Letters to the Editor

rom: NAME WITHHELD UPON REQUEST
to: johnshinn3@gmail.com
date: Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 2:23 PM
To ZHCSC Officers: The entire community is watching you!
     It's about time you did some investigative reporting. This is long over-
due. Now we in the community in L.A. should focus all our attention not
only to Randy, but most specially the officers.
    Are they going to follow their conscience and --- in principle and out of delicadeza --- ask Randy to quietly step down?
   Or are they going to play blind, deaf and mute to Randy's misconduct
and try to find ways to keep him as their president (and ultimate party
host)?
    Before the officers do anything all I ask them is to examine their con-
science and to make the right decision. They should set an example of
themselves. The focus is now on them---we are watching and waiting.

Sgd.
Van Nuys, Calif.

from: NAME WITHHELD UPON REQUEST
to: johnshinn3@gmail.com
date: Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 4:45 AM
Randy Dagalea brings shame to ZHCSC and our community
     I thought that Randy Dagalea was really a nice guy and I even thought that
he would make a good president of the ZHCSC. But after reading your article,
I feel disappointed not only with him, but also with the ZHCSC officers for allowing themselves to be used by him.
     One of the most important characteristics of a leader is having a "good
moral character." It has become clear to me now that Randy does not possess
a "good moral character" which means he does not even deserve to be pre-
sident of the Zamboanga Hermosa Club of Southern California.
     To the officers, I hope you can remedy this situation because what's happening now is a complete shame and embarassment for our community.
     If he is wise enough, Randy should quit now if only to put the interest
of the club and the community above his own personal interests.

Sgd.
Los Angeles, Calif.

From: "Noemi Medina" <on_rodriguez@hotmail.com>
To: Editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com
Date: 18 Apr 2006
Zamboangueños in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    It has been some 15 years ago since we last met at Archie's home in Burbank.
    I'm renewing acquaintances to keep you informed of what our group of Zamboagueños are doing here in Vancouver. For the last few years, we have been gathering together during Fiesta Pilar to offer a Mass and to keep in touch
with the growing number of Zamboangueños coming to B.C.
    Last year we held a potluck get-together at Peace Arch Park in White Rock, British Columbia. We intend to keep this tradition going and it has grown over the years with the influx of new families arriving here.
    For now we go by the name of Zamboanga Association in Vancouver, Canada. We hope to affiliate with the Zamboanga Hermosa Club in either Toronto or L.A.
    The officers we elected last year are:
Noemi Medina-Rodriguez - President
Kim Luistro - Vice President
Nene Atilano-Villacrusis - Treasurer
Linda Fernandez-Skinner - Secretary
Jessica Enriquez-Noone - Advisor

    We shall keep you informed of our activities here and from time to time
we'll send you pictures of our get-together.
    I am also taking this opportunity to send our condolences on the demise of Doña Lourdes Atilano-Shinn, your grandma. . . Regards, too, to your Dad John, uncles Chat, Joseph, Nonito, Archie, Tony and Raymond.

Hasta la vista,
Orlando 'Barb" Rodriguez
AdeZ Class HS'59; BSC '63

At Sanborn, they look at you from head to foot
    I laughed out loud when I read your Chismis of the Week section about San-
born being the "breeding ground of chismis and liyos" in Los Angeles.
    Not too long ago I used to hang out there on some weekends when I was off from work.
     The first time I went there I noticed that when I entered the house, some of
the people hanging out there stared at me-----from head to foot as if trying to
scrutinize me. During later visits I realized that everyone who goes there gets
the same treatment.
     First they look at your face, then they look what clothes you wear, then stare at your shoes to see if it's the latest, expensive pair of sneakers from the mall.
     Going there has become unproductive for me because all they do is talk
about others but themselves---when we should be really talking about doing business or how to earn extra money.
     I stopped going there and I don't miss that place---especially the people
who hang out there although talking to Benito was always a pleasure.
NAME WITHHELD UPON REQUEST
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

From: "Don Soriano" <fsoriano1@san.rr.com>
To: Editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com
Date: 12 Apr 2006, 11:32:12 AM
Your recent editorial to remove 'President Arroyo by Force'
   Who do you think can take Gloria Arroyo's place that will make any difference? By "force" you mean a military takeover. The military seem to be in cahoots with the elite and the powerful.
   The fact is it's one rotten politician replaced by another rotten politician. The People Power was "birdogged" by Corazon Aquino as the result of her husband's assasination in 1983.
   Seems like Cory wants Arroyo out much like she wanted Ramos and Estrada out and whoever the president may be---out. Does she want the job? She had the chance and blew it. Sadly, nothing is going to change in the Philippines until the Filipino people themselves undergo a complete change of attitude, and that's like drawing a square---circle.

Don Soriano
San Diego, California

EDITOR'S REPLY: Here's what I wrote, in part: "...the only solution left is for the Filipino people to remove Pres. Arroyo from office by 'force.'" And,
"the only way to remove her from office is through another People Power revolution."
   First of all, as a reporter who was forced to flee the Philippines in 1985 to escape military assassination and persecution, I would never ever favor a military takeover of Malacañang.
Second, did you know that since time immemorial Mindanao's annual revenues sent to Manila amounts to about 18% of the country's gross national product (GNP)? And did you know that very little of that money ever goes back to Mindanao in terms of development and projects aimed at alleviating the plight of the poor?
   Why? Because crooks---like Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Arroyo---running our government in Manila are either from Luzon or the Visayas and don't give a damn about us Mindanaoans!
    Third and foremost, I believe the Philippines will be better off with a fede-
ral-type of government like the US.
    Divide the country's 13 regions into 13 different states---each with it's own government composed of a state senate and congress and a governor---all under the central/federal government in Manila.
    This way whatever revenues we collect in Mindanao we get to keep --- and will not be remitted to the central government in Manila --- and will be used to develop Mindanao. In addition, each state will receive funds from the central government from federal revenues collected nationwide.
    Actually, this is the concept of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and I'm shocked why the Christian majority are against it even though it will benefit all Mindanaoans---not just the Muslims as the crooks in Manila wants us to believe.
   Lastly, I'm no fan of Cory Aquino---never was and never will be.

