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Charter change, shift to federalism among 2018 priorities in PH Congress

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

the revision of the 1987 Constitution and the shift from a unitary to a federal form of government are among the top priorities of the house of representatives this 2018, according to speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

“Number one is the convening of Congress into a constituent assembly and in revising the Constitution, a shift from a unitary to a federal form of government,” Alvarez told ANC’s “headstart.”

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez

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Philstar.com photo

DATELINE

USA

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

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Poll: Trump 2nd most favorable world leader for Filipinos UNIteD stAtes President Donald trump is the second most favorable world leader for filipinos next to Pope francis, according to the Gallup International Association’s (GIA) 41st Annual Global end of year survey. results of the survey showed that 72 percent of seven out of 10 filipinos have a “favorable” opinion on the U.s. leader, while only 23 percent viewed him negatively. overall, trump obtained a net score of +49 in the Philippines. trump, however, failed to hold a positive image worldwide after receiving a net score of -27. Poll results showed that 58 percent of the 53,769 respondents in 55 countries view trump unfavorably, while only 31 percent viewed him positively.

In a statement, GIA noted that trump is less favorable compared to his predecessor, former U.s. President Barack obama. “two years ago, just before he left office almost three in five (59 percent) of those polled throughout 65 countries around the world held a favourable view of U.s. President Barack obama. this year and having

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FIRST TRADING DAY. Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) President Ramon Monzon (third from left) rings the ceremonial bell as other PSE officials – Omelita Tiangco, Director Amor Iliscupidez, COO Roel Refran and Director Alejandro Yu — blow horns to mark the year’s first trading day.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

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

Both the Philippines and the United states had presidents who became controversial because of their respective leadership styles. Disasters (natural and manmade) also changed people’s lives forever, and continued to push for discussions about climate change, violence and gun control.

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

Malacañang photo

Team

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

PHILIPPINES Build, Build, Build and tourism projects: PH’s golden age of infrastructure the Philippines took the headlines when it hosted the AseAN events in 2017 and it had the opportunity to showcase the various infrastructure projects that it has undertaken as part of the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” campaign. the administration’s economic managers continued what they started in 2016 and are looking forward to the three-year rolling infrastructure program (trIP) of the government which has a P3.6 trillion from 2018 to 2020 which they are hoping would usher in what is touted as the “golden age of infrastructure.”

All of these, including the upgrade of numerous facilities in the country so that more tourists are able to come and visit the various islands, are part of “Dutertenomics.” for 2018, funding of P1.13 trillion would be allocated for projects under trIP which would cover infrastructure projects for transportation, water resources, sewerage and sanitation, flood management, solid waste management, maritime, social infrastructure, energy, information communications technology and others. the “Build, Build, Build” team of the Duterte administration includes secretary mark villar of the Department of Public Works and highways (DPWh), finance secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Budget secretary Benjamin Diokno, transportation secretary Arthur tugade, Bases Conversion and Development

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

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

the filipinos’ optimism on the prospects for 2018 can be attributed to the leadership of Philippine President rodrigo Duterte, malacañang said on tuesday, January 2.

While noting that filipinos are already known for their resilient personalities, Palace spokesperson harry roque said that the “changes” brought by the Duterte administration caused positive effects to the country’s ranking in the global happiness index.

Based on Gallup International’s 41st annual global year-end poll, the Philippines is the third happiest country in the world

next to fiji and Colombia. the Philippines’ net happiness score increased by five points from +79 in 2016 to +84 in 2017. the survey also placed the Philippines as the fifth most optimistic about the country’s economic prospects and the ninth most hopeful for 2018 prospects.

Welcoming the poll results, roque remarked the Philippines ranking high in the global happiness index did not come as surprise.

“We filipinos are known as a happy, resilient people. We even manage to smile amid difficulties. It is therefore not surprising that we rank high in the global happiness index,” the Palace of-

ficial said.

Citing the Philippines’ fastgrowing economic growth, its record-high stock trading and the record-breaking investments, as well as the liberation of marawi City in october, roque said such changes were “reflected in the survey numbers. “ “hope about the country’s economic prosperity and hope about the new year can be attributed to the palpable change our people have felt under the leadership of [Duterte],” he said. “our economy is one of the fastest growing in the region. the local stock market ended the last trading day of 2017 in an all time-high. Board of

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

Inquirer.net photo

Trump’s first year in office

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

by Klarize

meDenilla/AJPress

every president’s first year in office is important and widely observed. meant to set the tone for the rest of his presidency, the first year often gives us a preview of how the rest of the term will transpire.

U.s. President Donald trump’s first Pres. Donald Trump White House photo year as president was nothing, if not, exhaustingly eventful.

Whether he was causing a storm on twitter or announcing new policies which shocked the nation (often simultaneously), it’s no doubt that he accomplished many of his campaign promises. finishing off the year with a 32 percent approval rating — a historic low for any president’s first year, according to Pew research Center — the trump administration saw many highlights.

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From The FronT Page

Charter change, shift to...

PAGE A1 We can do it),” he added.

The House speaker also exIf Congress can convene by January, Alvarez said the pro- pressed optimism that Senate posed new federal charter can be President Aquilino “Koko” Pimensubmitted for referendum simul- tel will support the proposed shift taneously with the barangay elec- as the latter is the president of the ruling Partido ng Demokratikong tions in May 2018.

“Pag-trabahohin lang, walang Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDPimposible, kayang gawin yun (It’s Laban) party, which advocates not impossible if we’ll work on it. federalism.

While saying he is confident that the House supermajority will support the constituent assembly, Alvarez, however, appealed to the sense of patriotism of senators who are unsure whether to support or not the proposed amendment of the Constitution.

“This is a question of patriotism kung ano ‘yung tama at kung ano ‘yung kailangan sa bayan (and what is right and what the country needs),” Alvarez said.

During the same interview, Alvarez also warned of a possible cancellation of the 2019 midterm elections as part of the anticipated transition to a federal system.

Noting that the senators have different term expirations, the House speaker remarked that it is only practical to extend their terms until 2022 for a transitory period. He stressed, however, that the matter depends on the decision that will be made by the constituent assembly.

“Let’s be practical. ‘Pag nagshift ka (If you shift) into a different form of government, unitary to federal, you need a transition government,” Alvarez said.

He went on to say, “Yung senators kasi, ‘yung termino nila, ‘di ba hindi ‘yan sabay-sabay na nag-e-expire. May mag-e-expire sa 2019, may mag-e-expire sa 2022. In fairness, maganda siguro kung ipa-expire mo lahat sa 2022 para wala ka nang utang (The expiration of the terms of the senators are the not the same for all. Some will expire on 2019, while some in 2022. In fairness, it is probably good to expire all on 2022 so there are no more debts).”

In a statement on Wednesday, January 3, Malacañang clarified that the 2019 elections will “push through” unless the Constitution is amended prior to the midterm polls.

Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque also stressed that President Rodrigo Duterte’s role as the chief executive is to “implement the Constitution and the law.”

“Again, the president always looks to the Constitution as his guiding document. The Constitution sets the date for the next elections in 2019,” Roque said in a press briefing.

“So unless the Constitution is amended ahead of the 2019 elections, it will have to push through,” he added. n

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PHILIPPINE SUNRISE. Among the featured images in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA’s) Best Earth-from-Space Photos

by Astronauts in 2017 is sunrise on the Philippine Sea. The gallery, which features 18 photos, shows dazzling views of our home planet from space.

Photo courtesy of NASA

Palace credits Duterte for Filipinos’...

PAGE A1 Investments-approved investments are record-breaking. The government decisively liberated Marawi,” Roque added.

In a report released last November, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) posted a “spectacular” growth of 6.9 percent for the period of July to September or the third quarter of 2017.

This made the country the sec-

ond fastest-growing economy in Asia next to Vietnam’s 7.46 percent, and ahead of China’s 6.8 percent.

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

In October, the Duterte admin-

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

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

Poll: Trump 2nd most favorable world leader...

PAGE A1

been in office for just over a year, President Trump does not poll so favourably,” GIA said.

It also noted that Trump is the “only political leader where a majority hold an unfavourable view of him.”

Trump, who assumed the presidency in January last year, has expressed support for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial campaign against illegal drugs, unlike Obama who had issued calls for a stop to the alleged campaign-related killings.

Trump also visited Manila last November to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and other related meetings.

On the other hand, Pope Fran-

cis recorded the highest level of favorability in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, having a net score +80 in the country.

Figures showed that 87 percent of Filipinos have positive opinion on the Pontiff, while only around seven percent viewed him negatively.

Pope Francis also recorded the highest level of favorability among other world leaders with a net score of +38.

Next to Pope Francis and Trump is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who earned a net score of +20 in the Philippines. According to the survey, 47 percent of Filipinos have positive view of the Russian president, while only 27 percent see him negatively.

Putin ranked third most favorable worldwide, with 47 percent

favorable and 27 percent unfavorable.

“President Putin polls favourably in most regions of the world except the U.S. (14 percent) and EU-Europe (28 percent), but still higher than the 20 percent favorability for President Trump,” GIA said.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping garnered a -1 net score in the Philippines, with only 35 percent of Filipinos hold favorable view of him while 36 percent hold unfavorable view. Worldwide, Xi garnered a net score of +6.

Under the Duterte administration, the Philippines is enjoying closer ties with China after years of of apparent icy relationship due to territorial dispute in South China Sea. The Duterte administration is also forging closer ties with Russia. (AJPress)

Trump’s first year...

PAGE A1 Here’s a recap of the 45th United States president’s first year: Tax cuts for middle class, small businesses Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, touting it as the most massive tax cut in the history of the country.

The bill is said to lower taxes for middle-class Americans and will supposed bring back jobs to the U.S. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act keeps the number of individual tax brackets at seven but reduces the rates to 10, 12, 22, 24, 32, 35, and 37 percent, increases the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000 for singles and married couples, and roughly doubles the standard deduction.

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

nesses.”

“Soon, workers will begin to see bigger paychecks as new withholding tables take effect,” he said. “Typical families of four can expect a tax cut of $2,059 next year as rates are lowered across the board. That is what this is all about: helping people earn more and keep more of what they earn.”

Travel ban to make America safe again?

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

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

A subsequent version of the ban allowed those who could provide a bona fide relationship with an individual or entity in the U.S. entry into the country. Another version also included North Korea and Venezuela in the ban while eliminating Iraq and Sudan as affected countries.

Closely reported by the Asian Journal this year, the travel ban went on to have a rocky year, the administration putting out three versions, all of which have been

blocked by federal judges in Maryland and Hawaii for violating the Constitution and for not providing enough evidence the ban is a necessity for national security.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Trump’s first year...

PAGE A2 Multiple vacation days spent golfing or at Trump properties One of the many criticisms Trump faced in his first year was the number of days spent at one of his properties. During his campaign, he promised his supporters that he would spend time working and less time golfing, a point for which he criticized former President Barack Obama. “@BarackObama played golf yesterday. Now he heads to a 10 day vacation in Martha’s Vineyard. Nice work ethic,” he tweeted in 2011.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“President Donald Trump wanted to know the facts. Just let that sink in for a moment,”

renowned journalist Anderson Cooper said on CNN on August 15. “If there is anything we already know about this president, is that he does not wait for facts to become clear before speaking.

Has any president in modern history lied so fast and so frequently as this one?”

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

Despite Trump denying collusion, the investigation was a whirlwind. However, it was found that many individuals from the Trump team — former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former campaign manager Paul Manafort, Manafort’s deputy Richard Gates, campaign adviser George Papadopoulos (who said he had connections that could help set up a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the campaign) — have confirmed having contacts with people tied to the Russian government during the campaign.

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

“This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump,” an email from Goldstone said.

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

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

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Artwork by Jillian Peñalosa

The Asian Journal’s yearend...

