010318 - Los Angeles Midweek Edition

January 3-5, 2018 Volume 27 - No. 106 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

Palace credits Duterte for Filipinos’ optimism in 2018 PH ranks 3rd happiest country in the world

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE Filipinos’ optimism on the prospects for 2018 can be attributed to the leadership of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said on Tuesday, January 2.

While noting that Filipinos are already known for their resilient personalities, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the “changes” brought by the Duterte administration caused positive ef-

Despite disasters, calamities and conflict, the Philippines ranked third among the happiest countries of the world, according to a global polling body. In Gallup International’s 41st annual global year-end poll, the Philippines retained the third spot with a +84 net happiness score in the top 10 happiest countries of 2017.

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DATELINE

RARE ENCOUNTER. President Rodrigo Duterte greets Vice President Leni Robredo upon his arrival at the Rizal Park in Manila for his attendance at the 121st Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal’s Martyrdom on December 30, 2017. Also in photo is former president and incumbent Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Inquirer.net photo

USA

Malacañang photo by rey Baniquet

The Asian Journal’s yearend report The year that was 2017: A review

by ASIAN JOURNAL

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

City of Carson celebrates life of Rizal and becomes sister city of Parañaque

THE City of Carson, along with the Philippine Consulate General Los Angeles, the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument Movement (JPRMM), Kalayaan Incorporated, and the Knights of Rizal, all came together on Friday, December 29 in commemoration of the 5th Annual Rizal Day and 121st Martyrdom Anniversary of Philippine national hero Jose P. Rizal at the Internaitonal Sculpture Garden in Carson, California.

Special guests included former City of Carson mayor Jim Dear, and Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez of Parañaque, Philippines and his delegation.

“On behalf of the one million people of Parañaque City, we would like to convey our sincerest thanks for giving us the opportunity to be with you today in the celebration of the 121st anniversary of the martyrdom of our beloved hero, Dr. Jose Rizal,” said Olivarez.

“Activities here today clearly show our patriotism, and although we came from dif-

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THE year 2017 was full of surprises — both good and bad — in government, politics, social issues, world events and calamities.

Both the Philippines and the United States had presidents who became controversial because of

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit held in Manila in November last year.

Malacañang photo

TEAM

their respective leadership styles. Disasters (natural and manmade) also changed people’s lives forever, and continued to push for discussions about climate change, violence and gun control.

The Asian Journal looks back at the past year’s most pressing news it has covered through this yearend review.

PHILIPPINES Build, Build, Build and tourism projects: PH’s golden age of infrastructure The Philippines took the headlines when it hosted the ASEAN events in 2017 and it had the opportunity to showcase the various infrastructure projects that it has undertaken as part of the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” campaign.

The administration’s economic managers continued what they started in 2016 and are looking forward to the three-year rolling infrastructure program (TRIP) of the government which has a P3.6 trillion from 2018 to 2020 which they are hoping would usher in what is touted as the golden age of infrastructure.

All of these, including the upgrade of numerous facilities in the country so that more tourists are able to come and visit the variou s islands, are part of “Dutertenomics”. For 2018, funding of P1.13 trillion would be allocated for projects under TRIP which would cover infrastructure projects for transportation, water resources, sewerage and sanitation, flood manage-

Trump’s first year in office

The Asian Journal looks back on the 45th president’s controversial first 12 months

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA/AJPress

E V E R Y president’s first year in office is important and widely observed.

Meant to set the tone for the rest of his presidency, the first year often gives us a preview of how the rest of the term will transpire. Pres. Donald Trump White House photo U.S. President Donald Trump’s first year as president was nothing, if not, exhaustingly eventful. Whether he was causing a storm on Twitter or announcing new policies which shocked the nation (often simultaneously), it’s no doubt that he accomplished many of his campaign promises.

Finishing off the year with a 32 percent ap-

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Philippines population to hit 107 million in 2018 Marcoses deny hand

by SHEILA

CRISOSTOMO Philstar.com

Citing projections by the Philippine Statistics Authority based on the latest census in 2015, PopCom executive director Juan Antonio Perez III said the population was estimated to grow to 107,190,081 by Dec. 31 from 105,377,586 in 2017.

Philstar.com photo

MANILA — From 105.53 million last year, the country’s population will rise to 107.19 million by the end of 2018, the Commission on Population (PopCom) said on Tuesday, January 2.

Citing projections by the Philippine Statistics Authority based on the latest census in 2015, PopCom executive director Juan Antonio Perez III said the population was estimated to grow to 107,190,081 by Dec. 31 from 105,377,586 in 2017.

Perez said the increase would be boosted by some 1.8 million babies expected to be born this year, representing a growth rate of 1.69 percent.

“That means we will be adding 4,953 Filipinos per day, or 206

every hour in 2018,” he told The Star.

Contraceptives According to Perez, the lifting of the temporary restraining order of the Supreme Court on contraceptives will not have a direct impact on the population this year.

“The direct impact will be on the availability of almost 400,000 implants for the program. The other effect will be on the procurement of pills, now deficient or out of stock but will not happen until next year,” he said.

Perez said the implants can take the place of some pills whose licenses have expired and are not yet available for the family planning program.

“That’s what we’re pushing now — that they be used before they expire — late this year to early 2019,” he said. ■

in Lozano’s draft deal on ‘ill gotten wealth’

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

The former senator also clarified that lawyer Oliver Lozano, a FORMER Senator Ferdinand known Marcos loyalist, is neither “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tues- affiliated nor represents the Marday, January 2 clarified that his cos family.

“As a point of information, Atfamily had no knowledge of any submitted draft proposal for a torney Oliver Lozano does not compromise deal with the Philip- represent any member of the pine government concerning his Marcos family or the estate of the family’s alleged ill-gotten wealth. late President Ferdinand Mar“The Marcos family has no cos,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, January knowledge or information on the apparent exchange and service of 1, Panelo confirmed that his ofdocument between Attorney Lo- fice received a draft from Lozano zano and the office of Secretary proposing a share of the Mar[Salvador] Panelo,” Marcos said coses’ wealth and properties in in a message to reporters. u PAGE A2

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From the Front Page

Palace credits Duterte...

PAGE A1

fects to the country’s ranking in the global happiness index.

Based on Gallup International’s 41st annual global year-end poll, the Philippines is the third happiest country in the world next to Fiji and Colombia. The Philippines’ net happiness score increased by five points from +79 in 2016 to +84 in 2017.

The survey also placed the Philippines as the fifth most optimistic about the country’s economic prospects and the ninth most hopeful for 2018 prospects.

Welcoming the poll results, Roque remarked the Philippines ranking high in the global happiness index did not come as surprise. “We Filipinos are known as a happy, resilient people. We even manage to smile amid difficulties.

It is therefore not surprising that we rank high in the global happiness index,� the Palace official said.

Citing the Philippines’ fastgrowing economic growth, its record-high stock trading and the record-breaking investments, as well as the liberation of Marawi City in October, Roque said such changes were “reflected in the survey numbers. “ “Hope about the country’s eco-

Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque

nomic prosperity and hope about the new year can be attributed to the palpable change our people have felt under the leadership of [Duterte],� he said. “Our economy is one of the fastest growing in the region.

The local stock market ended the last trading day of 2017 in an all time-high. Board of Investmentsapproved investments are record-breaking. The government decisively liberated Marawi,�

Roque added.

In a report released last November, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) posted a “spectacular� growth of 6.9 percent for the period of July to September or the third quarter of 2017. This made the country the second fastestgrowing economy in Asia next to Vietnam’s 7.46 percent, and

Inquirer.net photo

ahead of China’s 6.8 percent.

The 2017 bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) also capped off in the positive record-high territory after closing last Friday at 8,558.42 points. PSEi racked up a total of 1,717.78 points for the full year of 2017 from the end-2016 level of 6840.64.

In October, the Duterte administration also declared Marawi City liberated in October after being seized by Maute terrorist group for about five months since May. “Our people have, indeed, appreciated these changes as reflected in the survey numbers.

The challenge, therefore, is for us in the government to sustain the pace and momentum of our economic growth and bring it to the greatest number of our people,�

Roque said. n

Marcoses deny hand in Lozano’s...

PAGE A1 exchange of in exchange for the lifting cases against their family.

The Marcos loyalist also suggested the creation of a legal team that would study the government’s compromise agreement with the Marcoses.

Panelo, however, clarified that MalacaĂąang had taken “no actionâ€? on Lozano’s proposal. “The document was sent to the office by Attorney Oliver Lozano,â€? Panelo said. “Our office as a matter of courtesy and policy acknowledges receipt of any letter coming from any citizen. No action has been taken on Attorney Lozano’s proposal.â€?

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also denied that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has already forged an agreement with the late strong-

man’s heirs concerning the family’s wealth. “There is no truth to the allegation that the government has reached a compromise agreement with the family of the late President Ferdinand Marcos,�

Roque said.

In a separate statement, the Palace official also noted that any compromise between the government and the Marcoses would require the approval of Congress. “The president has spoken. He said if there are (Marcos) properties that can be used to support the country, a law is needed. It is clear to the President that the decision does not rest on him alone.

It is also a decision to be made

by Congress because we have a law that punishes those who are guilty of plunder,� Roque told ra-

dio station dzBB. “Such law will be facing a lot of challenges and a law solely about the Marcoses cannot be passed. It will violate what we call the equal protection law. But the President has said any agreement between the government and the Marcoses would require a law,� he added.

In August last year, Duterte revealed the Marcos family has expressed willingness to return their alleged ill-gotten wealth— including few gold bars—back to government.

The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), the commission tasked to recover the alleged ill-gotten wealth from the Marcoses and their cronies, was so far able to recover at least P170.4 billion of the family’s assets. n

The City of Carson along with members of the Philippines Consulate General Los Angeles, the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument Movement, Kalayaan Incorporated, the Knights of Rizal, and delegation members of the City of ParaĂąaque come together in commemoration of the 5th Annual Rizal Day and 121st Martyrdom Anniversary of Philippine national hero Jose P. Rizal in Carson, California.

AJPress photos by Rae Ann Varona

City of Carson celebrates life of Rizal...

PAGE A1 ferent cities and provinces in the Philippines, we still find time to celebrate his life and times,� he added.

Following the singing of both the Philippines and U.S. national anthems was a wreath laying ceremony that started off with the Consul General’s office, followed by the City of Carson, delegation members of Paraùaque, JRPMM, and Kalayaan Incorporated.

The 7-foot bronze statue at which the wreaths were laid was erected in 2012 and was sculpted

by Philippine sculptor Toym de Leon Imao. It is one of the eight in the U.S. sculpted by de Leon, and the first in California.

Olivarez, who has served as ParaĂąaque’s mayor since 2013, described Rizal as being one of this role models. “We will always cherish him in our hearts and as mayor now of ParaĂąaque, he will always be my guide and inspiration in discharging my duties as a public servant,â€? said Olivarez.

Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz described Rizal as being a “true Renaissance man� through his ability to influence progress through thought, even after his death on December 30, 1896 at the age of 35.

The theme for this year’s Rizal commemoration was appropriately “mabuting kaisipan susi ng kaunlaran� (a sound mind is the key to progress).

City of Carson Mayor Albert Robles and City of ParaĂąaque Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez sign into effect their sister city relationship in Carson, California.

“Without knowledge, there can be no development. Without an underlying philosophy, there can be no change. Without excellence, there can be no progress,� said Cruz. “My dear fellow Filipinos in Southern California, in whatever you do, be like Rizal and strive for excellence. Thirst for knowledge and use your abilities and your skills for the betterment of the community and for the betterment of our beloved motherland,� he added.

A reading of Rizal’s last hours by a member of the Order of the Knights of Rizal commenced the memorial.

Following the Rizal remembrance was the official sister city signing ceremony of Carson and ParaĂąaque led by City of Carson

mayor Albert Robles and City of ParaĂąaque mayor Olivarez. “It’s a great opportunity for us in exchange of heritage, culture, tradition, and practice that we could apply in our city to be more progressive and developed just like Carson City,â€? said Olivarez. “I am absolutely ecstatic that our cities are forming this partnership,â€? said Carson mayor Robles, adding that the city also shares a sisterhood with Soka, Japan.

The ceremony came in time for Carson’s 50th city hood anniversary, and Paraùaque’s 20th.

Signing as witnesses were councilmember Santarina of Carson, and councilmember Marvin Santos of ParaĂąaque. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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A January 3-5, 2018 • La MIDWEEK aSIan JOurnaL

Trump’s first year...

PAGE A1 proval rating — a historic low for any president’s first year, according to Pew Research Center — the Trump administration saw many highlights.

Here’s a recap of the 45th United States president’s first year: Tax cuts for middle class, small businesses Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, touting it as the most massive tax cut in the history of the country. The bill is said to lower taxes for middleclass Americans and will supposed bring back jobs to the U.S. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act keeps the number of individual tax brackets at seven but reduces the rates to 10, 12, 22, 24, 32, 35, and 37 percent, increases the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000 for singles and married couples, and roughly doubles the standard deduction.

On the corporate side, the bill reduces the corporate tax rate from 35 to 21 percent and also eliminates the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate, which requires individuals to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty to the IRS. “At a time when many Americans still living paycheck-to-paycheck, tax reform means more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks,” said Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R., Wis.). “Already, workers are reaping the benefits of reform as companies take steps to reward their employees and expand their businesses.”

“Soon, workers will begin to see bigger paychecks as new withholding tables take effect,” he said.

“Typical families of four can expect a tax cut of $2,059 next year as rates are lowered across the board.

That is what this is all about: helping people earn more and keep more of what they earn.”

Travel ban to make America safe again?

For his major first act as president, Trump decided to tackle an oft-mentioned issue of his presidential campaign: immigration.

Just days after his inauguration, Trump signed the controversial Executive Order 13769, which called for a temporary 120-day ban on all travel from nationals hailing from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia, countries which Trump said could jeopardize on the nation’s security.

A subsequent version of the ban allowed those who could provide a bona fide relationship with an individual or entity in the U.S. entry into the country. Another version

also included North Korea and Venezuela in the ban while eliminating Iraq and Sudan as affected countries.

Closely reported by the Asian Journal this year, the travel ban went on to have a rocky year, the administration putting out three versions, all of which have been blocked by federal judges in Maryland and Hawaii for violating the Constitution and for not providing enough evidence the ban is a necessity for national security.

“To the extent that the Government might have provided additional evidence to establish that national security is now the primary purpose for the ban, it has not done so,” U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang of Hawaii wrote in October in a ruling blocking the ban.

DREAMers react to rescission of DACA Despite previously promising to protect undocumented youth, the president announced the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in September.

DACA was put into law in 2012 by former President Barack Obama, and it provided temporary relief from deportation, allowed DREAMers to gain work authorization, relief from deportation and driver’s licenses. (Specific benefits vary depending on the state.)

“It is reprehensible that the president is now attempting to use these young people as bargaining chips to advance his anti-immigrant agenda,” Rep Judy Chu (D-Calif.), who represents Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley area in Congress, said in the statement in November.

“The White House should not play politics with the lives of our nation’s DREAMers. If the bipartisan, bicameral DREAM Act were brought to the floor today, it would have the votes to pass,” Chu asserted. “I urge my Republican colleagues to do the right thing and allow us to vote on a clean DREAM Act before Congress adjourns in December.”

The announcement of DACA’s termination caused a stir across the country, especially in the immigrant communities across the country.

As previously reported in the Asian Journal, Congress has agreed to push back conversations on a solution for DREAMers until January 2018, whether it’s a legislative alternative to DACA or a clean DREAM Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship for all eligible undocumented

From the Front Page

youth.

Multiple vacation days spent golfing or at Trump properties One of the many criticisms Trump faced in his first year was the number of days spent at one of his properties. During his campaign, he promised his supporters that he would spend time working and less time golfing, a point for which he criticized former President Barack Obama. “@BarackObama played golf yesterday. Now he heads to a 10 day vacation in Martha’s Vineyard.

Nice work ethic,” he tweeted in 2011.

Trump remarked at a campaign event in August 2016, “I’m going to be working for you. I’m not going to have time to go play golf.”

Yet, he somehow did find time to play golf. By the end of March, he had already logged 19 days at Trump-owned properties and had played golf on 11 of those days.

As of December 29, 2017, Trump has spent 85 days golfing, costing at least $42,510,956 of taxpayer money, according to The Washington Post. Additionally, he has spent 35 days at his Florida resort, Mar-A-Lago, which had cost taxpayers $6.6 million by July.