From: "Don Soriano" <sorianofcjr@msn.com>
To: Editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com
Date: 31 Mar 2006, 04:41:40 PM
Inviting Zamboangueño Ateneans to All Atenean Convention
    Don't know if you remember me but we chatted a bit during a Zamboanga Hermosa Club picnic in honor of Fr. Kreutz (ADZU Pres.) in LA a couple of years ago.
    This is the first time I checked out your website and it is impressive. First time I've seen the picture of your Dad who was one of my running mates during heydays in Zamboanga. Of course I'm acquainted with your uncle Joseph and aunt Monina also. Sometimes I find it frustrating to see names of old acquain-
tances among the young generation and be unable to connect the relationship.
   Nonetheless, as you know the All Ateneo Convention will be held here in San Diego. I've been in touch with Jun Illustrisimo in trying to rally participation by the great number of Ateneo Alumni residents in southern California.
   The event will be sponsored by the Ateneo de Naga. I think this is a great opportunity to socialize with fellow Zamboanga Ateneans.
   It may make a great news event in your articles.Perhaps you could add in a note or two in your website reminding Zamboangeno Ateneans of this event.
Thank you,
Don Soriano
San Diego, California
(858) 560-5946

From: SALLY A <ladysally65@yahoo.com>
To: editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com
Date: 27 Mar 2006, 06:18:41 PM
Calling all 1981 Batch from Zamboanga City High School
    I would like to call all Batch '81 graduates of Zamboanga City High School (ZCHS). We will have our 25th Grand Reunion on August 26, 2006 in Zamboanga City. Teofil Galang is the president of the affair.
    If you need to contact me, send e-mail to ladysally65@yahoo.com.
    Thank you and more power to L.A. Zamboanga Times.

Sally A.
Zamboanga City

From: "Lorna Lodevico" <DCLODE00@aacounty.org>
To: editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com
Date: 23 Jan 2006, 07:08:29 AM
Hello from Maryland !!!
My name is Lorna Lodevico. I am not from Zamboanga but one day I was looking at some websites because we were planning to go to home to the Philip-
pines and visit places in the south when I accidentally opened the L. A. Zam-
boanga Times website. This is a great site.
Also, my husband has a friend from Zamboanga when we were in California (1991) and her name is Marivic Hongco. Anyway, I just want to applaud you for a site so great. God Bless. I will continue to browse on your site. Really great....

Lorna Lodevico
MARYLAND

From: ma glenda miranda <magle_64@yahoo.com>
To: editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com
Date: 01 Feb 2006
Calling all WMSU High School Batch '81
Greetings!
     I have been a frequent visitor of your site ever since a classmate told me about this. I admire your fearless and independent views about anything under the sun. Keep it up!
    Anyway, I hope you can help us out in trying to locate some of our WMSU high classmates namely your new managing editor, Peter Dimaguila (congrats!) Marivic Hongco Perez, Romelinda Coscoluella, Noel Cruz, Roderick Mendoza, Faida Nuno Torribio, Elaine Sabolboro, and others.
    This coming December 2006 will be our Silver Jubilee Alumni Homecoming and hope to hear from them soon.

Thank you.
Ma.Glenda Miranda

From: gina hazel west <ginahazel_west@yahoo.com>
To: editor@lazamboangatimes.com
Date: 02 Feb 2006
Condolence from Chabacanos in the United Kingdom
In behalf of the Zamboangueños in London & United Kingdom, we would like to extend our condolences and sympathy to your family for your loss.

Gina Hazel West
Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

From: Rainelle Ranario <ranario1@yahoo.com>
To: John Lasola Shinn III <Editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com>
Date: 01 Feb 2006, 06:19:10 AM
Condolence from Chicago, Illinois
Dear Boboy,
      Please accept my family's sincere condolences for the passing of your Grandma Lurding. My fellow Zamboangueños here in Chicago are also praying
for the eternal repose of her soul.
Regards.
Rainelle Ranario
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
----------------------------------------------
From: "Claretian Missionaries" <ho37730@bigpond.net.au>
To: editor@lazamboangatimes.com
Date: 31 Jan 2006, 04:52:58 AM
Fr. Cornelio ('Jinjo') S. Solis, CMF, writes from Australia
    Dear John,
    Seguro gendeh tu ay conoce conmigo personalmente, pero asegurao conoce tu o ta acorda tu con el familia Solis de Sucabon. yo anak de Rafael y Nena Solis, si papa hermano de Elena, Carmen y Antonio Solis.
    My condolence and prayers for your grandma. I am celebrating a mass for her on the 4th of February, 8:30 am Darwin, Northern Territory Australia Time.
I am a Claretian Missionary Priest now working in the Northern Territory, Australia.
   Do give my condolences to your family members, too.

Fr. Cornelio "Jinjo" S. Solis, CMF
DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA

EDITOR'S REPLY: Thank you very much for celebrating a mass for my grand-
mother there in Australia on the day of her funeral. I'm sure many of our readers remember the Solis clan (your family) from Sucabon. After all, the Solis surname is one of the oldest and prominent clans in Zamboanga.

From: Ramon Lucas <ramonlucas1980@yahoo.com>
To: editor@lazamboangatimes.com
Date: 28 Jan 2006, 09:06:56 PM
Condolence from Ramon Lucas and family of Seattle
    In Behalf of the Lucas family, kindly accept our deepest condolence.
Your grandma lived a meaningfull and rewarding life.

With all our prayers,
Ramon, Jean, Lucymay and Carmila Lucas
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

EDITOR'S REPLY: Thank you, Mon. I, for one --- being her first born male grandson carrying the Shinn name --- will surely miss her.

From: noriel bucoy <norbuc714@yahoo.com>
To: john shinn <editor@lazamboangatimes.com>
Date: 30 Jan 2006
Our Condolence & Prayers for Tia Lurding
Cindy, Noah and I and in behalf of the Atilanos of Tetuan---please accept our deepest condolence and prayers for Tia Lurding. The life that she lived will always be reflected on the legacy she left behind through her children and grand-
children.
God bless her soul.

Noriel Atilano Bucoy
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA

From angel descalzo <angel_descalzo@yahoo.com>
To: editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com
Date: 08 Jan 2006
I want to hear from my classmates and friends
My name is Junjie Descalzo, a Zamboangueño BSN graduate from WMSU batch 1989. I'm currently working as an anesthetic nurse in London, England.
I would be pleased to hear from my classmates and friends.

Sincerely,
Junjie Descalzo
LONDON

From: "Dennis P. Ortega" <dennisortega@yahoo.com>
To: JOHN LASOLA SHINN III <editor@lazamboangatimes.com>
Date: 17 Jan 2006
LAZT's January 17, 2006 Editorial
Dear Boboy,
    You are right. GMA has lost her effectivity to be the President of the Philip-
pines when she betrayed the public trust by what she did in the last elections,
as the Garci tapes and other election officials have exposed. She should have resigned a long time ago.
   But then again, if she did, all her accomplices will go down with her. And that, is the problem. For that list would practically wipe out most the the senior offi-
cials of this rich but poor country of ours. And they will not go down easily.
   Now, it is up to the people to finally put an end to this sad state that is exis-
ting in the coutry---and not through the actions of the President or any politi-
cians.
    I believe that many more Filipinos are intelligent and capable enough to run this country --- and not get rich in the process. These people should be given a chance. It is not the System that is bad, it's the people in the System that is rotten and should be changed.
    Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang LAZT!
Dennis Ortega
MANILA

From: NAME WITHHELD UPON REQUEST
To: editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com
Date: 21 Dec 2005
'True Friends' like you are hard to find these days
    You cannot imagine the impact that you have done to a lot of people's lives with your L.A. Zamboanga Times website.
    I am not one to flatter people but it is really true. Your website has really been a great service to Zamboangueños.
    To many people it is a link to other loved ones.
    Just pray and stay a good person as you really are...and God will do the rest.
     My father always told us to be in touch with friends....real friends cause true friends (like you) are hard to find.
     Thanks and remember, Boboy, that you have a lot of friends.

