Hacienda Luisita is a vast agricultural estate that occupies most of the towns of Concepcion, San Miguel, La Paz and a good portion of Tarlac City. P-Noy’s maternal relatives, the Cojuangco clan, took over the 6,400-hectare property in 1958 from Tabacalera which the Lopez family had owned since 1882. The peasant uprising of the 1950s was said to be a big factor in the change of ownership. The Cojuangcos acquired the hacienda through a blended loan from the Government Security and Insurance System and a New York Bank.

The hacienda has a sugar mill that processed the sugar canes harvested from the land. In recent years a hotel and a golf course were added.  There are 10,000 persons who live in the estate which is as big as the cities of Makati and Pasig combined.

When Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino became President of the Philippines in 1986, agrarian reform was one of the major pillars of her program to help peasants freed from the stranglehold of feudalism. In one of her public speeches, she categorically said that Hacienda Luisita would be included in the list of large agricultural holdings to be expropriated to farmers who till the land.

Her husband, then Sen. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., sold their share of ownership of the hacienda but the share of their son Noynoy stayed with him. P-Noy said recently that his holding is a paltry one percent of the total ownership. The Cory Presidency had ended with the Hacienda Luisita remaining in the hands of the Cojuangcos.

2004 Massacre
In 1988, the peasants were offered stocks instead of the land. The situation in the Hacienda became volatile and in 2004, a bloody confrontation between the protesting farmers and their supporters and the owners’ private army resulted in the massacre of 14 persons. The conflict escalated once again recently.  The Cojuangcos insist on buying out the peasants stocks for a price that hardly each farmer one a meal at “Cabalen” Buffet Restaurant.

The farmers group and their supporters petitioned the court to void the settlement and insisted on following the agrarian reform’s edict to distribute the land to the farmers and the Cojuangcos getting compensated in the process.  Not the other way around, as it is happening now.

Inquirer’s news analyst, Amada Doronila, correctly wrote in his column that this is the first true test of P-Noy’s social commitment to eradicate poverty in the Philippines. I agree that the People Power that propelled P-Noy’s mother to the highest position of the Philippines was reduced to empty symbolism and lost opportunities because no substantial program was implemented to reduce poverty.  In fact, corruption became prevalent and the “Kamaganaks, Inc”—or Cory’s relatives were left freely indulging in unmitigated enterprise of enriching themselves further at the expense of the suffering masses.

Wink-wink
Contrary to the common perception that P-Noy’s big win is purely a people’s crusade to install a righteous man in Malacanang Palace, it is easy to check on who poured hundred of millions in Noynoy’s presidential campaign. It should not surprise anyone to know that the Cojuangcos comprise the top donors. While Gibo Teodoro is smarter of the two Cojuangcos vying for the presidency, the rest of the Cojuangcos are as smart as well but definitely are practical oligarchs.  They know exactly where to place their bet to be sure their interest is protected.

In the last elections, the emotional voters who got singed by Cory and Erap just cannot go past their illusions and myths. They made Noynoy the man to beat.  The Cojuangcos took note and decided they can live with that.  In fact the Cojuangcos can hack it out in any political regime. Luisita was acquired during the graft-ridden Carlos P. Garcia presidency. Danding prospered during the Marcos Dictatorship. Peping in Cory’s. Danding took Erap under his wing and bet right, again. And now P-Noy.  Cojuangcos are not just lucky.  They are smart, in a wink-wink way.

In fairness, one must qualify that Cory Aquino did not personally benefit in any scandal involving graft and corruption in her six years as president. But that was small consolation.  The People Power armed Cory with tremendous political equity to move the country away from the legacy of the evil triumvirate of feudalism, fascism and imperialism that made the country backward and poor. Tragically, she wasted that asset.

She paid lip service to agrarian reform and let feudal landowners continue to lord it over the millions of landless farmers. In 1984, she was one of the conveners of nationalist leaders who met in Hong Kong to draw out a people’s program to correct the disastrous effects of the Marcos Dictatorship and decades of semi-colonial regimes.  Nationalist leaders like Lorenzo Tanada, Jose W. Diokno and Jovito Salonga were some of the signatories.

