Where are the hundreds of organizations of doctors in America? Why are they thunderously silent over the case of Dr. Romeo Chua, a Filipino American doctor, who seems to be a victim of discrimination in the state of Georgia? Dr. Chua, a graduate of Far Eastern University, has been in detention since September 2006 for allegedly causing the death of a patient. The Camden, Georgia district attorney took his own sweet time to bring the case to trial. Dr. Chua had been appealing to Filipino Americans for help and various organizations , including NaFFAA, have now joined his fight for justice. Fortunately, his trial is scheduled for next month. But so far none of the big national Filipino American doctors’ associations have voiced their support to him. Why? Because he is an FEU graduate? Wake up docs! You might even become the next victim of discrimination.

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Many are probably not aware of it. But the Battle of Bataan and Corregidor is still raging in our midst. Just click on the Filipino veterans’ websites and you will find entertainment galore. Read about veterans praising or insulting each other, groups using colorful and sometimes gutter language to disparage other veterans.

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The ambassador’s mansion is still in the news. A Tsismoso fan, who pleads that his name not be revealed, questions Tsismoso’s report that Ambassador Willy C. Gaa is renting a mansion in McLean, Virginia for $10,000 a month. Here is the skeptic;s observation: “This has something to do with your report in defense of the ambassador and the Philippine government. You said the ambassador is renting a house in a posh area of Virginia for only $10,000 a month! That’s a lot of bull. I don’t know where you obtained that information, but the truth is that houses in that area rents from $20,000 to $30,000 a month. Some community leaders who have visited the mansion swears it is more in the level of $25,000 a month! Part of that money comes from the sweat and tears of the overseas Filipino workers. You said the ambassador is forced to rent because the old embassy residence is in a decrepit state. So, why didn’t the government repair it earlier? Why was Ambassador Albert del Rosario able to survive in that dilapidated residence for many years? “
No comment.

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The Philippine embassy’s Rock (Agriculture Attache Vic Leviste) and his sidekick (Sonny Manghinang) who used to be known as Leviste-Manghinang $ Co. is temporarily closing shop. This dynamic duo, who among other things, have been responsible for clearing the way for Philippine mangoes to enter the US market, have been told to pack up and return home. Maybe Vic’s boss wants to replace him with his lapdog. But the Rock is not taking things lying down. He says he has no future plans yet, cryptically saying: “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” Manghinang plans to resign on his return to Manila and be a gentleman farmer. His wife Jenny will follow when her tenure is up at the World Bank. Also returning home is another person connected with the gods in the foreign office. She is Rosa Guadalpue Paraiso, a trusted aide of then Amb. Albert del Rosario who have been assigned to the Press and Public information section of the embassy. Why she was exiled by Ambassador Willy C. Gaa to the press office is not clear. She is the daughter of Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo but you wouldn’t know she has powerful connections by her simple demeanor.Is there a hidden message in this upheaval in the embassy? Abangan!

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Another Tsismoso fan is calling on Rawlein Soberano to check reports that other Filipino American organizations are allegedly abusing their tax exempt status. This ‘pakialamero’ says some groups are using the tax shelter of other community groups to avoid paying taxes. And some donors are reportedly complaining that no receipts are given which they could present to IRS for deduction from their income. Sorry, pare. I am not an accountant. Neither am I conversant with the workings of the IRS. Tsismoso leaves this to the readers to check out.

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Why did the Department of Foreign Affairs last month summon all the ambassadors and consuls general in the United States and Canada to a meeting in Manila costing the government more than $50,000? After the meeting, Malacanang released a picture of the Filipino diplomats posing with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Some embassy moles say the purpose for the Manila meeting was to press the Filipino communities in North America to lobby the White House to extend an invitation to President Arroyo. This, I think will be called the Lameduck Summit. And if no invitation is extended for the community to give her a rousing welcome should she be invited to speak before the Asia Soceity, Asean-American Business Council, or if worst comes to worst, even the National Federation of Filipino American Associations.. Sources say Venable is moving heaven and hell, ay mali, earth pala.. to get an invitation from President Bush. If this is not possible, this group wants some prestigious groups to invite her to speak, probably to expound on her prediction that the Philippines will belong to the First World in 20 years! It will be recalled that two years ago this lobby group wangled an invitation to address the National Press Club in Washington D.C. The program was already printed in the press club’s publication, but because her expected presence did not stir the political leaders, the NPC program was cancelled without explanation. One Tsismoso jokester says Nonoy Mendoza, he of the Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad (TOFA) (who were selected by Divine Providence), should issue the invitation to the President to personally hand out its awards on Sept. 1. Another opine that because the OFWs are close to her heart, the Migrant Heritage Commission of Nedo Valera should invite the President to address their group.. Again, no comment from Tsismoso.

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Aha! The Manila Mail has a new volunteer columnist from the West Coast. Her column has a very catchy title, Flips ‘n Dip! Tsismoso hopes this will not raise a tsunami of protests because some of our narrow-minded Pinoys think Flip is an insult to their race, oops, our race. Others say it is equivalent to the N word! Like gooks, nips or chinks

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It’s now August in Washington D.C., but the Philippine embassy has not yet fully updated its website. There is still no name for the person in charge of the commercial section or the replacement of Consul Joy Quintana of the cultural section.

For the information of my faithful followers, these are some of the officers in the Philippines embassy whom you can contact in case of trouble, or rather, or if you need their help: Defense & Armed Forces Affairs Office, Major General Roberto G. Sylim, Telephone No: (202) 467-9329 [or 9384, 9328, 9407] Fax No: (202) 467-9436 [or 9437] Economics Section. Minister Carlos Sorreta, Telephone No: (202) 467-9393 [or 9317]; Labor Attache’s Office, Ms. Florenda L. Herrera, Telephone No: (202) 467-9425 [or 9426] Fax No: (202) 887-5830; Police Attache’s Office, Super Intendent (sic) Renato Heredia, Telephone No: (202) 467-9394 [or 9395] Fax No: (202) 467-9415; Press & Information Section, Consul Patricia Ann Paez, Telephone No: (202) 467-9432, Email Address: rppress@verizon.net (my sources say Paez is no longer the press attach?. If so, who?

It’s now August in Washington D.C., but the Philippine embassy has not yet fully updated its website. There is still no name for the person in charge of the commercial section or the replacement of Consul Joy Quintana of the cultural section.

For the information of my faithful followers, these are some of the officers whom you can contact in case of trouble, or rather, you need their help:

Defense & Armed Forces Affairs Office, Major General Roberto G. Sylim, Telephone No: (202) 467-9329 [or 9384, 9328, 9407] Fax No: (202) 467-9436 [or 9437]

Economics Section. Minister Carlos Sorreta, Telephone No: (202) 467-9393 [or 9317]; Labor Attache’s Office, Ms. Florenda L. Herrera, Telephone No: (202) 467-9425 [or 9426] Fax No: (202) 887-5830; Police Attache’s Office, Super Intendent (sic) Renato Heredia, Telephone No: (202) 467-9394 [or 9395] Fax No: (202) 467-9415; Press & Information Section, Consul Patricia Ann Paez, Telephone No: (202) 467-9432, Email Address: rppress@verizon.net (my sources say Paez is no longer the press attach?. If so, who?