|
For the past 21 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
|
|
This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
|
|
|
|
To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK-- The son of a 38-year old Filipina mother from Hollis, Queens who allegedly hung herself to death last Monday is speaking out that the suicide was not due to "financial woes", as reported by another newspaper this week.
Romar Confieso, 18, a member of the community service organization Philippine Forum, told the organization that his family did not suffer from financial hardship, and that in fact his mother, Marietta Confieso-Bechraoui, was able to provide well for them given her two shifts as a dialysis technician. The younger Confieso found the article "invasive and untrue" and stated he was never consulted by any reporter on his mother's death.
"She was a typical Filipina immigrant mother," states Lorena Sanchez of Kabalikat, a Filipina domestic workers support group and project of the Philippine Forum.
Confieso-Bechraoui had visited the Philippine Forum office prior to her death where she was taking line-dancing on the weekends. "She was separated from her son and unable to raise him in hopes she could find a job and provide for him. Eventually, she was able to petition Romar and bring him to the US. She continued to work hard, including as a domestic worker, to make up for their years apart as mother and son. Family separation is a common occurrence for Filipino families who migrate because there are no jobs in the Philippines."
As for the claims of financial hardship, Confieso- Bechraoui's hard work paid off as the family owns two homes in the United States, as well as keeps properties and businesses in the Philippines.
The exact circumstances surrounding her death remain unknown.
With Confieso- Bechraoui's mysterious death, a new trend of suicides among Filipino migrant workers is beginning to rise. The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) a national alliance of Filipino immigrant rights and welfare groups, claims that there are many factors associated with migration that can lead Filipino immigrant women to such a decision.
"Every time a very tragic human incident like this happens, you begin to reflect and look at the deeper problem of Philippine migration and its root causes. Mrs. Confieso-Bechraoui is one of the many millions of Filipinos who are leaving their homeland since 1970's when labor export policy was institutionalized to save our ailing Philippine economy," states Filipino immigration lawyer Arnedo Valera of the Migrant Heritage Center and chief legal counsel for NAFCON.
"I am deeply saddened when the main reason why Filipinos go abroad is because they are forced to do so-- abject poverty, no jobs, low wages and hopelessness in your country, placing our families and children as our priorities, i.e to give them a better life and a secured future. These are some of the factors that force Filipinos to leave the Philippines. Filipinos possess an innate human value of sacrificing themselves, even their lives to give their children and family a better life."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RENO S. Lacerna, a Philippine-born sergeant at the US army, received full military honors on his interment on Wednesday.
Lacerna was the latest Filipino-American casualty in the Iraq war. He served with the 226th Quarter Master Company, 87th Corps Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division based in Fort Stewart, Georgia.
In recognition of his valor and dedication, Sgt Lacerna received posthumously the Bronze Star Medal, the fourth highest US military award for gallantry in action.
Lacerna was interred at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City on Wednesday.
US Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Brigadier General Xavier P. Lobeto, Commanding General of the 19th Sustainment Command, 8th US army and a funeral honor from US Forces Korea-United Nations Command were present along with military representatives from the US embassy in Manila to honor Sgt Lacerna and his next of kin.
Sgt Lacerna was born in Manila on April 25, 1963. He had a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Industrial Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Hawaii.
He first joined the US Army in January 1997. Upon completion of his term of active duty service in December 2003, he joined the Hawaii Army National Guard “C" Company, which was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
He was honorably discharged in June 2006 and six months later, returned to Iraq following re-enlistment into the US army.
He is survived by his wife Concepcion, and two sons, Iram, 13 years old and, Rencio, 12 years old; father, Augusto, and mother, Adoracion; and one brother and four sisters. - GMANews.TV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK– There are two sure ways to gain superstardom in this country:
1. To be brilliant and
2. To be silly.
Just a couple of weeks back, two Filipino singers made international waves by being brilliant. Arnel Pineda became the new singer of legendary pop-rock band, Journey. And Filipina teenager Charice Pempengco made her debut appearance on American national television and stunned the audience with her gifts.
Wednesday night, a Filipino- American named Renaldo Lapuz gained the same superstardom.
However, he took the other route- being silly.
Lapuz auditioned in the Dallas leg of the most popular talent show in the world, American Idol. He came up on stage wearing a ridiculous white suit with feathers and a cape and hat lined in fur with Simon Cowell’s name on it.
Lapuz then sang his original composition called “We’re Brothers Forever,” a repetitive, yet ‘hooky’ song that the hosts made him sing over and over.
After awhile, Idol hosts Randy and Paula begin to sing along. Randy even went out to bring Ryan Seacrest in on the. They go up and sing along, while Paula "dances." All of it is wildly entertaining, leaving Simon smiling with an occasional laugh. Simon tells Lapuz that he has a terrible feeling it's going to be a hit record. He thinks Lapuz is entertaining, but it is a no for him. In the end, Simon hugs the Filipino from Texas.
Lapuz will not make it to idol, however, minutes after his TV appearance, his star ignited.
He is all over the Internet: www.youtube.com already contains many videos of his performance as well as remakes and remixes of his song by other Youtube users.
One clip showed two American boys in military wear singing “We’re brothers forever”. Another video showed an elder American guy also singing Lapuz’s tune.
Lapuz is a hit. He is this year’s William Hung, Idol fans are already calling Lapuz’s audition as the funniest in Idol history.
Meanwhile, some Fil- Ams are not happy, with his exposure.
“The last thing we need is to solidify racial stereotypes,” says Migs– a singer-songwriter based in Jersey City. “We are trying very hard to break these cruel Asian stereotypes, and this silly appearance by this guy doesn’t help at all,” he adds.
According to Jon, a guitarist from Queens, it is discouraging for other Asians or Filipinos who are trying to make it to the entertainment mainstream, when something like Lapuz’ happens. “Things like these make it harder for all of us to breakthrough. It makes people not take Asians seriously when it comes to entertainment.”
On the other hand, some FilAms appreciate Lapuz’s feat.
“We need people like him to make this world a happier place. And I am proud that he is Filipino. He makes people happy, that’s the most important thing”, says Agnes, a banker from Manhattan.
Whatever, impact Lapuz has, it is certain that he will be around for a while. It is either we take it or we leave it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
