EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

It is true. I almost went to jail for graft and corruption. Like some of you, I just went along with the crowd. Whatever everybody else was doing, I just sort of went along with them. Sort of a “Paki ki sama” attitude.

It was after the War with Grenada. My A-Team had a team house near the Sugar Mill. The team leader decided to pad the account. He struck a deal with the landlady.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

My extended family takes some pride in the fact that I write this column. They often help me by proofreading my submissions before they are printed. They even make suggestions, which I take very seriously. I accept their help to prevent ignorantly putting my own foot in my own mouth. There is a lot about Philippine culture and Philippine society I do not yet understand and I value their help.

The other day a member of my family made a huge mistake. While talking to a local businessman, they suggested they could get me to include the name of his business in my column in exchange for a 10% discount. Seemed to them to be a logical way to do business; everybody does it. I exploded.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

I felt a subliminal often unspoken dislike between Filipinos and foreigners. I felt with every day this dislike was growing because our mutual focus was only on the negative. I wanted to create a better appreciation between us. I lost some foreign friends because I would not tolerate a conversation that criticized the Philippines.

“If you can not say something nice, do not say anything at all.” Some other foreign friends did not like the fact I told the WHOLE truth, not just the pretty truth. I tried to give voice to the frustrations of some of my Filipino friends who were too polite to voice their discontent. I also tried to let the Filipinos look into the heart of foreigners. We are different, but that difference is not all bad. Some foreigners are very nice people. The goal was to bring Filipino and foreigner together in mutual respect.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

The Negros Chronicle is available on line. Many readers like to access the online newspaper and leave comments concerning various articles. When a reader takes the time to leave a comment concerning something I have written, I feel it is my duty to give them the courtesy of a response. The most important comments are those that are negative and critical. You never learn from those that agree with you; you learn from those that disagree with you. A lot of people are teaching me at http:// www.negroschronicle.com/?p=6053#comments The following is a comment left by an unhappy reader. – Percy Valdero said in October 5th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

While the word Karaoke is Japanese (a combination of “Kara” empty and “Okesutora” orchestra), the Karaoke machine was actually invented here in the Philippines. Roberto del Rosario holds the world patent on the Karaoke machine. He called his invention “Minus One”, but when Filipino entertainers introduced it to Japan in the early 1970’s the name was changed.

I can not think of anything that represents and captures the soul of the Filipino people more appropriately than the ubiquitous Karaoke machine. It is the personification of the Pinoy concept of “Pakkisama” (getting along with others). Huge broad shouldered men that look like rugged pro-wrestlers have a smooth mellow voice like sweet milk chocolate. Many times petite little girls with angelic faces sing so off key that they would need the Philippine National Police to find the right notes. All of these diverse people eagerly share a microphone and enjoy the songs together.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

The Philippines has always retained a strong affinity for America. Outside of America, they are the only nation in the world that has the American flag on it’s currency. An American Army officer even signed the Philippine Declaration of Independence.

So why the Philippines rejected and ejected the American military has always intrigued me.

At first I thought maybe it was because our military often attracts and unofficially supports prostitution and other criminal activities. While the expulsion of the military may have reduced that to a small degree, it certainly did not eliminate it. And as disgusting as those activities were, the dollars from those horny sailors and airmen did put a lot of children through school and kept a lot of families from starving.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

Dumaguete City has lost an Everyday Hero. William Jacobson, better known to his friends as “Doctor Bill” passed away suddenly in his sleep. We are all a little less with his passing.

“Doctor Bill” came to Dumaguete City from Albuquerque, New Mexico where he served that city for many years as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). He had an amazing amount of medical knowledge and experience.

Although he was “retired” he never ceased trying to help others.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

After reading one of my columns, have you ever wanted to talk to me personally? Maybe you disagree with me or want to make a correction? Or maybe you would like to read a column you missed. Possibly, you have a favorite column you want to read again or print and give to a friend? Here is your chance. Go to http:// www.negroschronicle.com/index.php?s=kojak&x=50&y=11.

