Tag Archives: OWI

MY ASEAN LIFE STORY: BUSINESS IN THE HANDS OF JOHN AND VONNY OEI

May 31, 2017BusinessASEAN, ASEAN 2017, ASEAN Life, ASEAN Life magazine, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ICANet, Indonesian-Chinese-American Network, John Oei, kabari news, kabarinews.com, my ASEAN story, OWI, The One World Institute, Tom Stern, Vonny Oei, Yolanda Ortega Stern, Yolanda Sternlorna

Serendipitously, in 2002, I met a dynamic couple who are trailblazing entrepreneurs in the Indonesian American community, John and Vonny Oei, at their April Financial Inc. office in San Francisco, California during a political campaign’s phone banking activities. It would be three years later that John offered me a marketing position at their ThinkApril.com insurance brokerage and Intero Real Estate San Francisco Sunset office.

There were other interesting endeavors that attracted me as I worked side by side with them in the office where Bahasa and English were the languages of choice. In 1998, John Oei helped organize the Indonesian-Chinese-American Network (ICANet) as a result of the violence that was aimed at Indonesia’s eight million ethnic Chinese. This non-profit organization is dedicated to the advancement of universal human rights for all people, with a focus on Indonesians. ICANet’s strong interest in the development of a bright future for Indonesia a well as the promotion of cultural appreciation and friendship among Indonesians, Chinese, Americans, and other groups in the global community resonated with my personal advocacies.

In 2006, I transitioned to a part-time consulting position at their office. When I shared what I was doing at Filipinas Magazine, where I had a business development position, and what most Filipino American media enterprises nationwide were doing to being effective publicists and champions of their communities in mainstream USA, these entrepreneurs took notice. There just wasn’t enough in-language and intercultural information exchanges between Indonesians in the motherland and Indonesian Americans.

One day, John mentioned to me that they were inspired to create their own in-language Indonesian print and internet-based publication, KabariNews.com, because of their observations about my ethnic media experiences in the Filipino American community. Metaphorically, I was elated that Indonesia, a neighbor of the Philippines, both members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), would strengthen its media presence in the US. There were very few Bahasa media organizations in the marketplace.

Kabari News (i.e. Kabari is Bahasa for “news”) launched its maiden issue in early 2007 to a hungry “Indo” population in California. The magazine was partly responsible for publicizing the popular Indonesian cultural festival, Pasar Senggol, which started as a “block party” in 2004. It is considered as one of the go-to festivals featuring the Indonesian community in the West Coast.

In the past 10 years, John and Vonny enthusiastically kept living their publishing life like an experiment. They tracked their “numbers,” organically growing Kabari News’ online presence by producing short video documentaries and interviews while nurturing an untapped worldwide audience that enjoyed their stories, homesick for news from Indonesia. There was no lack of news leads, considering that Indonesia is the fourth largest populated country in the world. The result was Kabari TV on YouTube.

Like any other publishing company, the number one challenge was about tapping more advertising and sponsorship support. John and Vonny continued to cross-promote Kabari News as a community-focused news magazine, sometimes creatively packaging its advertising opportunities with other enthusiastic Indonesian-owned businesses’ marketing and public relations programs.

In mid-2013, John Oei decided it was time to expand their publishing horizons to include the rest of the ASEAN community. The couple wanted a bi-monthly printed and digital magazine that would draw attention to the lifestyles, triumphs, achievements, and celebrations of these 10 nations in an encapsulated, content curation format.

“It’s an information and intergenerational bridge for these ASEAN countries,” John stated, “yet we want people to know that we are not related to ASEAN, the organization. We support them!”

John tapped me to be the magazine’s editor-in-chief. His directive was simple: “Find a way to get a team of writers to work on your editorial calendar for every bi-monthly issue. The graphic design and layout will be done by our creatives in Indonesia while website development will be done in the US. Distribution will also be concentrated in the US. We will find the ASEANs in the US communities.”

