandez, Women’s Action Network for Development chairwoman; Miriam Coronel Ferrer, Geneva Call president; Hadja Bainon Karon, social welfare secretary for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao;
Myla Jabilles Leguro, Catholic Relief Services peace building program manager in Mindanao; Zenaida Tan Lim, Sarang Bangun Foundation, Inc. officer; Delia Ediltrudes Santiago-Locsin, Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet-Negros executive director; June Caridad Pagaduan Lopez, UP Center for Women and Gender Studies director; Seiko Bodios Ohashi, Asian Rural Alternatives coordinator; Zenaida Brigida Hamada Pawid, author;
Sr. Mary Soledad Perpiñan, Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association secretary general; Elisa Gahapon del Puerto and Irene Morada Santiago, co-founders of PILIPINA, Center for Asia/Pacific Women in Politics and International Women’s Development Agency; Teresita Ang-See, Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran Inc. founding president;
Miriam Suacito, Nagdilaab Foundation, Inc. executive director; and Pura Sumangil, Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Government chairwoman.
The nomination was submitted by the Association 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005.
Of the 27 nominated Filipino women, eight are from Mindanao, three from the Visayas, two from the Cordillera and the rest from Metro Manila.
The women are involved locally and internationally in peace advocacy, governance, human rights, women’s rights, inter-faith dialogue, education, justice, health, psycho-social rehabilitation, empowerment, migrants rights, policy-making, peace negotiations, culture and the arts.
Southeast Asia cocoordinator Paulynn Sicam said the idea of nominating 1,000 women as a group for the Nobel Peace Prize was birthed by Dr. Ruth-Gaby Vermot-Mangold, a member of the Swiss Parliament, in 2003.
Mangold, who was also a member of the Council of Europe, said only 12 women have received the Nobel Peace Prize as against 80 men and 20 organizations since it started in 1901.
“Everywhere, I meet women who perform reconstruction and peace work in extremely dangerous surroundings. They manage the difficult task of obtaining food and medicine for those in need. They look for missing persons and struggle to acquire better living conditions for refugees,” she said.
She added: “They give schooling to orphans in order to distract them from their war experiences and ghastly memories and to bring structure and courage into these children’s daily lives. They unequivocally condemn torture, murder and abductions, and they document with clandestine photos the war parties’ brutalities. They take to the streets and, against the will of the authorities, hold vigils of protest in public places.”
In March 2003, Mangold started 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005 with Maren Haartje of Swisspeace, an NGO based in Bern, Switzerland that organized 20 coordinators worldwide to search for 1000 women who, individually and collectively, are deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. (MNS)
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Amid a joyful showcase of culture and pride, thousands of Filipinos took to the streets Sunday and flocked to Exchange Place to salute the 59 years of Philippine American Friendship Day.
Marie Segundo, 20, dressed in a red native gown gracefully danced to the beat of Spanish Flamenco. She swayed her arms high, swirled her hips and stepped the waltzes.
“ I feel proud of my heritage. I feel good that Filipinos have a parade like this,” said Segundo of Jersey City.
On July 4, 1946, U.S. granted independence to its former colony, the Philippines after a bitter war with the Japanese.
History accounts showed that Filipinos also fought hard when the U.S. annexed the Philippines after it bought the Philippines for $20 million from the Spaniards. America sent it troops to colonize the Philippines despite of its strong resistance that resulted to the death of some 500,000 Filipinos during the U.S.-Philippine War in the beginning of 20th century.
“I’m old, but happy that I can still join this annual celebrations of our independence. This is what we fought for: liberty and democracy,” said World War ll veteran Alfredo Diaz, 89, of Jersey City. He wore a white jacket with numerous war medals and a veteran army hat.
He said he helped the Americans to defend its command post in Bataan in 1941.
Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy said America would not forget the sacrifices of brave Filipino veterans who fought side by side with American troops.
“It’s nice to be here. This is part of tremendous diversity of ethnic population of Jersey City. Filipinos came to this country with the same reason my parents came here, for economic opportunity and freedom. Jersey City is built by immigrants,” said Healy who was clad in a Filipino native long sleeve shirt called “Barong Tagalog” and joined the parade from Columbus Drive to Exchange Place.
Booming music were played by bands, children, men and ladies danced in a parade while others waved from their floats, bursting with bright colors, and smiles. The mood was festive, the air smelled barbecue as thousands ate Filipinos dishes being sold in the booths.
“The American government has been an ally of the Philippines. Every year, Filipinos all over the world celebrate this long lasting friendship with America. We celebrate the contributions of Filipinos in this city, “ said Linda Mayor, executive director of Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, whose delegations won the most symbolical award for the parade. PACCAL danced to the tune of Filipino music and carried pink flowers on bamboo sticks as they hopped on the streets and showcased the oneness of Filipino people and rich historical ties with Americans.
Against the backdrop of a historical mural painting made by Filipino youth group Sumisibol, Filipino American singers and dancers entertained the crowds under brilliant sun and blue sky on an open stage in front of the Hudson River.
The Merchants band led by Andrew Dimayuga played rock and blues music. “It’s pressing to perform but it’s fun,” Dimayuga said as spectators cheered the vibrant music. Hip-hop dancers delighted the crowds.
Many young Filipinos and Filipinas displayed their native costumes in gowns and shirts in a fashion show, where over 100 gowns designed in the Philippines were worn by models on the stage. The gowns mostly in red, blue, orange and black were made and embroidered in the Philippines and made from pineapple fabric. Those native dresses and accessories were similar to what the early Filipinos worn from 16th to early 20th century, reflecting Spanish-European influence.
“This festival of independence represents the empowerment of Filipino people. We remember the sacrifices of our veterans and the spirit of nationalism, “ said Eric Lachica, executive director of American Coalition for Filipino Veterans.
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