September 16, 1991
One of their valid demands was an end to the US_RP Bases Treaty that was proven to be a strong link to the perpetuation of the martial rule of Marcos and to its continuing negative influence in the socio-economic growth of the  Philippines.  Since 1946, the US Bases tied up hundred thousands of hectares of prime land and port facilities in exchange for an inequitable rent. And this is not to forget its adverse impact on the psyche of a young and struggling nation.  In other words, the US through its leases on the bases fostered a culture of dependency on the Filipinos and their leaders.

Tragically, President Cory and her defense secretary, Fidel Ramos, left no stone unturned in pressuring the members of the Philippine Senate– the government unit that has the power to make treaties to extend the lease of the US Bases in direct violation of the 1984 conveners’ agreement. While Cory got her marching order from the US Embassy, twelve senators led by then Senate President Jovito R. Salonga prevailed on Sept. 16, 1991with their courageous act to abrogate the onerous treaty. Their action liberated Subic Bay, Clark Air Base and land from 35 other US Military installations all over the Philippines.

(The other heroic senators who voted with Senate President Salonga were Senators Butz Aquino, Erap Estrada, Juan P. Enrile, Teofisto Guingona Jr., Sotero Laurel, Ernesto Maceda, Nene Pimentel, Santanina Razul, Rene Saguisag, Wigberto Tanada and  Victor Ziga.)

President Cory Aquino got even. She successfully conspired to oust Salonga as Senate President and was replaced by her ally Neptali Gonzales who voted for the retention of the bases.  To further humiliate Salonga, she would throw her full   to her husband’s former jailer, Gen. Fidel Ramos who won the presidency and became her successor in 1992. In that year’s elections, her wrath focused on Salonga who like Noynoy ran as the Liberal Party presidential nominee.

To her subtle delight. Salonga wound up behind Imelda Marcos in the resultof the presidential race. Ironically, Salonga was one of Ninoy Aquino’s lawyers during his nine years of incarceration in Marcos concentration camp where Gen. Ramos acted as the dictator’s warden until Ramos turned against his Uncle Ferdinand in February of 1986.

Philippine politics is replete with back-stabbings, paradoxes and Machiavellians conspiracies.  The seemingly saintly Cory–bless her soul–is an apt player. To Salonga’s credit, his group’s act of courage moved the country closer to true independence.  The doom that Cory and her supporters predicted if the US military left the bases never happened.  Instead, Subic and Clark are now hubs of economic activities.  Tourism, environmentalism and housing development are thriving.  Dick Gordon who passionately worked for the retention of the bases to protect the brothels of Olongapo benefited for many years as head of the Subic Bay Development Authority.

This month, being September, is a good time to recall a bright shining moment in our modern history in which the celebrated Cory Aquino came short of her faith in the Filipino people. On September 16, 1991, the Philippine Senate acted correctly as a true independent branch of the government—filling the gaps that other branches created.

As now in the case of Hacienda Luisita, the recent victorious Noynoy should learn from the unfortunate lessons of his mother’s presidency.  Armed with a mandate from the Filipino voters, Noynoy should be true to his words that he will liberate the Filipinos from stark poverty. He should use his political equity to the best interest of the country.

Noynoy has now the rare opportunity to lead with courage and dispatch.  By taking the cudgel of the poor peasants of the expansive Hacienda Luisita that they tilled for generations, P-Noy is letting the important message to sink in the hearts and minds of his suffering countrymen that, indeed, he is for real.

Adults seek orthodontic treatment because they realize that taking care of their smile is part of taking care of themselves.  Look at your smile.  It is the most important feature on your face.  A smile that is full of crooked teeth, cavities, and gum disease is not pleasant to look at and bad for your health. A beautiful smile with sparkling straight teeth is admired by others, provides you with the confidence to face any situation, and has numerous overall health benefits.  Straightening teeth is not only for children these days.  Of the 4 million orthodontic patients treated in America, over 25% are adults.  Below are some common questions that we get asked everyday.

Why Should Adults Get Orthodontic Treatment?
Three groups of adult patients generally come to our office for treatment.  One group of adults are patients who could not afford or have access to an orthodontist when they were young.  A second group are adults who had orthodontic treatment in the past, but had some minor shifting of their teeth since their teenage years.  The third group of adults are those who have specific tooth movements requested by their dentist.  Common requests are making room for a bridge or implant, straightening teeth to improve access for cleaning, improving chewing efficiency, and developing bone lost to gum disease.