I turned to the Philippines for help in recruiting writing talent. Once the writing assignments were submitted electronically to me, the graphic designers in Indonesia worked on our “Look Book,” laying out the editorial and advertising pages. The first cover and its accompanying story had to be special. We chose to shine the spotlight on the One World Institute, a private foundation headed by Dr. Tom Stern and Yolanda Ortega Stern, Ph.D. The couple’s philanthropic work was mostly done in areas of conflict, from Southern Philippines to Cambodia and Myanmar, where the poorest of the poor were not adequately served. Butch Monserrat was credited for shooting the cover photo of Yolanda Ortega Stern who wore a typical Yakan* attire, accessorized by a kris*. We launched the magazine in newsstands where Kabari News was also welcome.

Yolanda Ortega Stern, President of TheOneWorldInstitute.org

The ASEAN LIFE magazine’s entrepreneurship model was so ambitious that it would eventually find a reincarnation with another business partner. John and Vonny continued the same editorial process. By then, I had moved on to other projects. The lessons I learned about editing a magazine will always stay with me because I succeeded in developing a model operation of collaboration among three countries: US, Philippines, and Indonesia.

Today, ASEAN LIFE is waiting for another incarnation. I know that John and Vonny will be willing listeners to a potential business partner’s proposal.

Do you think John and Vonny’s “ASEAN LIFE” story is about to evolve — again? You betcha! Vonny is waiting for me to finish editing the marketing copy of their newest business endeavor: a wholesale travel company with a niche market — Japan, South Korea, and Bali (Indonesia) — for outbound land tour operations marketed in the US.

Who knows where I will be writing my next ASEAN story?

“Bali, please, Vonny!”

___

NOTES:

*Yakan – A major Muslim tribe in the Mindanao region of the Philippines
*Kris – A dagger with a wavy-edged blade

I wrote this story as a contribution to Noemi L. Dado’s blog writing project. I really want ASEAN 2017′s memorabilia!

Noemi said:

I am holding a blog writing project and a chance to win an ASEAN memorabilia. Here are the guidelines:
1. The contest is open to all bloggers worldwide.
2. Follow @asean2017 on twitter or facebook.com/asean2017
3. Write a blog post of your own personal story with a minimum of 500 words on the theme #MyAseanStory” and post it on your blog platform (self-hosted blog, facebook, tumblr, wordpress)
• What are your life experiences: challenges, great memories?
I will even share it on my social networks.
4. Use the hashtag #MyAseanStory #Asean2017 when sharing your post in social media.
5. Contest will start May 9 and end May 31, 2017. Cut off of entries is 11:59 PM on May 31, 2017.
6. The post that is creative and interesting will receive an ASEAN memorabilia

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

2010 Holiday Gift Catalog from One World Institute: Pearls for Peace, One-of-a-Kind Brooches by Basil Anik

December 18, 2010Communications, Non-Profit & Communityben menor, Benny Menor, brooch, brooches, Dr. Tom K. Stern, Dr. Tom Stern, Filipina, Filipina woman, filipino, Jolo, Lorna Dietz, Lorna Lardizabal Dietz, Mindanao, mother of pearl, Natural Pearl Society, natural pearls, One World Institute, OWI, OWI community, peace, pearls, pearls for peace, philanthropy, philanthropy for peace, Philippine Seas, Philippines, projects for peace, Silver, silver brooch, SociÃ©tÃ© DÃ©s Perles Fines, Southern Philippines, Stern Pearls, Sulu, Sulu mother of pearl, TGMC, The One World Institute, Titan Gold Mining Corporation, Tom Stern, Tongkil Island, Yolanda O. Stern, Yolanda Ortega Sternlorna

It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, right after the E-2010: 9th NaFFAA Empowerment Conference, when I visited Dr. Tom K. Stern and Yolanda O. Stern. I remember that the rain had dissipated to a moisturizing mist as I disembarked from an East Bay Bart Station. Serendipitously, God and the Universe believed it was time for the three of us to reconnect and catch up. Yolanda O. Stern had done a remarkable job in presenting One World Institute’s Projects for Peace at the E-2010. Thus, we had a lot to talk about.

The 2010 Holiday Gift Video Catalog from One World Institute, focusing on “Pearls for Peace,” is one of the results of this life-changing visit. There’s a lot more in store for all the volunteers in this non-profit organization. We’ve created an OWI
Community blog. One step at a time, we’ll get there.