NAME WITHHELD UPON REQUEST
Seattle

EDITOR'S REPLY: I know "true friends" are hard to find these days. I remember writing an article, "What Kind Of A Friend Are You?" a few years back and received a lot of positive feedbacks from our readers----young and old alike.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: "Elizabeth Dagalea-Lopez" <bethdlopez68@lycos.com>

To: editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com

Date: 07 Nov 2005
Calling all ZAEC graduates now in the US and Canada
     Hi there, im Elizabeth Dagalea-Lopez from Zamboanga City, now connected with UNIVERSIDAD DE ZAMBOANGA---formerly ZAEC. I'm the Alumni Director fo the school, and my nephew, Randy Dagalea asked me to visit the website of ZAMBOANGA HERMOSA.
   I saw the X' Mas party photos of the ZAMBOANGA HERMOSA CLUB of Southern California. I remember some of the faces. I even saw Titong San Juan who is a relative on my mother side, Josie Atilano-Lopez, the sister-in-law of my sister-in-law, Marinela Lopez-Atilano. My husband is the late Padini Lopez. Since I'm tracking down fellow alumnis based abroad, can I ask your kind assistance to help me track our fellow alumni there and to please e-mail me their names, address and e-mail adresses? Thanks very mucho.
     The officers of the UZAAI appointed Randy Dagalea as our coordinator based there in L.A. My former classmate, Atty. David Chan also asked me to go to your website and click open the Zamboanga Hermosa website.
     We just had dinner together with our former classmates here. David is in Manila now, but leaving for China then will be back in Manila. He'll leave for San Diego California on the 25th.
     My regards to all ZAMBOANGUEÑOS there. Hope to hear from you soon.
     Have a great week. God Bless.

ELIZABETH DAGALEA
Zamboanga City

EDITOR'S REPLY: I met David a few years back when he attended our Fiesta Pilar celebration in Anaheim. In fact, he gave me his business card which indicated that he's a lawyer based in San Diego. On the other hand, I spoke to Randy a few days ago and suggested that he start organizing the ZAEC alumnis here in Sou-
thern California. I reminded him that there are many ZAEC graduates living here in the greater Los Angeles area. Randy is the best person to organize the ZAEC group here. Rest assured, L.A. Zamboanga Times will vigorously support Randy's efforts to establish the ZAEC alumni group here in L.A.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: james poole <jimo323000@yahoo.com>
To: editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com
Date: 06 Nov 2005, 02:03:31 PM
Allan Quebral and family now in Calgary, Canada
    Greetings to you John!! I just want to let you know that Allan Quebral and his wife and kids had moved to Calgary, Canada last September.
    I know you guys were soccer teammates at Ateneo in the early 80's.

God bless,
James Poole
Seattle

EDITOR'S REPLY: Muchas gracias, James..Yes, we used to play soccer together. His older brother Robin was my classmate from kinder to high school. Robin and I used to daydream when we were in 4th grade about coming to America. We had big dreams about our future...we were great dreamers....and still are....

From: "Marcos Perez" <marcos.perez@ucr.edu>
To: editor@LAZamboangaTimes.com
LAZT reader: 'Your site has been a great inspiration...'
    I am an avid reader and frequent visitor of your site L.A. Zamboanga
Times.
    I am really grateful that you're keeping up this site. I left Zamboanga City in 1993,ba few months after graduating from AdeZ and never had the chance to go back. I really miss our hometown but I was advised not to go home just yet.
   Your site has been a great inspiration. It is a constant reminder that there are a lot of Zamboangueños around here in the greater L.A. area though I haven't had the chance to meet a lot of them.
    I am sending a link to an exhibit in Riverside Municipal Museum regarding the first Filipinos in the area. I've been working here at UC Riverside for 4 years now and this exhibit came as a surprise to me because of the scarcity of Pinoys here. Click on the link below:
http://www.riversideca.gov/museum/rmm/rmm5.html

Sincerely,
Marcos Perez
Financial Analyst
Botany and Plant Sciences
2132 Batchelor Hall
University of California
Riverside, California 92521

Just want to say hello. We are here in Mazatlan (Mexico). We saw the pictures in your website and they look good.
We will be back in LA this Sunday.

     I have been visiting your website and find the LA Zamboanga Times to be very interesting and entertaining.
    The pictures of people from Zamboanga visiting LA and of Zamboanguenos from around the globe, make me recall when or where I last saw them and they give me an idea on how they look now. The pictures and newsbits from ZC make me nostalgic and reminisce the good times we all had in the Zamboanga of old.
     The articles and commentaries are also entertaining and provocative. Chito Elago's journey from Alaska to California was excellent and made me wish to hire a caravan and drive around Australia.
     Lino Santos' "Prayers and curses", hit the bulls-eye on how our leaders think and maybe, deserve. By the way, is he the same Felino Santos Jr., the hard-hitting columnist of a Zamboanga daily? I hope he continues to write and contribute to your paper.
     Congratulations on your excellent work, and kindly extend my regards to your dad Ñor John (he used to bring us home during the martial law years), your uncle Tony, Titong San Juan and Boy Fernando.
     Keep up the good work!

     I can't help but make a comment about that picture of a young girl supossedly "homeless and hungry" in the Big Apple.
     She may be hungry but she is definitely not malnourished as the picture shows. Sadly, we cannot really say if that girl is really homeless.
     I was once approached by a "homeless" man who asked me for a dollar. Yes, he asked for a dollar!
     I gave him my office card offering him a job and he just gave me a "weird look" and said: "Are you for real, man?"
     A few weeks later , I saw this "homeless" man again in the subway still panhandling.
     The fact is there is a bus line at Port Authority that gives out free (yes, free) bus rides/passes to people who cannot afford to pay for a bus ticket.
     If I see that "homeless' man again maybe I should tell him: "style mo yan matagal na Dudung!
     God Bless us all.

EDITOR'S REPLY: Back in 1993, I covered the Philippine Independence Day celebrations here in L.A. which was held around noontime at the famous MacArthur Park. On the way out of the park, I took pity on a hungry-looking and obviously "homeless" black man and gave him a dollar bill. Instead of thanking me he tried to rob me of my camera bag with almost $10,000 of my camera equipment in it. Luckily, I was carrying my .40-caliber handgun (I used to work part-time as private investigator and usually carry that gun and another back-up, a .25-caliber Beretta). I chased the homeless-turned-robber who, a block later, dropped my camera bag after he heard me cock my gun. Since that day, I stopped giving panhandlers any money. It's nearly impossible to be "homeless" in America. If they are, it's their choice---not ours or society's.

