Category Archives: Writings and Musings

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Looking Back: New America Media’s 2012 Ethnic Media Awards

June 23, 2017Writings and Musingsethnic media awards, New America Medialorna

Lorna Dietz, Runner-Up, Community Blogging category, New America Media's Ethnic Media Awards for 2012, Northern CA & Central Valley (no winner) — Lorna Dietz, Runner-Up, Community Blogging category, New America Media’s Ethnic Media Awards for 2012, Northern CA & Central Valley (no winner)

I don’t make a habit of posting my achievements (correction, other than my LinkedIn) — but my sister, Noemi Dado, said that I should do it BEFORE I forget.

Here is one of my proudest moments when I was awarded as one of the “best of the best” in ethnic media in Northern California and Central Valley. It’s like receiving an Ethnic Pulitzer Prize. The category was COMMUNITY BLOGGING. I had done a content curation on the Define American advocacy of Jose Antonio Vargas, the Filipino American journalist who had “outed” himself as an undocumented immigrant in 2011. However, during the time I submitted my entry, many journalists didn’t really understand the power of content curation. Thus, my humble award of Runner-Up. I recall that the other honoree received an Honorable Mention. It’s all right. More media practitioners are doing more content curation nowadays. I’m just an regular blogger having done my share in community blogging in the Filipino American community.

At this time, http://NaFFAAR8.com has been archived. The original content curation is stored in my Storify account.

Here is the announcement that came with the honors.

NAM Honors Best in Ethnic Media at NorCal & Central Valley Awards Gala!

Last night, NAM hosted its 2011/2012 Northern California & Central Valley Ethnic Media Awards Gala at the KQED Studios in San Francisco.

Over 150 people, including ethnic and mainstream media, judges, honorees, and NAM founding members, attended the event.

The awards ceremonies recognized the exceptional work of winners from over 100 entries competing in print, broadcast and online categories. They comprised a diverse range of ethnic and youth media outlets in the region: African-American, Latino, Middle Eastern; and Asian communities including Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hmong, South Asian, and Fijian-Indian.

President of KQED Public Media, John Boland, welcomed the guests to the awards ceremony and NAM California Awards Chair Odette Keeley introduced the emcee for the evening, Bay Area journalism icon and multi-awarded TV host of KQED9′s “This Week in Northern California,” Belva Davis. Keeley also thanked the event’s sponsors for their valuable support, including founding sponsor PG&E, co-host KQED, the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State, the East Bay Regional Park District, Julie Adams of New York Life Insurance Company, and the University of California Office of the President.

Keeley also cites that the awards event could not have been possible without the dedication of all the NAM staff, as well as support from the NAM Board, funders, and partners — many of whom comprised the distinguished panel of judges this year.

In addition to recognizing the exceptional work of the awards winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions, NAM Executive Director Sandy Close presented NAM’s first Chauncey Bailey Community Advocacy Award to Willie Ratcliff, publisher of the San Francisco Bayview. PG&E’s Ezra Garrett presented the Diversity/ Inter-Ethnic Relations Award to KTSF 26 and the San Francisco Chronicle for their collaborative reporting about the evolving Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood and Hmong TV Network was also recognized with the NAM Emerging Media Award.

The evening concluded with Vernon Whitmore, former publisher of the Globe Newspaper Group “passing the torch” as a publishing veteran to publishing upstart Malcolm Marshall of the Richmond Pulse, one of NAM’s youth hubs.

My Guide for An iPhone 4S User

April 3, 2013Writings and Musingsiphone 4S, iphone 4s for dummies, sirilorna

It’s been a while since I acquired my iPhone 4S. My blackberry had “died” on me. Sigh! Then, here I was, grappling with Apple’s quirky ways of texting. I swear, what’s next? Thus, I decided to set up a content curation so I wouldn’t feel so lost. If you’re like me, then you’ll enjoy my collection of videos to “guide the dumb guiding the dumb.”

Sulu and Sabah: A Peaceful Request Turned Deathly for the Messengers

March 7, 2013Non-Profit & Community, Writings and MusingsDr. Thomas K. Stern, Lahad Datu, Malaysia, Manang YO, Mark Ballas, Mindanao, MNLF, Monte Stern, Moro National Liberation Front, Nur Misuari, One World Institute, OWI, peace, Philippines, Sabah, Sultan Bantilan Esmael Kiram II, Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, Sulu, Sulu Archipelago, Tausug, Tom Stern, Yolanda Ortega Sternlorna

Our special blogger for this posting is Yolanda Ortega Stern (“Manang YO”) of the One World Institute, a private health and education foundation that provides humanitarian services to areas in conflict, where no one dares to go and help out. I have been moderating a community blog for OWI since late 2010. Please watch out for updates in this posting. The newest update will be the first entry after this introduction.

For a look at Manang YO’s educational columns, please read her opinion-editorials in her MINDANAO SERIES embedded below. Manang Yo told me that her columns will be a historic chronicle of failure — and intentionally waited before writing a new one. Now that a few predictions have come to pass, please read her columns. We look forward to a new one.

___

I have also started Yolanda Ortega Stern’s content curation about the Philippines-Sulu-Sabah-Malaysia situation, taken from her Facebook postings. This allows many newbies to learn more about the situation through Manang YO’s real-time OP-EDs and compilation of news sources. Quotes from her Facebook commentaries are also included.

View the story “Yolanda Ortega Stern’s Content Curation About the Philippine Sabah Claim” on StorifyYolanda Ortega Stern’s Content Curation About the Philippine Sabah ClaimThe changes oftentimes happen within minutes — or seconds. For the sake of clarity, Manang YO curates op-eds and news items as well as personal insights about the emotional typhoon involving Sabah and its rightful owners, the Archipelago of Sulu… We don’t know how the story will end. Storified by Lorna Dietz· Wed, Mar 20 2013 16:36:41The shortened URL of this content curation is http://bit.ly/sabahsuluManang YO’s message: Please sign — then forward to your address book, Fb, tweet, blog. There are reports of gross abuse. No Filipinos are safe in Sabah now. We need to visit the detention centers where reported tortures are taking place. (Click on the online petition below). OR copy and paste this URL: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-war-on-the-sulu-sultanate.htmlStop the Killing in Sabah, North BorneoTarget: Forum Members, ambassadors, NGOs, geopolitics Petition Background (Preamble): Beginning March 1, Malaysian Special Forces attacke…March 20, 2013, Pacific Daylight Savings Time.

