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Pagmamano
Act of Getting an Elder’s Hand to Our Forehead Known as “Pagmamano”
A Filipino Heritage Worth Passing from Generation to Generation
By: Teresa Cordero-Misa
I remember being very young way back home in the Philippines and showing my respect to my elders by greeting them with an act of getting their hand into my forehead showing love, respect and humility . It is known as pagmamano (the act of doing it) or mano (the root word meaning “hand”). I grew up with this family tradition from my preceding family generations.
When I came to the United States in 1991 at age of 23, I would show my respect to my relatives who have been here for a long time with pagmamano. They would ask me to kiss them on their cheeks instead. Many times I was denied to practice the tradition, a heritage to my being, I grew up with. Few would still let me give them a “mano”. One of my New Year’s lists of to-do’s for 2008 is to instill the pagmamano to my five children. My eldest being 13 and my youngest 3, I have used The Filipino Channel to introduce such tradition to them. Whenever I see anyone doing or practing the pagmamano, I would proudly tell my children : “ That’s how we show respect to our elders back home in the Philippines”, and they would ask: “ Do we do it everytime we see you? And I would say: “Whenever I get home, or you have to leave for school, in the morning when you wake up, or just whenever you want to say you love me or respect me.
There is no such right time nor wrong time to do it. It has always been right to do it anytime, anywhere.”
Just late last year, 2008, my children began practicing pagmamano. Now, it is a heritage that I have passed on to my children of very young age. I am praying that my children will pass this great heritage to their children and on and on. Our great Filipino heritage of pagmamano is an inheritance we can give to our children. It is something that we pass on to them and we are always the great recipients.
Mabuhay ang kulturang Pilipino!
Comments (0) posted by Carlos Tabora Jul. 15, 2009
The Three Pillars of My Heritage...
by sheila crisostomo
Let us define first what is heritage which can be an inheritance, a legacy, a tradition, a custom or birthright…
Being a Filipino is like being a son or daughter of different race and culture bound by traditions belonging to different generations that ruled our country in many decades before we finally declare ourselves free from being colonized. And as our country aged to become a country that is worth dying for…the heritage that I strongly hold in my heart are too many that makes me prouder to be a Filipino. The manner of respect we give to our elders like saying “po” and “opo” as well as giving “mano” stands out among them all. The traditions among many catholics regarding fiestas, pabasa, salubong and pinetensya during holy week and even the simbang gabi in preparation of Christmas day are traditions that are known all over the world that is unique only for us. Bayanihan is considered a heritage that should not perish as it symbolizes unity among neighbors…it also reflects strong sense of value with regards to humanitarian and brotherhood.
And as I count the numbers of Filipino heritage I have from my ancestors who fought the battle to give us freedom…I simply can’t ignore the best heritage I have as a Filipino.…my language, my flag, and my national anthem…these are the heritage that I will stand for and be known for as a Filipino… to speak Tagalog in proud manner …to sing Lupang Hinirang wholeheartedly …and to wave the Filipino flag telling the whole world that “I am a Filipino” and will never give up these three things that are the pillars of my being as a Filipino.
How these three treasures lead my life is like bringing my family, friends, and the whole country whenever I work abroad. I speak with dignity as a Filipino facing other nationals…I have goose bumps whenever the national anthem Lupang Hinirang is being played while the unwavering flag is freely flying standing tall before my very eyes…and when other nationals come to me and ask…are you Filipino? That says it all…
YES I AM A PROUD FILIPINO!
Comments (0) posted by Carlos Tabora Jul. 15, 2009
Proud to be the Unique 'Asian'
by Jonathan Hernandez
Maybe it’s not an experience that every Pilipino shares, but being mis-categorized by others is quite a typical occurrence for a people whose ethnicity has always been defined by its mixed-ness. If you’re like me and sport a relatively pale complexion and hold a larger percentage of Chinese blood in your heritage– then you probably know well the confused looks of people who see your face, see your Hispanic last name, yet sadly fail to see that you are, in fact… just Pilipino.