Remarks on white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, VA After the nation was shaken by the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 12 attended by white supremacists, members of the KKK and neoNazi’s, Trump failed to outrightly condemn white supremacy.

Trump, days after the rally (which claimed the life of 32-yearold counter protester Heather Heyer, who was purposefully hit by a white supremacist), asserted that there was “blame on both sides,” a remark that was criticized for being soft on white supremacy and the KKK. Trump falsely claimed that the people protesting the taking down of a statue of Confederate leader Robert E. Lee “were protesting very quietly.” In fact, the protesters were chanting Hitler-era antiSemitic chants, such as “Jews will not replace us,” and “blood and soil.”

Trump added that he thought that among the protesters, there are “some very fine people,” a point which angered many on both sides of the aisle.

“President Donald Trump wanted to know the facts. Just let that sink in for a moment,” renowned journalist Anderson Cooper said on CNN on August 15. “If there is anything we already know about this president, is that he does not wait for facts to become clear before speaking. Has any president

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The Asian Journal’s yearend...

PAGE A1 ment, solid waste management, maritime, social infrastructure, energy, information communications technology and others.

The “Build, Build, Build” team of the Duterte administration includes Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Vince Dizon and NEDA chief Ernesto Pernia, among others. Together, they announced the administration’s major projects at an investment and infrastructure forum held in Manila last April.

As far as the Department of Tourism is concerned on the other hand, it is about getting the tourists from around the world visit the country. It also launched the Bring Home A Friend project in 2017 in order to entice more visitors as well as enticing all Filipinos to become tourism ambassadors themselves.

The year began with the country on a high after hosting Miss Universe for the third time in December 2016, and it ended, quite aptly, with Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa and Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere of France visiting the Philippines last month.

Along with the candidates of Canada, China, Great Britain, India, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain and the U.S., the Miss Universe titlists had a tour a tour around Rizal Park and the walled city of Intramuros and went on to visit Batanes, Bohol and Camiguin.

Tourism Secretary Teo said they chose the three provinces because these were not part of the destinations visited by the Miss Universe candidates during the 2016 pageant in Manila.

Tourism boost: PH islands among best in the world Philippine tourism got another boost since the country was recognized yet again for having the best islands in the world by international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler. This, despite the country’s various tourism promotion hullaballoos of the government.

After all, the Philippine islands’ are just so stunning that no controversy could ever prevent tourist from coming in the country’s attractive islands.

Boracay, Cebu, and Palawan u PAGE A5 were ranked as the top three best islands in the world, according to Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2017. Boracay was ranked first in the survey, while Cebu and Palawan placed second and third, respectively. The three Philippine islands bested some popular destinations such as Mallorca and Ibiza in Spain; Cayman Islands; Mauritius; Mykonos and Santorini in Greece; and Bali, Indonesia.

Palawan is home to popular tourist destinations like Puerto Princesa and El Nido. Palawan’s capital Puerto Princesa is known for being the gateway for tours of the famous Underground River.

One of the river’s distinguishing features, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is that it emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. UNESCO also emphasized the role of the Underground River as habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full ‘ridge-to-reef’ ecosystem and has some of the most important rainforests in Asia.

El Nido, meanwhile, is considered as the to-go place for those who want to go island- and lagoonhopping. Coron, northern part of mainland Palawan, is popular for its wreck diving spots. Boracay Island, on the other hand, is known all the world over for its unique, powdery white sand. Boracay saw its tourism spike to a record high of 1.7 million visitors, as well as numerous new developments, including a new mall which houses the island’s first cinema. Cebu on the other hand, was picked by the Department of Tourism as a model for sustainable tourism development in September 2017. The program that aims to build capacity and capability of the industry in the Philippines. The program shall strengthen Cebu’s competitiveness as a sustainable tourism model in the following areas: a) Business Tourism in Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events (BTMICE), and b) Expanding

Senator Richard Gordon (left), chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, greets former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino (right) III before the start of the hearing on the P3.5 billion worth of questionable dengue vaccines that had been administered by the Department of Health (DOH) to 280,000 students nationwide allegedly without passing through World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification requirements.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

Malacañang said it is ready to face the Supreme Court to defend President Rodrigo Duterte’s extended martial law powers across Mindanao, after opposition lawmakers challenged the prolonged declaration before the tribunal.

Philstar.com photo

Business Tourism by integrating leisure products such as Cultural and Heritage Tourism and Ecotourism. (Jennifer Soriano) PH hosts ASEAN Summit with Trump, Duterte meeting in person for first time Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had his first bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on November 13 in Manila.

U.S. politicians had urged Trump to confront Duterte on the drug war, but it was unclear whether the two leaders discussed the controversial campaign during their first meeting, as Malacañang and White House gave contrasting statements. According to Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque, the issue of human rights “was not brought up” during their talk, while White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders claimed that human rights “briefly came up in the context of the Philippines’ fight against illegal drugs.”

Earlier on November 8, Duterte, who’s known for issuing expletive responses to critics of his drug war, said he was prepared to tell Trump to “lay off” if he raised the issue of human rights during their bilateral meeting.

Prior to their meeting, Trump hailed his “great relationship” with Duterte, saying he “really enjoyed” being in the Philippines. Both leaders also lauded the “enduring” alliance between the Philippines and the United States, which they said were “built on a strong foundation of shared values, sacrifices, and history.”

With the Philippines as this year’s chair, Malacañang said it considers the country’s hosting of the 31st ASEAN Summit a “tremendous success.” During summits and sideline meetings, world leaders discussed hot topics from economic integration to security issues and territorial disputes.

Among the centerpiece of the Philippines’ chairmanship include the beginning of negotiations between China and ASEAN countries for a code of conduct in the highly disputed South China Sea, as well as the signing of signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Hongkong and ASEAN countries.

In his meeting with Duterte, Trump also agreed to consider signing an FTA with the Philippines. (Dana M. Sioson) Duterte tops TIME’s most influential poll Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s popularity reached the whole world when Time Magazine announced that he topped the 100 most influential people poll on April 2017.

In a survey where Time Magazine has asked its readers who should be included in this years’ TIME 100, an annual list of the world’s most influential people, Duterte received 5 percent of “yes” votes in the online poll, ranking well ahead of all other global political leaders. Accordingly, the Philippine president consistently topped the survey which ran from

In this file photo, a Philippine police SWAT member stands guard as police operatives examine the scene where two bodies lay on a road after being killed in a police drug “buy-bust” operation.

Inquirer.net photo

March 24 to April 16, 2017.

Duterte bested the charming Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Pope Francis, Bill Gates, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in the said survey. The four each received 3 percent of “yes” votes. United States President Donald Trump, meanwhile, only received 2 percent of the vote, same with Russia’s strongman Vladimir Putin and Germany’s Angela Merkel. There were 114 predetermined personalities included in the survey ranging from politics to the arts and culture.

Duterte’s bloody war against illegal drugs has received international attention, in addition to his widely-covered insults to various foreign leaders who goes against his way of running his country.

Analysts and critics commented that the recognition was not clear if Duterte was chosen as a positive influence. (Jennifer Soriano) Duterte admin ends year with landmark tax reform The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) is the first package of the tax program envisioned by President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, which seeks to correct a number of deficiencies in the tax system to make it simpler, fairer, and more efficient.

TRAIN plans to reduce personal income tax rate and increase excise taxes on petroleum products, automobiles, sugar-sweetened beverages, and tobacco. The valueadded (VAT) tax base will also be expanded in a bid to benefit small businesses. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the tax increases will provide a steady revenue stream for the government’s Build Build Build infrastructure program, which is set to reach P9 trillion over the medium term.

The Senate voted 17-1 to pass the tax package on its final reading in December. Senate Bill No. 1592, the chamber’s version of the proposed law, was sponsored

by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara.

According to him, 60 percent of the incremental revenues will go to infrastructure programs, 27 percent will be allocated to social protection programs including the unconditional cash transfer to the poorest 10 million Filipino families and health, nutrition, and antihunger programs, while 13 percent will be allocated to military modernization programs.

The TRAIN bill, implemented on January 1, 2018, is expected to generate P130 billion. (Ritchel Mendiola) PH’s EJKs, drug war continue Despite outcry and condemnation from within the Philippines and around the world, the Duterte administration claimed that its campaign against illegal drugs was “hugely successful” in 2017.

In its yearend report, Malacañang said authorities conducted 79,193 anti-drug operations and were able to arrest 118,287 individuals as of November 27, 2017.

It also recorded a total of 3,967 “drug personalities” who died in anti-drug operations during the same period.

On the other hand, human rights groups, such as Amnesty International (AI) and Human Rights Watch (HRW), have repeatedly condemned Duterte’s “brutal” drug war, citing deaths of around 12,000 individuals, including children. According to AI, more than 50 children have died in “a wave of unlawful killings” in the Philippines. Critics, even Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo herself, claimed the existence of extrajudicial killings in the country despite the repeated denial of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In October, Duterte ordered

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Dateline PhiliPPines

PH can get $100 million from UN for underfunded or ‘forgotten’ emergencies

by Dona

Z. PaZZibugan Inquirer.net

THE Philippines is among nine countries that can avail of at least $100 million in funding from the United Nations in 2018 for underfunded or “forgotten” emergencies.

The funds will come from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), a voluntary fund pool that supports critical relief operations in crises around the world.

During a pledging conference in New York on Dec. 8, UN Secretary General António Guterres said the CERF would allocate $100 million each for nine countries with “underfunded emergencies.”

Aside from the Philippines, the other countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Mali, Eritrea, Haiti and Pakistan.

Under the grant program, the CERF invites partners to identify projects that could qualify under CERF’s guidelines for underfunded emergencies. The CERF defines “underfunded emergencies” as crises that cannot be funded sufficiently by governments and appear to have been “forgotten.”

While local nongovernment organizations cannot directly receive funds from the CERF, they are encouraged to get involved in the process because they often serve as implementing partners.

The CERF is replenished every

year and Guterres said the UN General Assembly passed a resolution in 2016 increasing CERF’s annual funding target from $450 million to $1 billion due to increasing humanitarian needs globally.

Protracted crises from longrunning conflicts and the impact of natural disasters are likely to continue in 2018, he said, while the impact of climate change was likely to grow and intensify.

In 2017, CERF reached a record high income of $504 million through additional commitments made by donors, according to the United Nations.

Created in 2005, the CERF is managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. n

‘Duterte’s TRAIN bound for Supreme Court’

MANILA — Left-leaning opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives yesterday, January 2 vowed to bring President Duterte’s Republic Act 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law before the Supreme Court, saying it is anti-poor.

“We will challenge the legality of this runaway TRAIN as it was railroaded in the House without the required quorum and distribution of approved copies to the members,” Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate of party-list Bayan Muna disclosed.

Zarate said they are “carefully studying” the filing of a case to stop the TRAIN implementation, which they claimed would “hit 15.2 million poor families the hardest.”

He branded the tax reform package as a “price shock” that would hit the poor hardest because that sector would have to shell out more money than gain higher take-home pay.

He believes the effect of this “price shock can be crippling to the 15.2 million poor families and even to the whole economy.”

The lawmaker cited a state-

Trump’s first year...

PAGE A4 in modern history lied so fast and so frequently as this one?”

Investigation into possible Russian collusion in the 2016 election What may be this generation’s Watergate, the investigation into Russian collusion, aided by the Trump campaign, dominated headlines this year.

Despite Trump denying collusion, the investigation was a whirlwind. However, it was found that many individuals from the Trump team — former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former campaign manager Paul Manafort, Manafort’s deputy Richard Gates, campaign adviser George Papado-

poulos (who said he had connections that could help set up a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the campaign) — have confirmed having contacts with people tied to the Russian government during the campaign.

In a tweet released in July, Trump’s son, Donald Trump, Jr., revealed that during the campaign, he corresponded with a tabloid reporter Rob Goldstone about a Kremlin-connected lawyer who claimed to have damaging information on then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton that would secure a Trump win.

“This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is

ment made by IBON Foundation, a leftist think tank, which lauded income tax cuts for deserving workers but questioned the government claim on the number of Filipinos that will benefit from the TRAIN law.

“While Filipino families certainly deserve income tax cuts to cope with rising costs of living, it is misleading to claim that 6.8 million Filipinos will benefit from TRAIN as this figure includes millions of minimum wage earners already exempted by law,” Zarate said. (Delon Porcalla and Paolo Romero/Philstar.com)

part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump,” an email from Goldstone said.

Headed by special counsel Robert Mueller (FBI director from 2001-2013), the investigation team has heard testimonies from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions (who had lied about inappropriate contacts with Russians during the transition period and then recused himself from the investigation as head of the Justice Department), Papadopoulos and many others connected to the allegations.

The probe slated to continue with hearings from other figures in the Trump campaign, but there is still no clear answer to the central question: did Trump and his team collude with the Russian government during the presidential campaign? n

The Asian Journal’s yearend...

PAGE A4 the PNP out of the drug war amid public protest over alleged police abuses and killings of suspects— including teenagers like 17-yearold Kian Delos Santos, who was killed during a drug war operation in Caloocan City. Police claimed that Delos Santos violently resisted arrest, but witnesses and forensic reports stated otherwise. During the first week of December, the president, however, brought the PNP back in his drug war.

Duterte’s drug war earned him the 2017’s “Person of the Year” title, an annual recognition given by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to an individual who “has done the most in the world to advance organized criminal activity and corruption.”

“While [Duterte] is not your typical corrupt leader, he has empowered corruption in an innovative way. His death squads have allegedly focused on criminals but, in fact, are less discriminating,” Drew Sullivan, editor for OCCRP and one of the judges for selection, wrote. (Dana Sioson) Martial law declared in Mindanao amid Marawi crisis Under Proclamation No. 216, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law and suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the entire Mindanao on May 23, 2017 after the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute terrorist group launched a brazen attack on Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. Duterte’s 60-day proclamation was originally set to expire in June 22, but Congress first extended it until the end of 2017.

The fighting between terrorists and government forces lasted for five months, resulting to deaths of at least 847 rebels, 163 government troopers and 47 civilians. On October 16, the Defense Department confirmed the deaths of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Maute group leader Omar Maute.

The government declared Marawi crisis over in October 23, and has since shifted its focus in rehabilitating the war-torn city.

Despite announcing the city’s liberation from the Maute rebels, Duterte asked for another martial law extension in Mindanao for the “total eradication” of terrorist groups and their supporters. On December 13, Congress approved the Duterte’s bid to retain martial law until December 31, 2018—a

move questioned by opposition lawmakers. On December 27, the House of Representatives’ socalled “Magnificent Seven” filed a petition challenging the constitutionality of the second martial law extension, saying there is there is “no actual rebellion” in Mindanao.

(Dana Sioson) Dengvaxia vaccine controversy A dengue vaccine intended to protect thousands of children from the disease may have put all their lives at risk. The Philippines was the first Asian country to approve the sale of the world’s first-ever dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, manufactured by French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur. A whopping P3.5 billion was allocated by the government to buy vaccines that will be administered to 9year-old students in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.

The school-based immunization program led by then-Health Secretary Janette Garin was launched in April 2016, under the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III, despite the risks it could pose to Filipinos since studies on its safety were still being conducted that time, causing health experts to raise concerns. Around 800,000 children have been immunized ever since. Issues about the vaccine’s efficacy, safety, costefficacy, and alleged anomalies during the procurement process have surfaced from then.

On November 29, 2017, Sanofi Pasteur issued a warning against its own vaccine, which is a huge blow to the vaccination program in the country as it is already more than a year into implementation.

Sanofi claimed that new analysis of six years worth of data revealed Dengvaxia could lead to more cases of severe disease when administered to a person who has never been infected. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III suspended the program, saying the DOH will closely monitor the health of all the immunized children in the next five years.

Meanwhile, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee began its probe into the dengue vaccine controversy. Aquino, Garin, former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, and former Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. now face graft charges over the dengue vaccine program implemented during their term.

(Ritchel Mendiola)

Marcos’ protest against vice presidential race results gains ground On the eve of Vice President Leni Robredo’s oath-taking in June 2016, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. claimed that there had been massive cheating in the polls and claimed that the vice presidency was taken from him. This led to Marcos filing an election protest versus Robredo before the Supreme Court (SC) sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), wherein he contested that the results in 27 cities and provinces, covering 39,221 clustered precincts which were composed of 132,446 established precincts.

