Contents… (Hyperlinked: Hold Control and click on page number to go directly to the article or simply scroll down;

for Page 2, click AFPSI )

2 AFPSI Celebrates 35th

Anniversary. Dr. Evelyn Yu Inducted President (Urbano A. Dauz, MD) This young but mature organization celebrates its 35th year of founding with friends from five other

organizations. It installs a fourth woman president.

10 The Rebirth of PEACE Like the mythical bird phoenix, on its 27th year this highly productive and respected organization rises from its own

ashes.

12 Singing for the Philippines. A Serenade for the Homeland (Arachelle B. Jose, MD) The popular and fun-filled song and dance attains a higher dimension because it is done for a noble cause.

17 Trapped Between Cultures (Eugenio Amparo, MD) This retired radiologist feels he is not American enough to withstand loneliness or Filipino enough to tolerate Manila traffic.

. 19 Kris Pineda Featured in Wind Concert With an impeccable performance of “Rhapsody in Blue” the piano virtuoso received a standing ovation.

20 Lt. Felix Yapit, US Army, Retired (Feliciano Yapit) A loving and dutiful son traces the bravery, sacrifices and difficult life of his multi-awarded military father that paved

. the way to their becoming US citizens.

28 A Time for All Seasons—Including Retirement (Narciso S. Albarracin, MD) Quoting Ecclesiastes, this retired pathologist avers that whether it is time for work, for family or even retirement, one should

spend time wisely for the greater glory of God.

30 Peace of God—Within My Grasp? (Phil Galang) Peace is of our heart and a blessing from God.

31 Test Your Vocabulary and Win a Free Book Words are taken from the novel, “I Shall Return”

32 WWII Novel “I Shall Return” (By (Cosme R. Cagas) Read excerpts here. Read book reviews at www.amazon.com.

Available in ebook, amazon kindle, hard and soft covers from various outlets including from the author.

33 The Rain in Ayala Heights (Carmelo C. Dichoso, MD)

Interpretation of above poem immediately follows on p. 34.

The ILLINI

Official Publication of the Association of Filipino Physicians in Southern Illinois

Volume III, Fall-Winter, 2013

AFPSI CELEBRATES 35TH

ANNIVERSARY Dr. Evelyn Yu Inducted President

Urbano A. Dauz, M.D

They came, they saw, they celebrated.

Members of PEACE, APPA, UPMASA SI-MO Chapter and PMA of

Greater St. Louis celebrated the 35th founding anniversary of the

Association of Filipino Physicians in Southern Illinois (AFPSI) at the

Regency Hilton Garden Inn at O’Fallon, Illinois on Saturday, May 25,

2013. Below are the highlights of the memorable Memorial Weekend of

2013.

They Came

Attendees came the day before, travelling from various places near and far

from the venue – NY, NJ, FL, Ohio, Indiana, WV, MS, TN, CA, Chicago

and Missouri. Friday night, May 24th

marked the presentation of “Singing

for the Philippines” jointly sponsored by the Philippine Economic and

Cultural Endowment (PEACE), Dr. Virgilio R. Pilapil, president, and the

University of the Philippines, Southern IL-Missouri (UPMASA SI-MO)

Chapter, Dr. Necita Roa, president. This event unwittingly proved to be a

fitting warm-up period for the celebration ahead. To the obvious delight of

the appreciative audience, amateur performers with different backgrounds,

abilities and stage presence sang, danced, performed excerpts from Les

Miserables, and rendered their interpretations of traditional ethnic

Philippine dances. An emboldened group of AFPSI amateurs gamely

danced their version of Philippine Tango which elicited not just a mere

perfunctory mercy applause but a rather boisterous and enthusiastic one

notwithstanding a few missteps, warts and all, largely offset by their lively

and near perfect timing and rhythm to the beat of the music. It was a

resounding success judging from the heightened decibels of laughter and

applause coming from the fired-up audience. The generous donations from

the members definitely fattened the coffers of PEACE for funding its

artesian wells projects back home to provide clean and potable water to

areas in need and for the UPMASA SI-MO Chapter to help fund its

projects for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

They Saw

With this upbeat atmosphere lingering and persisting the following day

providing a suitable platform to build on more excitement, the celebration

of the 35th

founding anniversary of AFPSI has never been primed better for

more fun and a more enjoyable evening. The festivities commenced with

the singing of the America anthem, the Star-Spangled banner, by Dr.

2

The Association of Filipino

Physicians of Southern Illinois Officers, 2013-14

Evelyn YU, MD- President

David Deloso, MD- Vice Pres.

Emma Sunga, MD, Pres.-elect

Claravel B. Criste, MD- Secretary

Elcee Cagas Conner-Treasurer

Raymund Pineda, MD-Auditor

Enrico T. Farinas, MD- Bus. Man.

Virgilio R. Pilapil, MD- APPA

Delegate

Cesar Yu, MD-Executive Director

David M. Conner, MD, Imm. P. Pres.

Board of Governors Rachel Gotanco, MD

Erica Fe Salarda, MD

Vanessa Salarda, MD

Seigfried Yu, MD

Vicente Zata, Jr., MD

Board of Advisers

Calixto Aquino, MD

Cosme R. Cagas, MD

Urbano Dauz, MD

Virgilio Dycoco, MD

Elvira Salarda, MD

Auxiliary Officers 2013-2014 Elcee Cagas Conner -President

Teresita Deleste-Pres.-elect

Lily Santos, Vice Pres.

Georgina Cagas Zurliene-Secretary

Virgie Abinoja-Treasurer

Kay Pineda-PRO

Raydo Bugayong, Ph.D, Imm. P. Pres.

Board of Governors Wilma Aquino

Remy Bugayong

Ann Butalid

Linda Cagas

Grace Farinas

Board of Advisers Ray Bugayong

Emma Fabi

Ynna Naguit

Editorial Board Cosme R. Cagas, MD- Editor

Carlos P. Capati, MD

Urbano Dauz, MD

David Deloso, MD

Rebecca Geronimo, BSN

Virgilio R. Pilapil, MD

Associate Editors

Office of the Editor

1 Bunkum Woods Drive

Fairview Heights, IL 62208

Crcagas@aol.com ccagas2@gmail.com

Guest speaker Dr. Ramon Lopez

Carlos Deleste, a urologist from St. Louis, followed by the singing of the Philippine anthem,

Pambansang Awit, by Dr. Claravel Criste, pediatrician from Marion, Il. Dr. Calixto Aquino, retired

surgeon from Litchfield, Il gave the invocation. The evening’s program was shared by duo emcees,

Mrs. Elcee Cagas Conner and yours truly who made sure that all guests were fully entertained. Dr.

David Conner, incumbent president of AFPSI delivered his welcoming remarks. Shortly after, Dr.

Enrico Farinas, who was the 4th president of AFPSI in 1982 and who still relishes the unique distinction

of having been voted “Sexiest Man of AFPSI” during our latest Valentine’s Day bash, was called to

introduce the guest speaker, Dr. Ramon Lopez, an OB-GYN practitioner from Joliet, IL and then vice

president of the PMA Chicago) Dr. Lopez was recently elected PMAC president).

They Celebrated

Inspired by the positive and encouraging address conveyed by Dr. Lopez’s remarks, the program

transitioned to a moving tribute to all the past presidents of AFPSI and wherein past presidents in

attendance were called to the floor and stood shoulder to shoulder for the lighting of the Unity Candles

while singing “Let There Be Peace On Earth’” led by Mr. Alan Zurliene with the audience solemnly

joining in unison. It was a moving and poignant scene worthy to be etched forever in the minds of

everyone in attendance. It was a memorable and fitting highlight of the evening – AFPSI’s its 35th

founding anniversary year.