PAGE A1 Authority president Vince Dizon and NEDA chief Ernesto Pernia, among others. Together, they announced the administration’s major projects at an investment and infrastructure forum held in Manila last April.

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

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

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

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said they chose the three prov-

inces because these were not part of the destinations visited by the Miss Universe candidates during the 2016 pageant in Manila.

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

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

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

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

Boracay topped this year’s “Best Islands in the World” list ranked by Conde Nast Traveler readers AJPress file photo

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

El Nido, meanwhile, is considered as the to-go place for those who want to go island- and lagoonhopping. Coron, northern part of mainland Palawan, is popular for its wreck diving spots. Boracay Island, on the other hand, is known all the world over for its unique, powdery white sand. Boracay saw its tourism spike to a record high of 1.7 million visitors, as well as numerous new developments, including a new mall which houses the island’s first cinema. Cebu on the other hand, was picked by the Department of Tourism as a model for sustainable tourism development of on September 2017. The program that aims to build capacity and capability of the industry in the Philippines. The program shall strengthen Cebu’s competitiveness as a sustainable tourism model in the following areas: a) Business Tourism in Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events (BTMICE), and b) Expanding Business Tourism by integrating leisure products such as Cultural and Heritage Tourism and Ecotourism. (Jennifer Soriano) PH hosts ASEAN Summit with Trump, Duterte meeting in person for first time Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had his first bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on November 13 in Manila.

U.S. politicians had urged

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

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

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

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

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

In his meeting with Duterte, Trump also agreed to consider signing an FTA with the Philippines. (Dana Sioson)

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The Asian Journal’s yearend...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino (right) III before the start of the hearing on the P3.5 billion worth of On August 30, lawyer Lorenzo questionable dengue vaccines that had been administered by the Department of Health (DOH) Gadon filed an impeachment to 280,000 students nationwide allegedly without passing through World Health Organization case against Chief Justice Maria (WHO) prequalification requirements.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo Lourdes Sereno, accusing the latter of culpable violations of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust and other high crimes. This was endorsed by 25 legislators of the House. Sereno, who decried the decision of the House Justice Committee to disallow her lawyers the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses against her, opted not to attend the impeachment hearings.

The committee has found sufficiency in form and substance and in grounds the impeachment comMalacañang said it is ready to face the Supreme Court to defend President Rodrigo Duterte’s extended martial law powers across Mindanao, after opposition lawmakers challenged the plaint against Sereno and is now prolonged declaration before the tribunal.

Philstar.com photo determining the existence of probDuterte tops TIME’s most influential poll Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s popularity reached the whole world when Time Magazine announced that he topped the 100 most influential people poll on April 2017.

In a survey where TIME Magazine has asked its readers who should be included in this years’ TIME 100, an annual list of the world’s most influential people, Duterte received 5 percent of “yes” votes in the online poll, ranking well ahead of all other global political leaders. Accordingly, the Philippine president consistently topped the survey which ran from March 24 to April 16, 2017.

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

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

Analysts and critics commented that the recognition was not clear if Duterte was chosen as a positive influence. (Jennifer Soriano) Duterte admin ends year with landmark tax reform The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) is the first package of the tax program envisioned by President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, which seeks to correct a number of deficiencies in the tax system to make it simpler, fairer, and more efficient. TRAIN plans to reduce personal income tax rate and increase excise taxes on petroleum products, automobiles, sugar-sweetened beverages, and tobacco.

The value-added (VAT) tax base will also be expanded in a bid to benefit small businesses. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the tax increases will provide a steady revenue stream for the government’s Build Build Build infrastructure program, which is set to reach P9 trillion over the medium term.

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

by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara.

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

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

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

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

On the other hand, human rights groups, such as Amnesty In-

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

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

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

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

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

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

Despite announcing the city’s liberation from the Maute rebels, Duterte asked for another martial law extension in Mindanao for the “total eradication” of terrorist groups and their supporters. On December 13, Congress approved the Duterte’s bid to retain martial law until December 31, 2018—a move questioned by opposition lawmakers. On December 27, the House of Representatives’ socalled “Magnificent Seven” filed a petition challenging the constitutionality of the second martial law extension, saying there is there is “no actual rebellion” in Mindanao.

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

The school-based immunization

Filipino veterans from all over the U.S. flew into the nation’s capital to attend the Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony last October 25, 2017.

Inquirer.net photo

able cause and decide whether or not to file the case in the Senate.

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

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

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

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

“One path leads forward; the other leads back to re-litigating solutions that are demonstrably working,” said Wheeler. “It is time to keep moving forward.

This is not the time to retreat and take things away.”

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

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

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

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

As 2017 ended, firefighters in California gained ground of the Thomas Fire, which had been burning continuously through Santa Barbara and Ventura counties since December 4, making it the single largest wildfire in modern state history.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Attaining category 4 intensity, Harvey became the most powerful

storm to hit the U.S. since Katrina in 2005. The death toll reached 63, and the damage equated to nearly $200 billion making it the costliest on record.

But as devastating as the calamities were, people continued to push through.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In February 1946, the U.S. Congress passed the Rescission Act of 1946, which stripped Filipino

soldiers the benefits promised by President Roosevelt.

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

“This reckoning appears to have sprung up overnight. But it has actually been simmering for years, decades, centuries. Women have had it with bosses and co-workers who not only cross boundaries but don’t even seem to know that boundaries exist. They’ve had it with the fear of retaliation, of being blackballed, of being fired from a job they can’t afford to lose.

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

In early October, the New York Times published an exposé on Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein that detailed how he exhibited a pattern of sexual harassment for nearly three decades that was swept under the rug and paid out at least eight settlements. Some of his accusers included actresses like Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan, and Filipina-Italian model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez. Days later, Weinstein was fired by the board of his company, The Weinstein Company. (Other actresses such as Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Salma Hayek have since shared their harassment encounters with Weinstein.)

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

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

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

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

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

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 4-10, 2018

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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Duterte earns ‘Person of the Year’ recognition for drug war

by AJPress

A DAY AT THE PARK. This family enjoys some quality time together on the last day of the Christmas break. Most of Filipinos — even the kids — are going back to work and school soon. Once in a while a dose of Mother Nature, like a stroll in the park, is all what we need to “recharge” and start this new year right. This photo was taken at Rizal Park on Monday, January 1.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Marcoses deny hand in Lozano’s draft deal on ‘ill gotten wealth’

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr. on Tuesday, January 2 clarified that his family had no knowledge of any submitted draft proposal for a compromise deal with the Philippine government concerning his family’s alleged ill-gotten wealth.

“The marcos family has no knowledge or information on the apparent exchange and service of document between Attorney Lozano and the office of Secretary [Salvador] Panelo,” marcos said in a message to reporters.

The former senator also clarified that lawyer oliver Lozano, a known marcos loyalist, is neither affiliated nor represents the marcos family.

“As a point of information, Attorney oliver Lozano does not represent any member of the marcos family or the estate of the late President Ferdinand marcos,” he added. earlier on monday, January 1, Panelo confirmed that his office received a draft from Lozano proposing a share of the marcoses’ wealth and properties in

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

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

Panelo, however, clarified that malacañang had taken “no action” on Lozano’s proposal.

“The document was sent to the office by Attorney oliver Lozano,” Panelo said. “our office as a matter of courtesy and policy acknowledges receipt of any letter coming from any citizen. No action has been taken on Attorney Lozano’s proposal.”

Presidential spokesperson Harry roque also denied that the administration of President rodrigo Duterte has already forged an agreement with the late strongman’s heirs concerning the family’s wealth.

“There is no truth to the allegation that the government has reached a compromise agreement with the family of the late President Ferdinand marcos,” roque said.

In a separate statement, the Palace official also noted that any compromise between the government and the marcoses would require the approval of

Congress.

“The president has spoken. He said if there are (marcos) properties that can be used to support the country, a law is needed. It is clear to the President that the decision does not rest on him alone.

It is also a decision to be made

by Congress because we have a law that punishes those who are guilty of plunder,” roque told radio station dzBB. “Such law will be facing a lot of challenges and a law solely about the marcoses cannot be passed. It will violate what we call the equal protection law. But the President has said any agreement between the government and the marcoses would require a law,” he added.

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

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

Philippine population to hit 107 million in 2018

by Sheila

CriSoStomo Philstar.com

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

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

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

“That means we will be adding 4,953 Filipinos per day, or 206 every hour in 2018,” he told The Star.

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

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

Philstar.com photo

this year.

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

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

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

Senate: Despite squabbles, 2017 a productive year

by BernaDette

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

THe year that just ended was a productive year for the Senate, mainly because the senators set aside their difference to pass crucial measures.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said members of the majority and minority blocs worked together to achieve critical reforms such as the Free Higher education Act that will enable millions of students to graduate from college without the burden of high tuition fee cost. “reforms such as these and not politics are what matters to the lives of our people,” he said Senate minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the opposition sponsored and authored seven of the 10 bills of national significance that the Senate passed in 2017.

“The minority bloc has been working hard all this time. The records will bear this out. I am proud of our performance. We are the most productive group in the Senate,” he said.

The minority bloc is composed of Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno Aquino and detained Leila de Lima of the Liberal Party; risa Hontiveros of

Akbayan and Antonio Trillanes 4th of the Nacionalista Party.

The seven bills steered into passage by the minority include the Affordable Higher education Act for All (Aquino); Free Internet Access in Public Places Act (Aquino); expanded maternity Leave Law (Hontiveros); mental Health Act (Hontiveros); Philippine Food Technology Act (Trillanes); Speech Language Pathology Act (Trillanes); and the adjustment to the present peso value of the amounts in the 87-year old revised Penal Code (Drilon).

“These bills, once enacted into laws, will have a direct positive impact on the lives of our people.

We studied and prepared hard for these bills so that they will withstand Senate scrutiny,” Drilon said.

He sponsored the Senate resolution concurring in the ratification of the Japan-Philippines Agreement on Social Security, which would give the 400,000 Filipinos in Japan access to various social security benefits.

Drilon said their legislative performance only proves that “the minority was never and will never become a stumbling block to a productive Senate.”

The senators all vowed that they would continue working hard to steer the passage of important measures when Congress resumes session in January 15, 2018.

The Senate is also gearing up to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that will abolish the Autonomous region in muslim mindanao (Armm) and create a new one in its place.

Investigations and squabbles The Senate also had its share of squabbles and controversies that could give afternoon “telenovelas” a run for their money.

Sen. Leila de Lima was arrested on February 24 on drug charges, weeks after she was ousted as chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice that investigated the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug personalities. She has since been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center to face charges pending before the muntinlupa regional Trial Court (rTC). She has filed bills and resolutions through her staff and petitioned the Supreme Court to nullify the lower court’s arrest order.

Her fellow LP senators were also stripped of their respective PAGE A7

AN international non-governmental organization has named Philippine President rodrigo Duterte 2017’s “Person of the Year” for his controversial campaign against illegal drugs.

The title was given by the organized Crime and Corruption reporting Project (oCCrP), which annually recognizes an individual who “has done the most in the world to advance organized criminal activity and corruption.”

In a statement released Thursday, December 28, oCCrP said its panel—which is composed of nine corruption-fighting journalists, scholars and activists—chose Duterte “on the strength of his brutal war on drugs.” oCCrP highlighted that the “blunt, swaggering and profane” president has “vigorously implemented his pledge to use any tactic necessary to stop drug use” in the Philippines.

It also cited Duterte’s “disturbing” comparison of German Adolf Hitler’s annihilation of three millions of Jews to his bid to “slaughter” three million drug addicts during one of his speeches in September last year.

Duterte was the runner-up for oCCrP’s “Person of the Year” award in 2016 but the title was given to Venezuelan President Nicolas maduro.

