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JANUARY 3-9, 2019

T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

Volume 30 - No. 1 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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Duterte to Filipinos: Help defeat drugs, corruption

by ALEXIS

ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, January 1 urged Filipinos to join the fight against social ills and to learn from the lessons of the past as the nation welcomed the New Year.

Duterte expressed confidence that with patriotic fervor and solidarity, Filipinos would overcome the challenges that impede their march toward “a more prosperous and progressive future.”

“We welcome the new year full of hope and optimism.

As we herald the start of another year, let us reflect on our storied past and learn from its lessons so that we can face the future with more confidence,” the President said in his New Year’s Day message.

“Let us work hand in hand to defeat the ills of President Rodrigo Duterte

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Malacañang photo

USA

DATELINE Fight vs Pacquiao still on despite Broner’s arrest FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

THE fight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title on January 19, 2019 between Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao and American challenger Adrien Broner will still push through despite the latter’s recent arrest in Broward County, Florida.

Broner was reportedly arrested for failing to appear before the court on his case back in December 2017. His case involved speeding, having no driver’s license and no registration.

However, the Cincinnati boxer was eventually released, according to TMZ. Broner’s trainer Kevin Cunningham assured the public that the fight will push through as their preparations for the coming fight intensifies.

“This is news to me. I didn’t know anything about it. Our camp is on point. He hasn’t missed a beat. Preparation is 100 percent and we are preparing to do what we are coming to do on January 19th and that is to destroy to Manny Pacquiao’s ass,” Cunningham said as reported by The Philippine Star.

The Filipino champion, however, declined to comment on his opponent’s arrest. He said that he plans to share the gospel with him post-fight and pray for him as he goes

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US Embassy condemns deadly Cotabato blast THE U.S. Embassy in the Philippines on Wednesday, January 2 condemned the deadly bomb attack in Cotabato City.

“The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines condemns the recent bombing in Cotabato,” it said in a statement.

The Embassy also extended its condolences to the families of the victims of the blast and hoped “for a quick recovery for the injured.”

It noted the “longstanding” relationship between the United States and the Philippines and expressed readiness “to provide continued support for the peace process in the southern Philippines.”

On December 30, an explosion outside a shopping mall in the southern city of Cotabato killed two people and injured 34 others.

Philippine National Police Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde described the deadly blast as a “cowardly attack” against civilians.

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DILG chief on UK advisory: ‘Not right to generalize threat in Mindanao’

by CATHRINE

GONZALES Inquirer.net

MANILA — It is not right to generalize the existence of threat in the whole of Mindanao, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Wednesday, January 2, after the United Kingdom warned its citizens against travelling to the southern region.

Año said the government admits the presence of terror groups and communist rebels in the region but said “they are isolated in certain areas of Mindanao only.”

“It is not right to generalize the existence of threat in the whole of Mindanao,” he said in a text message

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WELCOME, 2019! Colorful fireworks light up the sky at the Rizal Park in Manila as the country welcomed the New Year on Tuesday morning, January 1. In his New Year’s celebration message, President Rodrigo Duterte called for solidarity and unity among Filipinos as the administration continues to combat significant ills that the country faces.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Donnie Nietes brings home Don’t be offended by Pres. Duterte WBO super-flyweight crown comments on beliefs, Catholics told

by ABAC

CORDERO

Philstar.com

MANILA, — Donnie Nietes flew home on Tuesday, January 1 carrying with him the WBO superflyweight crown and the honor of being only the third Filipino boxer in history to win a world title in at least four weight classes.

“Nakuha ko din (I finally got it),” the 36-year-old tactical fighter told The Star as he waited to board a three-hour flight from Macau to Cebu City.

As he spoke on the phone, the former world champion at 104, Donnie Nietes celebrates his victory over Kazuto Ioka of Japan during

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their WBO super flyweight championship boxing bout in Macau on Monday, December 31, 2018.

Philstar.com photo

MANILA — Catholics should not be offended by President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks on their beliefs, the Palace said Wednesday, January 2, saying it is his way of initiating a supposedly intellectual discussion on their faith.

Duterte has repeatedly criticized Catholic beliefs. In late December, the president took aim at the belief in the Holy Trinity, which states that there is only one God in three divine persons: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

“There is only one God, period.

You cannot divide God into three.

That’s silly,” the president said.

Catholics are not actually taught that God is divided into three.

In a statement to media, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo claimed that “the remarks is his way of shaking long-held religious tenets and beliefs that instead of molding them into being righteous individuals make them cling to religion as an opium.”

He claimed that the president meant “to initiate an intellectual discussion for the faithfuls’ enlightenment and spiritual awakening which could lead them to thread [sic] the path of uprightness so necessary in the moral regeneration of a nation so abundant with religiosity but wanting in spirituality.”

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Report to BI or face sanctions, registered foreign nationals in the Philippines warned

by CHRISTIA

MARIE Inquirer.net

RAMOS

MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday, January 2 warned registered foreign nationals that those who will fail to submit their annual report to the agency from January until March 11 this year will face sanctions.

“Two months is a long time,” said BI Commissioner Jaime Morente.

“There is no reason for foreigners to miss the annual report. Those who will The Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday, January 2 warned registered foreign fail to comply will be sanctioned,” he nationals in the country that those who will fail to submit their annual report to the agency from added.

January until March 11 this year will face sanctions.

Philstar.com photo

Under the 1950 Alien Registration Act, Morente said registered foreigners are required to report to the agency. Noncompliance may result in fines and the cancellation of their registration.

Morente explained that the said act requires all BI-registered aliens “to report to the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila or the nearest participating BI field, satellite or extension office from their place within the first 60 days of every calendar year.”

He added that in the annual report, each foreign national must present his/her original alien certificate of registration

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From The FronT Page

Don’t be offended by Pres. Duterte comments...

PAGE A1 “Rather than the Church and its believers being offended by such unorthodox narratives, they should welcome it as a process to strengthen further their faith or enlighten those who seek the truth of what they have embraced,” Panelo said.

Duterte and some Church leaders have been at odds over deaths in the government’s campaign

against illegal drugs, with the president often mentioning supposed transgressions by Catholic clergymen in his speeches.

Panelo has, in the past, justified Duterte’s remarks against the Church and its teachings as “jokes.” In November, when Duterte referred to Catholic saints as drunkards, he pointed out that Cabinet members at the event laughed at the supposed joke.

“The fact that they burst into laughter (as shown by the video clips of the TV news) showed that they were not offended by what the good bishop and a few critics perceived to be an offensive religious statement,” he said then.

According to the Presidential Communications and Operations Office, among the officials present when the president made the remarks were Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, and Health Secretary Francisco Duque.

Panelo, on Wednesday, said Duterte “sets the limits of the freedom of expression to a notch DEVOTED. Thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene join a thanksgiving procession in Quiapo, Manila, on Tuesday, January 1, just days ahead higher than its common use,” of the miraculous icon’s annual feast.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma adding the president does not care about any “consequential erosion of his public support” by making contriversial statements.

(Philstar.com) PAGE A1 our capabilities and strategies to be ready for two major events drugs, criminality and corruption to once and for all put an end to this year, the plebiscite for the that stunt our development,” he this menace that has long been Bangsamoro Organic Law this PAGE A1 destroying many lives,” he said January in Mindanao ?and the added.

Duterte wished Filipinos a in his New Year’s message to midterm elections in May. through his ordeal.

“While all these will be at the “Of course in my heart, my blessed and bountiful New Year the officers and personnel of the center of our efforts, let us not be desire is to have a conversation and asked them to unite as they country’s police force.

Meanwhile, President Duterte’s remiss in the performance of other with him after the fight and I can face the country’s issues.

“Together, let us face all ob- crackdown on illegal drugs has police duties and responsibilities,” share with him the real life, the word of God,” Pacquiao said as stacles head on, armed with the resulted in the deaths of at least he said.

As this developed, militant knowledge and brimming with 5,050 alleged drug pushers and reported by ABS-CBN News.

“This is boxing. This is entertain- hope that we can triumph over users in reported shootouts with groups said they are bracing themselves for more “blood and ment. We have to do our job in the any struggle that we may face as law enforcement authorities.

The number of drug suspects repression” from the governring. Outside the ring, we should a nation,” the president said.

Malacañang asked Filipinos to arrested since the start of the cam- ment’s operations against activbe compassionate, be friendly, pray for the president to enable paign in July 2016 has reached ists, critics and alleged communist and help others,” he added. sympathizers.

Pacquiao said he believes that him to attain his goals for the 164,265.

Aware of the challenges and “The regime’s line of categorizBroner will be able to handle his nation.

“As we express our gratitude to expectations from the public, Al- ing activists, political dissenters recent brush with the law.

The Filipino boxer turned the Almighty for all the blessings bayalde urged his fellow officers and government critics with the senator is currently in Los Ange- we received in 2018, we welcome to exert more effort to ensure armed revolutionary movement les for a four-week training for the new year as an opportune time their accomplishments are not makes those engaged in perfectly legal, not to mention legitimate his match in January. The battle to reflect on the past year’s expe- wasted.

“With the downtrend in crime political activities, as targets of for the welterweight belt will be riences and draw lessons from the things that had transpired, in 2018, I thus urge every mem- surveillance, intimidation and held in Las Vegas.

It was not the first time that particularly how successfully the ber of the organization to exert armed attack by state security the 29-year-old challenger had administration has overcome the greater effort to sustain this trend forces oriented in brutal tokhangclashed with the authorities. challenges of the previous year,” and assure our countrymen of our style operations,” Teddy Casiño, Broner has been sued for alleg- presidential spokesman Salvador best in ensuring more peaceful Bagong Alyansang Makabayan streets and safer communities,” national council member, pointed edly failing to pay for his jew- Panelo said in a statement. out.

“As another chapter of our Re- he said. elry bills amounting to $1.152 Albayalde also put emphasis on “Just this week, in joint oppublic’s history is about to unfold, million.

In 2016, he was charged with let us continue to be united in our sustaining their drive to weed out erations conducted by the 302nd Infantry Brigade and 94th Infantry misdemeanor for allegedly chok- efforts and prayers to help realize misfits within the PNP. “We will make sure to put more Battalion of the Philippine Army, ing a waitress at a nightclub, the president’s vision of a more and previously had been booked comfortable life for all Filipinos,” teeth to our internal cleansing and assisted by the (PNP), at least efforts with greater responsibility six persons were killed and 16 aron a sexual battery charge but he added.

Albayalde vows relentless and accountability now placed rested in Negros Oriental on the released. (Nathalie Robles/AJon the shoulders of commanders pretext of an intensified anti-drug campaign?

Press) Philippine National Police for the erring personnel in their and anti-criminality campaign,” Casiño added.

(PNP) chief Director General ranks,” he said.

The PNP Counter-Intelligence “In Mindanao, Duterte has Oscar Albayalde vowed that the government’s war on illegal drugs Task Force has neutralized at least ordered the arming of more para100 corrupt police officers, nine military recruits among members will remain relentless this year.

“The anti-drug war must re- of whom were killed in alleged of lumad communities while declaring rebels as mere criminals main relentless and strong even shootouts.

Albayalde directed the police and bandits,” he said. n as we must continue to sharpen

Duterte to Filipinos: Help defeat...

Fight vs Pacquiao...

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DILG chief on UK advisory: ‘Not right to...

PAGE A1 to reporters.

The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office earlier issued an advisory against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago “because of terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups.”

The UK has also advised its citizens against “all but essential travel” to the remainder of Mindanao (excluding Camiguin, Dinagat, and Siargao Islands) and to the south of Cebu province, up to and including the municipalities of Dalaguete and Badian.

The travel advisory was issued by the UK after the bombing in Cotabato City, which killed two and injured 34 others.

According to Año, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and local government units under the martial law in Mindanao are exerting their best effort to ensure the

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año

protection of all tourists.

“We will intensify military and police operations in those concerned or affected areas of Mindanao. We assure the safety of tourists and travellers in Mind-

Inquirer.net photo

anao,” he said.

The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, said that the advisory is only part of the standard operating procedure in the international community. n

US Embassy condemns deadly...

PAGE A1

The police said it is eyeing the possible involvement of local terrorist groups inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the bombing.

Mal acañang, meanwhile ,

vowed to “get to the bottom” of the explosion at the “soonest possible time.”

“We empathize with the families, relatives and friends of those who suffered from this unhappy occurrence,” Presidential Spokes-

person Salvador Panelo said in an earlier statement.

“To them we vow that we will get to the bottom of this at the soonest possible time,” he added.

(Christina Marie Ramos/Inquirer. net)

Donnie Nietes brings home WBO...

PAGE A1

108 and 112 pounds said he had the WBO super-flyweight (115) belt by his side.

“Nasa tabi ko (It’s right here),” said Nietes, who defeated Japan’s Kazuto Ioka via split decision in a New Year’s Eve clash at the Wynn Palace Cotai in Macau.

“Apat na (It’s four),” added Nietes, who joined Nonito Donaire Jr. and Manny Pacquiao as world champions in multiple weight classes (Donaire with four and Pacquiao with eight).

“Pinaghirapan talaga ni Donnie ito (Donnie worked hard for this),” said his trainer, Edito Villamor.

Nietes said he plans to stay a little while at 115. He’s unsure

if he would have to face the winner between countryman Aston Palicte and Puerto Rico’s Jose Martinez for his first title defense.

