010419 - San Francisco Edition

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R

Volume 18 - No. 1 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

J A N U A RY 4 - 1 0 , 2 0 1 9

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Duterte to Filipinos: Help defeat drugs, corruption

USA

DATELINE New year, new laws for California in 2019 FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Women in leadership, tighter gun control, climbing minimum wage among new policy changes FOLLOWING the fireworks, toasts, and New Year greetings that took place during the midnight transition into the new year, California woke up with hundreds of new policies that could mean big things for its nearly 40 million Californians.

From putting more women in leadership positions, to promoting media literacy education in schools, to tightening up gun control, here are just some of the new laws that took effect in California on Tuesday, January 1.

More female board directors Public corporations based in California must have at least one woman on their board of direc-

by ALEXIS

ROMERO Philstar.com

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipinos to join the fight against social ills and to learn from the lessons of the past as the nation welcomed the New Year.

Duterte expressed confidence that with patriotic fervor and solidarity, Filipinos would overcome the

FOLLOWING a rather tumultuous year of voter registration errors, still long lines, and the recent issues with its Real ID protocol, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) looks ahead with a new leader picked by California Governor Jerry Brown.

Chief Deputy Director Bill Davidson — who has worked at the department for 16 years — was picked by Brown to take over as the California DMV’s acting director starting Monday, December 31, 2018.

Previously holding the post was former director Jean Shiomoto who announced her retirement towards the end of 2018, after over 30 years working for the department. Shiomoto

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Philstar.com

THE death toll from Tropical Depression Usman in Bicol, the Visayas and Southern Tagalog has reached 87, with 20 others missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Wednesday, January 2.

NDRRMC spokesman Edgar Posadas said the figures are still subject to validation by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)’s Management of the Dead and the Missing (MDM).

Posadas said Usman also directly affected 45,348 families or 191,597 people from 457 barangays in Bicol, Eastern Samar and the Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon (Calabarzon) region, as well as in Mindoro-Marinduque-Romblon-Palawan (Mimaropa).

Of the displaced families, 41 of them totally lost their houses either to landslides or flooding in Bicol, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Eastern Visayas.

The highest number of fatalities came

THE “Hidden Beach� at El Nido in Palawan was ranked first in the list of the Top 50 beaches in Asia in 2018, according to a Canadian travel agency.

Flight Network said the famed beach emerged No. 1 for its “sheer untouched beauty, remoteness, sand and water quality, annual days of sunshine, and average annual temperature.� “The wild, vegetation-covered rock formations and crystal clear waters of Hidden Beach will make you feel as if you’ve been dropped into a movie,� the company said, quoting Sachin Aggarwal of Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

The Maya Bay and Railay Beach of Thailand was ranked second and third respectively.

Eight other Philippine beaches were also listed among Asia’s best. They are the Guyam White Sand Beach in Siargao (13th); Palaui Beach in Cagayan Valley (22nd); Caramoan Island Beach in Camarines Sur (29th); Dahican Beach in Davao Oriental (41st); Gumasa Beach in Sarangani (45th); Kalanggaman Island in Cebu (49th); and Paliton Beach in Siquijor (50th).

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

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Sandiganbayan sets ruling on P1-billion Marcos wealth case

The forfeiture case docketed as Civil Case No. 0008, filed by the Presidential Commission on ANOTHER civil case against Good Government (PCGG) in former first lady Imelda Marcos 1987 seeks to recover from the and her husband, the late strong- Marcoses and their cronies a total man Ferdinand Marcos Sr., in- of P1.052 billion in alleged ill-gotvolving P1.052 billion in alleged ill-gotten wealth, is now up for decision by the anti-graft court Manilatimes.net ďŹ le photo Sandiganbayan.

The Hidden Beach previously placed third in the In a resolution dated Nov. 9, world ranking of best beaches in 2018 by the same 2018 but released to the media company, after Greece’s Shipwreck Beach in Zakyn- only Wednesday, January 2 the thos, which was ranked No. 1, and Australia’s White- court’s Second Division has dehaven Beach in Queensland, No. 2. nied “for lack of merit� the Motion Flight Network consulted 600 travel journalists, to Defer Decision filed by Marcoeditors, bloggers and agencies experienced in trav- ses’ co-defendants Bienvenido eling “to rank the best beaches in the world, based Tantoco Sr., Bienvenido Tantoco on their personal and professional experience.� Jr., estate of Gliceria Tantoco and (Manilatimes.net) ■Dominador Santiago. !.$2%7 " 3().

‘Those who call God stupid are anti-Christ’ - Archbishop Villegas message he gave his godson, Seth, through an open letter.

Villegas, former head of CathoLINGAYEN-DagupanArchbish- lic Bishops’ Conference of the op Socrates Villegas, one of the Philippines (CBCP), said rearing country’s most popular Church children nowadays was being figures, made vague references to made tougher by what he called President Rodrigo Duterte’s rants “anti-Christs.� against the Church in a New Year u PAGE A4

G. SANTOS Inquirer.net

drugs, criminality and corruption that stunt our development,� he added.

Duterte wished Filipinos a blessed and bountiful New Year and asked them to unite as they face the country’s issues. “Together, let us face all obstacles head on, armed with the knowledge and brimming with hope that we can triumph over any struggle that we may face

by JAIME LAUDE

Palawan’s ‘Hidden Beach’ emerges No. 1 among top 50 beaches in Asia, says travel firm

by TINA

challenges that impede their march toward “a more prosperous and progressive future.� “We welcome the new year full of hope and optimism. As we herald the start of another year, let us reflect on our storied past and learn from its lessons so that we can face the future with more confidence,� the president said in his New Year’s Day message. “Let us work hand in hand to defeat the ills of

Tropical Depression Usman death toll climbs to 87

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California DMV gets new deputy director amidst department struggles

Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

by ELIZABETH

MARCELO Philstar.com

ten wealth, composed of P609.27 million in shares of stocks and P443.05 million in real properties.

The PCGG is also seeking P50 billion in moral damages and P1

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JANUARY 4-10, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

Duterte to Filipinos: Help defeat drugs...

PAGE A1 as a nation,” the president said.

Malacañang asked Filipinos to pray for the president to enable him to attain his goals for the nation.

“As we express our gratitude to the Almighty for all the blessings we received in 2018, we welcome the new year as an opportune time to reflect on the past year’s experiences and draw lessons from the things that had transpired, particularly how successfully the administration has overcome the challenges of the previous year,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“As another chapter of our Republic’s history is about to unfold, let us continue to be united in our efforts and prayers to help realize the president’s vision of a more comfortable life for all Filipinos,” he added.

Albayalde vows relentless campaign?

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde vowed that the government’s war on illegal drugs will remain relentless this year.

“The anti-drug war must remain relentless and strong even as we must continue to sharpen our capabilities and strategies to once and for all put an end to this menace that has long been destroying many lives,” he said in his New Year’s message to the officers and personnel of the country’s police force.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s crack-

down on illegal drugs has resulted in the deaths of at least 5,050 alleged drug pushers and users in reported shootouts with law enforcement authorities.

The number of drug suspects arrested since the start of the campaign in July 2016 has reached 164,265.

Aware of the challenges and expectations from the public, Albayalde urged his fellow officers to exert more effort to ensure their accomplishments are not wasted.

“With the downtrend in crime in 2018, I thus urge every member of the organization to exert greater effort to sustain this trend and assure our countrymen of our best in ensuring more peaceful streets and safer communities,” he said.

Albayalde also put emphasis on sustaining their drive to weed out misfits within the PNP. “We will make sure to put more teeth to our internal cleansing efforts with greater responsibility and accountability now placed on the shoulders of commanders for the erring personnel in their ranks,” he said.

The PNP Counter-Intelligence Task Force has neutralized at least 100 corrupt police officers, nine of whom were killed in alleged shootouts.

Albayalde directed the police to be ready for two major events this year, the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law this January in Mindanao and the midterm elections in May.

“While all these will be at the center of our efforts, let us not be remiss in the performance of other police duties and responsibilities,” he said.

As this developed, militant groups said they are bracing themselves for more “blood and repression” from the government’s operations against activists, critics and alleged communist sympathizers.

“The regime’s line of categorizing activists, political dissenters and government critics with the armed revolutionary movement makes those engaged in perfectly legal, not to mention legitimate political activities, as targets of surveillance, intimidation and armed attack by state security forces oriented in brutal tokhang-style operations,” Teddy Casiño, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan national council member, pointed out.

“Just this week, in joint operations conducted by the 302nd Infantry Brigade and 94th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, and assisted by the (PNP), at least six persons were killed and 16 arrested in Negros Oriental on the pretext of an intensified anti-drug and anti-criminality campaign,” Casiño added.

“In Mindanao, Duterte has ordered the arming of more paramilitary recruits among members of lumad communities while declaring rebels as mere criminals and bandits,” he said.

(With Emmanuel Tupas, Rhodina Villanueva) n

Sandiganbayan sets ruling on...

DEVOTED. Thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene join a thanksgiving procession in Quiapo, Manila, on Tuesday, January 1, just days ahead of the miraculous icon’s annual feast.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

California DMV gets new deputy director...

