Worldclass Sorsoganon Educator

A.A.J.A. AWARD FOR DECHAVEZ. Educator and community leader Willie D.
Dechavez (center) shows the recognition award he received from the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) during a reception held on March 4, 2011 in the GM Renaissance Conference Center in Detroit. With him in photo are State Senator Hoon Yung Hopgood (left) and journalist Ron Jacinto. Dechavez will also receive the Everyday Hero award on March 9, 2011 from Verizon and Urban League of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan.

Filed under: Campus Talk, Community Service Group, Department of Education, Encouragement, Inspiration, Natatanging Sorsoganon, People who inspired Us, Pinoy Migration, Show your pride, Sorsoganon Everywhere, Sorsoganon in the LIMELIGHT!, Sorsogon News Updates, Sorsogon Outstanding Achievers, Touching Heart, Touching Lives, We will make you SHINE!, American Journalists Association, Educator and community leader Willie D. Dechavez, Everyday Hero award, Ron Jacinto, Willie D. Dechavez, Worldclass Sorsoganon Educator

Fil-Ams hail Obama’s immigration reform speech

Filipino-American groups have hailed a major policy speech of US President Barack Obama calling for reforms on the country’s immigration laws that should include a mechanism for the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

“We support the call for a practical, common sense approach to our broken immigration system that both secures the borders and establishes a path to legalization,” said Arnedo Valera of Migrant Heritage Commission.

“The Comprehensive Immigration Reform should be founded on fairness and social justice rooted on American values,” he added.

The National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA) also said they are “heartened” by Obama’s speech, saying Filipinos will be among those who will benefit from immigration reforms.

“Filipinos have the longest waiting time for petitions to be approved and are thus adversely affected by protracted delays in visa processing,” said NaFFAA national chairperson Greg Macabenta.

Illegal immigrants in the US have now reached 11 million, according to Obama.

In his speech delivered last Thursday at the American University in Washington, D.C., Obama asked Congress to improve US’ immigration system, which he described as “fundamentally broken” and “painful.”

Obama acknowledged the various economic contributions of immigrants, making US the world’s “engine of global economy and a beacon of hope.”

However, he described in the same speech as “unwise and unfair” the proposals of some groups to either provide immigrants with legal status or at least put a stop to deportation while waiting for a better law to be passed.

“Our nation, like all nations, has the right and obligation to control its borders and set laws for residency and citizenship. And no matter how decent they are, no matter their reasons, the 11 million who broke these laws should be held accountable,” Obama said.

Critics, however, described Obama’s speech as significant but lacking in specific policy proposals.

Discrimination

Valera said the current immigration system promotes discrimination against members of ethnic groups, and leaves undocumented migrants vulnerable to illegal recruiters and unfair labor practices.

“A comprehensive immigration reform now is an effective response to the phenomenon of global migration and the current global economic crisis. Human beings are our resources to build a great nation,” Valera said.

He added that undocumented immigrants seeking better lives for themselves and their children in the US likewise bear the brunt of a flawed immigration system.

Macabenta also notes that many Filipino World War II veterans who had filed petitions for their children have passed away, thus voiding their petitions and depriving their children of immigration benefits.

Proposed immigration bills include a provision exempting eligible children of Filipino veterans from such limitations and expediting their visa applications.

“We need to keep raising our voices loudly and demand moral leadership on this critical issue. We must remind America that we are a nation of immigrants, that regardless of where we came from and how we came here, our shared values strengthen and enrich America’s culture and global standing,” added NaFFAA national vice chairperson Rozita Lee. – JA/KBK, GMANews.TV

By JOSEPH LARIOSA, GMANews.TV

via: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/195212/fil-ams-hail-obamas-immigration-reform-speech

Filed under: Pinoy Migration, Sorsoganon Everywhere

Fil-Am Veterinarian from Sorsogon Pays Tribute to Military on b-day bash

CHICAGO – On her 70th birthday, a Filipino-American veterinarian paid tribute to the military where three of her eight children built their careers.

“Remember our men and women in uniform who dedicated their lives for the love of their country, especially my son Alan, who died while undergoing training to pursue his dream as a U.S. Marine,” Dr. Dona Lariosa Hernandez told her guests present last June 26 at the cafeteria of St. Gregory the Great Parish at Chicago’s northside.

Dr. Dona Lariosa Hernandez (right) on her 70th birthday celebration at the cafeteria of St. Gregory the Great Parish in Chicago’s northside. JGLiPhoto

PFC Alan L. Hernandez was training with the US Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego, California in 2003 when he died.

One of her children, John, is still with the military as an Army sergeant. John has taken a couple of tour of assignments in Afghanistan.