Robredo, meanwhile, filed a counter-protest, asking the SC to junk Marcos’ protest since the change in the hash code did not affect the election results. Her camp also argued that Marcos’ camp did not specify how the alleged cheating occurred in the first place, failing to show evidence of cheating in the Mindanao provinces where he wanted the votes nullified.

On January 2017, Marcos’ lawyer urged the PET to move forward with the election protest, setting a preliminary conference wherein issues will be simplified.

Marcos’ protest was declared sufficient in form and substance then, on February 2017, and the PET denied Robredo’s appeal to junk the protest. Due to this, Robredo filed a motion for reconsideration on her denied appeal, which Marcos’ camp claimed was a way to delay the proceedings. A fee of P66 million for Marcos and P15.43 million for Robredo were ordered as service fees for the contested precincts, which both paid before their respective deadlines.

Marcos’ preliminary conference was reset on July 11, 2017 and on the same day, the PET ordered the creation of a panel of commissioners over the matters of the case.

Marcos submitted 8,000 names in his list of proposed witnesses of alleged electoral fraud in the three ARMM provinces. The decryption and printing of the ballot images for Marcos’ three pilot provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental began on October 23 but was deferred by PET on November 7. The recount of votes will begin on February 2018. (Ritchel Mendiola) The year of impeachment: Bautista, Sereno and Morales Three top officials of the country, who were appointees of for-

u PAGE A7

A6 JANUARY 3-5, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

OPINION

Reason to hope

FEATURES

As in previous years, Filipinos are greeting the new year with high hopes.

Since the Social Weather Stations Inc. began polling hopefulness on the eve of a new year, the number has always been in the 90s. The latest survey has been no different, with 96 percent greeting 2018 with hope rather than fear, according to the SWS poll taken nationwide from Dec. 8 to 16.

The SWS described it as an all-time high since the pollster first asked the question in 2000, although it was just a notch above the previous high of 95 percent, recorded in 2002, 2011 and 2016. Filipinos are generally optimistic and resilient amid adversity, managing to be cheerful even when surrounded by death and destruction.

And optimism is heightened in the changing of the year.

People will need a lot of optimism and resilience in facing the challenges of the year ahead.

The tax reform package, although cutting income taxes, is expected to trigger inflation as hefty excise taxes are slapped on petroleum products including diesel, the fuel of most public utility vehicles, and cooking gas.

In Metro Manila, authorities have warned of worse traffic until the end of President Duterte’s term as vital public works projects get underway, with little hope in sight for an improvement in the light railway services.

Economic figures were rosy in 2017, but the main challenge remains: making the benefits of growth trickle down to the grassroots. Inclusive growth is impossible in a nation where many laws and rules are designed to give enormous advantage to a miniscule fraction of the population. But reforms are always possible to make growth equitable.

With sustained growth and strong macroeconomic fundamentals, life could be better in the coming year, especially if combined with good governance. Even in times of misfortune, Filipinos live with the certainty that the darkest night always gives way to light. The best government works to give the public reason to be hopeful that things will be better.

May you all enjoy the blessings of the New Year! (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Kababayans react to Fil-Am leaders’ challenge to President Rodrigo Duterte FILIPINO-AMERICAN human rights advocates and community The Fil-Am leaders wrote a letter to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Perspective citing their concerns about the growing number of deaths in the hands of law enforcers in Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.

They cited Amnesty Interna- GEL SANTOS-RELOS tional, which recently published reports about “the extrajudicial killings of over 7,000 persons suspected of dealing in illegal drugs or being simply drug addicts since you took office, with a third of these credibly attributed to actions by the PNP and/or state actors.”

The letter also noted the “U.S. Department of State’s 2017 Human Rights Report also stated that ‘police and unknown vigilantes have killed more than 6,000 suspected drug dealers and users’ in the Philippines between July and December 2016, a period during which extrajudicial killings ‘increased sharply’ and allegedly undertaken by vigilantes, security forces, and insurgents.”

The Fil-Am leaders’ letter asked Duterte: • To condemn all extrajudicial executions and other unlawful killings and call on law enforcement officials to abide strictly by international law and standards on the use of force; • To ensure prompt, independent and impartial investigations into all reports of use of lethal force by the police, extrajudicial executions, and other unlawful killings; • To ensure that those responsible are brought to justice through a fair trial process; • To provide programs to rehabilitate drug addicts which is a proven way to stem illegal drug trafficking and usage.

ANOTHER group of Fil-Am community leaders — U.S. Pinoys for Real Change in the Philippines (USPRCP) — responded and requested to present their perspective on the issue.

From Atty. Arnedo Valera, chairman of the USPRCP: “These human right groups continue to mis-

characterize the Philippine drug war. Once again, there [are] no state-sanctioned killings in this drug war. The concept of EJKs has been abused by political propagandist and enemies of this administration and the negative campaign continues to be reechoed by human rights groups in the U.S. These are the real numbers: 1. There are 79,193 Anti-drug operations conducted from July 1, 2016 to November 27, 2017; 2. More than 118,000 drug personalities have been arrested from July 1, 2016, November 27, 2017.

3. There are now more than 1.3 million drug addicts and surrenderees from July 1, 2016 to July 26, 2017; AS of September 2017, more than 16,000 drug dependents are undergoing DOH drug rehabilitation programs.

More than 2,200 drug dependents have already completed DOH drug rehabilitation program 2, 236 drug dependents already completed DOH drug rehabilitation program and more than 14,000 drug surrenderees received livelihood and skills training by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

4. 3,967 drug personalities who died in antidrug operations from July 1, 2016 to November 27, 2017; 5. More than 16,000 Homicide cases under investigation from July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017 6. More than 4,700 barangays declared drugfree as of November 27, 2017.

P18.92 billion value of seized illegal drugs including drug paraphernalia from July 1, 2016 to November, 27, 2017; Source (PDEA, PNP, NBI and the Bureau of Customs) Similar to the U.S., the drug problem in the Philippines is an epidemic where a strict law enforce-

Winners of 2017

Sketches

ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN WITH hundreds of people dead from landslides, floods and a shopping mall fire in the final days of the year, and tens of thousands of children vaccinated against dengue facing an uncertain fate, looking on the bright side on the eve of a new year becomes tougher.

It’s the season of cheer, however, so let’s dwell on the positive, and some of the year’s winners.

One success during the year was the nation’s hosting of the summit and related meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Fortuitously, the country got the revolving ASEAN chair on the 50th anniversary of the grouping, during which the “Visit ASEAN” tourism campaign was also launched.

Like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2015, the ASEAN leaders’ gathering and summits with

dialogue partners were held in Metro Manila. Compared with the APEC summit, however, the traffic management for ASEAN was infinitely better, with inconveniences to ordinary folks more bearable.

Intramuros wasn’t shut down for a night and a day for a ladies’ lunch.

Even President Duterte was on his best behavior, reading prepared speeches with hardly any rambling digressions, wearing suit and tie. He played the gracious host and held back his acid tongue even when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dared to raise human rights concerns with him — and blabbed about it to the press. Only when all the foreign guests had returned home did Duterte say he considered Trudeau’s comments an insult. Still, Duterte restrained himself from letting loose his favorite expletives against his Canadian counterpart.

Hitting it off with U.S. President Donald Trump probably helped put Duterte in a friendly mood toward everybody dur-

ing the summit. Say what you will about Trump; those who were despairing over the icy relations between the treaty allies were elated when Duterte (on orders, he said, of Trump) crooned “you are the light” at the ASEAN gala dinner. Those who believe that bilateral ties and alliances transcend individual presidents surely consider that moment one of the year’s positives — certainly an improvement over the profanities Duterte heaped on Barack Obama and the previous U.S. ambassador to Manila. U.S. diplomats say bilateral ties are back on track.

The Philippines will get another major chance to showcase its best to the world, after the country won the bid to co-host the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023 together with Japan and Indonesia.

Duterte remained a big winner in 2017, even if his survey ratings have started sliding.

Despite being forced to pull out his cops from the drug war, despite his declaration of martial law in the entire Mindanao, and despite seeing his eldest

ment policy and rehabilitation/treatment policies must be combined to save the country from becoming a narco-state and ensure hope for the future of the young generation. “Lumping and attributing more than 9 to 10,000 nationwide killings, homicide, murders into one category and branding them as extra-judicial killings perpetrated by the government, its police and military, is not only unfounded and baseless but shows ignorance of basic human rights law.

The Philippines is facing two drug wars. First, the war between the government vs. drug lords, drug cartels, low-level drug offenders, police scalawags and corrupt politicians engaged in drug trafficking. These are the drug-related legitimate operations that have caused more than 3,000 deaths.

The second war is the war between and among drug carters vs. drug cartel, drug lords, police scalawags vigilantes and corrupt politicians which have caused thousands of undetermined deaths and remains under active investigation. These non-state actors, even prior to President Duterte’s assumption of office, have been killing and eliminating each other by the thousands to silence and or cover up and protect their multi-billion international drug trade.

When you blame the president, our police and our military for all the killings nationwide, you are not only unfairly presuming that our government and police are all killers who are out there with orders to kill anyone involved in drugs but you are also destroying the basic notion of accountability of non-state actors in the second face of the current Philippine drug war.

That is why, it is in the height of political hypocrisy for a U.S. congressional committee to conduct a hearing of a sovereign country whose political leader is enjoying more than 82 percent popularity and has adopted a bold, decisive and strict enforcement of its domestic laws to combat and eradicate the drug problem nationwide under the rule of law and within the role of law.

In our own backyard, it is important to underscore what U.S Atty. General Jeff Sessions said son and son-in-law implicated in the smuggling of shabu valued at P6.4 billion through the Manila customs port, Duterte’s approval ratings remain high enough to get the needed support for his legislative agenda and project priorities. His success should redound to the nation’s success.

And speaking of martial law, the denouement of the Marawi siege was one of the year’s high points. Isnilon Hapilon, “emir” of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia, was killed by government forces, together with the Maute brothers.

Nearly half of Omar Maute’s head was blown off. Their father Cayamora Maute died in jail while their mother Ominta Romato, accused of acting as her sons’ finance and logistics officer, is behind bars. *** Another winner in 2017 was the enforcer of martial law.

Human rights complaints have been filed against the Armed Forces of the Philippines in connection with the Marawi siege. But the complaints have so far failed to shake the heroic image of the AFP in the battle to liberate the Islamic city from the Mautes and Abu

in his address to the assembly of the Drug Abuse Assistance Resistance Education (DARE), last July 11, 2017 as follows: ‘Drug abuse has become an epidemic in our country today. In 2016, it has claimed more than 62,000 lives lost to drug overdose (1,200 lives lost every week) He noted that drug abuse is not only a concern about treatment but law enforcement prevention. He also acknowledges that drug trafficking is an inherently violent business, where there is a need for a strict enforcement policy, which the US currently lacks.’

The United States has been engaged in the drug war for the last decades. In Latin America, it adopted a policy of prohibition of targeting, manufacturers, suppliers, drug cartels and corrupt police, politicians including heads of states involved in massive drug trafficking conspiracy. The U.S. has 3 trillion dollars budget every year. Almost 2 billion dollars every month. In Mexico alone, it has caused more than 185,000 killings in so-called legitimate drug war operations. Last June 2017, Mexico has 2,000 deaths in drug-related police legitimate operations. Nobody, including these human rights groups you are mentioning, is raising the issue of extrajudicial killings.

If you want to help the Philippine government, and our nation and build a stronger generation of the young, then you must support the Philippine drug war, to say the least and at the same exercise your right to demand accountability and give your constructive criticisms to strengthen our law enforcement agencies and not to weaken them simply because you do not like President Duterte.

Otherwise, you are becoming alter-egos of the political opposition and unwittingly becoming an enabler for the drug cartels, drug lords, police scalawags, vigilantes and corrupt politicians.” *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos

Sayyaf.

That image has helped mute protests against the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao. The Supreme Court might strike down the extension, if the justices aren’t spooked by the specter of impeachment dangled by the super majority in the House of Representatives.

The administration is also seen as a winner in the impeachment and resignation of Andy Bautista as chairman of the Commission on Elections. The Palace rubberstamp House of Representatives is also certain to impeach Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno; the congressmen are just going through the motions of being fair. Sereno’s final fate will be one of the big stories in the coming year. *** There were several pieces of good news on the economic front in 2017. The stock market closed the year at a record high while Fitch Ratings raised the country’s credit rating by one notch to a “stable” outlook a few weeks ago. In 2017, the Philippines was one of the best performing economies in the region.

The year also started on a happy note, with the country’s hosting of the Miss Universe pageant. Few people expected Miss Philippines to win; host country contestants rarely do.

And pushing tourism takes so much more than hosting beauty contests. But at least the pageant, like the ASEAN summit, was generally glitch-free.

Other positive developments: the nationwide ban on smoking went into effect, and an executive order was issued to implement the reproductive health program.

The year will open with the excise tax on fuel products going into effect and triggering a round of consumer price increases. But I will look on the bright side at the start of the year and consider the reduction in my income tax. Inflation will eat up the gains from the higher take-home pay, but the price increases are still some time away.

Until then, I — and all the others from whose earnings tax is automatically withheld — can afford to feel a bit richer as we welcome 2018.

A happy, prosperous New Year to everyone! (Philstar. com)

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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The Asian Journal’s yearend...

PAGE A1 mer President Benigno Aquino III, were subjected to impeachment claims almost simultaneously.

In late August 2017, three legislators endorsed an impeachment complaint against Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista for the betrayal of public trust and the culpable violation of the Constitution over allegations of ill-gotten wealth. The complaints were sacked right away for being insufficient in either form or substance. However, the House of Representatives overruled the committee’s decision, impeaching Bautista just before Congress took a break in October.

On August 30, lawyer Lorenzo Gadon filed an impeachment case against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, accusing the latter of culpable violations of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust and other high crimes. This was endorsed by 25 legislators of the House. Sereno, who decried the decision of the House Justice Committee to disallow her lawyers the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses against her, opted not to attend the impeachment hearings.

The committee has found sufficiency in form and substance and in grounds the impeachment complaint against Sereno and is now determining the existence of probable cause and decide whether or not to file the case in the Senate.

Hearings will resume on January 15, 2018, with more justices expected to testify.

Just before the sessions for the year ended, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) filed an impeachment against Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales. However, since the complaint failed to get an endorsement from any members of Congress, it was not considered filed but was merely received and noted by the House of Representatives’ secretary general. Morales, who is set to retire in July 2018, has earlier said that she is not worried about any impeachment complaint. (Jennifer Soriano)

United StateS How the Internet changed in 2017 The Internet was put to good use in 2017, providing a platform for movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo to continue spreading. But in the background, the battle to preserve a free and open Internet was also taking place.

The year 2017 began with a warning when former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Tom Wheeler said in his January 13 farewell speech at the Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C. that the U.S. was at a fork in the road — one split between keeping net neutrality regulations and repealing them.

“One path leads forward; the other leads back to re-litigating solutions that are demonstrably working,” said Wheeler. “It is time to keep moving forward. This is not the time to retreat and take things away.”

By the year’s end on December 14, a path was chosen as the fight to maintain net neutrality was thwarted by a 3-2 party line vote led by current FCC chairman and former Verizon lawyer, Ajit Pai, whose main argument was that the regulations were hurting broadband infrastructure by stifling Internet Service Providers (ISP), thus preventing them from growing.

But advocates for net neutrality continued to fight until the end, maintaining that repealing the protections meant and end to a free and open Internet. These arguments were backed by leading figures and Internet pioneers like Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

A few days before the FCC’s vote, Internet founding fathers Vint Cerf and Tim Berners-Lee joined others in a letter to Congress calling the plan to repeal it an “imminent threat to the internet we worked so hard to create.”

As we enter 2018, the fight seems far from over with possible actions from Congress, states, and pro-net neutrality groups. As for ISPs, any movements are sure to be watched closely. (Rae Ann Varona) A year of wind, water, and fire Nature tested the American people’s resilience as the U.S. experienced an uptick in major natural disasters.

As 2017 ended, firefighters in

From the Front Page

Philippines.

The incident is now considered at the deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in the United States. It also has reignited the debate about gun laws in the country, with focus on bump fire stock regulations. (Malou L. Bledsoe) WWII Filipino vets honored with Congressional Medal of Honor After a long wait, Filipino veterans of World War II were honored in a bipartisan and bicameral Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on Capitol Hill on October 25, 2017 in recognition of their dedicated service during the war. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor the United States can bestow.

About 260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers served and fought for the United States and the Philippines to topple Axis powers during World War II. In July of 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called all organized military forces of the Philippines into the service of the United States.