Manang YO says: CONTRAST THIS TO THE FILIPINO DONATION TO ANY SULU FUND. We got a long ways to go yet.

Usia donates RM20,000 | Daily Express Newspaper Online, Sabah, Malaysia.Kota Kinabalu: UNITED Sabah Islamic Association (USIA) donated a total of RM20,000 to the Lahad Datu Heroes Fund at the Menara Usia in 1B…March 20, 2013 Pacific Daylight Savings Time

Justifying Rage and “Operation Take Out Water Villages”, ongoing.

How the illegals sneak into Kunak | Daily Express Newspaper Online, Sabah, Malaysia.Kunak: Several passages in coastal areas and beaches here, believed to be used by illegal immigrants, are in dire need for patrol by secu…March 20, 2013 Pacific Daylight Savings TimeAntara News : Marty asks Philippines, Malaysia to solve Sabah dispute peacefullyIndonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa on Wednesday suggested that the Malaysian and Philippine governments should solve the disput…March 20, 2013 Pacific Daylight Savings Time8 Kiram men face terror raps | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.comMalaysian prosecutors charged eight alleged followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III yesterday with terrorism-related offenses in conne…OP-ED from Manang YO

CONSTRUCTIVE HELP FOR THE DAY
3/19/13

1. Are you alarmed by the absence of tweets, emails, txts, and photos from the field, the detention centers and the Refugee Centers of Sabah?

Iraq, Syria, Libya sent out thousands of documentaries every day.

Just think and ask why!

Help me contact your relatives who escaped back. We need an affidavit for human rights violations. Most of them will not go to the Govt. centers for fear they will get arrested or killed. It is their state-of-mind. If you find any, pls let me know.

2. The GPH expected thousands of Refugees. But the Centers are empty. Again, think and ask yourself WHY?
The few escapees had money and paid the lantsas. The rest were rounded up and could not leave. Others are just simply hiding. It’s just a matter of time. The house hunts will escort those into the detention centers. If they are Tausug or Kirams, they are out of luck. Many will be scared to go to the Refugee Centers.

So you need to form a network, pool your monies even P10.00 each, to help a family buy a meal.

3. Pressure your own countries if you are overseas, to pressure Malaysia into allowing agencies in. It is not listening to the GPH, according to news reports.

For Sabah, the “Jewel of the Crown”.

FOR OWI ONLY DONATIONS:

When I have the logistics coordinated, I will publish it here. Our offices in Makati and Paranaque do not take material donations like used clothing due to shipping costs. Goods have to move to Zamboanga by air or sea, then transferred to Jolo or TawiTawi by air or sea, then moved to Simunol and Sibuto and other areas. $$$ Donations can be coursed via PayPal atwww.theoneworldinstitute.com website. We will set up a peso link for Sabah Refugees after we study the donating volume of this network. Halal food is cheaper to buy in Zamboanga, Jolo and TawiTawi. So we also do not accept food in Makati or Paranaque. However, we make exception for consolidated bulk donations of 20′ containers. All cash donations from this will be the responsibility of one person here with name, address and contact numbers (email) carefully listed, for accounting purposes. OWI buys Relief food items and meds at huge discounts or at cost from partners. We also do not take a centavo for administrative or distribution costs. What you give is what you give.

www.theoneworldinstitute.org

March 19, 2013 Pacific Daylight Savings Time.

Manang YO says: The Sulu Sultanate cannot wait decade after decade to to raise their standard of living just another notch. Malaysia could have sat down for a free conversation, instead it chose the more expensive route.

SabahRightNow
3/19/13

12 more armed combat vehicles were sent to Lahad Datuo yesterday to cover the Battalions on their ongoing clean-up operation, as reported in MalaysianNews.

Meanwhile, the DFA reports in PH media that they are unable to verify the status of the Filipinos caught in the conflict.

Is Malaysia waiting for an alternative army within Mindanao to fight the RSF with weapons that they can legally bring in?

The truth is hiding just beneath the surface.

No stopping even if guerilla warfare: CP | Daily Express Newspaper Online, Sabah, Malaysia.No stopping even if guerilla warfare: CP Lahad Datu: Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the so-called Sulu Sultan can say an…March 18, 2013, Philippines.Aquino upset by DFA statement on Malaysia’s human rights violationsRead ‘Aquino upset by DFA statement on Malaysia’s human rights violations’ from our blog The Inbox on Yahoo! News Philippines. Commentary…March 17, 2013 (Malaysia time).One terrorist held; hunt on for 50 more | Daily Express Newspaper Online, Sabah, Malaysia.Lahad Datu: Security forces detained a suspected Sulu terrorist in the Ops Daulat offensive zone at the Felda Sahabat plantation at 6.30a…March 17, 2013 (Pacific Daylight Savings Time).

Manang YO’s op-ed: The Firing goes on…with impunity. Malaysia has drawn the line across the sand and is now challenging the GPH to cross it. They gave 3 days to pick up the corpses they unearthed at Lahad Datu. Then they announced that Manila has to give up the Sabah Claim and abandon it to the Sultan. And they continue to detain, torture, and drive Filipinos out of houses. I do not think Pres. Aquino has unlimited patience. I think it is better to be prepared than to be caught by surprise. There is an opportunity here now that the horns and fangs are showing.

Lahad Datu: Gunman shot dead as fighting shatters four-day lull under Ops DaulatLAHAD DATU: A gun battle on Sunday between security forces and remnants of the Sulu gunmen shattered several days of lull under the Ops D…March 17, 2013.Nur Misuari: ‘We had to fight for it’The former Moro National Liberation Front leader discusses the crisis in Sabah and peace in the southern Philippines.March 17, 2013.No escape for AzzimudiePosted on March 17, 2013, Sunday Police to bring terrorists’ leader to face prosecution in Malaysia even if he had escaped back to the Ph…March 17, 2013.