    Greetings! I just want to thank you all guys for a job well done. Your online version of our only daily newspaper way back in my early years in Zamboanga, proves to be very informative and entertaining.
    My congratulations also to your exclusive photo essay about the New York terrorist attacks, by Peter Dimaguila. I remember him, he was my younger sister's classmate.
    Your photographs and captions brought me closer to New York and gave me a different and wider perspective about how the city is coping up with 9/11.
    More Power to all of you. Saludo yo!
EFREN PLAGATA

I was really happy to see Sandy and Kenny standing beside your family Harabas, our high school service during our Mad Max days. We use to go
places with it and that really made us so happy. Maskin donde pa na Zamboanga basta ta enkansa el Harabas: Cawa-Cawa blvd., Calarian, Pasonanca, Caragasan---you name it.

   Hi Boboy ,
   You probably don't know me . I belong to Ateneo HS class 74 ... you guys were probably in 1st year while we were in 4th year. Can't help but comment something on what you wrote very recently.      Forgive those that have wronged you and forget that sad chapter in your life .
    Move on and leave those behind .
    The heck with what other people say and think. You have nothing to be ashamed of .
   El cansa man lang sos. It is God who will judge us in the end anyway .
    Rejoice, see you in the 2002 Ateneo Alumni home coming in Zamboanga .
    Best regards and God bless ,
    Rene Camaongay

EDITOR'S REPLY: Ren, I know you being one of our school varsity team's best basketball players during our time. I also know your younger brother who also played for our school team just like you. You made me real proud to be an Atenean during those games I've watched you and your brother played. I promise I will follow your advice.

    I am a Zamboangueño who resides in New Jersey. I have once worked with Coca-Cola Zamboanga and I had an associate with the name of Marino Viguera. I have noticed from some of your picture a guy name Benito Biguera. Is he a brother of my friend Marino? I also noticed that you spell the the family name Viguera "B" as in boy while we spell back them in the plant Viguera "V"as in victory and in the pictures he realy looks like my friend Marino (El Spañol).
   Ta Prigunta lang !!!
   More power to you and LA Zamboanga times

EDITOR'S REPLY: Hi Ferdinand.Yes, Benito is Marino's younger brother. In fact, Marino and his wife were in Los Angeles in May of last year. If I'm not mistaken he had, prior to the trip here, retired from Coca-Cola. I, too, think it's "Viguera" with a "V"---not "B." For some reason I always used the "B" instead of the "V" since LAZT went on-line in August last year. Thanks for your e-mail. Regards to your family.

    Hi John,
    I lived in Zamboanga for many years during the late 70's 'til the early 80's and became friends with may Chabacanos including Chat Shinn who during those times was working with Wyett-Suaco. Also Mike Apostol. It would be nice to communicate with them again. I wonder if you'd have any knowledge of these gentlemen's whereabouts these days.
    I love your site. It keeps me apprised of the going-ons in Zamboanga City and it's beautiful people.Thanks.

Dan de Castro
IT Specialist
Semiconductor Insights
3000 Solandt Road, Kanata, Ontario, Canada K2K 2X2
Phone: 613.599.6500 x 4283 * Fax: 613.599.6501
E-Mail: dan@semiconductor.com
Web Site: http://www.semiconductor.com

Editor's Reply: It was a pleasure to hear from you. My uncle Chat retired not too long ago and went back to Zamboanga City. He has since moved to Titay in Zamboanga del Sur where he is tending his farm. On the other hand, Mike Apostol is currently the Executive Assistant at the City Hall in Zamboanga City. You can write uncle Chat care of Mike. You can address your letter to Mike through the Mayor's Office. Mike's address is: MIKE APOSTOL, Executive Assistant, Mayor's Office, Zamboanga City 7000, Philippines.

   Hi John,
   Some of the words in this email you may want to edit before publishing it. I am just speaking from emotions.
   It gives me such a heavy heart to hear about the troubles in Basilan. Especially when they killed the 2 workers from the plantation. I am also an Alano and even if I am all the way here in the US, I am still touched at the attack on Golden Harvest. I was wondering if you had more information on the families of the two men who were murdered. I would like to send them a letter and some help.
   As for the ASG. Enough said!

P.S. --- Maybe if the Moslems can not live in peace with the rest of the country. Give them Jolo and tell every Moslem in the Philippines to go to Jolo and stay there. Unfortunately I also have Moslem friends, but something has to be done. And their sacrifice of relocating to Jolo will prove themselves. I would do the same thing if I was them.
Then after they have all gone to Jolo, I am sure that there will be terrorism by Filipinos in that island, then they will get a taste of their own medicine. I dont think this problem is ever going to go away. And it should be stopped before it gets any bigger. Look what happened to Israel. If they totally had relocated the Palestinians to another land, they would not have the problems they are having now. Look at Afghanistan and the Taliban! Point is, it is a sad knowledge that Moslems can not mix themselves with other people.

    It is very pleasing to read your paper as it brings back a lot of memories from home. My name is Mae Bernardo Librado, now Suguitan, a nursing graduate of WMSU year 1989. I used to live in NY but moved here in S.F. when I got married.
    My whole family is still in Zamboanga, altho my parents come over once in a while but they do not stay long kay sobra saltaw sila na situation na Zamboanga. It brings me great pleasure to see and read your columns as I know a lot of the people featured in your paper tho' I doubt if they know me.
    I went to school at WMSU from nursery until college until I taught there for 2 sems before I went to N.Y. I know your brother Kenny, again, I doubt if he knows me. He might remember my sister, Ninie Librado.
    My sister Ninie grew up in Bel Air Subdivison, near Tumaga but we went back to the barrios when I started H.S. Anyway, I hope somebody out there knows me so we could start comunicating, I belong to the organization here in S.F. and try to go to as much functions as my schedule permit. Again, congratulations and thank you.

     Greetings.
     My name is Anthony Theodore Domingo Duldulao. I am not to sure if you know my parents Teddy and Ninfa (Domingo). With Zamboanga being so small in a way, I guess all the original families that were rooted there, know each other. Anyway, I would just like to say hello, and perhaps get some info on any events the Zamboanguenos are having around.
     We were just in Zamboanga with my wife and son, as we stopped for just a day to visit my Lolo's grave. We were in the Philippines unexpectedly, as my father-in-law passed away back in April. I wanted my wife and son to see where I was born, and to see the Printing Press in Canelar (which among the other big new buildings around, looks so out of place....but it is how I remembered it).
    Anyhow, how is Lola Lourding? My Lola (Emerita Domingo), always asks about her, and if we go to visit. I stayed with Lola Lourding many years back for a couple of days (as I was heading back to Samoa on one of my Junior Golf tournaments.)
    Basically I just wanted to drop you a line, and to tell you that you do a great job on the paper. Who knows, maybe I can write something on the perspective of a Zambo boy moving to the States, who dearly and truly loves where his roots are. In case you do know my dad, Teddy, his email address is tfduldulao@samoatelco.com
    Well I better get back to work......
    Thanks.....

