| Love and community |
| I have been covering a lot of festivities these days in the Asian communities with a focus on their religious beliefs and traditions. It's been a wonderful experience to understand how and why others celebrate theirs. My knowledge about other cultures is enriched each time I join different groups of Asian people in Wisconsin. What is common, though, whether it's Buddhist or Hindu, or Muslim or Christian, are the concepts of love and community in action. In this December issue, as we celebrate many holidays, we are featuring stories of love and community. The Cambodian School Project, led by Sarith Ou, for instance, goes back and forth to Cambodia to build schools in poverty-stricken villages. The Philippine Cultural and Civic Center Foundation has its Free Medical Clinic that provides medical services to uninsured and underinsured people in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Buddhist Society led a march calling for peace and justice in Myanmar (Burma). The Hindus in Wisconsin held several gatherings, both religious and secular, in celebration of the victory of good vs evil (Durga Puja, Navaratri and Dassera). Surely, I have seen and felt the goodness in people, regardless of their religious beliefs. |
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| Editor's Corner Over a cup of tea |
| Heidi M. Pascual* Publisher and Editor, Asian Wisconzine * 2006 Journalist of the Year for the State of Wisconsin (U.S. SBA) |
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| Most Filipinos are Christians, and while many may not consider themselves "religious" (that include me), we believe in ONE God, and our faith also taught us the concepts of love and community. I am reminded of the medical missions of the Rizal McArthur Memorial Foundation (Milwaukee) and PAG-ASA (Madison) of Dr. Felipe Manalo. Both projects provide free medical services to poor Filipinos in the rural areas. For most Filipinos abroad, however, the balikbayan box is the most visible symbol of their "sharing of blessings" with relatives back home. The balikbayan (literally "come home") box is most anticipated during the holidays, or just before Christmas, the most important festive occasion in the Philippines. It signifies the sender's remembrance of the yearly rite when families come together and exchange gifts. But more than the material value of its contents, the balikbayan box has become a tradition of sending love in a box from someone away from home. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all! |
| Three of my grandchildren (with their yaya) receive their balikbayan boxes. |
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