“Not sure,” said Nietes, who battled Palicte to a split draw last September for the then vacant WBO super-flyweight title.

“Dito muna ako (I’m staying here). May mabibigat na laban dito (There are big fights here),” he said.

Nietes, who stands five feet three inches, admitted that he’s too small to move up to bantamweight.

“Maliit tayo dun (We’re small for that). Mas comfortable ako sa 115,” he added on the phone.

Two of the three judges had it 118-110 and 116-112 for Nietes while a third one had it 116-112 for the 29-year-old Japanese, who also tried to become a four-division world champion.

It was a tactical battle inside the ring. Neither fighter went down.

In the eyes of the judges, it could have gone either way.

But Nietes, the pride of Murcia in Negros Occidental, felt he did enough to win the fight.

“Feeling ko na-dominate ko.

Pero yung isang judge na 116112, baka sa angle niya ganun ang nakita niya (The other judge who gave it to Ioka may have seen it differently from where he was seated),” said Nietes. n

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A3

As Congress returns to session, partial govâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shutdown persists Trump approval rating drops amid Christmas season shutdown

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

FUEL TAX HIKE. A jeepney driver watches as a gasoline station attendant reďŹ lls his vehicle with diesel. Consumers may feel the impact of the second round of fuel excise taxes by mid-January, a Cabinet ofďŹ cial said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Excise tax will be applied only to new inventories. Oil companies have to sell all their old stock without the new excise tax. Old stocks might last until mid-January depending on demand,â&#x20AC;? Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a text message.

ManilaTimes.net photo

Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public kiss with Filipina in South Korea among Reuters top 2018 stories

MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; International news agency Reuters highlighted the incident where President Rodrigo Duterte kissed a woman on the lips in South Korea as part of their 2018 in review.

The kiss happened when the president visited South Korea in June last year.

Duterte in jest said he would give a book in exchange for a kiss as payment and specifically asked for women in the audience. He gave a book to a woman entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Altar of Secrets: Sex, Politics, and Money in the Philippine Catholic Churchâ&#x20AC;? to an overseas Filipino worker and then gave her a kiss on the lips. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not a man. You have to pay me

with a kiss. Are you ready for kissing?â&#x20AC;? Duterte said in Filipino.

The book was written by late Filipino journalist Aries Rufo which covers church corruption and sex scandal in the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Catholic Church.

The president has been promoting Rufoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book as a way of attacking the Catholic Church, an institution that is critical of his war on drugs and the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record on human rights.

At the time of the incident, Duterte told the audience not to take the kiss seriously and said it was â&#x20AC;&#x153;just a gimmickâ&#x20AC;? to entertain people.

But many didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find the gimmick funny and found the presi-

dentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action inappropriate.

Aside from backlash from netizens, activist groups also slammed Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action. Gabriela called it â&#x20AC;&#x153;disgusting theatricsâ&#x20AC;? of what it called a misogynistic chief executive.

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advocacy group Every Woman said then that Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiasco in South Korea illustrated his â&#x20AC;&#x153;increasing impunity and unbridled misuse of power.â&#x20AC;?

His former spokesperson Harry Roque dismissed the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kiss as a playful act after the incident first happened, but then called it out as â&#x20AC;&#x153;inappropriateâ&#x20AC;? when he was no longer spokesperson last October. (Ryan Macasero/Philstar.com)

Report to BI or face sanctions, registered...

PAGE A1 identity card (ACR I-Card) and valid passport and pay a P300 annual report fee and P10 legal research fee.

BI-registered aliens refers to resident foreign nationals who have been issued immigrant or non-immigrant visas and are holders of the ACR I-Card, Morente noted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Foreigners who are out of the country during the annual reporting period may make the report within 30 days from the

date of their return to the country, provided they have valid re-entry permits,â&#x20AC;? he added.

While foreigners below 14 years old are exempted from reporting personally to the immigration office, the BI said it will be the duty of their parent or guardian to report to the agency on their behalf.

Meanwhile, senior citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; 65 years old and aboveâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;are also exempted from personal appearance at the immigration office but are nevertheless required to pay

the fees and fill out the form.

BI Alien Registration Divison (ARD) Chief Jose Carlitos Licas ikewise appealed to all registered aliens to avoid the rush in filing the report. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has always been an issue that people file on the last few days of the annual report period, making the process burdensome for everyone,â&#x20AC;? Licas said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are urging foreigners to avoid [the] deadline rush by making their report earlier,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x2013;

AFTER federal funding expired for one-fourth of the U.S. government on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, which triggered a partial government shutdown, 25 percent of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s federal workforce remains in limbo.

The third shutdown of the Trump administration began when negotiations between top Democrats in Congress and the administration concerning Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $5 billion border wall yielded no agreements. So far, the shutdown dragged through to Christmas and is likely to spill into the New Year.

As of press time, there is no end in sight for the shutdown.

Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incoming chief of staff Mick Mulvaney told Fox News that â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is very possible that the shutdown will go beyond the 28th [of December]â&#x20AC;? and is expected to trickle down into the new Congress.

This shutdown â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which went underway during the holiday season â&#x20AC;&#x201D; has affected and continues to affect certain public programs. Although the heads of agencies assure that despite the shutdown, offices that oversee public health and nutrition assistance, will continue â&#x20AC;&#x153;business as usual.â&#x20AC;?

Amid the shutdown, things in the Trump White House were not going business as usual.

While he wished overseas troops a Merry Christmas from the comfort of the Oval Office, Trump became the first president since 2002 to not visit the troops during the holiday season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a disgrace whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in our country,â&#x20AC;? the president said, referencing the shutdown which he preemptively claimed responsibility for in a televised meeting with congressional Democrats. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But other than that, I wish everybody a very Merry Christmas,â&#x20AC;? he added.

With no resolution in sight, on Friday, Dec. 28, the increasingly frazzled president threatened to close the entire U.S.-Mexico border and seize aid to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador â&#x20AC;&#x201D; countries from which many of the migrant caravaners trav-

eled â&#x20AC;&#x201D; if Democrats donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give him the billions of dollars for the border wall.

In a tweet storm, Trump said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will be forced to close the Southern Border entirely if the Obstructionist Democrats do not give us the money to finish the Wall & also change the ridiculous immigration laws that our Country is saddled with.â&#x20AC;?

He also claimed that those three Central American countries â&#x20AC;&#x153;are doing nothing for the United States but taking our money,â&#x20AC;? but provided no facts to back up the statement.

Origins of the shutdown Like the almost-government shutdown back in January, this shutdown was a result of congressional Democrats not coming to an agreement with the Trump administration for the border wall.

Before the wall is to be built, Trump needs federal funding and, for that, he needs confirmation from Congress. Democrats in Congress have strongly opposed the building of the wall since Trump â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who proudly and repeatedly promised on the campaign trail that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mexico will pay for the wallâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was elected into office.

In a televised meeting in the Oval Office with House Speak-

er-designate Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Trump said that would be â&#x20AC;&#x153;proud to shut down the governmentâ&#x20AC;? to get funding for the wall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am proud to shutdown the government for border security,â&#x20AC;? Trump said during a tense argument with Schumer and Pelosi as cameras rolled before the leadersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Oval Office meeting.

Later, he added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get what we want, one way or the other ... I will shutdown the government, absolutely.â&#x20AC;?

On Thursday, Dec. 27 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the sixth day of the shutdown â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the president tweeted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Have the Democrats finally realized that we desperately need Border Security and a Wall on the Southern Border. Need to stop Drugs, Human Trafficking, Gang Members & Criminals from coming into our Country. Do the Dems realize that most of the people not getting paid are Democrats?â&#x20AC;?

In response, Pelosi said that Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;scare tacticsâ&#x20AC;? lack evidence, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;He talked about terrorists coming in over that particular border, which wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t so. He talked about people bringing in diseases and all the PAGE A4

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january 3-9, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ LaS VEGaS aSIan jOurnaL

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Filipino â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aquamanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; swims from San Francisco, Alejano backs review of PH-US defense treaty California to Alcatraz in freezing water

by Patricia

ann V. Inquirer.net

by Leo

Udtohan Inquirer.net

ENvIrONmENTAl lawyer and triathlete Ingemar macarine made a successful swim from the freezing Golden Gate Bridge to the shark-infested Alcatras Island in the U.S. last Sunday, December 23.

Known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pinoy Aquaman,â&#x20AC;? macarine covered a distance of 6 km from the bridge to the island at the Bay Area of California about 6 a.m. on Sunday, December 23, 2018.

The swim was aimed to promote the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourism and to raise awareness on the importance of clean seas and beaches around the world. macarine was the first Filipino from the Philippines to swim Filipino Aquaman Ingemar Macarine and Lisa Amorao, Filipino-American cold swimmer, endure from Alcatraz Island to San freezing water to complete 6-km swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatras Island on Sunday, December 23.

Inquirer.net photos Francisco shores in 2014.

But during Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s swim, based in California for 25 years. Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celcius). he was accompanied by lisa Although the route was very â&#x20AC;&#x153;The water was really cold Amorao, a Filipino-American scenic, the two had to endure the compared to the English Chancold swimmer who has been hypothermic-cold of 53 degrees nel when I swam there in 2016,â&#x20AC;? he told the Inquirer in a Facebook interview. macarine, 42, an election officer in Tubigon town in Bohol, had a one-year hiatus in open swimming because of an injury and health concerns. macarineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last swim was in November 2017 when he swam 18 km on Panglao Island in Bohol. macarine was the first Filipino swimmer to swim across the English Channel, considered the mount Everest for open swimming in 2015 and 2016.

But he failed in both swims due to bad weather.

His latest swim in California was part of his training for his Environmental lawyer Ingemar Macarine, known as the Pinoy Aquaman, says the swim on Dec. third attempt to swim the Eng23 was not easy as he had to endure not just the big waves and the distance of the swim but lish Channel. n

roxas

mAGDAlO rep. Gary Alejano on Saturday, December 29, backed the call to review the mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States, saying it could be a chance for the longtime military ally to clarify its commitments to the Philippines.

A review of the 1951 treaty, the opposition lawmaker said, would make way for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;still ambiguous provisionsâ&#x20AC;? of the agreement to be clarified. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a chance for U.S. to

clarify their commitments to the Philippines as one of its strong allies in the region. This is also to dispel the idea that the Philippines is left at the mercy of expansionist China,â&#x20AC;? Alejano added in a statement.

Defense Secretary Delfin lorenzana earlier said they wanted to review of the mutual Defense Treaty amid concerns on the conflict between the U.S. and China.

Alejano, a former marine officer, noted that the previous statements of U.S. officials regarding the defense of the Philippines in

case of foreign attacks have been â&#x20AC;&#x153;vague and non-committalâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With regards to the West Philippine Sea dispute â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which is the most pressing security issue now, U.S. have opted to assume a seemingly hands-off attitude,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The statements of U.S. officials were vague and non-committal. We hope to hear a definitive stand on the matter,â&#x20AC;? Alejano added, as he expressed hopes that the review would lead to â&#x20AC;&#x153;further strengtheningâ&#x20AC;? of the mutual Defense Treaty and to â&#x20AC;&#x153;more definitive terms of agreement.â&#x20AC;? n

Healthy, balanced diet provides lasting benefits â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WHO by sheiLa

crisostomo Philstar.com

FOr the World Health Organization (WHO), having a â&#x20AC;&#x153;healthy and balanced dietâ&#x20AC;? is the best New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolution a person can make.

In a statement, WHO said such a diet provides â&#x20AC;&#x153;many benefits into 2019 and beyond.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we eat and drink can affect our bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to fight infections, as well as how likely we are to develop health problems later in life, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes and different types of cancer,â&#x20AC;? it noted.

WHO explained that the exact ingredients of a healthy diet depend on various factors such as how old and active a person is and the kinds of food available

Philstar.com photo

in the communities where a person lives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our bodies are incredibly complex, and (with the exception of breast milk for babies) no single food contains all the nutrients we need for them to work

at their best. Our diets must therefore contain a wide variety of fresh and nutritious foods to keep us strong,â&#x20AC;? it said.

To ensure good health, WHO recommended a mix of food staples in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily diet. n

also the freezing water temperature.

As Congress returns to session, partial...

PAGE A3 rest of that, which wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t so.â&#x20AC;?

Who is affected by the Christmas shutdown?

The partial shutdown affected 25 percent of the federal workforce. Despite assurances from the Trump administration that public programs would continue â&#x20AC;&#x153;business as usualâ&#x20AC;? some key subsistence programs have already been affected.

And the longer the shutdown continues, the more employees would be furloughed.

In the Department of Agriculture (DOA), 61 percent of employees would still be working through the first week, but that number is set to decrease as the shutdown wears on.

Staff in the DOAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key offices â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest hunger safety net Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; have been cut by 95 percent by the fifth day of the shutdown.

Also affected is the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), which means that roughly 20 million small businesses across the country could face revenue losses and restricted access to loans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Due to the lapse of government funding, SBA will remain inactive until further notice.