Anthony "TONY D" Duldulao
Marketing Operations Manager
Chicken of the Sea International

EDITOR'S REPLY: Hi Tony! Thanks for your time in writing us. I may not know your Dad personally, but I'm sure my father, John Jr., other family members and my grandmother Lurding knows him and your family. Also, I don't get the chance to visit my grandmother that often, but I did saw her last June 4 (click here to see our picture). Warm regards to your family from all of us here in Los Angeles. Yes, you are welcome to write anything for L.A. Zamboanga Times. I would suggest you write a regular column so you can share with our people and LAZT readers your ideas and opinions. Hope to hear from you. Your parents used to be one of our paper's susbscribers in California.

     Buenas! saw ur site n its interesting how d abu's news hv invaded ur line as well! tho' i saw quite a bit of the lighter side of la.
     I wud still like to see 1 day how else u can promote la bella, so u guys over there will not get scared of coming home 2 ur lovely city. wid ol dis negative publicity in ol d major networks, how else can u expect d city to survive!!!
   Tourism and investment r dead! o hala, tiene donde parte del la x ta dale pirmi mire donde parte el basilan y jolo y c paquemodo de lejos este na zambo!!!!
     Please help us out!!!! gracias por el oportunidad y otra vez!

     Hi John,
     We're doing a blurb about shabu and I was wondering if we can use one of
the photos on your website? Do you have one that you can email to us
that is high-res, no less than 300 dpi? We will of course credit you for the photo.
     Please let me know.
     Thanks,
     Stacy

URB Magazine
2410 Hyperion Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027-4714
323.993.0291 x115
FAX 323.466.1207
www.urb.com

Dear John,
     I received the email you sent to Kavita, who is currently out of the country
for a couple of weeks. I am the Asia researcher at CPJ. Thanks so much for
passing on this information to us. I have been trying to call you this
morning but the call is not going through, and I may have your wrong number.
     Could you please send me your current phone number so I can try again?
We are very concerned about the recent killings and I'm now trying to
research the Joey Montiel case. Do you have any additional information,
besides what was in the news story you sent? Is it certain that she was
killed for her reporting? Any information you could provide would be a huge
help.
     Last week we put out a release on Candelario's killing, which I hope you
saw. If not, I'll send you a copy. Thanks very much,

     Boboy, Quetal!?
     Thank you so much for acknowledging my selection to the US Navy on your
"Say Cheese, Miss!" corner on LA Zamboanga Times. Friends and relatives
have read the article and are extending their congratulations to my
family. It's a nice feeling.
     Okey, here are my travel plans! By August, I'll be concluding all my
business here in Alabama and will be preparing for another career. I am
a little bit apprehensive because the journey is unknown again. On
September 20, I'll be driving from Mobile, Alabama to Newport, Rhode
Island. For 40 days, I'll be undergoing Officer's Training. All I
could think of is Boot Camp (ayayayay). I can't even swim! Thereafter,
I'll start driving to San Diego,California. San Diego will be my base
for work. I'll be following my preceptor and then assume my nurse's
duties.
     Still thank you so much! I'll keep you up to date about my travel
plans. Send my regards to your family and wishing them the best, as
well!

     It's in our blood. The only way, you can cure that problem is isolation. Thats what, I did. Move to a small town,good job, execellent standard of living, good wages, can compete with L.A., based on my profession. Clean air, and the most important thing, that I really like is, there were only few of us alike, about 4 with 2 big hospital. It was 1986-87. One of the 4 is from Tumaga, WMSU grad (hs) Cebu grad. College. I was so happy because of our Chavacano.
      I really thought that, I was smart, which I never was, so there's no liyos, abdominal cramps nor trying to destroy other people because there were few of us. Filipino community was too small , attended few times, but never like it, because doctors just socializes with their own, isolate themself from people who came to america by marrying a GI . Or maybe you are not educated in the medical field like them , so you are not in their level. But what's the use of having an organization if you dont socialize.
      I stopped attending, as the years go by more epidemics are coming in from all over---from our P.I. island learning that its a nice place to work in a small town. In 86-87 pop. was 150,000 now its 400,000 to 500,000. We have the fastest growing county in the state.
      Epidemic also continues to grow-due to increase no. of P.I. now. I hear it eveyday. Been here for 14 yrs. I socialized for 5 years then I isolated myself and my family for 10 years even if you are on isolation, you can still feel and hear the epidemic, from a carrier that tries to infect your family, they still talk about you, if you dont socialize, they'll say you are arrogant, if you attend a party they'll watch you for. What you wear and what you drive, if they see you drive an expensive car they'll start having abdominal problem, and ask: how can they afford it?
      You invite them over to your house, they are nice in front of you, but when they leave they will talk about your cheap decor and your furniture, hypocrite! I say yes, because you feed them---then they'll talk bad about you. Then they go to church on Sunday and pray how good they are.
      Isolation works. You get infected 10% a year, so for 10 years it worked for me and my family. I say its not an epidemic, its a cancer and what's frustrating is that there's NO DAMM CURE for it!

EDITOR'S NOTE: This "incurable" disease also afflicts several of my close relatives too and they don't seem to know---or care---that they have it. Makahuya lang kanila todo.

Just a friendly reminder.
There are a lot of email traffic (between Zamboanguenos) whose contents
begged substantiation.
These are litigation materials..

Juan Y. Ilustrisimo, Jr.
Boeing - HB QA
International Space Station
(714) 896-3311 x70802

Just wanted to commend you on such beautiful pictures and articles. I am from Zamboanga myself and have not been home since I left in 1987. I have lost touch with friends and classmates from Claret High School and Ateneo de Zamboanga. But do keep up the awesome work. I look forward to seeing more in the future. Thank you for doing such a wonderful job!

     I would like to acknowledge your success in founding the L.A. Zamboanga Times. Are you open to any contributors both in pictures and story? As I was browsing around your website, I noticed that most of the things/topics you have, is mainly concentrated in West Coast, especially the California areas.
    Do you also accept from the East Coast? I don't know if you are aware, that there is a vast population of Zamboanguenos here in New York City & the Tri-State areas. If you do, can you inform me. We should expand our horizon. And I'm for it, I'll be glad to help in anyway I could. Do you have anybody in East Coast right now? We have some Zamboangeno happenings too. Every year we always celebrate the Fieasta Pilar here. We also attend the Philippine Independence Parade. And some summer activities. So, please inform me.
     Also, while I was browing around the Zamboanga Times from Z.C., I clicked one of the topics with your La Zamboanga address. While reading the article about the kidnapping it brought back some memories about almost the same incident.
     Fortunately my story did not have a fatal and saddened ending. My father got a letter demanding some money, thinking we are a prominent family, but we are not. But any how they never showed up for the pick-up.
    After this incident, my parents especially my mother decided to uproot everybody & we migrated to Manila. My hearts goes to those families who have lost someone from this kind of unpleasant situation. Say hi to Kenny, Pembi Salvador-Reyes.