Am I Too Old to Get Braces/Invisalign?
No!  There are no age limits!  Orthodontic treatment may go a little slower when you are older, but we routinely have 60 to 70 year olds come to seek treatment after seeing their grandchildren finish treatment.  Adults know how important it is to take care of themselves, and orthodontic treatment is part of it.

Is There a More Aesthetic Option?
Braces have advanced tremendously over the last ten years.  You no longer have to have a mouth full of metal.  New self-ligating braces discussed in a previous article make moving teeth virtually pain free and much faster than in the past.  New crystal clear braces with tooth colored wires and the Invisalign clear tray systems make straightening teeth virtually invisible.  Braces can also be placed on the inside so no one will notice.

All these innovations make adult orthodontics fast, esthetic, and pain-free.  For more information, please look at the American Association of Orthodontist website at www.braces.org or contact our office at www.yueorthodontics.com

What would you want to leave behind for your family?  If your choices were A) a contentious mess, or B) a well-coordinated estate plan, you would choose option B, right? All too many of us end up with option A. In fact, a recent national survey discovered that only 44% of Americans have a simple Will, much less a well-coordinated estate plan.

This is a story of four best friends from school: Charlie, Keith, Mike, and Stu. Each of them lived very successful lives, but their deaths brought very different outcomes.

Charlie was the first of the friends to pass away. His death was quite a shock to everyone because he died in a car accident at a young age. Unfortunately, Charlie never got around to planning his estate and died without a Will. So, not only did his assets have to go through the court process called “probate,” his assets also passed by “intestacy,” which is a fixed formula set by the state legislature for those dying without an estate plan. Charlie was unmarried but had a long-term partner. Unfortunately, the state’s formula did not take that into consideration. So, all of Charlie’s assets went to his blood relatives and none went to the person who mattered most to him, his long-term partner.

Keith learned from Charlie’s mistake. Shortly after Charlie’s death, he went to an attorney and created an estate plan. However, he stuck the plan in a drawer for the many years since it was created and forgot about it. When Keith passed away, he had not updated his estate plan in almost twenty years. While his plan avoided intestacy, it did not reflect his current relationships and intentions, meaning that his estate was not distributed as he wanted at his death. Keith, who had been married to Linda for more than a decade, would want everything to go to her. However, Linda was shocked to discover that his outdated estate plan left everything, including the house they had shared for years, to his former girlfriend from 18 years ago, Betty.

Mike learned from both Charlie’s and Keith’s mistakes. Not only did he put an estate plan in place, he made sure that he kept it updated with his current dispositive wishes. However, he forgot to think about beneficiary designations. Like many of us, the majority of Mike’s wealth was controlled by beneficiary designations. Mike had been with the same employer since graduation. The beneficiary designation on his retirement plan listed his mother; at that time, he was unmarried and had no children. His designation sent the bulk of his wealth to his mother, who was in a nursing home. Not only did it deprive his wife and children of money they desperately needed, it ended up reimbursing the state Medicaid agency for paying for his mother’s nursing home care.

When Stu died, he had seen the personal and financial tragedies that could occur with improper planning. Stu went to an attorney who focused his practice in estate planning. The attorney prepared a well-coordinated estate plan that considered all of Stu’s assets, including those controlled by beneficiary designation. Stu did his part, too. He made sure to follow up with the attorney periodically and whenever there were significant changes in his life. While Stu’s family was saddened by his passing, their grief was not compounded by poor planning.

The four friends each had the best of intentions, to provide for their loved ones after their passing. However, only Stu had an updated, well-coordinated estate plan and only Stu achieved the goal of caring for his loved ones who were left behind. •

Maritess Tamunday Bott is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and has been engaged in the practice of law since 1997. For more information or to attend an upcoming seminar, call (847) 818-9084 or visit www.bottestateplanning.com.