Dancing followed with music provided by the FILAMIS Band. This was a welcome break for the

guests to spend their pent-up energies which had been building up since the day prior and put on hold

by the proceedings. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that in human relations and enter-

tainment, an audience steeped up in music is the best possible group to deal with as they are in an

optimum frame of mind to enjoy and participate. Such was the audience that was on that particular

evening on the 25th

of May.

3

AFPSI presidents all

4

Some members of AFPSI, PEACE, UPMASA MO-SI Chapter, APPA

and PMA of Greater St. Louis pose for a souvenir picture

Midway through dancing the induction of incoming officers of AFPSI ensued presided by Dr. Jose

Tejero, incumbent president of the Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA). The slate

of AFPSI Officers for 2013 –14 follows: Dr. Evelyn Yu – President, Dr. Emma Sunga – President-

elect, Dr. David Deloso - Vice President, Dr. Claravel B. Criste – Secretary, Mrs. Elcee Cagas Conner

– Treasurer, Dr. Raymond Pineda – Auditor, Dr. Enrico Farinas – Business Manager, and Dr. Virgilio

Pilapil – APPA Delegate. By a stroke of coincidence, Dr. Tejero happened to be a co-alumnus

graduating a year ahead of me from the UP College of Medicine. We used to see and bump into each

other during medical rounds at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila in the late 60’s and for first

time ever since graduation we met again at O’Fallon, of all places, about 48 years later. Surprises in

life? This was one of them. After Dr. Yu gave her presidential address, Mrs. Elcee Cagas Conner gave

her remarks as the outgoing president of the AFPSI Auxiliary. She was the epitome of a hardworking,

focused and goal-oriented organizer/choreographer rolled into one who oversaw the whole program to

its smallest detail –both of the “Singing for the Philippines” and the Anniversary program - fully

giving her all, time, talent and attention for the enjoyment of the attendees, guests, visitors and friends.

For the anniversary evening she switched from her role as co-emcee to Fantin, mother of Cosette in Les

Miserables singing “I Dream a Dream” to Jean Valjean. In this regard, she did a superb job and

succeeded tremendously way beyond her own expectations.

5

UPMASA SI-MO Chapter with guests: L-R –Front row: V. Dauz, V. Abinoja, N. Roa Second row:

C. Abinoja, U. Dauz, D. Deloso, A. Baduel-Jose, E. Tejero, V. Deloso, J. Tejero Back row: J. Villegas, N. Villegas

After Mrs. Conner’s remarks, the incoming officers of the AFPSI Auxiliary--Mrs.Teresita Deleste-

president, Mrs. Lily Santos- vice president, Mrs. Erma Ofreneo- president-elect, Georgina Cagas

Zurliene- secretary, Mrs. Virgie Abinoja- treasurer, and Mrs. Kay Pineda-Pro-- were inducted into

office by Mrs. Eden Tejero, incumbent APPA Auxiliary president. Mrs. Deleste called on everyone to

continue to work together for the greater good of the organization.

Bailamos!

Induction of the incoming officers of PEACE followed. They were inducted into office by Dr. Virgilio

Pilapil, outgoing president. This was a revitalization period for PEACE as advocated and envisioned by

its founder, Dr. Cagas.

6

Crowning of Mrs. AFPSI, Mrs. Ann Butalid (center). From left, Elcee Cagas

Conner, Leonor Pagtakhan So, Sally Siroy, Edwin Siroy and Bert Butalid.

A special presentation by the APPA Auxiliary followed with the group doing a lively line dance to the

beat of “Chilly Cha-Cha”. AFPSI members then capped the evening dancing to the rhythm of

“Bailamos” (by Enrique Iglesias) showing off glimpses of both Gangnam style dancing and John

Travolta’s signature dance moves. Their rendition practically brought the house down in gleeful

applause and appreciation. Thanks to the choreography by Dr. Raydo and Mrs. Remy Bugayong from

Jacksonville, IL who were our patient dance instructors. The night was capped by the coronation of

Mrs. AFPSI 2013, Mrs. Ann Butalid from Carlyle, IL who was crowned by Mrs. Leonor Pagtakhan So,

former Mrs. APPA, with Dr. Edwin and Mrs. Sally Siroy helping the sash placement.

AFPSI in Perspective

AFPSI has come a long way since its founding in 1978. It evolved as an idea in 1977 after restrictive

laws were passed in the US Congress that were felt detrimental to foreign medical graduates. It took a

visionary and humanitarian, Dr. Cosme R. Cagas, from Belleville, IL to come up with the idea of

providing a unified front against discriminatory practices and unfair legislation against FMGs. Thus

was founded the Association with the first elected slate of officers for 1978-79 led by Nestor R.

Zenarosa, MD of Belleville as president. It became a 501(C) (3) nonprofit corporation shortly after

largely to the efforts of second president Casimiro C. Garcia, Jr. To publicize its activity and to inform

members of major issues especially affecting FMGs, AFPSI started publishing the Philippine ILLINI in

1978, co-edited by Dr. Cosme R. Cagas and Dr. Casimirio C. Garcia, Jr. and later in 1985 by the couple

Elcee Cagas Conner and Dr. David M. Conner.

7

APPA Auxiliary dancers

In 1980, under the initiative of Dr. Cagas the AFPSI Science Scholarship Quiz Show for senior high

school students took shape although the first Quiz Show itself was not started until 1981 at the

Belleville East High School. It has been an ongoing yearly event since then being undertaken by the

organization with the latest one held at Carlyle High School last November, 2012.

Obviously inspired by his success in founding AFPSI which became a fount of friendship, camaraderie

and shared common goals, it was a short leap of faith for Dr. Cagas to extend his organizing talents to

another level. Thus was founded the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America

(UPMASA) in 1981. Its objective is to invite all UP Alumni transplanted into the North American

Continent by choice, fate or force of circumstance to come together and unite to help their Alma Mater

and the PGH. In time the UPMASA SI-MO Chapter became the source of five presidents of the

national organization, namely, Dr. Cagas,1980-83; Dr. Leopoldo Pardo, Jr.;1983-85; Dr. Wilfrido C.

Feliciano,1991-93; Dr. Benjamin I. Albano, 1999-01; and Dr. Ofelia D. Bernabe;2009-1. And in no

time at all, giving vent to his humanitarian inclinations, Dr. Cagas founded PEACE in 1986 with its

main goal of providing clean and potable water to various areas in the Philippines lacking a safe and

healthy source of this basic life-giving necessity. Though not directly involved himself in the founding

of the APPA, Dr. Cagas had actively participated at higher levels in this umbrella organization as

founding speaker of the House of Delegates, among others.

And so it came to pass that on the Memorial Weekend of 2013 the members of these four

organizations, and those of a fifth, the PMA of Greater St. Louis, were gathered together under one

8

roof in one particular locality. And thus the events that transpired and witnessed by many on that

fateful Memorial Day Weekend of 2013 has become part of our proud history and has created greater

and wider impact on all foreign medical graduates living and working in this one great nation, the

United States of America.

.

9 Back to page 1

Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no

leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things

for the better.

—Harry S. Truman

THE REBIRTH OF PEACE

After a one-year hiatus occasioned by lack of inspired leadership, the Philippine Economic and

Cultural Endowment like the mythical bird phoenix virtually rose from its own ashes on the watch of

vice president then interim president Virgilio R. Pilapil, first with the resoundingly successful fund-

raiser “Singing for the Philippines” (see related articles this issue), which it jointly co-sponsored with the

UPMASA, SI-MO Chapter on May 24, 2013 and then capped by a well attended meeting the following

day. The most entertaining and fun-filled song and dance was aptly punctuated with the PEACE

Humanitarian Award of the Year to Dr. Augustus P. Soriano who was cited for his gutsy and

courageous fight against racism in Mississippi (read Philippine ILLINI, Spring-Summer, 2013) and

the PEACE Couple of the Year to Drs. Regulus and Carmelita Tobias who made the foundation’s

Silver Anniversary Celebrations a most enjoyable and an unforgettable experience.