This year, the Philippine leader beat out runners-up South African President Jacob Zuma and recently ousted Zimbabwean President robert mugabe for the title.

Drew Sullivan, editor for oCCrP and one of the judges for selection, said the Philippine president has “made a mockery of rule of law in his country.”

“While he is not your typical corrupt leader, he has empowered corruption in an innovative way. His death squads have allegedly focused on criminals but, in fact, are less discriminating,” Sullivan added.

He also claimed that Duterte has “empowered a bully-run system of survival of the fiercest.”

“In the end, the Philippines are more corrupt, more cruel, less democratic,” Sullivan further

said.

The eradication of illegal drugs in the country was among Duterte’s major campaign promises that paved way for his landslide victory during the 2016 pres-

idential election. Since launching his so-called drug war, thousands of drug suspects have been killed, earning condemnation from human rights advocates.

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January 4-10, 2018 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL

OpiniOn

Reason to hope

Features

As in previous years, Filipinos are greeting the new year with high hopes. in metro manila, authorities have warned of worse traffic until the end of president Duterte’s term as vital public works projects get underway, with little hope in sight for an improvement in the light railway services. economic figures were rosy in 2017, but the main challenge remains: making the benefits of growth trickle down to the grassroots. inclusive growth is impossible in a nation where many laws and rules are designed to give enormous advantage to a miniscule fraction of the population. But reforms are always possible to make growth equitable.

With sustained growth and strong macroeconomic fundamentals, life could be better in the coming year, especially if combined with good governance. even in times of misfortune, Filipinos live with the certainty that the darkest night always gives way to light. The best government works to give the public reason to be hopeful that things will be better. may you all enjoy the blessings of the new Year! (Philstar.com)

Since the Social Weather Stations inc. began polling hopefulness on the eve of a new year, the number has always been in the 90s.

The latest survey has been no different, with 96 percent greeting 2018 with hope rather than fear, according to the SWS poll taken nationwide from Dec. 8 to 16.

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

And optimism is heightened in the changing of the year. people will need a lot of optimism and resilience in facing the challenges of the year ahead.

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

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

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

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

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

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

AnoTHer group of Fil-Am community leaders — U.S. pinoys for real change in the philippines (USprcp) — responded and requested to present their perspective on the issue.

From Atty. Arnedo Valera, chairman of the USprcp: “These human right groups continue to mischaracterize the Philippine drug war. Once

Sketches

ana MaRie PaMintuan WiTH hundreds of people dead from landslides, floods and a shopping mall fire in the final days of the year, and tens of thousands of children vaccinated against dengue facing an uncertain fate, looking on the bright side on the eve of a new year becomes tougher. it’s the season of cheer, however, so let’s dwell on the positive, and some of the year’s winners. one success during the year was the nation’s hosting of the summit and related meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian nations. Fortuitously, the country got the revolving ASeAn chair on the 50th anniversary of the grouping, during which the “Visit ASeAn” tourism campaign was also launched. like the Asia-pacific economic cooperation summit in 2015, the ASeAn leaders’ gathering and summits with dialogue part-

again, there [are] no state-sanctioned killings in this drug war.

The concept of EJKs has been abused by political propagandist and enemies of this administration and the negative campaign continues to be reechoed by human rights groups in the U.S. These are the real numbers: 1. There are 79,193 Anti-drug operations conducted from July 1, 2016 to November 27, 2017; 2. More than 118,000 drug personalities have been arrested from July 1, 2016, November 27, 2017.

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

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

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

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

Winners of 2017

ners were held in metro manila. compared with the Apec summit, however, the traffic management for ASeAn was infinitely better, with inconveniences to ordinary folks more bearable. intramuros wasn’t shut down for a night and a day for a ladies’ lunch. even president Duterte was on his best behavior, reading prepared speeches with hardly any rambling digressions, wearing suit and tie. He played the gracious host and held back his acid tongue even when canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau dared to raise human rights concerns with him — and blabbed about it to the press. only when all the foreign guests had returned home did Duterte say he considered Trudeau’s comments an insult.

Still, Duterte restrained himself from letting loose his favorite expletives against his canadian counterpart.

Hitting it off with U.S. president Donald Trump probably helped put Duterte in a friendly mood toward everybody during the summit. Say what you will

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

U.S. diplomats say bilateral ties are back on track.

The philippines will get another major chance to showcase its best to the world, after the country won the bid to co-host the FiBA Basketball World cup in 2023 together with Japan and indonesia.

Duterte remained a big winner in 2017, even if his survey ratings have started sliding. Despite being forced to pull out his cops from the drug war, despite his declaration of martial law in the entire mindanao, and despite seeing his eldest son and son-inlaw implicated in the smuggling

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

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

The second war is the war between and among drug carters vs. drug cartel, drug lords, police scalawags vigilantes and corrupt politicians which have caused thousands of undetermined deaths and remains under active investigation.

These non-state actors, even prior to President Duterte’s assumption of office, have been killing and eliminating each other by the thousands to silence and or cover up and protect their multibillion international drug trade.

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

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

In our own backyard, it is important to underscore what U.S Atty. General Jeff Sessions said in his address to the assembly of the Drug Abuse

of shabu valued at p6.4 billion through the manila customs port, Duterte’s approval ratings remain high enough to get the needed support for his legislative agenda and project priorities. His success should redound to the nation’s success.

And speaking of martial law, the denouement of the marawi siege was one of the year’s high points. isnilon Hapilon, “emir” of the islamic State in Southeast Asia, was killed by government forces, together with the maute brothers. nearly half of omar maute’s head was blown off.

Their father cayamora maute died in jail while their mother ominta romato, accused of acting as her sons’ finance and logistics officer, is behind bars. *** Another winner in 2017 was the enforcer of martial law. Human rights complaints have been filed against the Armed Forces of the philippines in connection with the marawi siege.

But the complaints have so far failed to shake the heroic image of the AFp in the battle to liberate the islamic city from the mautes and Abu Sayyaf.

That image has helped mute

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

The United States has been engaged in the drug war for the last decades. In Latin America, it adopted a policy of prohibition of targeting, manufacturers, suppliers, drug cartels and corrupt police, politicians including heads of states involved in massive drug trafficking conspiracy.

The U.S. has 3 trillion dollars budget every year.

Almost 2 billion dollars every month. In Mexico alone, it has caused more than 185,000 killings in so-called legitimate drug war operations. Last June 2017, Mexico has 2,000 deaths in drugrelated police legitimate operations. Nobody, including these human rights groups you are mentioning, is raising the issue of extrajudicial killings.

If you want to help the Philippine government, and our nation and build a stronger generation of the young, then you must support the Philippine drug war, to say the least and at the same exercise your right to demand accountability and give your constructive criticisms to strengthen our law enforcement agencies and not to weaken them simply because you do not like President Duterte. Otherwise, you are becoming alteregos of the political opposition and unwittingly becoming an enabler for the drug cartels, drug lords, police scalawags, vigilantes and corrupt politicians.” *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

protests against the one-year extension of martial law in mindanao. The Supreme court might strike down the extension, if the justices aren’t spooked by the specter of impeachment dangled by the super majority in the House of representatives.

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

The year also started on a happy note, with the country’s

hosting of the miss Universe pageant. Few people expected miss philippines to win; host country contestants rarely do.

And pushing tourism takes so much more than hosting beauty contests. But at least the pageant, like the ASeAn summit, was generally glitch-free. other positive developments: the nationwide ban on smoking went into effect, and an executive order was issued to implement the reproductive health program.

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

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

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

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 4-10, 2018

A

‘Duterte’s TRAIN bound for Supreme Court’

by Delon

anD

Porcalla Paolo romero Philstar.com

NEW YEAR REVELRY UPDATE. Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (middle) says there was a substantial reduction in firecrackerrelated injuries during the press conference on the DOH’s ‘Oplan: Iwas Paputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok!’, held at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City on Monday, January 1. Also in the photo are EAMC chief, Dr. Emmanuel Bueno (left) and Philippine National Police (PNP) Supt. Johnny Capalos.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Roque: Callamard is no expert in extrajudicial killings by auDrey

morallo Philstar.com

M A N I LA — P re s i d e n t i a l spokesman Harry Roque on Tuesday, January 2, questioned why Agnes Callamard was appointed United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings when her expertise was on freedom of expression, in the latest episode of tit-for-tat between the two.

Roque said that he did not know of any qualifications that would make Callamard a good special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings as she had no prosecutorial and court appearance experience.

“This Agnes Callamard, I can’t understand why she became an expert on against [sic] illegal killing. I know her. Her field is freedom of expression. I can concede that she is an expert on freedom of expression, but to be a special rapporteur on extrajudicial killing, I don’t know of her qualifications,” Roque said in Filipino in a radio interview.

“She did not appear before a court regularly to prosecute crime and murder cases. She does not have special research on extralegal killing,” the presidential spokesperson added.

The exchange of blistering comments between Roque and the UN official started when the presidential spokesperson claimed that UN special rapporteurs Victoria Tauli-Corpuz and Cecilia Jimenez-Damary used their positions to “embarrass” President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration before the interna-

tional community.

The two rapporteurs warned that the ongoing militarization in Mindanao had a “massive and potentially irreversible” effect on the human rights of some Lumads.

This prompted Roque to tell the two to be more circumspect in their statements which appeared to be “very partisan” as they were nominated by the erstwhile Aquino administration.

Callamard then issued a correction andstressed that special rapporteurs were appointed by the UN Human Rights Councilas experts with “proven expertise and experience.”

This however did not sit well with Roque, who insisted that special rapporteurs were elected.

“More than 30 states are members of the UN Human Rights Council. That’s why when I said that they were elected I was correct. The UN Human Rights Council appoints, but the process of appointment must be done after its member-states have already made an agreement.

Isn’t that what you call an election?” Roque said in the radio interview.

“You can’t be designated to that office, no matter how good you are, even if you are a worldrenowned expert, if you will not be nominated by your country. No UN official has been appointed to his post without his country’s nomination,” Roque added.

According to the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner website, candidates to the position of special rapporteurs and mandate-holders can be

appointed by governments, the regional groups operating within the UN system, international organizations or their offices, non-governmental organizations and other human rights bodies and individuals.

A consultative group appointed by the UNHRC would then review all applications and propose a list of candidates to the president of the UN human rights body.

The UNHROHC said that the following criteria would be observed in selecting among the candidates: a) expertise; (b) experience in the field of the mandate; (c) independence; (d) impartiality; (e) personal integrity; and (f) objectivity.

There would also be due emphasis on gender balance and equitable geographic representation and representation of different legal systems.

“Individuals in decision-making positions in Government or in any other organization or entity which may give rise to a conflict of interest with the responsibilities inherent to the mandate are excluded from being appointed as experts,” it added.

Roque said that Callamard’s failure to come to the Philippines and investigate into alleged extrajudicial killings attending the government’s war on drugs was already proof of her failure in her job as a UN special rapporteur. “[That] is proof that she has failed in her job because she could not enter the Philippines to conduct an investigation because she keeps on criticizing the government,” Roque said. n

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

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

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

He branded the tax reform package as a “price shock” that would hit the poor hardest because that sector would have to shell out

more money than gain higher take-home pay.

“A majority of our poor people will suffer more and would be mired further into poverty with the expected spike in the prices of major basic commodities and services beginning this month,” Zarate said in a statement.

The new tax reform law is expected to increase the prices of gasoline by P2.97 per liter, diesel

by P2.80 per liter and kerosene by P3.36 per liter.

“These would have a severe domino effect on the prices of other products and services, which is further aggravated by the VAT increases on these products themselves,” Zarate pointed out.