We apologize for any inconveniences and we look forward to assisting you when we return,â&#x20AC;? the agency posted to their official Facebook page. n

FIRSTBORN OF 2019. Lenie Felisilda Bonto, 31, is shown with her baby, Zairah, at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Tuesday, January 1. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; baby was born at 1:05 a.m. on New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 3-9, 2019

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

A5

Fight poverty, violence in 2019 – Robredo

by GLEE JALEA ManilaTimes.net

POST-HOLIDAY SYNDROME. As the holiday shopping rush comes to an end, the busy streets of Quiapo, where vendors usually sell their merchandise, are now littered with uncollected heaps of garbage. The City of Manila though is expected to clean them up in time for the Feast of the Black Nazarene next week.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

AFP chief expects 2018 gains to boost military

by MICHAEL

PUNONGBAYAN Philstar.com

MANILA — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. expressed optimism that the country’s military, building on the gains of 2018, will do more in 2019 as protectors of the people and the state.

He said the AFP’s accomplishments would also improve hopes for an enduring peace and development for the country.

“We have gone a long way treading the path of peace and we are optimistic that the New Year will bring us closer to our common aspirations as the AFP continues to reap more successes in the performance of its mandate

to protect the people and secure the state,” he said in his New Year message.

“As we welcome the New Year, we expect all our soldiers, airmen, sailors, Marines and civilian human resources to be reinvigorated and more eager to continue the significant gains that we have achieved in the past year,’ he said.

Madrigal noted that the AFP has made significant contribution to our country’s peace effort in 2018 as it facilitated the end of conflict with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“Moreover, our continuous focused military operations led to the countless surrender of communist rebels and supporters, the clearing of guerrilla fronts,

as well as the arrest of top New People’s Army (NPA) leaders and personalities,” he said.

“We hope that for their New Year’s resolution, more and more NPA members will heed the call to lay down their arms and join mainstream society in its nationbuilding efforts,” he added.

Madrigal claimed that 2018 has truly been a successful year for the AFP as “we fulfi ll our tasks within the national thrust towards just and lasting peace and development for the Philippines.”

“As this year closes, the AFP will continue its resolve in serving the Filipino nation in achieving its mission of protecting the people and securing the state,” he said. ■

Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe still lead senatorial survey — SWS

by PAOLO

ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Cynthia Villar continues to lead senatorial candidates in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted five months before the national and local elections.

She obtained a voter preference of 62 percent, estimated at over 37 million votes, followed closely by Sen. Grace Poe, who is the choice of 60 percent of voters or equivalent to about 36.4 million votes.

Sharing third to fifth places were Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano and Senators Sonny Angara and Nancy Binay, who all obtained 40 percent.

The nationwide poll was conducted from Dec. 16 to 19 using face-to-face interviews of about 1,500 respondents with a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.

Actor and former senator Lito Lapid was in solo sixth with 38 percent voter preference while tied at the eighth and ninth places were Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III and former senator Jinggoy Estrada, both obtaining 34 percent.

Former interior secretary and senator Mar Roxas placed 10th with 28 percent followed by Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos with 27 percent.

Capping the top 12 is Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, who obtained

REINA TOLENTINO ManilaTimes.net

A BILL that aims to promote the country’s indigenous or traditional writing systems has hurdled the House of Representatives on second reading.

Authored by Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil of Pangasinan’s second district, House Bill (HB) 8785 provides for the writing systems’ protection, preservation and conservation, according to a statement issued on Monday, December 31.

HB 8785 declares “it is the policy of the State to inculcate, propagate and preserve the cultural heritage and treasures of the Philippines as a means to

REMEMBERING RIZAL. Vice President Leni Robredo salutes after laying a wreath at the monument of Jose Rizal in Manila.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

have a chance to get the future we desire),” she said.

“Umaasa ako na magdudulot ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang 2019 para sa ating lahat. Kaya’t bukas-palad nating tinatanggap ang hamon ng darating na taon (I am hoping that 2019 will be better for all of us. That’s why we should accept the challenges brought by the upcoming year),” she added.

Also on Sunday, the vice president reminded the public of the true meaning of freedom, as envisioned by Jose Rizal.

She called on the Filipinos to find within themselves “the courage and serenity to work for his

Sen. Cynthia Villar obtained a voter preference of 62 percent, estimated at over 37 million votes, followed closely by Sen. Grace Poe, who is the choice of 60 percent of voters or equivalent to about 36.4 million votes.

Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos

27 percent voter preference, equivalent to over 15 million votes.

At 13th and 14th place were former senator Serge Osmeña and Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, respectively.

Former special assistant to the president Christopher Go ranked 14th to 15th with former Bureau of Corrections head Ronald dela Rosa.

Tied at 17th and 18th were former presidential political affairs adviser Francis Tolentino and former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, who both obtained 16 percent.

Other senatorial candidates who obtained single-digit voter preferences were volunteer doctor and former STAR columnist “Doc Willie” Ong, singer Freddie Aguilar, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, former broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad, former congressman Neri Colmenares, Melchor Chavez, Dado Padilla, Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, Lemy Roxas, Larry Gadon, women’s rights advocate Samira Gutoc, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno and former interior chief Rafael Alunan. ■

promote patriotism among the citizenry,” the statement said.

If the bill is passed into law, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) would be mandated “to include the traditional writing systems in relevant subjects of the basic and higher education curricula, and create an elective or specialized course in higher education about the traditional writing systems.”

“Activities promoting awareness of traditional writing systems during Buwan ng Wika [celebrated every October] and other similar occasions and events shall be created and supported,” it added.

The measure also provides for

An Aeta mother helps her child to draw at Brgy. Diaz in Porac, Pampanga.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

the conduct of “seminars, conferences, conventions, symposia and other relevant activities on the study of traditional writing systems shall be conducted, taking into consideration the writing system that is indigenous to a particular region.”

HB 8785 also ensures the proper record-keeping of relevant documents and preservation of oral evidence on the writing systems.

The National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is mandated under the bill “to be the lead agency in promulgating policy guidelines in the promotion of the writing systems” and to coordinate with the DepEd, CHEd and other relevant agencies for the proposed measure’s proper implementation if it becomes a law.

Other authors of the bill are Deputy Speaker Pia Cayetano and Representatives Gary Alejano, Manuel Jose Dalipe, Ramon Durano 6th, Juliet Marie Ferrer, Gabriel Bordado Jr., France Castro, Salvio Fortuno, Julieta Cortuna, Gus Tambunting, John Marvin Nieto, Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, Micaela Violago, Mercedes Cagas, Glona Labadlabad, Ron Salo, Antonio Tinio, Virgilio Lacson, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Ann Hofer, Cristal Bagatsing, Mark Go and Salvador Belaro Jr., among others. The late Rep. Ciriaco Calalang was also an author of the bill. ■

vision of a Philippines free from hate, division, and tyranny, and where the dignity of every Filipino is upheld.”

“In these times when ruthless practicality is foisted on us as virtue, and when respect for individual dignity is maligned as weakness, Rizal stands as a reminder that true freedom always goes hand in hand with kindness and integrity,” Robredo said during the wreathlaying and flag-raising ceremonies in front of the Rizal Monument in Manila to commemorate Rizal’s martyrdom.

“Ultimately, we must be the change we wish to see,” she said. ■

DOLE: Most of the unemployed are educated

that 825,000 unemployed are college undergraduates or have completed a college degree.

“Educated unemployment is a MANILA — Most of the country’s unemployed are educated, result of the increasing outward according to the Department of flow of labor from the country,” Labor and Employment (DOLE). the DOLE said.

The agency also noted that DOLE’s JobsFit 2022 Labor Market Information (LMI) Report jobseekers who are college showed that almost a million or undergraduates or graduates 43.9 percent of the unemployed are less likely to get employed population nationwide in 2017 compared with jobseekers with have either reached or graduated lower level of educational attainment. from high school.

“Individuals (with higher eduThe LMI Report also indicated

by MAYEN JAYMALIN Philstar.com

1404 S. Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, NV 89104

House OKs bill promoting indigenous writing systems

by MA.

VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo called on Filipinos to continue the fight against poverty, violence and injustice in 2019.

“Ngayong 2019, patuloy tayo magkapit-bisig sa ating laban sa kahirapan, karahasan at kawalan ng hustisya (In 2019, let us unite in the battle against poverty, violence and lack of justice),” Robredo said in her New Year’s message.

She also challenged the public to welcome the year by bringing hope to fellow Filipinos.

“Nasilayan natin nitong nagdaang taon ang kuwento ng mga magigiting nating mga kababayan, na gumawa ng kahanga-hangang kabayanihan sa iba’t ibang mga paraan. Marami sa kanila ay walang takot na nagpahayag ng katotohanan, nagpakita ng pagmamalasakit kahit sa kagalit, at naglingkod para sa kapakanan ng mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan, (We have seen some of our countrymen exhibit acts of heroism in various ways. Most of them displayed courage in reporting what is true, showed compassion even to enemies, and served those who are in the fringes of society),” she said.

Robredo said a new year is a chance to have a fresh start.

“Anuman ang nangyari sa nakaraan, anuman ang landas na ating hinahangad, may pagkakataon pa rin tayong makamit ang kinabukasang ating pinapangarap (New Year is a chance to start anew, and no matter what happened in the past, no matter which path we choose to take, we still

cational attainment) have higher reservation wages and can afford to wait for better job offers,” it said.

The program or course that the college graduates completed may have also influenced the chance of finding employment, according to the DOLE. Almost half of the unemployed are young adults or those belonging to the 15-24-year-old age bracket. The DOLE said most of the unemployed are entering the job market for the first time. ■

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JANUARY 3-9, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Hope for a better year

FEATURES

THE year 2018 closed on a tragic note as landslides and flash floods spawned by tropical depression Usman in the Bicol region left at least 57 people dead.

It’s a sad reminder of the challenges ahead at the start of a new year. For a country that is visited regularly by natural disasters, and is considered among the most vulnerable to climate change, disaster resilience should be a top priority.

A new year should strengthen the resolve to implement reforms and follow through on promises. The year ahead bodes tough challenges. Inflation must be tamed as the fuel excise tax, whose impact on pump prices in 2018 cascaded to most consumer items and services, is increased starting today.

Economic growth has decelerated and the peso is weak.

There’s a national budget to be passed, before the reenacted one is used for corrupt ends. Public works projects that broke ground in 2018 must be pursued in earnest this year.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law was passed in 2018; this year it must be pitched to the affected areas for ratification.

On the last day of 2018, a bomb exploded at a crowded shopping mall in Cotabato, killing at least two persons and wounding several others, reminding the nation that serious security problems persist.

The brutal war on drugs has been recalibrated, even as large-scale drug traffickers appear unfazed by the continued killings. The election campaign bodes more armed violence that must be contained.

Following last year’s Dengvaxia scare, the government must heed the warning of health experts and revive public confidence in vaccines. The steep drop in vaccinations last year for various afflictions can lead to a public health crisis in the near future.

There’s a new law on Ease of Doing Business that must be properly implemented, to attract investments that generate employment. This is important especially as Middle Eastern countries send home migrant workers.

In Metro Manila, authorities cannot throw up their hands in surrender with a warning to expect worse traffic jams.

The year just past had moments of undoubtedly good news: the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the return of the Bells of Balangiga; the victory Philstar.com photo of Catriona Gray as Miss Universe. Imelda Marcos, As we prepare for the challenges ahead, we hope with hope.

Janet Lim-Napoles, Jovito Palparan and the police A happy and prosperous New Year to all! (Philstar. killers of Kian Lloyd delos Santos were convicted of for a better year ahead. A Social Weather Stations survey showed 92 percent of Filipinos greeting 2019 com) serious crimes.

Editorial

Commentary

LITO MONICO LORENZANA TODAY is the second day of the 2019th year of our Lord. And we all count our blessings as we review the year just gone by. My brood is split this year. My eldest, Lara and her Filipino-American kids are with Lolo Lito and Lola Sylvia here in San Francisco to meet up with Grandpa Pat and Grandma Vicky Kolling, parents of Matt, husband of Lara, who flew in from Minnesota. Carlo’s kids are with Papa Louie and Mama Betsy Quisumbing in Manila. Since the half of us are in the United States today, I will follow a quaint American yearly family tradition of sending Christmas cards to families and friends updating them on their journey through the years.

American society is very mobile, residing from city to city or from one state to another. Figures show that an American nuclear family changes residences four or five times in a lifetime. They go where opportunities are available,

Christmas card from America in large cities, mostly for work.

But demographics suggest that the reverse has been happening.

The suburbs and small cities are preferred. The car is what defined American society’s mobility. Thus, the need to connect with old neighbors from new neighborhoods that may be scattered all over.

Philippine society has also been transforming for the past several decades. Migration to other countries, especially by the young, for work opportunity as the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) has been rising. A phenomenon which may not be exclusive to Filipinos is that families that migrated in the 1960s,1970s or 1980s have found the good life here in the States, sought after the “American Dream,” brought up kids as Filipino-Americans, have them study and work and live here. When the time to retire comes, fortified by their monthly U.S. dollar pensions and bolstered by the fruits of their 401K investments, the parents go back to the “ol’ country” and live the rest of their lives comfortably, even luxuriously. I know this

firsthand because I have brothers and classmates who are now beginning to filter back as salmon seek the streams of their youth to procreate randomly for the last time and die. No, not the same for my class 1960 high school.