PAGE A1 became the department’s acting director in January of 2013 before becoming its full-time director in November of that year by appointment of Brown.

Despite Shiomoto’s ambitions for the department seen through efforts like the creation of a permit system for driverless car testing, and putting DMV kiosks in grocery stores to reduce notorious wait times, the former director seemed to struggle as the department encountered mistake after mistake.

Among the DMV’s current and biggest challenges involve its process of issuing the federallymandated Real ID, which the federal government said was not up to par with security standards.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made it a requirement that individuals have a driver’s license or ID that is Real ID compliant by October 1, 2020 in order to use it as identification when boarding domestic flights, entering military bases, and other federal facilities without a passport.

No. 0008 involves the recovery of the assets of the Marcoses and their co-defendants as well as the imposition against them of damages.

The court noted that neither TDFSI, RCBC nor BA is a party in Civil Case No. 0008.

Besides, the court said, Civil Case No. 0008 should have already been submitted for decision nine years ago after the PCGG and the defendants submitted their respective memoranda containing the summary of their arguments, testimonies of PAGE A1 their witnesses and documentary tors by the end of 2019, making it evidence they presented at the the first state to require women on course of trial, which lasted for corporate boards. about 20 years. n Senate Bill 946 — signed by California Governor Jerry Brown in October — further requires that public companies with five directors on its board have at //", 9Ê /Ê 7 least two female directors, and at least three women for companies with seven directors by the end of 2021. Those who refuse to comply may face a fine anywhere between $100,000 to $300,000.

Priority for rescue animals in state’s pet stores California pet stores will now only be allowed to sell dogs, cats, and rabbits that come from nonprofit rescue groups or animal shelters, a policy California state assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell called a “big win for our fourlegged friends.”

When Assembly Bill 485 passed, O’Donnell said that California taxpayers spend more than $250 million a year to house and euthanize animals in shelters.

Another climb in minimum wage California joined a number of other states in the move to increase minimum wages with a number of its local jurisdictions set to meet their own approved - Ê ,1 " * - /" minimum wages.

California cities of Cupertino, El Cerrito, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Richmond, San Jose, San Mateo, and Santa Clara are expected to increase minimum pay to $15 on 7 7 7° 6 1 6 7° " or about Tuesday, January 1, ac-

PAGE A1 billion in exemplary damages.

The PCGG said the Marcoses and their co-defendants must also be compelled to pay temperate damages, nominal damages and other judicial costs, the amounts of which shall be determined by the court.

In their motion filed in February 2016, Santiago and the Tantocos prayed to defer the decision on the case, claiming that another pending civil lawsuit docketed as Civil Case No. 0142 involves the “same legal issues and parties.”

Santiago and the Tantocos said that deciding on Civil Case No. 0008 without resolving first its similarity with Civil Case No.

0142 might be prejudicial to the parties involved.

In its ruling, however, the Second Division maintained that the present case “is totally unrelated to Civil Case No. 0142.”

“Their inconsistent opinion on the relationship of these two cases cannot be arbitrarily used by the defendants,” the Second Division said.

The court pointed out that Civil Case No. 0142 challenges the validity of the PCGG’s sequestration of the assets of Tourist Duty Free Shops Inc. and the freeze order against TDFSI’s bank accounts with Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) and Bank of America (BA), while Civil Case

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Verification guidelines come from the Real ID Act of 2005, and California has only been issuing Real IDs since January 2018.

In November, the DHS sent notice to the California DMV saying that its procedure for verifying residency for ID and driver’s license applicants were not complying with federal requirements.

The department received criticism for not immediately notifying the public of the DHS’ determination, but later said that Californians who did receive an ID in 2018 would not have to get them reissued.

Starting in the spring of 2019, new applicants will be required to provide two forms showing proof of residency.

“As far as we know, anyone holding a Real ID currently, as long as it’s valid, the feds will accept it and honor it,” the New York Times, quoted DMV spokesman Jaime Garza saying. “We basically have told Californians, ‘If you’ve got the card, don’t worry about it.’”

In early December of 2018, the DMV revealed that it failed to

filed hundreds of voter registration forms and requests for address changes in its Motor Voter program. As many as 589 people were believed to have been affected.

This came after the department’s announcement in September that it had mishandled around 23,000 voter registrations, and wrongly registered roughly 1,500 people to vote.

Following the disclosing of the mistakes, Secretary of State Alex Padilla joined others in calling for a new DMV director and said he had lost his confidence and trust in Shiomoto.

Assemblymember Jim Patterson (R-Fresno), another critic of Shiomoto, said that her retirement was “inevitable, given the history of the failures of the DMV.” “This gives the incoming governor the opportunity of taking a very deep, hard look at the director position and team of people that the director puts around them. The DMV failure has been a leadership failure,” said Patterson.

(Rae Ann Varona / AJPress) n

cording to the National Employment Law Project.

Goodbye NDAs regarding sexual misconduct Riding on the powerful wave of the #MeToo movement, a new policy signed in September makes it so companies are not allowed to force employees who settle sexual harassment to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDA) that prevent them from speaking out. In other words, under Senate Bill 820, names of the perpetrators can no longer be held confidential.

NDAs were found to have played large roles in silencing victims of sexual misconduct. Also having a new NDA law enacted in the new year is New York who endorsed its own policy last May. Eating out Those who want a plastic straw to sip their drink in restaurants will now be required to ask for one personally.

In his signing message for Assembly Bill 1884 in September, Gov. Brown said, “Plastic has helped advance innovation in our society, but our infatuation with single-use convenience has led to disastrous consequences.

He added, “It is a very small step to make a customer who wants a plastic straw to ask for it. And it might make them pause and think again about an alternative.”

Other laws that can affect our ining out experience have eateries that serve kids meals required to serve water or unflavored milk as the default drink (Senate Bill 1192), and the selling of home-

made food no longer illegal (Assembly Bill 626).

Tightening up gun control Already having one of the strictest gun regulations in the U.S., California is adding some more tightening regulations. The purchasing of handguns are already restricted to adults 21 and older.

Senate Bill 1100 now puts the age restriction to anyone looking to purchase a long gun, such as a shotgun or rifle. Those exempt from the law are members of the military, law enforcement officers, and those who possess an unexpired and valid hunting license.

Other new policies include requiring concealed carry weapons permit applicants undergo training for a minimum of eight hours and pass a live-fire shooting test (Assembly Bill 2103), confiscating anyone convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence his or her right to own a firearm (Assembly Bill 3129), allowing the confiscation of magazines and ammunition via gun violence restraining order (Senate Bill 1200), and banning “bump stocks” (Senate Bill 1346).

Rules affecting electric scooter riders As the use of electric scooters seemed to catapult in 2018, riders will have to know two new bills that address helmet use.

Under Assembly Bill 2989, only riders under the age of 18 are required to wear helmets when riding an electric scooter. Assembly Bill 3077 makes it so that those ticketed for being in violation of PAGE A3

New year, new laws for California...

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Tropical Depression Usman death toll...

PAGE A1 from Bicol with 70, Eastern Visayas with 13, Mimaropa with three and one from Calabarzon.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional officials said 17 came from Albay, 25 from Camarines Sur, 15 from Camarines Norte, seven from Masbate and six from Sorsogon.

The victims either perished from the series of landslides or widespread flooding that hit their villages at the height of heavy to moderate rains dumped by Usman before New Year.

In its initial report, the regional OCD yesterday said the body count had already reached 102, while 23 remained missing, most of them from the worst landslidehit Patitinan village in Sagñay town in Camarines Sur. The regional OCD said 60 bodies were recovered in Camarines Sur, 15 in Albay, 13 in Camarines Norte, seven in Masbate and seven in Sorsogon.

The NDRRMC also recorded 13 deaths in Eastern Visayas – eight from Northern Samar and five from Samar province.

In Oriental Mindoro, three people were also reported to have drowned in massive flooding in the island province. Another victim of drowning was reported in Laguna.

Of the 20 people missing, 15 were reported from the Bicol region and the rest from Eastern Visayas.

Usman, upon making landfall in Calbayog City two days before New Year, also caused injuries to 40 individuals; 18 from Camarines Sur, one in Camarines Norte, six in Sorsogon, seven in Albay, all in Bicol and seven from Oriental Mindoro and in Marinduque.

Officials said the widespread flooding caused by Usman in the Bicol region damaged P431 million worth of crops.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), in its updated report to NDRRMC, said the rice sector was hardest hit with 21,441 hectares of rice fields and 6,525 metric tons of produce valued at P366 million damaged.

At least 13,127 farmers in Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon and Samar were affected.

Losses in high-value crops reached P39.3 million and affected 529 hectares of fruit trees, vegetable plantations and root crops in Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate and Sorsogon.

Corn production loss was placed at P23 million and affected 4,255 hectares in Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate and Sorsogon.

As for livestock, losses have been reported in Camarines Sur and Catanduanes with nearly 2,000 animal heads affected amounting to P2.01 million.

Damage to fisheries was also reported in Camarines Norte amounting to P807,500 worth of tilapia, crab, shrimp and milkfish.

