Maniolas

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 12:36 pm | Saturday, November 9th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – The United States and Great Britain cited the “strong spirit” and resilience of the Filipino people as they expressed their solidarity and concern for those affected by super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan). “On behalf of the people of the United States, I offer our deepest condolences and solidarity as you wrestle with the devastation and loss of life that accompanied Super Typhoon Haiyan,” United States Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement Saturday. “Having so recently had my own visit to the Philippines prevented by another powerful storm, I know that these horrific acts of nature are a burden that you have wrestled with and courageously surmounted before. Your spirit is strong,” he said. US embassies in the Philippines and in neighbor country Palau, were already coordinating with authorities on how they could assist in the relief efforts, Kerry added. Great Britain Ambassador Asif Ahmad also cited the resilience of the Filipinos and said that a team from the United Kingdom was already on its way to the country to determine needed resources. “Yet again the resilience of the people of the Philippines is being tested in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. With our expression of concern and sorrow for the victims comes our assurance of help,” Ahmad said in a statement. “A team is on its way from the UK to assess needs and then mobilize resources. The fortunate ones will be able Read More …

By Maricar CincoInquirer Southern Luzon 5:43 am | Saturday, November 9th, 2013 DEATH IN THE FAMILY The Bunyis of Imus, Cavite—Mikaella (left), Dr. Rizalina Bunyi, Dr. Nelson Bunyi, Francisca Ysabel and Jose Lorenzo PHOTO REPRODUCTION BY RAFFY LERMA SAN PEDRO, Laguna, Philippines—The remains of Rizalina Camia-Bunyi, the doctor killed in the Oct. 28 car crash described by Chinese authorities as a “terrorist attack,” were finally flown back to her family in Imus City in Cavite on Friday. The body, placed in a “beautifully made” wooden casket arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 10 a.m., according to Bunyi’s father, Rodrigo Camia. Despite threats from Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name “Haiyan”), Camia said the flight did not encounter any delay. Rizalina, a 55-year-old obstetrician, was with her husband Nelson, a pediatrician, and two daughters in Beijing when a car plowed into a crowd as they were near the Tiananmen Square. Nelson sustained a fracture while daughters Francisca Ysabel, 23, and Mikaella, 21, suffered less serious injuries. The Bunyis returned to the Philippines on Nov. 2. Two days later, Nelson and Mikaella had undergone an operation, which turned out fine, according to Camia. Interviewed by phone, Camia, 84, expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and the Philippine Embassy in China for looking after the family after the attack. He said Nelson and the daughters stayed in a nice hotel in China and were provided security escorts, until their return to the Philippines. “My only regret is losing my daughter too soon, Read More …

By Nimfa U. RuedaINQUIRER.net US Bureau 2:05 pm | Friday, November 8th, 2013 Retired US Army General Antonio Taguba presented to Bacani the first US government equity check amounting to $15,000, on behalf of the Secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, during an event commemorating theBataan Day of Valor at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. Photo by Eric Lachica LOS ANGELES–As the nation prepares to honor war veterans on Nov. 11, the Filipino-American community mourns the loss of Maj. Alberto C. Bacani, the oldest Fil-Am World War II veteran. Bacani, who was from Isabela, died on Tuesday in Alexandria, Virginia. He was 102. He was the first Fil-Am veteran to be recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under the 2009 Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation law. After the war, Bacani worked as a teacher and school principal, and later as a registrar at the University of the East. He retired in 1976 and migrated to the US. Bacani worked as a librarian at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Crystal City, Virginia. The EPA library reading room was named after him when he retired after 34 years of service at the age of 98. Bacani, even in his nineties, continued to actively advocate for the rights and welfare of WWII veterans. As a member of the Washington DC-based American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, he frequently lobbied senators, members of congress and US presidents for support of Filipino veterans equity bills. He died Read More …