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

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

“While Filipino families cer-

tainly deserve income tax cuts to cope with rising costs of living, it is misleading to claim that 6.8 million Filipinos will benefit from TRAIN as this figure includes millions of minimum wage earners already exempted by law,” Zarate said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Sonny Angara said the government should use some of the revenues raised from the new tax reform law to fix the country’s transportation system, particularly the Metro Rail Transit-3.

Angara, who chairs the Senate committee on ways and means, expressed alarm over reports that the MRT-3 broke down more than 500 times in 2017, forcing thousands of passengers to disembark.

He said RA 10963 “should fix our trains.”

“It’s an injustice that thousands of passengers are adversely affected because of decrepit services from the MRT and LRT. The government must make sure the taxes collected will go to programs that benefit Filipinos,” Angara said in a statement. n

Duterte earns ‘Person of the Year’ recognition...

PAGE A5

Based on his administration’s yearend report, there were 3,967 “drug personalities” who died in anti-drug operations.

The figure, however, has been disputed by Duterte’s critics and international rights groups, which pegged the death toll at around 12,000 since the campaign’s launch last year.

“Philippine officials put the real number of drug users at 1.8 million, but Duterte has overseen the killing of more than

7,000 and possibly as many as 12,000. The statistics are hard to pin down because Duterte’s National Police suppress all critical reports,” OCCRP’s statement read.

OCCRP further claimed that the police are “spared from any accountability or legal consequences for a campaign that has left bodies in the streets.”

Amid criticisms, the Duterte administration had repeatedly insisted that it values right to life and does not tolerate abuses. n President Rodrigo Duterte

Malacañang photo

Senate: Despite squabbles, 2017 a...

PAGE A5 committee chairmanships resulting in a major revamp in committee stewardship.

This led Drilon, Pangilinan, Aquino, Hontiveros, and De Lima to abandon the majority bloc and form the “new minority bloc” with Trillanes.

Trillanes’ former fellow minority members that time, Senators Ralph Recto and Francis Escudero, transferred to the majority.

Senators Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and Trillanes had a spat over the former’s handling of the investigation on the smug-

gling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu from China.

Gordon and Trillanes had stinging arguments on the latter’s move to invite presidential son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio, to the probe to shed light on their alleged involvement in smuggling at the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

Gordon finally invited the younger Duterte to the public hearing after the President advised his first born to attend the probe but “ignore” Trillanes’ questioning.

Paolo Duterte and Carpio, husband of Davao City Mayor

Sara Duterte-Carpio, testified at the Senate smuggling probe on September 12 wherein Trillanes asked him to show the “tattoo” on his back which Paolo refused.

Trillanes claimed that the tattoo would indicate his alleged membership in an international drug syndicate.

Gordon filed an ethics complaint against Trillanes for accusing him of impartiality toward Duterte wherein he called the Blue Ribbon panel as a “comite de absuelto.”

Not to be outdone, Trillanes filed a counter ethics case against Gordon also for “unparliamentary” conduct. n

A

January 4-10, 2018 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 4-10, 2018

VEGAS&STYLE Journal

Glitzy celebrations and tragic losses in showbiz

by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

From the rise of Donald Trump, the North Korean missile testing and mass shootings to the battle of marawi, Asean and miss Universe hostings in the local setting, the year 2017 lived up to the characteristics of its Chinese zodiac sign as the rooster cackled with the biggest events and controversies worldwide.

The entertainment world was no exception to the extremes predicted to take place in 2017.

January in fact saw a major kickoff at the oscars when “La La Land” was mistakenly announced as the year’s Best Picture winner instead of “moonlight” signaling a colorful year in showbizlandia.

Shortly after came the news of couples going to “Splitsville” in Hollywood, the most notable of which were actors Chris Pratt and Anna Farris whom the world expected to last together for a long time.

Still over in La La Land, the most shocking news of the year carried the hashtag #meToo on social media, which turned into a movement that unmasked the alleged sexual misconducts of film producer and executive Harvey Weinstein. Later, alleged victims of reputable anchorman matt Lauer, director roman Polanski and actor Kevin Spacey, among a long list of other artists, stepped forward to tell their own stories of sexual harassment.

And as always, what happened in the U.S. trickled down to this part of the world as social media also became a tool for young women to expose how members of several independent bands in the music scene have made inappropriate moves toward female fans. Jensen and the Flips and Sud were two of those bands who have since been dropped from their scheduled performances.

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

The royal Family, considered

B

2017: Most beautiful year for the Philippines by arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho

Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff

Ai Ai de las Alas and Gerald Sibayan ManilaTimes.net photos

celebrities with their huge international following, was once again big in the news with the announcement of the Duchess of Cambridge Kate middleton’s third child by Prince William over the summer, and just before Christmas, Prince Harry’s engagement to American actress meghan markle. other couples who also announced their engagements include singer megan Trainor and boyfriend-actor Daryl Sabara and “Game of Thrones” stars Kit Harrington and rose Leslie, just to name a few.

But of course, the Philippines does engagements, weddings, births and baptism bigger and better these days with this look back by The Sunday Times magazine on the year’s most talked about celebrations, while also paying tribute to the industry’s losses in 2017.

Weddings Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho Luxury was certainly the theme of celebrity doctors Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho in Paris, France no less, dubbed the City of Love.

The night before their big day on September 3, the couple, who already had a civil wedding in manila, held a welcome dinner for celebrity guests aboard a 70meter cruise ship that sailed along the river Seine.

The following day, Belo looked every bit regal in her blush michael Cinco bridal gown when she exchanged “I do’s” with her much

younger groom at the American Church of Paris.

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

Among the star-studded guests who flew from manila were Piolo Pascual, Derek ramsay, Alden richards, richard Gomez, Lucy Torres, Dingdong Dantes, marian rivera and Lovi Poe. At 37, Kho is younger than Belo by 24 years. Belo was previously married to businessman Atom Henares, with whom she has two children, Cristalle and Quark.

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

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

Curtis looked radiant in her custom-made wedding gown by international Cebuana designer monique Lhuillier, while Heussaff

looked dashing in his bespoke Parisian suit.

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

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

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

The de las Alas-Sibayan nuptials had a star-studded entourage led by megastar Sharon Cuneta, Alden richards, oPm icons ogie Alcasid and wife regine Velasquez, Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual.

Love was definitely in the air all year with the following celebrity weddings: Camille Prats and VJ Yambao on January 7 at Nayomi Sanctuary resort in Batangas; rochelle Pangilinan and Arthur Solinap on August 8 in Tagaytay; Chynna ortaleza and Kean Cipriano on November 7 in Quezon City; and Pancho magno and max Collins at the manila marriott Hotel on December 11.

The K-pop world saw the wedPAGE B3

WITH two of beauty pageantry’s “Big 4” crowns on the heads of Filipino queens—miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and 2016 miss International Kylie Verzosa—the year 2017 began with the world’s most beautiful women flocking to manila in the first month of the year for the staging of the 65th miss Universe on January 30, 2017 at the mall of Asia Arena.

The 2016 miss Universe was belatedly held as final negotiations for the pageant were not ironed out until the stars aligned for the country’s hosting of the most prestigious beauty contest in the world for the third time.

It was fitting for the Philippines to stage miss U’s latest coronation night as the current winner was Filipina, the same as the first time the country hosted the pageant in 1974 when outgoing titleholder was Filipina 1973 miss Universe margie moran.

As 86 candidates arrived and went around the country to promote the islands as a tourist destination under the auspices of the Department of Tourism (DoT), three past miss Universe winners also came to sit as judges—Dayanara Torres, who became a celebrity in the Philippines following her reign in 1993; 1994 winner Sushmita Sen of India, who was Torres’ successor; and Leila Lopes of Angola, who won in Brazil in 2011 with the Philippines’ Shamcey Supsup as her Third runner-Up. miss Universe 2016 was produced by former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson’s LCS Group of Companies along with DoT and the miss Universe organization (mUo).

Wurtzbach crowned miss France Iris mittenaere as her successor at the end of the show, ending the European country’s 63-year title drought—the longest

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach passes the crown to Iris Mittenaere of France as the new queen in Manila on January 30, 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Miss Universe photo

in the pageant’s history—and the first win from Europe in 14 years.

The last European to be crowned miss Universe was russia’s oxana Fedorova in 2002 but was dethroned and succeeded by Justine Pasek of Panama.

Placing First runner-Up to mittenaere was raquel Pelissier of Haiti, with miss Colombia Andrea Tovar placing Second runner-Up. The Philippines’ maxine medina made it to the Top 6, along with mary Esther Were of Kenya and Chalita Suansane of Thailand. making it to the Top 9 were Siera Bearchell of Canada, Kristal Silva of mexico and Deshauna Barber of USA. rounding up the Top 13 were misses Brazil, Indonesia, Panama and Peru.

Philippines asserts powerhouse position Exactly three months after miss Universe’s coronation night in manila, six Filipinas were crowned as the country’s official representatives to various pageants through the Binibining Pilipinas pageant for the year.

First to compete was ElizaPAGE B4

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Google: Song lyrics, pageants top Anne Curtis tries hand in being an action star Filipinos’ online searches for 2017

Top music hits, viral stories, global events and television shows were among the topics that interest Filipinos, according to global search engine Google’s annual “Year in Search” list.

Landing on the top spot of Filipinos’ most searched topic on Google is the lyrics of Luis Fonsi’s mega hit “Despacito.” The song made headlines in october after reaching the 4 billion views mark, making it the most watched video on YouTube worldwide.

This year’s second spot goes to the lyrics of Bruno Mars’ “Versace on the Floor,” a hit from the Grammy winner’s “24K Magic” album.

Google’s trending topics list in the philippines also reflects Filipinos’ persistent love for pageantry.

Maxine Medina, who represented the philippines at the Miss Universe pageant in 2016, is 2017’s top trending female personality.

Joining her on the list are other beauty queens namely, Binibining pilipinas-International 2017 Mariel de Leon, Binibining pilipinas-Universe 2017 Rachel peters,

and Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres.

Meanwhile, Xander Ford, formerly known as Marlou Arizala, a former Hasht5 member, is this year’s top trending male personality. The Internet sensation became the talk of the town, and subject of social analysis, after undergoing plastic surgery to enhance his looks.

Interestingly, Xander Ford topped the list that mostly included Korean male stars such as “Love in the Moonlight’s” park Bo Gum, boy group Children of Empire member park Hyung Sik, “Train to Busan’s” Gong Yoo, “Weightlifting Fairy’s” Nam Joo Hyuk, and “God of War’s” Kim Joo Hyuk.

Further proof of the enduring popularity of Korean pop culture among Filipinos is this year’s list of trending television shows. Goblin, “The Legend of the Blue Sea,” Love in the Moonlight, Weightlifting Fairy, and “While You Were Sleeping” were among the top trending Korean TV shows that made Filipino viewers swoon.

While this year’s list proves how

Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina ManilaTimes.net photos

much Filipinos love entertainment, it also showed that they stayed vigilant on national issues. Topping the trending news items is president Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address. Searches related to the military’s operations against the Maute Group in Marawi City and the Martial Law declared in the area were also trending searches on Google this year.

“In a way, the Year in Search offers us a glimpse of what we liked as a people, what issues affected us, what sparked our interest, and everything in between that appealed to our emotions the past year,” said Google philippines Head of Communications and public Affairs Gail Tan. (ManilaThe most searched topic on Google for Filipinos is the lyrics of Luis Fonsi’s mega hit “Despacito.” Times.net)

ACTRESS, TV host, sold-out concert performer and entrepreneur Anne Curtis has added a new feather to her cap: as an action star.

In a Facebook post on January 2, the “It’s Showtime” host showed her kick-ass side in a mini trailer for upcoming action film “Buy Bust.”

In the trailer, Anne can be seen showcasing her martial arts skills, beating up armed male attackers one by one. She showed the fruits of her months-long training in Filipino martial arts pekiti-Tirsia Kali, which teaches self-defense using improvised weapons.