Cosme Cagas reads Humanitarian of the Year 2013 award to

Augustus P. Soriano (left) as PEACE president Virgilio R. Pilapil and previous

humanitarian awardees Daniel Santos and Jesus Ho (right) listen approvingly.

PEACE members attending annual meeting

10

PEACE Officers 2013-15

Old and new members elected a set of new officers chosen for their relative youth and vigor,

willingness to serve and past performance in and outside the organization:

Augustus P. Soriano, president, Arachelle Baduel Jose, vice president, Urbano Dauz, president-elect,

Ramon G. Lopez, secretary, Elcee Cagas Conner, treasurer, Edwin Siroy, auditor, and Virgilio Pilapil,

editor. The board of governors: Rano S. Bofill, Generoso D. Duremdes, Recto F. De Leon, Wilfrido C.

Feliciano, Jesus T. Ho, Nicolas C. Pineda, and Necita L. Roa. The advisers: Lestrino C. Baquiran,

Nelson D. Bocar, Carmelo C. Dichoso, Gil R. Pilapil, Daniel E. Santos, and Rolando S. Sineneng.

PEACE founder Cosme R. Cagas was appointed by President Soriano as executive director.

11 Back to page 1

A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. —Douglas MacArthur

SINGING FOR THE PHILIPPINES A Serenade For Our Beloved Homeland

Arachelle Baduel Jose, MD

It had been done before in 1988 and 1990, ʻSinging for PEACE’. This time on May 24, 2013 at

OʼFallon, Illinois, it was ʻSinging for the Philippines’. Singing has always been at the heart of the

Filipino soul. Many a fair maidenʼs heart has been won by the harana. The karaoke is always a fair

treat whenever 2 or 3 or more Filipinos gather to party.

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MEDICAL SOCIETY IN AMERICA

SI-MO CHAPTER

AND

THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ENDOWMENT

IN COOPERATION WITH

THE ASSOCIATION OF FILIPINO PHYSICIANS

IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

AND

THE ASSOCIATION OF PHILIPPINE PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA

PRESENT

SINGING FOR THE PHILIPPINE

The singing attains a nobler dimension when done for a cause. The cause, to raise money for

artesian wells in the Philippines and for the needy patients of the Philippine General Hospital, was

enthusiastically taken up by the members of PEACE, UPMASA, SI-MO Chapter, the Association of

Philippine Physicians in America and the Association of Filipino Physicians in Southern Illinois.

12

It was a night of merriment, a night to showcase the membersʼ and their familiesʼ talents, a night to

recall the nostalgia of Filipino songs, a night to award members who did more than their fair share and

a night to renew friendships and make new ones.

La fruta no cae lejos del arbor. Our inimitable and effervescent emcee, Elcee Cagas Conner and

company opened the show with a rendition of ʻDiamonds are Forever.ʼ This cast of thousands which

included family members also ended the first half with a mega production of Les Miserables.

Edwin and Sally Siroy, Carlos Deleste and Urbano Dauz also gave performances. Gangnam style

dancing by all was led by Elceeʼs nephews and irrepressible father. Mini Hawaiian dancers, Elena

Nieva Villaflores and Alexandria Nieva Whitehead outshone all the other performers in the second half

APPA AFPSI

Springfield Dancers: “Modern Maranao Dance”

13

of the program. The Maranao dance by the Springfield dancers, Linda Sartain, Gwen Reserva, Lilian

Beams, Lynn Wright and Lilibeth Gumia held everyoneʼs attention as well as AFPSI’s Tango dancers

and the unforgettable, ʻMaalala Mo Kayaʼ by Conrad and Virgie Abinoja.

It was hard to be humble for Dr. Augustus Soriano who received PEACEʼs Humanitarian of the Year

Award. The other honorees were Drs. Regulus and Carmelita Tobias as PEACE Couple of the Year. To

conclude the program was Dr. Dido Feliciano with renditions of Ikaw and Bayan Ko, the latter serving

as finale fervently sang by all.

Condrad and Virgie Abinoja Ban and Virgie Dauz, Nic and Kay Pineda

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Choir (of Sparta, IL)

14

AFPSI Tango dancers

Dido Feliciano Vic Zata shares WWII story during book signing of

“I Shall Return”

For me, travelling from Cherry Hill, NJ and visiting the area for the first time, it was a thrill to see the

famous St. Louis arch in person. I did not get to climb it which makes that a good reason to come back.

We missed many, notably Ching Baquiran, Nelson Bocar, Roly and Leda Sineneng, Seb and Grace

Kho, Sariel and Andie Ablaza, Offie and Babes Bernabe and I am sure I will be remiss with some

egregious omissions. It was great to belong to this gathering. The local Filipino community almost

matches the one I belong to in South Jersey.

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Dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt. Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth. - William W. Purkey

16 Back to page 1

Singing for the Philippines

Checks received (Updated 6/3/2013)

PEACE UPMASA

Calixto Aquino $50 (sponsor) Conrado Abinoja $150

(sponsor)

Nelson Bocar 150 (sponsor) Florinio Bernabe 100

(sponsor)

Rano Bofill 100 (sponsor) RM Mateo 100 (dinner)

Delfin Nieva 150 (sponsor)

Manuel Cacdac 500 (sponsor) Marlon Torrento 100

(sponsor)

Carmelo Dichoso 1000 (Sponsor) Osias Almiron 150

(dinner?)

Enrico Farinas 150 (sponsor)

100 (dinner) Necita L Roa 1000(sponsor)

Rolando Sineneng 200 (sponsor) 200 (dinner)

Eusebio Kho 300 (sponsor) Cosme Cagas 1000 (sponsor)

Amado Ortillo 100 (sponsor) Jose Tejero 165 (dinner)

Edwin Siroy 100 (sponsor) Laureano Castillo

70(donation)

150 (dinner) 130 (AFPSI

dinner) Augustus Soriano 150 (sponsor) Delfin Nieva 100 (dinner)

50 (dinner) 100 (dinner)

300 (dinner)

100 (membership-Mohammadi)

Ludovico Villanueva 50 (sponsor)

Alan Zurliene 150 (sponsor)

Lestrino Baquiran 1000 (Sponsor)

Arachelle B. Jose 150 (sponsor)

50 (dinner)

Christian Cagas 150 (sponsor)

Cosme Cagas 300 (membership for Amy C)

Augustus Soriano 390 (AFPSI dinner)

300(AFPSI dinner165;

135 donation?)

Rano Bofill 100 (dinner)

Theresa Villaflores 50 (dinner)

Gil Pilapil 150 (sponsor)

100 (dinner)

Romeo Perez 100 (dinner)

David Conner 150 (sponsor)

Checks made payable to

AFPSI like those from

Dr. Jose K. Villegas are

not included here.

TRAPPED BETWEEN CULTURES: Neither Filipino Nor American

Eugenio Amparo, MD

I was born in the Philippines to Filipino parents but I have lived continuously in America since 1974,

the year I started my diagnostic radiology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch,

Galveston, Texas. Now, having retired from the practice of medicine, I find myself with too much time

to contemplate everything from quantum mechanics, the existence of God in a fundamentally random

universe seemingly full of suffering, to the history of the bra and the deforestation of pubic hair. One of

these contemplations led to an uncomfortable conclusion, that I am neither Filipino nor American, that

I am trapped between cultures.