The DA is set to dispatch recovery intervention teams to the affected areas to deliver seeds and other farm inputs to ensure that

Vice President Leni Robredo called for permanent relocation of families living in landslide prone areas in the country after Usman left scores of people dead in Bicol region.

Robredo visited the wake of landslide victims in Sagñay, Camarines Sur. She said 30 persons were killed while 16 remained missing in Sitio Philstar.com file photo Igot alone. farmers will be able to replant.

“There were many areas where Attached agencies like the landslides occurred. That’s why Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. we have to find permanent soluand the Agricultural Credit Policy tion on this. These areas should Council have also been directed to no longer be inhabited,” the Vice fast-track damage assessment for President said. insurance payments and prepare Robredo, who had served as recovery loan funds. representative of Camarines Sur, The National Food Authority said government authorities must (NFA), meanwhile, has released be stricter in the enforcement of more than 6,000 bags of rice danger zone regulations. for the victims of the typhoon in “They should not allow people Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and to come back to these places,” she Eastern Visayas. added.

The NFA has so far released Department of Social Welfare 5,785 bags for Bicol, 432 for Re- and Development (DSWD) Secregion 4 and 45 for Region 8. tary Rolando Bautista has ordered Market monitoring teams were the department’s regional office also deployed to ensure that NFA to speed up release of burial asrice would be sold at government sistance to the storm victims. prescribed prices and unscrupuDSWD spokesperson Glenda lous businessmen are not taking Relova added the agency will advantage of the situation. also provide housing assistance Rep. Carlos Roman Uybar- of P15,000 to those whose homes reta of 1-CARE urged President were damaged and P30,000 to Duterte to impose price controls families whose homes were totally on fuel and other basic commodi- destroyed. ties in the Bicol and Eastern ViRelova said the DSWD has so far sayas regions. tallied 69 totally destroyed houses Uybarreta said the President in Camarines Sur. (With Louise could do this by placing the two Maureen Simeon, Jess Diaz, Rainregions under a state of calamity. ier Allan Ronda, Cet Dematera, The Chief Executive could then Edu Punay, Helen Flores) n order the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the DILG “to implement price controls for at least six months to allow affected residents to recover,” he said.

Uybarretta said the imposition of price limits would prevent unscrupulous traders from taking advantage of the destruction caused by the typhoon and increase prices.

Uybarreta, who comes from Sorsogon and Camarines Norte, also urged the government to delay the collection of the new fuel tax increase in Bicol and Eastern Visayas.

The estimated amount of damage is expected to increase further as the ongoing disaster assessments on the havoc wrought

by Usman to road networks and infrastructure in Bicol and Eastern Visayas, including the destroyed rice fields in the several heavily flooded fishery and agricultural towns of Capiz in Western Visayas, are completed.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said 16 national road sections in the Bicol region were closed due to landslide and flooding.

Local officials declared a state of calamity in Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon.

Oriental Mindoro, the floodhit Calapan City and the towns of Boco, Naujan, Socorro, Pola, Pinamalayan, Bansud and Bongabong were also placed under a state of calamity due to the massive destruction to agriculture and infrastructure.

Fiscal Year (FY)2019-20 Taunang Planong Aksyon Forum ng Komunidad Tumulong sa Paghubog ng Hinaharap ng ating Lungsod. Mangyaring sumali sa mga lider ng kapitbahayan, mga di-nagtutubong organisasyon, at Kagawaran ng Pabahay sa Lungsod ng San Jose para sa isang serye ng Mga Forum ng Komunidad na may kaugnayan sa mga pampederal na gawad ng Lungsod. Gusto naming marinig mula sa inyo!

Taunang Planong Aksyon (Annual Action Plan, AAP) - Ang AAP ay kinabibilangan ng mga prayoridad ng Lunsod sa pagpopondo para sa pagpapaunlad ng pederal na komunidad at mga pamimigay ng pabahay. Ang mga forum na ito ay magbibigay ng oportunidad na kumpirmahin ang mga prayoridad para sa darating na taon, tiyakin ang pagkakapare-pareho sa 5-taong strategic plan, at magbigay ng feedback sa mga serbisyong pampubliko at pagpapabuti ng kapital. Ang lahat ng mga pederal na pondo ay dapat pakinabangan ng mga residente o komunidad na may mababang kita. Ang isang draft ng FY 2019-20 Taunang Planong Aksyon ay magagamit para sa pampublikong komento sa tagsibol ng 2019.

Paksa

Saan

Kailan

Mga Prayoridad sa Pagpopondo ng Taunang Planong Aksyon

Bascom Community Centre 1000 S. Bascom Ave., San José

Enero 17, 2019 2:00 ng hapon – 3:30 ng hapon

Mga Prayoridad sa Pagpopondo ng Taunang Planong Aksyon

Tully Branch Library Communi- ty Center 880 Tully Road, San José

Enero 24, 2019 6:00 ng hapon – 7:30 ng gabi

Mga Prayoridad sa Pagpopondo ng Taunang Planong Aksyon

Roosevelt Community Center 901 E. Santa Clara St., San José

Enero 31, 2019 6:00 ng hapon – 7:30 ng gabi

Komisyon sa Pagpapaunlad ng Pabahay at Komunidad - Pampublikong Pagdinig sa Mga Istratehiya ng AAP

San José City Hall Room W 118-120 (Wing) 200 E. Santa Clara St., San José

Pebrero 14, 2019 5:45 ng hapon

Maaaring magbago ang mga petsa ng pagpupulong. Mangyaring itsek ang http://www. sanjoseca.gov/housingconplan for updates.

Magbibigay ng mga light refreshment, aktibidad ng mga bata, at mga serbisyo ng interpretasyon. Ang Lunsod ng San José ay magbibigay ng makatwirang kaluwagan sa pagsasama ng lahat ng mga kalahok. Kailangan namin ng hindi bababa sa tatlong araw ng business days upang mapaunlakan ang mga kahilingan para sa interpretasyon ng wika, pagsasalin at / o tulong na may kaugnayan sa kapansanan. Mangyaring makipag-ugnayan kay Robert Lopez sa (408) 975-4402 o sa robert.lopez@sanjoseca.gov kung kailangan ng tulong.

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FIRECRACKER INJURY. A nurse attends to a firecracker victim at the emergency room of the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila on New Year’s eve on Monday, December 31. Firecracker-related injuries during the holiday celebrations were 68 percent lower than last year, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday, January 1.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

New year, new laws for California...

PAGE A2 the rule can correct the violation by having a parent or guardian provide proof that the minor attended a bike safety course and has a helmet.

Efforts for media literacy education In an effort to combat the proliferation of fake and misleading news, students in California schools could very soon be getting lessons on media literacy.

Under Senate Bill 830, the California Department of Education is required to provide a list

of instructional materials and resources on media literacy on its website available for teachers to use by July 1 at the latest.

Non-binary gender identification Those applying for a California driver’s license, those who identify as neither male nor female will be able to choose a non-binary gender option under the gender category, which will be designated an “X.” Revisiting of prior marijuana convictions Last January 1, 2018, Califor-

nians were officially allowed to participate in the recreational marijuana use without the need of a medical marijuana card.

In the new year, individuals previously convicted for possession, cultivation, and distribution of marijuana can petition to reduce or overturn the old convictions. Assembly Bill 1793 — which may affect over 200,000 cases — makes it so that the state must identify all offenses that can be resentenced or expunged by July. (Rae Ann Varona / AJPress) n

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Donnie Nietes captures 4th world title after split decision win

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

ManilaTimes.net file photo

Simply limiting social media time can improve mental health, new study says

by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

DISCuSSIOnS on the link between social media use and mental health are nothing new, but researchers at the university of Pennsylvania for the first time conducted a study based on experimental data that connects the causal relationship between social media use and mental wellbeing.

What they found was that simply limiting social media use could be beneficial when it comes to better mental health, specifically when it comes to depression and loneliness. This, given the reality that social media is not something people will stop using all together.

The findings were published in the December Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology by Melissa G. Hunt, the associate director of clinical training at the university’s Department of Psychology.

“We set out to do a much more comprehensive, rigorous study that was also more ecologically valid,” Hunt told the university’s online publication, Penn Today.

The study was conducted by randomly splitting 143 students into a control group and an experimental group. Those in the control group were asked to use social media platforms — specifically Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram — as they usually do. The experimental group on the other hand was asked to limit social media usage to a maximum of 30 minutes per day with 10 minutes on each platform.

To measure the outcome, students completed a wellbeing survey twice — once before the study began, and again after four weeks of sticking to the assigned usage time limits (or lack thereof).

For three weeks, the students provided researchers with iPhone battery screenshots for their individual weekly tallies. They then rated seven well-being measures including fear of missing out (FOMO), anx-

iety, loneliness, depression, and self-esteem.

“Here’s the bottom line,” Hunt told Penn Today. “using less social media than you normally would leads to significant decreases in both depression and loneliness. These effects are particularly pronounced for folks who were more depressed when they came into the study.”