“This is the beauty of pekititirsia kali - when you’re disarmed of an actual weapon, you can use anything you can find to defend yourself because you become the weapon,” Anne said in the post, which has, so far, reached over 13,000 Facebook views in less than 24 hours.

Working out has become harder for Anne now that she has to spend long hours filming for “Buy Bust.” Nonetheless, she makes sure to warm up every day before shooting the film by running and going to the gym, as preparations for the intense battle scenes. “’Buy bust’ is an action film, so it compensates for my lack of exercise!” Anne quipped in a recent interview with philstar.com

Scenes from ‘Buy Bust’ starring Anne Curtis.

Philstar.com photos

for Shiseido Collagen.

Anne has been reportedly working on “Buy Bust” for over a year now. The action thriller is director Erik Matti’s first full-on action flick in years. It follows the timely story of an anti-drug enforcement agency’s two teams tasked to investigate illegal drug operations in Manila slums. Anne plays as an anti-drug enforcement agent.

The film also stars Joross Gamboa, Brandon Vera, Mara Lopez, AJ Muhlach, Nonie Buencamino and Victor Neri.

The movie was submitted to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2017 as an entry but did not make it to

the final cut, resulting in Matti’s tiff with the MMFF’s Executive Committee.

Anne, however, has nothing but praises for Matti.

“How he works is crazy! Hands down for him,” she said of the film’s director.

In fact, she said, because of her respect and good experience working with Matti, if she would be offered to play Valentina, she would gladly accept. The snake woman Valentina would be Liza Soberano’s nemesis in the upcoming revival of “Darna,” following reports that Matti and Soberano want Anne for the role. (Deni Rose Bernardo/Philstar.com)

MayWard, McLisse star as Manga characters

LoVE teams MayWard, consisting of Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber, and McLisse, composed of McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson, debut as graphic novel characters in ABS-CBN publishing’s double-cover “mangaserye” “He’s My oppastar” and “Vlogger Girl problems,” respectively.

Two of today’s rising love teams are cartooned by manga artists in a series of books that puts a spin on traditional ways of storytelling. Manga is a style of Japanese comics and graphic novels for readers of all ages.

Much like in real life, Maymay is the ever energetic Macy in “He’s My oppastar,” who is a solid fangirl of K-pop group Miniluv. Macy is suddenly both overwhelmed with excitement and confusion when her new classmate Eddie (Edward) looks suspiciously like her “oppa” Red, lead vocalist of Miniluv. She is now more than GMA photo determined to uncover the non-

Atom Araullo to host new travel show AWARD-WINNING TV host Atom Araullo is adding a fresh new take on traveling as he explores new adventures in exciting destinations in the philippines via a weekly 30-minute travel show “Adventure Your Way.” Unlike any other travel show, the show invites Filipino viewers to shape the travel experience of Araullo by sharing their bucket lists via social media.

From these crowd sourced ideas, Araullo will embark on a one-of-a-kind mission around the country equipped with only his phone and social media platforms to guide him. From sampling the local delicacies and meeting with locals to discovering the most thrilling activities, he will be completely in the hands of the fans. (ManilaTimes.net) Atom Araullo

McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson, also known as McLisse; and Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber, also known as MayWard.

Photos from ABS-CBN

chalant student’s secrets. Is he her “oppa” superstar?

Meanwhile, in “Vlogger Girl problems,” Elisse is depicted as up and coming influencer Elaine, who blogs about beauty and lifestyle. It changes her life when she is held up for her camera, and a mysterious guy (McCoy) rescues her. As she gets into trouble more often, the same person shows

up and saves her. Naming him “Mr. Blue,” Elaine also notices glimpses of him in all her videos.

She then sets on an online/offline quest to find her knight in shining armor.

Both manga stories are connected and in the same setting.

The lives of Macy, Eddie, Elaine and Mr. Blue intertwine in the coming books. (Philstar.com)

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What they say about Rachelle Ann in Hamilton Paul Soriano begs off in directing wife Toni Gonzaga

by BABy

by Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

Gil

Philstar.com

THErE was no doubt that rachelle Ann Go would do very well in the London production of the musical “Hamilton.” After all, producer Cameron Mackintosh and director Thomas Kail would never have trusted her with the role of Eliza Schuyler if they had no trust in her capabilities.

Besides, rachelle Ann is not only talented. As we have seen these past 10 years starting with her early days as a singing champion, she is also a hard worker who sets goals and makes sure she reaches them.

I remember how without any theater experience she tackled Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” and came out on top. Determined to get into the West End revival of “Miss Saigon,” she made a selfie video and sent it to London.

When asked what she wanted to do next, she said Fantine in “Les Miserables” and got that, too. From there she spent a few months as Gigi on Broadway and then returned to the West End for the female lead in the phenomenal “Hamilton.”

The show tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers and George Washington’s right hand man.

He was born out of wedlock in a Caribbean island, deserted by his father and then orphaned by his mother at an early age. He turned his life around to become one of the great minds that formed the beginnings of the America we know today.

Until a few years ago, Hamilton was mostly known as the face on the $10 bill. But then the brilliant Lin Manuel Miranda turned his life into a grand musical that cleverly fused r&B, hip- hop, jazz and Broadway sounds to resounding success. “Hamilton” remains Broadway’s hottest ticket.

Rachelle Ann Go and Jamael Westman as Eliza and Alexander Hamilton.

Photos by Matthew Murphy

“Hamilton” opened in London last Dec. 21 and is now reaping unanimously glowing reviews from the critics. Everybody is agog about the astounding cast led by the young Jamael Westman in the title role. And truly most heartening is the fact that rachelle Ann is also getting her share.

Tufayel Ahmed of Newsweek minces no words about his admiration: “Hamilton’s” standout actor though is rachelle Ann Go who gives a mesmerizing performance as Eliza Hamilton. Go shows powerful range, from an innocent naivety when we first meet Eliza to a woman more pained and tragic by the musical’s end. If Go doesn’t walk away with an Olivier Award (The London equivalent of the Tony) in 2018, it would be a great injustice.

Marianka Swain of Broadway World says: rachelle Ann Go lends gorgeously rich voice to Hamilton’s long-suffering wife Eliza, who somehow finds the dignity and power denied to women.

From Laura Hardy of the Independent: It is a cold-hearted audience member not left devastated by rachel John as Angelique or

With Rachel John and Christine Allende.

the performance by rachelle Ann Go as Hamilton’s wife.

Adam Bloodworth of Metro co.UK: The show ends with the virtuous tale of Eliza, Hamilton’s widow, who lived 50 years after Hamilton and continued his work.

She is played candidly and spiritedly by rachelle Ann Go, who pointing out into the newly-rebuilt Victoria Palace Theatre Auditorium, longs to be by Hamilton’s side.

Susannah Clapp of The Guardian: Christine Allado, rachelle Ann Go and rachel John belt out full-throttle the destiny of America’s women in the manner of Destiny’s Child.

Michael Bellington of The Guardian: rachelle Ann Go lends Hamilton’s wife with the poignancy of the neglected…

Tony Peters of Radio Times: There are superb performances from rachelle Ann Go as Hamilton’s wife Eliza….

Mikey Smith of The Mirror: rachelle Ann Go playing Hamilton’s long suffering wife Eliza, has the audience in floods of tears with heartbreaking showstopper “Burn.”

This is only the beginning.

There will be more reviews and rachelle Ann can deservedly bask in the glory of all the excellent notices she has been getting and will surely continue to get. An Olivier would be very nice. But no matter what happens, she already makes us Filipinos very proud.

And not to forget. Playing the other Schuyler sister plus also Hamilton’s mistress Maria reynolds is another local girl, Christine Allado. She is also doing very well. Let us rejoice. Two local girls playing major roles in the greatest musical of our time.

Filipinos as theater actors have indeed truly arrived.

Glitzy celebrations and tragic losses...

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

Births There is no shortage of star power in the birthing department what with celebrities welcoming their little bundle of joy this year.

“Eat Bulaga!” host Pia Guanio gave birth to her second daughter, Brooklyn, with husband Steve

Kylie Padilla with son Alas Joaquin

Mago on May 29.

“Encantadia” actress Kylie Padilla gave birth to Alas Joaquin, her first child with actor Aljur Abrenica on August 4.

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

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

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

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

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

Pauleen Luna and Vic Sotto with Talitha Maria

Nikki Gil and BJ Albert with baby Finn

Dibdib ng Kaaway,” and “Mga Munting Tinig.”

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

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

Isabel Granada, 41 The ‘80s and ‘90s darling died on November 4 in Qatar. Prior to her death, Isabel Granada—who started her career in “That’s Entertainment” —had been comatose after suffering cardiac arrest on October 25. It was later revealed that the actress suffered brain aneurysm.

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

Gil Portes

Kaye Abad and Paul Jake Castillo with Joaquin ManilaTimes.net photos

Isabel Granada

PAUL Soriano’s win as Best Director for “Siargao” in the 43rd Metro Manila Film Festival held at the Kia Theater in Cubao, Quezon City has opened the floodgates to mainstream moviemaking, so to speak. It is his first MMFF entry in his entire career.

Expressing his gratitude to the staff, crew and cast of his opus which was awarded 2nd Best Picture, the young director—known for “A Journey Home” (2009), “Thelma” (2011), “Kid Kulafu” (2015) and “Dukot” (2016) which were produced by his own company, Ten17P—said that he wanted to continue making films, whether indie or mainstream.

Asked if he’s now ready to involve wife Toni Gonzaga in his projects, he told The Manila Times that Gonzaga has, in fact, been involved in his undertakings.

But as cast or lead, he said he prefers not to direct his wife, as his working style may not be ideal for Gonzaga who is heavily involved in the operations of the outfit.

“As a producer, yes, I can have her in my project. But as her director, I prefer to have one who I think could handle her best, like

Paul Soriano won the Best Director award for his film “Siargao” in the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Dan [Villegas of ‘All Of You’] who is very good at handling romantic stories,” he said.

He also revealed that he had been “courting” Jericho rosales to do Siargao for a long time and he could not contain his happiness when the actor accepted the project. With Erich Gonzales and Jasmine Curtis, the cast became as perfect as he wanted it to be.

Siargao also won Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Theme Song (“Alon” by Hale) and Best Supporting Actress for

Jasmine Curtis. Lead actress Erich Gonzales also won Female Star of the Night during the Gabi Ng Parangal.

Meanwhile, as news broke that “Ang Larawan” was pulled out from theaters on the second or third day due to weak box-office sales, Soriano was one of those who appealed to the public to support the movie for its excellent cinematic value. He said he watched the film the night before and he believes that moviegoers should support it.

Ellen Adarna, John Lloyd Cruz share sweet New Year, Christmas photos

IN her latest Instagram posts, actress Ellen Adarna has been showing more and more photos of her and rumored boyfriend John Lloyd Cruz together, especially during the holidays.

On Christmas Day, Ellen posted a photo of her and John Lloyd sitting on a stairwell. The photo shows her resting her head on her rumored fiance’s shoulder.

The picture is simply captioned: “Merry Xmas!!!”

In her latest post published days before New Year, Ellen showed a picture of her being kissed by John Lloyd in Zermatt, Switzerland.

For his part, John Lloyd posted pictures of what seemed like Ellen looking at artworks in an art gallery.

Videos of Ellen and John Lloyd also sprouted on social media.

One video shows Ellen unwrapping what is said to be John Lloyd’s Christmas gift. ABS-CBN also reported of another video,

Ellen Adarna and John Lloyd Cruz

which has been deleted on Instagram, showing John Lloyd serenading his supposed lady love with ronan Keating’s “When You Say Nothing At All.” ABS-CBN also said in the report that Ellen was allegedly spotted in the airport with a baby bump. The actress is reportedly carrying John Lloyd’s child, a rumor fueled by her absence at the recent Bench Under the Stars fashion show.