As a child in Iloilo City, I used to dream of America with rivers of cars, supermarkets overflowing with

food, snow in the winter, everything I saw in movies. Now, I have a BMW and a Mercedes Benz in a

three-car garage; a refrigerator full of food as well as obesity and hypercholesterolemia; pictures from

family ski trips to Aspen, Vail, Squaw Valley; and a loneliness that is as American as apple pie. I miss

the Philippines.

When I visit the Philippines to see friends and relatives, I envy their close family and friendship ties,

which is not just an artifact of my visit and a testament to their hospitality. Even when I'm not there,

my first cousins, who live in different cities in Metro Manila, get together every Sunday for lunch in

Quezon City. By contrast, I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I got together in

the past ten years with my younger brother in Virginia and my sister in Oregon. My daughter lives in

San Francisco, a two-hour drive from our home in Sacramento but we see her once or twice every two

months. My son and grandchildren live in Folsom, a twenty-minute drive away, but we all have to

make a conscious effort to get together once a week. Americans are just too busy, which is the reason

America is the greatest economic power in the world and the reason Americans are one of the loneliest

people in the world with a very high prevalence of depression. I am not American enough to resign

myself to loneliness as a consequence of a national obsession with rugged individualism and self

sufficiency.

I am not American enough to resign myself to loneliness…

The solution seems simple; I retire in the Philippines. But then I remember that it now takes almost as

long to drive from the University of the Philippines in Quezon City to the Philippine General Hospital,

a distance of 11 miles, as it takes to drive from Sacramento to San Francisco, a distance of 87 miles.

That's because Manila traffic is so gridlocked. I'm no longer Filipino enough to be patient with Manila

traffic.

In America, I bank online and I get cash from ATMs. In the Philippines people still go to banks just to

conduct business that can be conducted online or at ATMs. Dealing with government bureaucracies in

America like the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Internal Revenue Service can be frustrating, but

at least it can be done without having to bribe anyone, whereas the simplest business dealings in the

Philippines may require bribes. I still remember a time when visiting the Philippines from America

required knowledge of how to bribe customs officials upon arrival at the airport. I once arrived at the

Manila International Airport and declared all my scuba gear equipment. The customs officials at first

salivated at the thought of how much money they would make from me and then realized I was a

hopeless case and finally waved me through. They figured no idiot would declare all of that and know 17

how to bribe his way through, so no bribes were forthcoming. Our medical school alumni association

in America once sent a cargo container full of supplies for donation to the Philippine General Hospital

(PGH). It was confiscated by customs and it was not released to the PGH until several politicians had

intervened. I would not be surprised if it also required bribes to customs officials. Airport customs has

vastly improved, probably to encourage tourism and visits from “balikbayans,” but I'm told that

conducting business in the Philippines still routinely involves bribery.

When I sit poolside at the Manila Polo Club I think the Club may be the ultimate blend of American

and Filipino: clean and well organized; efficient and courteous service; a feeling of Filipino closeness

as well as American aloofness. Then I remember that the Manila Polo Club is an exclusive enclave. It

is not the Philippines, which brings me to yet another glaring problem. I am no longer Filipino enough

to ignore the yawning chasm between rich and poor in the Philippines. A few minutes drive from the

Manila Polo Club with its Benzes and BMWs, street children run up to cars and beg for coins. You see

tin and cardboard shanties where children live. If you are driving at night in the provinces, an un-

nerving darkness seems to swallow up the small villages you pass. I'm now too American to ignore all

this, although I barely noticed it when I lived in the Philippines.

And I have become too soft in America. I find myself sweating profusely when I visit the humid

Philippines because Sacramento is so dry sweat evaporates even when the temperature approaches

100 degrees F. I no longer scoff at golfers in the Philippines hiring umbrella girls to protect them

from the sun, although I suspect that is not the only reason umbrella girls populate Filipino golf

courses. As a child in the Philippines, I was so dirty I had to be periodically dewormed. Now, I

seem germophobic when I visit the Philippines. I also get traveler's diarrhea every time I visit so I

have to watch what I eat. My stomach has become too American but I still long for bamboo shoots,

hearts of palm, dinuguan, lechon, and talaba. This part is likely just a matter of acclimatization.

What isn't a matter of acclimatization is my feeling of anxiety in the Philippines regarding

emergency services. In America I have been lulled into the feeling that I can always call 911 for

police, firemen or paramedics and they will come in time and I can trust them. Past emergencies in

America have taught me that this is generally true. I don't feel that way in the Philippines. I see

armed guards everywhere, outside gated communities, in bank lobbies, and even in a noodle

restaurant. It seems that no one really expects the police to be of any help against criminals. I don't

see how an ambulance can possibly make it through Manila traffic and I remember being a clinical

clerk in the emergency room of the Philippine General Hospital. I would fear for my life if I were

brought there, although I'm told much has improved at the PGH.

I am no longer Filipinos enough to be patient with gridlocked Manila traffic….

I have lived so long in America, a developed country, that I have grown accustomed to efficiency

and punctuality, reliable emergency services, above board business dealings, and the abundance of

creature comforts. As a consequence, I am no longer Filipino enough to be patient with gridlocked

Manila traffic, to take my chances with unreliable emergency services, to conduct business that may

require bribery, and to get used to the discomforts and the visible poverty of a developing country.

Yet, I am also too Filipino to ignore the aching loneliness of the American way of life, too Filipino

not to envy the close family and friendship ties I see when I visit the Philippines. I am trapped

between cultures, neither Filipino nor American.

18 Back to page 1

KRIS PINEDA FEATURED SOLOIST IN WIND SYMPHONY

From left: Grace Farinas. Linda Cagas, Kay Pineda, Kris with Number 1 fan

Conductor John Bell, Cosme Cagas, Kris, and Elcee Conner

Piano virtuoso Kris Pineda, son of Dr. Nicolas and Kay Pineda of Staunton, Illinois was the

featured soloist during a Wind Symphony Concert held at the Dunham Hall Theatre of the

Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville on April 3, 2013. Kris played his signature

“Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin with Dr. John Bell, conducting. The enthralled

audience awarded him with a standing ovation, which he richly deserved.

The evening’s program started with a Concert Band conducted by Dr. John Korak, featuring

“Variations on a Korean Folk Song”, “Night Dances”, October” and “Heartland Sketches”. The

Wind Symphony played “Riff Raff”, “Five American Gospel Songs” with Emily Truckenbrod as

soprano, “Beacon”, and “Rhapsody in Blue” as the finale.

Kris is well known to AFPSI and other admirers in Southern Illinois as a child musical prodigy

playing not only piano but other instruments as well. He finished his masters degree in Musical

Arts - Piano Performance at University of Texas, Austin, under the tutelage of Anton Nel, an

internationally known concert pianist. He obtained his doctorate in musical arts at the University

of Texas, in Austin. He comes back to SIU, (where he earned his bachelors degree in music), as

an assistant professor replacing his former teacher, Dr. Linda Perry who retired as full professor

and head of the keyboard program.

19 Back to page 1

LT. FELIX YAPIT, US Army, Retired (Former Philippine Scout)

By Feliciano Yapit

World War II changed the lives of thousands of people around the world. While not everyone

had their home ravaged, most felt the dire effects of the war in one way or another. My father,

Felix Yapit was one of the many whose life would take an unexpected turn. This is his personal

story that started as a member of the famed Philippine Scouts.

The Philippine Scouts was a regular military unit of the United States Army from1901 until the

end of World War II. Made up of native Filipinos assigned to the United States Army Philippine

Department these troops were generally enlisted and under the command of American Officers.