Their bravery, heroism, and dedication played an integral part in leading Allied powers to victory over Nazi and fascist forces. They were promised U.S. citizenship

and health and pension benefits.

In February 1946, the U.S. Congress passed the Rescission Act of 1946, which stripped Filipino soldiers the benefits promised by President Roosevelt.

The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) spearheaded the national campaign to secure the Congressional Gold Medal for these Veterans. FilVetRep is also the officially-designated liaison to the U.S. Mint, which handles the design and minting of the Congressional Gold Medal. The ceremony is a result of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (DHI) and Senator Mazie Hirono’s (D-HI) bill that was signed into law by former President Barack Obama. (Malou L. Bledsoe) #MeToo: Personal stories of sexual harassment, assault come to light TIME Magazine named “The Silent Breakers” as its 2017 Person of the Year, recognizing the women and men who broke their silence with stories of sexual assault and harassment.

“This reckoning appears to have sprung up overnight. But it has actually been simmering for years, decades, centuries. Women have had it with bosses and co-workers who not only cross boundar-

California gained ground of the Thomas Fire, which had been burning continuously through Santa Barbara and Ventura counties since December 4, making it the single largest wildfire in modern state history.

By New Year’s weekend, it was 88 percent contained, but had destroyed over 281,000 acres of land and at least 1,063 structures. One firefighter and one civilian died.

In October, major fires took ground of the Napa, Sonoma, and Yuba counties, killing 42 people, including 50-year-old Teresa Santos, a Fil-Am caregiver who refused to leave 90-year-old Sally Lewis of Napa.

Santa Rosa’s Ashley Padilla, 18, and her family packed their cars with documents, family albums, heirlooms, and their dog Pogi before fleeing Coffey Park which the Fil-Am family called home since 1989.

“We saw everyone on our street just hurrying up to get the hell out so we decided that we probably should too,” Padilla, told the Asian Journal.

But before the fire, came the rain as southwest Florida was hit

by Hurricane Irma in September, and the Houston metropolitan area was deluged by Hurricane Harvey late August.

Attaining category 4 intensity, Harvey became the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. since Katrina in 2005. The death toll reached 63, and the damage equated to nearly $200 billion making it the costliest on record.

But as devastating as the calamities were, people continued to Filipino veterans from all over the U.S. flew into the nation’s capital to attend the Congressional push through.

Inquirer.net photo Google revealed that ques- Gold Medal awarding ceremony last October 25, 2017. tions of “how” to do things were searched more than ever and included questions of how wildfires and hurricanes start, how to board up a window, how to calm a dog during a storm, and how to help victims. (Rae Ann Varona) Health care in America 2017 was a particularly challenging year in the health care industry and experts feel that it will remain as such in 2018, filled with change and uncertainty. As the year closed a few days ago, Washington exerted repeated efforts to repeal and replace the federal Affordable Care Act. And while Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress were not successful in repealing ACA, industry watchers are convinced that Washington is not done in its efforts to weaken and replace ACA. The Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, allowed millions of Americans to gain access to insurance coverage but many in Washington believe that the cost of running it is too high. (Momar G. Visaya) Trump’s transgender ban in the military Despite major efforts by the Trump administration to ban transgender people in the military, the Pentagon announced that transgender people will be allowed for the first time to enlist in the U.S. military starting on Monday, January 1, 2018 as ordered by federal courts, this after after President Donald Trump’s administration decided not to appeal rulings that blocked his transgender ban.

With a tweet, Trump last July announced that “transgender individuals” should not be allowed to serve in “any capacity” in the U.S. military. “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow…,” he wrote on Twitter.

A couple of federal appeals courts have rejected the administration’s request to put on hold orders by lower court judges requiring the military to begin accepting transgender recruits on Jan. 1, 2018. (Momar G. Visaya) Las Vegas shooting On the night of October 1, 2017, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.

Paddock fired more than 1,100 rounds from his suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, leaving 58 people dead and 546 injured. An hour after his last shot into the crowd, he was found dead in his room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Paddock’s motive is still unknown, and one of the persons of interest during the investigation was his Filipina girlfriend, Marilou Danley. Although Danley was out of the country at the time of the shooting, questions about her involvement were raised when it was found out that Paddock wired her money while she was in the

In this October 1, 2017 photo, tight security and police presence can be seen along Las Vegas Boulevard where Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is located. Early morning on October 1, Stephen Paddock sent bullets and terror down on thousands attending a country music concert from his 32nd floor hotel room in Mandalay. Paddock killed at least 59 people and injured 527 more in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 3-5, 2018 ies but don’t even seem to know that boundaries exist. They’ve had it with the fear of retaliation, of being blackballed, of being fired from a job they can’t afford to lose.

They’ve had it with the code of going along to get along. They’ve had it with men who use their power to take what they want from women. These silence breakers have started a revolution of refusal, gathering strength by the day, and in the past two months alone, their collective anger has spurred immediate and shocking results: nearly every day, CEOs have been fired, moguls toppled, icons disgraced. In some cases, criminal charges have been brought,” the magazine said.

In early October, the New York Times published an exposé on Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein that detailed how he exhibited a pattern of sexual harassment for nearly three decades that was swept under the rug and paid out at least eight settlements.

Some of his accusers included actresses like Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan, and Filipina-Italian model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez. Days later, Weinstein was fired by the board of his company, The Weinstein Company. (Other actresses such as Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Salma Hayek have since shared their harassment encounters with Weinstein.)

The hashtag #MeToo, first started by activist Tarana Burke a decade ago, quickly spread across social media with individuals simply using the two words to come forward with their experiences. By early November (about two weeks after the online movement went viral), Twitter reported that over 1.7 million female and male users used the hashtag in 85 countries.

A

Since October, many victims have come forward about their experiences with other high-profile men, including Charlie Rose, Matt Lauer, Russell Simmons, Louis C.K., Kevin Spacey, and Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota. (Broadcaster Leeann Tweeden, who is half Filipina-American from her mother’s side, wrote an essay in which she accused Franken of groping her in 2006.)

“To me, 2018 will be all about processing #MeToo. The next step in the movement will be helping women navigate what happens after they disclose an experience,” Burke wrote in Glamour Magazine.

On Monday, January 1, 2018, 300 prominent actresses and female agents, writers, directors, producers and entertainment executives — such as America Ferrera, Ashley Judd, Reese Witherspoon, Shonda Rhimes, and Eva Longoria — announced “Time’s Up,” a movement that pledges to fight harassment in Hollywood as well as other workplaces across the U.S. “The struggle for women to break in, to rise up the ranks and to simply be heard and acknowledged in male-dominated workplaces must end; time’s up on this impenetrable monopoly,” the group’s letter said.

The initiative’s program includes a $13 million legal defense fund, administered by the National Women’s Law center, for sexual harassment survivors, especially those in low-wage jobs, to get legal representation. It is also encouraging women walking the red carpet at the Golden Globes on Sunday to raise awareness by dressing in black. (Christina M. Oriel)

A January 3-5, 2018 • La MIDWEEK aSIan JOurnaL

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 3-5, 2018

B

Govt urged to hike funds for low-cost housing

by AngelicA

BAllesteros ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippine government should increase its funding for low-cost housing to help address the country’s 5.7-million housing backlog, a property developer said.

In a statement over the weekend, Hausland Development Corp. CEO Christopher Ryan Tan said the country’s toughest housing challenge is the socialized housing segment, where houses sold at P450,000 or less fall under, as few banks would be willing to lend to it.

“The reason for that is [the]segment is perceived to be the least capable of paying and [have]the highest risk,” he added.

A bracketing outline from the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council showed residences not valued over P3 million are considered

affordable housing.

Units priced from P1.7 million to P3 million are considered low-cost; those between P450,000 and P1.7 million, economic; and those below P450,000, socialized housing.

Units priced from P3 million to P6 million are mid-cost, while those costing more than P6 million are high-end.

“We need the government to come in, because if private banks would be hesitant to provide financing for the low-end market, the government’s role, really, is to increase available

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Government debt payments drop 15% in 11 months by lAwrence

AgcAoili Philstar.com

DEBT servicing fell almost 15 percent in the first 11 months of 2017 on the back of lower principal payments.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed that the government paid P652.5 billion worth of debt from January to November last year, or P112.54 billion lower than the P765.04 billion settled in the same period in 2016.

The government allots a portion of its budget for debt payments to settle obligations on a monthly basis, depending on their maturity.

Principal payments alone declined 24.4 percent to P362.52 billion. About 63 percent of the total principal payments or P228.82 billion went to domes-

No final solution to PH traffic congestion File photo by Manila Times by reicelene Joy ignAcio ManilaTimes.net

EVERYONE will just have to grin and bear it as the country´s horrendous traffic, especially in Metro Manila, can only be reduced and not eliminated.

This is the grim observation of Thomas Orbos, Transportation undersecretary and concurrent manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), despite a host of planned and ongoing infra-

structure projects nationwide. “Traffic cannot be resolved as we want it to be resolved,” he told The Manila Times, “but what we are pushing is for it to be reduced.”

Interagency effort In an effort to reduce traffic congestion, the government formed an inter-agency council for traffic called the i-ACT that “has gone beyond Metro Manila,” Orbos said.

“We have seen that traffic in Metro Manila is not caused by Metro Manila alone, but also by nearby cities and provinces like Cavite,

Laguna and Bulacan. These places are also affected by traffic.”

Consisting of representatives from the Transportation department, MMDA, Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board, and the Land Transportation Office, iACT is also complemented by a government´s partnership with Singapore, which is aimed to come up with an intelligent transportation system for Metro Manila.

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BIR revises tax rules as TRAIN takes effect

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed that the government paid P652.5 billion worth of debt from January to November last year, or P112.54 billion lower than the P765.04 billion settled in the same period in 2016.

File photo by Philstar

tic lenders, while the remaining 36 percent or P133.7 billion was paid to foreign creditors.

Interest payments inched up 1.6 percent to P289.99 billion.

Interest payments to domestic debt went up 1.9 percent to P194.43 billion while those of foreign obligations inched up by nearly one percent to P95.55

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by MAyvelin

U. cArABAllo ManilaTimes.net

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has revised withholding tax rules in line with the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law that took effect Monday, January 1.

In Revenue Memorandum Circular 105-2017, the bureau revised the withholding tax table on compensation pursuant to National Internal Revenue Code amendments introduced by TRAIN Law or Republic Act (RA) 10963.

“With the forthcoming effec-

tivity of RA 10963 on January 1, 2018, it is imperative that a smooth transition as to withholding tax rates is ensured. Thus, for the information and guidance of all concerned, beginning January 1, 2018, every employer making compensation payments to their respective employees shall deduct and withhold from such compensation a tax determined in accordance with the Revised Withholding Tax Table,” the circular, signed by BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay last Friday, December 29, states.

In a separate statement, the bureau added that it was current-

ly in the midst of preparations for TRAIN’s implementation this year.

It is also set to issue various revenue regulations on income, withholding and value added (VAT) taxes; excise taxes on petroleum, automobiles, mineral products, tobacco, sweetened beverages and and documentary stamp taxes. cosmetic procedures; estate and Expected BIR issuances will donor’s taxes; percentage taxes; u PAGE B5

B JANUARY 3-5, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

More perks eyed for tourism ecozones

by Catherine

talavera Philstar.com

THE Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) is eyeing to extend or remove the sunset provision on the incentives for tourism enterprise zones (TEZs), an official of the agency said.

TIEZA officer-in-charge for the TEZ management sector Nino Ruperto Aquino told The Star they are recommending the extension of the sunset provision for TEZs found in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009.

The IRR included a sunset provision on the effective administration of tax incentives for TEZs for a period of 10 years or until 2019, which created confusion among potential TEZ applicants.

“We are lobbying to the Senate and the House to extend the sunset provision for another 17 to 20 years or to delist the sunset provision from the law so that we can continue to designate, develop TEZs and have incentives for the developers,” Aquino said.

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was recently enacted into law, impact various issues in a divorce case. These changes are effective beginning 2018 through 2025.

Spousal Support. Spousal Support will no longer be deductible by the paying spouse and will not be taxable income to the supported spouse for post 2017 divorce judgments and support orders. This will benefit the supported spouse in that the spousal support will be tax free income to the supported spouse. This does not affect existing orders and judgments for support entered prior to 2018. Prior to 2018, spousal support was tax deductible to the payor and taxable income to supported spouse.

Dependency Exemptions.

The new law suspends personal and dependency tax exemptions effective 2018. This is not favorable to the parent who has sole or primary physical custody of

TIEZA chief operating officer Pocholo Paragas earlier explained that despite the RA 9593 taking effect in 2009, the IRR was released seven years after, specifically in November 2016.

“BIR already came out with the explanation stating that they agreed that instead of the sunset clause ending 2019, all applicants can apply until 2019. And if you’re accredited within this period, you can get the full package of six years,” Paragas said.

Under RA 9593,TEZ developers and tourism enterprises will be granted a six-year income tax holiday that may be extended for another six years, a five per-

cent preferential tax on gross income in lieu of national taxes except for real property tax and fees of TIEZA, a net operating loss carry over scheme, import tax exemptions for capital goods and equipment needed for TIEZA-registered activities, and import tax exemptions for transport equipment and spare parts needed for TIEZA-registered activities.

They will also be exempted from value-added tax and excise tax goods imported by TIEZAregistered activities, tax credit equivalent to taxes paid on locally sourced goods, and tax deduction of up to 50 percent of cost of environmental protection and cultural heritage preservation activities as well as of sustainable livelihood programs of the registered tourism enterprises.

At present, Aquino said the agency has a total of four flagship TEZs and six private TEZs. “I think we have 13 or 14 TEZ applications in the pipeline,” Aquino said.

Last November, TIEZA announced it approved a number of tourism infrastructure projects.n

2018 tax changes that affect divorcing couples the child because under the law prior to 2018, that parent can claim the dependency exemption for the child in a divorce case. However, this loss may be offset by the higher standard deduction available for 2018 which is $24,000 for joint filers and $18,000 for heads of households.

Child and Family Tax Credit.

Child tax credit is increased to $2,000 from $1,000 per qualifying child beginning 2018. This would benefit parents with sole or primary physical custody of the child. Further, up to $1,400 of the child tax credit can be refundable if it exceeds the parents’ tax liability. Prior to 2018, this credit was not refundable.

However, the child tax credit begins to be phased out once the parents’ adjusted gross income reaches $200,000 or $400,000 for joint filers.

Mortgage Interest deduction.

It is common among divorcing couple to buy the other party’s interest out of a community property home through refinanc-

ing. Beginning 2018, mortgage interest on loans used to acquire principal residence and a second home is only deductible up to $750,000 (down from $1 million prior to 2018) beginning with loans taken out in 2018. Further, interest on home equity loans are no longer tax deductible regardless of when the debt was taken out. This would be a disadvantage to the party keeping the community property home who typically would buy out the other spouse through a refinancing or home equity loan.

Estate and Gift Tax Exemption. The estate tax exemption was raised to $11.2 million per individual beginning 2018. Prior to 2018, the estate tax exemption was $5.49 million per individual.

This is a major win for divorcing couples with significant assets.

Couples with assets over $5.49 million would typically need to use both spouses’ estate tax credit totaling $10.98 in order to avoid paying estate taxes upon their death. The problem arises

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Garments, hard goods exports seen to hit $1 billion

by riChmond

merCurio Philstar.com

MANUFACTURERS of local garments and hard goods are optimistic export sales will grow at a double-digit rate this year as international trade activities pick up.

In a report to the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines (FOBAP) president Robert Young said export sales are likely to reach close to $1 billion in 2018.

The export sales target is equivalent to a growth of 10 percent year-on-year, Young said.

“Philippine production is now back in the foreign buyers’ radar due to the spillover of purchase orders from other Asian countries,” he said.

Young said the increase in demand from millennial population is expected to boost sales of gar-

What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA 2017 versus 2018 tax rates: individual income tax rates in 2017 in percentage are 10, 15, 25, 28, 33, 35, and 39.6. The 2018 temporary tax rates percentage are 10, 12, 22, 24, 32, 35, and 37 and will expire on 2025, under H.R.1 “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”.

Your income tax return is due on April 17, 2018 since April 15 falls on a Sunday.