They’re too old and too terrified by their wives to procreate. They are beyond their expiry dates; take it from Rey Vicente and Toti — except for Dinky. They simply come back to seek the company of their classmates and enjoy the last 30 years of their lives in the “pre-departure area.” We are now mostly in our early to mid-70s. We all led good and satisfying lives, here and abroad. For those who migrated to the States, they leave their Filipino-American kids behind, living their lives as upright Filipino-tutored American citizens and may barely have memories of the old sod. And the parents commute across the globe while they still can, slaves to the climate; summer with their American kids and then escaping winter to the beaches and warmth of their old friends in the ‘Pinas. Thus is the circle of life for my brothers and classmates.

Which bring me to my FilipinoAmerican kids, who graciously decided to uproot themselves from their comfortable home in Gramercy Park in New York and their stress-filled but rewarding work as Wall Street bankers and brought my three American Diamonds to Manila.

And face the stressful traffic, but the daily grind mitigated by the help of inexpensive nannies enabling both young parents to carve their future in business and other professions with doting grandparents taking up the slack. My American grandkids don’t fully grasp yet that they are here temporarily for Lolo and Lola to enjoy seeing them grow up, imbibe their Asian culture and be imprinted with good Filipino values, until God forbid, the onslaught of dementia or Alzheimer’s alters the equation.

But until then, what joy to welcome these creatures with their Filipino cousins to the provinces for the beaches, the crocodile farms, the monkey-eating eagles and the lush greenery.

So, on this Christmas, we celebrate, counting our blessings with our families here in Bantry Lane in SFO, missing Javjav, Claudia, Julia and Carlo with Filipino-American

style noche buena; porcetta and baked Cornish hens, Christmas hams, queso and hot, authentic sikwate tablea. On Thursday, the whole brood will motor to Yosemite National Park for four days, communing with nature, building snowmen for Oliver with a carrot nose and stick for arms and for Max and Sylvie on the kiddie slopes for skiing – accompanied

by Lolo, hopefully not breaking a bone, pulling a muscle or tiring too much.

That is, if the tourism industry workers in the park are still there to keep their excellent service despite the Trump-imposed U.S. government shutdown. On the flip side of American democratic governance, we have a condition where a perceived “unhinged American president” has cruelly caused 800,000 federal workers to work without pay possibly for the duration of the holidays and even beyond; hostages to a political fight on partisan ideological grounds. As a backgrounder, the Republican President is pursuing his campaign promise that to prevent illegal migration from South American, with all its pertinent problems, he crafted this mantra to “build a beautiful wall, and Mexico was paying for it.”

It didn’t happen! Now he wants the American taxpayers to carry the burden. He won’t get what he wants; meantime, the targeted workers, the American public and vacationers alike will have to suffer. Enough of this democratic American presidential politics!

And so, my Christmas card updates may have to end here meantime as my Filipino-American family will try to lay aside the American side of the problems and prepare to attend a simbang gabi, also a quaint SpanishFilipino tradition that has for centuries defined our heritage, our firm and deep devotion to our Catholic religious beliefs and re-live the birth of a baby 2,000 years ago in a manger also in a far-away land.

And after the mass, as in the old country, we repair to our homes with our grandchildren taught to touch our hands to their forehead for a “mano po Lolo, mano po Lola”; and partake of the hot sikwate and maybe puto bumbong, queso, a cut of ham between two slices of pan Americano. Unless my wife Sylvia’s sister Ningning and Tita Mi-i can scrounge around for pan de sal to dip into my sikwate – the Filipino way.

(ManilaTimes.net)

New Year’s resolutions for the Filipino nation Commentary

RICARDO SALUDO JUST three, so we have fewer promises to fail in fulfilling.

First, let’s find less fault and more solutions.

Most of us will agree that there is too much fault-finding in our public discussions (and our personal discourse, for that matter). When problems arise, fingers quickly jump out, looking for culprits to blame, as if that would end the ills.

Take the recent bullying gone viral from a toilet in the Ateneo de Manila Junior High School. We’ve all read or made comments blaming the taekwondo-wielding kid, his father and his family, rumored to have another son expelled from San Beda for similar misbehavior, and the Ateneo for purportedly taking too long in dismissing the bully.

Even President Rodrigo Duterte got some fingers pointed at him, purportedly for encouraging bullying, especially after media assumed that Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle was referring to the President in a recent Sunday mass homily against bullying. It didn’t help that both Duterte and his spokesman got defensive, instead of just letting the Tagle remark pass, since it never mentioned him.

For all that blame game about the Ateneo toilet tussle, how much air time, column inches, and online posts actually talked about serious solutions to youth bullying? There was a tweet for the bully boy to be beaten senseless, and a FilipinoAmerican ex-soldier challenging the kid’s dad to fisticuffs, as if more bruises and blood would teach youths that violence didn’t solve anything.

Turning to national problems, Congress has held countless hearings on shabu smuggling, leading to the replacement of two Bureau of Customs commissioners, plus the relief and charging of several BoC, police and anti-drug people, plus alleged smugglers and their cohorts.

But what solutions have actually been implemented to stop the contraband? Will Customs get more and better container x-ray machines, with its operators trained to spot hidden drugs? If so, when and where will the equipment be installed and expertly operated?

Actually, a decade ago, there was already a plan to have x-ray machines with connections for security, police, and anti-narcotics agencies to also access the footage.

Then expert eyes will be on each container being x-rayed. A good plan that remained a plan.

Stop the Church-State bickering Resolution No. 2: State and Church must stop quarreling and start working together.

The escalating verbal jousts between our political and spiri-

tual leaders have reached unprecedented levels of cacophony and nastiness, with nil gain from all the painful exchanges. One hopes most Filipinos ignore the utterly useless repartee between Palace and prelates, who would do immensely more for the nation if they quarreled less and worked together more.

To wind down this bitter banter, the bishops must take a leaf from Pope Francis and desist from responding directly against presidential taunts, especially those attacking God and Catholic beliefs and practices. (As for President Duterte, urging him to mind his words would be like asking U.S. President Donald Trump to stop tweeting.)

Duterte is not the first prominent figure to make fun of Church doctrines, and like all those who attacked Catholicism before him, he will fail to budge the faithful, since he has no spiritual authority, and God’s graces and action toward His believers count far more than anything His detractors can say or do. Just ask the martyrs.

Once the President sees that his screeds against the Church are being ignored, he will hopefully be satisfied with his victory by default and stop his angry monologue.

Then maybe, just maybe, State and Church can begin sincere and serious dialogue on national concerns, especially drugs, crime, corruption, poverty, and lawless violence.

The top priority: Forging peace Now, if government and reli-

ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia

gious authorities might hold their peace in the interest of joining hands for the national interest, then our third resolution for 2019 may get moving: forge local peace accords with armed groups — not just insurgents and extremists, but also private armies.

The task force recently created

by President Duterte to accelerate local peace efforts should work with bishops and clergy in reaching out to rebels and rebel-affected communities. Insurgents would be offered new lives and livelihoods, and the barangays where they thrive could be placed under the widely successful Kalahi-CIDSS program to bring development to poor areas in consultation and cooperation with their inhabitants.

For sure, there are other national

priorities demanding Church-State action. But the bloodletting among Filipinos must be addressed first and most resolutely, partly because doing so would also address poverty and injustice, and establishing peace opens violent areas to development and investment.

Local peace accords would also reduce the number of armed fighters who could be employed by politicians, criminal syndicates and extremist groups in assassinations, abductions, and attacks on businesses and communities.

Of course, the biggest reason for both State and Church in forging peace is the imperative from God and country for Filipinos to live in harmony. Killing and conflict only feeds more of the same bloodletting, as we see in the rise in political

murders.

Which also underscores the need to include private armies in the local peace efforts. Back in 2009, then President Gloria Arroyo created a special commission, which included a Mindanao archbishop, to rein in private armies in the wake of the Maguindanao Massacre of 56 people, in an effort to stop a rival candidacy.

For 2019, may State and Church bury the verbal hatchet and work together to get purveyors of lawless violence to silence their guns. That would do the nation far greater good than Palace and prelates showing how foolish pride can turn both of them into paragons of nasty nonsense.

A Joyous New Year to all! (ManilaTimes.net)

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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VEGAS&STYLE Journal

That’s entertainment!

Issues and controversies that rocked tinseltown in 2018

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

JUST like politics, the realm of show business is one that is never free from issues and controversies that trickle down from the stars to office chatter, dinner tables and of course, the ever present portal of opinions from experts and the everyday Juan online.

Here’s a look back at the entertainment stories that got the entire nation talking or Tweeting as the case may be.

Heart Evangelista loses twins Actress, visual artist and fashion maven Heart Evangelista was a picture of strength when she revealed to the public on May 17 that she lost one of her twins. In a moving post on Instagram, she announced her pregnancy with husband Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero at the same time she revealed only one of the twins was left growing in her womb.

She said, “Unfortunately one of the embryos was smaller and behind in terms of development and so we lost one of the twins. Our hearts were heavy at the thought but we knew we had to focus on the good.”

More heartbreaking though

Heart Evangelista Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte

on June 6, the celebrity took to Instagram again to share that she suffered a miscarriage, leaving it to God to bless her marriage with a child in His own good time.

“There are not enough words to express how heavy my heart feels but I know it’s important to share this because it’s part of my motherhood journey,” said Evangelista.

Staying away from the spotlight for some months, Evangelista, with the support of her family and friends, resumed work sometime in August and made it to bestselling author Kevin Kwan’s special feature in the American magazine Harper’s Bazaar. She was handpicked by Kwan as one of the real “Crazy Rich Asian(s)” in the Philippines in time for the promotion of his novel’s movie adaptation.

Catching the eye of the fashion world, the 33-year-old actress landed New York-based endorsements and editorials, ending the year back home via a collaboration with proudly Filipino brand Kamiseta.

Mark Bautista comes out To mark his 15th anniversary in show business, singer-actor turned Broadway star Mark Bautista released an autobiography titled Beyond The Mark—but this isn’t the story.

In February, entertainment website Pep.ph reported they received screen grabs of several pages from the chapter “Friendshift,” where Bautista reveals an intimate relationship he had with a male buddy. The website went on to say the 34-year-old actor wrote about “a guy friend” with whom he had a “bromance.”

The report further related from the screen shots pages that this relationship between Bautista and his guy friend became very complicated in two instances when they gave in to the demands of the flesh. After doing it the second time, they made a pact never to go that way again—until another fateful night.

By then, Bautista wrote that

Mark Bautista

his guy friend was already in a relationship with a prominent lady. At a party where they all saw each other, Bautista distanced himself from his friend but ended up drinking the night away when the latter’s girlfriend went home ahead. Unfortunately for all three, the girlfriend caught them to have done the act the following day.

Lucky for Bautista though, contrary to expectations male celebrities coming out is a career-killer, his star actually shined brighter in 2018. In fact coming out as bisexual resulted in a constant stream of projects and a huge spike the balladeer/theater actor’s fan base.

Miss Earth sexual harassment Homegrown beauty pageant Miss Earth was hounded by complaints of sexual harassment from three foreign candidates who revealed via Instagram that a sponsor had made inappropriate advances during their time in Manila.

Miss Earth Canada Jaime Yvonne VanderBerg who withdrew from the contest, alleged that the sponsor started harassing her on her second day in the country, offering better chances of winning the crown in exchange for sex.

Two other contestants, Miss Earth England Abbey-Anne GylesBrown and Miss Earth Guam Emma Mae Sheedy, later backed VanderBerg’s claims on the same

Photo from Instagram/@iammarkbautista

social media platform. Sheedy identified the sponsor as businessman Amado S. Cruz, and accused him of grabbing her “bare backside” during the national costume competition on October 11.

VanderBerg said the sponsor got her mobile number, which she had given to a member of staff of the pageant organizer, Carousel Productions. The sponsor then kept calling her to ask for her hotel room number. The sponsor also allegedly offered to give her an advantage in the competition if she granted him sexual favors.

Gyles-Brown corroborated VanderBerg’s story, angered that it took her four years to win a title and represent her country in an international pageant only to be “exploited.”

“I enjoyed 50 percent of my trip but the other 50 percent was overshadowed by feeling exploited, vulnerable, unnerved and sexually harassed as I was approached by a sponsor on many occasions who asked for sexual favors in exchange for the crown. This happened on a sponsored evening meal away from the team managers behind closed doors. The sponsor tried to find out what hotel and room I was staying in,” she said.

“Myself and Canada approached team managers to express our disgust only to be laughed at… It was PAGE B2

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OPM in 2018

by Mark

BonIfacIo ManilaTimes.net

2018 was indeed a colorful year for Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

It was this year that marked a big change in the industry where majority of record labels closed their CD business and went fully digital with streaming leading the record sales.

Pop singer Moira dela Torre topped most categories in Spotify’s Most Streamed List including the Most Streamed Local Act. Likewise, indie artists dominated Spotify and radio while pop still ruled the music video charts.

Lots of artists made the country proud in 2018 with international appearances in festivals and television, collaborations with foreign artists as well as getting awards and nominations. Most acts celebrated their career milestones via concerts or by releasing a new single or album.

There was also a health scare when one of OPM’s best suddenly underwent emergency bypass surgery. This year, OPM mourned the passing of two OPM greats—Hotdog’s Rene Garcia and Rico J Puno.

The first six months are tackled in this issue.

