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Immigration on Obama’s must-do list: White House official
By Elton Lugay An undocumented sex worker said she would walk away from her underground trade once an immigration reform bill is approved in Congress. Prostitution, “Elvie” confided, is a stop-gap not the means to an end. Elvie is one of 11 million undocumented immigrants the Obama administration is hoping to legalize through a law […]
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Human trafficking and the rescue of Rina Hernandez
By Cristina DC Pastor Rina Hernandez was grateful to October superstorm Sandy. Somewhat. If not for the widespread destruction and chaos the hurricane brought on Staten Island, this nanny would not be able to plan her escape from her allegedly abusive Egyptian employers. “Nagpapasalamat po talaga ako sa Sandy,” Rina, 52, told reporters at a […]
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Bishops to use the ‘morality vote’ against politicians
By Ludy A. Ongkeko, Ph.D. What’s next? How much can the Philippine population take? Most recent information received: “Catholic bishops vowed less than 24 hours ago to vigorously campaign against politicians who ignored their ‘moral’ teachings, after the Church failed to stop the passage of a birth control law.” Reportedly, the CBCP – or the […]
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Staten Islanders look back on secessionist fervor of 1993
By Cristina DC Pastor In 1993, New York City came on the verge of losing one of its five boroughs when secessionist fervor swept Staten Island. The debate threw the community in disarray and splintered residents into different factions. The idea began to bubble forth in 1989, a time when the borough was spoken of […]
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I ‘shot’ the president
By Elton Lugay I missed his first inauguration, but promised myself to attend the next one when it became apparent Barack Obama was on his way to a second term. So there I was at the media riser of the National Mall fronting the Capitol, frozen still, a Uniqlo scarf from an ex keeping my […]
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Hailing Obama, hoping for passage of immigration bill
By Elton Lugay A singer, a nurse and a chef. These Filipinos echoed their praise of President Barack Obama on the eve of his second inauguration as 44th president of the United States. “He’s for the common person, he’s grassroots. You don’t feel like he’s an elitist,” said pop soprano Stephanie Reese, who was in […]
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Barack Obama’s first inauguration
By Richard Momar Yapo Cuanang Christmas of 2008 was another warm holiday in the South. My friend asked what I would like for a Christmas present. I said I would love to attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama in January. The gift — a Savannah-Dulles, Dulles-Honolulu, Honolulu-Savannah ticket — came in an air mail […]
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Call for submissions to essay contest on PH territorial claim; deadline is Feb 1
The U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG)-Marianas chapter has launched an essay contest with the theme, “The West Philippine Sea and its impact on the future of the Philippines.” The contest is open to all Filipino students in the Philippines or overseas, from 10 to 25 years old, who are enrolled in high school and […]
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When bishops are blinded by hate
By Ludy A. Ongkeko, Ph.D. Despite the beginnings of 2013, a new year, meant to usher in renewals of hope and life, the much-awaited Reproductive Health (RH) Law of the Philippines — highly cheered by about 85 percent of that nation’s people led by President Aquino — the Bishops continue to spread their vociferous opposition […]