US-educated Filipinos eyeing jobs in the Philippines

                               

While many Filipinos go abroad for greener pastures, a growing number of Filipino-American students abroad is now considering finding jobs in the Philippines.

The reverse trend has been noted by Philippine Ambassador to United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr.,who said college and post-graduate students in the US are now interested to explore their opportunities in the Philippines given the country’s positive economic outlook.

Citing a recent visit to Yale University, Cuisia noted the positive feedback he received about the Philippines not only from Filipino-American but also other foreign students. He attended the Global Perspectives Symposia in the university sponsored by the Kasama-The Filipino Club of Yale and the Yale International Relations Association where he talked about the recent economic achievements in the Philippines.

“Most of the Filipino-American youths I have talked to see bright prospects for the Philippines and have expressed their desire to find work there,” he said in a statement. “You would not be hearing this from them two to three years ago.”

He added he was surprised over the enthusiasm of Filipino-American students who asked many questions about the Philippines in the open forum that followed.

“There seem to be this surge in their desire to learn more about the Philippines.”

In his remark, he cited projections made by Filipino economist Dr. Bernardo Villegas that the Philippine economy will grow at an average of 7 to 9 percent in the next 20 years.

“According to Dr. Villegas, this is a strong demonstration of the ‘tipping point’ phenomenon–the result of the transformational leadership changes and the policy reforms introduced in almost 30 years,” he told Yale students.

Junior student Ulysses Isidro, whose parents are from Bataan and Capiz, is among who wants to try his luck in the Philippines.

“I was reminded not to forget my heritage and now hope to visit and possibly work in the Philippines after graduation to learn more about my culture and country firsthand,” Isidro, also the president of Kasama-co, said.

This is the same thought of Hannah Gonzales, a sophomore majoring in History as she said: “Although I knew quite a bit about the Philippines beforehand, Ambassador Cuisia added a new dimension to the Philippines’ role on the world stage that I was not quite familiar with. Now, I can see the Philippines as both an emerging economy and a fun place to travel to.” (Ron B. Lopez)

US Supreme Court denies Pinoy veterans' appeal for benefits

DAVAO CITY – Winning their discrimination case against the U.S. government and finally getting full military benefits could have given them the perfect gift this holiday season. But once again, these Filipino World War II veterans ended up empty-handed.

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Court of Appeals decision and denied the appeal in a case that would have granted full benefits to about 120,000 surviving Filipino World War II veterans and their widows.

"Wala na, namatay na yung pag-asa ng mga beterano at widows na magkaroon ng full recognition. Nakakalungkot nga pero ganun talaga yung nangyari," said Violy Reyes, coordinator for the advocacy-group Justice for Filipino-American Veterans (JFAV), said.

The case did not close based on merits, but on procedure. The Supreme Court wanted the case to be heard by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Judicial Board.

But according to JFAV, this process could take a long time. There are reportedly about 600,000 claims pending right now with the DVA Judicial Board. The advocates feel the case would not be heard fairly, because the case is against the DVA itself.

The veterans admitted they are losing hope.

"This discrimination against us is wrong, and it needs to be corrected," Aquilino Delen, a Filipino World War II veteran, said.

Veterans’ advocates said that technically it’s not a closed case, because no oral arguments were heard at the Supreme Court. They could still file a new case with the district courts, but that means spending more money and that’s something the veterans don’t have.

Their other recourse is to convince lawmakers to finally pass the Filipino American Veterans Fairness Act, which would give them full benefits.

The veterans said if they can’t win in court, they can win in Congress.

“May kasabihan nga na pagnabubuhay ay may pag-asa,” Filipino veteran Porfirio Robea concluded.