The Philippine Scouts was assigned a suffix of PS, to distinguish them from other U.S. Army

units. President Harry S. Truman ordered the disbandment of the Philippine Scouts as a unit of

the United States Army when the U.S. armed forces were integrated in 1947, thus ending

segregation in the U.S. military. The Philippine Scouts unit colors were retired in 1947, and the

Philippine Scouts itself was finally disbanded in December 1949, after occupation duty in

Okinawa, Japan.

The Philippine Scouts itself was finally disbanded in December 1949

I was four months old when this panoramic photo was taken on October 8, 1937, the 57th

Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) to which Felix Yapit was assigned at Fort William

McKinley; Makati, Rizal, Philippines. Click the links to view http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/panoramic_photography/images/57th_infantry_1937.html

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Felix was born on May 1, 1911, in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, the son of Leon and Jacinta

Fontanilla Yapit. On 14 December 1999, the old soldier answered the call of our Lord in

Colorado Springs, CO, and laid to rest along side with our mother who preceded him on October

14, 1994 at Fort Riley Post Cemetery, Kansas.

During my series of personal interviews with my father on his last two years in Assisted Living

at Parkmoor Village Healthcare Center, Colorado Springs, CO, he talked about what it meant to

be a soldier in WWII: To be captured, to live through the infamous Bataan Death March, to

survive hazardous consequences of a daring escape and deadly diseases, to organize a resistance

unit, to be ambushed and wounded and finally, to gain freedom and to savor the taste of victory,

only to embark upon a new set of challenges –life in America.

In the early days of his life, his cousin Pedro Labson member of the Philippine Scout assigned at

Fort William McKinley invited him to help in the kitchen (Mess Hall) for free food and lodging

while finishing his high school education. In 1928, at the age of 17 the opportunity to join the

Philippines Scouts presented itself and young Felix lost no time in enlisting even if he had to lie

about his age by presenting a residence certificate (cedula) that falsely stated his age to be 18, a

year older than his true age.

Felix lost no time in enlisting even if he had to lie about his age

In 1932, the year after receiving his first promotion, he married Flora Floresca from Naguilian,

La Union. In the next two years, they had two children, both of whom died in infancy. In 1935,

Matt was born followed by six more offsprings.

As World War II began ripping countries apart in Europe, he started to learn the use and

maintenance of different weapons. He presumed the Americans knew war was coming. They had

heavy training in combat and how to shoot down airplanes. He became skilled in the use of

various weapons and received the highest score in marksmanship for the post at Fort William

McKinley, Makati, Philippines. Nobody knew exactly what each day would bring, but they all

felt the tension rising in anticipation of America’s role in the war.

On December 7, 1941, the waiting ended. America was catapulted into a war that already had

much of the world in its grip. More than 2,400 have died that day at Pearl Harbor alone. It was

the following day, December 8, which caused the heaviest impact on Felix’s life; the Japanese

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invaded the Philippines. Within days after hostilities began, his unit 57th Infantry Regiment was

moved to Bataan.

Bataan became the high watermark of the Philippine Scouts. Being the only properly trained and

well-led unit of Filipinos in the Philippine Division, which later became the United States Army

Forces in the Far East or USAFFE, under the overall command of the legendary General Douglas

MacArthur, the Philippine Scouts, particularly the 26th

Cavalry which was the last U.S. cavalry

unit to actually fight on horseback, the Philippine Scouts were later singled out as the best

fighting unit in Bataan.

But the enemy proved to be too strong and their numbers overwhelming. While the Scouts and

all the other units of the USAFFE tried their best to stem the tide of the Japanese advance, they

had to pull back and reorganize. A good number in Felix’s company were killed or wounded in

the process. Their American company commander himself was wounded in the head. But the

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Scouts fought hard and tenaciously held on, only to be told to surrender in the end. The Battle of

Bataan which began in early January 1942 lasted until April 9, 1942, when Major General

Edward P. King, Jr., decided to surrender his badly battered forces rather than see any more

casualties. Deprived of food almost to the point of starvation, with depleting medical

and ammunition supplies, the men were being slaughtered by the better-equipped and well fed

enemy, whose advance the USAFFE forces could no longer effectively check. On the day they

laid down their arms, a total of about 70,000 marched into captivity. Among those who became

prisoners of war were about 16,000 Americans and 54,000 Filipinos.

The victorious Japanese Imperial Army, whose Code of Bushido looked down on soldiers who

surrender and not die fighting to the end as nothing but disgraced cowards, the Filipino and

American soldiers were forced to march from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga

under the oppressive Philippine sun at the peak of summer. That infamous atrocity later came to

be known in history as the “Death March of Bataan”. Their Japanese guards were about 100

yards apart making it possible for some of the Filipinos to escape by running through the sugar

cane fields along the route of the march, which was about 10 yards from the main road. Some

were able to escape undetected, but others were not as lucky. Every one of those caught escaping

were put to death. Those who fell during the march due to weakness were mercilessly bayoneted

to death, and any attempt by their comrades to help were met with a hail of bullets from the

guards. For those who could not escape, it was a grueling march in over 100 degree temperature.

Added to the hardship of marching in the sweltering heat with little food and water, was the

sickening stench of unburied bodies along the way. Upon reaching San Fernando, Pampanga, the

prisoners were herded like cattle and forced into overcrowded railroad cars for the short ride to

Capas, Tarlac, and then were again force marched to Camp O’Donnell, an uncompleted pre-war

training camp which was converted by the Japanese as a concentration camp for the survivors of

the Death March. Camp O’Donnell became the new home, after marching for approximately 65

miles in about 10 agonizing days. Those ten days remained vivid in Felix’s mind where about

10,000 marchers were killed or simply dropped dead from exhaustion.

My father was 30 year old at the time and remembered how young the Japanese soldiers

appeared --- they looked like they were 17 and 18 years old. The Japanese took everything away

from their captives---watches, jewelry and money. Felix lost about 10 pesos, a fortune in those

days, but was able to save his wedding ring by placing it in his underwear. Felix survived the

Death March to fight another day.

Japanese soldiers looked like they were 17 and 18 years old

All that time he remained strong, both physically and mentally. He said, “During our training

before the war, we were told that if taken prisoners we must try to escape. Part of the training

was how to escape and evade re-capture. One night he decided to give it a try. He waited for the

right moment. The trees were not too close from the camp perimeter and there was a wide open

space he had to get through. He got away maybe 25 yards, when the search light came on. He

knew the guards in the tower would not hesitate to shoot. He looked to the trees which still

23

loomed far in the distance. He said to himself, “I have no chance.” So he raised his hands. The

Japanese punishment for his first escape attempt was several strokes of a rifle butt to the

abdomen. He was struck at least about five times, after which he was told the punishment would

be more severe or even death, if he attempted another escape.

But it was his duty as a soldier to escape so after two weeks, he tried again. This time he got

farther, about 100 yards. He thought he would make it, but the distance to temporary freedom

was still far and wide-- a large expanse of open ground ahead of him with no trees or bushes in

which to take refuge, but he kept on. Suddenly, two shots were fired. He froze in his tracks and

was forced surrender again or be killed. He raised his hands, and meekly walked back under

escort. True to their word, the punishment the Japanese inflicted the second time was more

severe. He was put, with his hands and feet bound, into a bamboo cage. He was confined there

for a day under the sweltering sun, but still he considered himself lucky because other POWs

stayed there for a week or more. The chance for a third attempt did not come. A deadly epidemic

raged through the camp. Many prisoners were dying of malaria, dysentery, beriberi and other

diseases. As the winds of death swept through the horde of malnourished prisoners, they dropped

like flies at the rate of over hundred per day. Felix was one of those assigned in the burial detail.