Manang YO shared a link via Facebook.

SabahRightNow
3/17/13

Is Sabah worth fighting for?

And so it has come to pass that some of Malaysia’s Police have died, some by their own friendly fire when they airdropped 4 bombs on the Lahad Datu homes without knowing that the Tausugs had moved out and their own police had moved in. The men were mutilated. Bombs do that. And we mourn all the dead on both sides. But to punish an entire population to cover the shame of missing all but 14 on the March 1 attack of 7 Battalions vs 200 shows a fissure in the medulla oblongata of the mastermind of that day. Some M’sia paid foreign media keep referring to the “self made” “rag tag” “terrorists” Tausugs in very typical bigoted terms and as they cram on the history of the Sulu Sultanate, they hail their Chief Paymaster as Hero. With a little help from some PH media, they have not paid heed to the violations against personal property, rights, and lives of ordinary Filipino citizens. Sure, the Tausug excursion made no contingency plans for war. They underestimated the squatter tenant, in their minds. They also thought they were home where no one will hurt them. Sure they were wrong but that’s beside the point now. But to make the Philippines give up Sabah? It is the Sultan’s to give up only if they are not considered Filipinos under the Philippines.

Malaysia is prepared. They have their own Sultan of Sulu, Palawan and Spratly’s! And many actors are positioning themselves on the stage.

Give up? Some things are worth fighting for and this one is.

Manila must ‘officially’ drop claims | Free Malaysia TodayLim Kit Siang wants Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak ‘to invoke his powers’ to convene a special parliamentary meeting to discuss the incur…March 17, 2013.

Via Facebook.

From Manang YO: Pls share…

SabahRightNow
3/17/13

As mopping up, wiping out, rooting out operations continue in Lahad Datuo, Labian, Batu, Nyamuk and the army is moving towards Semporna, many more Filipino civilians will be taken into custody, into refugee centers, into prisons, into detention centers. If they are suspects or related to Tausugs, they will be broken.

What is urgently needed now is a 3rd party intervention. A Humanitarian ship to pick up Filipinos from Semporna, Sandakan, Lahad, etc. no questions asked. Just board them all. As time drags on, more lives are at stake.

This issue with the human toll is beyond the control of the ‘Mastermind’ of this incursion. He cannot feed all these refugees. In the Fable of the Battle between the North Wind and the South Wind to get a man to remove his trench coat, both battled until the Sun gently intervened and getting too warm, the man removed his coat.

We need an honorable out for the Tausug, a Dignified stand for PNoy, and a Diplomatic Red light for Razak.

The Humanitarian crisis calls for a truce to evacuate, attend to the detainees and refugees. That reason alone will hold the triangle in peace for now, to allow a table to be prepared for talks.

Doing nothing while the guns are firing will be ominous to future peace. Filipinos deserve a country that looks after all Filipinos, especially its poor.

If Pres. Aquino asks for 3 days and sends a ship to pick up evacuees, the country will stand behind him even if Malaysia says No Way!

March 17, 2013.

Manang YO’s op-ed: Compare the Military Strengths between Malaysia-Philippines. It’s not too far apart. Plus, I’ve seen a lot of extra hardware from the US parked in different places. Have no Fear!

World Military Strength ComparisonWorld Military Strength Comparisons.March 16, 2013.Another black eye for Malaysian security | Free Malaysia TodayMalaysians are puzzled by how Sulu terrorist leader Agbimuddin Kiram had escaped the enforced security dragnet by the joint securities fo…March 7, 2013, Philippines.UN calls for end to violence in SabahThe United Nations has called for an end to violence in Sabah as it appealed for a dialogue among parties involved to peacefully settle t…

ALERT! 3/6/13

Source: SabahRightNow

Director General of Police, Tan Siri Ismael, denies having picked up close relatives of the Sultan. An immediate investigation of his Police should be conducted to inquire where the following have been taken. The indiscriminate arrests of residents have been taking place in Malaysia, particularly in Sabah and there is great cause for alarm. People have disappeared, some are shot, and they may be in peril.

The following close relatives of the Sultan were taken yesterday:

1. Sharif Asaral aka Imali + 4 (four) sons – Lahad Datu

2. Al-Wajil “Adul”

Ustadz Mukim + 3 Companions – Semporna

3. Sharif Julham + 4 Companions – taken from house

4. Kg Madai + 3 Companions – Kunak

5 . Various other members of the Rhayat

The forcible removal of residents and indiscriminate arrests of the Tausug in Sabah, violate Geneva Conventions and must be immediately brought to the attention of UNCHR.

Watch for more updates as we trace the timeline.

___

Lahad Datuy 2013 AP after peace — Sulu, Philippines: The men at Lahad Datu are standing up for their poor families. Photo: Circa 2013 AP (After Peace) They feel they have no country.

Sulu 2 — An Island In Sulu Archipelago: Where People Dream of Peace

Nur Misuari and Yolanda Stern - Peace Treaty Signing 1996 480 x 360 — Dr. Yolanda O. Stern, Charter President of the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC) signs a Memorandum of Agreement with Nur Misuari, Chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) after the signing of the Peace Pact between President Fidel V. Ramos and Chairman Nur Misuari. (1996)

View the story “The Mindanao Series: Op-Eds by Yolanda Ortega Stern (\”Manang YO\”)” on StorifyThe Mindanao Series: Op-Eds by Yolanda Ortega Stern ("Manang YO")Here is an ongoing content curation of Manang YO’s opinion-editorials. Since Manang Yo is a prolific writer and speaker, we are collecting her writings and speeches from many sources. Dr. Stern is also the FIRST person to reacquire her Philippine citizenship, aka the FIRST dual citizen.Storified by Lorna Dietz· Wed, Mar 06 2013 19:45:05A PARADIGM SHIFT WITH A HISTORY BOOK: The Isles of Fear, The Truth About The Philippines by Katherine Mayo

First Printing: March 1925

This is a history of the Philippines written by an American for Americans. Katherine Mayo is also the renowned writer of “Mother India.” From Manang Yo’s book shelf.