Teen singer Darren Espanto entered the Spotify Global Viral 50 at No. 44 for his version of “Dying Inside To Hold You.” The song also peaked at Spotify Philippines Viral 50 at No. 4 and Philippines Top 5 at No. 3.

Indie band The Ransom Collective represented the Philippines at Singapore’s St. Jerome Laneway Festival.

James Reid’s music video “This Life” went to No. 1 on MYX Charts throughout the month.

R&B Queen Kyla celebrated her 18 years in music with a new single titled “Only Gonna Love You.” Big Shot Belter Elha Nympha’s guesting on “Little Big Stars France: Le Grand Show Des Petits” was finally aired where she performed “Chandelier.” Like the US and Philippine versions,

Darren Espanto Photo from Instagram/@darrenespanto

James Reid Photo from Instagram/@james

she got a standing ovation from the French audience in the studio and impressed viewers all over the world.

Career milestones: Gary V (35 years) via a concert and Zsa Zsa Padilla (35 years) on ABS-CBN’s “ASAP.” First major concerts: Moira dela Torre (sold out) at Kia Theater, Morissette at Smart Araneta Coliseum, Maymay Entrata at Kia Theater.

James Reid’s music video “This Life” remained at No. 1 on MYX but was dislodged by his girlfriend Nadine Lustre’s music video “St4y Up” at the end of February.

Bossa nova Queen Sitti collaborated with Irish singer and former Westlife vocalist Shane Filan for the song “Need You Now” while PAGE B3

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2018: Achievers in int’l filmfests Catriona Gray off to New York after spending holidays with loved ones

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

SO who says that the Philippine film industry is lagging behind those of other (Asian) countries?

Definitely not where harvest of awards is concerned. In 2018, Filipino artists were “picking apples” in international film festivals, very timely because the industry is celebrating its centennial year.

In recognition of the country’s film industry’s sterling accomplishments, the 23rd Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea handed the Achievement Award by the 2018 Marie Claire Star Awards to the Philippine Team led by chair Liza Diño (of the Film Development Council of the Philippines) with director Brillante Mendoza, Christopher de Leon, Joel Torre, Sandy Andolong, Piolo Pascual and Max Collins.

The achievers: • Recently proclaimed National Artist for Film Eric de Guia a.k.a. Kidlat Tahimik was honored with the Prince Claus Award presented by HRH Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, Honorary Chair of the Board of the Prince Claus Fund on Dec. 6 in the presence of their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and their Royal Highnesses Princess Beatrix and Princess Mabel of the Netherlands at the Royal Palace Amsterdam.

• Brillante Mendoza –– The second highest award, the Special Jury Prize for “Alpha: The Right to Kill” in the 66th San Sebastian Film Festival (SSFF), Spain.

• Lav Diaz – – Tw o awards for “Ang Panahon ng Halimaw,” Best Film (Gems Section) in the 58th International Film Festival of Cartegana de Indias in Colombia and Bildrausch Ring of Film Art in the 8th Bildrausch Filmfest Basel in Switzerland.

• Joel Lamangan — Special Jury Prize for Bhoy Intsik in the Orient Express Section of the 38th Festival Internacional de Cinema do Porto in Portugal.

• “Ngiti ng Nazareno” by Louie Ignacio –– Best Short Film in the 41st Lucas International Festival for Young Film Lovers in Frankfurt, Germany.

• “Die Beautiful” by Jun Robles Lana –– Best Feature Film in the 1st Newcastle International Film Festival in the North East of England.

• Zig Dulay (writer-director of Bagahe) — The Golden Cyclo Award, the top plum in the 24th

OFF to the Big Apple she goes!

Newly crowned Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is ready and all packed up as she heads to her new home in New York City.

In an Instagram post late Wednesday, January 2, the 24year-old beauty queen can be seen clad in a stylish gray bomber jacket, jeans, and thigh-high boots, holding a metallic silver carry-on bag with a Philippine flag plastered on it, as she seems to be awaiting her flight bound Eric de Guia a.k.a. Kidlat Tahimik Philstar.com photos for New York.

“Refreshed from a quiet holiVesoul International Film Festival (Thop Nazareno). day season with my loved ones, • Raymund Ribay Gutierof Asian Cinema in France. He I’ve packed up my home in Manila also won the International Fic- rez (for “Judgement”) — Three tion Feature Award in the Asia awards: the Golden Angel Award Independent Film Festival in for an innovative and original lanBangalore, India; and the Audi- guage and a dense portrayal in a ence Choice and Special Men- film in the Shortcut Competition PAGE B1 tion Critics’ Choice Awards in of the 16th Torun International not only myself and Canada who the 15th Transsaharien Interna- Film Festival in Poland, the Best were approached on this night tional Film Festival in Zagora, Short Film Award in the 29th but other delegates who I believe Stockholm International Film are going to come forward and Morocco.

• Alberto “Treb” Monter- Festival in Sweden, and the Silver tell their side of the story,” she as II, director and co-writer Star Award for Short Film in the added. of “Respeto” — Three awards Second El Gouna Film Festival Lorraine Schuck, former Miss in the 16th International Cyprus in Egypt.

Asia-Pacific and co-founder of • Shireen Seno (for “Nervous Carousel Productions, eventuFilm Days Festival: Best Film, Best Director and Audience Translation”) — The Jury Special ally dismissed the contestants’ Mention Award in the 16th Pa- claims based on the fact that they Choice Awards.

• S o n n y C a l v e n t o — cific Meridian International Film never said a single thing about Three awards for his debut Festival PMIFF in Vladivostok, the alleged harassment until after film “Nabubulok”: Best Film, Russia; and Best Screenwriter coronation ngiht.

Newcomers Category in the 15th — Asian New Talent in the 21st The Miss Earth pageant was Asian Film Festival in Bologna, Shanghai International Film Fes- held at the Mall of Asia Arena Italy; Best Narrative Feature in tival in China. on November 4, with Vietnam’s • Carlo Fransico Manatad (for Nguyen Phuong Khánh besting the 17th Asian Film Festival of Dallas in Texas, USA, and Best “Jodilerks Dela Cruz: Employee 86 other contestants. Miss PhilTalent for Directing/Producing of the Month”) — Best Director ippines-Earth Celeste Cortesti, in the 5th Hanoi International in the 27th DaKINO International finished among the Top 8.

Film Festival (Campus and Film Film Festival in Bucharest, BulCesar Montano’s TPB irregugaria; and the Special Jury Men- larities Project Market) in Vietnam.

• PJ Raval ( for his documen- tion Narrative Short in the 61st It seems that working in govtary Call Her Ganda) — the Jury San Francisco International Film ernment is not meant for former Award for Best Documentary in Festival SFIFF in California. action star Cesar Montano. The • Joji Alonso’s Last Order was complaints and issues surroundthe 29th Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in adjudged Best Short Film in the ing his performance have been as Florida.; the Best Documentary 16th Pyongyang International long as his appointment as TourFilm in the 28th Inside Out LGBT Film Festival (PIFF) in North ism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Film Festival in Toronto, Canada; Korea.

Operating Officer when President • Jet Leyco — Golden Gurke Duterte won in 2016. and the Grand Jury Prize for Outstanding Documentary (Non-Fic- Award for Women of WiesIt will even be remembered that tion Feature Section) in the 34th baden in the 31st Exground in March 2017, TPB employees Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Film Festival in Wiesbaden, filed a complaint listing 24 irGermany.

Festival in Southern California. regularities of Montano in a letter • Nash Ang (for 35-minute sent to the Presidential Action • Carlo Obispo for “1-2-3 (Gasping for Air)” romped away film No Man Is An Island) — the Center—stating incompetence with four awards in the 4th North- Special Jury Award in the 1st and corruption among other misern Virginia International Film Ulsan New Media Film Festival doings. and Music Festival in Fairfax, (UNMFF) in Korea.

One time, Montano allegedly • Don Falsario II’s Tubbataha: “rushed” speech in a Philippine North Virginia: Best Director (Obispo), Best Actor (for Carlos A National Treasure — Best Bio- Tourism Presentation and Dinner Dala), Best Cinematography diversity Preservation Tourism Reception in New York so he could AJPress illustration

by Godwin Gasacao (Carlo Mendoza) and Best Editing PAGE B3 watch “Hamilton,” which continues to be the hottest ticket on Broadway. His night at the theater however is nothing compared to the biggest blow of his short lived tenure at TBP. Montano supported a project called “Buhay Carinderia” that supposedly promotes local eateries, and was found to have released P80 million funding in less than a month, even without the project getting off the ground. In all, the actor-turned-government official allocated a staggering P320 million to a project that hardly needs many zeroes, forcing him to quit his post, thoroughly disgraced.

Gretchen Fullido accuses female bosses of harassment ABS-CBN Entertainment anchor and reporter Gretchen Fullido gained public sympathy on social media after filing criminal cases for sexual harassment and libel against female network executives and colleagues on October 5.

Fullido — who anchors “TV Patrol’s” segment “Star Patrol” and DZMM’s weekend program “#Chismax” — filed a sexual harassment case against Cheryl Favila, former ABS-CBN News executive, and Maricar Asprec, ABS-CBN News segment producer, before the City Prosecutors’ Office of Quezon City.

Favila is said to be a veteran of TV Patrol, ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast.

In a statement released by Fullido’s lawyer Marvin Aceron via his Facebook account, the entertainment reporter alleged that Favila and Asprec sent her text messages “loaded with sexual innuendos, which amounted to requests for sexual favors.”

Still according to the statement, when Fullido rejected these advances, “the two retaliated and made it difficult for her to work as a reporter and news anchor for TV Patrol.”

The statement further pointed out that the cycle went on for almost three years.

and now I’m ready to move to my new home in New York City!! I still can’t believe it!” Gray wrote in the caption.

However, given that she has lived in a tropical country for a while, the Fil-Aussie stunner said she is “most nervous about experiencing the chill of NYC in winter.”

She then asked her Instagram followers for recommendations for things “to see, do and eat” in the Big Apple.

Gray, who was crowned last December 17 in Thailand, will be living in a luxury apartment in New York during her reign. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray (Inquirer.net)

That’s entertainment

Kris Aquino Photo from Instagram/@krisaquino

Regine Velasquez Photo from Instagram/@reginevalcasid

Fullido filed an administrative complaint against the two before ABS-CBN in November 2017.

According to Aceron, in July 16 of this year, ABS-CBN Management released a decision dismissing the case for sexual harassment against Favila but found her liable for gross misconduct. This led to Favila’s dismissal from the company recently.

Besides Favila and Asprec, Fullido also filed libel cases against two news executives of ABS-CBN, Cecilia Drilon and Venancio Borromeo as well as news reporter Marie Lozano, for allegedly besmirching her reputation when they stated that she filed the administrative complaint last year “to leverage her employment status with ABS-CBN.” After the issue erupted, Favila, admitted that her life was “going down the drain” after she was painted as a “sexual predator.”

“Just when we thought that we could finally move on, [Gretchen] Fullido publicly announced that she filed a complaint against us,” Favila said in a statement sent to The Manila Times on October 15.

“I felt that the small remaining opportunity for me to start a new life was going down the drain.

Those 21 years that I worked hard to build a professional career based on integrity was gone,” said Favila who has since resigned from the network.

Favila admitted that Fullido could win this case, because of “social capital”. Favila and Asprec said that they welcome the start of the legal process and would discuss the issues in the “proper forum.”

Kris Aquino’s highs and lows Erstwhile “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino held her head high despite the non-renewal of her contract by long-time home station ABS-CBN that put her career in limbo. With no major network interested to include her in their roster of talents or even as block timer, Aquino declared she no longer had plans to return to “free TV,” and moved on to mount her own production outfit via digital media.

With determination, she succeeded in her social media detour, thereafter landing a cameo in Hollywood blockbuster “Crazy Rich Asians” in August and even a return to Star Cinema via the Joshua Garcia-Julia Barretto starrer, “I Love You Hater.”

But prior to that, Aquino made headlines after she engaged in a word war with resigned Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson in June, saying that latter had “crossed the line” when she dragged her parents Cory and Ninoy in defending President Rodrigo Duterte.

There was a lull in the buzz around Aquino until she posted a sickly photo of herself on social media, telling her followers she had neither sleeping nor eating well because her trusted US-based Filipino business partner Nicko Falcis embezzled her investments, which came from her sons’ trust funds. The stress, according to Aquino, caused her to be very ill that she needed to fly out to Singapore for a more thorough diagnosis.

On November 15, Aquino appeared before the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office to verify her oath in relation to 44 counts of qualified theft she eventually filed against Falcis.

Separate complaints for the same offenses were filed by her Gretchen Fullido Photo from Instagram/@gretsfulido camp in San Juan, Taguig, Pasig,

Makati, Manila and Quezon City also in October.

According to the actress’ criminal complaint, Falcis “exploited his position of trust and confidence” when he allegedly used the credit card she issued for the operations of her production company Kristina C. Aquino Productions (KCAP) for personal expenses.

The former presidential sister indicated, “In all, respondent had charged P1,270,980.31 to the KCAP Card for personal expenses without my consent. Prior to my discovery of these expenses and demand for their payment, respondent neither informed me about them nor undertook or made arrangements to settle them.”

Aquino further narrated the credit card had a P2-million limit that was meant paying for advertisements of brand partners.

However, the billing statements that arrived on her desk showed Falcis signing for purchases like 95 cups of coffee and cosmetic products from Mac worth P99,200.