1. You are required to file an income tax return if your 2017 gross income reaches: A. Single: $10,400 (11,950 age 65 or older) B. Married filing jointly: $20,800 (22,050 age 65 or older, one spouse) (23,300 both spouses) C. Married filing separately: $4,050 (any age) D. Head of household: $13,400 (14,950 age 65 or older) E. Qualifying widow (er): $16,750 (18,000 age 65 or older) Elderly and blind taxpayers add $1,250 to $1,550.

2. Personal excemptions: $ 4,050 (same in 2016). Phaseouts for personal itemized de-

ments, gifts, housewares and furniture products.

He considered the millennials as key market drivers, noting that they “dictate the everevolving no-rules trends, volatile and ambiguous market trends.”

“So turnover of products will be faster thus, bigger demands for new manufactured items make factories humming all year round,” Young said.

Young said major markets for the sector would continue to be the U.S., followed by Asian countries, Canada, Australia and the European Union.

FOBAP members have also tapped ASEAN markets, mostly in the components and parts supplies activities.

File photo by citydata.org

Young said FOBAP members are not exporting finished products yet amid higher cost of products manufactured wholly in the Philippines, especially in the general wear apparel.

“We are collaborating with some ASEAN economies in launching goods and products as a single market and we will jointly export to the advanced countries, which is the original framework of ASEAN,” he said.n

Federal tax update for 2017 tax returns duction and personal exemption begins at: single $261,500, head of household $287,650, married filing joint and surviving spouse $313,800, and married filing separate $156,900.

3. Standard deductions: If your combined itemized deductions for interests, taxes, medical and contributions are less than the following amounts, use the following standard deductions: A. Single: $6,350 B. Married filing jointly: $12,700 C. Married filing separately: $6,350 D. Head of household: $9,350 Elderly and blind taxpayers get an extra $1,250 for married and $1,550 for unmarried.

4. Child tax credit: maximum credit amount is $1,000 per child (consists of refundable and nonrefundable components). See Publication 976 for additional information.

5. Education credits: Both credits maybe claimed on the same return but not for the same student.

A. American Opportunity Credit (HOPE): maximum annual credit is $2,500 per eligible stu-

dent was made permanent and 40% maybe refundable.

B. Lifetime Learning Credit: maximum annual credit is $2,000 per return and is not refundable.

6. Retirement plans limits: A. IRA contribution limits: $ 5,500 ($6,500 age 50 or older).

B. SIMPLE IRA elective deferral limits: $12,500 ($15,500 age 50 or over).

C. 401(k), 403(b), 457 elective deferral limits: $18,000 ($24,000 age 50 or older).

D. Profit-sharing plan/SEP contribution limits: $54,000 from 53,000 in 2016.

7. Standard mileage rates: A. Business: 53.50¢ per mile.

B. Medical and Moving: 17¢ per mile.

C. Charity: 14¢ per mile.

8. Long-term care insurance deduction limits: $410 to $5,110 depending on age.

9. Alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption amount increased. The AMT exemption amount is increased to $54,300 for single and head of household, $84,500 if married filing jointly, $42,250 if married filing separately, and $24,100 trusts and

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA THESE are the best of times.

These are the worst of times.

Charles Dickens could have said these words just as fittingly to apply to this tech crazy world we live in today.

There are far too many distractions emanating from tech wizardry that derail us from being mindful — that glorious state of mind which allows us to fully live joyfully while recognizing and appreciating the present moment.

Mindfulness is a skill borne of discipline. It is the mental and deeply spiritual process of laser focusing one’s energy and full attention to the sensations and experiences happening right now. This skill effectively places all other concerns in the back burner while fully engaged in the moment. Mindfulness has become a highly valued skill in today’s extremely distracting world seemingly spinning at warp speed.

It is essentially a mental skill that can be honed and developed by consciously tuning out all distractions through the discipline of regular prayer and meditation.

It is the finely honed craft of just being yourself in the moment, without the baggage of the past or the anxieties of the future. It is considering the present moment as a gift to be relished and enjoyed fully.

Do you feel incomplete, naked, inept and insecure when you are not tethered electronically to your cellphone or your computer? Do you feel less of a person? Take heart. You are not alone. There are billions of us in this increasingly wired world.

The advances in communication technology have created a world where we can send and receive information at breakneck speed. The thoughts, the images of anyone, from kings to paupers, from the most profound to the most profane, from the wisest to the most foolish, from the most beautiful to the most horrific, once formed, can be transmitted to billions of people around the

Mindfulness as virtue “Be present. It is the only thing that matters.” –Way of the Peaceful Warrior

electronically wired community.

Just like the common cold, thoughts and images “go viral…” The power of a message is now measured by the number of tweets, hits and views it gets.

Many are choosing to live in virtual reality rather than in the real world believing they can safely hide behind a cloak of anonymity. Disabuse yourself of the idea. No one remains anonymous for long. No one in the internet is sacrosanct.

These thoughts and images go around fast just like the weather patterns that change and swirl around the globe. And just like the weather, our cultural world is being shaped by our collective thoughts within the structure and framework of the technologically wired environment we live in today.

Do we then damn technology because of the potent power it helps wield over us? Certainly not. It would be a big mistake to blame technology for our present woes. Just like fire and electricity and practically all of man’s tools and inventions through the ages, technology is a doubleedged sword. It can enhance human life or it can destroy just as well.

The fault, dear tech user, is not in our stars but in ourselves.

It is how we define our relationship with technology and use it in our daily lives.

We can be the boss of it. Or if we lose control, we can let ourselves be obsessed by it. It can wreak havoc on our souls, our persona and ultimately our lives.

How do we know if technology has us wrapped around its little keypads? It is easy enough to self-diagnose this condition.

When we are no longer mindful of our present conditions and depend on technology overly much to do the thinking for us, then we are truly in deep doodoo.

People have become so preoccupied and distracted by the mind boggling possibilities presented by multitasking that is engendered by a tech-enhanced way of life, that they tend to for-

get what is important and what truly matters.

How badly can it get? There are horror stories of mindless idiocy. Countless car accidents borne of texting while driving, are a testament to the tragic loss of mindfulness and by extension, common sense, among us earthlings.

Witness the number of news items about overly busy, distracted working parents who forget that they have babies strapped in car seats in the back of their cars leaving them to die in the heat of the sun. It is a sad commentary that while we have all the technological aids at our disposal to make our lives better, we fail to use them appropriately.

How do we detox? Try going tech free at designated times or for long stretches of time without having to check your phone or your computer for messages that you feel compelled to respond to ASAP. As I have said in another article championing the cause of living mindfully in the moment, “Log off and enjoy your hot chocolate.”

Unless your work involves saving lives, taking a vacation from technology may prove to offer a higher quality of life by getting back to a state of mindfulness.

Eventually, as we learn to synch and balance our lives with our tech tools, they will be obedient dogs serving us as their master.

Think of the perks. We get to appreciate the present moment and appreciate and deeply love the people we are with right then and there. We get to “Carpe Diem” and experience joy in real time. We get to open our eyes and our hearts to the beauty and infinite majesty of just breathing and knowing LIFE IS GOOD– so good you can feel it in your bones.

Best of all, we get to reserve the eminent right to remain essentially human — ever mindful that we are created in God’s own image and likeness.

*** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

A client wants Chapter 7, but can he avoid the presumption of abuse?

A CLIENT wants Chapter 7, but can he avoid the presumption of abuse?

The client is 55, married with a son and daughter who have just entered college. His income is $5,600 gross a month. The wife’s income is $5,500 gross a month. So, the combined gross of his household of four is $11,100 a month. His income was actually higher than $5,600 a month until four months ago.

Four months ago, his gross income was $6,700 a month. He suffered an income reduction of $1,100 mostly due to the evaporation of overtime. The employer decided to hire another person.

That killed the overtime pay. He doesn’t own a house but with two children in college, there are a lot of additional expenses that did not exist before. For instance, he had to provide his son with a new car for college.

He also gave his daughter a new car for college. Both cars are being leased. He himself is paying for a late model car, and his wife also drives a new car. Therefore, the client is paying for four new cars. At $500 per month for each car, the car payments total $2,000 per month. Car insurance for four new cars is almost $1,000 a month. So, four cars plus insurance, is about $3,000 a month.

Even if the household’s gross income is $11,100 a month, after taxes and other payroll deductions, net take-home pay for the household is about $8,000. After $3,000 of car payments, what is left is $5,000 for rent, food and other necessities. Rent is $1,500 so what is left is $3,500. Gasoline for four cars is at least $1,000, so what is left is $2,500. There are still food, medicals, and other stuff that have to be paid. After everything is paid, there’s really no disposable income left to pay for credit card debt, if any.

Unfortunately, client owes $40,000 of credit card debt. The wife owes only $10,000 of credit cards. The client’s $40,000 in credit cards require at least $1,200 of minimum payments to keep them current. Wife’s $10K of credit cards require at least $300 of minimum payments.

There is no $1,200 and no $300 of disposable income left. So what happens now?

Well, certainly husband starts to default on the $40K, but the wife is still valiantly paying her $300 to keep her $10,000 of cards current. The client prefers to get a Chapter 7 fresh start and not pay any portion of the $40,000. The wife prefers to not

Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG

file Chapter 7 for her $10,000.

This is a good decision because $10,000 of cards is still manageable for them if the husband does get rid of his $40,000. Instead of $1,500, they only have to produce $300 to keep her cards current. If the husband is able to discharge $40,000 in Chapter 7, then the household would have reduced their credit card debts from $50,000 to $10,000 a reduction of 80 percent. That should be close enough to a fresh start for the family with only the major debtor spouse filing a Chapter 7.

But can client actually qualify for Chapter 7? If you consider that the median income for a family of 4 in California is $6,800 a month and compare that with client’s household income of $11,100, you can see that there’s going to be a problem overcoming or avoiding the presumption of abuse under the means test for Chapter 7. However, even if client’s income of over the median for a family of 4, if he has additional allowable deductions, he might still qualify for Chapter 7. For instance, if the client takes care of a parent by giving that parent $1K a month, the entire $1K is deductible; or, if there is a nondischargeable tax debt that is being paid by installment of $500 a month. That is also deductible. So just these two items can squeeze client through the means test if applicable because they can make any disposable income on the means test disappear altogether.

This kind of case requires a lot of detailed examination of what client’s monthly expenses are. It looks like the client has a 401Kloan repayment of $500 a month.

In Chapter 7, the repayment of $500 cannot be deducted in the means test. But in Chapter 13, the $500 a month 401K-loan repayment is deductible in the means test analysis. I like to call this 401K-loan repayment paradox. Let’s say the presumption of abuse arises in this case and the disposable income that pops up is $500 a month. The client will not qualify for Chapter 7 because he has $500 of disposable income monthly. But in Chapter 13, we can deduct the $500 401K-loan repayment. Remov-

ing the $500 401K-loan repayment in Chapter 13 would actually make the client’s disposable income zero in Chapter 13, making client’s plan payment zero!

If this case is filed as Chapter 7, documentation of expenses must be complete. The $1,000 being sent to the mother must be fully documented. Otherwise, the U.S. Trustee may file a motion to dismiss for abuse of bankruptcy law. At that time, the client will have the option of converting to Chapter 13. So there is some gambling involved here. If the client has good documentation of expenses, he may be eligible for Chapter 7.

I just had a hearing on a Chapter 7 case where I informed the client that there was a possibility that because her income was over the median for a family of two, there could be some headwinds with the U.S. Trustee asking about her expenses. The client was 70 years old. She still works and makes $75,000 a year.

She sends $2,000 a month to her 72-year-old husband who lives abroad. He doesn’t work and has diabetes and hypertension.

The client was fortunate that her case went through smoothly without questions from the U.S. Trustee even though her income was over the median. This is a borderline Chapter 7 case that if there was inadequate documentation of expenses could have been dismissed or converted to Chapter 13. Each case has different circumstances and so may have different endings.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally.

“Then he said this is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns & build bigger ones, and there I will store all my supplies of grain.

And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink & be merry.” “But God said to him “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.

Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This is how will it be with whoever stores up thing for themselves but is not richtowards God.” Luke 12-21 (The parable of the foolish rich man told by Jesus) ***

Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 3-5, 2018

B3

No final solution to PH traffic...

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“We are fortunate to have an agreement with the Singapore government,” Orbos said.

“Part of the ones we consider is the congestion pricing, which charges motorists when they use certain roads during peak hours on a pay-as-you-go basis.” He also said that the Transportation department was likewise eyeing to deploy i-ACT personnel to Cebu early next year. “There is a budget allocated in the General Appropriations Act of 2017,” he stressed. “However, moving forward, instead of asking for a regular budget, agencies have to allow their own budget to contribute to i-ACT. It would not be that expensive. It would be more on gasoline and transportation allowances.”

The private sector, meanwhile, is being urged to consider investing in intelligent transport systems, to help alleviate traffic congestion in the Philippines.

“A lot of intelligent transport systems can be applied in our cities, whether in land, in air, in maritime,” Jose Regin Regidor, former director of the National Center of Transportation Studies, at the University of the Philippines – Diliman, said in a recent forum. “It requires a lot of technology that are already becoming cheaper and where the private sector could help in a lot.” He also pointed out the lack of railway projects that are important to facilitate the movement of goods.

The Transportation department has already announced that construction of the NSRP, or North South Railway Project,

would start by 2019. Also known as the PNR South Long Haul, NSRP is a 653-kilometer railway project that will run from Manila to Batangas, Laguna, Bico, and Sorsogon. It is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2022.

“If we can get to Los Baños from Manila in 45 minutes, that means that every town between Manila and Los Baños becomes more attractive to live in, because you can just use the train to travel,” Transportation Assistant Secretary for Rails Timothy Batan said in an interview. He added that the availability of train will reduce car usage and would help lessen traffic problem in the region.

Infra projects pushed The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, in the meantime, said there were projects in the pipeline that would help solve the traffic problem in the metropolis. “Undergoing construction are the Skyway Stage 3 and the Metro Rail Transit-7,” said Ferdinand Pecson, the center’s executive director. “The NLEX-SLEX connector is also on its stages of pre-construction.”

Pecson also noted unsolicted proposals for the East-West Rail Project (EWRP) that would connect Diliman, in Quezon City to España Blvd. in Manila, and the New Manila Airport, which is seen to be an alternative or a replacement for the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). While the EWRP has not yet been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority, he said that this was already being considered

at the Investment Coordination Committee level.

The removal or transfer of an airport from the metropolis, meanwhile, is being by some urban planners and experts as this has been done in other countries.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency, for instance, said that NAIA must be replaced by a new facility, preferrably in Sangley, Cavite. The international think tank CAPA Aviation Center, however, had said the NAIA should only be upgraded and not privatized, discouraging the construction of a new airport.

San Miguel Corp has already been granted original proponent status for the construction of an airport in Bulacan. Transportation Undersecretary Manuel Tamayo, however, has said that Sangley would be a more advantageous location. “In terms of proximity, assuming that the intention is to close down the existing NAIA, Sangley is definitely at an advantage because of its distance, but it is going to be more expensive because you would have to reclaim,” he qualified. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has also said he was open to the idea of building an airport in Sangley.

Seven private firms, meanwhile, have just announced plans to form a consortium that will bid to rehabilitate and modernize NAIA. “If it is awarded to a private corporation, the concession would be so long—25 years or up to 50 years—depending on the investments involved,” Tamayo noted. This was echoed by Pecson, who also said “the concession period needed to recover the project [cost]is quite long.” ■

lic sectors produce fewer than 200,000 units annually for the past five years.

“In other words, in the eyes of the government, that’s how many households would direly need housing provision or housing units. And that is a huge

number,” Tan said.

“It’s somewhere between 168,000 and 190,000 a year, so when you do the math, considering that population grows, it seems that you would not be able to catch up. So that’s really a huge problem,” he added. ■

Govt urged to hike funds for low-cost...

PAGE B1 t

funds” for them, Tan said.

Citing a government study, he noted that the country’s housing deficit is estimated to swell to 7.67 million over the next four years from the current 5.7 million, as both private and pub-

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS JA N UA RY 1 2

Feast of the Infant Jesus of Prague celebration in Los Angeles The Feast of the Infant Jesus of Prague will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Friday, January 12 at 7 p.m. The history of the Infant Jesus of Prague started in the 17th century when a statue of the Infant Jesus was brought into Bohemia (now Czech Republic) and eventually was given to the Discalced Carmelites in Prague. Since then, the statue has remained in Prague and has drawn many devotees worldwide to go and honor the Holy Child. Many graces, blessings, favors and miraculous healings have been received by many who petitioned before the Infant Jesus.