Isles of Fear by Katherine Mayo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This site is full of FREE ebooks – Check them out at our Home page – Project Gutenberg Australia THE TRUTH ABO…YOLANDA ORTEGA STERN: “I am a Mindanaon. I was born in Zamboanga City.”Dr. Yolanda Ortega Stern, 2011 Gusi Peace Prize International LaureateradiantviewOP-ED: March 5, 2013"What alternatives are left to the Sultanate after March 1, 2013?" – Yolanda Ortega-Stern | Blog Watch Citizen MediaEditor’s Note: I met Yolanda Ortega-Stern through my sister, Lorna Lardizabal-Dietz sometime in November 2011 when she and Thomas Stern, …OpEd – Amb. Yolanda Ortega Stern
Last Year Unchanged
FPACC Newsline Vol. I No. 15 Publisher â€“ Amb. Yolanda O. Stern
PACCO Bridges the â€œRivers of Changeâ€ at August 18-20, 2011 National ConventionOpEd 5-Yolanda O. SternOpEd – Amb. Yolanda Ortega SternFPACC Newsline Vol. I No. 15 Publisher – Amb. Yolanda O. Stern Last Year Unchanged PACCO Bridges the "Riv…OP-ED, Mindanao Series at http://FPACC.net

Crisis Management and Black Swans

Tuesday, 26 October 2010
September 2, 2010
By Amb. Yolanda O. Stern

A NEW ERA?
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
By Amb. Yolanda O. Stern

OpEd-Yolanda O. SternMuch hope sits on the presidency of Benigno Aquino III, the newly elected president of the Republic of the Philippines. Most of the voice…A NEW MINDANAO IS POSSIBLE
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
December 19, 2009 â€“ Manila, Philippines
Amb. Yolanda O. Stern â€“ President, One World Institute

BAHALA NA?
Monday, 30 November 2009
November 23, 2009

Amb. Yolanda Ortega Stern President - One World Institute; President Emeritus â€“ FPACC

OpEd 2- Yolanda O. SternA NEW MINDANAO IS POSSIBLE Wednesday, 30 December 2009 December 19, 2009 – Manila, Philippines Amb. Yolanda O. Stern – President, One Wor…Mindanao Series: Land of the Mourning!
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
By Amb. Yolanda Ortega Stern â€“ President Emeritus, FPACC

A Separate Peace for Aprilâ€™s Fools?
Tuesday, 01 April 2008
By Amb. Yolanda Ortega Stern

OpEd 3 -Yolanda O. SternIn the wake of the irreversible damages brought by the cyclone of the century to the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao is about to return to La…A Chance at Greatness
Friday, 04 April 2008
By Amb. Yolanda Ortega Stern

What Next?
Saturday, 05 April 2008
By Amb. Yolanda Ortega Stern

OpEd 4-Yolanda O. SternThe "Mindanao Factor" has hounded would-be conquistadores and colonizers as well as national and local governments in the Philippines for…MANANG YO says: “Peaceful Negotiations Make Peaceful Men.”Peace Today Movie http://www.MakeADifference.com/movies/ – World Peace Now!maryspeaksWHAT WE DOOne World InstituteOne World Institute

Looking Back at Kulinarya 2011, A Filipino Culinary Showdown in San Francisco, California

August 25, 2012Filipino & Filipino-Fusion Dining Guide, Non-Profit & Community, Talk Story (a.k.a. "blog"), Writings and MusingsAdin Martin Villanueva, Al Perez, barry picazo, ben acorda, Chef Cocoy Ventura, christian de vera, Coffee Adventure, Consul General Marciano Paynor Jr., DD Pena, Debbie Gallano, delise, diabetes life notes, dr. belen lardizabal dofitas, dr. david lardizabal, emmanuel de vera, Filipino Culinary showdown, foodie, Fort McKinley, Gab Agcaoili, gemma nemenzo, gma life tv, GMA Pinoy TV, heavenly icecream, Heavenly Scoops, heavenly signature ice cream, Jacquie Lingad Ricci, joe manarang, Kulinarya, Kulinarya 2011, Kulinarya 2012, landru chocolates, lauren lardizabal dado, Mama Art Cafe, Mama's Art Cafe, mark de vera, Milpitas, myrna lardizabal de vera, NaFFAA, naffaa region 8, noemi lardizabal dado, PAK KAIN, PAKKAIN, paulo cabezas, Philippine Consulate General San Francisco, Philippine Department of Tourism, Rene de los Santos, san francisco, Seasons Marketplace at Landess, sonia delen, The Coffee Adventure Company, XOX Truffleslorna

Here I am, writing “backwards,” i.e., documenting my work for KULINARYA 2011, A Filipino Culinary Showdown in San Francisco, California. The event was held on January 21, 2012 at the Carnelian by the Bay Restaurant (Behind Ferry Building at The Embarcadero), San Francisco. The PILI nut was the food ingredient that took center stage and the Philippines’ KULINARYA TOURS were also highlighted.

Of course, I am “drooling” over the prospect of KULINARYA 2012, the 3rd Filipino Culinary Showdown, being convened later this year — but I promised to keep my mouth shut until the organizers make their official announcements.

I am making more time to document some of my written works and audio-visual creations in this personal blog. I keep reiterating to my nieces and nephews that all I can give them are my experiences (through this blog) and sharing my memories and learnings, whenever we reconnect… I miss them! Fortunately, nowadays, I interact with three of my nephews almost every day — and sometimes, in between my viral marketing and public relations work, I get to share my culinary experiences with them.

FOR EXAMPLE: Last night, it was all about PASTA. I taught Christian that the only way to learn if his spaghetti noodles are cooked “al dente” IS to actually taste them, semi-raw — and then done to perfection. Of course, I did not teach him how to throw a spaghetti noodle against the wall to see if it would stick or not. And yes, I also taught him how to “refresh” his refrigerated noodles inside a colander — over hot running water in the sink.

I hope to share more of these culinary experiences with my nieces and nephews.

In the meantime, this is what I did for our hardworking professionals at the Philippine Department of Tourism in San Francisco. Thank you, Rene de los Santos, Debbie Gallano, Gabby Agcaoili, and the rest of the team for giving me this opportunity to sharpen my culinary writing skills and PR capabilities.