Aquino alleged she first discovered that Falcis misappropriated KCAP funds in July 2018.

The same day, Falcis’ brother Jesus Nicardo Falcis 3rd issued the very first statement coming from their side. The younger Falcis denied Aquino’s allegations and expressed that his brother has been forced to remain abroad for fear of his personal safety. According to Jesus, Aquino claimed she has in possession a list of Nicko’s flight records, which to the Falcis family comes across as a threat that she can monitor Nicko’s whereabouts any time because of powerful connections.

Regine leaves GMA for ABSCBN There was a week-long speculation that “Asia’s Songbird” Regine Velasquez no longer renewed her contract with longtime mother studio GMA Network after wrapping up “The Clash,” the reality singing competition she hosted, in end September.

The natural assumption was that Velasquez was finally joining husband Ogie Alcasid in the rival network when they were spotted attending the ABS-CBN Ball — and it was right on the bat.

On October 15, the diva broke her silence with a message to her long-time supporters, after a deluge of bashing met ABS-CBN’s announcement that the Songbird was joining the “ASAP” stars in Sydney Australia.

“Para sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa akin, maraming, maraming salamat sa pagtatanggol niyo sa ‘kin.

Naging kasama ko kayo sa lahat ng pinagdadaan ko. Sana ‘wag kayong magsawa. Love you guys, thank you again.”

The 48-year-old formalized her transfer on October 17 and was given a red carpet welcome in her new home.

Maymay Entrata in Arab Fashion Week “Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7” winner Maymay Entrata made her international runway debut as Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One Amato’s showstopper for his official anniversary collection on November 21.

Wearing a gray cocktail dress with feather details from Amato Couture, the 21-year-old ABS-CBN artist was a hit on the catwalk as she oozed with confidence and sophistication beyond her age.

Present to support the newest toast of UAE’s fashion scene were Entrata’s onscreen partner Edward Barber and the actor’s sister, Laura.

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TNT Boys

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Change in lifestyle tops celebs’ priorities for the New Year

OPM in 2018

PAGE B1 Dance Princess Maja Salvador released her duet with Thai singer Tor Saksit for “Falling Into You.” Soul Supreme KZ Tandingan joined China’s reality singing competition “Singer 2018” and emerged as No. 1 on her first week as challenger beating UK singer Jessie J (who placed second).

After a three-year hiatus, Urbandub played their first reunion show at The 70s Bistro and 19 East with original members Lalay Lim and Janjan Mendoza and also celebrated their 18 years as a band.

Sarah Geronimo was recognized as Best Philippine Act in the inaugural Golden Panther Music Awards.

Nominees for 2018 MYX Music Awards were announced.

KZ Tandingan was eliminated from Singer 2018’s ninth episode.

Lea Salonga celebrated her 40th anniversary as a performer.

Nadine Lustre’s music video “St4y Up” remained at No. 1 on MYX all throughout March.

Career milestones: Sarah Geronimo (15 years) via concert and album titled “This 15 Me” which topped the iTunes charts, Kakai Bautista (15 years), K Brosas (18 years), Sandwich (20 years) and Neocolours (30 years) all celebrated via their anniversary concerts.

Nadine Lustre’s music video “St4y Up” still at No. 1 on MYX all throughout April.

KZ Tandingan performed with Jessie J and Coco Lee singing “Bang Bang” at the finals of Singer 2018. The British singer ended up winning the competition.

Kyla’s new album “Queen of R&B” topped the iTunes Philippines album charts.

Teen singer Edray collaborated

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 3-9, 2019

by Mary

ann Bautista Inquirer.net

Gary Valenciano

ABS-CBN photo

Zsa Zsa Padilla Photo from Instagram/@zsazsapadilla

ALONG with the New Year come new beginnings, a new hope and, for others, a fresh start.

We asked some celebrities what their resolutions are for 2019.

Ruru Madrid: I will focus more on my career, work harder and take better care of myself. I’m already 21, so I need to be more fit, healthier and eat what’s good for my body.

Sophie Albert: My New Year’s resolution is to be wiser about the way I spend my time and try harder to live a positive and meaningful life in 2019.

Joyce Pring: This 2019, I want to manage my time better and also, to start packing light. My everyday bag weighs a ton because of all the stuff I carry around on a regular basis, so I want to be able to organize that.

Devon Seron: I want to be

Ruru Madrid

GMA photo

more productive, exercise more, eat healthy food, read books and spend more time with my loved ones.

Inah De Belen: My New Year’s resolution is to be a better version of myself. I want to make better decisions in my life, work

out again and sleep early. I also want to explore more aspects of my craft, which is acting, and prepare for the projects I will be doing soon.

Jackie Rice: I will try my best not to eat pork or, at least, lessen its consumption. For health reasons na din. Although may patikim-tikim pa rin, kasi masarap ang chicharon, lechon, especially during the holidays, kaya isa siya sa challenges para sa akin.

Paul Salas: I will try to sleep early and practice being a morning person. I’d like to be able to do more for the day. And I know waking up early is also good for the body.

Pauline Mendoza: I want to welcome the New Year with a fresh start. My resolution is to love and take care of myself more. I will enjoy life, and be more contented and appreciative of what I have and of what I will receive.

2018: Achievers in int’l...

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Sarah Geronimo Photo from Instagram/@justsarahgph

with Indian-American artist Dasu for the song “Okay.”

TNT Boys appeared at “Little Big Shots UK” and the US franchise where they performed Beyonce’s “Listen.” Ellen DeGeneres tweeted about them.

IV of Spades vocalist Unique Salonga left the band.

James Reid dominated the 2018 MYX Music Awards with five awards (Music Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year and Music Video Appearance of the Year for

Lea Salonga

ABS-CBN photos

Nadine Lustre for his music video “This Life”).

Anniversary concerts: Richard Poon (10 years) and Zsa Zsa Padila (35 years).

Darren Espanto celebrated his 17th birthday via a concert; topped iTunes Philippines singles charts with “Poison” upon its release.

Moira dela Torre’s music video “Tagpuan” topped the MYX charts throughout May. Gary V underwent emergency bypass surgery.

Sixteen-year-old Janine Berdin from Cebu won “It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan” with 96.11 percent from combined jury scores and votes via SMS and online, beating Ato Arman and Steven Paysu.

Anniversary concerts: Hajji Alejandro (45 years), Callalily (13 years) and Joey G (30 years).

IV of Spades’ live performance version of “Mundo” at MYX Music Awards’ (without Unique) peaked at No. 1 on MYX Charts throughout June.

TNT Boys returned to “Little Big Shots US” mesmerizing the audience with their version of Queen’s “Somebody To Love.”

Leche Flan

Film in the 7th Zagreb TourFilm Festival in Zagreb, Croatia.

• Allen Dizon — Best Actor for his role as an ill-fated deaf-mute in Ralston Jover’s Bomba in the 16th Dhaka International Film Festival in Bangladesh; and Best Actor for “Sekyu” by Joel Lamangan in the 8th International Film Festival Manhattan in New York.

• Ian Veneracion — Best Actor for Dan Villegas’ “Ilawod (The Water Spirit)” in the Fantasy Films Section of the 38th Festival Internacional de Cinema do Porto in Portugal.

• Christian Bables — Best Actor for “Signal Rock”, directed

by Chito Roño, in the 5th Hanoi International Film Festival in Vietnam.

• Timothy Castillo — Best Actor for his role as “Toto” (who was recruited by a notorious death squad) in Mikhail Red’s Neomanila in the 34th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in Southern California.

• Ryza Cenon — Yakuzi Pearl Award for her role as Gela in Mr. and Mrs. Cruz, directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, in the 13th Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) in Japan.

• Andi Eigenmann — Best Actress for her role as Margo, an “OFW”, in The Maid in London in

Ryza Cenon

IIan Veneracion

the 8th International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) in New York.

• Angeli Bayani — Best Actress for “Bagahe” in the 15th Transsaharien International Film Festival (TIFF) in Zagora, Morocco.

• Odette Khan –– Best Supporting Actress for Lemuel Lorca’s “Echorsis: Sabunutan” Between Good and Evil in the Five Continents International Film Festival (FCIFF) in Venezuela.

• Dido de la Paz — Best Supporting Actor for “Respeto” in the 58th Asia Pacific Film Festival in Taipei, Taiwan. Ryan Cayabyab also won the Best Musical Score Award and Gino Gonzales got the Best Art Design Award, both for “Ang Larawan” (directed by Loy Arcenas).

• Baby F. Go –– Lifetime

Achievement Award for Producing in the 8th International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) in New York. Other winners: Mark Dela Cruz (Best Director Short for Public Service), Black Palette (Best Short by Fritz Solorio), Kiss (Best Student Film

by Harlene Bautista), Chop Chop Blues (Best Production Design

by Fritz Solorio), Who Am I? by Mark Justine Aguillon (IMFF Most Popular), Independent Achievement Award: Am-Amma

by Dexter Macaraeg and Kadena

by Arvin Belarmino/Patsy Ferrer/Dan Masinsin; Ruru Madrid for Magpakailanman - Takbo ng Buhay Ko (Honorable Mention) and Mariz Umali for I Witness — Behind the Banquet (Honorable Mention).

B January 3-9, 2019 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL

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Moira dela Torre calls out heckler: May you learn to love yourself

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

Liza Soberano

Photo from Instagram/@lizasoberano Nadine Lustre

KAPAMILYA singer Moira dela Torre cried foul on a rude spectator who called her names during a yearend concert held at Marikina Sports Center.

In her Twitter account, Moira shared her experience with a male concert-goer who was shouting at and calling her ugly and fat.

“To the rude kuya shouting ‘ang taba mo laki mo moira panget taba’ while i was performing last night..i was so tempted to look at Photo from Instagram/@nadine you & give you a piece of my mind.

But i didnt want anyone feeling how you made me feel. Even you,” the “Malaya” singer wrote.

Moira added that “women are beautiful whatever size and may i

Liza Soberano, Nadine Lustre among Filipinas on 2018 ‘Most Beautiful Face’ list

FILIPINO-American modelactress Liza Soberano has made it to the Independent Critics’ Hall of Fame as she entered its “Most Beautiful Faces” list for the fourth time.

Liza ranked fourth this year on TC Candler’s The Independent Critics “Most Beautiful Face” list.

Last year, she was hailed as the most beautiful face.

For this year, Liza comes after Israeli model Yael Shelbia, K-pop girl group TWICE’s Chou Tzuyu and French model Thylane

Blondeau, who is hailed as “The Most Beautiful Face” in 2018.

The Independent Critics have been making the annual list since 1990 under the leadership of British film critic TC Candler.

According to its website, the ranking covers more than just “aesthetic perfection,” as “grace, elegance, originality, daring, passion, class, poise, joy, promise and hope” are also seen “in a beautiful face.”

Other Filipinas who made it on the list in 2018 were Nadine

Maine Mendoza a ‘brave, strong role model’ - poet Lang Leav

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

NOvELIST and poet Lang Leav described Kapuso actress Maine Mendoza as a “brave” and “strong role model for all women.”

In Maine’s New Year post on Instagram, the “Eat Bulaga” host said 2018 was one of her memorable years yet as she quoted the Cambodian-Australian novelist and poet, “’Don’t stay where you are needed. Go where you are loved.’ - Lang Leav” Lang commented on Maine’s post, “Such a brave, strong role model for all women. Sending you lots of love Maine. Happy 2019.

Keep shining.”

From being an online sensation with her dubmash videos to being paired with Alden Richards in the hit noontime show, Maine has

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taken a solo career.

Maine said she “took all the lessons learned from my mistakes and difficult times last year to make 2018 one of the best, most memorable years yet.”

The “Phenomenal Star” said she’s glad to have finally moved on from toxic energy and people who used to drain her.

“I am happier now than I have ever been and am incredibly blessed with so many wonderful things - from the very start of the year until today. Couldn’t be more grateful for everything! I am just so so glad to have finally moved on from the toxic energy and people that used to drain me - the best realisation and resolution still,” she wrote.

“Cheers to a great year! And may we always find the courage to let go of what’s weighing us

Lustre whose rank went up to the 78th spot from the 70th last year, and Jessy Mendiola who is at the 55th spot, 16 places higher than last year’s 71st spot.

Meanwhile, actor James Reid is 21st on “The Most Handsome Faces” list. He ranked fourth last year.

Model Daniel Matsunaga meanwhile jumped to the 39th spot from placing 88th last year.

Aquaman actor Jason Momoa is this year’s “Most Handsome Face.”

(Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)

be the last person you disrespect like that.”

She also wished the heckler a good year ahead of him and that he may learn to love himself.

“May you learn to love yourself enough that you won’t need to bring people down just to feel “funny” or important. If ur reading this, i hope next year showers you love. Happy new year,” she said.

In another post, Moira said she’s happy with how the concert turned out despite the incident.

“But anywaaaay, i got to meet 69,999 amazing people last night!

Our biggest show to date and we had so much fun. Maraming maraming salamat Marikeños!

Thank you for ending 2018 w Moira dela Torre Photo from Instagram/@moirarachelle us!!!” she wrote.