You are invited to a Special Mass Celebration of the Feast of the Infant Jesus of Prague at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels with Bishop Joseph V. Brennan as main celebrant. The special celebration features the relic of the holy robes that the Infant Jesus wears at the shrine in Prague, Czech Republic and it is brought to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for the third time by the Holy Trinity Ministry. Now that the Divine Child of Prague comes to touch our hearts, participants have the unique and holy opportunity to touch his holy robe. Bring your Infant Jesus Statue to touch the Holy Robe of the Infant Jesus of Prague.

JA N UA RY 2 1

31st anniversary of the Feast of Santo Niño in Los Angeles Santo Niño Cruzada USA, with the participations of the Filipino Catholics Choir of St. Paul the Apostle Church, The Saint Junipero Serra Province Knights of Columbus and The Southern California Sinulog Dance Co., is inviting everyone to attend the holy mass of its 31st year anniversary celebration of the Feast of Santo Niño, the Divine Infant Jesus, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 3:30pm. The main celebrant is Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik to be concelebrated by various priests from different parishes. We also offer this mass to honor the late Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who returned to our Creator on October 18, 2017 in Cebu, Philippines. The Santo Niño image that we use to celebrate the annual feast was given by Cardinal Vidal to Los Angeles Archbishop Emeritus Roger Cardinal Mahony and Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik several years ago. For more information, please contact any of the following officers and members: Romy and Tess Esturas (213) 387-6982; Tess and Rey Edpao (818) 469-7292; Carmen Estrada (213) 413-2881; Fe Montano (323) 218-1587; Ester Paredes (213) 864-1149; Lilia Figuracion (626) 394-2661; Fe Reyes (213) 413-5286; Cherry Guerrero (323) 747-6508; Cherry Nicodemus (323) 304-6195; Vicky Samia (818) 851-2262; Tessie Cruz (213) 361-0937; Purita Prather (626) 798-4674; Lourdes Cronin (310) 880-6069; Maria Oclarino (213) 427-0353; Jun Panlaqui (213) 413-2881; Flora Ferrer (323) 556-4855.

JA N UA RY 25

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA There will be an immigration forum on Thursday, January 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). RSVP is a MUST to attend. No registration fee required. Please contact (714) 657-7460 or admin@globallawcenters.com. The immigration forum is about employment-based immigration information regarding FAST TRACK Work Visas ( H-1B1, TN, E-3), green card by marriage, family-based immigration employment sponsorship for green card and work visas after graduation. Candidates with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visas issues are encouraged to attend for a FREE immigration consultation & immigration assistance. As you have already seen there are many changes happening in the field of immigration with regards to the new executive administration and their agenda. Global Law Centers strives to inform the immigrant community of its rights and make sure it is knowledgeable about what immigration processes might be available. The forum will also update everyone about new and recent changes which may affect immigrants and their families.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

B4 JANUARY 3-5, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

People and Events

2017 holiday decorating contest winners Community Emergency Response Team Burbank civic pride committee releases results

BURBANK, Calif. – The Burbank Civic Pride Committee has selected the winners from this year’s entrants in the annual holiday Decorating Contest.

There was a tie for first place in the Residential category: Tina Schaefer and Arnulfo Padilla at 1505 N. Valley St. Don Reeves at 1200 N. Catalina St. Winner of the Youth category goes to: Katie Rieger at 703 N. Avon St. The top spot in the Commercial category goes to: Color Lounge at 113 N. Naomi St.

City Council, along with the Burbank Civic Pride Committee will recognize the winners during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 23.

The Burbank Civic Pride Committee appreciates the special decorating efforts of these winners, all the entrants, and the many other Burbank residents who have decorated their homes but did not enter this contest. Their efforts have enhanced the spirit of the season in our community.

To view all of the contestants that entered this year’s competition, visit http://www.burbankca. gov/home/.■

Free assistive technology for Diamond Bar senior residents

FOR a limited time and while resources are available, Diamond Bar residents age 55 or older can contact the Service Center for Independent Life (SCIL) to request help with obtaining free or low cost assistive technology.

Assistive technology includes

EMPLOYMENT

a wide range of durable medical equipment such as commodes or shower chairs, as well as home safety modifications that include hand rails, grab bars, and wheelchair ramps to enhance the ability of individuals to carry out everyday activities with greater independence.

SCIL staff is also available to provide a free home assessment to determine what safety modifications are needed and, if needed, install the items. For more information, call (909) 621.6722 during SCIL business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Monday through Friday.■

EMPLOYMENT

(CERT) training is coming to Irwindale

IF a major disaster occurs, police, fire and paramedic services will be severely strained.

The community must be prepared to provide for their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.

CERT Training Classes provide basic training in safety and life saving skills for the general public. CERT members are trained in basic disaster response skills including disaster preparedness, fire suppression, CERT team organization, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department will be providing a FREE 7-week CERT training course to Irwindale area residents each Tuesday night beginning February 13, 2018 and continuing through Tuesday March 27, 2018.

Classes will be held at the Irwindale City Council Chambers located at 5050 N. Irwindale Avenue, Irwindale, CA 91706 and will take place between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. each Tuesday night.

To enroll, contact Alicia Mejia at (626) 7323531 or by email at alicia.mejia@fire.lacounty. gov.■

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

B JANUARY 3-5, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Fore founding father of Carson Gil Smith named chair of Carson’s 50th anniversary planning committee FORE founding father of Carson, Gil Smith, will spearhead the 50th Anniversary Committee who will be planning the events of Carson’s golden anniversary in 2018.

Planned events in 2018 include the participation of the City of Carson in the Tournament of Roses Parade in January, a gala ball in February, the Miss Carson and Miss Teen Carson Pageant in the Spring, a street fair in the summer and various citywide special events to bare the 50th Anniversary theme throughout the year.

“It has been my honor to have served as a leading part of the founding of the City of Carson.

Now, as we prepare to celebrate our City’s 50th Anniversary, I have been given another opportunity to serve our community and I look forward to working with the citizens of Carson,“ said Gil Smith.

Gil Smith has lived in the Carson area for over 50 years. He was the first president of the Citizen’s Committee for the Incorporation for the City of Carson and he served as the founding member of the City Council for 13 years. Smith was mayor of Carson in 1970-71 and 197475 and he served as the Interim City Manager in 1998. He was the community leader for the

Gil Smith founder, former mayor and council member of the City of Carson

successful campaign to gain approval for stet California State University, Dominguez Hills where he continues to serve as a former chair on the President’s Advisory Council. Gil Smith is the retired director of Government and Public Affairs for the Southern California Association of Governments where he was responsible for the development of a coordinated intergovernmental, legislative and community relations program. His public service and dedication has been well documented through his participation as a board member with the United Way, the American Red Cross, the Emergency Preparedness Commission for L.A. County, the Carson Coordinating Council and many other organizations.

Fundraising events this year

2018 tax changes...

PAGE B2 t

community property home who typically would buy out the other spouse through a refinancing or home equity loan.

Estate and Gift Tax Exemption. The estate tax exemption was raised to $11.2 million per individual beginning 2018. Prior to 2018, the estate tax exemption was $5.49 million per individual.

This is a major win for divorcing couples with significant assets.

Couples with assets over $5.49 million would typically need to use both spouses’ estate tax credit totaling $10.98 in order to avoid paying estate taxes upon their death. The problem arises after a divorce when each spouse will be limited to $5.49 million.

With the estate tax exemption raised at $11.2 million per individual, this would exempt 99% of divorcing couple from having to pay estate taxes in case of death. *** Please note that this article is not

legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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Federal tax update...

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estates (2018 $55,400, $86,200, $43,100, and $24,600, respectively).

10. Foreign earned income exclusion: $102,100 in 2017 and $104,100 in 2018 (earned income include salaries, commissions, bonus, professional fees, tip).

11. Social security taxes for 2017: A. Minimum earnings to be covered by SS increases to $5,200 from $5,040 ($1,300 per quarter).

B. Maximum earnings allowed for 65 increases to $16,920 from $15,720.

C. Maximum amount subject to FICA increases to $127,200 from $118,500.

D. Early retirement age is 62, full retirement 67 (born 1960 & later).

12. Estate and gift taxes exclusion amount for 2017: A. Estate/gift tax Exclusion: $ 5,490,000 B. Annual gift tax exclusion: $14,000 per donee ($28,000 split gifts by spouses) The maximum estate and gift tax rate is 40%. *** Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication is neither intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid tax-related penalties. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies.

(Advertising Supplement)

Government debt...

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billion.

Based on the latest Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing document of the Department of Budget and Management, the government has programmed a total of P647.27 billion for debt payments this year.

Latest data showed the national government’s outstanding debt improved to P6.44 trillion as of the end of November, down one percent or P63.85 billion from the previous month’s level of P6.5 trillion.

“Net repayments and a stron-

ger peso contributed in lowering the end-month value of the debt,” the Treasury said in a statement.

The peso appreciated to 50.346 to $1 in November from 50.686 to $1 in October.

The peso dubbed as the worst performing currency in the region depreciated by as much as 4.1 percent to hit a fresh 11-year low of 51.77 to $1 last Oct. 25.

Of the total debt pile, a little over 65 percent or P4.21 trillion were sourced from domestic sources while the remaining 35 percent or P2.23 trillion came from foreign creditors. n

BIR revises tax rules...

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also include a revenue memorandum order on the VAT Refund System. Systems on eSales and eReporting will also be established.

Public consultations will be held on January 11 and 12, 2018 to help guide drafters in crafting TRAIN-related directives. Internal briefings will also be conducted from January 24 to 26, 2018.

“The bureau is urging all taxpayers and others concerned to read the provisions of the said law and to participate in dis-

cussions of the same in public consultations and briefings to be conducted by the BIR where they can air their views, comments, and recommendations.

All these are expected to help in the hassle-free implementation of the law,” the bureau said.

Taxpayers were also enjoined to seek clarifications with the BIR’s national, regional and district office to help the various committees established to craft the implementing rules and regulations of the TRAIN Law. n

include “A White Linen Affair“ event on July 22, 2017, an invitational golf tournament, a cookbook called “A Taste of Carson”, and many more activities as the planning by volunteers and staff of the City moves forward in planning next year’s events.

“I am excited that one of our founding fathers, Gil Smith, has agreed to Chair the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee. It is heartwarming that Carson has an overwhelming amount of support from our community leaders to commemorate the City’s 50th Anniversary of incorporation as we continue to strive towards our motto of ‘Future Unlimited’. I am proud that residents in Carson are coming together, volunteering their time to ’honor our past and envision the future’ together as an All American City,“ said Carson Mayor Albert Robles.

More volunteers from the community are welcome to join the planning of 50th Anniversary events. The Anniversary Planning Committee meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at the Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center. June 14, August 9, and September 13 planning meetings will be held at Carson Park.

For more information, please call Recreation and Human Services Division at (310) 847-3570.n

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

New Culver City recycle coach app puts recycling/garbage collection information on your smartphone IF you are one of the growing number of people who have a smartphone or tablet, you can download a Culver City app that puts garbage, recycling, special waste collection details and more at your fingertips, anytime you want them.

Culver City is pleased to announce that the launch of a mobile web app that contains all of the information people need to know, tailored specifically to their neighborhood and address about waste, recycling and organics services.

The mobile web app, developed by Recycle Coach, provides residents with a full range of information that is normally on the website or in the collection schedule that Culver City distributes. But now residents don’t have to go hunting for the printed schedule or sitting in front of their computers. Instead, by downloading Recycle Coach, Culver City residents can check details for regular and special collections and events for household hazardous waste or e-waste days, and more.

Special features of the Culver City Recycle Coach mobile and web app include a search function that lets residents quickly find information about what to do with a regular or out-of-theordinary item, plus there are

tips for reducing and recycling waste in apartment and condo buildings.

The Culver City Recycle Coach mobile and web app also includes a special “Report-a-Problem” function that allows residents to report nonemergency municipal problems like missed collections, illegal dumping, overflowing public garbage or recycling bins, potholes, burned out traffic or street lights and more.

The Report-a-Problem feature connects the user to ACCESS Culver City. It uses the smartphone’s GPS positioning system and built in camera. All they have to do is select the Report-a-Problem function, take a picture and the problem is automatically emailed to us.

Once residents have downloaded the app, they can set it up to give them regular reminders for any of the collection programs. For example, they can set a reminder for the day that recycling is collected or they can set up alerts just for household hazardous or electronic waste collection days.

This is a new way for us to connect with residents about Culver City resource recovery and waste diversion programs. We’ll be able to update the information on the mobile and web app as necessary

during the year, so it will always be current. Residents will never forget a collection day and that should lead to increased recycling diversion rates. Everybody wins.

Culver City is adding the Recycle Coach mobile and web app to its communication outreach activities. It will continue to distribute printed materials and have information on the website for residents who prefer traditional methods to find promotional and educational materials.

The Recycle Coach app is free to download and it is available from the iTunes Store and Google Play.n

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 3-5, 2018

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Christina M. Oriel / AJPress

ITH 2017 now a distant memory, the Asian Journal editorial team begins 2018 with a reflection on the top MDWK Magazine cover stories from the past 12 months that were widely read, shared, and discussed.

Despite the hard news stories within the pages of Section A — many of them covering politics, conflicts, tragedies, controversies, and more along those lines — the weekly MDWK Magazine continues to be a source of positivity and inspiration, highlighting the Filipinos and FilipinoAmericans who are succeeding in the fields of politics, health care, business, sports, media/entertainment, fashion, and culinary. *To read these selected features & other stories in their entirety, please visit http://asianjournal.com/aj-magazines/mdwk-magazine/.

LA Deputy Mayor for budget and innovation Miguel Sangalang: Helping Los Angeles and the community connect through technology Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2016 told the Asian Journal that the city is “one of the great Filipino cities of the world” and praised the various FilipinoAmericans who work within his administration and throughout the city’s departments.

In June 2017, Garcetti appointed Miguel Sangalang as deputy mayor for budget and innovation, making the latter the first Fil-Am deputy mayor under the Garcetti administration.

Under this role, he coordinates general functions of the city: budget, performance management, sustainability, technology, data and innovation.

Sangalang, a 10-year veteran of the city of LA, was previously executive officer for budget and innovation, and has held various roles such as IT specialist in the Bureau of Sanitation and director of finance and performance management.

“If you look at my background and how I got here, it’s not necessarily a straight line to government. All of those experiences end up being a part of who you are so you need to have them in order to calibrate your own internal compass because, in places where you have greater responsibility and greater elevation, it becomes a little hazier — cloudier, I’ll say.

You always need that internal compass to help guide you,” Sangalang said during the interview.

Rachelle Ann Go & Christine Allado: All set to play the Schuyler sisters in the West End production of ‘Hamilton’ In fall 2017, Filipina thespians Rachelle Ann Go and Christine Allado began their tenure as the Schuyler sisters in the West End production of LinManuel Miranda’s “Hamilton: An American Musical.”

Go took on the role of Eliza Schuyler, wife of Alexander Hamilton, while Allado has the dual roles of Eliza’s younger sister, Peggy, and the temptress Maria Reynolds in the second act.

Go — whose experience includes “Miss Saigon” and “Les Miserables” — told the Asian Journal that “Hamilton” is “another dream musical.”

“I listened to the album and na-in love ako sa music (I fell in love with the music). Sabi ko, ‘Naku, Lord, parang gusto ko ito!’ Then narinig ko yung songs ni Eliza so sabi ko, ‘This is what I want’. At that point, cli-naim ko na, I’m going to do this. (I said, ‘Lord, I think I like this!’ Then, I heard Eliza’s songs so I said, ‘I’m claiming it, I’m going to do this),’” she shared.

Meanwhile, Allado, an acclaimed classical Filipino cross-

Christine Allado

Shanna Mendiola

over singer, has previously been seen in the West End productions of “Here Lies Love” and “In the Heights,” among others.

Jordan Clarkson on embracing basketball and his Filipino roots Jordan Clarkson, the shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, has long embraced his Filipino roots on his mother’s side. But in 2017, in particular, Clarkson made extra effort to reach out to his Fil-Am fans by attending more community events. In the earlier part of the year, he held a meet and greet in New York, which was attended by Philippine Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who remarked that Clarkson is a “Fil-Am ambassador of basketball” for younger Filipinos and Fil-Ams. In October, Clarkson was joined by his mother and grandmother at the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) in Los Angeles, marking his first public appearance at a large Fil-Am community event.

On being Fil-Am, Clarkson told the Asian Journal, “It means a lot — it’s a part of my culture.