From Indonesian, to Chinese, to half-Black half-Korean, to mistakenly being recognized as Disney’s Aladdin – I’ve gotten it all. Growing up, I always found myself frustrated at how mixed and diverse my own culture was, for I never knew where I truly fit in. As someone who has been around all sorts of Asians, I’ve noticed that within the Asian community, Pilipinos seem to be treated as a special case. The terms ‘Asian’ and ‘Pilipino’ are not as directly synonymous to one another as it would be for other ethnicities. “AZN” is a term more reserved for every other Asian race but Pilipino, as we have carved out our own unique cultural identity, yet we also seem to be lost in the thick of things.
In the broad scope of things, maybe it really isn’t such a black and white issue that needs heavy debating. It doesn’t make sense for us either way, for our culture has never been defined in a black and white way, for we are a people of many colors and cultures (you can see it in our food) with a long history of colonial oppression and international interaction. What makes us special is that amidst all the cultural mixing we’ve experienced as a people, we’ve still managed to come out of it holding a very clear sense of Pilipino-ness that no drop of mixed blood, mixed look, or miscategorization can take away. At the end of the day, when I hear that accent and those F’s become P’s, when I smell that spam crackling with a good lump of white rice waiting on the side, and when I see that magic mic set and ready for an onslaught of spit and high C’s, I know that I am surely Pilipino. Bubble in all else that apply.
Comments (0) posted by Carlos Tabora Jul. 15, 2009
life, liberty, and the pursuit of pistahan!
by Natasha Bee
Roses have one. Rainbows do too. Even turkeys have one! In the many years I’ve lived in the U.S., I’ve often wondered why there were so few parades in such a big country. At the start of the year there’s the “Tournament of Roses” (since when do roses fight?); in June there’s Gay Pride in San Francisco (not for faint-hearted tourists: beware of the rainbows!); and in November, there’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (after all, who isn’t thankful for Macy’s one-day-sales?). But in this expansive “land of of the free”, comprised of at least 50 unique states, what about parades for the people?
Enter the Pilipino “fiesta”, or “pistahan”.
Consider: In the Philippines, the size of which is only a fraction of the U.S., one can find a fiesta happening on any given weekend throughout the year. The hundreds of villages each take time to proudly display the traditions, values, and specific attributes that make its people unique from neighboring villages. It’s a time when people of that village are reminded of the richness of their roots, and a time to share that wealth with anyone and everyone curious enough to stay and watch. One is enraptured by the dancing and wild costumes. Girls stare with envy at the newly crowned “Binibining Miss-whatever” standing in creampuff ball-gowns waving hello. Spectators tap their feet to the upbeat melodies created by various instruments. Honor students march with banners while their proud parents frantically snap some photos. The smoke from street foods waft into your nose, enticing you to take just one bite of banana-cue. An average street, having seen the town’s share of blood, sweat, and tears is transformed into some kind of magic carpet, bringing the spectators on a journey through the village’s past, present, and a hopeful future. No amount of roses, rainbows, or turkeys can even come close to this!
That fiesta magic is in me and every Pilipino. In our hearts and minds we remember that what makes us Pilipino is our acceptance of each other’s uniqueness, the understanding that although we may have different ways of living, we stand as one great people. I approach life with an open heart and an open mind, as do many Pinoys, because we know that it is this principle that allows us to thrive as a people in this ever-evolving world.
Comments (0) posted by Carlos Tabora Jul. 15, 2009
My Filipino Heritage is the Language
by JoJo Macalino
The Filipino Language has impacted my life very much due to the difficulty of the tongue, how it’s pronounced.
How did Tagalogs count in the 17th century? You’d think, well, just like we do today: isa, dalawa, tatlo, etc.