Andrea del Rosario grateful for role in ‘Aurora’ by arlo

CuStodio ManilaTimes.net

THERE are a lot of things that can be remembered about Andrea del Rosario. Most notably are her being a member of the all-female sing-and-dance sexy group viva Hot Babes, and the movie “Lupe: A Seaman’s Wife,” megged by Elwood Perez from the script of Jigz Recto, where she played the title role and considered one the most daring mainstream films in the new millennium.

Launched as part of Star Circle Batch 3 along with Piolo Pascual, Carlos Agassi, Paolo Contis, Bojo Molina, Kaye Abad, Nikki valdez and Cheska Garcia among others, del Rosario also left a mark as Seksi in the long-running sitcom “Palibhasa Lalake” directed by Johnny Manahan, topbilled by Richard Gomez and Joey Marquez.

Now the vice mayor of Calatagan, Batangas, the sexy actress still hankers to work before the cameras. Thankfully, she landed the pivotal role where after her scene with Alan Paule as her husband, naglabasan ang mga multo” (ghosts made their appearances) in the viva Films Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2018 entry, “Aurora,” starring Anne Curtis.

“Even if it would just be as an Kapuso actress Maine Mendoza Photo from Instagram/@mainedcm extra I’d really be glad to be working again. I’m really grateful that down. Hoping 2019 is even more they cast me in ‘Aurora’ where exciting and fruitful for all of us. I play one of the minor roles, Happy New Year, everyone!” she since the story revolves around Anne. Some of the cast and the added.

production staff I have worked before, and some in indie films,” del Rosario told The Manila Times Entertainment while waiting for their turn to ride the float during the Parade of Stars.

The St. Scholastica’s College Manila advertising graduate, who now holds a Masters in Entrepreneurship from the Ateneo de Manila University, answered with laughter how she manages her schedule.

“Two days earlier, we had our Christmas Party for the LGU (local government unit), then I proceeded to the mall tour of Auroa right after. So far, nakakaraos naman, nakakayanan naman,” she informed.

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Andrea del Rosario

Photo from Instagram/@andreadelrosariovm

The actress averred the treatment of the horror in Aurora is different — the fear and terror are subdued, different from what viewers usually see in Filipino films where there’s frantic fear, shouting or loud sounds.

“Here you can say, ‘wow, iba ito.’ Nag-level up ang horror in this movie, and you can really appreciate the cinematography, the technical aspects of the production in this suspense-thriller,” she said.

Aurora won Second Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best visual Effects, Best Sound Design and Best Child Performer for Phoebe villamor in the MMFF 2018 Awards.

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The Bucket List

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

Reprising the Series

MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (What better way to begin 2019 by revisiting your bucket list, fine-tuning it by editing, yanking off a few hare-brained entries, patting your back as you check off those you have done, writing in new, shiny ones and recalibrating the trajectory of where you want to go or how you want to be. So here’s reprising the Bucket List Series. You may want to build your own.)

SO here you are in the late afternoon of your life. Sundown is on the horizon. The end game is in sight. You know it isn’t a matter of if but when.

You’re still upright on two legs, although your knees are starting to buckle. You aren’t looking forward to walking on 3 legs with the help of a cane or a walker. At least, not just yet...

In the quiet of the early morning hours of the coming winter season of your life, you wonder if there is yet one glorious summer time, a glimmer of hope in reprising one’s life unencumbered by the structures and strictures of past choices, right or wrong.

There is a part of you that longs for some kind of reprieve to break away and create a life that fills your soul with gladness, so light, so ethereal as the flutter of butterfly wings — that all the hurts, pains, heartaches, and sense of brokenness that have weighed you down and held you hostage for so long a time suddenly went up in smoke, went pouf and VOILA, disappear as though by magic.

A few of your contemporaries have passed and you wonder if you still have what it takes to stay the course you have chosen until the end game. You question if there is time enough to do all those things you wish you did when you could. There’s that long bucket list burning a hole in your back pocket.

Why call it a bucket list? Kicking the bucket means “to die” from where the phrase “bucket list” comes from. There are many explanations but the one

“What goes on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon and three in the evening?” asked the Sphinx.

“Man” Oedipus answered after some thought.

- Riddle of the Sphinx that seems to make sense is that of a method of dying, either by execution or by suicide.

A person stands on a bucket, with a noose around his neck to cause death by hanging from a beam by the final act of an executioner kicking the bucket or by kicking it himself. I am pretty sure that is NOT a scenario most people would choose. But we now refer to the bucket list as your TO DO LIST before the end.

You groan, perhaps not because of the thought of dying itself, but because there is just too many in your bucket list, so little time, low levels of personal energy and scant resources.

SIGH… There’s also this thing called Legacy — a big word but it only means ‘What do you leave behind?’ Those anointed by grace to live large will have streets and schools named after them, marble statues on a town square or etched on the side of a mountain like Mount Rushmore. But for ordinary people, great memories frozen in still photos and videos and some intangible influence beyond death would be enough.

Perhaps a few tears will be shed. There will be sadness for some time. There will be cloudy days as though nature feels the pain of separation, yours and theirs. You pray those you left behind can move on and live purposeful lives pleasing to God. Life goes on.

Most women can be calm, cool and collected accepting the notion of goodbyes more readily than men. It seems nature has blessed women with the internal fortitude and strength to be able to plan for the final event with remarkable

equanimity.

As for men, well, not so much... The idea of mortality is not something that most men are comfortable with. Don’t fret. It is in their DNA. There are exceptions of course. Men’s strength is expressed in other ways no less than women, like nature intended it.

The solution is always the same when one is overwhelmed and paralyzed. With too many items in one’s bucket list, pare it down to bite sizes. Make a molehill out of a mountain.

Size it down as David did when he slew Goliath. Cull out non-essentials ruthlessly, the fluff as we call them, and PRIORITIZE. Since life itself holds no guarantees on how long we are to live, SIMPLIFY and do a triage of sorts.

Do the most important things first, the one that is near and dear to your heart. Then when there is time left over, you can still choose to do the trivial stuff on your bucket list just for the heck of it. OR simply delete the rest of the list. With still a smidgen of time left, sit back and savor doing nothing. You’ve earned the right to this bit of luxury.

For now, select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, this means before your life’s energy goes into ‘low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.

Next week: An idea for The Bucket List… *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Tension and diseases Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS ONE of the major factors or enhancing conditions in disease formation is tension/stress. This could be emotional or psychologic stress, or stress from an unhealthy lifestyle, exposure to chemicals, radiation, or other toxic agents in our environment.

Stress, induces thickening of blood and predisposes a person to clot formation in arteries and veins, which increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, and thrombophlebitis in the legs that could send blood clots to the lungs, a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolus.

Stress, just like lack of physical exercise, believe it or not, stress is also a significant factor in the development of cancer. For one thing, stress produces hormones that aggravate and magnify stress itself, reduce the level of happy hormones in us, and weakens our immune system.

This lowers our resistance to prevent and fight diseases.

Living a healthy lifestyle, which includes relaxation and stress reduction strategy, is like taking good care of any household appliance or electronic gadget, or of our vehicles with regular tune-up and oil change, to reduce stress and premature wear and tear and break-down.

S e v e re e m o t i o n a l s t re s s could lead to mental breakdown. When I was a teenager in Quezon City, I knew of a 30year-old female neighbor who was severely heart-broken when her American boyfriend left her because her parents rejected him. She literally went crazy and became insane and had to be institutionalized. Indeed, stress could be seriously harmful to our body.

We live in a complex, hurried and stress-laden society. The carousel of life spins so fast we sometimes can’t get off and get confused with our priorities and goals. In this world of instant this and instant that, of split-second email, express grocery checkout counters, drive-up fast food, pharmacy and banking, people give high fi ves instead of the old-fashioned handshake, and friendly conversation is reduced to “Hi!” and “Bye.” Everyone seems to be in a hurry. People can’t even say “Just a second, please.” They now say “Just a

sec,” to save a split second of time. Everything is now, now, now. I have been so guilty of this myself, they call me “Dr. Karon” (Dr. Now) in Cebu. Instead of mailing handwritten letters, we now transmit email messages with lightning speed, domestic and international. The whole world has shrunken smaller and it seems even the hour has been reduced to less than 60 minutes, and the minute to less than 60 seconds.

We are all in a rat race. Sometimes, no time for visiting our parents, friends and other loved ones. No time for exercises or R & R. No time for contemplation and soul-searching. No time to appreciate and smell the flowers along the way. No time to commune with nature. Simply no time, except for the wild and dizzying ride in the fast lane of today’s society.

For Christmas, a husband and wife colleagues of mine in Cebu gave me four books, among other gifts, when I left for the United States to spend the holidays with my family almost 20 years ago. One of these books was entitled “STOPPING.” Reading that book while on my international flight opened my mind and my eyes, and provided me a wiser perspective in life, one that I never had the time to stop for and realize.

Looking back, from the time I stepped out of high school and the 18 years of college, medical schooling, internship, residency training and fellowship that followed, and then the hectic medical practice thereafter, I was always on the expressway of my life. Somehow, the speedy lane was the only path and direction I knew. I was caught in the vicious cycle of work, work and work, unwittingly sacrificing the beauty of life itself. It now seems that part of my life had passed me by as I was whirling away, barely noticing it.

Not experiencing every minute of our life and savoring its beauty and wonders is really missing it all. And it would indeed be a great pity if, in the twilight years of our life, we woke up one morning and wondered “where have the all years gone by? Did I enjoy life to the fullest, or did I miss it all?”

Stopping is the way to get back to the right track in life and to have a life. Although in a zip and zoom modes, we sometimes have to put the brakes on, even if the inertia throws us overboard and wakes us up. Stopping the vertiginous circus, in order to live again, seems to be the saner and healthier way. For many of

us it might be difficult to simply “slow down” gradually, because the habit we have developed over the years had conditioned our mind and body to “full speed ahead,” and reducing the pace only leads to a poor compromise. What we have to do is to just STOP as I have just learned from that book. At least to reorient our bearings in life and review our priorities.

Stress is a natural force in life. There is no one exempt from stress. It is how each of us handles it that makes the difference on its impact. Dealt with properly, stress could be positive; it could be an inspiration for us to be better persons or drive us to perform more efficiently to achieve our best. This doubleedged sword could certainly be used positively, wisely.

Stopping the vicious cycle of work, work, work does not mean quitting work altogether. All we simply have to do is to punctuate at a pre-scheduled intervals this unending circle of work with “nonwork-related, fun-filled, pure-play” activities we have always wanted to do alone, or with our loved ones, “if we only had the time.” Time management is not limited to our job, even in this mega-trendy times.

It also applies, and more appropriately so, to our life and to our happiness. After all, we are here on earth to be fulfilled and to be happy. And happiness is not the destination in life. Happiness is the journey itself. Let’s enjoy it to the fullest.

Savor Life Let us not hurry to our graves by casting recklessly our fate.

Not much time to abuse and waste, let all the empty gravesites wait.

Savor life’s overflowing cup and every second we have left.

Time pauses not for any man Mortals can’t amend God’s plan.

(PSC Houston 1972) *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 3-9, 2019

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New Year wishes for families THE holidays are a time for being with family. I was reminded of that recently when I accompanied a client to his interview for his green card. When I asked him if he had plans for the holidays, his face lit up. “Oh yes” he replied, “I’m going home to be with my son and my grandchildren”.

His eyes shown when he talked about the presents he was going to bring his grandchildren and how they would come running to greet him. He smiled when he talked about being able to enjoy having them sit on his lap.

I returned his smile, happy to be able to have brought such happiness to my client on the eve of the holidays. I thought about how many families travel great distances at this time of year to be together. Families feel the pull to be together at this time of the year more than at most other times. They want to share their religious observances. They want to feel united. They want to greet the new year together and share their hope that the next year will be better than the last.

Then I thought of the families who cannot be together for the holidays this year. I thought of the U.S. citizens who face a draconian choice resulting from the denial of their spouse’s waiver for using someone else’s name to come to the U.S. These people are forced to choose between separating from a loving and loved spouse in order to remain in the United States and care for an old or sick parent or leaving that parent in order to accompany their beloved spouse to her country of birth. I thought of the immigrants who made a mistake

Your Immigration Solution REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP years, or even decades ago, that resulted in a criminal conviction, and are now facing removal even though they have been good and responsible citizens since they paid their debt to society. I thought of the people who have been waiting for years for the priority date on their family or employment petition to become current so that they could obtain status and live legally in the U.S. with their families. I thought of the people who went home for an immigrant visa interview and are trapped by bureaucratic red tape or incorrect interpretations of laws. I also thought of those who are living in fear of what the future will bring.

We are a nation of immigrants.

We value families and recognize the benefit of family reunification.

We acknowledge that those who flee their country of birth seeking refuge and safety on these shores value freedom and liberty to a degree that those born here do not always do. We understand that immigrants bring skills and a desire to improve their lives and that, in bringing that desire to fruition, they create businesses and more jobs and opportunities for other immigrants and citizens. We recognize that, while some non-citizens may occasionally misstep, the vast

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majority of those who come to this country are a true benefit to America and we are lucky to have them. We must work together to improve the lives of those living in this land. Reuniting families, keeping families together and ensuring opportunity for all must be the overriding priority of all immigration laws.

It has always been RILG’s goal to help families legally live together in the United States.

We are pleased that our fi rm has been able to help as many people as we have. However, we recognize that more needs to be done. The laws passed

by Congress and the policies brought forth from the Executive Branch must reflect a recognition that this country has always benefitted by welcoming immigrants.