In all my 40 years here, I’ve never experienced the kind of weather that’s wreaking havoc on Washington : a monstrous blizzard that dumped nearly five feet of snow in February, a scorching heat wave, a deadly drought, an earthquake, ferocious back-to-back thunderstorms and damaging flash floods – all within seven months. And the year’s not over yet. We’re bracing for what will come next.

Meanwhile, weary residents have to contend with downed trees, power outages and flooded basements. We yearn for respite from Mother Nature’s wrath, negotiate with her if necessary.

But tranquility may not come anytime soon. There’s something else that’s even more alarming, threatening. It’s what Matthew Yglesia’s calls “a surge in xenophobia.” A fellow at the Center for American Progress, Yglesias notes that political temperatures are rising because the “us-vs-them controversies are proliferating” and politicians are “stoking a groundswell of public hostility towards outsiders.” He cites as examples the political fury over the building of an Islamic cultural center near the site of the World Trade Center in New York, the call for hearings to overturn the 14th Amendment in order to strip citizenship for babies born to undocumented immigrants, and the increasing attacks on immigrants, who are the new scapegoats when the economy goes bad.  And these attacks will continue to mount until things get better.

As Yglesia’s explains: “This hostility is a consequence of the economic downturn. When personal incomes stop growing, people become less broadminded, and suspicion of foreigners and other ethnic group grows. The loss of a job, or the worry that one might be lost, raises anxiety. This often plays out as increased suspicion of people who look different or come from different places.”

The hate-filled rhetoric against outsiders and their families is growing more harsh and shrill with each passing day. Under pressure by these conservative forces, the feds have upped the rate of deportations. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency in the Department of Homeland Security, reports that in 2006, the US deported 288,834 persons who entered the country without proper papers. The number dramatically increased in 2007 to 343,041, and in 2008 to 356,739.

Given the economic climate, even if the Democrats manage to control the House and Senate, it is unlikely for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Meanwhile, politicians continue to stoke a groundswell of public hostility towards outsiders. In Virginia, candidates for the state legislature are calling for more crackdowns on undocumented immigrants. Other states are also considering anti-immigrant legislation similar to one passed by Arizona recently.

Indeed, xenophobia is playing well, politically. And politicians have no shame in pandering to hysteria and fear.

The controversy over the Mosque at Ground Zero is very instructive because it is precisely “the fear of the other” that’s fueling all the hatred against Muslims. Julie Clawson, author of “Everyday Justice: The Global Impact of Our Daily Choices,” says that “this fear of the other prevents us from seeing the world clearly. Our belief in our own rightness clouds how we see the other.” She goes on to say that we judge Muslims by the actions of a few of its members, and that the fear and hatred sparked by the events of 9/11 still inform the average American’s opinion of Muslims.

President Obama was right when he publicly explained that “Al-Qaida’s cause is not Islam … These are not religious leaders … they’re terrorists … In fact, al-Qaida has killed more Muslims than people of any other religion … and that list of victims includes innocent Muslims who were killed on 9/11.”

By stating that Muslims have a constitutional right to build a mosque near Ground Zero, President Obama has reminded us that respecting diversity is a core American value. As writer Zahra Khan puts it, “This value allows everyone in our nation to live peacefully together, while respecting each person’s individuality. In essence, we are not supposed to become a melting pot, but rather a potpourri, in which diverse elements retain their characteristics to collectively produce the scent of liberty.”

In case you missed this news item: “Rima Fakih’s path from Lebanon to Las Vegas where she was crowned Miss USA is not unlike other immigrant success stories, but she stands out because of one notable first: she is very likely the first Miss USA who is Muslim. At at time when many Americans view Muslims with suspicion and hostility, Fakih, 24, sees herself as a testament to America’s promise as a land of opportunity. While she insists religion does not define her, the erstwhile Miss Michigan also recognizes that she can challenge stereotypes of the cloaked and dour Muslim woman.”

Immigration is profoundly changing the contours of this country, dotting America’s landscape with synagogues, temples and, yes, mosques. Hundreds of thousands of people of diverse cultural and religious identities stream into this land every year. Due in large measure to these immigrants, their sons and daughters and their grandchildren, the US has become the richest nation on earth. But its real treasures are not its bombs or banks but its people who come from different places, bringing with them the faith of their fathers and the songs of their mothers, further enriching this country with their beauty, brawn and brains.