I feel like a pioneer…with me being a Filipino-American in the NBA right now and being the only one is definitely something I want to represent.”

“I know we take a lot of pride and passion in our culture.

It’s just something to be proud to be a part of and I’m looking to be involved in many ways,” he added.

Shanna Mendiola: NBC4’s Emmy Award-winning meteorologist on hard work and success Fil-Am Shanna Mendiola has been the meteorologist for NBC4 Southern California’s weekday morning newscast “Today in LA” since March 2017.

Before moving to NBC4 in 2014, she worked for TV stations in Denver, San Francisco, and Oregon.

Mendiola told the Asian Journal that her daily work spans beyond the misconception that meteorologists just “talk, smile, and be pretty.”

“My day starts the day before with planning and getting a good night’s rest, but before that, studying all the computer models,” she shared. “Meteorologists do a lot of work. I studied in school to learn how to read these computer models to tell us the weather patterns and what’s going to happen, and then keep up to date with the news because that relates to weather and telling people what to be prepared for as well.”

Growing up, the Emmy Award-winning meteorologist recalls watching Al Roker on the “Today” show daily during her social studies class. She would later fill in for Roker on the show in several instances. “I watched him every day as a kid. I got to work for him. How exciting is

Rachelle Ann Go

Photo from Instagram/@shannanbcla

Photo by Atisha Paulson

Coolhaus co-founders Freya Estreller & Natasha Case

couple — all these elements of diversity have only helped us.”

In the next three to five years, customers can expect more flavors and products and Miguel Sangalang AJPress photo by Noel Ty for Coolhaus to be sold at more retail locations. that? I feel very, very blessed to Jonas Gaffud on making have done it, and to be the first beauty queens Asian American to have done Beauty queen maker and it as well — that’s history,” she pageant coach Jonas Gaffud, remarked.

Coolhaus co-founders Freya also known as “Mama J,” was Estreller & Natasha Case bring in Los Angeles this past fall to launch his book, “The Crown: architecturally-inspired, creThe Essential Guide to Becomatively-flavored frozen treats ing a Beauty Queen.” ConsidThe Asian Journal had ered a “crash course into the the opportunity to sit down world of pageantry,” Gaffud with Freya Estreller and Natashared personal stories, industry sha Case, the co-founders of insights, tried and tested makeCoolhaus, a nearly-decade old up, fitness, and posture tips.

Los Angeles-based artisanal ice Gaffud and his Aces & cream sandwich company with out-of-the-box flavors from fried Queens squad have helped over 30 beauty queens become winchicken and waffles to foie gras ners. His most recent trainees PB&J. The pair spoke about how they built the company and include Miss International 2016 what it’s like to be both business Kylie Verzosa, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Arida who was and life partners. third in Miss Universe 2013, and Case, who as an architecof course, Wurtzbach who took ture background, recalled how home the Miss Universe crown she began making ice cream in 2015 in a highly-publicized sandwiches for an employee win. holiday bake sale while work“I think they’re a symbol of ing at Walt Disney Imagineerhope, especially in the Philiping. Though comprised of an pines,” Gaffud told the Asian ice cream scoop wedged in between two cookies, they were Journal as to why beauty pageants and queens are popular more than that, as she calls it: among Filipinos.

“Farchitecture” (food + archiChess Grandmaster Wesley tecture) creations, playing on famous architects and structures. So: Dedication and ability to be the best in the world Realizing how much of a hit At 23 years old, Filipino the combinations were, Case, along with Fil-Am Estreller, soon Wesley So is considered the second best chess player in the transformed this hobby into a world. Considered one of the business venture. youngest grandmasters on the “I really like that core planet, his position in the chess principle of expressing yourworld proves that mastery and self,” Estreller said. “No flavor skillfulness lie not on age, but on or collaboration is too weird or dedication and ability. kooky.”

So shared that he began Esteller, who has since playing chess at 6 years old and moved on to other ventures would challenge those older including Ludlows Cocktail Co., than him to play with him. continues to consult with CoolAt age 9, he acquired his haus occasionally.

“You have to be bigger than very first major tournament victory in the 2003 Philippine the brand and the brand has National Chess Championships, to be bigger than you. Luckily, and has since then, traveled all Coolhaus is a brand that’s not over the world for tournaments, only our faces and identities,” often times placing at the top Case shared. “It’s bigger than of them. In 2016, he won The just the who. Our relationship Sinquefield Cup, 42nd Chess didn’t exist for the purpose of growing Coolhaus… If anything, Olympiad, London Chess Classic and Grand Chess Tour. having an Asian woman co“They say this sort of work founder and being a same-sex is not something you choose, it chooses you. I am grateful to be chosen,” he said. “It (chess) is my job and I am good at it and the people I work with treat me with respect. It is an arena I am comfortable in.”

Fil-Am footwear pioneer Rich ‘One’ Cofinco: Keeping the vision From his beginnings as a respected street artist, to building a name in the footwear industry, Rich “One” Cofinco has proven Photos by Troi Santos to be an unstoppable, freewheeling creative.

Confinco, whose experience includes working at Vans and starting brands like 4ce Footwear, Creative Recreation, and As Seen in the Future, said: “your blueprint is your sole — no pun intended — of your shoe.”

Creative Recreation’s shoes quickly gained attention from celebrities including Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Alec Baldwin, Robert Downey Jr., and Ryan Seacrest, among

Rich “One” Cofinco

Photo by Atisha Paulson

Matina CEO & Founder Margot Bautista Henry with her son, Charlie.

Jonas Gaffud

AJPress photo by Noel Ty

Matina creations Photos courtesy of Margot Bautista Henry

There are over 3.1 million registered nurses (RNs) in the U.S., many of whom are Filipino and Fil-Am. The history of Filipinos migrating to the United States to be trained as nurses stems back to the 1900s.

Inquirer.net

many others, and were featured in magazines like GQ, Marie Claire, Men’s Health, and Men’s Vogue.

The success of the company wasn’t something Cofinco really expected, saying, “Even to this day, I look back and can’t believe something like that happened.”

Explaining why he considers himself his biggest influence, he said, “You have to believe in yourself at the end of the day. If anyone is a true believer of what you do and has your back, it’s yourself. Everyone else around here will do that for you as well, but you have to believe in yourself.”

Matina CEO and Founder Margot Bautista Henry on expressing Filipino pride and personal style Filipina Margot Bautista Henry, who had been in the banking industry, came up with the idea of a clothing company after discovering the shortage of Filipino-made/designed clothes she could wear to work.

“My searches would always come up with Filipiniana clothing, terno, or any variety of the Filipino national garb or costume — which, of course, I could not (would not!) wear to my corporate job,” Henry shared with the Asian Journal.

“I recognize[d] that I must not be the only one that has search for this, being that I am not the first, nor the only, first-gen Filipino immigrant that has probably had the same yearning.”

Opened in August 2016, Henry’s line, Matina, is one of the fastest-growing U.S. based online store featuring worldclass apparel by Filipino designers, curated for life in the U.S. and beyond. The store features brands like Uniform, Anika, Florence Fling and Ethnique, which are all owned and run by Filipina women.

“Matina features designers that are Filipino. Their work may or may not be Filipino-inspired.

I think this is an important distinction because we are not positioning ourselves as a store

selling Filipino-themed items, rather we are a Filipino brand, seeking to fulfill the need of the Filipino-American to be able to wear world-class and high-quality apparel that has a little piece of home with them that they can show off and be proud of,” Henry explained.

National Nurses Week: Celebrating Filipino nurses’ contributions to the US Besides featuring certain personalities, organizations and businesses, the MDWK Magazine also runs special supplement features that are tied to certain holidays and celebrations of a given month. In May 2017, we ran our first-ever special section dedicated to the nurses who take of patients across the United States, in time for National Nurses Week (May 6-12).

There are over 3.1 million registered nurses (RNs) in the U.S., many of whom are Filipino and Fil-Am. The history of Filipinos migrating to the United States to be trained as nurses stems back to the 1900s. Some stayed in the country, while others returned to the Philippines to put their expertise to practice and set up nursing schools and programs. According to a report

by Quartz, “nearly one out of every five Filipino women in the U.S. works as a nurse” and in California alone, 20.3 percent of nurses identify as Filipino.

The Asian Journal interviewed several RNs across the country to ask why Filipinos are attracted to the field.

“Filipino nurses excel in the United States because caring for others — especially our elderly and family — is already a quintessential part of our culture,” shared Kathleen Reyes, a registered nurse in Southern California. “Having a dynamic with our own families that includes extended relatives and our elderly has formed our nursing skills of caring even before we pass our NCLEX. Filipino nurses are important because we do give that unique and Continued on Page 3

MDWK Magazine’s 2017 in review From Page 2 deeply authentic [tender loving care].”

“People and communities should honor [and] pay tribute to nurses [all] year long. Not only on Nurses Week, but every day,” Tess Dela Cruz, an RN for over three decades and a current nurse care manager in New York, said.

Anthony Cailan: Fil-Am sommelier in Los Angeles Anthony Cailan, the current beverage director at restaurant/ wine bar Hayden, is considered one of the youngest sommeliers to oversee a wine program in Los Angeles.

In his conversation with the Asian Journal, Cailan — who is the younger brother of Alvin Cailan of Eggslut, Amboy, and Unit 120 — talked about his start in the food industry, lessons from his older brother, the best wines to pair with Filipino cuisine, and what it takes to become a sommelier. “[Alvin] kept on reminding me that ‘You are a FilipinoAmerican.’ I’ve always just associated myself as being an Angeleno, but in reality, I am also a Filipino-American representing [my] people in that industry,” Cailan said.

The younger Cailan, who graduated from Culinary Institute of America, held Alvin open Eggslut and went on to work at famed wine shop Domaine LA to some of the best restaurants in LA, including Bestia as a runner, server and eventually wine steward, and Animal as a line cook.

Cailan, whose goal is to have his own restaurant and wine bar, said his advice for those who want to get started in the industry is to “Work hard. Don’t have a huge ego.”

“Wine tends to do that to people, but work really hard and honestly, have humility. If someone has a different palette than you, that’s normal. Be someone who’s always open-minded and always be willing to try something new or even try something you have already written off. Try again,” he added.

LA, NYC Fil-Am chefs at the heart of ‘ULAM’ “ULAM,” (Tagalog for main dish) an hour-long documentary

by Filipina-American filmmaker Alexandra Cuerdo, looks at the rise of the Filipino food movement in Los Angeles and New York City. It was first previewed in front of over 600 individuals at the Million Dollar Theater as part of the LA Food Bowl, the Los Angeles Times’ inaugural month-long festival this past May 2017.

As seen in “ULAM,” this current accessibility to Filipino food is thanks to chefs and restaurant owners like NYC-based Romy Dorotan and Amy Besa of Purple Yam and Nicole Ponseca and Miguel Trinidad of Maharlika and Jeepney. In LA, we have Andre Guerrero (The Oinkster, Maximiliano, The Little Bear & Ramen Room), Johneric Concordia and Christine Araquel-Concordia of The Park’s Finest, Alvin Cailan (Eggslut, Amboy & Unit 120), Ricebar’s Charles Olalia, and brothers Chase and Chad

features 3

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 3, 2018

Beverly Boulevard.

Ibanez, a public servant working with the LA City Housing Council to focus on combating the issue of homelessness, told the audience that the city is politically active and calls for more Fil-Ams to be more engaged.

“Our history needs to be told and our stories need to be written,” she stressed.

26 years of Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC): FPAC26 official photo by Baltazar and Jonnel Dasalla LA’s largest and longest-runWine sommelier Anthony Cailan Photo by Katie Gibbs “Motherland” filmmaker Ramona Diaz ing of Filipina authors who each ning Fil-Am celebration crosses shared the value of their books. generations, showcases best in Those in attendance included Filipino culture Herminia Meñez-Coben (“Verbal Each year, Filipino-American Arts in Philippine Indigenous communities across the United Communities: Poetics, Society, States mark October as Fil-Am and History” and “Explorations History Month through historical in Philippine Folklore”), Carlene events, parades and festivals.

Sobrino Bonniver (“Filipinotown: In Los Angeles, one of the Voices from Los Angeles”), Lucy most-anticipated celebrations Urgello Miller (“Glimpses of Old is the Festival of Philippine Arts Filipina authors in Southern California include Roselyn Estepa Ibáñez, Herminia Meñez-Coben, Cecilia Cebu”), Roselyn Estepa Ibanez and Culture (FPAC) organized by Manguerra Brainard, Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Linda Nietes-Little, Lucy Urgello Miller, Carlene (co-author of “Filipinos in Carson the Association for the AdvanceSobrino Bonnivier, Carmen F. Davino, and Leslie Ryan.

AJPress photos by Noel Ty and the South Bay”), Cecilia ment of Filipino American Arts Manguerra Brainard (“Magdaand Culture (FilAm ARTS) was start conversations their own Valencia of LASA. stories— and cater to those who lena”), Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko held on Saturday, October 14, “Right now, we’re kind of (“Forty Years Writing in America), 2017 at Echo Park Lake. FPAC don’t have much experience hitting this stride — this renaisLeslie V. Ryan (“I am Flippish”), was first conceptualized in sance, if you will, of Filipino food playing video games. and Carmen F. Davino (“Of Love 1990 as part of the City of Los “I hope that people who in the states. Everyone is doing and Virtue”).

Angeles Cultural Affairs Departdon’t traditionally play games something very different and Bonnivier, editor of the ment’s Festivals Program, an arts will give this a chance and check unique, where it’s personal to anthology “Filipinotown: Voices program designed to address out our demo. Something that themselves, authentic to themfrom Los Angeles” featuring 40 the multicultural constituency of selves,” Chase Valencia narrates. I’m really focused on is makcontributors, spoke of growing ing this game accessible to In a conversation with Filup in the Historic Filipinotown people of all types of ages and Am cinematographer Matty neighborhood of Los Angeles, all levels… because as I said, I Libatique, Cuerdo was encourwhere her strong paternal genes do think that this is something aged to pursue a Filipino food that could really bond people of from her Swedish father forced documentary and reached out her to stand out in the neighdifferent age groups together,” to John Floresca, who became borhood. Though she says she Umali said. “They don’t have to the film’s co-producer and be scared of it just because it’s a does not capture the look of a cinematographer. She then met Cailan at a NextDayBetter event video game. It is fun to play and traditional Filipina and was not born in the Philippines, her heart it will teach you some things.” in 2015 and became connected remains close to her mother’s To coincide with Filipinowith other chefs in LA. heritage. Bonnivier spoke fondly American History Month in OcWhile only chefs and resof her mother who is “not five tober 2017, the team launched taurants in LA and NYC were feet tall or 100 pounds,” but a highlighted in “ULAM,” Cuerdo the game’s demo and a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo gentle, sweet, and tender womhinted that it could spring off an. Capturing daily life in the with a $30,000 goal. This fundinto a series of documentaries decades of the 1900s, Bonnivier ing will go toward developing, on more chefs in cities like shares the exciting daily advenpromoting and publishing the Washington D.C., Chicago and tures in “Little Manila,” as well San Francisco. “By no means did game with four chapters by as the political struggles Fil-Ams we want it to be a manual, an A December 2018 available for had to endure with the swayto Z. This is just a taste of what’s Windows and Mac computers ing government decisions. The ‘Motherland’: A converto come, so we would love to do cover of her book displays artist part two. We would love to pro- sation with award-winning Fil-Am documentarian Ramona Eliseo Silva’s famous mural defile many of the other amazing Diaz on witnessing the miracle picting Fil-Am history, which can Filipino chefs and we’re looking of life amidst chaos, reproduc- be found in Unidad Park along forward to the future,” she told tive rights in the Philippines the Asian Journal, adding “At The Asian Journal sat down the end of the day, if we can get with Ramona Diaz (“Imelda,” anyone who watches this film “Don’t Stop Believin’”), the to try one of these restaurants, filmmaker behind “Motherland,” that’s the goal. We’re really a documentary that explores trying to promote our culture the goings-on inside Dr. Jose through food.”