Younger brother Herbert, who was also a U.S. Army specialist from Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has left the military service to pursue a civilian vocation in Hawaii.

Dr. Hernandez also paid tribute to her clients, especially those who are still calling for her services. One of them, Ms Barbara H. Herlein, has been a client since 1975, “when we were still brunette.”

Ms Herlein is still her repeat loyal client to this day. The semi-retired Dr. Hernandez has limited her professional duties to house calls.

Empathy with pets

Dr. Hernandez said her other clients, Mr. and Mrs. Celso and Linda Aurelia, Ms. Ligaya Reyes, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Arroyo, and Aida Davila “more than ever have demonstrated their strong bond with their pets.”

“They go to great lengths to shower their pets with empathy, compassion, friendship, patience,” she added.

Among the guests was Dr. Pilar Pascual Cenir, also her classmate in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of the Philippines. Dr. Hernandez said she has known Dr. Cenir, the wife of Filipino community leader, Boni Cenir, “for more than 50 years.”

Most of her guests were parishioners and members of the Filipino congregation of St. Gregory the Great Parish, where she is a board member. Also present were five of her eight children: Larry, Helen, George, Neil and Joseph – and her grandchildren, her brothers Joseph and Ray, relatives and friends.

Rev. Paul Wachdorf, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish, opened the celebration with an invocation followed by a dinner, testimonials of Dr. Hernandez’s family and friends including Gina Ybardaloza and Susan Silvano, who are her fellow officers at St. Gregory.

A native of Pilar, Sorsogon, Dr. Hernandez immigrated to the US in the ’60s. She was one of the seven children of the late agriculture teacher Jose L. Lariosa of Sorsogon, Sorsogon and homemaker Consolacion G. Garra of Matnog, Sorsogon.

She opened her veterinary practice in Chicago. She has been a proud member of the American Veterinary Medical Association for 35 years and of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association for 34 years. — LBG/FONJ, GMANews.TV

By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

Souce:http://www.gmanews.tv/story/195049/fil-am-vet-pays-tribute-to-us-military-on-b-day-bash

Filed under: Sorsoganon Everywhere, Sorsoganon in the LIMELIGHT!, Sorsogon Outstanding Achievers, We will make you SHINE!, Fil-Am Veterinarian from Sorsogon Pays Tribute to Military on b-day bash

Netherlands- Kalayaan Fiesta “Luzviminda 2010”

The picnic organizers this year joined by the majority of the Filipino-Dutch organizations, are gearing up for another exciting kalayaan fiesta, in conjuction with our 22nd Philippine Independence Day celebration in the Netherlands. With the new introduced theme ” Luzviminda 2010“, the programme committee, is committed to showcase the typical Filipino traditions, Dances, Songs & Stage Play, from the north to the southern part of the philippines. ABS/CBN artists will add more highlights to the celebration with shows & singing performances! Lastly, the newly-formed KFFN Youth Group will project extra excitement & dimension with their new program that will create identity for the emerging Filipino-Dutch young generation! Mabuhay! Halina….sa…Spaamwoude! For Picnic House Rules & Regulations please visit http://kalayaanfiesta.wordpress.com

Souce: http://kalayaanfiesta.wordpress.com

Filed under: Family, Friends and Society, Kwentong OFW, Pinoy Migration, Sorsoganon Everywhere, Upcoming Events, What's Happening Here?, Youth Community Service Groups, Filipino-Dutch organizations, kalayaan fiesta, Netherlands- Kalayaan Fiesta Luzviminda 2010, Philippine Independence Picnic

Never give up, Never Backdown, Never lose faith – Face the GIANT

Its a great movie with inspirational message that made me think of my point of view as well. Am i facing that GIANT right now?

When your back is AGAINST the WALL…

When it seems there is NO WAY OUT….

You have to face your fears…..FACE THE GIANTS

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Filed under: Arts and Literature, Baratilyo Updates, Buhay Sorsoganon, Campus Talk, Churches, Community Service Group, Concerned Sorsoganon, Encouragement, Expat Living in Sorsogon, Family, Friends and Society, Food and Drinks, Get Involved, Government, History, Hobbies and Recreation, Inspiration, Jokes & Humor, Kasangayahan 2009, Kumustahan, Kwentong OFW, Livelihood, Love, Courtship and Marriage, Mountaineering Groups, Promote Tourism, Public Service, Religion, Senior Citizen Assoc., Sorsoganon Everywhere, Sorsogon Expat's, sorsogon riders association, Sorsogon Student Awardee, Sports Center, Travel & Adventures, Travel and Lifestyle, What's Happening Here?, Face that giant in Sorsogon, Never breakdown Sorsogon, Never give up Sorsogon