We wish for a different kind of weather – not the extremes fueled by hatred and fear – but for the kind that leads us to common ground, that allows us – regardless of race and religion – to live together in peace.

E-mail your comments to jonmele@aol.com

He is survived by his wife Judy nee Caoili; his children Emmanuel (Carmen) and Maria Cristina (Rudolph) Chambers; grandchildren Nathan and Cameron Agno, Peter Jordan “PJ” and Anthony John Jude “AJ” Chambers.; sibling of Pablo (Conception) and Antonia (Juanito) Sarangay.

Mr. Agno’s funeral service was at the Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home.

Delfin H. Brosas, 90
Delfin Brosas died July 26 at the age of 90 from old age and diabetes.

His late wife was Gregoria Monedo; his children Consuelo Crame, Genovena Saret, Anastacia Sulte (deceased), Amado Brosas, Bonifacio Brosas (deceased), Merla Moraleda, and Martin Brosas.

Mr. Brosas resided in Chicago and is originally from Liliw, Laguna. He worked as a wine-maker businessman and farmer. His body was sent to the Philippines Aug. 4 for interment at Liliw Cemetary in Laguna.

Inocencio B. Maliwanag, 73
Inocencio B. Maliwanag died on Aug. 5 at the age of 73.

He was the beloved husband of Benita nee Villanueva; loving father of Ian and Michael; loving brother.  and fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Maliwanag was employed as a machinist. He was a resident of Des Plaines, IL His funeral was on Aug. 9 at the Colonial-Wojciechowski Funeral Home in Niles. He was interned at All Saints Catholic Cemetary.

Recently, various people on various occasions have asked me questions regarding Catholic marriage, divorce, and annulments.  Looking back to prior articles, I realized that I have never explored the subject in this column so I thought I would take the opportunity to share some thoughts with readers who might have similar questions.

First of all, in the Catholic faith, a marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman who presumably have both been baptized Catholic.  However, it is allowed that a baptized Catholic marry a non-Catholic.  But, as the Catholic party, it is his or her duty to marry according to the regulations of the Catholic Church.  The reason for this is simply because marriage is an expression of one’s Catholic faith.  If someone is going to claim the name of Catholic, one’s life must reflect that faith in every way.  The ceremony can take place in a non-Catholic church but the Catholic party does have the obligation of making certain that the proper dispensations and/or permissions have been granted in order for a marriage ceremony to take place outside of a Catholic ceremony.  This is simply done by making the arrangements with one’s parish priest.
But, getting back to the nature of marriage, in the Catholic understanding, marriage is a lifelong covenant.  As a covenant, it is a serious vow that the husband and wife make with each other.  The nature of a covenant goes beyond simply a contractual agreement between two people.  A covenant binds the parties to each other in a relationship that is mutually life-giving and has serious consequences for the one who breaks the covenantal relationship.

In the time of the Old and New Testaments, a covenant was entered into by two people who were mentally, spiritually, and emotionally mature.  Upon making the covenant, the parties involved thereupon entered into a lifelong relationship with each other that was mutually beneficial.  The covenant also had a religious element in that it was ratified by God in some way, either through a sacrifice offered or even a sign from heaven.

In the Old Testament, God made a covenant with His people that He would be their God and they would be His people.  God was faithful to this covenant but His people were not.  In the Gospels, Jesus became the sign of a new and everlasting covenant that God entered into with His people.  In Jesus, there is a lasting bond of love between Jesus and the Church, the New People of God.  In St. Paul’s letters, marriage becomes a sign of Christ’s love for his Church.  Seen in this way, marriage becomes an extension and an expression of God’s covenant with His people.  Just as God has promised to remain faithful to His people even to eternity, a husband and wife mirror that fidelity by promising to be faithful to each other “until death do us part.”

It is for this very reason that marriage is a serious matter in the Catholic Church.  Sometimes, people have complained that there are too many “requirements” to get married in the Catholic Church which they say, at times, forces them to take the “easier way out” by getting married civilly or in any other way besides the norm.  Yes, there is a good amount of paperwork that needs to be gathered before a marriage can take place.  Yes, there are times when the process can be delayed especially when there are previous marriages involved.  Yes, there is the requirement that the couple participate in marriage preparation sessions such as Pre-Cana or the like.  However, there is a reason to all of it.