The study found that those in the experimental group had significant reductions in depression and loneliness compared to those in the control group. Those who reported a high level of depression at the study’s start later said they experienced a “clinically significant” reduction in symptoms.

Further, both the control and experimental groups saw significant decreases in FOMO and anxiety, which researchers said could have been a result of students in both groups being more aware of their social media use by simply participating in the study.

Given the likelihood that even those in the control group would be conscious of their usage, the study found that self-monitoring and being mindful in general made a difference in mental wellbeing.

One student said, “I ended up using [social media] less and felt happier… I could focus on school and not [be as] interested in what everyone is up to.”

Good vs. bad social media usage As mentioned, the link between social media and mental health isn’t new as numerous studies have come out with a variety of conclusions like how social media creates unrealistic expectations about life, makes us more envious, makes us more addicted, makes us sadder, or may even ruin our relationships.

The creators of the platforms have also taken notice, conducting their own research studies and combining them with others.

A few months ago, Facebook and Instagram even released

new tools on their mobile platforms that allow users to see how much time they spend on the apps. The tools further give users options to manage their time like setting daily reminders for when they’ve reached the time limits set for themselves.

But many have pointed out that not all social media activity should be treated the same.

Facebook pointed to many studies in the past, saying that it’s passive social media usage (or “zombie scrolling”), rather than active communication with friends, that is detrimental to our well-being.

Hunt seemed to say similar in pointing out that a significant amount of time spent on social media is spent on looking at others and participating in “social comparison.”

“It is a little ironic that reducing your use of social media actually makes you feel less lonely,” said Hunt. “Some of the existing literature on social media suggests there’s an enormous amount of social comparison that happens. When you look at other people’s lives, particularly on Instagram, it’s easy to conclude that everyone else’s life is cooler or better than yours.”

While there are a few questions that can still be answered on the topic, she said the findings still offer conclusions that any social media user could use.

For example, less time spent on the platforms means less time spent making social comparisons.

“When you’re not busy getting sucked into clickbait social media, you’re actually spending more time on things that are more likely to make you feel better about your life,” said Hunt.

Given that social media is not going to go away, the study also shifts the discussion to figuring out how social media can be used without taking on the damaging effects.

“In general, I would say, put your phone down and be with the people in your life,” said Hunt. n

Healthy, balanced diet provides lasting benefits — WHO fect our body’s ability to fight infections, as well as how likely we are to develop health problems later in FOR the World Health Organi- life, including obesity, heart diszation (WHO), having a “healthy ease, diabetes and different types and balanced diet” is the best new of cancer,” it noted.

Year’s resolution a person can WHO explained that the exact make. ingredients of a healthy diet deIn a statement, WHO said such pend on various factors such as a diet provides “many benefits into how old and active a person is 2019 and beyond.” and the kinds of food available in “What we eat and drink can af- the communities where a person by sheila

cRisostomo Philstar.com

lives.

“Our bodies are incredibly complex, and (with the exception of breast milk for babies) no single food contains all the nutrients we need for them to work at their best.

Our diets must therefore contain a wide variety of fresh and nutritious foods to keep us strong,” it said.

To ensure good health, WHO recommended a mix of food staples in one’s daily diet. n

Inquirer.net file photo

by Bong lozada

after he reigned as the WBO World minimumweight, WBO World light flyweight, and the DOnnIE nietes captured the IBF World flyweight champion WBO World super flyweight title in the past.

In an absolute firecracker to after edging past Japan’s Kazuto Ioka via split decision Monday, usher in the new year, nietes December 31 at Wynn Palace in (42-1-5) traded punch after punch with Ioka (23-2) and evenMacau.

This is nietes’ fourth World tually earned the nod of the two title in as many weight classes judges.

Inquirer.net

A couple of the judges gave nietes 118-110 and 116-112 score cards while Ioka got a 116112 nod from the third.

Ioka favored his jab to to connect with nietes but the Filipino employed a varied offense against the Japanese. nietes used several combinations to cut down Ioka as the two let it all out until the final bell.n

Filipino ‘Aquaman’ swims from San Francisco, California to Alcatraz in freezing water by leo

Udtohan Inquirer.net

EnVIROnMEnTAL lawyer and triathlete Ingemar Macarine made a successful swim from the freezing Golden Gate Bridge to the shark-infested Alcatraz Island in the u.S. last Sunday, December 23.

Known as “Pinoy Aquaman,” Macarine covered a distance of 6 km from the bridge to the island at the Bay Area of California about 6 a.m. on Sunday.

The swim was aimed to promote the country’s tourism and to raise awareness on the importance of clean seas and beaches around the world.

Macarine was the first Filipino from the Philippines to swim from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco shores in 2014.

Filipino Aquaman Ingemar Macarine and Lisa Amorao, Filipino-American cold swimmer, endure freezing water to complete 6-km swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz Island on Sunday, December 23.

Inquirer.net photos

But during Sunday’s swim, he was accompanied by Lisa Amorao, a Filipino-American cold swimmer who has been based in California for 25 years.

Although the route was very

scenic, the two had to endure the hypothermic-cold of 53 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celcius).

“The water was really cold compared to the English Channel when I swam there in 2016,” he told the Inquirer in a Facebook interview.

Macarine, 42, an election officer in Tubigon town in Bohol, had a one-year hiatus in open swimming because of an injury and health concerns. Macarine’s last swim was in november 2017 when he swam 18 km on Panglao Island in Bohol.

Macarine was the first Filipino swimmer to swim across the English Channel, considered the Mount Everest for open swimming in 2015 and 2016.

But he failed in both swims due to bad weather.

His latest swim in California Environmental lawyer Ingemar Macarine, known as the Pinoy Aquaman, says the swim on Dec. was part of his training for his 23 was not easy as he had to endure not just the big waves and the distance of the swim but third attempt to swim the English also the freezing water temperature.

Channel. n

Alejano backs review of PH-US defense treaty

by PatRicia

ann V. Inquirer.net

Roxas

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

A review of the 1951 treaty, the opposition lawmaker said, would make way for the “still ambiguous provisions” of the agreement to be clarified.

“This is a chance for u.S. to

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

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said they wanted to review of the Mutual Defense Treaty amid concerns on the conflict between the u.S. and China.

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

case of foreign attacks have been “vague and non-committal”.

“With regards to the West Philippine Sea dispute – which is the most pressing security issue now, u.S. have opted to assume a seemingly hands-off attitude,” he said.

“The statements of u.S. officials were vague and non-committal. We hope to hear a definitive stand on the matter,” Alejano added, as he expressed hopes that the review would lead to “further strengthening” of the Mutual Defense Treaty and to “more definitive terms of agreement.” n

‘Those who call God stupid are anti...

PAGE A1 You are subjected to so much vulgarity and violence that I fear you might catch the wrong values which can ruin your future as a good Filipino and as a good child of God,” he said.

Villegas did not name Duterte but clearly referred to the president’s statements against going to Church and attending Mass.

“Do not listen to him who tells you it is useless to go to Church and attend Mass,” he said.

Not a joke “Whoever teaches you that is anti-Christ and there are many of them, including those who look at it is a joke,” Villegas said.

“They are not for Christ. They

are against Christ,” he added.

In his letter, he asked Seth to “promise never ever to disrespect the name of God.” “You might not be able to understand God always,” he said.

“Our minds are too limited. Do not force the infinite God to fit into our limited minds,” he added.

“They who call God stupid are anti-Christ,” Villegas said.

He urged his godson “to pray for for these people but do not imitate them.”

“Respect them as elders but do not follow their bad example,” he added.

Don’t curse Villegas also asked his godchild never to call people names or use

cuss words even as expressions.

“Dirty words that come out of your mouth—foul language, lies, gossips, slander, malicious jokes—make you crass and ungentlemanly,” he said.

“Shameless crass people use such dirty words. Do not imitate.

They are anti-God. They cannot be honorable,” Villegas said.

The Church leader also advised his godson against illegal drugs and killing people.

“Do not ever try drugs. Say no to friends who might offer you drugs. You kill yourself slowly by doing that. Drug users and drug addicts are sick. They need treatment and help in order to be well again,” Villegas said. n

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 4-10 , 2019

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

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Fight poverty, violence in 2019 – Robredo Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe still lead senatorial survey — SWS

by GLEE JALEA ManilaTimes.net

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

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

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

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

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

“Anuman ang nangyari sa nakaraan, anuman ang landas na ating hinahangad, may pagka-

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

Also on Sunday, December 30 the vice president reminded the public of the true meaning of freedom, as envisioned

by Jose Rizal.

She called on the Filipinos to find within themselves “the courage and serenity to work for his vision of a Philippines free from hate, division, and tyranny, and where the dignity of every Filipino is upheld.”

“In these times when ruthless practicality is foisted on us as virtue, and when respect for Remembering Rizal Vice President Leni Robredo salutes after individual dignity is malaying a wreath at the monument of Jose Rizal in Manila. ligned as weakness, Rizal ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma stands as a reminder that kataon pa rin tayong makamit true freedom always goes hand ang kinabukasang ating pinapan- in hand with kindness and integgarap (New Year is a chance to rity,” Robredo said during the start anew, and no matter what wreath-laying and flag-raising happened in the past, no matter ceremonies in front of the Rizal which path we choose to take, we Monument in Manila to comstill have a chance to get the fu- memorate Rizal’s martyrdom.