FIRST, here is the promotional video that I created for the event. There is also a youtube video: http://youtu.be/QEa5FTfHRUw

SECOND, I was given the writing assignments on a Friday — and I had to turn all of them in on a Monday. It was quite an exhilarating writing adventure for me with this KULINARYA magazine BUT I had my recent 3-month trip to the Philippines that helped me with some of my writings as well as the permissions of my friends in the Philippine tourism industry for their photos, words, etcetera.

The KULINARYA Magazine was a supplement inside the San Francisco Examiner Magazine on its Thursday, January 19, 2012 edition. More than 80,000 copies were distributed throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and copies were also available at The Examiner racks on the same date.

I wrote and I edited the following:

1. About the 2nd Kulinarya (summary, a mash-up; the “higher notch in the culinary world” didn’t come from me; whoever edited this, thank you! You made my original “higher good” relevant and meaninful to foodies)

2. The Pili Goes Gourmet! (article based on research and mash-up; I didn’t write the top portion or recipes in this page)

3. Philippines: Where Green Cuisine Means A Healthier Lifestyle (article)

4. TRENDING: “It’s More Fun in the Philippines!’ (article; the original article went viral on youtube by pinaswatcher6, who had uploaded a GMA News broadcast re: the new slogan on January 8, 2012, and had asked my permission to use my article — after I asked their permission to quote them; see http://youtu.be/kkbW-w5UkMI). As of today, August 25, 2012, this video, with my accompanying article has 8,574 hits on Youtube.

5. Top 10 Things to do in the Philippines (edited from Gab Agcaoili’s beautifully-written 2,000+ words to a precise 500 words)

Come to the Jan. 21, 2012 2nd Kulinarya: Filipino Culinary Showdown in San Francisco, CA!

I am looking forward to KULINARYA 2012!

For those foodies who want to learn more about Filipino cooking in conjunction with all the good, the “bad” and the healthy cuisines, here are some blogs for you to consider:

Lorna Lardizabal Dietz’s Diabetes Life Notes

Noemi Lardizabal Dado’s Pinoy Food, Pinoy Cooking, Filipino Food Recipes and Photoblog

Noemi Lardizabal Dado (mother) and Lauren Lardizabal Dado (daughter) in Pinoy Food & Other Cuisine: Food PhotoBlog and Events

I also have some content curations that you can embed in your own blog or save in your foodie archives.

Cake Decorating Ideas for Nilda Tudtud Abellanosa and Nardith Obera Fuentes

The KAPUSO’s Sweet Taste of Success: Ice-Cream and Desserts in the Bay Area

Gluten-Free Recipes for my niece, Lauren Lardizabal Dado

ONE COMMUNITY: Three Filipino American candidates for the CA State Assembly in November 2012 Elections

June 6, 2012Non-Profit & Community, Writings and Musings#FilAmVote, Alice Bulos, Angie Louie, APAPA, ariel fernandez, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association, asian vote, ben menor, Billy Chan, Bren Bataclan, California State Assembly, CC Yin, Charito Benipayo, Chris Mateo, Christopher Mateo, Clarence Madrilejos, Dr. Jennifer Ong, E-2010, ethnic vote, FANHS, Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce, FFAC-PAC, FilAm Vote, Filipino American National Historical Society, Filipino American Vote, fpacc, Friends of the Filipino American Community Political Action Committee, Genevieve Jopanda, Gloria Caoile, Hana Zen, Hana Zen Pier 39, Henry Manayan, Jason Chan, Jennifer Ong, Jinni Mabalot Bartolome, Joel Wong, Jose Pecho, joy dodds, joy rivera dodds, KAYA Filipino Americans for Progress, KTSF, Monty Martinez, NaFFAA, NAM, New America Media, Odette Keeley, PAPC-USA, patrick "pato" gregorio, philippine american press club-usa, Phong La, Rhoda Hing, Rob Bonta, Rodel Rodis, rozita lee, rudy asercion, san francisco, SVAPADC, Tina Novero, West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center, YFPA, Young Filipino Professionals Associationlorna

If you’ve moved, this is the easiest way to register!
Fill it out, print it, and mail it!

Imagine what it would be like when we have Rob Bonta, Chris Mateo, and Dr. Jennifer Ong at the California State Assembly! Filipino Americans will have more of a VOICE. Yes, we already have our representatives who we’ve elected and supported. Yet nothing resonates like VICTORY in our hearts and minds when we can say, “Pinoy yan! Pinay yan!”

MEET OUR STARS OF COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT!

Rob Bonta
Vice-Mayor of Alameda, CA
http://www.robbonta.com

Dr. Jennifer Ong
Commissioner, Alameda County Commission on the
Status of Women
http://drjenniferong.org

Chris Mateo
Vice-Mayor of Lathrop, CA
http://chrismateo.com

June 6, 2012, Personal Thoughts.

I have not written in my RadiantView blog for a while now. I know I need to document my activities in the past few months. Yet, nothing is sweeter than victory — in the PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

Today is a special day. I can smell HISTORY IN THE MAKING. I can feel it in my bones.

I woke up early this morning (4:00am) and the first Facebook notification I read was Ben Menor’s status update (which he wrote at 2:00am).

Ben Menor wrote:

History is in the making! Congrats to Rob, Chris and Jennifer in making it to the November election. This is beyond anyone’s imagination to see all of you do so well. It is not impossible to see all three of you at the State Legislature. Your time in history is now and do not let up for a second because the momentum is on your side. Congrats to your campaign team.

Last Sunday, my personal communications specialist had called to remind me that the FILIPINO VOTERS in one East Bay city in the San Francisco Bay Area were the SWING VOTE for one particular Filipino American candidate. Thus, I sent out a reminder invitation to a press briefing and rally. I was blessed that I had one TV correspondent answer my call — even if it was a last-minute request.

“I’ve never had to work this hard on my personal time!” One of our strongest activists shared with me. I empathized with her lack of sleep yet I was hopeful that her work would shine through and make her candidate win.