The message I sent my Facebook friends is:

I hope you can support me in my holiday non-profit project. If you’re looking for unique, meaningful gifts, I have something to offer online. It’s TheOneWorldInstitute.org’s “Pearls for Peace” project. They are featuring BASIL ANIK, a Fisherman-Artist from Jolo, Sulu, who creates one-of-a-kind brooches suitable for everyone. Video catalog at http://bit.ly/g5qVf4.

Your donations, starting at $25 per brooch, will help save many lives in areas of conflict. For more information, see http://OWIcommunity.tumblr.com. Special orders accepted atÂ [email protected]. Please pass on to your friends. Happy holidays!

Welcome to One World Institute’s “Pearls for Peace,” a project for the soul… Featuring Basil Anik, Artist, of Jolo, Sulu.

Bas and his wife have four children. He is saving money to send them to school. Living on the water at the Tulay (bridge) in Jolo, Bas is a fisherman who makes dried fish to sell.

Recently, he volunteered his humble house on the water for The One World Institute’s “Movie Nights” and a reading program for children sponsored by Thomas M. Ortega Stern. “Books for the Barrios” supplied the books.

Basil Anik’s home has been disrupted by many conflicts caused by war. Last year, an errant missile hit the Anik home and wounded his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and two sons. The year before, his home was ruined by a typhoon. People helped to rebuild Bas’ home for the fourth time — in true “rebuilding community” spirit.

When we first started “Movie Nights”, we were expecting 50 children. Instead, almost 300 came from all the stilt houses — but due to the unexpected heavy weight of these movie-goers, the bridge fell. We had to postpone the project until the community’s residents fetched bamboo from the mountains to rebuild and reinforce the bridge.

One day at a time, life changed for the residents of the Tulay…

Children come to read with volunteers from the local schools. Games and contests are organized for them during special holidays…

Bas is also now supervising a “Basketball for Peace Program.” Teams compete on a beach court when low tide sets in. Basketball teams’ uniforms are made locally for US$100.00 per team. The donor gets his own colors and company name on the uniforms. At the end of each final tournament, the players keep their uniforms…

Most of the young adults in 2010 came to get tutored at the Tulay. All of them have graduated. As they look forward to being in high school, we celebrate their achievements as milestones…

Bas began experimenting with creating brooches by following instructions from a “do-it-yourself” book. Today, your donation of every pin provides pocket money for food to the apprentices who come to assist in polishing and shining the finished products. Bas cannot make new brooches until he dispatches this batch because he had invested his savings for tools and materials…

In areas where war can wreak havoc and destroy communities, a sustainable livelihood through the artisan craftsmanship of these “pearls for peace” saves many lives.

We thank you for making it possible for Basil Anik and his team to continue creating one-of-a-kind brooches…

ABOUT THE BROOCHES:

“Sulu Wildlife Series. Materials: .999 Silver from Tongkil Island & Sulu Mother of Pearl.

The traditional brooches depict fruits and flowers of Sulu. The pins are worn by both male and female for the “sablay”— or to hold a shirt closed or to keep a scarf secure. Men wear it on their lapels and women pin it to their head scarves. There are many uses for the pin, so let your imagination go to work.

One definition of “sablay” is “a loose piece of clothing, worn by a person, that is simple yet elegant and joined in front by an ornament; as well as the draping object or fabric on the shoulder.”

Since the brooch is made of pure silver, it is soft to the touch and needs delicate handling. No two brooches are alike. Â

Brooches in 14/18Kt gold can be custom-made to your specifications, too. Please contact us at [email protected] for any special orders.

DONATION: $25.00 for one brooch; 45.00 for two brooches; Volume Discount: For 10 to 20 brooches, get 10% discount; For any brooch at $50 or more, get 15% discount for the Holiday Season. LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE.

Use PayPal to donate at
http://theoneworldinstitute.org/donations/index.htm.

For more questions or special orders, email us at [email protected].

(The producer of this video is Lorna Lardizabal Dietz, http://OWIcommunity.tumblr.com. [email protected])

Radiant View

public relations, marketing, and events for the Filipino American community

Tag Archives: OWI

MY ASEAN LIFE STORY: BUSINESS IN THE HANDS OF JOHN AND VONNY OEI

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

2010 Holiday Gift Catalog from One World Institute: Pearls for Peace, One-of-a-Kind Brooches by Basil Anik