“Ultimately, we must be the ture we desire),” she said.

“Umaasa ako na magdudulot change we wish to see,” she ng mas magandang kinabukasan said. ■

AFP chief expects 2018 gains to boost military

by MICHAEL

PUNONGBAYAN Philstar.com

MANILA — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. expressed optimism on Wednesday, January 2 that the country’s military, building on the gains of 2018, will do more in 2019 as protectors of the people and the state.

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

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

the performance of its mandate to protect the people and secure the state,” he said in his New Year message on Wednesday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by PAOLO

ROMERO Philstar.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos

percent.

Capping the top 12 is Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, who obtained 27 percent voter preference, equivalent to over 15 million votes.

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

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

Tied at 17th and 18th were former presidential political affairs adviser Francis Tolentino and former Senate president Juan Ponce

Enrile, who both obtained 16 percent.

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

DOLE: Most of the unemployed are educated

by MAYEN JAYMALIN Philstar.com

MANILA — Most of the country’s unemployed are educated, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE’s JobsFit 2022 Labor Market Information (LMI) Report showed that almost a million or 43.9 percent of the unemployed population nationwide in 2017 have either reached or graduated from high school.

The LMI Report also indicated that 825,000 unemployed are college undergraduates or have completed a college degree.

“Educated unemployment is a result of the increasing outward flow of labor from the country,” the DOLE said.

The agency also noted that jobseekers who are college undergraduates or graduates are less likely to get employed compared with jobseekers with lower level of educational attainment.

“Individuals (with higher educational attainment) have higher

DOLE’s JobsFit 2022 Labor Market Information (LMI) Report showed that almost a million or 43.9 percent of the unemployed population nationwide in 2017 have either reached or graduated from high school.

Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas

reservation wages and can afford to wait for better job offers,” it said.

The program or course that the college graduates completed may have also influenced the chance of finding employment, according to

the DOLE. Almost half of the unemployed are young adults or those belonging to the 15-24-year-old age bracket. The DOLE said most of the unemployed are entering the job market for the first time. ■

A6

JANUARY 4-10, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

OPINION

Hope for a better year

FEATURES

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

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

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

Economic growth has decelerated and the peso is weak.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Editorial

Commentary

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

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

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

But demographics suggest that the reverse has been happening.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ManilaTimes.net)

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

The task force recently created

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

For sure, there are other national

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

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

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

murders.

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

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

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

New Year’s resolutions for the Filipino nation Commentary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The escalating verbal jousts between our political and spiri-

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

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

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

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

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

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

ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia

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SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 4, 2019

Friday, January 4, 2019

cover story

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 4, 2019

A look back at the personalities who made it on ‘Something Filipino’ in 2018 by

AJPress

AS we usher in 2019, the Asian Journal editorial team dedicates the first SF Magazine cover of the year as a reflection on the stories that we covered in 2018.

Each week, the SF Magazine publishes long-form stories of Filipino-Americans who continue to break barriers in their respective career fields, as well as highlighting the Fil-Am experience living in America and the social issues we face.

In the 52 covers we’ve published last year, we covered a breadth of topics, such as the importance of Filipino nurses to the U.S. medical industry, the need for Filipino families to support children in the foster system, long distance relation-

What’s next for Kelsey Merritt, the first Filipina model in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (By Momar G. Visaya)

ships during Valentine’s Day and Christmas, and why we need to talk about mental health as a Fil-Am community. Along the way, we observed annual celebrations, from Philippine Independence Day to Fil-Am History Month.

Our fellow editors and writers sat down with Fil-Am Pulitzer Prize winners, elected officials, Broadway stars, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and more. It’s always a difficult process to narrow down a whole year’s worth of stories into a succinct

list, but we hope that you take a look back at these stories and continue to share them. *To read these selected features & other stories in their entirety, please visit http:// asianjournal.com/aj-magazines/ mdwk-magazine/

The Lei Company: Community building and cultural preservation through entrepreneurship (By Malou Liwanag-Bledsoe)

Kelsey Merritt — who was born and raised in the Philippines — made history on November 8 when she became the first Filipina woman to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, an annual spectacular event that highlights some of the best and well-known fashion models in the industry including stalwarts such as Adriana Lima, Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner among others.

“I am not exaggerating when I say that this is literally the hardest job you can get in the world.

It was so hard that there has never been a Filipino in it. I can’t explain how much hard work I put in on this,” she said in her interview with the Asian Journal.

Filipino-American Tiffany Rose Na’puti Lacsado saw an opportunity not only to continue the preservation and evolution of the lei, but also to get people in the community to uplift the quality of their lives economically through The Lei Company (TLC).

Her long career in public health opened her eyes and pointed her to the direction on how to create job opportunities for the clients she used to help.

“At some point I had an ‘aha!’ moment where I realized that the biggest barrier to health One of The Lei Company’s top seller and most Tiffany Rose Na’puti Lacsado, CEO and Founder of laborious lei is the Dolla Dolla Bill, an origami lei for all of my clients across the The Lei Company Cooperative made completely of $1 bills spectrum was their inability to founded The Lei Company (TLC) develop products for the death participate in the economy. For care and wedding industries, and Cooperative, Inc., a California different reasons their job prosstart to cultivate her commercial AJPress photos by Troi Santos pects were slim to nil or as in the worker-owned corporation lei garden. Last quarter of 2018 based in Oakland.By June 2018 case of my WIC they worked in Meet Fil-Am designer Zaldy, costume designer for Cirque du Soleil’s “Volta” and “RuPaul’s an environment and under cirshe turned to Crowdfund Mainshe was selling her products Drag Race” (By Momar G. Visaya) street to craft her new securities across the continental United cumstances that hindered their offering and launched a Direct work on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” ability to make healthy choices,” States and wanted to expand For over a decade now, the marketing, sales and distribu- Public Offering via an investment Lacsado said.

He has also been actively renowned designer Zaldy Goco tion capacity of her cooperative, crowdfunding campaign.

In June 2017, Lacsado collaborating with Cirque du has straddled the twin genres Soleil and the partnership has of fashion and costume design Gina Ortiz Jones and her endeavor to become the first Filipina in Congress (By Momar G. been growing through the to create unforgettable, timeVisaya) years. less, and beautifully crafted in Congress and the first openly The 2018 midterm elecZaldy launched his nameclothing. A decade earlier, he gay, first Iraq War veteran and tion was historic in many ways, sake collection in 2002 and has was moving seamlessly befirst woman House representaincluding the number of women tween music and fashion, creat- since imagined stage looks for and Filipinos who vied for posi- tive from the 23rd District of many of the most celebrated ing a tapestry that could very Texas. While she didn’t win, the tions across the country. We and diverse performers of this well be a major accent to his momentum and name she built saw Fil-Am TJ Cox be elected finale dress. That is if we look at era: Michael Jackson, Mafor herself as a political leader to California’s 21st congresdonna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, his life’s trajectory as a runway may be a signal that we’ll be sional district, as Jennifer Mary J. Blige, RuPaul, Katy fashion show.

Perry, Gwen Stefani and Britney Zimmerman (Florida - District 1) seeing more of her soon.

While making a name and “I would be honored to be and Cristina Osmeña (Calif.-14) Spears among them. creating a fierce brand, Zaldy the first but it is important that also ran in competitive races, From 2004 to 2007, Zaldy (according to the New York I am not going to be the last but unfortunately did not push was the head designer of Gwen Times, he dropped his last because I am only here because through.

Stefani’s highly successful name when he was in high of the opportunity my comIn Texas, Gina Ortiz Jones L.A.M.B. collection, which fused school) has also become a munity, my country afforded went up against incumbent, two-time Emmy Award-winning streetwear with elements of the for me. This is very much about two-term Representative singer’s glam-punk look.

Zaldy Goco Contributed photo costume designer through his protecting those opportunities Will Hurd, in one of the most From bean to bar: Fil-Am chocolatier Hernan Lauber finds joy in native Philippine cacao (By tightly-contested and closelyfor others that are just as talRae Ann Varona) watched battles in the country. ented, just as hungry and need She endeavored to make histo- a little bit of help,” Ortiz Jones To Fil-Am chocolatier Hertold the Asian Journal. ry as the first Filipina-American nan Lauber, the Philippines is Gina Ortiz Jones Contributed photo what he describes as the “Napa Valley of cacao” — a big claim, given that the country may not initially be one that comes to mind when talking about the bean.

“The Philippines currently produces less than one-percent of the world’s supply of cacao but it’s been a part of Filipino history for as long as it’s been part of European history,” said Lauber, the chocolatier behind the new bean-to-bar chocolate brand, “Oodaalolly”.

Born in the Philippines, Lauber spent the first two years of his life in the country and grew up in other parts of the world like Geneva, Toronto, and New York, before moving outside Philadelphia where he spent the bulk of his middle and high school years. He then went on to get a degree in mechanical engineering, before getting his MBA in international business.