AND HER WORK IS SHINING LIKE DIAMONDS.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Our work has only just begun. We can actually be there when HISTORY HAPPENS.

As the second largest Asian population in California (next to the Chinese Americans), we have this tremendous opportunity to rally behind these three AWESOME role models of COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT!

When I was elected as the Regional Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations-Region 8 (Northern CA) last March 16, 2012 at the AT&T-sponsored NaFFAA-Region 8 Community Empowerment Summit at Hana Zen-Pier 39, my closing remarks focused on the FILAM VOTE.

Here are my personal thoughts and calls to action about how we can help GET OUT THE VOTE!:

1. I will follow up with ethnic media (ok, that’s New America Media) on how we can collaborate in increasing and enhancing the visibility of these three Filipino American candidates for the California State Assembly in mainstream media. How do we report about these candidates to our local media outlets?

2. I will follow up on Genevieve Jopanda’s chat with me last September 2010 (at the Fairmont San Jose) about how we can make the FILAM VOTE “sexy!” That’s the marketing parlance for “exciting, amazing!” “Exciting” and “Amazing” are generally what gets HIGH RATINGS with our Filipino broadcast networks (GMA Network, Inc., ABS-CBN, and TV 5). So, I will keep pursuing these networks with my QUESTION: When can we work on a project that is common ground for all these TV networks? Meaning, set aside your differences, and help us make these three FilAm candidates win! (HINT: One US-based Filipino broadcast network official articulated his personal thoughts to me last July 2011 about what would work. Let’s see what the other two networks have in mind.)

3. I will follow up with my personal mentors Gloria Caoile, Rozita Lee, and Ben Menor since I am such a newbie — and push them (even if it is late at night) for more advice and recommendations — so my family and friends can help support these wonderful candidates.

4. Everything is all about grassroots community organizing. Let’s keep listening to each other as we move forward. Push for our voters’ political awareness. Push for political activism!

During my April 28, 2012 TV interview with Joy Dodds of the Filipino Journal (KTSF, Comcast Channel 8 in nine counties in the San Francisco Bay Area), Joy asked me what the difference is between political awareness and political activism. Fortunately for me, I had had a recent discussion with Ben Menor about this topic. Ben is our NaFFAA R8 Strategic Facilitator and Adviser, a very wise “manong.” This was what he explained to me — and this is what I replied to Joy’s question.

Definition of POLITICAL AWARENESS – Knowing about it
Definition of POLITICAL ACTIVISM – Doing something about it

5. Maximize TWITTER! And for all the slacktivists and activists, if you tweet, it’s as simple as adding the hashtag #FilAmVote.

Here is the simple call-to-action I provided during our NaFFAA Region 8 Community Empowerment Summit last March 16, 2012.

WHAT CAN YOU DO RIGHT NOW?

Share your TWITTER name with us. You can follow us at @naffaausa. Email us at [email protected] If you donâ€™t know (yet) how to tweet, there are easy lessons here: Look at #4 at http://radiantview.com/blog/a-radiant-digital-view-mga-kapuso-social-media-tips-for-2011/

2. When you tweet, use hashtag #filamvote.

Examples:

@drjenniferong Looking forward to your talk: March 16 #NaFFAA R8 Community Empowerment Summit http://NaFFAAR8.com @NaFFAAUSA #filamvote

@RobBonta Looking forward to your talk: March 16 #NaFFAA R8 Community Empowerment Summit http://NaFFAAR8.com @NaFFAAUSA #filamvote

3. Join the open FilAm Vote group on Facebook, moderated by NaFFAA FilAmVote Co-Chair, Rudy Asercion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/301024073262911/

4. LIKE our new NaFFAA Region 8 Facebook Community Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NaFFAA-Region-8-Northern-California/206254976138415

5. Check out our website at http://NaFFAAR8.com and the national website, http://NaFFAAUSA.org for #FilAmVote updates.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FOLLOW @naffaausa AND HASHTAG #filamvote? Your tweets will be captured by our daily curated newsletter, NaFFAA #FilAmVote Daily. Â http://bit.ly/nzurFs

This means that, at any given time, in real time, we will know the “State of the #FilAmVote” in AnyTown, USA — just as long as you inform us.

___

When Ben Menor and I co-wrote the theme for the NaFFAA Region 8 Community Empowerment Summit, Ben had told me: “The theme is ONE COMMUNITY. Get our community empowerment role models — Rob Bonta, Jennifer Ong, and Chris Mateo — up front and center. They will share what it will take to be a ONE COMMUNITY.”

For my personal blog, I am sharing what this call of ONE COMMUNITY means to many Filipino empowerment advocates. Please pass it on! It could help get your Filipino American candidate elected in your city or state — or nationally.

Our Strength: ONE COMMUNITY!

In November of 2010, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) convened its 9th Empowerment Conference in the San Francisco Bay Area with NaFFAA Region 8, Northern California as the host and organizer of â€œEmpowerment 2010.â€ The theme of E-2010 was â€œBuilding the Next Generation of Community Advocates in an Intergenerational Environment.â€

Today, NaFFAA Region 8â€™s leaders are taking advantage of the political atmosphere, economic conditions, public policy, and the Filipinosâ€™ transcontinental success by using its existing infrastructure, skills, talents, resources and other tools so they can implement a master plan for community empowerment in 2012.

NaFFAA Region 8â€™s other resounding call to action is: â€œTo empower Filipino communities so they can participate in supporting individuals who desire to hold public office that support the advancement of causes for the Filipino community.â€

What does it take to empower these highly-qualified political candidates so that they will be inspired to do their best in order to win? It takes ONE COMMUNITY.

NaFFAA Region 8 believes in coalition-building, connecting dot after dot after dot, mindful that its leaders and supporters have been advocating AND are advocating for community groups and individuals to take action in supporting achievable empowerment objectives. The master plan includes providing a platform for our communities to establish activities for community empowerment as a non-profit organization. Rocking the vote through NaFFAAâ€™s #FilAmVote (http://bit.ly/nzurFs) also means meeting these candidates who can share the nuts and bolts of community empowerment as well as interact with their constituents in a series of gatherings â€” from socials to workshops.