That commonsensical answer is only partly right. I checked the Vocabulario Tagalo, a Tagalog-Spanish dictionary dating back to 1624 and found the numbers were pretty much the same except for some variations in spelling (“dalaua”, “ualo” and “sampouo”).
Besides these spelling variations, the dictionary did reveal other differences. It didn’t occur to me, until I read Vocabulario Tagalo, why we say “labing-isa” for 11. To create numbers beyond 10 in old Tagalog, you used the suffix “labi-“, which means “more than”. So, “labin-isa”, or the number 11, means “one more than 10” while “labin-walo”, “eight more than 10” gives us 18. It gets more complicated when you get to the hundreds but the early Tagalogs managed that quite well. Labi sa daan isa was “one more than one hundred” or “101”. Count on to “labi sa daan sampouo” for “110” then draw a deep breath to say “labi sa daan labin-isa” or “eleven more than a hundred”.
I’m going to stop counting here and explain what I’m trying to do. I had to give a talk the other day at the Filipinas Heritage Library on the evolution of Tagalog and while doing background research I realized so little had been written about how Tagalog has evolved across the centuries. What has been written appears in inaccessible academic journals or books so I thought of doing a summary in non-technical language.
A more important reason though is that by understanding the origins and evolution of Tagalog, we’ll see how it’s always been a rather cosmopolitan language, borrowing words left and right. This extensive borrowing means a search for “pure Tagalog” (or “pure Filipino”) will be futile and silly.
This takes us to the third, and most important reason for tracing Tagalog’s, or any language’s, origins. A language’s evolution tells us of the kinds of social and political relationships within one culture, as well as between cultures. I’m not referring to colonialism alone. We’ll see how linguistic analysis can shed light on what day to day life was like among early Tagalogs. Go Figure !
Comments (0) posted by Carlos Tabora Jul. 15, 2009
I like being liked, don't you?
by JR Dabon
When I look at this question on what I like most about my ‘Filipino Heritage’ and how it has impacted me today… it is really hard to quantify, since there are just so many things that I could list that I would end up just ranting on and on. But to keep things simple, I really like the fact that Filipinos are some of the most well-liked ‘Asian’ people everywhere.
Filipinos are definitely known for their generally positive demeanor. We are a very accommodating group of people. I mean you just take into account the house parties that our parents threw… Straight Pot-Luck of Good Eats, Games Galore, and don’t even get me started on that darn Magic Mic (laser disc back in the day).
I get a majority of what I know about my heritage from my mom (as most Filipinos do), she taught me about a lot of things that can be seen in a majority of Filipinos today. Things such as the ability to accommodate everyone, but not letting people walk all over you. I feel this really dates back to the days of the fore-fathers (not the typical 4-Padres that us fil-ams are used to) that were strong in their convictions and really shaped the Filipino Legacy that us in Generation Facebook/Twitter/etc. can look back upon and be really proud of.
To be honest the largest impact it has placed on me today is the way when I first meet people, I am able to build a very solid foundation with people (especially people of different ethnicities) right away. The reason being is because I have yet to meet someone that has had a terrible experience with a Filipino/a. Overall when you ask anyone outside of Filipinos (since we all have our own tribal instincts when it comes to our own kind so to speak), their opinion… the majority of them will say pretty good things, such as but not limited to:
-I love Filipino Food
-I love Filipinas (ya me TOO!!)
-Filipinos throw the best parties
-Man, all the Filipinos I know are so dam stylish
So to close this little essay out…
I really liked being liked and my heritage has really shaped that for ME and for future MEs.
Thanks.
Comments (0) posted by Carlos Tabora Jul. 15, 2009
Top 5 Asian-American Stars to Watch Out For
by Bea Scott
It's no secret: Asian-Americans have talent. Hollywood knows it, too, and fans of these celebrities who share part of their cultural identity, upon seeing and hearing that one of their own is making it BIG in the world of entertainment develop a sense of pride for their culture.