By the early 2000s, Lauber decided to try his hand at the chocolate business and create his own chocolate company that got rid of the melting of imported bulk chocolate, and focused more on bean-to-bar.

One thing that distinguishes oodaalolly from other chocolate makers is that they source their own cacao beans directly from the Philippines without

“Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen”: The raw, unapologetic candor of Jose Antonio Vargas (By Klarize Medenilla)

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

Pulitzer Prize winner and immigration advocate Jose Antonio Vargas published his memoir, “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen,” to much praise in September 2018. “Dear America” delivers a perspective that has endured institutionalized and socialized racism and internal struggles and identity crises as an undocumented gay immigrant of color.

In a chapter called “Filipinos,” he writes, “Filipinos fit everywhere and nowhere at all,” and despite the rich presence of Filipinos in American history, the struggle of Filipinos in America an introductory call to Filipinos to feel at home and to feel a sense of belonging is ubiquitous. in America — undocumented In many ways, “Dear America” is and otherwise — to stake a

AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla

claim to the Filipino-American identity and understanding how we got here.

“Padayon”: Celebrating Parangal Dance Company’s 10th year (By Malou Liwanag-Bledsoe)

With its continued mission to promote the Filipino heritage through their performance and presence in the FilipinoHernan Lauber displays his products at Undiscovered SF, a monthly night market in San Francisco that American community, Parangal celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the SOMA Pilipinas district.

Dance Company has come a three bars: 60-percent dark using any distributors, he said. long way. In October 2018, milk, 70-percent dark chocoLauber said he spent a year the dance company celebrated late, and 70-percent dark working on the process before a decade of aspiring to inspire almond and sea salt. All bars launching their original collecwith a anniversary tribute show, are single roast, single origin, tion of bars in December of “Padayon” at the Scottish Rite and use 100-percent Filipino 2017.

Masonic Center in San Francacao.

Currently, the maker has cisco.

Parangal Founder Eric Globetrotting with Filipino-French entrepreneur’s lifestyle brand Oneculture (By Christina Solano shared that the conM. Oriel) text of “Padayon” is “to move In September, the Asian political side to it. So that’s how forward and to persist,” adding Journal featured Anthony Alva- I got the name Oneculture.” that the concept of their 10threz, a Filipino-French entrepreOne of the statement anniversary show is to create neur living in Paris who started pieces during the Manila colawareness about the plight of his own lifestyle menswear lection was a rendition of the indigenous people in the Philipbrand Oneculture, featuring men’s barong (a formal shirt pines. For him, it is imperative pieces inspired by travels and made from piña considered that they continue to share the global influences. So far the col- the national costume of the teachings of culture bearers lections have included Manila, Philippines) in the color black that have taught us their culture Fez, Morocco and Tokyo. and using a more comfortable, and traditions.

“I really wanted to convey sporty fabric. He incorporated Parangal was founded that message through the the eucalyptus tree that is in 2008 under the direction clothes, promoting culture and found in the Philippines and put of Solano. Today, the group diversity and promoting travel that print in the inside layer of boasts about 60 active memwithout any cultural barriers,” the clothes. bers and has performed not Alvarez said. “This was also “I grew up in a household only in the United States and during a time when a lot of that was very Filipino,” he said. the Philippines, but to other Anthony Alvarez, the Filipino-French founder and “It is a very important part countries as well. However, CEO of Oneculture, pursued his childhood dream of people were focusing on barof my identity so I [started] international recognition is not owning a clothing brand representing his passions riers, such as Brexit or Donald Trump being elected president the journey of Oneculture in for travel, sports, art, and music. the group’s greatest achievePhotos courtesy of Anthony Alvarez/Oneculture of the United States. That’s the Manila. ment according to Solano. For

Parangal Group

him, it is being able to share the message of solidarity.

“Advocacy and solidarity with indigenous groups in the Philippines and being able to share that,” said Solano. “I believe it is the advocacy that we have with the indigenous

Photo by This is It Photography

groups is one of [the] ways we engage and sustain new members and new dances/pieces we work on almost yearly to continue to know about our roots, discover the Philippines and its wealth people.”

Continued on Page SF6

Change in lifestyle tops celebs’ priorities for the New Year

by MARY ANN BAUTISTA Inquirer.net

ALONG with the New Year come new beginnings, a new hope and, for others, a fresh start. We asked some celebrities what their resolutions are for 2019.

Ruru Madrid: I will focus more on my career, work harder and take better care of myself.

I’m already 21, so I need to be more fit, healthier and eat what’s good for my body.

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

Joyce Pring: This 2019, I want to manage my time better and also, to start packing light.

My everyday bag weighs a ton because of all the stuff I carry around on a regular basis, so I want to be able to organize that.

Devon Seron: I want to be more productive, exercise more, eat healthy food, read books and spend more time with my loved

Joyce Pring

GMA photo

Devon Seron

GMA photo

Inah De Belen

GMA photo

Continued on Page SF6 Ruru Madrid

GMA photo

Paul Salas

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

So here you are in the late afternoon of your life.

Sundown is on the horizon.

The end game is in sight. You know it isn’t a matter of if but when.

You’re still upright on two

New Year wishes for families

ABS-CBN photo

The Bucket List Reprising the Series

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

“Man” Oedipus answered after some thought.

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

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

There is a part of you that longs for some kind of

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

A few of your contemporaries have passed and you wonder if you still have what it takes to stay the course you

occasionally misstep, the vast majority of those who come to this country are a true benefit to America and we are lucky to have them. We must work together to improve the lives of those living in this land.

Reuniting families, keeping families together and ensuring opportunity for all must be the overriding priority of all immigration laws.

It has always been RILG’s goal to help families legally live together in the United States. We are pleased that our firm has been able to help as many people as we have.

However, we recognize that more needs to be done. The laws passed by Congress and the policies brought forth from the Executive Branch must reflect a recognition that this country has always benefitted by welcoming immigrants.

All of us at RILG pledge that, in 2019, we will continue to work to help reunite families in the United States. Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy New Year for families everywhere.

THE holidays are a time for being with family. I was reminded of that recently when I accompanied a client to his interview for his green card. When I asked him if he had plans for the holidays, his face lit up. “Oh yes” he replied, “I’m going home to be with my son and my grandchildren”. His eyes shown when he talked about the presents he was going to bring his grandchildren and how they would come running to greet him. He smiled when he talked about being able to enjoy having them sit on his lap.

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

They want to feel united.

They want to greet the new year together and share their hope that the next year will be better than the last.

Then I thought of the families who cannot be together for the holidays this year. I thought of the U.S. citizens who face a draconian choice resulting from the denial of their spouse’s waiver for using

someone else’s name to come to the U.S. These people are forced to choose between separating from a loving and loved spouse in order to remain in the United States and care for an old or sick parent or leaving that parent in order to accompany their beloved spouse to her country of birth.

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

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

*** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

For more Information please call (800) 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)

have chosen until the end game. You question if there is time enough to do all those things you wish you did when you could. There’s that long bucket list burning a hole in your back pocket.

Why call it a bucket list?

Kicking the bucket means “to die” from where the phrase “bucket list” comes from.

There are many explanations but the one that seems to make sense is that of a method of dying, either by execution or by suicide. A

person stands on a bucket, with a noose around his neck to cause death by hanging from a beam by the final act of an executioner kicking the bucket or by kicking it himself. I am pretty sure that is Continued on Page SF7

ATTY. SARA N. CROSS GMA photo

SF3

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 4, 2019

Your Immigration Solution

Sophie Albert

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

entertainment

SF

celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 4, 2019

Remembering Filipino celebrities who left us in 2018

celebrity world

By Ferdie Villar 2018 was a tumultuous year not only in politics but in the entertainment industry as well. Apart from stars transferring networks, lawsuits, break ups and weddings, there were celebrities who said goodbye to us one last time.

Here are some showbiz personalities who left us in 2018: Rico J. Puno, The Total Entertainer Last October 30, performer Rico J. Puno passed away due to cardiac arrest. The OPM legend had a triple bypass surgery in 2015, when they found that he had a tear in his heart.

He was able to recover from this, and continued to entertain his fans through his concerts and shows.

In 2018, he became a judge in the afternoon variety show “It’s Showtime” and was a guest star in the primetime series “Ang Probinsyano.”

TJ Cruz, actor Tristan Jedidiah Cruz, 37, passed away six months after his fight with pancreatic cancer. Known as TJ, he is the oldest son of actor Tirso Cruz III and Lynn Ynchausti.

TJ was a child actor in the ‘90s youth-oriented show “Ang TV.” He also ventured into film, casted in the movies “Eskapo” and “Roller Boys” in 1995. TJ eventually left acting, but went on to do more inspiring work such as co-founding Spike for Hope, a fundraising volleyball tournament for the Make A Wish organization.

Prior to getting sick, TJ also worked for St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City.

Bernardo Bernardo, stage and movie actor Veteran stage and movie

EMPLOYMENT

actor Bernardo Bernardo said goodbye on May 8, 2018 at the age of 73. Although it was not clear what caused his death, prior to his passing the actor disclosed that doctors discovered a tumor in his pancreas.