John Lloyd is still on an indefi-

Photo from Instagram/@maria.ellen.adarna

nite leave after videos of him in a drunken state trended on social media.

John Lloyd and Ellen are costars in ABS-CBN’s sitcom, “Home Sweetie Home.” The actor’s good friend, Piolo Pascual, has taken John Lloyd’s place as Toni Gonzaga’s co-star in the show while John Lloyd is still on leave.

This 2018, will John Lloyd and Ellen finally speak up about their relationship? (Philstar.com)

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Maine Mendoza back on TV in time 2017: Most beautiful year for... for Alden Richards’ birthday PAGE B1

After a month of taking a break from show business, actress and tV host Maine Mendoza is back on noontime show “eat Bulaga!” on January 1, in time for the birthday of her love team partner, Alden richards, on January 2.

Since returning from a monthlong vacation with her siblings in florida, USA, Maine has appeared on “eat Bulaga’s Juan for All, All for Juan” segment. She was then jokingly asked by one of the show’s host, Sen. tito Sotto, if she still knows how to speak filipino after the trip.

On twitter, the hashtags “WelcomeBack MAINe” and “AldenrichardsAt26” became among the top-trending on January 1 and 2, signaling that fans of Alden and Maine’s AlDub love team have been eagerly waiting for the couple’s 2018 reunion.

In a recent interview with the press, Alden confirmed that he and Maine are doing a new movie, dispelling rumors that he and Maine are not in good terms and that AlDub will be abolished.

In his twitter account, Alden told fans that he will entertain them in a theme park as his 26th anniversary treat. He, however, has not revealed how he and Maine would celebrate his birthday, though he has told the press in an interview last December that he will have a birthday special on

Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza

“eat Bulaga!”

It can be recalled that Maine took a showbiz hiatus shortly after she posted an open letter to her fans on twitter. In a previous interview with Pilipino Star Ngayon, AlDub’s “eat Bulaga!” co-host Vic Sotto clarified that Maine was on vacation to spend Christmas and New Year in the United States and she was not suspended from the show because of the open letter.

While some fans called Maine “selfish” for the letter, she has been praised by other celebrities for the move. Stars like Ai Ai delas Alas, Christine Bersola-Babao, Gabbi Garcia and even Vice Ganda of “It’s Showtime!” called Maine

GMA photos

“brave” for posting the lengthy letter.

Since the letter, among Maine’s New Year’s resolutions is to become even braver this 2018. In her latest Instagram post, she narrated how she enjoyed skydiving in Miami and among the things in her 2018 bucket list is to skydive alone. “funny thing, I almost cried while sitting inside the aircraft– incredibly nervous and happy– because DAMN I cannot believe I am actually doing this!” she exclaimed.

Will this New Year spark a new start for AlDub or will they finally part ways?

Liza Soberano takes number one spot in ‘100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2017’

by Katrina

Hallare Inquirer.net

KAPAMIlYA actress liza Soberano showed that filipina beauty truly stands out as she topped a list of the most beautiful faces for 2017.

Soberano claimed the top spot in “the 100 Most Beautiful faces 2017” released by Independent Critics, led by film critic tC Candler as revealed in a Youtube video on Monday, December 25. Soberano bested 90,000 female celebrities from around the world this makes her the first filipina to be hailed as the most beautiful since the list started in 1990.

Previously, the actress placed second on the list (2016), behind english model and actress Jour-

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dan Dunn.

Other notable local celebrities who made the list are Kim Domingo, who took the 98th spot; Nadine lustre who was placed 78th, and; Kathryn Bernardo in 60th place, marking her third appearance on the list.

Aside from ranking the most beautiful, Independent Critics also released “the 100 Most Handsome faces of 2017” list, which included model Daniel Matsunaga taking the 88th place; Soberano’s love team partner enrique Gil at 61st place, and; actor James reid, who placed fourth.

As stated on its website, the Independent Critics searches for “grace, elegance, originality, daring, passion, class, poise, joy, promise, hope” in finding the

Liza Soberano

Philstar.com photo

most beautiful people from almost 40 countries to be included in its lists.

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beth Clenci, who placed Second runner-Up to Maria Jose lora of Peru and tulia Aleman ferrer of Venezuela in the 2017 Miss Grand International held in Vietnam on October 25. Hosting the event were filipino celebrities ABS-CBN actor Xian lim and 2016 Miss Grand International first runnerUp Nicole Cordoves.

On November 3 (November 4 in Manila), Nelda Ibe almost equalled the feat of Ann lorraine Colis as Miss Globe 2015, but definitely improved from Nichole Manalo’s third runner-Up finish in 2016 when she placed first runner-Up to Miss Vietnam Do tran Khanh Ngan in tirana, Albania. the following day, Karen Ibasco proved that she is the most beautiful and smartest “warrior” when she bested 85 entrants and became the third filipina Miss earth titleholder in four years, and the fourth since the pageant’s debut in 2001. euphoria still fresh among beauty pageant aficionados, in less than 24 hours, teresita Ssen “WinWyn” Marquez made history when she became the first filipina and Asian to be crowned Miss Hispanoamericana 2017 in Bolivia.

Although the number of delegates was just a third compared to the major contests, the daughter of basketeer-actor-politician Joey Marquez and actress-politician Alma Moreno beat the latinas in their own turf, so to speak. luck went on lull for the Philippines, however, when Mariel de leon failed to enter the semi-finals in the Miss International contest in Japan on November 14, dashing hopes for a back-to-back win forever. the winner, Kevin lilliana of Indonesia (the first ever Big 4 crown for her country) was confirmed to have trained under a filipino pageant expert. four days later, laura lehmann advanced to top 40 in the Miss World pageant in Sanya, China but came short making it to top 25 in the second round. If it is any consolation, the former Blue eagle University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) courtside reporter was among the top 5 Beauty With A Purpose finalists, and the humanitarian award was bestowed on filipino priest father Marciano “rocky” evangelista of tuloy foundation. that, of course, was on top of the accolade that filipina Miss World 2013 Megan Young hosted

Binibining Pilipinas 2017 winners.

ManilaTimes.net photos

Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco is happily congratulated by her fellow candidates.

Teresita Ssen ‘Winwyn’ Marquez is the first Filipina and Asian to win Miss Hispanoamericana.

the show. there was even an exchange between the priest and Young in filipino onstage. the most awaited pageant of all was the 66th Miss Universe in las Vegas, Nevada on November 26 (November 27 in Manila). Strong during the preliminaries, Philippine bet rachel Peters managed to advance to top 10 from top 16 but failed to make it to top 5.

Had there been a top 6, she would have equalled the placement of Medina in the 65th edition of the pageant in Manila.

During the send-off party for the remaining three Binibini queens, Peters already said that although she had not checked on the other girls yet, she pointed to Miss South Africa Demi-leigh Nel-Peters and Miss thailand Maria Poonlertlap as her two strongest rivals. Peters must have a very strong discernment and foresight as the South African delegate was crowned as the new Miss Universe and the thai beauty made it to top 5.

Nel-Peters ended her country’s long drought of the crown which

was last won by Margaret Gardiner in 1978. Miss Colombia laura Gonzalez was first runner-Up and Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett was Second runner-Up. the other girl in top 5 was Miss Venezuela Keysi Sayago. rounding up the top 10 were Misses Brazil, Canada, Spain and USA. Completing the top 16 were China, Croatia, Ghana, Great Britain, Ireland and Sri lanka.

Sitting among the judges was Wurtzbach, while filipino Slay Models director and founder Cecilio Asuncion sat in the panel during the preliminary competition.

On December 1, filipino-Australian Chanel Olive thomas made it to top 10 and voted Miss friendship in the Miss Supranational pageant held in Poland. It was won by Miss Korea Jenny Kim, the very first title won by a Korean in a major pageant. In 2013, Mutya Datul became the first filipina and Asian to win the crown in the europe-based beauty contest.

Miss Universe 2017 in MaPAGE B6

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Your Immigration Solution Atty. NANcy Miller The year has gone quickly and much of the news for immigrants has been harsh. Noncitizens, and their families, are understandably facing the coming year with trepidation. But, we are a country of laws and the laws that provide avenues for relief for immigrants still exists. Some laws may change so those who are eligible for benefits for themselves or family members are advised to apply for them now. here are a few possibilities.

The provisional waiver program is one of the most powerful tools for fixing previously unfixable immigration situations.

Before this program came into place, persons who entered the country without inspection or as crewmen, or as fiancés but did not marry the fiancé petitioner

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MoNette AdevA MAglAyA TheSe are the best of times.

These are the worst of times.

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

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

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

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

Health@Heart

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 4-10, 2018

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Resolve to solve your immigration problem in 2018 faced an untenable choice. They could remain here without papers, even if they had options to become legal or they could leave the country and consular process while applying for an unlawful presence waiver of the 10-year bar. The process could take 6 months or more and there was no guarantee the waiver application would be approved. Under the provisional waiver program, the applicant applies and stays in the U.S. until the waiver is approved.

The program has been rumored as a target of the Trump Administration and could be on the chopping block in the future.

While immigration law deadlines are important and it cannot be stressed strongly enough that those deadlines should be complied with, an opportunity is not always lost when a deadline has been missed. For example, people who get green cards on the basis of their recent marriage to a U.S. citizen receive a conditional resident card that expires in two years. They must apply to

“remove the conditions” before the card expires and if this is not done the conditional resident is subject to removal from the United States. In a recent case, however, RMZD attorneys were able to shepherd to a successful conclusion the application for a client whose conditional residence expired over a decade ago, proving that she married her now-deceased husband in good faith and merits permanent resident status. This client’s brandnew green card shows she has been a permanent resident since 2002—the date she became a conditional resident—which means she is eligible to apply for naturalization right away. her journey to the verge of citizenship shows that it pays to consult a knowledgeable immigration attorney. Not every old case can be brought back to life, but doing nothing could be the worst mistake you ever make.

It is true that an outstanding order of deportation makes obtaining a green card in the

Mindfulness as virtue “Be present.

It is the only thing that matters.

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

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

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

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

of tweets, hits and views it gets.

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

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

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

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

Food contamination

light, uncooked kidney beans, some nuts, etc. contain poisonous chemicals, which can cause PhiliP S. chuA, symptoms of food poisoning if inMd, FAcS, FPcS adequately cooked. Not properly washing fruits and vegetables that are contaminated with pesticides What is food poisoning?

Food poisoning is a variety can also cause food poisoning. of illnesses caused by eating Some mushrooms are poisonous food contaminated with bacteria, and not edible.

What bacteria grows on toxins or chemicals. This is more common during holidays and cooked rice?

Bacillus cereus thrives and summertime. The symptoms usually include diarrhea, abdominal multiples in cooked rice and can pains and vomiting. Diarrhea and cause food poisoning. The bacteria vomiting could be so severe as produce a chemical toxin which is to cause extreme dehydration, very resistant and not destroyed which, if untreated and unabated, even by high temperatures. The best way to prevent this is by could be fatal. how does bacterial contami- refrigerating leftover rice, which should be consumed within 48 nation occur?

Raw food may have bacteria in hours. The symptoms of food poiit or may be contaminated by un- soning usually start fairly suddenly sanitary handling. These bacteria with abdominal pains, frequently then grow and multiply, and when cramping in nature and soon folthe “infected” food is eaten, the lowed by diarrhea. The pains can growth and multiplication of the be persistent for a few days and bacteria continue in the stomach become worst before an episode or bowel, producing symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting. Throwing of food poisoning. This leads to up may cease after a few hours but abdominal pains, diarrhea, and diarrhea may continue for days. If vomiting, which are part of the the illness is due to bacterial conbody’s defensive ways of getting tamination, the symptoms appear rid of the offending bacteria. The about 12-24 hours after ingestion, most common bacteria causing but if it is due to toxins, the onset food poisoning is Listeria Sal- of symptoms comes rapidly, usumonella, usually from poultry or ally within minutes after eating infected eggs, specifically, duck the contaminated food. Severe eggs), Clostridia (contamination Botulism begins after about 12 by dirt or flies), and Shigella and hours with vomiting, abdominal escherichia coli (fecal contamina- cramps, and may culminate in paralysis and coma. tion of food and/or water).