Here's a list of several Asian-Americans to watch out for.
1. Gina Hiraizumi - Is there anything this Asian-American actress/model/singer can't do? Having been able to carry her own in terms of acting, Gina Hiraizumi has film credits that includes work from Academy Award-winning director, Chris Tashima. Her next release will be an international feature, by renowned Cambodian director, Sam Lorn. She has recently released her first single for Japan, "Unmei No Ai," which stars a celebrity cameo appearance by Jason Scott Lee. This, coupled with her passion for children's charities can only mean that her growing fanbase that spans Japan, Hawaii and the Asian-American market in the states are signs that she's someone to watch out for.
2. John Cho - Starting off as a print model for Korean magazines, Asian-American actor John Cho quickly gained our attention by his small role in the movie American Pie. From there he went on to appear in several other movies until he hit his most successful starring role as Harold Lee in the Harold and Kumar films. He has just finished shooting his role as helmsman Hikaru Sulu in the upcoming Star Trek movie, which should guarantee a greater degree of exposure for this talented young actor.
3. Vanessa Hudgens - Best known for her roles in the High School musical movies, half-American/half-Filipino actress and singer is proving that she'll be able to become bigger than her Disney mold. Having made her big-screen debut 3 years before the High School Musical movies, she now has several film offers and a blossoming music career to look forward to.
4. Maggie Q - A former fashion model, this Hawaii-raised Asian-American actress has a lot of big projects to appear in. Initially gaining fame in Hong Kong, she has been hand-picked to appear in the last Mission: Impossible movie to big praise. While in some of her films, she has portrayed the "tough" girl appeal, she has also shown her fans her versatility by appearing in the comedy, Balls of Fury and as Cao Ying, in Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon, her first ancient Chinese costume performance.
5. Cassie - At age nineteen, Cassandra Ventura made a splash debut as a model, represented by Wilhelmina Models. At age twenty, she has captured several top positions in the musical hit charts because of her song, "Me & U." Fresh out of high school, this Asian-American singer/model still has a long way to go. But looking at her credentials, it's easy to see the raw potential of greatness. She is currently working on her sophomore album, to be released February this year.
Don't be surprised that in the near future, these Asian-American celebrities will be the talk of the Entertainment industry.
Bea Scott is in love with life and secretly dreams of traveling to Hawaii and wear a pink grass skirt! Her current crusade is about fossil fuels, bugging officemates and friends to save gas and use biodiesel.
Read more of her views at her blog Hello World!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bea_Scott
Comments (1) posted by Carlos Tabora May. 8, 2009
Top Ten Beautiful Sights that the Philippines has to Offer
by Jonathan Williams
The Philippines is an archipelago made up of about 7,100 islands. This archipelago country is located in Southeast Asia. In Asia, it is also one of the popular countries that get visited yearly by tourists, and here are the top ten places that they love going back to.
1.) Intramuros
This walled "city" is located in Manila. It served as a walled settlement of the Spaniards during their occupation of the country and, as such, has its own museums as well as churches and wonderful ruins. Today, this well-preserved Intramuros is one of the visited places in the Philippines.
2.) Rizal Park
Also called Luneta, this is a very good place if you want a leisurely walk. This park is dedicated to the Philippines' national hero, Jose Rizal, who was not only a poet but a very good writer during the Spanish era, and this was also the place where he was executed. Now, this is a popular place for picnics.
3.) Baywalk
This is a walking distance from the Rizal Park. You can find here numerous restaurants and bars offering wonderful foods and drinks. This is also a nice place to stroll along as well as listen to the many bands that play at night.
4.) Mount Pinatubo
This majestic volcano that wreaked havoc in the lives of Filipinos during the early 1990s is located in Pampanga. Here, you can take guided hikes on some parts of its slope. You can also take a refreshing dip in Pinatubo's crater lake.
