What should I be thankful for, Dear God?
What should I be thankful for?
Should I be thankful for the rain
That waters the parched terrain?
Should I be thankful for the sun?
That gives light to everyone?
Should I be thankful for the man?
Who loves me inspite of who I am?
Should I be thankful for my friends?
Who gives me comfort when I’m in pain?
Should I be thankful for my children?
Who brings me joy without no end?
Dear God, I am thankful for everything.
For everything I am content.
I thank you God for all the things
You have given me – my life, my love,
My children and their children, my friends,
And all those who’ve touched me
In a very special way.

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all!

A group of third generation Filipino American students were preparing the FilAm Wellness Center hall for an event. They were talking about the possible number of guests and “Filipino time”. I butt into the conversation and said “There is no such thing as Filipino time. It is plain rudeness and disrespect for your host if you do not come on time.”

Euthenics is one of the introductory subjects in U.P.  The first lesson I got from my Euthenics teacher is a phrase which I heard every class meeting, “It is selfish to be late!” Those of us who have our P.E. classes before her class, always come late and so the latecomers answer as an excuse is another lesson from her, “Madam, it is not charming to hurry.”

Time in the Philippines seem to move so slowly. Hence, we have the tendency to bide our time. We practically have no concept of time. When we are invited to attend an event, we don’t ask “what time does it start?”  We ask, “Who is the Guest of Honor?” or “Who are invited?” If the guest of honor is an important government official, they will just shrug their shoulders and presume that the event will start late.

It is different here in America. When you are invited to come at 3:00 PM. You have to be there at 3:00 PM. I know of some people who start dressing up to attend the event at 3:00 PM. So they are an hour late! In some Filipino circles, the printed program says “The program will start at 5:00 PM” but actually it starts at 6:00 PM to accommodate the perennial late comers.

I was talking with former National City Mayor George Waters in a party which was supposed to start at 11:45 AM. Mayor Waters and his wife arrived promptly. I was five minutes ahead of them. Then he turned to me and said, do you know how I learned about the “Filipino time?” I was invited to be the Guest Speaker of a Filipino organization. The invitation said 6:00 PM. so I was there at 6:00 PM. When I arrived there was no one in sight and I thought I came to the wrong place. Thirty minutes later, the president of the organization arrived. He was very apologetic as he told me about the “Filipino time”.

My father taught me that  real Filipino time is 5 minutes before the actual time. So as much as possible, I come before the specified time in any event. And I’ve learned to wait for the rest to come.

John Klare has this to share. He writes, “I operate under the assumption that if I am not 15 or 20 minutes early, I’m late. With this as my standard, I find myself seldom rushed and never late for an appointment or meeting. Of course, there is always the occasional flat tire or unforeseen situation that you cannot control, but that is precisely why I always figure that possibility into my traveling calculation. In my opinion, being late never serves you well and always makes a bad impression. In short, it demonstrates poor planning and reeks of disrespect! So I always try to arrive early because there is one sentence I don’t like to say… or hear: I’m sorry I’m late!”

I was invited to a business meeting in the mainstream. We were half-way through the agenda, when a well-dressed Filipina came in saying, “I’m sorry I am late, may I know what you have discussed so far?” I was seething inside me. We came early so as not to embarrass ourselves. Here comes a Filipino community leader embarrassing all of us as she invoked “Filipino time.” Perhaps, we can erase “Filipino time” in our vocabulary. When you are late for any reason, just  say, “I’m sorry”. Don’t give “Filipino time” as an excuse. Don’t downgrade the Filipino by your own behavior.

A good friend came into one of my meetings and I asked, “Why are you late? She replied with a sweet smile, “Be thankful I came, better late than never”. I would have pinched her. But she explained the emergency situation she encountered on her way to the meeting, which to me was excusable. Although I still believe that punctuality is a virtue.

By Aurora S. Cudal

Miami, Fl. – “We are aging – not just as individuals or communities but as a world… In 2006, almost 500 million people worldwide were 65 and older. By 2030, that total is projected to increase to 1 billion – 1 in every 8 of the earth’s inhabitants”, reports the National Institute on Aging of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The report further stated that “While global aging represents a triumph of medical, social, and economic advances over disease, it also represents tremendous challenges. Population aging strains social insurance and pension systems and challenges existing models of social support. It affects economic growth, trade, migration, disease patterns and prevalence, and fundamental assumptions about growing older.”

U.S. Census estimates that the over-65 population will age four to six times as fast as the general population. With this picture, it is anticipated that reporters will increasingly need to focus on the health issues of seniors – and the work being done to prepare for this tremendous growth.