Is food poisoning dangerWhat about toxins?

Food that is kept in a warm ous?

Obviously, yes, as discussed place, or improperly preserved, can produce chemicals called tox- above. In young children and ins. One of the commonest is the among the elderly, dehydration Staphylococci toxin from Staphy- is the main danger. Vomiting and lococci bacteria that can be trans- diarrhea can result in a rapid loss mitted by a food careless handler of body fluids and electrolytes. with a boil or infected wound full This can disrupt the very delicate of the Staph bacteria. Botulism chemical balance in the body and, (due to Clostridium Botulinum), if not treated early, can lead to from badly tinned or bottled food, coma and even death. Botulinum is not very common but can be fa- and Staph toxins are in themselves tal. When the contaminated food dangerous, and the poisoning can is ingested, severe gastrointesti- be fatal, if not managed in a timely and proper fashion. nal symptoms may occur. how do we prevent food Which chemical poisons are poisoning? found in food?

Good environmental and perThere are some common food items that contain natural chemi- sonal hygiene, proper food prepacal poisons. Some fungi are very ration, handling and storage, poisonous even when eaten in avoidance of questionable food tiny quantities, causing irregular (fruit or potato salad and dishes heartbeat, coma or even death. sautéed with tomato that have The green areas on potatoes been exposed for more than an which have been exposed to the hour at a party or picnic under

hot weather, mussels and other shelled foods that remain closed after cooking, poultry or meats (hamburgers, etc) that are not thoroughly cooked, and can goods that are of questionable freshness, that are “expired,” or with bulging top, are some basic preventive measures that can be taken to prevent food poisoning. The prudent practice and common sense dictum is: “if in doubt, discard.”

What is the mainstay of therapy?

This depends on the cause of the food poisoning: bacteria, toxin or chemical. But basically, oral and/or intravenous fluid replacement is the key to prevent further dehydration from fluid and electrolyte loss from diarrhea and vomiting, which could be lifethreatening. Young children and the elderly can become very ill fast, since they succumb rapidly to dehydration, so medical consultation, or even hospitalization, may be needed early. Antibiotics may be given where indicated to clear up the infection, but as a rule, they are usually not used because they may sometimes worsen the condition. Fortunately, most of the food poisoning cases respond well to fluid replacement.

Possible botulism patients should be hospitalized without delay.

The stomach may be pumped out and botulism anti-toxin may be given to counteract paralysis.

Those who are very ill may need ventilator support in the ICU. An antidote may be needed for fungal food poisoning. All the evaluation and decision of the management are best handled by the attending physician. After surviving the acute stage, the patient is expected to recover fully with an excellent prognosis. however, just like most other illnesses, food poisoning is best prevented. In the majority of situations, this is within our power. *** 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

U.S. virtually impossible. But what if you could lawfully get rid of your deportation order?

Believe it or not, that is indeed possible for many people. There are many people that have viable paths to a green card, but do not take any action because they mistakenly believe that nothing can be done since they have deportation orders. That is just not true! Yes, the deportation order is an obstacle, but it may very well be possible to overcome this obstacle and be granted permanent resident status. Talk to an immigration attorney today about a “motion to reopen” in your case.

Criminal convictions can seriously jeopardize a non-citizen’s ability to remain lawfully in the United States but even here, there is hope. Waivers for grounds of inadmissibility or removability can result in an alien being able to obtain or retain their green card. They may even be eligible for citizenship. Positive changes have come down from appellate

courts in recent years. Additionally, changes in California law have allowed those convicted of crimes to apply for post-conviction relief that, if granted, neutralizes the negative effects of the conviction. As a result, even those who have previously been told there is no hope may have hope. That is one good reason to check in with an experienced “crimmigration” lawyer to see if the changes benefit you.

In 2017, USCIS raised the bar for nonimmigrant workers such as h-1Bs and L-1As through heightened scrutiny over these petitions. Boilerplate Request for evidence notices were routinely issued even on thoroughly prepared petitions. Small companies continued to face increasing difficulty when sponsoring their foreign workers. (Remember, an executive or manager from overseas companies coming to the U.S. to establish a small subsidiary would be eligible for a new office L-1A visa.)

For 2018, business people

with immigration needs are strongly recommended to consult with an experienced attorney to evaluate their options given the lengthy waiting time for eB5 category and the toughening up of US’s immigration policies.

The United States is still the land of opportunity; make that opportunity yours in 2018!

From our family to yours – happy New Year. ***

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

We can be the boss of it. Or if we lose control, we can let ourselves be obsessed by it. It can wreak havoc on our souls, our persona and ultimately our lives. how do we know if technology has us wrapped around its little keypads? It is easy enough to self-diagnose this condition.

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

People have become so preoccupied and distracted by the mind boggling possibilities presented by multitasking that is engendered by a tech-enhanced way of life, that they tend to forget what is important and what truly matters. how badly can it get? There are horror stories of mindless idiocy. Countless car accidents

borne of texting while driving, are a testament to the tragic loss of mindfulness and by extension, common sense, among us earthlings.

Witness the number of news items about overly busy, distracted working parents who forget that they have babies strapped in car seats in the back of their cars leaving them to die in the heat of the sun. It is a sad commentary that while we have all the technological aids at our disposal to make our lives better, we fail to use them appropriately. how do we detox? Try going tech free at designated times or for long stretches of time without having to check your phone or your computer for messages that you feel compelled to respond to ASAP. As I have said in another article championing the cause of living mindfully in the moment, “Log off and enjoy your hot chocolate.”

Unless your work involves saving lives, taking a vacation

from technology may prove to offer a higher quality of life by getting back to a state of mindfulness. eventually, as we learn to synch and balance our lives with our tech tools, they will be obedient dogs serving us as their master.

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

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

Calendar of Events across

Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza 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) 795- 8009 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.

(Advertising Supplement)

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

America

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

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

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

JA N UA Ry 2 1

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

JA N UA Ry 25

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

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

Features

B january 4-10, 2018 • LaS VEGaS aSIan jOurnaL

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Stars and their New Year’s resolutions New Year, new you with Solenn Heussaff

by Deni

roSe BernarDo Philstar.com

by Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

BEFORE we usher in the new year, resolutions will be made, but will they be kept?

Just like ordinary people, celebritiies make their resolutions too and feel just as hopeful they will see their promises through.

So what are some of the celebrities’ resolutions for 2018?

“I will spend my money wisely,” resolves Derrick Monasterio. “No more impulsive buying. I feel that I have not been a wise spender. I buy things just because nagandahan ako pero hindi ko naman magamit. In 2018, mas matipid na ko. I’ll be kuripot,” he declares with a laugh.

The other half of DerBie, Barbie Forteza, promises she will be more organized with her stuff. “I tend to misplace a lot of things because I’m careless. Kung saansaan ko binibitawan ang gamit ko. When I need them already, hindi ko na makita. This coming year, I promise that I will be more mindful of my things. I have, in fact, bought organizers for my things. That’s how determined I am to fulfill my resolution,” she enthuses.

Making resolutions has been tradition for Ruru Madrid every New Year. In 2016, he promised he will be serious about body building and he really worked for it. He religiously trained and became a fixture at the gym, so that before long, everyone saw the fruits of his labor.

Now considered one of GMA Network’s hottest hunks, he says, “I’m just so thankful that I was able achieve what I have resolved to do in the beginning of the

Lovi Poe

Barbie Forteza and Derrick Monasterio

Gabbi Garcia and Ruru Madrid

year. Now, I will focus more on improving myself when it comes to my craft. The Best Actor award I received this year from PMPC Star Awards became my inspiration to strive harder in delivering good performances to show people that I’m really worthy of the recognition I got.”

This year also saw Andre Paras going back to his other love, basketball. He now plays for AMA in the D League, and couldn’t be happier he is able to enjoy the best of both worlds. In terms of showbiz commitments, he has “Sunday Pinasaya” and a new series as part of the cast of Ruru’s starrer, “Sherlock, Jr.” “My New Year’s resolution is to always be hungry when it comes to acting and also basketball, so that while I’m young, I’ll be able to explore everything—kumbaga, ‘yung mga hindi ko pa nagagawa,” he says.

Kapuso prime actress Lovi Poe is determined to be more free-

Julie Ann San Jose

spirited this coming year. She says she feels that life has become something of a routine for her, whether in showbiz career or her personal life.

“I’ve become so uptight from doing the same thing over and over again,” she explained. “This 2018, I just want to go with the flow and enjoy the ride, I guess.

I believe I need to loosen-up a little.”

Rather than making new year’s resolutions, Glaiza De Castro has wisely decided to work on her promises from previous years.

“I’ve been making resolutions, but I always fail to fulfill them, and before I know it, it’s New Year again. I’ll make another resolution at hindi ko rin nagagawa. Puro umpisa lang. So now, I’ve decided to just do my best para matupad ko na yung dating resolutions.

“Kick the bad habits.” That’s what fine Kapuso leading man Mike Tan wants to do in 2018.

He admits it’s not easy to let go of them but, “I’m making a conscious effort to be very consistent in practicing good habits instead of the bad ones. Pinaninindigan ko talaga. I need to do it because mahirap pangatawanan ang resolutions. Iniisip ko, it’s also for me, for my improvement as a person.”

Like Mike, Julie Ann San Jose will also strive to become a better person. That’s her New Year’s resolution. She believes there is always room for improvement in everybody’s life. “We’re not perfect, I’m not perfect,” Julie Ann quips. “I of course know where I am lacking and that is where I’ll work on to improve or to change even. I want to be a better individual than I was last year. I want to do better, to explore and to ManilaTimes.net photos innovate myself more.”

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ 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.

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

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

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

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

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

For those whose New Year’s resolution is to become a better version of themselves, singer, actress, TV host and entrepreneur Solenn Heussaff gave tips on how to be fit like her.

“Easy lang!” Solenn said on how she achieved her curves and abs.

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

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

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

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

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

Nico also proudly shared that though he and Solenn did not spend the holidays together this year, since marrying Solenn, he has been following Filipino traditions like “Monito Monita” and “Simbang Gabi,” which he

Solenn Heussaff

still finds hard to pronounce.

Solenn leads New Year countdown The day after their wedding anniversary, on December 31, Solenn led the New Year countdown at the newly opened Cove in Okada Manila, Pasay City.

Solenn’s “Taste Buddies” cohost, Rhian Ramos, spearheaded the countdown at The Fountain together with Sam YG. During the countdown, Solenn asked the audience what their New Year’s resolutions are.

The event’s host, Rico Robles, said that his is to include a onemillion-U.S.-dollar Orange County Choppers (OCC) motorbike on his bucket list. But according to Solenn, a New Year’s resolution should be “realistic.”

Also during the countdown, Solenn got the chance to ride the custom-built Cove Chopper, the US$1-million long and

Photo from Instagram/@solenn

low motorcycle that has several “Cove” attributes found throughout. The wheels are designed to mirror the giant dome structure found at Cove. The detailed paint scheme reflects the strength and simplicity of the dome of the new party place.

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

In the post, Nico said that this year, “It is time to get a real sibling for Patato!” He has been referring to himself as Potato.

He, however, clarified that his “#wifezilla is NOT pregnant!”

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

2017: Most beautiful year for...