5.) Nayong Pilipino
If you want to tour famous destinations of the Philippines in one spot, then visit Nayong Pilipino. This cultural park has a miniature Philippine Islands including some of the beautiful spots of the country. You can also buy here some native foods as well as souvenirs.
6.) Camp John Hay
When you visit Baguio, the country's summer capital, be sure to visit also Camp John Hay. This used to be an American Military area but was later given to the Philippine government. Now, it is a recreational center with golf club, and it also offers horseback riding as well as camping.
7.) Boracay
Boracay Island is located in the Visayas Region. What this beautiful island offers is its majestic white sand beaches. This is a popular tourist destination of not only the locals but the foreigners as well, and there are a lot of activities here like the usual water sports as well as trendy bars and discos during summertime.
8.) Mount Apo
This magnificent mountain can be found in Davao. Here, you can go nature tripping as well as hiking. You will also see here the Philippine Eagle, which is said to be one of the biggest eagles of the world.
9.) Mayon Volcano
This wonderful and perfectly cone-shaped volcano can be found in Bicol. What makes this a major tourist spot is that you will find here the bell tower of an old church that was buried when it erupted during the early 1800s, and also, with that major eruption, it buried the Cagsawa town. Now, this is a must-see when you visit the Philippines, and you can also buy your souvenirs here as well as the famous pili nut candy.
10.) Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex
Located in Pili, Camarines Sur in Bicol, this is fast becoming a must-visit place whenever you visit the Philippines. If you love cable wakeboarding, then this is the place to be as it boasts of a wonderful cable wakeboarding experience as well as modern amenities. You can also find quaint cabanas here where you can spend your summer or vacation, plus, the services here are excellent.
Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos Visit http://www.destinationguide.tv/philippines to view or share Philippines travel videos
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Williams
Comments (1) posted by Carlos Tabora May. 8, 2009
Why Companies Are Turning to the Philippines For Offshore Outsourcing
by Eli Loper
Undoubtedly, offshore outsourcing has become a catch phrase in today's economy. Understandably so, since it means between a 20% to 40% savings for companies. Add to that the fact that for any business, time is money; this can mean that your U.S.-based teams and your overseas team can coordinate to cover things like customer service and support 24-hours a day. Those are not the only reasons the Philippines has surpassed all other countries as the number one offshore outsourcing choice in Asia, the country offers much much more!
English is the official language used for education, business, medicine and government. Filipinos easily adopt accents and taxonomy, easily grasping American idioms and usage. Offshore outsourcing companies have huge talent pool comprised of English speaking college graduates who are computer and Internet-savvy. The country has a literacy rate of ninety-two point six percent (92.6%), with more than eighty-six IT universities and colleges nationwide.
Studies from Gartner Research have shown that the Philippines is the most Westernized of any Asian countries that provide offshore outsourcing. A former US colony the political and educational systems are modeled after those in the United States. Beyond the socio political structure, Filipinos have a strong admiration for all things American, preferring to watch American movies and television, read western literature, and generally tap into popular culture. There is McDonalds and Starbucks at every busy intersection. Most Filipinos grew up watching I love Lucy and MacGyver. Pass any karaoke joint and you're bound to hear a local heartily singing American classics like Nat King Cole, Matt Monroe, with Frank Sinatra's "My Way" as the undisputed king of karaoke songs.
The country formerly housed two decommissioned U.S. military installations, Clark Air Force Base and Subic Naval Port, resulting in the build up of a tremendous trans-pacific communication infrastructure with a significant amount of voice/data communication bandwidth. Now, more than ever, your offshore outsourcing partner can be managed via videoconferencing links, Internet-based collaboration tools, and standardized business applications. This is why the country was recognized as having one of the best telecommunication infrastructures in the whole of Asia, emerging as the top location for offshore outsourcing companies.