If marriage is a covenant where two people are expected to understand fully the responsibilities that come with it, it becomes necessary to take the time to explain this commitment to each couple.  The man and the woman need to understand and agree that marriage is a religious relationship that imposes on them the responsibility of being faithful to each other for the rest of their lives, to give each other the right to bring children into the world, and to accept this obligation freely and without being forced in any way.  In order for both the bride and groom to understand fully the nature of marriage, the two must both give their consent freely and comprehend the duties they assume if the marriage is to be a true and lasting relationship.  Otherwise, there is something seriously missing and could prove to be a hindrance in the foreseeable future.

In the Catholic understanding, a marriage is a relationship built on the love between a man and a woman that helps to bring life into the world.  In other words, it must be life-giving for both the husband and wife as well as open to bringing new life into the world.  In this way, the husband and wife become a sacrament of Christ’s love for his people.  If Christ gave up his life for the life of the Church, the husband and wife promise to be like Christ for each other for the sake of God’s People, the Church.  As all Christians well know, to imitate the life of Christ is no small matter.  For any Christian, it requires a serious commitment on one’s part in order for one to be like Christ for the whole world.  It is precisely for this very same reason that the Catholic Church painstakingly takes steps to insure that a man and a woman enter into a marriage covenant fully aware of the promise they make to each other before God.

There will be more on marriage, divorce, and annulments in the next article.

FAN Tagalog Classes, Sept. 14-Nov. 16
Tues, Sept. 14-Nov. 16, The Filipino American Network (FAN) is offering a 10-week Tagalog course at the Mercy Family Health Center at Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago. The two classes offered are for beginners who have very limited Tagalog vocabulary (Basic Tagalog 1); and those who can put together a simple coherent sentence in Tagalog (Intermediate Tagalog 2).

You may pay 50% of the tuition fee which is $75 and the remaining payment will be on the first day of class. The total tuition fee is $150 or ($125 if registered before Sept. 1st.)

The Mercy Family Health Center at Hospital and Medical Center is located at 2525 South Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60616. The classes will be on the first floor conference room. Parking is free at the Visitor’s Parking Lot. You may register online at www.fan-chicago.org thru Paypal or send a check to 516 N. Ogden #151 Chicago, IL 60622 with your telephone number and email address.

3rd Annual Adobofest, Sept. 19
September 19, Sunday,  11 a.m., Adobofest is a culmination of a community picnic, taste-off and a fundraiser for (GK) Gawad Kalinga. It will start with a Mass at 11 a.m.. Later on, at 11:30, there will be live performances and an Adobo tasting contest. Adobofest is sponsored by Gawad Kalinga and the Filipino American Network (FAN).

Want to see how Lolas’ recipe stands up to Chicago’s best? We have 22 of 25 slots left!  Volunteers are needed! Please forward the following information to contestant@adobofest.org or call Edgar at 312-519-2834.

We need the following:
1.  Your First and Last Name
2. The name of your dish, i.e.,”Golden Mahal”
3.  Your telephone number
4.  The ability to meet one week before. To taste each of the adobo competitor’s dish will cost $7 each. At 1 p.m., participants may register for the Gawad Kalinga 5 K walk to raise money for the poor in the Philippines.

The fest is located at Labagh Woods, Grove #4, 5300 N. Cicero Avenue between Cicero & Foster Roads in Chicago.

Free Health Fair, Sept. 25
Sept 25, Sat., 10 am- 2 pm,  The Asian American Family and Senior Health Fair in partnership with Thorek Memorial Hospital will offer programs and services to work with the special needs of Illinois veterans, citizens and those with disabilities. It is sponsored by IL Sec. of State Jesse White.

The Thorek Memorial Hospital is located at 850 West Irving Park Rd. in Chicago. For more information, contact Carmen Estacio at 312-793-7352.

