Tina Austria
My unforgettable landlady and friend
My unforgettable landlady and friend
| Heidi M. Pascual* Publisher & Editor * 2006 Journalist of the Year for the State of Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA) |
people. Since I had faith in people’s natural kindness and understanding, I was sure to meet the right people who could help me make this once-
in-a-lifetime experience worthwhile, and keep me from losing my sanity.
I was billeted for three days at Dupont Hotel, just a stone’s throw from the office of the American Political Science Association, our host at D.
C. The hotel’s greeter, named Lito, was a tall fiftyish-year-old guy from the Philippines. I was so happy and thankful to meet a kababayan
(countryman) in D.C. Once we talked about my circumstance — that I had to look for an apartment to stay for 10 months while doing my
fellowship at the U.S. Congress — Manong Lito (Manong, an Ilocano word meaning “older brother”) suggested that I meet his sister-in-law, Tina
Austria, who lived alone in a big, nice house in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He said Tina would be a perfect landlady for me because she’s also a
Filipina who shared my values and that she’d treat me like family.
Tina
Tina was easy to like. She welcomed me right away and treated me like a younger sister. I became part of Tina’s
family, most of whom lived close by. Tina was considered the “matriarch” of her family, although she wasn’t the oldest of the brood. She was the
first to immigrate to the U.S. in the ‘60s, worked as a nanny/housekeeper in the home of a Philippine Embassy official, while completing an
accounting degree at Washington University in the hope of getting a better job. She did land a good job, and years of hard work allowed her to
realize her American Dream. She succeeded in getting her brothers and sisters and their respective families to come to the U.S. in the ‘70s, and
all of them had stood on their own — some owned homes — when I arrived to stay with Tina. Every weekend and on holidays, Tina would take
me to her family and we would chat, laugh, and eat good food. We would go to retail outlets and yard sales and find tons of toys and stuff for
relatives “back home.” I really felt part of her family, and was so grateful to have met them.
Tina was my teacher in ways that were very special to me. She taught me how to adjust to American life — taking public transportation,
choosing healthy food, learning how to answer when ordering fast food, and understanding American practices and behaviors that might have
seemed offensive to the Filipino sensitivity. We shared stories and plenty of good times. In her basement that served as her little gym, Tina
introduced me to regular aerobic exercises using Kathy Smith’s videos. I lost 16 pounds after six months of “training” in Tina’s gym. I took with
me that acquired love for exercise for years to come.
I’d say that my Congressional Fellowship experience, beyond the learning activities in the Capitol, became truly significant and
unforgettable because of Tina. Tina and I continued to keep in touch even after I returned to the
Philippines, although not as often as we would have liked. My work in the legislature under the Cory Aquino government became increasingly
intense, as the People Power Revolution’s impact started to wane. Tina lost her former job, but was hired by a realty firm right away. Both of us
were just too busy to write letters (e-mail was not yet a mainstay). However, we never lost our connection.
When I immigrated to the U.S. in the late ‘90s, I wrote Tina right away. Again we shared stories through mail and holiday cards — of
successes in our families, failures in relationships, sadness for the passing away of close relatives (due to sickness or accident), and some happy
news as well, including weddings and new additions to our families. The Internet has been a wonderful means to connect to each other more
often than ever.
Early this year, Tina told me that she was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder in August 2007 and that she was undergoing chemotherapy
and radiation. The bad news shocked me as I cried in front of my computer in search for answers. “God, how could you allow this to happen to
Tina?” I muttered to myself. “ She’s a very good, caring person who really helped so many people!” The reality of that moment truly broke my
heart. Tina was very close to me, even if we were apart. I emailed Tina right back and promised that I would visit her in the summer.
I did. Tina and I spent a day at the Capitol Hill, sharing stories — our life stories — that have changed with time. Our circumstances are
different from when we first met 20 years ago. But to me, Tina has not changed a bit. I will forever love her as my friend … my landlady when I
was in D.C.
in-a-lifetime experience worthwhile, and keep me from losing my sanity.
I was billeted for three days at Dupont Hotel, just a stone’s throw from the office of the American Political Science Association, our host at D.
C. The hotel’s greeter, named Lito, was a tall fiftyish-year-old guy from the Philippines. I was so happy and thankful to meet a kababayan
(countryman) in D.C. Once we talked about my circumstance — that I had to look for an apartment to stay for 10 months while doing my
fellowship at the U.S. Congress — Manong Lito (Manong, an Ilocano word meaning “older brother”) suggested that I meet his sister-in-law, Tina
Austria, who lived alone in a big, nice house in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He said Tina would be a perfect landlady for me because she’s also a
Filipina who shared my values and that she’d treat me like family.