The dead were wrapped in their own blankets and then carried to their graves. The prisoners

were forced to dig trenches which served as mass burial grounds, located about a mile and a half

from the camp, or about at 25 minute to walk coming and going. The graves measured about 3

by 10 yards. Into these rectangular holes, the prisoners began piling up the dead. The sun was

hot, some of them had been dead maybe a day, so the air permeating the gravesite was horrible.

All day, men brought their comrades to the mass grave. They made as many trips as they could

each day knowing at anytime theirs could be the next body to be carried out and dumped. The

body of a deceased person becomes swollen. They had no gloves, to pick them up with; nothing

but their bare hands. He described how the skin on a dead body, after being exposed to extreme

temperatures, would fall off when the men would take the hands or feet to moved them onto the

blanket. He helped bury the dead everyday until he got sick. He became too weak to do anything

but lay ill, with malaria and other diseases, and wondered if death would claim him soon. After

three months, his weight was down to 71 pounds. At the camp they were served just a little rice

each night. Approximately 26,000 of the 50,000 Filipinos died at Camp O’Donnell.

Eventually, talks between the puppet Philippine government and the Japanese military authorities

resulted in the release of all Filipino prisoners of war. The Filipino prisoners were told that

anyone of them who could walk would be released. Many were very sick and just could not

walk, but Felix forced himself to walk. He was still sick, but he walked all the way to a hospital

in Manila which was about 250 kilometers away from Capas. The American prisoners were

transferred to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija province and some were sent to Palawan and other

concentration camps.

When he reached Manila, it was the first in many months that he had good food to eat. Later, he

learned the American Red Cross had been sending food packages and medications for use of the

prisoners, but none of those ever reached them. After 15 days, he left the hospital and went in

24

search of his family. He didn’t know where to find us. It took him five days to reunite with his

family. When he found us, we were all well. Somehow my mother managed to take care of the

whole household of four children and now with the welcome addition of my father who was still

weak from the effects of the war. My mother sold most of her clothes to get food for all of us.

Having her do these things bothered my father. As soon as he was strong enough, he went in

search of a job. There were no jobs in Manila so he took his family back to Naguilian, La Union

where we stayed with our grandparents on my mother’s side. There my father Felix helped his

father-in-law Elias on his small farm. Later we all moved to San Juan, La Union.

In 1943, the Japanese were still in control of much of the Philippines. Putting his military

experience to work, my father organized the local men in our town into a Bolo Unit and started

the resistance movement there against the Japanese. The Bolo units (Philippine machete-type

weapon) operated as an adjunct of the Guerrilla Army, but they had no guns. The men in the unit

were poorly equipped and relied heavily on food donations from fellow countrymen who

supported their efforts to free the land from their enemy.

They Japanese had difficulty finding the guerrillas as they stayed in the jungles, but that did not

stop them from trying to force local residents to tell them where they were. He recalled being

told of how his father-in-law was tortured for not disclosing information on members of the

Guerrilla Army. He would not tell them where it was, so they hung him in a tree by his feet. He

hung there until he was near death. His tongue hung out when they cut him down but the family

nursed him back to health.

With the atrocities on the people by the enemy, it wasn’t hard to gain support for the Bolo Unit.

Finally, they got one rifle. My father gave them instructions of the use and care of the same. In

1944, the Bolo Unit was assigned to a unit of the Philippine Commonwealth Army. Between the

times he started that assignment through May of 1945, he was wounded twice. The first time was

when his unit was ambushed. He was wounded in the throat. After two weeks in the hospital, he

returned to the same platoon and was wounded the second time in the right hand. It was that

wound that would cause him problems for years to come. After his second discharge from the

hospital, he reported to the replacement battalion.

Because of his damaged hand, there was not much he could do. He was assigned as an instructor.

He only had a month to train volunteers, some as young as 14, to use a rifle and go to actual

combat. During that time, he too practiced shooting with his left hand and regain his

marksmanship, and after the Philippines was liberated, he continued practicing with a .45 Caliber

pistol and was soon back in competition.

On October 20, 1944 General MacArthur returned as promised with the liberation forces of the

U.S. Army and the Philippine Commonwealth Army was reorganized into a fighting force.

Together they continued to fight the Japanese who resisted fiercely and only gave up after Japan

surrendered to the Allied Forces. On September 2, 1945 Japan surrendered unconditionally

bringing World War II to conclusion. It was a great feeling, my father said. “We were free men

again and no longer have to suffer under the Japanese occupation.”

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In early1946, after the Philippines Scouts were reconstituted, the U.S. Army announced that all

Filipino personnel may apply for Officers Candidate School. Should they pass the exam and

graduate from OCS they could be commissioned. Although my father lacked a formal college

education, he successfully passed the exam and graduated from the OCS. His first assignment as

an officer was in the same place he was held as prisoner of war--- Camp O’Donnell.

In the same year, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States so he could join the regular

U.S. Army, since the Philippines was about to be granted independence by the U.S. Later on he

was told that he was over the age criterion for First Lieutenants, and that’s when confessed that

he lied about his age on his initial enlistment. His personnel record was updated with the

submission of proper documents from the church of his birthplace.

His first trip to America in 1949 landed him at Fort Ord, California, then to Fort Lewis,

Washington. He recalled all the new sounds, the autumn leaves, and the smell of the factories. It

was much different from his native Philippines. In 1950, at the outbreak of the Korean conflict,

he was assigned to Pusan, Korea. The following year he was transferred to Japan. It was a duty

assignment he wanted. With the war over, he wanted to see the country and see how his past

enemies lived. He found he was able to work with the Japanese civilians, with little or no

animosities. He came to terms with the horror he had experienced as prisoner of war. “I cannot

forget though,” he said, “I will never forget.”

“I will never forget.”

In 1953, he was posted to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he would stay for the remainder of his

military career and until his retirement in 1979. At Ft Riley, Kansas, he started the process to

bring his family to the United States, which was composed of his wife and seven children.

Initially, my brother Matt and I were prioritized due to our age. We departed the Philippines

from Port Area, Manila on board the U.S.S. Sultan, with a stopover in Honolulu for 3 days.

Upon arrival in San Francisco, we stayed at our Aunt Bass. Within a month’s period, with the

$20 pocket money each of us had when we left Manila almost gone, we immediately reported to

the Air Force Recruiting at South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. We attended Basic Training

at Parks AFB, CA (near Hayward City).

In 1957, my father went back to the Philippines to fetch the rest of the family by plane to

Junction City, KS, two miles from Fort Riley: Two brothers: Philip and Marshall; three sisters:

Cora Fox, Liwanag Li Hendrix and Mary La Varnway. They had their share of difficulties with

the new environment. In the Philippines we had nannies and grew up as spoiled brats. Father told

us that in the states we will have to do a lot of things ourselves like washing dishes, clean the

house and other chores. We had a lot to learn but we learned fast.

My father was now feeling more of the effects of his age which made army requirements such as

the annual Command Post Exercise more difficult. The night time maneuvers were especially

difficult. He was the oldest man out there. He had arthritis and his old gunshot wound bothered

him in the cold weather. He had a total of 29 years service in the U.S. Army. He decided a

26

civilian job would be better which would give him more time to spend with his family, so

retirement from the military would be the best move. After talking it over with our mother, he

finally retired from the Army.

But after his military discharge, he discovered that finding good employment was not that easy.

Our mother got a job at the Post. Knowing of the financial hardship, I made an allotment

monthly to my parents. After trying a few different jobs in Junction City, dad was offered a Civil

Service position that he held for 21 years until his retirement in 1979. At that time, the

Department of the Army awarded him the highest award available to civilian employees, the

COMMANDER’S AWARD FOR CIVILIAN SERVICE. This award was added to the many

others he received throughout his military career.