Recent studies by Kelly Services study in partnership with Singapore-based ACA Research, Inc. show that Filipinos are healthier, more loyal to their employers, and have better language skills than all other offshore outsourcing countries such as India. The same study also shows that Filipinos take less time to train, meaning foreign-based employers have to spend less for training. The Philippines offers the best possible environment for offshore outsourcing. It has the knowledge, language, the infrastructure, the culture, and the capabilities needed in achieving your organization's goals.
Eli Loper is the CEO of TrafficSupport Inc. Traffic Support is a business process outsourcing provider with offices located in both the United States and the Philippines. For more information about TrafficSupport, please visit http://trafficsupport.net.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eli_Loper
Comments (0) posted by Carlos Tabora May. 8, 2009
Reasons to Visit the Philippines
By Kamulo Nadnaden
1. Each country has its own unique feature. The Philippines is interesting in that it has 7107 islands divided into three major island groups - Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
2. That means there are plenty of beaches to choose from including the world's best white sand beaches. Boracay, Camiguin, and Dakak are amongst the more popular ones, while hundreds of virgin beaches remain undiscovered along the coasts of Mindanao, at the northernmost province of Batanes, and in the coastal provinces of Pangasinan and in Palawan. Plus, you can go to the beach anytime of the year.
3. The regionalism created by the different islands has produced a nation so varied culturally - from the Ivatans in the North to the boat people in the South. Each culture has their own set of interesting festivals too.
4. Filipinos are a friendly people and are known for their oftentimes excessive hospitality. Attend a public wedding celebration in the Cordilleras, or walk through a town celebrating a fiesta in the Tagalog region and you'll certain to be invited to a meal.
5. Almost 400 hundred years of Spanish rule, and 100+ years of American rule that mind you, extends to the present, has created a unique culture that combines the European flair for tradition and the American's penchant for anything new. 9 of 10 Filipinos speak English - one of the highest percentage amongst Asian countries.
6. As the country that introduced the karaoke to the world, Filipinos are known for their musical abilities and grace in dancing. Most major festivals include street dancing, and Asian singing contests are normally won by Filipino singers. Three of the four Asian finalists in American Idol history come from Filipino families and not one of them is named Sanjaya.
7. The Philippines is home to very unique group of animals such as the world's smallest monkey, the largest and smallest species of bats, 5 of the world's seven species of marine turtles, the monkey-eating eagle, the world's smallest hoofed animal, the tamarraw (pygmy water buffalo) and flying lemurs.
8. Shopping is cheap. Buy world class local products at just about 1/10 of the price you'd get for similar ones outside the country. Plus, the Philippines has 3 of the 10 biggest malls in the world.
9. It is home to several UNESCO world heritage sites such as the Baroque Churches, the historic town of Vigan, Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park.
10. You find the tastiest species of mango, the world-renowned coconut oil, bagoong (fish fermented sauce) - flavored dishes, kalderetang kambing (goat stew), various forms of pulutan (finger food), sorbetes (fruit flavored coconut-based ice cream), rice pastries, taho (beancurd with caramel syrup), the highly exotic balut (boiled, pre-hatched poultry eggs), tapey (Igorot rice wine), lambanog (coconut-based alcoholic drink) and San Miguel beer.
The author grew up in the tourist town of Sagada, Philippines. He writes on travel destinations in his hometown and in the Philippine islands. His website, Sagada Igorot Online is found at http://www.sagada-igorot.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kamulo_Nadnaden
Comments (0) posted by Carlos Tabora May. 8, 2009
How to Take Advantage of the Philippine Dual Citizenship
by Sonia Munoz
Opting to apply for an E-1 or E-2 visa to gain entry into the United States of America is a very good option, while looking to make use of the Philippine dual citizenship program. They (the E-1 and E-2 visas) allow the visa holders to continue to live and work in the country as far as they meet the requirements that have been originally laid down. As long as all the original conditions of the visa are met, the applicant wishing to opt for the Philippine dual citizenship may have these kinds of visas extended by up to two years.