Tina
Tina was easy to like. She welcomed me right away and treated me like a younger sister. I became part of Tina’s
family, most of whom lived close by. Tina was considered the “matriarch” of her family, although she wasn’t the oldest of the brood. She was the
first to immigrate to the U.S. in the ‘60s, worked as a nanny/housekeeper in the home of a Philippine Embassy official, while completing an
accounting degree at Washington University in the hope of getting a better job. She did land a good job, and years of hard work allowed her to
realize her American Dream. She succeeded in getting her brothers and sisters and their respective families to come to the U.S. in the ‘70s, and
all of them had stood on their own — some owned homes — when I arrived to stay with Tina. Every weekend and on holidays, Tina would take
me to her family and we would chat, laugh, and eat good food. We would go to retail outlets and yard sales and find tons of toys and stuff for
relatives “back home.” I really felt part of her family, and was so grateful to have met them.
Tina was my teacher in ways that were very special to me. She taught me how to adjust to American life — taking public transportation,
choosing healthy food, learning how to answer when ordering fast food, and understanding American practices and behaviors that might have
seemed offensive to the Filipino sensitivity. We shared stories and plenty of good times. In her basement that served as her little gym, Tina
introduced me to regular aerobic exercises using Kathy Smith’s videos. I lost 16 pounds after six months of “training” in Tina’s gym. I took with
me that acquired love for exercise for years to come.
I’d say that my Congressional Fellowship experience, beyond the learning activities in the Capitol, became truly significant and
unforgettable because of Tina. Tina and I continued to keep in touch even after I returned to the
Philippines, although not as often as we would have liked. My work in the legislature under the Cory Aquino government became increasingly
intense, as the People Power Revolution’s impact started to wane. Tina lost her former job, but was hired by a realty firm right away. Both of us
were just too busy to write letters (e-mail was not yet a mainstay). However, we never lost our connection.
When I immigrated to the U.S. in the late ‘90s, I wrote Tina right away. Again we shared stories through mail and holiday cards — of
successes in our families, failures in relationships, sadness for the passing away of close relatives (due to sickness or accident), and some happy
news as well, including weddings and new additions to our families. The Internet has been a wonderful means to connect to each other more
often than ever.
Early this year, Tina told me that she was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder in August 2007 and that she was undergoing chemotherapy
and radiation. The bad news shocked me as I cried in front of my computer in search for answers. “God, how could you allow this to happen to
Tina?” I muttered to myself. “ She’s a very good, caring person who really helped so many people!” The reality of that moment truly broke my
heart. Tina was very close to me, even if we were apart. I emailed Tina right back and promised that I would visit her in the summer.
I did. Tina and I spent a day at the Capitol Hill, sharing stories — our life stories — that have changed with time. Our circumstances are
different from when we first met 20 years ago. But to me, Tina has not changed a bit. I will forever love her as my friend … my landlady when I
was in D.C.
By Heidi M. Pascual
It was bitter cold when I first set foot in Washington, D.C. in early November 1987. My body wasn’t
used to this temperature because I came from a tropical country. I was trembling as my hands and feet
started to freeze, even before I stepped out of the airport. My no-lining cotton blazer covering a silk dress
was definitely no match to the frigid temperature that obviously required a thick, blanket-like cover.
But I was on a mission, so I knew I had to adjust to whatever season it was going to be. I was tasked
with representing my country as an international fellow in the United States Congress for 10 months. It
was an honor not every Filipino — man or woman — is blessed to receive in his/her lifetime. For a
woman who came from a poor, squatters’ area in Metro Manila, it was an accomplishment to just reach
America. To have reached it with all-expenses paid for by Asia Foundation (an American agency), it
was better than best.
After a three-day orientation for new congressional fellows in San Francisco and a thorough reading
of our training manual, I was confident I was going to make my country proud. My “yes, I can” mode was
turned on so high, that I already had a strategy on how to land a “job” in the office of a member of the U.
S. House of Representatives or the Senate. But I was miserable the first few days. I had no family,
relative, friend nor acquaintance in this part of America. No matter how hard I tried to ignore feelings of
isolation and severe sadness, I cried my heart out whenever I thought about my three young children
back home, which was every day. It was the first time I would be away for a long time, and although I
had made sure my children were taken care of by reliable relatives, I was gripped with sadness,
especially at night.
Eventually, I convinced myself that I must rely heavily on my ability to survive and connect to
It was bitter cold when I first set foot in Washington, D.C. in early November 1987. My body wasn’t
used to this temperature because I came from a tropical country. I was trembling as my hands and feet
started to freeze, even before I stepped out of the airport. My no-lining cotton blazer covering a silk dress
was definitely no match to the frigid temperature that obviously required a thick, blanket-like cover.
But I was on a mission, so I knew I had to adjust to whatever season it was going to be. I was tasked
with representing my country as an international fellow in the United States Congress for 10 months. It
was an honor not every Filipino — man or woman — is blessed to receive in his/her lifetime. For a
woman who came from a poor, squatters’ area in Metro Manila, it was an accomplishment to just reach
America. To have reached it with all-expenses paid for by Asia Foundation (an American agency), it
was better than best.
After a three-day orientation for new congressional fellows in San Francisco and a thorough reading
of our training manual, I was confident I was going to make my country proud. My “yes, I can” mode was
turned on so high, that I already had a strategy on how to land a “job” in the office of a member of the U.
