Filipino charity in action
A few weeks ago, I witnessed another manifestation of the generosity of Filipino immigrants here in Albany, New York. I was in awe of the turnout of our kababayans showing support to another Filipino who was recently diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Here in the US, even if you have employer-sponsored health insurance, the patient still has to pay out of the pocket for his share of the medical costs. In this case, co-payment for radiation, chemotherapy, and other treatments have taken its toll on the family's finances. That night alone, a total of almost $5,000 was raised for our patient which will surely go a long way for future health expenses. This is not the only time that this community rallied behind a charitable cause. There were also other fund-raising events that were held in order to benefit similar cases. When Yolanda struck, we were able to send funds to SM Cares Foundation enough for the construction of one dwelling unit in Bogo City, Cebu.
I am sure that other Filipino communities from all over the US and the world have also done the same thing. Charity towards others, especially to fellow Filipinos, is one of the most admirable traits we have as a people. Not only in these public events of generosity do we see this but also in more private and less dramatic settings such as watching someone else's kids while their mom is at work, driving an elderly person to a medical appointment, loaning money to someone for payment of the month's apartment rent, purposely cooking more food than what one needs in order to share with a co-worker, etc. Selfless acts like these are so inspirational that I hope the younger generation of Filipino immigrants here in the US will be able to emulate.
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On Monday, December 4, the Trump administration scored a legal victory after the Supreme Court of the United States allowed the imposition of the updated travel ban pending the determination of its legality before the lower federal courts. In effect, the policy of restricting or banning citizens from eight countries from entering the United States was reinstated which provided this administration enough confidence to feel that they are on the right side of the law. This case is far from over as, whichever way the lower courts decide on this ban, this case will certainly go back to the highest court by way of appeal. For now, people from Syria, Libya, Somalia, Chad, Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, and Yemen will have to endure the ban or restrictions imposed on them.
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