Acquiring permanent residency in the U.S for people interested in the Philippine dual citizenship can be an elongated process. It is commonplace for people interested in pursuing the Philippine dual citizenship option to gain entry with the help of a temporary visa, and at the same time, file for the American green card.
With the Philippine Government passing the Philippine dual citizenship act, Filipinos can now retain their Philippine citizenship, and still apply for permanent residency in the U.S. The Philippine dual citizenship act also states that ex-Filipinos can now take an oath of loyalty to the Philippine Republic and reacquire their citizenship of the Philippines. With the Philippine dual citizenship act in place, a person can hold passports of Philippines and one other nation.
To qualify for the E-1 category, the applicant has to be a treaty-country national. The firm which is to employ the applicant also has to be part of the same treaty-country. A considerable volume of continuing trade must take place internationally which should primarily be between the treaty-country and the U.S. This should involve at least 50% of the international trade taking place through the business. Trade refers to exchanging goods, technology and services.
Also, the applicant would need to be highly proficient in a specialized skill set; workers who are un-skilled will not qualify for this category. This is one of the options that an applicant desiring Philippine dual citizenship can pursue.
Another option for Filipinos who wish to utilize the Philippine dual citizenship program and enter the U.S is the E-2 visa. To qualify for the E-2 category, the applicant (investor) has to be a treaty-country national. There needs to be a significant investment, it should suffice to guarantee the enterprise's successful functioning. Investment percentages for low cost businesses need to be higher when compared to investment percentages for high cost businesses. Idle and speculative investments do not qualify. Unattached bank account funds and similar securities do not count as investments.
An insignificant investment would not be considered. The investment needs to create an income that is considerably more than the funds needed to provide the investor's family with a living, or must have a noteworthy effect on the economy of the U.S. The funds must be controlled by the investor and the investment must appear to be free of risks. Loans, wherein assets are used to secure the business, are not permitted.
The purpose of the investor's visit to the U.S should be developing and directing the business. In cases where the applicant does not function as the primary investor, the applicant would need to be highly proficient in a specialized skill set; workers who are un-skilled will not qualify for this category.
In order to apply for the E-1 (Treaty Trader) or E-2 (Treaty Investor) visas, applicants' wanting to have Philippine dual citizenship, first need to find out if the trading or investment businesses fulfill the legal requirements.
Amongst the benefits of acquiring a category E visa, as long as the applicant who desires Philippine dual citizenship, maintains relationship with the business in question, he/she can continue to live in the U.S. The spouse of the visa holder looking to get Philippine dual citizenship, irrespective of the nationality, can get derived visas so as to accompany the primary alien. So can children of the visa holder seeking Philippine dual citizenship, below the age of twenty one, provided they are unmarried. An E visa holder's spouse can also apply for authorization of employment through the DHS. Children who are dependant on the holder of the E visa are not permitted to work within the U.S.
Both these categories of visas allow the holder of the visa to freely travel within and outside the U.S. and permit them to bring along their spouses and dependants. More and more Filipinos are now making use to these visas to chase their hopes of acquiring Philippine dual citizenship. In these times of globalization and currency fluctuations, it is the best time to come to the United States to invest.
Attorney Sonia M. Munoz, President of the Law Firm International Legal Counsel, LLC, represents foreign investors during their transition to and business start up in the United States. Visit the Firm's site to read the 10 most frequently asked questions about E2 visa requirements at http://www.ilclawfirm.com now.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sonia_Munoz
Comments (0) posted by Carlos Tabora May. 8, 2009
The Filipino Veterans - Their Pure and Just War
by Jos Ilagan
In 1941, the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt promised the Filipinos who enlisted in the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) the same benefits and privileges accorded to the regular members of the United States Armed Forces. They fought gallantry in the Asia-Pacific theatre and stood side by side with their American brothers-in-arms during the onslaught of Japanese Imperial Army in the Far East.