S. House of Representatives or the Senate. But I was miserable the first few days. I had no family,
relative, friend nor acquaintance in this part of America. No matter how hard I tried to ignore feelings of
isolation and severe sadness, I cried my heart out whenever I thought about my three young children
back home, which was every day. It was the first time I would be away for a long time, and although I
had made sure my children were taken care of by reliable relatives, I was gripped with sadness,
especially at night.
Eventually, I convinced myself that I must rely heavily on my ability to survive and connect to
I took this photo of Tina Austria
when I visited her last summer in
Washington, D.C..
when I visited her last summer in
Washington, D.C..
| An Asian Wisconzine Exclusive 2009 Tax Season How new tax laws affect your tax returns by Mei-Feng Moe Economic Stimulus Payment The “Rebate” stimulus payment that you received from the IRS was an advance payment for the “Recovery Rebate Credit” that may be claimed on your 2008 tax return. The payment is not taxable but it reduces your credit. When filing your 2008 return, you will need to have the amount of rebate received in order to calculate your credit amount. Recovery Rebate Credit Based on your 2008 tax information, the credit is figured like the economic stimulus payment. You are eligible for the credit if your total earned income, social security benefits, and VA benefits are at least $3,000; or if your total income is more than $8,950 for single or married filing separately; $11,500 for head of household; $14,400 for qualifying widow(er); or $17,900 for married filing jointly. The credit amount is based on your 2008 net income tax liability without figuring in the child tax credit. The maximum credit is $600 ($1,200 if married filing jointly.) The minimum credit is $300 ($600 if married filing jointly.) You can also get an additional $300 for each dependent child under age 17. Keep in mind that the amount of stimulus payment that you received reduces your credit. But if you received more stimulus payment than your 2008 credit amount, you don’t have to pay back the difference. First-Time Homebuyer Credit If you bought your main home in the United States after April 8, 2008 and before July 1, 2009 and did not own a home in the past three years prior to buying your home, you may be able to claim this refundable credit if the home was not purchased from a related party and your modified adjusted gross income is under $95,000 ($170,000 for married filing jointly.) The credit amount is the smaller of $7,500 ($3,750 if married filing separately), or 10 percent of the purchase price of your home. It works much like an interest-free loan because the credit must be paid back over a 15-year period starting in 2010 if you claim the credit on your 2008 return. If you purchase a home in 2009 during the qualifying period, you have the option of claiming this credit on your original or amended 2008 return, or you may wait until you file your 2009 return. If the credit is claimed on a 2009 return, the 15-year pay-back period will start in 2011. Additional Standard Deduction In addition to the annual increase of standard deduction due to inflation adjustments, the standard deduction (for taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions) is increased by the amount of real estate taxes you paid (that would be deductible on schedule A if you were itemizing deductions), up to $500 ($1,000 if married filing jointly.) The standard deduction is also increased by the amount of net disaster loss from a federally declared disaster. (The 10 percent of adjusted gross income reduction when calculating personal casualty loss does not apply to losses that occurred in a federally declared disaster area.) Capital Gain Tax Rate For the 2008 tax year only, the 5 percent capital gain tax rate is reduced to zero. The zero tax applies to long-term capital gain and qualified dividends that fall in the lower income tax brackets (15 percent and under.) The 15 percent tax rate for long-term capital gain and qualified dividends that fall in the 25 percent or higher tax brackets remain the same. Extended Tax Breaks Several tax provisions that were scheduled to expire at the end of 2007 were renewed for 2008 and 2009. As a result, eligible taxpayers may claim the credit for DC first-time home buying and the deductions for educator expenses, qualified tuition and fees, state and local sales tax. The exclusion of taxable distributions of up to $100,000 from IRA funds contributed directly to a charity, was also extended through 12/31/09. The non-business energy property credit for insulation, exterior door and windows, furnaces, water heaters and other energy-saving improvements to a main home is not available in 2008 but will return in 2009. Alternative Minimum Tax For tax year 2008, Congress raised the alternative minimum tax exemption amounts to be $69,950 for married filing jointly and qualifying widow (er); $46,200 for single and head of household, and $34,975 for married filing separately. The allowance of certain personal credits against the alternative minimum tax has expired, including child care credit, education credit, mortgage interest credit and DC first-time home buyer credit. Kiddie Tax In the past, this tax applied to children under a certain age with a certain amount of investment income. If a child’s investment income (defined as all income other than earned income) is more than $1,800 in 2008, part of the child’s income may be taxed at the parent’s tax rate. Beginning in 2008, the Kiddie Tax rule applies to children under age 18, children who were 18 at the end of the year but did not have earned income that’s more than half of their support, and full-time students who are over age 18 but under age 24 and did not have earned income that’ s more than half of their support. Mei-Feng Moe (May) is a Master Tax Advisor certified by H&R Block. In addition to giving tax advice and preparing income tax returns, she has also been teaching income tax courses for a number of years. She is an Enrolled Agent who may represent clients before the IRS. She also holds series 6 and series 63 security licenses. May writes a regular column on taxation in Asian Wisconzine. Visit www.asianwisconzine.com for more information. |