PAGE B4 nila One Filipino who is as “confidently beautiful with a heart” like Wurtzbach during the Miss Universe 2017 proceedings is noted stage actor-entrepreneur Raymond “RS” Francisco.

With his introduction to the MUO officials by Wurtzbach’s mentor and manager Jonas Gaffud, the chief executive officer of multi-level company Front Row did not hesitate to make an offer for the immediate past and reigning Miss Universe to visit the Philippines after the pageant.

“MUO Vice President for Business Development and Marketing Shawn McClain said they wanted to visit a country as part of the new queen’s responsibility. I told him, whoever’s gonna win I’ll bring her over to the Philippines along with Iris [Mittenaere]. That was the night before the coronation,” Francisco told The Sunday Times Magazine during the welcome party of the Miss U beauties at Solaire Resort and Casino on December 5.

In coordination with DOT, the MUO agreed to bring to Manila not only the new queen and the previous titleholder but the delegates of chosen nations who have strong tourist arrivals to the country as well.

“They immediately said yes and were excited that the first country the new queen was set to visit is the Philippines. Of course, it’s the charity component [of the pitch]that made [MUO president] Paula Shugart and her team embrace the idea,” Francisco added.

“We know how big is Miss Universe here at home, and whether I managed to get co-sponsors or not, I was all set for it. Parang [the visit]is a Christmas gift for the Filipino people,” Francisco related further.

Given the opportunity to continue MUO’s work with Hope for Change Foundation, as well as the chance to give back to the Department of Tourism [via its “Bring Home a Friend” campaign]for the agency’s all out support during the Miss Universe 2016 pageant in Manila in January, there was no reason for Shugart and her team to decline.

And so, on December 5 until the morning of December 10, the Philippines was adorned with international beauties promoting the beautiful characteristic of Filipinos as the most hospitable people in the world, highlighting three major tourist spots of the country – Batanes in Luzon, Bohol in the Visayas and Camiguin in Mindanao.

The entourage included Misses USA, Canada, Great Britain, China, Russia, Italy, Netherlands, India, Malaysia, Spain, Singapore and Korea.

Shugart told The Sunday Times Magazine during the welcome party that it was the first time in the history of Miss Universe that three consecutive winners were

together in an endeavor. She also explained how in her many years as head of MUO since 2001, the 2016 staging of the Miss Universe pageant in Manila in January was the “best show” she has seen.

The fashion show titled “Give Back: A Charity Fashion Gala” at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire on December 6 was truly a sight to behold three consecutive Miss Universe queens—Wurtzbach, Mittenaere and the reigning titleholder, Nel-Peters —share a single stage for the first time, in gowns designed no less by Filipinos.

Making the show more special was the participation of eight Binibinis who represented the county in the Miss Universe: Bianca Manalo (2009); Venus Raj (2010), who placed Fourth Runner-Up to Mexico’s Ximena Navarette in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA and broke the curse of non-placement of Filipino beauties in the finals since Miriam Quiambao’s First Runner-Up placement in 1999; Supsup; Miss Universe 2013 Third Runner-Up Ariella Arida—the year Gabriela Isler of Venezuela won the crown in Moscow, Russia.

Mary Jean Lastimosa (2014) who finished in the Top 10 in Miami, Florida, USA when Paulina Vega of Colombia won the grand title three years ago; and Medina.

Missing was Janine Tugonon, who placed First Runner-Up to USA’s Olivia Culpo in 2012 in Las Vegas. She is currently based in New York and pursuing a full-time modeling career.

Miss Tourism International 2017 In the thick of the Miss Universe 2017 beauties’ presence in the Philippines, another Filipina emerged the fairest of the fair and crowned Miss Tourism International in neighboring Malaysia.

Former “Wowowin” co-host Jannie Loudette Alipo-on bested 45 other candidates on December 6 as successor to Ariel Pearse of New Zealand. The 25-year-old De La Salle College of Saint Benilde BS HRM Travel and Tourism Management graduate also won a special award, Miss Gintell Wellness.

Alipo-on became the fourth winner of the Malaysia-based pageant after Esperanza Manzano in 2000, Rizzini Alexis Gomez in 2012 and Angeli Dione Gomez in 2013—a rare feat for [a[an Asian country] have a back-to-back win.

Other titles, placement of PH beauties Mary Eve Adeline Escoto was crowned Miss Asia Global 2017 in Kerala, India on November 21.

It was a back-to-back win for the Philippines as last year’s winner was Trixia Marie Marana. Escoto also won the Best in National Costume, Best in Formal Wear and the Missosology Choice Award.

According to organizers, Miss Asia Global pageant seeks to find the “most beautiful and talented women from the Asian region.”

Filipina-German beauty Maureen Wroblewitz became the first Filipina winner of the reality show “Asia’s Next Top Model” Cycle 5.

Crowned Miss Asia 2017 was Miss China while the First and Second Runner-Up were Miss Bashkortostan and Miss India respectively.

On November 13, Cebuana Jodel Mesina bagged the Miss Top of the World Plus Size 2017 in Singapore besting 15 other candidates from different countries.

On October 31, 13-year-old Diosen Llyed Budios was crowned Miss World Tourism in Tokyo, Japan also winning Best in Interview, Best in National Costume, Teen Photogenic and Teen Social Media special awards.

In June, Maureen Wroblewitz became the first Filipina winner of the reality show “Asia’s Next Top Model” Cycle 5.

In May, John Raspado was proclaimed Mr. Gay World in Spain, the first time the country won the title since it began in 2009.

On November 5, Sammie Ann Legaspi finished First Runner-Up to Diana Krasnova of Siberia in Miss Lumiere International World 2017 held in Singapore.

Still to compete in January is Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental Katarina Rodriguez in the contest in Egypt, which was moved from Sri Lanka supposed to be on December 21.

All in all, for 2017, more than 50 Filipinos have won crowns and titles in various international pageants – major and minor – held at home or abroad.

The wins have given the country its most bountiful harvest yet, although may not be as strong as the impact in 2013 when the Philippines won Miss World, Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Tourism International and placed strongly in the Miss Universe.

Nevertheless, 2017 indeed has been another beauteous year for the Philippines, asserting its position as powerhouse in all kinds and genre of beauty pageantry available in the whole universe.

EntErtainmEnt

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 4-10, 2018

B

Alden Richards: No regrets in 2017 by ricky Lo Philstar.com

‘Bright’ cast (from left) David Ayer, Will Smith, Noomi Rapace and Joel Edgerton.

ManilaTimes.net photos

Will Smith reveals he visited PH incognito

by MJ

Marfori ManilaTimes.net

It was a merry time indeed leading up to Christmas Day as In The Know got to spend the holiday in Tokyo, Japan to hang out with Hollywood superstar Will Smith himself. It was for the biggest netflix movie to date, “Bright,” with a budget amounting to more than a hundred million dollars, according to Will.

The multi-genre actor was easily put on the top of our friendliest superstar list as he managed to charm the uber quiet Japanese press and entertain our quirks on the red carpet while calling him “Papa Will.”

He even showed us how he’s getting more techie by the day since he just joined Instagram two weeks ago.

Bright, which came on December 22, is set in an alternate present-day Los Angeles and is a sci-fi action-thriller directed

by David Ayer (“Suicide Squad,” “End of Watch,” writer of “Training Day”). It follows two cops of very different backgrounds— Ward, a human played by Will, and Jakoby, an orc played by Joel Edgerton—who embark on a routine patrol night that will ultimately alter the future as their world knows it.

Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which in the wrong hands could destroy everything.

The storyline may be simple but it showcases the issue on racism through dark humorous lines and the hierarchy of the

characters.

I also learned a lot while doing this because the elves are at the top of society, us humans are at the middle and the orcs are looked down upon. This movie also teaches us to accept people from all walks of life and not judge,” Will shared.

Joel, who went through three to four hours of makeup each taping day, also felt like he was looked down upon, “whenever I was wearing the character I could feel people pity me and I would remind them that, hey, I am alright!”

The bad-ass villain elf Leilah played by Swedish noomi Rapace also told us that her closeto-perfect character was hard to achieve but very empowering.

“I had to train mixed martial arts and flow like water in the fight scenes and learn a new language but it was major and to be given opportunities to play these roles in Hollywood nowadays is the reason I stay and do this,” she shared.

With the ever-growing issue of netflix streaming versus cinema viewing, Will shared his insights on the matter.

“I am curious if this film streaming on television could capture the emotion of the viewer and give the same experience as the one on cinema. But netflix is very good for us actors and producers since studios would not be doing or would not give a budget for this kind of storyline and production,” he explained.

On a lighter note, during our numerous chats with him from the red carpet to the sit down, Will shared that he vacationed in the Philippines already.

The author with Smith and Edgerton

Baron Geisler

Philstar.com photo

Baron Geisler shares his New Year’s resolutions

In his latest Instagram posts, actor Baron Geisler has bid farewell to his old self and has avowed to change in 2018.

“Goodbye old me!!!! I’m embracing this new Year at hindi hangin at phone ang laging hawak. Dapat lumawak parang si Bioman,” he said in one of his posts.

In the first post, he can be seen making a selfie while half naked in front of a mirror.

In the latest post, he shared his other new Year’s resolution.

“Ngayon taon iwasan na ang mga negavibes na tao!” he said.

He appeared to have also

smeared the faces of two companions in the picture.

It can be recalled that last October, Baron was arrested after allegedly causing a scene in a bar in Quezon City.

In 2013, he has also been sentenced to serve a maximum of two years in prison for groping the daughter of actors William Martinez and Yayo Aguila in a bar.

Will Baron be out of trouble in 2018? Will he have more projects next year? Will he take these new Year’s resolutions seriously?

(Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/Philstar.com)

“Yes, it was like a year and a half ago. Jeff had a gig and we crossed paths so when I knew he was going I went with him for three days and just relaxed.

But you know I would love to promote a film in the Philippines one day,” he told In The Know.

For those of you who do not know Jeff, he was Will’s rap partner in West Philadelphia back in the ‘80s while they were starting out. He said he went incognito for security reasons, which of course, we totally understand.

As for Ayers, he was based in Subic for sometime while serving in the US navy.

“I remember how happy the people were and I ate a lot of pansit!” he reminisced with a chuckle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alden Richards Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02

other relatives).

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

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

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

Alden plans to invest more in business (“Off the record muna,” reminded Gigi) in 2018 which promises to be as busy as, if not far busier than 2017 when, aside from his regular shows (“Eat, Bulaga!” and “Sunday Pinasaya”), he did two docu-dramas (about Martial Law and Marawi) and the soap “Destined To Be Yours”

with Maine Mendoza with whom he might do another movie (after their 2016 starrer “Imagine You & Me”) also to be produced by Tony Tuviera (“Tuloy ‘yon,” he told movie writers during a Christmas lunch). not many people know that Alden has been supporting several charity projects which he keeps under wraps.

“Secret projects,” said Alden. “If I go, siempre they will photograph me and the projects wouldn’t be secret anymore.” no regrets, or anything that he missed doing in 2017? “none,” assured Alden. “I did my best and I promise to do better. If you continuously look for something that is not there, the unhappiness will always be there.

I’m contented with what I have.

Whatever I will have is more than a blessing.”

And how would he rate his lovelife on a scale of 1 to 10? As usual, Alden is mum on the matter.

The Metal Sheep are usually gooey over their love. They like to deal with the love relations sloppily. When meeting crisis for their love, they are difficult to make a decision. If they cherish their precious feelings, they try their best to maintain them. Otherwise, they end the relationship as early as possible.

So what was the best lesson that he learned in 2017? “no matter how hard life deals with you, just keep going. As long as you’re doing good, nothing bad will happen to you.” Yes, it’s called Good Karma.

B january 4-10, 2018 • LaS VEGaS aSIan jOurnaL

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