Fabella Hospital in Manila, which ‘The Girl Who Sees’: Filis purportedly the busiest materAms design new video game on Filipino culture and mythol- nity ward in the world. Throughout the 90-minute exploration ogy into the daily life of Fabella, Building on Filipino-properhaps the most significant duced video games, including takeaway is despite difficult conAnito: Defend a Land Enraged ditions, the miracle of life and (2003), a group of Fil-Ams has strength of the human spirit still embarked on the journey to finds a way to shine through. develop an internationally-re“Motherland” — which was leased, kid-friendly game about filmed over 14-16 hour days ancient Philippine mythology. every day for six weeks — was Set during the Japanese screened at the coveted Sunoccupation of the Philippines dance Film Festival in January during World War II, “The Girl 2017 where it won the World Who Sees” is a 2D point-andCinema Documentary Special click adventure role-playing Jury Award: Commanding Vision game (RPG) that follows Quina award. Diaz has screened the Laban (the Tagalog word for fight), a young Filipina girl living film all over the world including Los Angeles, New York, Austin, in a fishing village. She encounAustralia, Germany and Russia. ters mythological creatures, like “I’m always interested in a duwende (dwarf) or kapre (tree women’s rights and female giant), and embarks on quests, stories, which are very important such as translating a mysterious stories to tell. It was interestancient scroll. ing to me too because I grew Pattie Umali, the game’s up in the Philippines, which is a creator and project lead, came very Catholic country and also up with the idea in 2016 while the only country in the world pursuing a master’s degree in that doesn’t have [a] divorce international and intercultural law. There are so many things communication at American about this that makes me think, University in Washington, DC, ‘I can’t believe we’re still fighting where she had taken some over bodies of women or what courses at the Game Lab. Later that year, she participated in the women can do.’ It just boggles my mind,” Diaz shared why she Global Game Jam, where she Photos courtesy of Kidlat Entertainment wanted to explore reproductive met Cherisse Datu and Nathan health rights in the Philippines.

Hahn, who are both now part A Pinay gathering: Celof the design and development ebrating Women’s History team of “The Girl Who Sees.”

Month through Fil-Am women Though the target audience writers and their books is 10 to 30 years old, the team To mark Women’s Hissays it can transcend generatory Month in March, Philippine tions and age groups — kids Expressions Bookshop in San can play it with their parents Pedro, California held a gatherand other older relatives and

Alvin Cailan of Eggslut

Chase and Chad Valencia of LASA

“The Girl Who Sees” is a 2D point-and-click adventure role-playing game (RPG) that follows Quina Laban (the Tagalog word for fight), a young Filipina girl living in a fishing village.

the city.

“Twenty-six years later, we are still that authentic cultural festival that bridges generations,” shared FilAm ARTS interim executive director Tina Salonga-Bulchand. “The festival is inclusive, bringing those layers of multiple generations and levels of immigration to one place. It’s something that lolas, second-generation Fil-Ams, and even non-Pinoys, can enjoy.”

The theme for 2017 was Salin-Lahi (“Bridging Generations”), which can be reflected in every facet of the festival, from the food to performances.

Headliners included Jordan Clarkson of the Lakers, Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.Ap, R&B singer Jessica Reynoso, DJ Virman of the Far East Movement, Kronika of Soulection, Anatalia Villaranda from The Voice Season 12, Bella Fiasco, and Joel Quizon (Disco Manila).

The festival also honored five awardees: LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis (Public Service Award), Pilipino Workers’ Center (Community Service Award), Philippine Expressions Bookshop (Literary Award), Martial Arts Guru Richard Bustillo (Excellence in Arts Award), and actor Reggie Lee (Excellence in Arts Award).

4

Glitzy celebrations and tragic losses in showbiz

entertainment

by ChRistina

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 3, 2018

Alden Richards: No regrets in 2017

by RiCky lo Philstar.com

A CAPRICORN according to the western horoscope, Alden Richards turned 26 on Tuesday, Jan. 2, Year of the Dog, which marks him as a Metal Sheep.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, Metal Sheep are kind and ambitious, having an iron fist in a velvet glove, and full of responsibility. When doing everything, they like to do it in a systematic way and have the ability to establish their own business or career. Advantages for them also include sticking to principles and acting in good faith. however, they sometimes are stubborn and inflexible. Therefore, they are fit to specialize in a specific technique and could obtain outstanding achievements.

The description perfectly fits Alden who looks back at 2017, the Year of the Rooster, with approval.

Asked how he would rate his career on a scale of 1 to 10, Alden broke into a wide smile, dimples digging deep into both his cheeks.

“I give myself a Perfect 10,” he said. “I’m very happy with how things turned out last year.”

Gigi Lara-Santiago, who handles the GMA Artist Center of which Alden is one of the 200 talents, volunteered the information that Alden would renew his contract with dozens of endorsements, among other prospects for 2018. Alden recently flew back from a muchdeserved nine-day vacation in Japan with eight members of his family (including his dad, grandparents, siblings and other

Alden Richards Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02

relatives).

“Travel refreshes the mind and the body,” noted Gigi. And Alden agreed. “You come back fully recharged,” he said.

The vacation (Dec. 19 to 27) gave Alden a chance to bond with family.

“It’s my first time to spend time out of the country with my family,” related Alden.“Nakakarelax. Iba ang feeling na kasama mo ang pamilya mo. Sometimes when I go abroad for a show or for promo, I would stay a few days behind to unwind. Pero iba kapag pamilya ang kasama mo.”

Alden plans to invest more in business (“Off the record muna,” reminded Gigi) in 2018 which promises to be as busy as, if not far busier than 2017 when, aside from his regular shows (“eat, Bulaga!” and “Sunday Pinasaya”), he did two docu-dramas (about Martial Law and Marawi) and the soap “Destined To Be Yours” with Maine Mendoza with whom he might do another movie (after their 2016 starrer “Imagine You & Me”) also to be produced

FROM the rise of Donald Trump, the North Korean missile testing and mass shootings to

by Tony Tuviera (“Tuloy ‘yon,” the battle of Marawi, Asean he told movie writers during a and Miss Universe hostings in Christmas lunch). the local setting, the year 2017 Not many people know that lived up to the characteristics of Alden has been supporting its Chinese zodiac sign as the several charity projects which he Rooster cackled with the bigkeeps under wraps. gest events and controversies “That’s why he makes it a worldwide. point not to attend during those The entertainment world was projects’ activities,” shared Gigi. no exception to the extremes “Secret projects,” said predicted to take place in 2017.

Alden. “If I go, siempre they will January in fact saw a major photograph me and the projects kickoff at the Oscars when “La La wouldn’t be secret anymore.”

Land” was mistakenly announced “It’s enough that he is helpas the year’s Best Picture winner ing those in need,” added Gigi. instead of “Moonlight” signaling No regrets, or anything that a colorful year in showbizlandia. he missed doing in 2017?

Shortly after came the news “None,” assured Alden. “I of couples going to “Splitsville” did my best and I promise to do in hollywood, the most notable better. If you continuously look of which were actors Chris Pratt for something that is not there, and Anna Farris whom the world the unhappiness will always be expected to last together for a there. I’m contented with what long time.

I have. Whatever I will have is Still over in La La Land, the more than a blessing.” most shocking news of the year And how would he rate his carried the hashtag #MeToo on lovelife on a scale of 1 to 10? social media, which turned into a As usual, Alden is mum on the movement that unmasked the almatter. leged sexual misconducts of film The Metal Sheep are usuproducer and executive harvey ally gooey over their love.

Weinstein. Later, alleged victims They like to deal with the love of reputable anchorman Matt relations sloppily. When meetLauer, director Roman Polanski ing crisis for their love, they and actor Kevin Spacey, among a are difficult to make a decision. long list of other artists, stepped If they cherish their precious forward to tell their own stories feelings, they try their best to of sexual harassment. maintain them. Otherwise, they And as always, what hapend the relationship as early as pened in the U.S. trickled down possible. to this part of the world as social So what was the best lesson media also became a tool for that he learned in 2017? young women to expose how “No matter how hard life members of several independent deals with you, just keep gobands in the music scene have ing. As long as you’re doing made inappropriate moves togood, nothing bad will happen ward female fans. Jensen and the to you.” Yes, it’s called Good Flips and Sud were two of those Karma. bands who have since been dropped from their scheduled performances.

That is not to say, however, that showbiz has not had its fair share of good news in 2017.

The Royal Family, considered celebrities with their huge international following, was once again big in the news with the announcement of the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton’s third child by Prince William over the summer, and just before Christmas, Prince harry’s engagement to American actress Meghan Markle.

Other couples who also announced their engagements include singer Megan Trainor and boyfriend-actor Daryl Sabara Solenn Heussaff Photo from Instagram/@solenn and “Game of Thrones” stars Kit not spend the holidays together harrington and Rose Leslie, just this year, since marrying Solenn, to name a few. he has been following Filipino But of course, the Philippines traditions like “Monito Monita” does engagements, weddings, and “Simbang Gabi,” which he births and baptism bigger and still finds hard to pronounce. better these days with this look Solenn leads New Year back by The Sunday Times Magcountdown azine on the year’s most talked The day after their wedding about celebrations, while also anniversary, on December 31, paying tribute to the industry’s Solenn led the New Year count- losses in 2017. down at the newly opened Weddings Cove in Okada Manila, Pasay Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho City.

Luxury was certainly the Solenn’s “Taste Buddies” theme of celebrity doctors Vicki co-host, Rhian Ramos, spearBelo and hayden Kho in Paris, headed the countdown at The France no less, dubbed the City Fountain together with Sam YG. of Love.

During the countdown, The night before their big Solenn asked the audience day on September 3, the couple, what their New Year’s resoluwho already had a civil wedding tions are. The event’s host, in Manila, held a welcome dinner Rico Robles, said that his is to for celebrity guests aboard a include a one-million-U.S.-dol70-meter cruise ship that sailed lar Orange County Choppers along the River Seine.

(OCC) motorbike on his bucket The following day, Belo list. But according to Solenn, a looked every bit regal in her New Year’s resolution should be blush Michael Cinco bridal gown “realistic.” when she exchanged “I do’s” Also during the countdown, Solenn got the chance to ride the custom-built Cove Chopper, the US$1-million long and low motorcycle that has several “Cove” attributes found throughout. The wheels are designed to mirror the giant dome structure found at Cove.

The detailed paint scheme reflects the strength and simplicity of the dome of the new party place.

On January 1, Nico and Solenn greeted their fans a happy New Year. Solenn said during Pauleen Luna and Vic Sotto with Talitha Maria the countdown that 2017 was a good year for her. Nico echoed this, saying in an Instagram post that “2017 was epic!”

In the post, Nico said that this year, “It is time to get a real sibling for Patato!” he has been referring to himself as Potato. he, however, clarified that his “#wifezilla is NOT pregnant!”

If for others, the New Year’s resolution is to become as fit as Solenn and Nico, is the couple’s resolution to have a baby this year?

Nikki Gil and BJ Albert with baby Finn

New Year, new you with Solenn Heussaff

by Deni

Rose BeRnaRDo Philstar.com

The most common New Year’s resolution, according to a British publication, is usually health-related.

Giving up a vice, taking care more of one’s self and having a better work-life balance are among the top promises people make at the start of every year, British media outfit The Sun said in a report published on January 1.

For those whose New Year’s resolution is to become a better version of themselves, singer, actress, TV host and entrepreneur Solenn heussaff gave tips on how to be fit like her. “easy lang!” Solenn said on how she achieved her curves and abs.

“Walang carbs, no junk food, no soft drinks, exercise every day. ‘Yun lang!” the star

told Philstar.com.

According to her, she was able to achieve her abdominal cuts by alternating boxing, yoga, CrossFit and weight training every day.

Last December 30, Solenn and husband Nico Bolzico celebrated their second wedding anniversary. Nicolo said in his Instagram account that Solenn forgot about their anniversary, but he understands. he said he will just note it down in his “Wifezilla owes Nico” list.

Solenn answered Nico’s post, saying: “You are the best partner in life I could ever ask for! hurry and come back home so we can celebrate.”

She told her husband, she does not need “to add a dot on the wifezilla owes Nico list because of the time difference.”

Nico also proudly shared that though he and Solenn did

alpaD ManilaTimes.net

Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho

Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff

with her much younger groom at the American Church of Paris.

Now the reception was one even Parisians themselves found awesome—a magnificent dinner party at the opulent Palais Garnier, also known as the Paris Opera.

Among the star-studded guests who flew from Manila were Piolo Pascual, Derek Ramsay, Alden Richards, Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera and Lovi Poe. At 37, Kho is younger than Belo by 24 years. Belo was previously married to businessman Atom henares, with whom she has two children, Cristalle and Quark.

Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff Like their closest friends Drs. Vicki and hayden Kho, A-list celebrity Anne Curtis and restaurateur-host erwan heussaff had a destination wedding way outside the country in Queenstown, New Zealand on November 12.

Their family and closest friends—many of them show business personalities such as the bride’s sister Jasmine Curtis, the groom’s sister Solenn heussaff, Chesca Garcia, Karylle Tatlonghari, Georgina Wilson, Isabel Daza, Angel Locsin and Vice Ganda, among many others— witnessed the long-time couple’s big day.

Curtis looked radiant in her custom-made wedding gown by international Cebuana designer Monique Lhuillier, while heussaff looked dashing in his bespoke Parisian suit.

The couple have been dating since 2010 and were engaged in December 2016.

More weddings Ai Ai de las Alas and Gerald Sibayan It may be her third marriage but Comedy Queen Ai Ai de las Alas vowed that her union to boyfriend Gerald Sibayan would be her last and “forever.”

The 53-year-old comedienne married her boyfriend of four years, Sibayan, 23, on December 12 at the Christ the King Parish in Quezon City. She looked every bit the princess she longed to be on her wedding day in her Frederick Peralta gown, a gift from her close friend, actress Marian Rivera.

The de las Alas-Sibayan nuptials had a star-studded entourage led by Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Alden Richards, OPM icons Ogie Alcasid and wife Regine Velasquez, Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual.

Love was definitely in the air all year with the following celebrity weddings: Camille Prats and VJ Yambao on January 7 at Nayomi Sanctuary Resort in Batangas; Rochelle Pangilinan and Arthur Solinap on August 8 in Tagaytay; Chynna Ortaleza and Kean Cipriano on November 7 in Quezon City; and Pancho Magno and Max Collins at the Manila Marriott hotel on December 11.

The K-pop world saw the wedding of two of their big-

Ai Ai de las Alas and Gerald Sibayan

gest stars, Song hye-Kyo Song Joong-Ki, on October 31. The South Korean stars, who starred in the hit TV series “Descendants of the Sun” announced their engagements in July.

Births There is no shortage of star power in the birthing department what with celebrities welcoming their little bundle of joy this year. “eat Bulaga!” host Pia Guanio gave birth to her second daughter, Brooklyn, with husband Steve Mago on May 29. “encantadia” actress Kylie Padilla gave birth to Alas Joaquin, her first child with actor Aljur Abrenica on August 4.

Actress Maricar de Mesa, meanwhile, gave birth to baby girl Alianna Sky on July 17.

Camille Prats and husband John Yambao welcomed their daughter, Nala Camille on September 22, following their January wedding.

On November 6, comedian Vic Sotto announced the birth of his and wife Pauleen Luna’s first child, baby Talitha Maria For singer/host/actress Nikki Gil and husband BJ Albert, Christmas came early as they welcomed baby Finn on November 20.

Finally, on December 22, Kaye Abad welcomed her son Joaquin the same day her husband Paul Jake Castillo celebrated his birthday.

Farewells Gil Portes, 71 The award-winning director was found dead in Quezon City on May 24. Considered the country’s “original indie director,” Gil Portes directed critically acclaimed films such as “Saranggola,” “Gatas sa Dibdib ng Kaaway,” and “Mga Munting Tinig.”

Soxie Topacio, 65 The veteran film, theater and movie actor and director passed away on July 21 after succumbing to cancer. Topacio is best remembered in directing the highly acclaimed dramacomedy film “Ded na si Lolo” in 2009.

Chinggoy Alonso, 67 Thespian actor Chinggoy Alonzo passed away on October 15 after his battle with colon cancer. The actor enjoyed a stellar career on stage, television and the movies.

Isabel Granada, 41 The ‘80s and ‘90s darling died on November 4 in Qatar. Prior to her death, Isabel Granada—who started her career in “That’s entertainment” —had been comatose after suffering cardiac arrest on October 25.

It was later revealed that the actress suffered brain aneurysm.

Franco Hernandez of Hashtag, 26 ABS-CBN’s hashtags member Franco hernandez died from drowning in Davao Occidental on November 11. The 26-yearold dancer—a member of the all-male group appearing on “It’s Showtime”—was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital of a nearby town where the accident took place.

Gil Portes

Kaye Abad and Paul Jake Castillo with Joaquin

Isabel Granada

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 3, 2018

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 3, 2018