Recognizing the need to plan for the long term and to play a key role in creating public awareness on issues, policies and programs for an aging population, the University of Miami Center on Aging played host to more than seventy health care journalists from all over the United States for a workshop on Aging in the 21^st Century. The workshop presented by the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism, was held on October 16-17, 2009.

Dr. Donna Shalala, president of the University of Miami and former secretary of the Department of Health and Services kicked-off the workshop on Friday with an overview of what health reform could mean to senior health, followed by a welcome reception.

The workshop participants spent the whole day listening and interacting with experts on various topics such as, Demographics of an aging society: What will we look like?; Aging in the ethnic community; Brain research; Is the health care workforce prepared for a shift in aging?; Finding the money to pay for senior health, Community efforts to accommodate aging; and efforts to prevent elder abuse.

The topic on Elder Abuse elicited much interest since it is under recognized and under reported problem in most communities. Relatively few cases are identified even in the Filipino community since elders are often reluctant to report the mistreatment.

In general, elder abuse refers to intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or “trusted” individual that lead to, or may lead to, harm of a vulnerable elder.  Types of elder abuse ranged from physical, emotional and sexual abuse and exploitation and neglect.

Apparently, in the Filipino community emotional abuse and exploitation are rampant but not reported. Emotional abuse includes verbal attacks, threats, rejection, isolation or belittling acts that cause or could cause mental anguish, pain or distress to a senior. On the other hand, exploitation includes theft, fraud, misuse or neglect of authority, and use of undue influence as a lever to gain control over an older person’s money or property.

As a result of the Workshop, plans are underway to set up a Filipino Senior Advocacy and Help Center to protect the rights of Filipino American seniors, such as those being evicted in senior living facilities without due process.

Mga kababayan at mga kaibigan

Malapit na ang panahon na tayong lahat ay dapat magpabilang

Isang mahalagang katungkulan nang bawa’t mamayan

Dito sa bayan ng ating kabuhayan.

Ang Census 2010 ay may magandang layunin

Upang ang bawa’t tao sa bayan ay dapat bilangin

Kailangan ipakita natin na ang mga Filipino sa Amerika

Ay may lakas at kakayahan at kahalagaan

Tayo ay magkaisa, magbuklod-buklod at magpakita

Na tayo ay dapat pansinin dito sa  Amerika

Magpabilang tayo – lahat at isa-isa

Upang ang buhay natin ay maging masagana.

Kaya mga kaibigan at kapwa kong Filipino,

Bata o matanda, may papel man o wala

Magpabilang tayo.

Ito ay mahalaga.

Huwag matakot at huwag mag-alala

Ang pagbilang sa atin ay hindi maibubunyag sa madla,

Ito ay “confidential” at itinatago

Kundi ang nagkasalang census workers ay ibibilango

Kaya sa simula ng taon 2010

Tayo ay makakatanggap nang sulat mula sa Bureau of Census

Kalakip ang sampung tanong kung sino tayo sa Amerika.

Isagut ninyo, “Ako ay Filipino,” marangal at matalino.

Ang mga sagot sa katanungan ibalik natin

Sa  araw nang Abril uno sa taong darating,

Ito ay gawin at bigyan nang pansin

Dahil ito’y mahalaga para sa atin.

Tayo ay magkaisa at magsamasama

Magpabilang tayo na mga Filipino.

Ipagsabi sa mga kaibigan at sa ating mga kalahi

Sa Census 2010 dapat ang bilang natin ay kompleto

Magpabilang tayo,  ito ay isang karapatan

Dito sa Amerika nang bawat naninirahan,

Kung alam nang pamahalaan ang tunay na bilang natin

Tayo ay igagalang, tutulongan at bibigyan nang pansin.

Kaya mga kaibigan ating ipaalam

Sa lahat nating mga kababayan

Magpabilang tayong lahat upang maging kompleto

Ang bilang nating mga Filipino.

Mabuhay ang Filipino sa Amerika!

Mabuhay ang Filipino sa California!

Mabuhay ang Filipino sa San Diego!

Bago mag-Abril uno, magpabilang, Filipino tayo!

Isinulat ni Dr. Aurora S. Cudal,

Punong Tagapamahala, Filipino Complete Count Committee, San Diego County

Oct. 13, 2009.