Knights of Rizal Confab in Las Vegas, Sept. 3-5
Chicago area members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR) led by Midwest Area Commander Bonifacio Cenir and USA deputy Commander Felix Gonzales join international delegates of the Fraternity Sept. 3-5 at the Orlean Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Supreme Commander Pablo S. Trillana III, Prof. Emmanuel Calairo, Mayor Oscar Goodman and Prof. David Lapig are some of the Speakers/Lecturers at the event. Malaya Chapter Commander Mariano A. Santos leads the members nominated for distinguished service awards during the ceremonies. The event ushers in the 150th Birthday Anniversary of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal for which the fraternity was formed.

Pinoy Contributor

Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics

Everyday, parents ask me a simple question.  When is the best age for my child to begin orthodontic treatment?  And of course, the answer no one likes to hear is “it depends”.  It depends on a variety of factors including: the type of tooth and jaw problem, the benefits of starting early, the financial and psychological costs, and maturity of the child.

Over 3 million children and teenagers seek orthodontic treatment every year in the United States.  Most of these patients start treatment in their early teens when all their adult teeth have come into the mouth.  For a small percentage of patients, children as young as 7 years old begin early treatment to address specific problems that are easily treated at younger ages, but become very difficult to handle in later years.  That is why The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children be evaluated by the age of 7 from an orthodontist.
There are a number of reasons for early intervention and most do not involve full braces.

Interceptive treatment can:

1)    Guide erupting permanent teeth into the proper position

2)    Widen an undersize jaw during growth

3)    Modify jaw growth and development.

4)    Remove obstacles that prevent eruption of adult teeth

5)    Reduce risk of trauma to the front teeth

6)    Eliminate factors that damage teeth and gums

7)    Prepare for bone grafts in craniofacial patients

8)    Improve facial profile and appearance

As you can see, early treatment involves creating the proper environment for normal jaw development and tooth eruption.  Straightening of the teeth and other cosmetic issues are addressed when all the adult teeth have erupted into the mouth.  For more information, please look at the American Association of Orthodontist website at www.braces.org or contact our office.

The birth of a new baby is a wondrous, joyous event. Henry David Thoreau said that “every child begins the world again.” Your world certainly began anew with your new baby!

It was a long path and it all seemed to happen so fast! But, it seems like there are still so many decisions to be made now and as your baby grows from infant to toddler, to school-age, to young adult. And, who would make those decisions if something happened to you?

First, if you died or were mentally incapacitated, your baby would need a Guardian to look after their physical and financial well being. You “nominate,” or suggest, a Guardian for your child in your Will. When the court is determining who should be named your child’s Guardian, it will give your preferred choice a lot of weight. The Guardian would have the privilege and responsibility of taking care of your child and providing for their material and emotional needs in the event of your death. Select the person as Guardian whom you trust most to raise your child and provide them a loving, nurturing environment. However, be sure to discuss the matter with the person you intend to select to make sure they are willing and able to take on the responsibility.

The best person to serve as your child’s Guardian may not have sufficient financial resources to provide the future you want for your child. And, you do not want your child to cause any financial hardship on the Guardian. Life insurance can provide the financial resources that could be used to pay for your child’s living expenses and education, and enable the future you want for your child.

One of the most important ways you can plan for your baby’s future is to plan for your own future. A qualified estate planning attorney can help you create a comprehensive plan:

* A Revocable Living Trust holds your property during your lifetime. If you become incapacitated, it allows for easy management of your property for you and your child. So, if you become ill, the person you designate, your successor “Trustee,” can step in to make sure things are handled until you are up and around again. In the event of your death, that person would manage the assets for the benefit of your child in the manner you’ve set forth. Your life insurance can be paid to your Trust so that the money is managed for your child by a responsible adult, the Trustee you’ve selected.

* A Financial Power of Attorney allows your “Agent” to take care of assets outside the Trust.

* A Health Care Power of Attorney (also known as an Advance Health Care Directive or Health Care Proxy) allows you to appoint someone to make health decisions for you in the event you are unable to make them for yourself. Having your health decisions in capable hands means you’ll be able to recover faster to be with your child.

* The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prohibits the release of protected health care information without your permission. It is important to make sure your loved ones and prospective decision-makers can access your health information, when necessary. A HIPAA Authorization Form ensures access to your protected health information for people whom you designate. This way people you designate can continue to get your health records, which may be crucial to your baby’s future well-being. For example, your child may need to know things about your medical history to diagnose their own medical issues.