You will find several pages of “Everyday Heroes” columns on file. To get to the additional pages, just click on “next page” at the bottom. Currently, there are thirty-three articles but soon we hope to have a complete file.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

As my lady friend and I waited for the movie to start, we were forced to endure the loud foul mouth of a young teenager sitting three rows in front of us. He and his three friends were in raucous discussion and every other word was a filthy expletive.

“*&^%$#@” this and . “*&^%$#@” that, finally I had enough. I got behind him, placed my hands on his shoulders so he could not stand up. I leaned over and whispered in his ear, “There are women and children in this theater that do not appreciate the foul garbage coming from your mouth. I would appreciate it if you would clean up your act so we can all enjoy the movie. Thank you.” After I returned to my seat, not another *&^%$#@ was heard. Some people, particularly the young, get into the habit of using nasty words all the time. Often they do not even realize they are doing it. The foulest and nastiest words come spewing from their mouths without a single thought as to the impact those words have on others. My guess is it makes young people feel grown up. Look at me; I can drink, smoke and cuss, I am an “ADULT!” The truth is most real adults do not do those things and if they do those things, they do them responsibly.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

The following stories are based on actual events.

Lee and his beautiful young wife had worked hard to attain the dream of owning their own business. Ever since they had immigrated to America, they had scrimped and saved. They often worked two and three jobs but always put away a few dollars so that they could open their own little store. That day had finally arrived.

The black man handed Mr. Lee the money for his purchase and Mr. Lee laid the change on the counter. This simple act led to riots, fires and even death.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

One of the things about Dumaguete City is that when you are living here you are surrounded by history. Stories of bravery, compassion and love are found on every street.

If you are Filipino, you might know about Eduardo Blanco; if you are Expat, it is likely you only know it is the name of one of those many streets.

During World War II, Mr. Blanco, like many other young Filipinos, was forced to work for the Japanese occupation forces. Treated like a slave, he was required to forify and camouflage the local airport. After making a detailed map of the facilities, Mr. Blanco had the information smuggled to the Allied Forces in Australia. Based on this invaluable information, the allies were able to virtually destroy the Japanese ability to use this airfield.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

Everybody dreams. Some people dream about wealth and power. Others dream about love and romance. Everybody dreams about something.

For the past two years, Ely Dejaresco, editor of the Negros Chronicle, has had the same recurring dream. It is not a dream of wealth and power; it is not a dream of love and romance. It is a dream of brotherhood and improving the quality of life in all of Dumaguete City. His dream could even possibly improve life in all of Negros Oriental.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

In the Green Berets we have an expression: “He can talk the talk but can he walk the walk?” It is easy to say grand things but a whole lot harder to actually do those grand things.

As most of my regular readers know, I consider every foreigner to be a mini-ambassador from his country. He represents his country here in the Philippines and should be on his best behavior.

When Filipinos come to our country we expect them to obey our laws and show respect for our customs and culture. It is only reasonable that we do the same while we are a guest in their country. The question is: do I practice what I preach? The answer is: I try very hard. I never get drunk in public. I try to dress appropriately. I treat all women with courtesy and respect.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

This is a column about a disaster. It is a story of good intentions gone array. I am writing it in hopes that you will learn from my mistakes and to provide the whole story to those that only know half mistakes and to provide the whole story to those that only know half of the truth.

I love to play chess. I was approached to sponsor a youth chess tournament . Normally these chess tournaments cost about P470 ($100.00). I wanted to do more than just give a child a few pesos to spend at Lee Plaza. I wanted to make an impact on their life. I suggested the tournament prize be a year’s school tuition with books.
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EVERYDAY HEROES
by: “KOJAK” HUGHS

There were literally dozens of WMD related sites discovered after the invasion of Iraq that were hidden from United Nations inspection teams and the public for over a year. Here are a few examples.

(Sources of this data available upon request)

• A prison laboratory complex used to test biological weapons on humans.

• Live strains of biological agents concealed in a scientist’s home.

• A secret network of laboratories and safe houses containing equipment used for WMD research.

• Iraq was conducting new research on several live viruses. (Brucella; Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic fever) and several poisons (Ricin; Aflatoxin)
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