Two souls in search of peace and quiet
Found the waterfront a haven to forget
Their cares, concerns and their regrets.
They weaved in fantasy their hopes and dreams
With tender touch and warm caresses
That brought a smile to their weathered faces.
They’ve found the power in words
To rest tired minds, to mend past hurts,
Caused by unkind memories of times past.
Two souls in search of peace and quiet
Found understanding and affection
In pleasant conversation
As they gazed at the reflections of light
That glow by the waterfront at night.
by Aurora

As you read this column, I am at the University of Miami, Florida attending a workshop on “Aging in the 21^st Century”. This is a ground breaking workshop with no less than Dr. Donna Shalala, president of the University of Miami and former secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services as the keynote speaker. As a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists, I was given the opportunity to apply for a scholarship from the Ethnic Media Fund. I successfully met their requirements.

This was a long planned event and I could not forego my attendance since I am the only Filipino recipient of the much coveted scholarship. Besides, all my expenses – travel, hotel accommodation, and registration has already been paid by my benefactors two months ago.

Dr. Riz A. Oades, president and co-founder of Kalusugan Community Services (KCS), looked well and was then in the best of spirits when I discussed the workshop with him. He enthusiastically supported my participation. He never had the premonition that he would be laid to eternal rest on the day of the workshop, October 17, 2009 at the Glenn Abbey Memorial. .

In one of our conversations, Dr. Oades expressed his deep belief in God, but he was not keen on religious rituals. Although he wrote on his Facebook page, that he is a liberal Catholic. He opines that belief in God is best expressed by doing good to your fellow human beings. He was very thankful to God for his intellect, for his family, and for his life. As a historian, he explored various religious tenets. For him the bottom line is to love God and to serve your fellow men. His many acts of kindness to those who sought his help and his generosity to those who have less in life was something he kept to himself.  He was firm in his belief that   he was making a difference in people’s lives through the programs and services offered by the Kalusugan Community Services – FilAm Wellness Center.

While I am insistent that good works without faith is dead, he would say, read the Book of Ecclesiastes, and see what King Solomon says about life and living. One cannot argue with Dr. Oades, and I don’t want to argue with him about religion which he considers a matter of personal belief. Besides, I could not win a debate with him, he would say, “Remember I was the best debater in FEU during my college days”.

So, in memory of a dear friend and mentor, I quote these passages from the Book of Ecclesiastes, “There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a  time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. What do people get for all their hard work? I have thought about this in connection with the various kinds of work God has given people to do. God has made everything beautiful for its own time.” Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11.

Dr. Riz A. Oades, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a member of your team at Kalusugan Community Services and for giving me the privilege of managing FilAmFest for the past three years.  May you rest in perfect peace and may you dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

.

“I love my God more than I love my husband”, declared Zeny Ramos as she shared her personal testimony on how she thrive after two cancer surgeries. First, breast cancer at the age of 27 then thyroid cancer three years later.  But this is getting ahead of the heart-warming story of Zeny who with joy and thanksgiving celebrated her golden wedding anniversary with her husband, Ruben, her childhood sweetheart. Their marriage was blessed with five children – Jeanie, Dennis, Jeffrey, Gladys, and Cherry.

Last Sunday (July 19, 2009) after worship services, friends and relatives of Ruben and Zenaida Ramos gathered at the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church of National City to celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary. Zeny and Ruben’s wedding fifty years ago in Guiguinto, Bulacan, Philippines was officiated by Pastor Nathanael Manuel. Who would ever imagine that their officiating pastor would also retire and live in San Diego? Thus, Pastor Manuel gave the invocation before meals and shared his own story about the couple later in the program.

The lunch was sumptuous and the program was highly entertaining. The Ramos daughters and grand children showed their Tahitian dancing talents, much to the delight of the audience. As the fun was going on I browsed over the family album. I found several interesting quotations: “My love for you is a journey, starting forever and ending at never.” “Loving life is living life”. “Love binds everything together in perfect harmony”. “Two people who belong together make a world.” “Life is a song – play it.”

For Ruben, life is indeed a song, and he sang it well, literally and figuratively speaking. Ruben sang a lovely kundiman and serenaded her bride. On the other hand, Zeny saw life as a journey starting at forever and ending at never.” To her, “life is not a matter of milestones but of moments. Zeny’s album also revealed that “It is the  common things that makes relationship enjoyable, but it’s the little differences that makes life interesting.”

The program ended with Zeny sharing the up and downs of her journey through life. She was stricken with breast cancer after she gave birth to her first child. The doctor gave her a verdict that she had only six months to live. She pleaded with God to give her a longer chance to live so that she could raise her child. God answered her prayer. Then came another trial, thyroid cancer. The doctor gave up on Zeny, but Zeny did not give up on her God. She continued to serve the Lord with all her heart and with all her soul. Praise God, Zeny lived beyond the anticipated limits set by her doctor. She is filled with faith, hope and love. Her confidence in a great God assures her that she has more years ahead of her.