All of us at RILG pledge that, in 2019, we will continue to work to help reunite families in the United States. Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy New Year for families everywhere. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

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Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of Greater LA hosts Gala in Burbank, CA Enjoy the glitz, glamour and allure of Hollywood at the Gala Night of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACC-GLA) on Saturday, January 5. Come dressed to the nines inspired by your favorite Cinema icons for a fun evening in an evening of dancing, good food and camaraderie for only $65 at the renovated Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport (2500 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505). FACCGLA members bring your friends and family, non-members welcome! Doors open at 6 p.m. Prefer to be a VIP donor?

Sponsorship packages available at faccgla.org.

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Santo Nino Celebration at St. Catherine Laboure Church in Torrance, CA Most Rev. Bishop Oscar A. Solis will celebrate the holy sacrifice of the Mass on Friday, January 18 at St. Catherine Laboure Church (3846 Redondo Beach Blvd. Torrance, CA 90504) at 7 p.m. The Novena prayers and Chaplet will follow after the Mass. The parish has an exact replica of the Infant of Prague (Santo Nino) clothed in a relic of the Holy Robe that adorns the original statue in the shrine at Prague. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own statues; the devotion of touching them to the Holy Robe will conclude the celebration. For more information, please contact Lorna Arceo at (310) 345-4637, Maria Quan (310) 714-6537 or Vicki & Romy Balliyut at (310) 406-6575.

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Sto. Niño celebration at St. Finbar Church in Burbank, CA Please join us for Sinulog on January 19, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Finbar Church (2010 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91506). Bring your statues of the Infant Jesus. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

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Feast of Sto. Niño at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in LA On Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 3:30 pm, the Santo Niño Cruzada USA will sponsor a mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels to be presided by its Pastor, Fr. David Gallardo, and to commemorate its 32nd year anniversary of the solemn Feast of Santo Niño, the Divine Infant Jesus. Participating are the choir of St. Paul the Apostle Church from Chino Hills, The Southern California Sinulog Dance Co., The Saint Junipero Serra Province Knights of Columbus, and various religious organizations. We also offer the mass to the late Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of Cebu who gave the Santo Nino statue that we use for this event to Cardinal Roger Mahony and Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik. For more information of this celebration, please contact Romy & Tess Esturas at (213) 219-0590.

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St. Finbar Church in Burbank, CA celebrates its 9th Annual Valentine Dinner Dance Come and celebrate Hollywood glamour on February 9, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For information contact Marian at (818) 562-6819 or send an email to minobleza@yahoo. com.

F E B R UA RY 1 5

Franchising Retail & Trade Conference in Cerritos, CA The Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC) hosts this highly anticipated business event at the Cerritos Sheraton located at 12725 Center Court Drive South, Cerritos, CA 90703. Attendees will have access to opportunities in business match making & referrals, roundtable discussions, entrepreneurship training programs, and networking & business connections with participants representing both the United States and the Philippines. Business owners, entrepreneurs, corporations, and the general public are all invited to attend. The Philippine Retailer Association (PRA) and the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) will be present to network with the US business community. Also present will be local franchisor and franchisee business owners, the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), the National Asian American Coalition (NAAC), the National Diversity Coalition (NDC), the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program, the Philippine Consulate Los Angeles Office, Philippine Dept. of Trade & Industry (PTIC) Los Angeles, and the Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA).Basic entry is only $10 but can and will vary depending on the participation experience desired. Registration for the Conference is simple and is processed online at by going to https://cofacc.org.

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

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EntErtainmEnt

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For Vice Ganda, granting mom’s What makes it easy for Jak and wishes is greatest achievement Barbie to keep relationship strong

by Niña

GuNo Inquirer.net

VICE Ganda ended the year with a bang, thanks to a box-office-topping movie in “Fantastica”, an entry at the Metro Manila Film Festival.

The actor and comedian celebrated the movie’s P300 million earnings on Dec. 30. But for him, even such an achievement pales to providing for his own mother.

Vice shared yesterday, Dec. 31 on his Instagram account how important it was that he granted his mother’s wish to see the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. He posted a picture of him and his mom, Rosario Viceral in front of the historical church.

“My profession deprives me of quality time with my family. So when given the chance I make sure every moment counts and everything creates a wonderful memory. Before this year ends I brought her to where she wished to be,” he said.

But not everything went quite smoothly, he revealed. “I didn’t know we had to book online to get access inside the church. So I asked a friend for help. Unfortunately only one could get inside.

“And like a parent to a child I am now patiently waiting for her to finish her ‘field trip’ inside the Sagrada Familia. I am the happiest son right now!”

He said that fulfilling his mom’s wishes is his greatest achievement amid his career success.

by oliver

Pulumbarit Inquirer.net

ACTOR Jak Roberto will work alongside real-life girlfriend Barbie Forteza in the coming Kapuso series, “Kara Mia.” How, exactly, would the dynamic be between the former “Meant to Be” costars, now that the show will likely depend on the believability of their offscreen romance?

“I’m very excited,” Jak, whose character in “Meant to Be” ultimately didn’t end up with Barbie’s, told the Inquirer. “It’s been a while since we did ‘Meant to Be,’ where there were four of us actors who were being paired with her.”

Making viewers believe that they’re together in the new show Barbie Forteza and Jak Roberto Photo from Instagram/@jakroberto would feel like witnessing a new tandem altogether, he said: “It drama “Contessa” and the fantasy Known for that moniker for took time before she and I were series “Super Ma’am.” “We have over two years now, the 25-yearput in a show together again, and many things in common. We old actor has gotten used to being that’s in ‘Magpakailanman.’ We don’t go out at night. We both like shirtless onscreen. But, keeping felt the clamor of the viewers that movies and dining out, with her those abdominal muscles in top we should work together again. parents. I’m so happy that we’re form is a steady challenge, he Vice Ganda with his mom during their trip in Spain.

The episode rated well. So, this in one project, since we’ll see each shared: “I always make it a point Photo from Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin time, I know they’re very excited other more often.” to visit the gym regularly. Even “To be able to grant my Nanay’s be Tutoy.”

When asked about his favorite when there are many tapings, I’d to see us again.”

He said he could lose everywishes as she gets older is [a] big Maintaining a romantic bond career milestone so far, Jak, who find the time [to work out]. Other deal for me,” he stated. “Vice thing except his true self: “Kaya between them was easy, apart cohosted “Walang Tulugan with than that, I do boxing to maintain Ganda is accomplished. Tutoy is ‘di pwedeng mawala si Tutoy kasi from the fact that they’re both ce- the Master Showman” in 2011, my physique.” successful. This is how I end my s’ya ‘yung kasiyahan ng nanay lebrities, Jak said. Barbie Forteza responded, “Maybe when I was Despite the rigorous fitness ko (Tutoy cannot be lost because and Jak Roberto Photo from Ins- given the nickname ‘Pambansang sessions, he is allowed a break 2018.”

“Tutoy” is Vice’s childhood he is my mom’s happiness), and tagram/@jakroberto Abs.’ It’s a big thing for me. Not from them, from time to time. name. When he marked the 7th that’s the most important thing in “There’s trust and respect. I’ve everybody is given that ‘title.’ What food does he enjoy during year of his talk show “Gandang this world.” always believed in those, to make And I’m lucky to have one. And his “cheat days”?

On New Year’s Eve of 2017, a relationship last,” confided Jak, because of this, I have shows Gabi Vice” last June 2018, he “Ramen and Japanese buffet,” said he would rather be Tutoy Vice Ganda brought joy to his who also appeared this year in the now.”

Jak unhesitatingly disclosed. than Vice Ganda. “Tutoy is my Nanay when he surprised her with nanay’s source of joy, I will forever a visit to San Francisco.

‘Fresh start’: Liza Soberano clarifies hack rumor on Instagram

Liza ranked fourth last year on TC Candler’s The Independent Critics “Most Beautiful KAPAMILYA actress Liza So- Faces” list. She was the Top berano clarified that her Insta- 1 in 2017. The Kapamilya acgram account was not hacked tress came after Israeli model after all her posts have been Yael Shelbia, K-pop girl group deleted.

TWICE’s Chou Tzuyu and French Liza, who has 8.8 million fol- model Thylane Blondeau. lowers on Instagram, posted her Before suiting up for “Darna,” first selfie for 2019 as IG story, Liza and her onscreen partner saying she just wanted a fresh Enrique Gil will do a movie directstart this new year. ed by Antoinette Jadaone under “Don’t worry guys im not Black Sheep productions. Liza hacked. Just wanted a fresh will play an arts students with start,” she wrote. big dreams from the University Kapamilya actress Liza Soberano posted her Prior to her post, netizens of the Philippines, while Enrique first selfie for 2019 on Instagram, saying she were wondering why the pho- will play a Biology student who is just wanted a fresh start. tos of Liza in her account were the complete opposite of Liza’s Photo from Instagram/@lizasoberano deleted. character.

by JaN

milo Severo Philstar.com

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FOUR years is a long time to be in love. Yet for singer-songwriter TJ Monterde, four years is too short a time to spend with his girlfriend, KZ Tandingan. The Polyeast artist wants to spend eternity with the talented KZ, for whom he wrote the love song “Tulad Mo”.

“Pag-ibig ko’y aking sinulat/At ikaw ang pamagat/Sana naman ay mapansin/Himig nitong damdamin.”

He quotes part of the song’s lyrics in an interview for @ Christmas Time, TJ’s holiday album featuring fellow Polyeast singer-songwriters Bamboo, Drei Raba and Izzeah, spoken artist/songwriter Juan Miguel Severo and R&B singers Sassa and Chan Millanes.

Yes, TJ admits. He and KZ (TJ is her first boyfriend) have discussed marriage, but they have yet to get engaged — soon, the lovestruck songwriter hopes.

For now, both are focusing on work. TJ did have a duet with KZ called “Ikaw at Ako” last year. He also helps KZ out whenever she needs a bridge or chorus for a song she’s writing. KZ does her part by guiding TJ on the vocals part of a song he’s writing.

But TJ is just as happy working on his own songs. One of them is his re-recorded version of “Litrato Ngayong Pasko,” a love-oriented

CePeda

Inquirer.net

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

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The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

Christmas song which he offers to family members who live far apart (a.k.a. OFWs).

TJ knows Christmas is a season of joy. So writing a sad song about a six-year-old boy waiting for his OFW dad to come home for the holidays was extra challenging.

All the boy wanted was a simple photo of the father he misses so

much.

The song’s inspiration is close to TJ’s heart. He saw how hard his aunt cried every time her OFW husband had to leave for work every November. TJ wrote the song for her and others in their shoes.

“My aunt cried even more, but my tito was happy for me,” recalls TJ. He’s just as happy — even overwhelmed — at the positive feedback Litrato Ngayong Pasko has been getting.

TJ reports that OFWs have been sending messages to his Facebook account, telling him that they had to book a ticket to be home for Christmas. He even took screenshots of these touching messages from total strangers.

The song, released two years ago (it now has a new piano-based arrangement), remains as timely as ever. It draws its strength from its message about family.

“The psychic reward is ovewhelming,” TJ says.

That’s what he gets for coming up with a moving song which reminds everyone that family and love — not material things — matter the most.

Anne Curtis hopes to work with Coco Martin in the future

by Cody

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

TJ Monterde wants to spend eternity with KZ Tandingan, for whom he wrote the love song “Tulad Mo” Photos from Instagram/@tjmusicmonterde

PERHAPS the most fervent of fans of Kapamilya stars Anne Curtis and Coco Martin can keep their fingers crossed for a possible collaboration of their idols, as Curtis recently expressed her wish to work with Martin one day.

Martin lauded Curtis for her role in Yam Laranas’ horror film “Aurora,” one of the movies in the lineup of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

“Sana mapanood po ninyo ang pelikula na ito napakaganda po ng pagkakagawa!!!” Martin wrote on Instagram last Dec. 27. “Congrats Mam sa sunod sunod na magagandang pelikula mo!!!”

2018 is a big year for Curtis, who impressed with box-office hits “BuyBust” and “Sid & Aya: Not a Love Story.” In “Aurora,” Curtis harnesses her acting chops for horror as she plays Leana, a

girl who aims to find passengers of a sunken ship.

Curtis was palpably moved by Martin’s remark and took to his post to express her gratitude.

“Salamat Mister Office! Huhu.

Na touch ako. Thank you!!!” she said. “Sana makagawa din tayo one day!!”

She also lauded Martin and his team for “Jack Em Popoy: The PulisCredibles,” which sees him alongside Vic Sotto and Maine Mendoza as police officers on a mission to stop and fight crime.

“Congratulations din [sa] buong team niyo at ang lakas din ng movie nyo!!!!”

“Jack Em Popoy”, along with Vice Ganda’s “Fantastica,” continues to lead in the box office, a result MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer found unsurprising.

“As expected, ‘yung mga pelikula ni Vice Ganda at saka ni Coco Martin at Vic Sotto ang nangunguna sa takilya,” Ferrer was

Anne Curtis Photo from Instagram/@annecurtissmith

quoted as saying. “Yung pangatlo siguro, well medyo malayo, yung kay Anne Curtis.”

The 44th Metro Manila Film Festival runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2019.

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 3-9, 2019

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B8 JANUARY 3-9, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

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