A qualified estate planning attorney, who focuses his or her practice in estate planning, can help you put together a comprehensive plan that will care for you and your child in the event of your incapacity or even your death. Protect yourself and your baby from the unexpected. Call and schedule an appointment with an estate planning attorney today. You’ll sleep better once you do….at least when the baby lets you! •

Maritess Tamunday Bott is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and has been engaged in the practice of law since 1997. For more information or to attend an upcoming seminar, call (847) 818-9084 or visit www.bottestateplanning.com.

By Mariano A. Santos

Publisher/Editor

Let us hand it to Illinois State Senator Dan Rutherford (R, Pontiac) for his no-nonsense response to a pesky and nagging problem of the Filipino American Community. Last June 12 at the dinner celebration of the Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) at a ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rosemont, the Filipinos unsavory habit of talking all at the same time was put in an embarrassing spotlight.

A couple of minutes into his message as the event’s keynote speaker, Mr. Rutherford forcefully told an inattentive, rude and noisy audience of 800 attendees to “stop talking.” One of the guests recalled that the State legislator then turned his attention to a group of cackling women and curtly told them, ”If you want to talk, there is the door, go out and talk outside.” (Or words to that effect.)

(I requested the PIWC Chairperson, Ligaya “Joy” Manuel if we can view the video coverage of the event and our request was not yet granted as of press time. Mr. Rutherford was kind enough to provide a gist of his speech, which was not available as a full transcript.)

The outburst was justified.  It silenced the crowd who had to literally be forced to listen to the senator’s message, which was actually substantive, and perhaps the only relevant part of the evening’s program that seriously honored and understood the significance of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence of June 12, 1898.

Mr. Rutherford came out as one who is genuinely interested in the welfare of the Philippines and its people especially those Filipinos who call Illinois their adopted home.  He talked of his numerous trips to our homeland as a businessman and trader and as an eco-tourist who scuba-dives and enjoys the beautiful country like the Apo Island, which he reminded the audience was replicated in a multi-million permanent exhibit at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium.

He also traced the changes made in our historical tradition of celebrating our Independence Day. He shared how the US leaders respected the nationalistic assertion of a young republic struggling to shed off the vestiges of colonial influence.  He recalled that the Philippines had celebrated its Independence Day on July 4th, from 1946 to 1961, and in 1962, then President Diosdado P. Macapagal led the rewriting of history by mandating June 12, 1898 as the Philippine Independence Day.

Mr. Rutherford made an interesting recollection of the fact that no other than US President John F. Kennedy led the American people in sending a congratulatory message to the leaders of the US former colony in Asia.  Furthermore, Mr. Rutherford made a commitment to help the Filipino community in their immigration needs which he noted as not as equal as those enjoyed by immigrants from other nations.

He cited the example of Filipino immigrants who have to wait up to 22 years to get reunited with family members whom they petitioned to join them in the US—much longer than other immigrants who have only to wait half that time or less. There are other important matters included in his message that could have been otherwise ignored or lost in the din of useless chatter of guests who were obviously clueless on the true significance of the occasion.

It was surely not our proudest moment. Filipino Americans can afford to show off their accumulated wealth by donning their fancy and expensive barongs and ternos bedecked, of course, with pricey sparklers.  They may even show off their flawless skills in dancing the rigodon—a pitiful legacy of our colonial heritage.  But our lack of proper manners betrayed our lack of priorities and correct appreciation of our struggle for freedom.  More so, our inability to tackle serious issues about our state of affairs shows absence of our commitment to achieve genuine independence for the Philippines.

Yes, while the audience was silenced by the reprimand of the keynote speaker who demanded to be listened to, one would think we also learned a thing or two about good etiquette.  In the matter of an hour, the PIWC audience was even noisier and ruder when it was the turn of the new Consul General to give his remarks.  Too bad, hardly anyone that night cared to take cognizance of what he had to say. Hopefully, Ambassador Leo Herrera Lim learned fast on what he is up against in his new tour of duty.

Next time, there are two words that can actually do magic for the Consul General if he wants his message to get across.  They are:  Stop Talking!•