In 1982, his Junction City home was broken into and all of his medals were stolen to include the

Korean Service Medal with five Bronze Stars; the United Nations Service Medal; National

Defense Service Medal; Chief Infantry Badge; World War II Victory Medal; American Defense

Service Medal; Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal; Philippines Liberation Medal; Philippines

Independence Medal; Purple Heart; Presidential Unit Citation Badge; Philippine Republic

Presidential Unit Citation Badge; and three Good Conduct Medals.

A handful of Filipinos graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Vicente Lim was the first Filipino graduate. He belonged to Class of 1914, together with Dwight

Eisenhower and Omar Bradley, who later became high ranking generals of the U.S. Army during

WWII. Eisenhower of course became President of the U.S. and Bradley’s last posting was as

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of the U.S. Armed Forces. Vicente Lim graduated 77th in a class of

107, and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Philippine Scouts, and rose to the rank

of Brigadier General in WWII. The West Point Class of 1914 came to be known as the Class on

whom the stars fell, because all of the graduates became general officers.

A handful of Filipinos graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point Children of the Scouts (known as "Army Soup" in pre-World War II Fort William McKinley days)

sometimes carried on their fathers' military traditions and also became member of the US Armed Forces.

Two Philippine Scout children even earned the stars of US Army generals: Lieutenant General Edward

Soriano, whose father Federico Soriano was a corporal in the 57th Infantry Regiment in Bataan, then

retired a Major from the U.S. Army. Major General Antonio M. Taguba is the son of another Philippine

Scouts, who served in the 45th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Division (Philippine Scouts), and also

fought in the Battle of Bataan and after capture by the Japanese survived the Bataan Death March.

Despite all the hardships and sacrifices he endured, my father was pleased at how his later life

turned out, especially the decision to come to the United States. “I wanted to do it. It was my

dream. America is a great country and possesses unlimited potential and opportunities for

personal growth, fulfillment, and success,” he said.

27 Back to page 1

A TIME FOR ALL SEASONS -- INCLUDING RETIREMENT

Narciso S. Albarracin, Jr., M.D.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3: 1)

The author of Ecclesiastes wrote his book as a wizened man, enriched by observations and

experiences gathered over a life-time and blessed by the distillation of knowledge into wisdom. I

imagine him to be a septuagenarian. There is a haunting ring and rhythm to his "there is a time

to" declarations. A time to be born. A time to die. A time to plant. A time to uproot. Were he

living in our generation I believe that he would have included this line in the often-quoted 3rd

chapter of his book: A time to work and a time to retire.

Authorship of the Book of Ecclesiastes is attributed to Solomon. His world was agricultural. His

metaphors were therefore much influenced by Nature -- birth, death, planting, harvest, killing,

healing. Retirement was unknown in his day. With short life spans and no system for pension

savings, a person worked until he died. As king, Solomon did not know retirement. Kings did not

retire; they died, got killed, replaced, or deposed. Abdication, as the British Empire's King

Edward VIII did in 1936, is a rarity.

The concept and practice of retirement began in the late 19th century. Germany is believed to be

the first country to introduce it in 1880. At any rate, were Solomon a modern man, he would

have included within the gamut of life and living the "season" of retirement.

The concept of retirement began in the late 19th

century

There is an inherent aspect of time that may not be obvious to many, especially the young; that is

the aspect of "timing". In music, it is better understood as beat and rhythm. There is a rhythm to

life. Ecclesiastes implies it in his mention of "seasons" and in the rhythmic contrasts of life

activities. A time to plant. A time to reap. One does not harvest when it is the time to plant, nor

does one plant when it is the time to reap. Ignore the "timing" and the rhythm of life and living

loses its desired smoothness. There is a time to go to college, for instance. Miss that time and life

gets rougher. There is a time to marry and have children. Miss that time and you are forced to

make adjustments or to compensate. And, if it is not forced on an individual by health and

business reasons, there is an appropriate time for retirement.

Retirement typically gives an individual more "free" time and more "control" over time. Many

retired Filipino Catholics, particularly those involved in the Renewal, volunteer their time to

parish-related service. Some Filipinos I know purchase their retirement homes deliberately close

to church. They attend Mass daily. They serve as extraordinary ministers and lectors or choir

28

members. They serve in prayer groups. They volunteer in various committees. Retirement

becomes a time to work in the Lord's vineyard, a time to serve without thought of compensation,

a time to say "thank you" for the Lord's generosity, graces, and blessings.

In some cases, retirement becomes a time for full-time service in the Lord's "business". Consider

the case of Bob Canton of Stockton, CA, National Coordinator of the Alliance of Filipino

Catholic Charismatic Prayer Communities (www.afccpc.org). He took early retirement in 2008

from his secular job as Senior Auditor/Appraiser to work full-time in the service of the Lord as

National Coordinator of AFCCPC, as Council member of ICCRS (International Catholic

Charismatic Renewal Services based in the Vatican), and evangelist of Robert Canton Ministries.

It is obvious that the Lord is using Bob in His work of evangelization during his time of

retirement. It is as if God is saying, "I have work for you to do, Bob" and many are blessed and

served by his fiat. Bob says, "I am busier in so-called 'retirement' doing God's will to further His

Kingdom. I am privileged to do His works. I consider myself very blessed in this regard."

And consider the case of Pedro Obregon, M.D., of Columbus, OH. Born in Iloilo City, he is a

graduate of Central Philippine University (CPU, Iloilo City), a Baptist mission school, and the

Far Eastern University College of Medicine. Following retirement from general surgery practice,

he and his wife, Judith, founded Medical Ministry International, serving the healthcare needs of

underprivileged people around the world. With other healthcare volunteers, they have served

medical missions in Rwanda, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, India, Mexico, Jamaica,

Haiti, Honduras, China, El Salvador, Ecuador, Africa, Romania, Zimbabwe, New Guinea,

Ukraine, Thailand, Nepal, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Madagascar, Ghana, and Tanzania.

Dr. Obregon says, “It’s been a rewarding experience and we will continue doing this as long as

the Lord gives us good health and the funds to continue with His work.”

Yes, in God's grand scheme of things, there is a time to work for pay and a time to retire which

may free and yield time to practice discipleship in a special and more expanded way. There is a

time to make a living and a time to live a life.

In God's grand scheme of things, there is a time to work for pay

and a time to retire…

There is a time for all seasons. There is a time to work and raise a family. There is a time for

retirement. For those so blessed and so privileged, may God bless you in your "season" of

retirement. But whether it is time for work or time for retirement, time, no matter what, is

entirely a gift to us from God. St. Irenaeus said, "The glory of God is man fully alive." I'd say in

a similar vein, "The glory of God is man using his/her time wisely, fully aware of its beat,

rhythm, and seasons."

29 Back to page 1

PEACE OF GOD - WITHIN MY GRASP? Phil Galang

Peacetime! Reminds me of the time to enjoy and be free to do fun stuff. No more wars -- we are free

from the noise and troubles of war. In a sense, that is the peace we know after we sensed troubles and

pains in the absence of peace ... much as darkness is the absence of light. But are we thankful for light

simply because we dislike darkness? Do I appreciate peace only because I dislike noises of war?

To the point: "Peace" is really both a condition of tranquility and the "process" of being appreciative of

what is real peace -- the "process" is our translating all that God has given us (our potential) to honor Him

and help people. Peace of God tells us to believe 1) God is in control, 2) to be His children who are

willing to learn and grow and give while 3) trusting and hoping that our destiny is assured: "For yours is

the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever". That kingdom is our priority; the power is Jesus having

finished the job; and the glory is our victory over ourselves as we overcome sin with the Good News!