â€œONE COMMUNITY.â€ What does this mean to NaFFAA Region 8? Through ADVOCACY, our voices and actions will always act as â€œthe glueâ€ that binds the shared hopes and aspirations of our authentic and unique communities.

Can you help us empower more highly-qualified Americans of Filipino ancestry to take a leap of faith in their credibility and strength of character so they can become true servant leaders in public service?

Can you stand on the shoulders of our elders and take the best of their wisdom and experiences so we can walk together, fearlessly and jubilantly, on the roads â€” less travelled â€” as ONE COMMUNITY?

Can you support us in becoming ONE COMMUNITY?

ONE COMMUNITY – A Call to Action in NaFFAA Region 8, Northern CA

NOTES:

1. The Star of Empowerment is special to NaFFAA. It was created by BREN BATACLAN for the NaFFAA 9th Empowerment Conference in 2010.

2. I am very proud of my new NaFFAA Region 8 executive board members. They keep me humble.

Here they are:

Lorna Dietz, NaFFAA R8 Chair; Genevieve Jopanda, NaFFAA R8 Vice Chair; Clarence Madrilejos, NaFFAA R8 Youth Chair; Tina Novero, NaFFAA R8 Secretary; Jinni Mabalot Bartolome, NaFFAA R8 Treasurer; Jose Pecho, NaFFAA R8 Chair Emeritus; Ben Menor, NaFFAA R8 Strategic Facilitator & Adviser and NaFFAA R8 Santa Clara County Chair; Charito Benipayo, NaFFAA R8 Alameda County Chair & NaFFAA R8 Adviser; Rudy Asercion, NaFFAA R8 San Francisco Chapter Chair; Rodel Rodis, Esq., NaFFAA R8 Adviser & NaFFAA National Legal Counsel

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May 13, 2011Writings and Musingslorna

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Arizona Gem Show 2011: Short Readings from Yolanda O. Stern’s Book on Natural Pearls, “Sex and the Wild Pearl”

January 26, 2011Marketing & Public Relations, Non-Profit & Community, Writings and Musingsbook on natural pearls, book on pearls, brooch, brooches, Dr. Tom K. Stern, Jolo, Lorna Lardizabal Dietz, Mindanao, Natural Pearl Society, natural pearls, One World Institute, OWI community, peace, pearls, pearls for peace, philanthropy, philanthropy for peace, Philippines, sex and the wild pearl, Stern Pearls, Sulu, T. Stern Natural Pearls, Tom Stern, wheelchairs, wild pearl, wild pearls, Yolanda O. Stern, Yolanda Ortega Sternlorna

From the book on natural pearls, "Sex and the Wild Pearl," by Yolanda O. Stern

For those of you who are not yet aware about my 2011 project, “Pearls for Peace” at the One World Institute, now you know! Yolanda Ortega Stern, whose “Projects for Peace” totally engaged my curiosity about natural pearls in the Sulu Archipelago in Southern Philippines, shared the story of Basil Anik, the Fisherman-Artist, who created unique brooches, with the $25 per brooch donations going toward feeding the artisan-interns who work with him. There will be more pearls that I will be asking for donations from all of you, of course. I say: “Enjoy my pearls for peace because they go toward supporting sustainable livelihood in areas of conflict.” (HINT: I am accepting your on-going orders!)

“Manang Yo,” our fond nickname for this philanthropist, and her husband, Dr. Tom K. Stern, the philanthropist and best-selling “I-can’t-put-down-this-novel-because-it-is-so-thrilling!” author, devote time dealing with “the trade,” where they supply the natural pearls from T. Stern Natural Pearls or SternPearls.com to the people who work on this world’s unique and rare treasures and transform these natural pearls into exquisite (and very expensive) pieces of jewelry. Tom K. Stern is the inspiration behind the founding of the Natural Pearl Society.

On January 31 to February 6, 2011, at the Arizona Global Gem and Jewelry Show, Yolanda O. Stern will be one of the members from the Natural Pearl Society who will be educating “the trade” about the history, care, science, marketing, and the romance of natural pearls. Yolanda’s much-anticipated book about SEX — not sex for homo sapiens but about “SEX AND THE WILD PEARL” — is coming soon to our neighborhood. As a special preview, “Manang Yo” will be giving a couple of short readings (from her book) during this gem show.

Check out the schedule of Yolanda Ortega Stern’s readings of her book on natural pearls, “Sex and the Wild Pearl,” at the Arizona Gem and Jewelry Show at the Hotel Arizona here.

You can imagine what the book launching events are going to be like: VERY EDUCATIONAL!

Yolanda Stern of One World Institute speaks about Projects for Peace

View more presentations from radiantview.

Pearls for Peace – Basil Anik 2010 December Catalog

OWI Benefit Drive for 2011 – A Diamond Necklace for Philanthropy for Peace

Finding a good personal injury lawyer after the San Bruno Explosion: To sue or not to sue PG&E

September 13, 2010Communications, Writings and Musingsattorney referral, california, death and fire, death in fire, death with fire, Filipina, Filipina woman, filipino, Filipino American, Filipino American community, fire death, Fire Lawyer, injury lawyer, injury lawyer in san jose, lawyer for fire, lawyer referral, mohinder mann, northern california, personal injury, personal injury attorney, personal injury lawsuit, personal injury lawyer, pg&e, PGE disaster, pge explosion, PGE Fire, PGE Gas Leak, PGE leak, pge.com, san bruno, San Bruno Fire, san bruno gas explosion, san francisco bay area, san jose, the mann law firmlorna

“To sue or not to sue PG&E?” This is my community service announcement for Sept. 13, 2010.

This morning, I woke up with an “Aha!” moment: MOHINDER MANN. I know that in the case of the San Bruno explosion, victims and displaced families would be looking for advice and referrals re: good personal injury attorneys. I know someone really well: Mohinder Mann of http://themannlawfirm.com/ in San Jose, CA. (Yes, this is definitely my testimonial about someone whose work and achievements I believe in — and you don’t have to live in San Jose to check him out.)