His last movie was the highly acclaimed “Ang Larawan” during the Metro Manila Film Fest (MMFF) in 2017.

As an actor, Bernardo received the Urian Best Actor award for the 1980 film “City After Dark,” which critics consider as one of the best Filipino films of all time.

On TV, he was part of the cast of the hit sitcom “Home Along Da Riles” (1992-2003), working alongside the late Comedy King, Dolphy.

Mely “Miss Tapia” Tagasa, actress and writer Veteran actress and writer Mely Tagasa passed away last March 24, 2018 at the age of 82 due to a stroke.

Two days before she passed away, her daughter, Gina Marissa Tagasa-Gil, shared that their family had made the decision to stop her mother’s respirator.

Tagasa was a household favorite for her character “Miss Tapia” in the IBC 13 sitcom “Iskul Bukol” from 1978 to 1987, which starred Tito, Vic and Joey.

Spanky Manikan, actor Known for his serious roles as a grandfather, priest or father; veteran actor Spanky Manikan passed away last January 14, 2018 at the age of 75, after a battle with lung cancer.

It was in August 2017 when Manikan found out about his illness and immediately under-

went chemotherapy.

He was last seen in the 2017 GMA 7 primetime series “My Love From the Star” with then new actor, Gil Cuerva.

Pitoy Moreno, fashion designer The fashion czar of the Philippines Pitoy Moreno passed away last January 15 due to cardiac arrest. He was 87 years old.

The internationally renowned fashion designer was known for his creations of the barong tagalog and Maria

Clara gowns since the 1950s, using local fabric such as jusi, pina and lepanto.

His work has been in the pages of international fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Holiday, Le Figaro, and Women’s Wear Daily.

Other personalities who also passed away last year were former actress Alona Alegre (December 9), William Thayer Jr, who was an assistant director for the GMA 7 primetime series “Onanay” (September 14); veteran character actor Nonong de Andres (who was known in showbiz as “Bangkay”); director Christopher Ad Castillo, son of the late Celso Ad Castillo (August 19); director Mike Relon (October 11); and veteran film director Arturo “Boy” San Agustin.

Veteran actor Spanky Manikan passed away last January 14, 2018 at the age of 75, after a battle with lung cancer.

TJ Cruz passed away six months after his fight with pancreatic cancer. He is shown in photo with his dad, actor Tirso Cruz III. (Photo from Instagram @tirsocruziii)

Veteran stage and movie actor Bernardo Bernardo said goodbye on May 8, 2018 at the age of 73.

Aiko Melendez was awarded Best Supporting Actress at the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival for the movie “Rainbow’s Sunset.”

Dennis Trillo bagged the Best Actor award at the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival for his role in the movie, “One Great Love.”

The family of singer Richard Merck are asking for prayers for his healing and recovery. Richard has been in the hospital due to cerebral atrophy and other underlying illnesses.

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

The Total Entertainer Rico J. Puno passed away last October 30, 2018 due to cardiac arrest.

PSYCHIC

community

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 4, 2019

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

A JOURNEY THAT FELT LIKE GOING “TO HELL AND BACK” REACHES A HAPPY CONCLUSION WITH ATTY. MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL’S HELP. Roselyn (center) married her U.S. citizen husband and acquired her green card. Unfortunately, their love did not last forever, and Roselyn left her abusive husband. Unknowingly, she became involved in felony forgery – a crime that made her subject to deportation. When she applied for citizenship, it was denied because of this past crime. After hiring three other attorneys and consulting with Atty. Gurfinkel at least four times, Roselyn decided to finally retain leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch this success story on how Roselyn retained her green card, terminated her deportation, and paved the way for her naturalization in an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Health@Heart PhiliP S. chuA, MD, fAcS, fPcS ONE of the major factors or enhancing conditions in disease formation is tension/ stress. This could be emotional or psychologic stress, or stress from an unhealthy lifestyle, exposure to chemicals, radiation, or other toxic agents in our environment.

Stress, induces thickening of blood and predisposes a person to clot formation in arteries and veins, which increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, and thrombophlebitis in the legs that could send blood clots to the lungs, a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolus. Stress, just like lack of physical exercise, believe it or not, stress is also a significant factor in the development of cancer. For one thing, stress produces hormones that aggravate and magnify stress itself, reduce the level of happy hormones in us, and weakens our immune system. This lowers our resistance to prevent and fight diseases.

Living a healthy lifestyle, which includes relaxation and stress reduction strategy, is

Tension and diseases

like taking good care of any household appliance or electronic gadget, or of our vehicles with regular tune-up and oil change, to reduce stress and premature wear and tear and break-down.

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

We live in a complex, hurried and stress-laden society.

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

They now say “Just a sec,” to save a split second of time.

Everything is now, now, now. I have been so guilty of this myself, they call me “Dr. Karon” (Dr. Now) in Cebu. Instead of mailing handwritten letters, we now transmit email messages with lightning speed, domestic and international.

The whole world has shrunken smaller and it seems even the hour has been reduced to less than 60 minutes, and the minute to less than 60 seconds.

We are all in a rat race.

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

For Christmas, a husband and wife colleagues of mine in Cebu gave me four books, among other gifts, when I left for the United States to spend the holidays with my family almost 20 years ago. One of these books was entitled “STOPPING.” Reading that book while on my international flight opened my mind and my eyes, and provided me a wiser perspective in life, one

If Republicans are ‘pro-immigration,’ why are they so against it?

ONE of the main talking points of Republicans is that they are not “anti-immigration,” but instead are “anti-illegal immigration.” They speak about how it is unfair that people come to the U.S. by crossing the border or overstay, break our immigration laws, and expect to be rewarded with legalization. They emphasize that the people who “play by the rules,” wait their turn in line, etc., are the ones who are deserving of legalization.

What I have found is that even when people follow the rules, the USCIS has several policies and procedures reflecting a bias against legal immigration and those trying to follow the rules.

For example, when a person has already obtained an approval of an H-1B visa, and files for an extension, there is no assurance the extension will be approved, even if the person fully complied with the terms of his visa. Officers have been instructed to dig and investigate, sometimes serving requests for evidence (RFE) that are several pages long, requiring a mountain of documents and other proof, even though the original H-1B petition had already been approved.

In other situations, when a person is applying for a green card, and the case is denied for some reason, even on a techni-

cality such as a missing document that was inadvertently left out, the case could be denied without an RFE, and USCIS could already place the person in deportation/removal by issuing a notice to appear (NTA).

A person who is a mere overstay and is seeking to legalize his or her status, is now considered an “enforcement priority,” along with felons, gang members, terrorists, etc.

So, it appears everyone is an enforcement priority.

Many years ago, the mission statement of INS was to try to find ways to approve cases.

Since USCIS took over INS’ functions, the attitude seems to be to suspect and investigate, and look for ways to deny cases if possible. That is hardly a “pro-immigration” attitude.

Immigration judges have been instructed to quickly process deportation/removal cases.

Their performance reviews are based on quotas for the number of cases they can process.

Judges are instructed to not continue cases (even if a person may be seeking a continuance because an immigration benefit is in process, and if approved, the person could get a green card), or they should reopen cases that had been previously administratively closed.

That is why it is important that whenever a person is applying for an immigration

benefit, they should seek the advice of an attorney, who can evaluate their case and situation, and possibly assist them in applying for benefits, because even though we’re being told the administration is pro-legal immigration, it appears they are tough with both those who are illegal as well as those trying to get legal. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES

that I never had the time to stop for and realize.

Looking back, from the time I stepped out of high school and the 18 years of college, medical schooling, internship, residency training and fellowship that followed, and then the hectic medical practice thereafter, I was always on the expressway of my life. Somehow, the speedy

lane was the only path and direction I knew. I was caught in the vicious cycle of work, work and work, unwittingly sacrificing the beauty of life itself. It now seems that part of my life had passed me by as I was whirling away, barely noticing it.

Not experiencing every minute of our life and savoring its beauty and wonders

is really missing it all. And it would indeed be a great pity if, in the twilight years of our life, we woke up one morning and wondered “where have the all years gone by? Did I enjoy life to the fullest, or did I miss it all?”

Stopping is the way to get back to the right track in life and to have a life. Although

(Advertising Supplement)

Continued on Page SF7

SF6

people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 4, 2019

Calendar of Events across

America

ATTY. LILLI BERBANO BACULI, ESQ

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 5

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

Sponsorship packages available at faccgla.org.

JA N UA RY 1 8

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

JA N UA RY 1 9

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

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

Change in lifestyle tops celebs’...

From Page SF3 ones.

Inah De Belen: My New Year’s resolution is to be a better version of myself. I want to make better decisions in my life, work out again and sleep early. I also want to explore more aspects of my craft, which is acting, and prepare for the projects I will be doing soon.

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

Paul Salas: I will try to sleep early and practice being a morn-

ing person. I’d like to be able to do more for the day. And I know waking up early is also good for the body.