Peace is both a condition and a process…

I've been reminding myself of these truths to help me sustain my faith -- of trusting and hoping in God

through Jesus. As spiritual fruit, peace goes with love and joy -- God works through us to empower us to

love without condition and to rejoice despite our circumstances. Peace (as integral to love and joy)

integrates with the fruit dimensions of patience, kindness, goodness ... as well as faithfulness, gentleness,

and self-discipline.

Is it then too much to expect that "peace of God" has a healing power: healthy body and healthy

relationship? An effective way to see and savor the "spirit" is by that "peace" in unison with all the

dimensions from love to self-discipline. We can sense peace -- with our healthy bodies and our healthy

relationship with God and neighbors.

Remarkable to obtain by chance (I bought it for 75 cents from Goodwill) the 2012 Daily Guideposts 36th Edition, a

spirit-lifting devotional with a 2012 theme: "The Things That Make for Peace". Again, "peace" points to a) the

wholeness of the human personality and b) the social communion in all of humanity." Do I see peace as BLESSING

FROM GOD that is both therapeutic for the whole body systems and a spiritual virtue for our spirit and our soul or

self (mind+emotion+will)? Isn't peace the way to our God and to our RELATIONSHIP (no, not religion!) with our

Maker and all creations and God's ongoing creating?

Peace is of our heart - the center of our whole being and becoming - the vital center of everything: The

human soul that has the spirit in and above it ... and the body by and about it; but the vital center of all is

the heart. When we speak of the heart figuratively and actually, we mean the MID-MOST PART OF A

PERSON. Haven't most of us experienced dealing with persons or ideas that give our heart the chance to

expand and develop and surge throughout the whole body? Physically, the circulation of the blood and the

quickening of the heart remove distempers from the body- - we need less medicine, a great deal more

walking -- the heart is the CENTER OF ALL PHYSICAL LIFE AND THE IMAGINATIONS OF THE

MIND.

Anything that keeps the physical blood in good condition and the heart working properly, benefits the

soul or self and the spirit life as well. No wonder, Jesus said, "Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be

weighed down with ... cares of life." Jesus really loves us so much!

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TEST YOUR VOCABULARY AND WIN A PRIZE (Please be honest: answer before consulting a dictionary or thesaurus)

1. Cerulean, Adj. a. Pertaining to marbles b. Like a Persian rug c. Sky blue d. None of the above

2. Crucible, Noun

a. Test b. Crossroad c. Expanse d. Decisive point

3. Conurbation, Noun

a. Coronation b. Metropolitan area c. Copulation d. Cannibalism

4. Delectably, Adv.

a. Delightfully b. Carefully c. Intensely d. Figuratively

5. Degringoladed, Verb a. Rolled b. Tumbled over c. Surrounded d. Suddenly deteriorated

6. Execration, Noun

a. Waste b. Exclusion c. Curse d. Appreciation

7. Insipid, Adj.

a. Tasteless b. Vulgar c. Naked d. Quenching

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All words are from the novel

“I Shall Return”

Scoring

6-7 -- Excellent

4-5 -- Good

2-3 -- Fair

Prizes

The first four who submit 6-7 correct answers will

win a copy of the novel, “I Shall Return” as follows:

First three—Hard copy

Fourth —Electronic copy.

Hard copies will be awarded only to winners within

the USA. Only ebook or Kindle edition will be given

to winners outside the USA.

All winners can opt for electronic copy… upon

submission of proof of purchase, he/she will receive

a cash refund.

Send answers to:

crcagas@aol.com ccagas2@gmail.com

Deadline—correct answers must be submitted within

4 weeks after release of the Fall-Winter 2013 issue

of the Philippine ILLINI.

Exclusions

The ff. may not participate: Author’s relatives and

members of the Editorial Board of the Philippine

ILLINI.

“I Shall Return” Excerpts

(see www.ouskirtspress.com/ishallreturn; www.amazon.com):

Six hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Japanese air squadrons destroyed half of General

Douglas MacArthur’s Air Force...

My turn to sleep with Fermin became most unusual of nights. It all began when he stirred me awake for the usual

prayer past midnight...

One time we were riding a horse with her seated behind me when the horse cantered and galloped. She held on to

my waist and lower abdomen so tightly, her body and firm breasts against my back, that I got excited all over, inside

and out, she momentarily touching my most sensitive part...

The Navy under Nimitz competed with the Army under MacArthur for the race to Japan, Nimitz via Formosa and

MacArthur via the Philippines...

The Kempetai hauled straight to the dungeons of Fort Santiago those caught in the dragnet.

Fort Santiago! A glorious past, Manilans would love to recall, it once had, when its last Muslim king, Rajah

Sulayman, built at exactly the same site an imposing palisade of logs and mud, a citadel able to ward off attacks

from rival kingdoms but not strong enough to repulse the invading Spaniards who came with the cross on one hand,

the musket on the other; an ignoble past, Manilans would loathe and cringe to remember, it also had, a past bathed

by the blood of nameless and numberless natives they disparagingly called Indios...

Our joy, euphoria and exultation were cut short. They were completely supplanted with something the likes of which

we never heard before, a news so tragic, so gruesome, so revolting as to stagger the imagination. Old folks called it

Juez de Cuchillo...

On August 15, Emperor Hirohito told his people: It is according to the dictates of time and fate that we have

resolved to pave the way for a grand peace… by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is unsufferable...

Availability: ebook- outskirtspress, kindle- amazon.com, autographed copies of hard cover ($30) and soft cover ($20) (shipping

included) from author—1 Bunkum Woods Dr., Fairview Hts., IL 62208. Also available in Barnes and Noble, other outlets.

Proceeds go to charity.

Synopsis and book reviews: www.amazon.com

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.

The Rain In Ayala Heights

It came, unannounced

Its fingers tapping the multicolored

roofs of the privileged

Midday turned dusk, the summer a

dichotomous nocturne

Of placid scenes at the Heights

While down below: images of

frenzied dread

And visitation

It came, with abandon

Shrouding the world with pensive din

and distant gloom

Rousing memories of days gone by

Of vestiges of poignant dreams and

goals aborted

Of long lost loves, of wanton

Peregrinations

The rain came

And the palm trees curtsied in their

submission

The water soaked the coiffeured

lawns and rolled along

Spawning creeks that slithered down

the sloping streets

The hills and cliffs and deep ravines

that underlie

The stately homes of the lucky few

The rain teemed

Down the tortuous, familiar paths

Down the mountain of incongruity, to

The suffocating world below, the

serried world

Of makeshift huts and domiciles, and

human shapes

Gaunt and bent and creased by cruel

summers

The rain spread

Its tentacles reaching out and into

The labyrinthine jungles of the city

Feeding whirlpools of bale, and

eddies of despair

The water flowed, washing away

squalor’s taint

But in its wake: the swarming splash

of emptiness

The rain pressed

Permeated the landscape of empty

dreams

Cascaded into the sewers beneath the

city

The concrete maze, the pipes of steel

and sludge

Into the maelstrom of darkness and

hopelessness

Into the heart and conscience of a

nation

--Carmelo C. Dichoso, M.D

.(Reprinted with permission from the Filipino Reporter)

33

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The Rain in Ayala Heights

Interpretation

In the context of the poem, Ayala Heights becomes more

than just a place—it has become a symbol. The poet

composes the poem not only in a geographically high

location but also in the vantage of a lofty status or

station, social, economic, political. While the downpour

has evoked nostalgic feelings and awakened memories,

the poem is really about the present condition and the

truism that it rains on the rich as well as on the poor.

While it merely taps the roofs of the privileged, the

downpour roughing their manicured lawns, the under-

privileged bears the brunt of the flooding that follows.

Finally, the poet laments the hopelessness that pervades

the Filipino nation. I seem to detect that in stating the

case, he wishes it were not so and that he wants to do

something about it.

Cosme R. Cagas, MD