I am sensitive to the needs of babies that are in need of love. There are times when a fetus is aborted because the couple failed to use a less tragic form of birth control. Stories of sleeping infants being left in boxes bother me. Tales of toddlers being abused and neglected haunt me. I cringe at the thought of children not feeling the love that they deserve.

I am sensitive to the yearnings of the youth. Their uncertainty, their feelings of angst, and their calls for support echo in my mind. I encounter students every day that are hurting, and that could use a little boost every now and then.

I am sensitive to the questions of young adults. Inquiries on how to get into and stay in postsecondary institutions shower me every day. Young adults express to me fear regarding how to pay off educational loans, how to start a career, and how to live up to filial expectations very often.

I am sensitive to the history of people of color. Their stories strike me to the core of my soul. I relate to their quest for equality, for autonomy, and for self-actualization.

I am sensitive to the status of women. The double standard they face is always on my mind. I witnessed my mother work twice as hard as the next man just to get the same amount of praise.

I am sensitive to the fight of the handicapped and disabled. Their struggles of access and fairness strike a chord in my heart. I see with the blind, hear with the deaf, and work with the unable.

I am sensitive to the deterioration of the elderly. They share with me their physical, mental, and emotional aches and pains. I empathize with their loss of independence, with their fear of being a burden, and their desire to die with dignity.

I am sensitive to the plight of the poor. My heart aches for families that can not afford food and housing. I know what it is like to not have running water, plumbing, or electricity. My memories include embarrassment from being teased for non-name-brand clothing.

I am sensitive to the struggle of the immigrant. My experiences have included trying to translate for non-English speakers, filling out forms and paperwork with them. I share their stories of discrimination, of fear, and frustration.

I am sensitive–and this makes me stronger than ever.

Apparently, my lola stood up for the first time in three weeks. She walked to the restroom, walked back to her bed, and laid back down. I wish I was home to witness it, but I was not. My uncle and cousin think that it is a sign that she is getting stronger, and getting better. Having taken care of my mom while she was on her deathbed, I am not as optimistic. There is a lot of research around aging, around dying, and I have had experience around them both. I told them what I know and what I learned from when my mom was in hospice and dying. It was a hard conversation to have with them and even now, there is very little solace that I can offer them.

Charles Dickens said, “Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door.”

In her book Women and Money, Suze Orman states that one of the eight qualities of a wealthy woman is generosity. She further emphasizes that true generosity must benefit both parties. No woman can control her destiny if she does not give to herself as much as she gives of herself. Ms. Orman often cautions people not to co-sign loans or deplete their emergency cash savings to bail out someone. While those acts seem helpful, they leave people financially at risk. Happiness manifests itself through generosity—when, for example, a woman makes donations that help others yet do not deplete them.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 48 will be voted on this week to formally recognize October as Filipino American History Month this year and in the future.

It is necessary to make the general public aware of the historical contributions made by immigrant ethnic and cultural groups to build the fabric of the State of California and the United States into the state and country that we know and are proud of. As with many other ethnic and cultural groups who have received public recognition for their contributions to American society, Filipinos and Filipino Americans also deserve to be recognized.

One can review it on the California State Senate Web site at http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/scr_48_bill_20090608_introduced.pdf. Please review it and contact your state Senator—both at the State Capitol and their district office—to let them know how you feel about the bill. Letters, e-mails, and calls from individuals and organizations are encouraged.

To further strengthen your case, you may wish to:

·         Give a brief background on the history of Filipinos in your respective senate district

·         Provide demographic figures on the population of Filipinos in your respective senate district; and

·         Highlight one historically significant Filipino event, individual, organization, or business in your senate district

Any correspondence should also be courtesy copied to Senator Leland Yee.

You can find senator contact information and demographic information on the California State Senate District Map Web page at http://www.senate.ca.gov/~newsen/senators/districtmaps.HTP.

On June 12, 1898, revolutionary forces under Emilio Aguinaldo, the country’s first and youngest President, declared independence from Spanish colonial rule.

Today, Filipinos celebrate June 12, 1898, and July 4, 1946, as Independence Days. It is telling that the people of the Philippines celebrate twice. It means that the people had to fight twice. Certainly, the soldiers of World War II understand fighting for two entities–the United States government and their very own homes. The Philippine diaspora has had to manage at least two cultures.

All these concepts are testaments to Filipino resilience and ingenuity.

The Philippines’ Rubilen Amit won the 2009 JBETpoker.net Women’s World 10-Ball Championship at The Block of the SM North Edsa in Quezon City.

It was Amit’s first international victory since falling short in the 2007 Amway World Women’s 9-Ball Championship in Chinese Taipei where she finished second.

Amit joins the ranks of countrymen Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, who have won world titles in 9-ball and 8-ball.

Along the way, she had to beat a heavily favored Jeanette “The Black Widow” Lee of the United States in the quarterfinals.

Each and every person has much to offer the world. One learns from experiences and the choices that brought them there. Choices are interesting; especially what enable huan beings to make the choices they make all through their lives. For example, what choices lead to ethnic cleansing? What choices lead to healing? What choices lead to the destruction of the environment? The erosion of the Sabbath? Suicide bombings or teenagers shooting teachers? What choices encourage heroism in the midst of chaos?

One my most favorite events each year, the Filipino American Youth Leadership Conference (FAYLC), a project of the Philippine National Day Association (PNDA), is coming up in less than two months. It will be on August 7-9, 2009, in Sacramento, CA. Participant applications can be downloaded at http://www.xpoinc.org/documents/faylc09participantapplication.doc.

Tonight, I really put it out there. I stated–in public–that I was researching how to run for the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) Board of Education. It is a basic premise of reaching goals.

First, it is important that one knows what their goals are and make sure they want to reach them. If one is striving for something simply because it is what someone else wants them to do, they will have a much more difficult time attaining them, and will derive far less satisfaction from them. One should set goals that align with their own dreams, hopes, and values. I believe in education, and know how important and how empowering a good education has been for me and for many of my peers and friends.

Second, one also needs to break down a large goal into smaller, measurable goals. For example, if my main goal is to be elected to the Board, I need to set a series of smaller goals such as learning about the election requirements, filling out the necessary paperwork, collecting signatures, soliciting support, and so on. Reaching all the small goals carry them to their large one.

Third, one should share their goals with others: their spouse or significant other; family and friends; or mentor. They should talk to anyone they know will be supportive and help keep them accountable. In addition, one never knows just who may be inspired by that goal to pursue their own goals.

Fourth, one needs to visualize completing their goals. This can keep them on track.

Fifth, one should put their goals in writing. This should be done in a way that works for them. For some people that might be a contract with themselves. For others it might be a collage of magazine pictures that inspire them.

Finally, one should never quit. Setbacks and pitfalls are bound to occur. Get up, shake it off, learn from the experience, and go forward.

Set a goal, plan the path to it, and make it real by telling others, visualizing, and putting it in writing. Then go for it, and prove all the naysayers wrong.