EDITOR'S REPLY: Yes, Emilie, we do accept articles and photo contributions from readers like you.

I would like to know the e mail address of Majo Murga Mortensen. I was a nurse at the hospital where his wounded uncle was taken. I'm here at Texas USA working as a nurse.Or you could give my e mail address to him so I can share him the stories.Thank you very much.

I have been a regular visitor of your site since I found the link on my brothers site Chavacano.com. I am happy to see that you are still writing all this time and I really enjoy hearing news about ZC, bad or good. I feel like I am home again everytime I go to your site, thanks much! By the way I didnt know that one of the articles on the first issue of LAZT was my kidnapping. It strikes me with memories when I saw it on the site. Anyways, I pray and hope that all is well.

    I am an officer, and I am not upset.
    I think this is a good idea and should be pursued without any bias to the existing organization.
    What I am upset about are all the negative misinformation that you are getting about our organization.
    But if you care to substantiate any of these allegations (like I would expect a respectable journalist would), I would like to invite you and anybody else that you are willing to bring along, to our monthly meetings.
    We are constantly looking for venues for the meeting to ensure easy access to any members that may want to attend and volunteer to specific tasks at hand. These are potluck events and attendees are expected to bring in their share.
    During these meetings, I will personally provide you a copy of our minutes and the official reports of the club's revenues and expenses.
    I was elected 1st VP and my primary task is to oversee the scholarships processes. I will need help here. I was also asked to oversee venue for the annual spring event. I will need to check prices, contract the event and do follow-ups. I will also need help here. I know some officers have far more daunting tasks and they will also need help.
    Will you commit to attend these meetings?
    By the way, our by-laws allow three consecutive two-year term for the President. This was just ratified by a majority vote at our annual Christmas event last December.

    It is true, as a previous letter-writer wrote that the Zamboanga Hermosa Club of Southern California is a "smooth and better-running" organization compared to the past. True, that is, in the sense that the club operates more formally and no longer as a sporadic, ad-hoc grouping inspired and directed almost solely by its foundress, the indefatigable Lourding Shinn.
    Now, and for the last few years, meetings are held on a regular basis; the Fiesta Pilar, Spring Ball, and other events are known and planned ahead of time; we have a Constitution and By-Laws, etc.
    The club, only a few weeks ago, was registered as a non-profit corporation with the Calif. Secretary of State. It is in the process of securing IRS recognition as a non-profit, which will enable tax benefits for donors. All these have entailed hard work.
    Now, some may have a case when they say that, well, things were better before because we were a loose, informal organization, no need for rules, membership fees, etc., (though with the latter, Lourding Shinn had to "knock heads" to collect $5).
    To celebrate Fiesta Pilar, they say, why, all we had to do was pick the 'phone and spread the word around, or mail one-page flyers. No need for expensive dance tickets or high membership dues or this and that....But, some organizations grow and some don't. Whether they do or not depends on the group's goals. One thing is for sure, though, and it is this:
    The Hermosa group that Lourding Shinn and the other foundresses began has a much better chance of enduring because of the way it has been set up and the manner of its current operations.
    It is not true that the club has been, in the editor's term,
"exclusively" located in Orange County, not, that is, in the sense of
deliberately snubbing Los Angeles or San Diego counties. The only reason why most social activities (dance, Christmas party) have been around the Orange County area (Cerritos included, though in LA) is because many of the officers assigned to do the hard work
of planning, investigating, getting bids, negotiating, etc.live or work in the area. That's it, no nefarious, selfish motives at all.
    There are plain and easy answers to the two issues above: to the first, attend the Board of Directors meetings as many times as possible (get in touch with your area representatives to find out times and dates); your complaints, ideas, etc. will bear fruit only if you attend meetings.
    Meetings are held in West Covina, San Marino and other LA county places. If you cannot or don't want to attend, at least write your comments down and mail them to any officer. Or, attend a general meeting that's held, I believe, at least once a year. Attending at least one meeting in a year is not too much to ask, is it?
   Second, volunteer, for goodness' sake, if you live in the LA area, to contact hotels, community halls, etc. and arrange for some of our festivities to be held there. I am very sure all the present officers would be more than willing to have LA residents do all the hard work for a change. Some of them will even volunteer to assist. If the officers won't agree to an LA venue, why, that's easy, too.
    Attend the meetings and force the change in venue by out-voting them!
    The apathy of members, to me, is the much greater concern. No
organization can survive unless members become actively involved. Many members from LA and Orange counties have often been asked to attend meetings, plan socials, etc., but nothing happens except complaining. Some of the apathy is understandable because in any group, some prefer to work and lead, others to follow. Nothing wrong with following, but some involvement must occur too.
    Maybe it's because of this apathy that the current crop of club
officers--from the Board, the president and on down the list--has largely been the same faces from years back. With the new election held at the Dec. 2000 Christmas party, this group of officers will, I believe, be in office for another four years! (The term of office should, I say, be amended to be only two years.)
    Don't we have new faces, new blood, new volunteers to do their share? The current situation of a merry-go-round musical chairs is not good. It is common for incumbents in such a circumstance to feel a vested interest in their positions. And others must have a chance to run the club too. But without new volunteers, who will take their places?
     Somehow, the club must find a way to get many other members actively involved.

I used to live in Orange County and it took a great deal of preparation to visit LA for the annual fiesta or other occasions, but we managed to attend, and never questioned the distance, because the main purpose was to attend the occasion and meet with other Zamboanguenos.
Now I live 250 miles away and I still attend the annual gatherings. I don't understand the big deal about the location of the gatherings. It's only once or twice a year. I think that the organization is running more smoothly now than before. Orange county is more centralized between LA & San Diego, a little safer and the facilities are more readily available. With regards to the Gaceta, I was told that if you are not a paid member, then you won't get a copy. I agree...Printing & mailing cost...It's just pure economy. I am just another happy member.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The letter writer did not sign his/her name, but just the same we are publishing this letter for our readers to read.