As a pastor’s kid, Zeny did what she can to spread the Good News. She did not focus on her condition; she focused on what she can do to serve God and her church community. She became so passionate serving God. When her husband tried to stop her from doing the things she was doing, she said, “I love my God more than I love you.”

Ruben, the patient and caring husband embraced her wife’s passion and both are serving the Lord through their music ministry as members of the Chancel Choir. To both of them, “love is a master key that opens the gates of happiness.”

We were awed by the grandeur of the snow-capped mountains as we stepped out of the plane which brought us to Salt Lake City. We, includes Pricilla  Garrovillas, Ludette Palermo and Remy de Ramos. These ladies are indeed admirable as I spent 72 hours with them purposely, to attend the 50^th wedding anniversary of Nario and Cora Idos. Other San Diegans present to honor the golden celebrants were Dr, Ceferina and Jay Ruiz and Relly and Regina Idos-Mendoza.  .

I was requested to offer a toast to Nario and Cora, Here’s what I said, “I was asked by a friend, why do you have to fly to Utah to attend a wedding anniversary? Why not just send a greeting card? My answer was, “ I would like to greet Nario and Cora in person on this significant event in their lives to thank them for all the support they have given me when I was the president of the Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County, (COPAO). Nario, who was then President of the Pozorrubio Association of Southern California, was a member of the Board of Directors of COPAO. He performed every assignment including that of Chair, Parade Committee (for three years) of the Philippine Faire.  On the other hand, Cora was his strong support and inspiration, being with Nario in all the occasions that called for his presence.  Cora is a member of the Samahan Rondalla. This couple made a great difference in the Filipino community in San Diego. And I offer this toast to wish them more happy years as they build a new life here in Provo. Mabuhay!”

What was most heart-warming was to see Cora resplendent in her gown (Boodgie Arce’s creation); with no trace of the pain and suffering she went through as an  Aneurysm victim  seven months ago. Hence, the 50^th wedding anniversary was doubly significant –  celebration of a successful marriage and  thanksgiving for the miraculous recovery of Cora.

I was very much impressed by the love and support shown by their three children and their spouses:  Architect Nario Idos, Jr.  and wife, Carolina,    Dr. Rodello and Marilou Idos, and Roy Anthony Malit and wife,  Mary Joy Idos and their children. Now I understand why Nario preferred  to celebrate his 50^th wedding anniversary in Provo, Utah – he and Cora realized their American dream in this town where they were able to purchase a home of their own and be with  their children and grandchildren. Nario’s nuclear family which he built with love and Christian values were all present as he savored his personal triumph as a family man.

Unexpectedly, our trip to Utah turned out to be a grand tour. We spent the whole of Sunday touring the Temple Square in the heart of Salt Lake City.  Our day started with hearing the “Music and Spoken Word” at the Mormon Tabernacle. The 360-voices Tabernacle Choir were awesome as they sang All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name”, “How Lovely Are the Messengers”, Folk Tune Sketch on Irish”, “Israel, Israel, God is Calling”, “I Know My Father Lives”, “Walk Together Children”, and “My Redeemer Lives”. The Choir gave two additional hymns to honor the presence of the Neurosurgeons Association of America, who were attending a convention in Salt Lake City.

The Spoken Word was entitled “Embracing Simplicity” given by Lloyd D. Newell. A part of which reminded us that “chasing technology is not the best way to embrace the future – or the present. Plentiful information is good, but epiphanies of wisdom, original ideas, and communion with the divine are most likely to come during moments of quiet calm. Without them, we become like mice in a maze, constantly racing back and forth for the next piece of cheese.”

Newell further said, “What might happen if we set aside the gadgets and tumult of the world, for just a few moments everyday, and enjoy the peace that comes out of simplicity? It would help us keep our our goals in perspective, be more positive around us and grow nobler instead of just busier. …Simplicity is our greatness.”

We left Salt Lake City greatly enriched by our tour of The Temple. Then we proceeded to do some sight-seeing and shopping for bling-blings in the Lion’s Shop at the Kennecott Copper Mine and finally, to view  the Great Salt Lake In all these places we had our  “kodakan”  moments amid laughter and fun. Thanks to Nario and  Rodel Jr. “RJ” (Nario’s grandson)  who patiently and pleasantly served as tour guide and van-driver, respectively.

We promised to come back to Utah in December to enjoy the grandeur of the mountains and the lakes which by then would be covered with snow and to get away from the lure of the casinos which are non-existent in Salt Lake City. But perhaps it will be a most uplifting December vacation as we will most likely imbibe the Christian virtues of love and service through a better understanding of the Mormons’ faith and practice.

