Publisher's Note:

At the outset, I would like to invite everybody to come and watch the holiday concert sponsored by the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu  on November 28 at the Binhi at Ani Filipino Community Center in Kahului. This is a free event and open to public. Let’s welcome the holiday season as we listen to our favorite Christmas carols. Thanks to Consul General Leoncio Cardenas for spearheading this event as a way of reaching out to our fellow countrymen.

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Now that we have elected our public servants who are going to lead the affairs of the government, what’s in store for us  citizens? We hope that they will be true to their rhetoric promises during the election and  provide solutions to existing problems facing  every citizen.

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Congratulations to all the Progress Awardees. This is an annual event of the United Filipino Council of Hawaii recognizing Filipinos who have distinguished themselves in their respective field of endeavors. Retired Judge Artemio C. Baxa was conferred the Golden Sakada Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Thanksgiving Day is perhaps one of the most celebrated holidays here in America probably because of its historic significance. Unfortunately, its real meaning has been washed out into a mere shopping spree. We have lost the essence of the holiday.

When was the last time we uttered those two magic words “Thank You” to our spouse for fixing a delicious dinner; to our children for helping us with the household chores; to our co-workers for doing a good job; for our teachers for imparting their knowledge; to the doctors and nurses who took care of us when we were sick; and to a stranger who opened the door for us?

We have taken for granted the simple things in life. Aren’t we thankful for the air that we breathe, for that magnificent rainbow, the sun, surf, for our freedom…?

The Word of God teaches us to be thankful. The doxology “Praise God from whom all blessings flow,” is a testimony of our gratitude to our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, we thank God for His creation and all the blessings He has poured on us and for answering our prayers.

            This is what real thanksgiving is all about! Expressing your thankfulness is what matters.

            Let us then make every day a day of thanksgiving.

            Aloha and Mabuhay!