On Sunday, Sept. 12, I had an opportunity to reconnect with Mohinder Mann, the chair of our South Bay multi-ethnic coalition, when his daughter led our team (through the ALS South Bay Walk; see http://bit.ly/9cV5Ev) in raising funds for The ALS Association. Mohinder Mann’s wife, Robin, suffers from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). I have personally volunteered with this amazing social justice advocate (aside from his work in other community causes such as the fight to keep JTS Northside Community Center under the Filipino leadership that built it) that Mohinder’s colleagues have honored him with very special awards and recognitions in the past many years.

Do you remember the Toyota auto recall case?

“February 9, 2010 – The Mann Law Firm was one of the first law firms in the country to sue Toyota for the sudden acceleration of one of its vehicles in 2007, which ended up killing Mr. Troy Johnson. More than two years ago, federal investigators in the United States discovered that some Toyota vehicles accelerated unexpectedly, the Washington Post reports… In October 2009, Toyota announced that it was recalling approximately 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus autos because their floor mats could trap the gas pedal, causing sudden acceleration. Then in January 2010, Toyota advised the NHTSA that approximately 2.3 million vehicles in the United States have a defect that can cause the accelerator to stick.”

Please call 408-287-1600 for free advice and ask for Mohinder if you have a friend who needs good, solid advice. Or email Mohinder directly at [email protected] Or fill out the form at the website.

You might be asking me why I am referring my friend, Mohinder Mann. How do you say “thank you” to someone who tirelessly volunteered and helped my Filipino American community stand up for its rights after being unjustly treated? By sharing with other people that you know someone who will fight for their rights — after astute due diligence, of course.

GETTING TO KNOW MOHINDER MANN

Mohinder Mann The Personal Injury Attorney — Mohinder Mann: The Personal Injury Attorney

Mohinder Mann at the Fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina Press Conference in early September 2005

Mohinder Mann and his wife, Robina Mann (to his right), have a photo with community advocate-friends — Mohinder Mann and his wife, Robin Mann (to his right), have a photo with community advocate-friends

Overseas Filipinos Worldwideâ€™s Open Letter to President-Elect of the Philippines, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III

May 27, 2010Writings and MusingsBenigno Aquino III, development issues, Filipina, filipino, migration, migration issues, Noynoy Aquino, overseas filipinos, Philippines, social costslorna

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Overseas Filipinos Worldwideâ€™s Open Letter to President-Elect of the Philippines
Highlights Recommendations for Addressing Migration and Development Issues

KOWLOON, Hong Kong â€“ May, 25, 2010 â€“ A network, composed of overseas Filipinos worldwide based in many countries and in the Philippines, recently wrote an open letter to Senator Benigno â€œNoynoyâ€ Aquino III, president-elect of the Republic of the Philippines. The open letter highlights the perspectives unique to migrant Filipinos and offers solutions that could impact transformational, positive changes in policy making. After many years of collaboration and cooperation, the group, which represents various organizations implementing projects in the Philippines and in their host countries, offers a starting reference point for the incoming administration, led by President-Elect Aquino, to more effectively harness the Philippinesâ€™ migration gains into mechanisms for the development of the Philippines and its hometown communities.

The open letter points out several key economic points, among them:

ï‚§ Migration gains are mainly remittances by overseas Filipinos to their family members, approximately USD17 billion, and are the primary source of livelihood for millions of Philippine households.

ï‚§ At 10.8% of the countryâ€™s GDP, migration gains are also the third biggest source of the countryâ€™s foreign currency reserves, acting as the primary driver of the Philippine economy, thus shielding the country from bankruptcy during the current economic meltdown and the 1997 financial crisis.

ï‚§ The Filipino diaspora, estimated currently at about 10 million Filipinos working or residing in 239 countries and territories worldwide, have sent donations to the Philippines for various humanitarian causes, such as disaster relief, medical missions, school houses, and other infrastructure. These contributions have supplemented local and national Philippine government deficits and, as of 2003, have already amounted to USD218 million, per central bank figures in that year. Not included are other investments made by OFWs in real estate, education, and health care for their family members, and consumer goods and services.

The group emphasizes the urgent need to push for genuine poverty alleviation after 30-plus years of heavy reliance on labor export, and as thousands of Filipinos continue to leave every day for overseas jobs or contracts. Although the â€œPhilippine model of overseas migrationâ€ is considered an ideal model for other migrant-origin countries to emulate and copy, the group believes that social costs that migration has incurred have not been successfully addressed by past administrations. They cite examples of countries such as South Korea, Ireland, and Italy, once considered labor-exporting countries, that evolved from their â€œmigration humpâ€ by taking advantage of their workersâ€™ remittances, investing them to develop local infrastructure, shipyards, factories, and other industries. As a result, a â€œbrain gainâ€ occurred. Many of these expatriates left their high-paying jobs abroad, convinced that their home countriesâ€™ governments were effective and that they could trust their countryâ€™s inspired leadership.

The open letter frankly addresses Senator Aquino: â€œShall we continue to send out our people and rely on remittances and without any development objectives in sight? Conversely, donâ€™t we have the talent to formulate a road map toward self-sufficiency over a period of time, in order that the hemorrhage of talents could be stopped, that a crisis in our dysfunctional families and society at large could be averted, and so that our people do not have to take migration as a forced option? If long-term migration goals are set now, the government could, in the meantime, work on some basic but urgent deployment and migration issues in order to clear the way toward having a genuine and serious program on translating migration gains for use in human development.â€

Continue reading →

Financial Fitness: Hazel Valera, Credit Rebuild Coach and Debt Arbitrator

April 3, 2010Business, Event Calendar, Marketing & Public Relations, Writings and Musingslorna

Hazel Valera is clearly my NUMBER ONE credit empowerment coach for personal credit and business credit. I found some videos online that will give you more information about Hazel Valera. Please note that the laws on Credit are always changing. What you hear Hazel Valera talk about in these videos could be laws that have changed recently. I am sharing these videos so you will understand why I value her as my credit empowerment coach. More power to you, Hazel!

THE 3 C’S OF CREDIT – Credit, Capacity, and Collateral: What it takes to get a real estate loan