EDITOR'S REPLY: We beg to disagree that the organization "is running more smoothly now than before." First of all, it would be unfair to the officers who have served before the festivities were transferred to Orange County.
   The purpose of establishing an organization or any other civic group is to attract members and to serve them---not exclude or alienate them and other potentiial members.
   As to the Gaceta, it would have been fine---like you said because of printing and mailing cost only paid members are sent copies---if the group does not have the money. The truth is, the group has enough money to print 10,000 copies of the Gaceta. Just look at the financial report they published in the last issue.
   As it is today, the Zamboanga Hermosa Club of Southern California has become an "exclusive" group for the well-to-do Zamboangueños because it has "excluded" those who cannot afford to pay the group's required expenses like tickets, annual dues and the like. This is not counting those who do not own cars who cannot commute to Orange County to attend the group's activities.

John,
Merry X'mas to all the Zamboanguños in L.A....Also extend my warmest greetings to my brother-in-law in San Diego Dennis Nasto and my sister Zoraida, Bong Buenaventura, Randy Dagalea, Richard and Flerry San Luis, my classmates Hilario, Sionee, Danny and Elvira and most of all to Shinn family.

Dear Boboy,
    I learned about your online paper through Alice
(Alavar). Congratulations on the good work!
    Boy, I hope you can help me put the word out that the
Pilar College Batch '76 will be next year's Silver
Jubilarians. (How time flies, no? Viejo y vieja ya kita).
   As class president of the 1st section, I am now tasked
with getting things organized with the help of
wonderful and lovely people who are now based in
Zamboanga namely: Shirley Garcellano-Evangelista,
Marites Fermin-Dizon, Lynnette Marcos-Abarro, Pinky
Bustamante-Saavedra, Grace Bulahan-Dayot, Marissa
Mercado-Basa, Jesale Matias-Saavedra and many others.
   Am based in Manila and I have hooked up with Yasmin
Bruno-Blanco, Laling Spirig-Nasrabedi, Au-au Garcia,
Elda Sta. Maria- Aquino, Alice Alavar and Mimi
Fernandez.
   There are still many members of the PILAR COLLEGE
BATCH '76 who are out there in parts unknown and we
would like to touch base with them. I am certain that
you can help me link up with them through your very
informative newspaper.

My name is Leo, and I'm from Sydney, Australia. I'm
looking for the contact details of a friend. His name
is John Lobregat. He is in his early 20's and I know
that his origin is Zamboanga. He is in the US now and
in California in particular. He's a recent graduate
of physical therapy. I lost his contact details and
I'm think that you can help me locate him.

God bless you always!
Leonardo Herrera
BIOSS Operations Group
AAPT Pty Ltd
(612) 8282-1357

Email: leo_herrera2000@yahoo.com, lherrera@aapt.com.au,
leonardo_herrera@usa.net
Tel No: (612)8282-1357 and (612)9808-2279

P.S. --- I think your LA Zamboanga Times site is good.
The amount of information is just right and very
informative. I've read some of the articles done by
your fellow Chavacanos and they're really interesting.
I'm actually from Manila. I don't know which is our
Province of origin. But it's nice to know that you
Chavacanos are doing efforts to have a site like this.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I have not heard of or met John Lobregat here in L.A.
I will inquire from friends and the Zamboanga Hermosa Club here if they
have any information as to where you can contact him.I will let you know
as soon as I find out if John is indeed here in L.A.

It has been quite sometime since I have written to
you. I have been meaning to do so, but I get waylaid
by various things!

LAZT is looking very good and I take it you are
getting a lot of positive feedback. You should since
your work is outstanding. I was quite fascinated by
the price of tilapia vs the galunggong. It is quite
amazing how far those fishes travel just to keep the
filipino taste buds satisfied! Isn't it strange that
we would pay top dollar for something that is
considered "ordinary" back home.

This week's profile is rather touching - at least to
me. Nothing touches me more than stories of
expatriates about home and their childhood. I guess
like yourself I have very fond memories of Zamboanga
and indeed my childhood. It is something that I will
always be proud of and will always cherish. Your
tadpole story brought back memories of witnessing our
pet cat having her litter on my bed! I don't think I
ever recovered from it, it was truly traumatic. I
also recall an incident when my younger sister, Gay
found newly born mice in the school yard and thought
it good idea to bring them home! You should have
heard our squeamish mother, when Gay showed them to
her!! It was gross! Gay carried the four pink mice
in her hand all the way home!!

EDITOR'S NOTE: We all have fond memories of our childhood in Zamboanga. I hope our readers will share with us theirs.

You have a very nice photo essay and I'm very impressed and I believe I
may be able to use also this materials of course with your permission in the series
of lectures that I'm conducting to students especially the effects of drugs, shabu
in particular.
Your L.A. Zamboanga Times is so nice, keep up the good work
and more power.Congrats and keep up the good work.

Armando A. Arquiza
Dean of Student Affairs
Western Mindanao State University
Zamboanga City

EDITOR'S NOTE: I will publish a summary of my book, "Shabu in America"
soon here at L. A. Zamboanga Times and you are welcome to use it for your
lectures.

Regards,
Fr. William (Bill) H. Kreutz, SJ
President
Ateneo de Zamboanga
La Purisima St.
Zamboanga City
website: http://www.adzu.edu.ph
phone:(63)(62)991-1151 (office)
991-0871 (trunk)
991-0870 (fax)

I got your message from Chito Lopez about a chronicle of my journey.
I'm now in the process of writing that article. There are also other Zamboangueno
organizations that want me to write for them. I'll also send them a copy of the
article that I'll be writing.
I'm glad that you have revived the LA-Zamboanga Times. It was a success then,
it will still be a success now. I look forward to reading articles about our hometown
and other Zamboanguenos' experience here.

Sorry for the delayed reply. I've been swamped with work and social
activities. Unbelievably, I find so much more to do as a retiree than ever
before! Our Zamboanga Hermosa Canada picnic was yesterday, and thank
goodness it's over. I burned the phone lines calling up Zamboangueos to
attend this reunion. And, despite the cool weather (20 C or 68 F), they came
and enjoyed. I'll send you some photos as soon as I get them.

I wish to congratulate you for a well-planned and very interesting Website.
You've made it so easy to link up to newspapers back home, especially at
this critical time when we are all anxious to know what's happening to the
hostage negotiations back home. And thank you for inviting me to contribute
to your site as a guest columnist. For the love of Zamboanga and our
people, I have been doing that in other Zamboanga Websites, and I'll gladly
do that for my nephew too.

Hi John! Thank you for taking time out to give me such
info. It's good to know that Zamboangenos like you who
are living out of Zambo for quite a long time still
possesses the virtue of a true Zamboangeno. Haven't
tried the site yet but I'm sure it will be helpful.
Thank you again and I'm looking forward to hear from
you again.

Hi Boboy,
Thanks for the invitation! I thoroughly enjoyed your website. You have a
pretty good plan with Peter. Keep up the good work. By the way how is Tita
Lourding? The last time I saw her was at the hospital when she was
recovering from her stroke - about the time of the picnic.

Boboy, thanks for the invitation. Actually, I've visited your website a
while back. In fact, i browsed through most of the photos in your CCC
collection. Nice piece of work you did there.