However, the Rescission Act of 1946 passed by US Congress had shredded the Filipino USAFFE soldiers of their status as US veterans and along with it, the benefits they were entitled to as promised by President Roosevelt.
The Filipino veterans were no different from the American soldiers whom they shared the same trenches in the battlefields. Theirs were the same color of blood that spilled in the soil of Bataan and Corregidor, the same cries and anguish that were heard in the infamous Death March of Tarlac, the same uniforms they proudly wore as liberators of the oppressed, and the same armaments they expertly used to break the chains of tyranny. Yet, after freedom was gained and liberty was achieved, they were relegated to the dustbin of history - forgotten or ignored by the ones whom they gave their lives for.
Even after the fall and surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army in 1946, the war of the Filipino USAFFE soldiers still goes on and on for sixty years to this day. This time their battles are no longer fought in the hillsides of Batangas, the beaches of Leyte and the mountains of Sierra Madre. Now, their battles are carried out in the obscure MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, the chilly streets of San Francisco and the hollowed halls of US Congress.
They are no longer fighting for freedom, liberty and democracy in the world. This time around, they are fighting for themselves - for dignity, respect and broken promise made by the US government who needed their services sixty years ago. They are no longer fighting against the marauding Tora-Toras, the samurais of Kempeitais and the long guns of the sun warriors. Now they are fighting against poverty, humiliation and deprivation in life after the country they served unselfishly sixty years ago no longer need them.
For almost sixty years of hopelessness, the dream of the Filipino veterans came into fruition when the US Congress last year has finally approved the appropriation of the benefits of the Filipino veterans. The only problem is authorization to fund the proposal and it appears the approval would never happen because of the strong opposition from the Republican Party leaders.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Sen. Richard M. Burr (R-North Carolina), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and his party mate in the lower house Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Indiana) of the House Veterans Affairs Committee are the primary opponents to the inclusion of the benefits in the stimulus bill.
The Republican Party failed to reconsider its position on this compelling issue closely as this would not only rectify the injustice perpetrated against the Filipino veterans, but more so as not to alienate the Filipino Community from supporting its causes. It is no wonder why the Democratic Party gets the votes of the Filipino Americans because of the party leaders' sensitivity to the plight of the veterans.
The Filipino veterans found their champions in Rep. Bob Filner (D-Chula Vista), Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) who supported aggressively the recognition of Filipino veterans in Capitol Hill. Inouye was a US veteran himself who fought in Europe.
The changing of guards in the White House has paved the way for Democratic Party to push the Filipino veteran's struggle in US Congress. They found an ally in President Barack Obama who signed the stimulus package on February 17 that would include $198 millions as payments to the Filipino veterans of World War II. The plan includes a one-time payment of $15,000 to Filipino World War II veterans living in the United States and $9,000 to those living in the Philippines.
The payment is miniscule compared to the hardships and sacrifices made by the veterans during World War II and their prolong struggle to gain recognition of their services from the US government. The Los Angeles Times quoted Franco Arcebal, vice president of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, as saying that the payment is "a small token to recognize our service." Too little, too late; but its better late than never.
From 250,000-strong members in 1946, the current count is placed merely at 15,000 with ages ranging from early 80s to late 90s and only about 1500 would reach the year 2017, according to AsianWeek.
Even in their twilight years, they never falter, never wane in their battles because they know their war is without malice, but is pure and just. Yours was the greatest victory and the free world salutes you, Filipino veterans!
Author is a basketball enthusiast and a Lakers fan. He is an ardent student of global politics and writes immensely on the subject of terrorism and international conflicts. He has passion in writing poems and composing contemporary songs. He has a bachelor in Political Science and a master in Public Administration. Author is an evangelical Christian and espouses conservative values.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jos_Ilagan
Comments (0) posted by Carlos Tabora May. 8, 2009
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