When my husband celebrated his 85^th birthday, he received a book from our son, Lt. Col. Ben Hur S. Cudal, who resides in Manila. The book is entitled, “The People of the Middle Ground: A Century of Conflict and Accommodation in Central Mindanao 1880-1980s authored by Dr. Ronald K. Edgerton.

In the words of Dr. Patricio N. Abinales, who wrote the foreword, “the book tells the story of  people in Central Mindanao who over time developed a masterful capacity to borrow from the new without losing touch with the old, reimagining themselves not as willing western clones or stubborn tribal traditionalists, but as virtuosos at articulating between multiple ways of being. Its central question is “How did they negotiate the middle ground in a world of swirling change? In answering that question, Dr. Edgerton provides a fascinating study that will be invaluable to scholars everywhere who seek to understand how people with little power manage to articulate a changing sense of identity in the face of forces far more powerful than themselves.”

Dr. Edgerton is emeritus professor of Asian History at the University of Northern Colorado where he also served as director of the University Honors Program. His fascination with the people of Bukidnon owes much to his years as a Peace Corps volunteer together with his late wife, Becky Richards.

The book has become a “must-read” for all the Cudals because the central personality in this historical novel is the grand matriarch of the Cudal family, Marcela Abello Cudal. In fact the book’s cover girl is  Marcela when she was 16 years old.

As I read the book, I found it so interesting to note that many of us here in San Diego are people of the middle ground. We have that masterful capacity to hold on to our culture and traditions while we adopt to our new environment. We maintain our being Filipino and become  Americans when the situation demands it.

The dual citizenship – being Filipino citizens  when you are in the Philippines and being an Ameriican citizen when you are in the United States challenges our thought process. But to those who have become dual citizens and who benefit from their new status are just telling the whole world that most Filipinos are people of the middle ground.

By the way, I’m proud to be a Filipino with the likes of Manny Pacquiao telling the  whole world that he can fight  anybody, after he handily won over the British fighter, Hatton.

Pacquiao has become a symbol of courage and strength for all of us. We adore him because he represents what we would want to be – a good fighter in the battle of life. We can knock down our fears and anxieties. We can overcome difficulties and adversities in life. But as Pacquiao said, “it seems easy, but it takes hard work, training and discipli

Chula Vista, CALIF. — Mrs. Januaria “Jane” Caramat Soriano, San Diego’s Mrs. Philippine Centennial passed away on July 2 after a lingering illness. A tireless fund raiser, she entered the Mrs. Philippines Faire popularity contest in 1998 to raise funds for the Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County, Inc.(COPAO).   She won the title of “Mrs. Philippine Centennial” by a very small margin over her closest rival but with deep regrets. In one of her solicitation rounds she slipped and broke her hip, an accident that slowly sapped her strength, but not her will to make a difference in the community.

A deaconess by training, Januaria and her husband, Rev. Jose Soriano were inseparable team. Both established the First Evangelical Methodist Church of San Diego County and made “Sharing, Caring and Loving”, their mantra as they translated their Wesleyan faith into action. They both reached out to help people in need. The “husband and wife team” together with their children forged a spiritual team and visited homes of their members, conducted bible studies, organized youth programs and contributed to missions abroad.

An ardent believer of John Wesley’s social principles, Januaria literally put into action one of his famous sayings, “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can.” .

Januaria Caramat Soriano hails from Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. She graduated from the Harris Memorial College in 1949 with a degree in Christian Education and went on to obtain higher education at the Philippine Christian University, obtaining a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in School Administration and English as a second language.

Before she came to the United States, she was actively involved in the life and ministry of the United Methodist Church, particularly in women’s work. She was the president of the Northern Philippines Annual conference Ministers’ Wives and secretary of Spiritual Life of the Women’s Society of Christian Service.

A well-loved mother and grandmother, Januaria saw to it that her three sons – Jose, Jr., (married to Erna Esther Dagtay); Jemuel (married to Priscilla Maddela), and Jonathan (married to Aurora Hygeia Cudal) imbibed her spiritual discipline and values. She continued to nurture them in her faith, a legacy that she handed to her 8 grandchildren – Jeanelle Erna Soriano Teng, Jethrone, Joel, Jemson, Ruel, Joseph Winlove, and twins, Jon David and John Benjamin.

Friends and relatives will gather at the California Mortuary at Highland Avenue in National City on July 15 and 16 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM for the final viewing. Interment rites will be held on July 17 at 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Burial will be held at La Vista Cemetery.