Hope to meet your friends from Gulf News in the future. I'm working for an
oil company (ZADCO) here in Abu Dhabi.

Maybe i'll get to see you one of these days when I'm in L.A. My eldest
sister (Vicky) is still staying in Van Nuys, whereas my
Mom and the rest of the clan, including Bobit, are in Chicago.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Thank you for your letter. It was nice to hear from you after all these years!

Thank you for you email. I saw the LA Zamboanga Times webpage
and it was really a very nice and informative website. Continue the
good works in sharing informations to our compoblanos abroad
about Zamboanga City.

We would be glad to have you as one of our Ateneo de Zamboanga
alumni area coordinators in Los Angeles since you know a lot of our
alumni/ae and are in contact with them. You, Jun Ilustrisimo and Ciony
Asuncion will work together to gather alumni/ae there for Fr. Bill's visit
to your area on October.

I end with all best wishes and wam regards to you and your family.
Do keep in touch.

Yours truly,
Mariel Alfaro-Madrideo
Special Staff
Office of Alumni Relations
Ateneo de Zamboanga

    Congratulations! This is exactly what we need. A medium to reach every
Zamboangueno in the world. In fact, I got in touch with a very dear
friend of mine whom I have not seen or heard from since fifteen years ago.
    Your newspaper (L.A. Zamboanga Times Internet Edition) was read in Zamboanga
and forwarded to my friend in the US.
    Then I was susprised to receive an email from my long lost friend and
soon we were emailing regularly. Finally, we called each other and will
always keep in touch.
    Thank you and more power to L.A. Zamboanga Times.

Boy,
Congrats and more power to the LA Zambo Times and to The Chabacanos of
Zamboanga .

Boy,
Aren't we always referred to as zamboanguenos and chavacano as our
dialect ?
As far as i can remember, it has always been "chavacano."
"Chabacano" only came to be upon the influence of the tagalog wherein their alphabet
has no "v" in it. I could be wrong but then again it's just my opinion.

As, I was browsing your site, I have chance upon MILF'S website from one of your links,
LA Zamboanga Times. I have found MLIF's website unworthy, of even being found by
any one of us. Not any one, not my children, not my friends, not my Muslim Brothers, I
repeat again, not by ANYONE.

Their main page had a big heading that says 'JIHAD IN MINDANAO',laden with animated
graphics of blood pouring from the banner. On one of their pages it boast of as The 'MILF
has emerged as the best-armed rebel group in Philippine history.' Well I don't care if you
were once, or has ever been, Maybe,. but now, you are considered merely as plain armed
BANDITS.

Most of the people from Mindanao, both Muslims and Christians has expressed their desire for peace and an end to the war, and work together peacefully for the rehabilitation of
Mindanao. This call for a Jihad in Mindanao by armed bandits should just be taken as a big
joke. A Joke, that is considered as, FROM THE REBELS WITH OUT A CAUSE.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This letter was posted at the Serioso Y Pendehadas forum and is reprinted here for the benefit of our readers.

When I look at the the website of LA Zamboanga Times, as though I'm in Zamboanga
City browsing from one site to another. I have lived in Zamboanga all my life and I never
heard about LA Zamboanga Times. Also when I look at the assassination
photos from your website of Mayor Cesar Climaco it reminds me of a better Zamboanga.
I was born in Zamboanga and finished my college in ZAEC, BSCoE. But now I'm a resident in Hong Kong because my parents were here in since I was five yrs old. I just wanna be part of this organization of LAZamboanga Times, if is possible.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It is Zamboanguenos like you who inspire us to continue with what
we're doing here at L.A. Zamboanga Times. While the Times is not an organization you are always welcome to share with us your thoughts and opinions.

Hi Boboy,
     I did read your web last week. I am sorry I did not acknowledge it
immediately. I, however, forwarded it to some Zamboanguenos.
     I noticed there is a lot of hype on the Chabacano dialect. I think
that's great to think that a younger generation is taking interest. In Gaceta
Rolly Santos had a column titled "Ta Muri Ya Ba El Chabacano?" (Is
Chabacano Dying?). Please forward that article to Peter Dimaguila.
    Congratulations on an informative website and for including the La
Gaceta. I am sure your web will serve as a cyberspace home away
from home to all of us abroad. Good job.
    Say hello to your mom and dad.

John,
You may want to work with Betsy Johnston (moscal@aol.com) . She was
designated as the ZHCSC Historian. Together, with Sonia Jekums
(jekumss@sevengables.tegris.com), the three of you can set up a link to the
clubs history..

Juan Y. Ilustrisimo, Jr.
Boeing-HB ISS Program QA
International Space Station
(714) 896-3311 x70802

EDITOR'S NOTE: We will update the ZHCSC web page as soon as we get the e-mails of
the officers and board of directors.

Dear Boboy
Aloha! How's the good looking playboy of Ateneo been doing? Hope you still
remember me. I'm one of the GATNILAB clan here in Honolulu, I mean the
Balintags. Si Benjie este, quetal el vida LA? Quetal si Titong St.John? I mean
San Juan. I wish you all the best. Bye for now..........................

EDITOR'S NOTE: Benjie...ay rayo! How can I forget you? Ya harta yo man stambay na
Pasonanca para t oma tuba cuando bulakbul came na clase de amun na high school di
Greg SJ.

Dear Boboy,
It is good to hear from you again and congratulations on the launching of
L.A. Zamboanga Times Internet Edition.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm glad to hear from you too. Daw nohay lang tarda quel tiempo ta man CB kita alli na Zamboanga. Este mana tiempo Internet chat ya hende mas CB!

Boy,
Am sure glad to receive ur pics. You all look good. Daw hinde ta
queda biejo...keep in touch...Regards to all...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Na....alli gane daw hende man tamen ta queda viejo. El cosa lang ya
cambia na de atun mana vida ay el de atun mana anak bien grande ya! I only realize
how old I am whenever I see my kids! Hende tarda na college ya se sila.

Hey Boboy,
congratulations on your new dog. But I think the proper name for
your dog is (since he is a black doggie) ULING! Ha ha ha. Broma
lang primo. Hey I don't have your new telephone number. call me ok?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Hoy! Liyoso! Atrasao ya bo ca si Ashes depunta ya! (broma lang...tamen)

I used to subscribe to the old L.A. Zamboanga Times.
I used to receive copies up here in Canada. I think I dropped
in at Archie's place in 1987 along with my wife and kids.

I am still here in Canada. I find your website very interesting
and highly readable with many appealing articles and little tidbits
about our old days in Zamboanga City.

We recently had an ADZ class of '59 reunion in San Francisco
courtesy of Nard Soriano who resides there. Please visit the
website below for more pictures and information.

I'll continue accessing your website and will drop you a few lines
every now and then...

Editor's note: Barb was one of the original subscribers of L.A. Zamboanga
Times. It's nice to be in touch once again.