Pauline Mendoza: I want to welcome the New Year with

a fresh start. My resolution is to love and take care of myself more. I will enjoy life, and be more contented and appreciative of what I have and of what I will receive.

Jackie Rice

GMA photo

Pauline Mendoza

GMA photo

From Page SF2

Manny Mogato & Mariel Padilla: Getting to know the Filipino 2018 Pulitzer Prize winners (By Momar G. Visaya)

Clare Baldwin and Andrew R.C. Marshall

old graduate student of journalism at Columbia University, also won as she was part of

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

the team at the Cincinnati Enquirer that covered the deadly opioid crisis in Cincinnati.

Concept artist Anthony Francisco on the Filipino influences in ‘Black Panther’ & his contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (By Christina M. Oriel)

Fil-Am Anthony Francisco, senior visual development artist on Marvel Studioʼs Visual Development team.

AJPress photo by Noel Ty

SAN Diego is “military town” and Navy and Marine Corps families abound, as well as retirees from different branches of our military.

The military life is a test of resilience and grit for many families with divorce as almost an expectation rather than the exception.

The following seeks to address or clarify some common misconceptions about military divorce. We urge individuals considering divorce to seek a licensed, competent, and experienced attorney to help guide them through the maze.

“I found out my wife had an affair while on deployment.

I want to file for Divorce but she does not want to. But it’s all her fault.”

California is a no-fault divorce state. A party filing for divorce does not need the consent of the other in order to file a Petition for Dissolution (Divorce) or, in some instances, to get a judgment of divorce.

Note that the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) gives military members a wide range of legal protections not available to the general public, such as postponing court proceedings. This includes divorce and child support. In general, the SCRA covers all active duty servicemembers, reservists and the members of the National Guard while on active duty.

“What? I have to share my retirement earnings? This is mine!!”

Generally, all of your assets prior the marriage is just your own separate property. However, California is a community property state and so once

you get married, all property acquired during marriage is community property. And if anything out of the community property is used towards separate property, the community might turn out to have a claim on part(s) of separate property. Separate property are “all property acquired before marriage; all gifts, bequests, devise, or descents. All property acquired or exchanged with traceable separate property; and all property acquired after separation.”

For military retirement purposes, the portion of retirement earned during marriage before separation is considered community property. A spouse is eligible to receive a portion of the military spouse’s retirement no matter how long they were married so long as the military spouse was earning retirement benefits while they were married. The Court may divide “disposable” retired pay, which is the “gross” monthly retired pay minus certain deductions.

“S/he is the one who left our family. I shouldn’t have to pay support.”

Issues of marital infidelity and family support can be handled directly within the military, with each military branch having their own guidelines. In California however, since this is a no-fault divorce state. There is no assignment of blame or fault; fault does not factor in the equation in the issue of support. Some of the factors that the Court will look at to determine whether there is basis for support, and if so, in what amount, are – length of marriage, age of parties, if there are minor children in the marriage, income of both parties.

“I’m smart enough to han-

dle my own divorce. Why do I need an attorney?”

You don’t need an attorney.

There is no requirement that you must have an attorney.

However, in cases involving issues such as military divorce, domestic violence, custody disputes, child support, spousal support, and division of community property assets it would be wise to seek advice from a licensed and experienced attorney so as not to waste your time and money, not to mention the court’s time and resources, especially when you have to keep going back to court because of incomplete or missing documents that could have been addressed from the very beginning by a competent and knowledgeable attorney.

Not all divorce cases are the same. It is important to be properly informed about your rights and responsibilities under California law in divorce proceedings. The wrong advice or information can and will hurt you, and waste your time and money. Consult a licensed and experienced family law attorney to help you navigate through your divorce. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www.chuatinsayvega.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

For Vice Ganda, granting mom’s wishes is greatest achievement

by NIÑA V. GUNO Inquirer.net

A look back at the...

The Pulitzer Prize is the highest and most prestigious award in journalism, literature and music composition.

Earlier this year, Manny Mogato, 55, won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, alongside his Reuters colleagues, Clare Baldwin and Andrew R.C. Marshall, for their relentless reporting that exposed the brutal killing campaign behind Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. With this feat, Mogato became the first Philippine-based journalist to do so after 75 years when Carlos P. Romulo won it way back in 1942.

Mariel Padilla, a 23-year-

California divorce with a twist: The military spouse

The CTV Files

“Black Panther” broke a handful of records, including being one of the top grossing films in the United States, and was historic for its representation of minority actors and characters on the big screen.

In addition to the influences of African heritage throughout “Black Panther,” the uniform for the Dora Milaje (Wakanda’s all-female special forces) was partially inspired by the Ifugao tribe in the Philippines — thanks to Fil-Am Anthony Francisco, senior visual development artist on Marvel Studio’s Visual Development team.

Francisco has worked on a handful of films, such as “Spider-Man” (2002), “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” “Thor: Ragnarok” (Loki), “Ant-Man,” “Doctor Strange,” and “The

Chronicles of Riddick,” “AntMan and the Wasp,” “Captain Marvel,” and “Avengers: Infinity War.” “As a concept artist, the most important thing in design is to research. The more things you know, the more things you could remix into your design and know what’s been done and make sure you know how to blend different influences,” he said, adding that the final sketches for the Dora Milaje, were “75 percent African [primarily the Ndebele, Dinka and Maasai tribes], 10 percent samurai Japanese armor, 5 percent Filipino, 5 percent Native American and 5 percent Medieval armor — spin those tribal ideas and make it futuristic modern armor…but push it [to be] even more high-tech.”

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

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

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

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

But not everything went quite smoothly, he revealed.

“I didn’t know we had to book online to get access inside the church. So I asked a friend for help. Unfortunately only one could get inside.

“And like a parent to a child I am now patiently waiting for her to finish her ‘field trip’ inside

Vice Ganda with his mom during their trip in Spain.

Photo from Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin

the Sagrada Familia. I am the happiest son right now!”

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

“To be able to grant my Nanay’s wishes as she gets older is [a] big deal for me,” he stated.

“Vice Ganda is accomplished.

Tutoy is successful. This is how I end my 2018.”

“Tutoy” is Vice’s childhood name. When he marked the 7th year of his talk show “Gandang Gabi Vice” last June 2018, he

said he would rather be Tutoy than Vice Ganda. “Tutoy is my nanay’s source of joy, I will forever be Tutoy.”

He said he could lose everything except his true self: “Kaya ‘di pwedeng mawala si Tutoy kasi s’ya ‘yung kasiyahan ng nanay ko (Tutoy cannot be lost because he is my mom’s happiness), and that’s the most important thing in this world.”

On New Year’s Eve of 2017, Vice Ganda brought joy to his Nanay when he surprised her with a visit to San Francisco.

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

by KRISTINE JOY PATAG Philstar.com

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

Liza ranked fourth this year on TC Candler’s The Independent Critics “Most Beautiful Face” list. Last year, she was hailed as the most beautiful face.

For this year, Liza comes after Israeli model Yael Shelbia, K-pop girl group TWICE’s Chou Tzuyu and French model Thylane Blondeau, who is hailed Liza Soberano Continued on Page SF7 Photo from Instagram/@lizasoberano

Nadine Lustre Photo from Instagram/@nadine

Support Walnut Creek Recreation’s Senior Transportation program by volunteering as a driver or passenger assistant

YOU can help Walnut Creek seniors get where they need to go - from doctors’ appointments to grocery shopping to social events! The Senior Mini Bus offers over 3,000 rides per year thanks to volunteer drivers.

Drivers and passenger assistants volunteer for a regularly scheduled weekday shift of approximately 4 hours (Monday - Friday, either 8:30

a.m.-12 p.m. for AM shift or 12:30-4 p.m. for PM shift). Substitute drivers are also needed to fill in when regularly scheduled drivers are unavailable — this is a flexible commitment that depends on the program needs.

Application process: • Fill out a volunteer application and submit to Stacy Miller at smiller@walnut-creek. org or by mail to 1375 Civic

the final event with remarkable equanimity.

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

The solution is always the same when one is overwhelmed and paralyzed.

With too many items in one’s bucket list, pare it down to bite sizes. Make a molehill out of a mountain.

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

Do the most important things first, the one that is near and dear to your heart.

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

For now, select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech

Tension and diseases...

From Page SF5 in a zip and zoom modes, we sometimes have to put the brakes on, even if the inertia throws us overboard and wakes us up. Stopping the vertiginous circus, in order to live again, seems to be the saner and healthier way. For many of us it might be difficult to simply “slow down” gradually, because the habit we have developed over the years had conditioned our mind and body to “full speed ahead,” and reducing the pace only leads to a poor compromise.

What we have to do is to just STOP as I have just learned from that book. At least to reorient our bearings in life and review our priorities.

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

Stopping the vicious cycle of work, work, work does not mean quitting work altogether.

All we simply have to do is to punctuate at a pre-scheduled intervals this unending circle of

work with “nonwork-related, fun-filled, pure-play” activities we have always wanted to do alone, or with our loved ones, “if we only had the time.”

Time management is not limited to our job, even in this mega-trendy times. It also applies, and more appropriately so, to our life and to our happiness. After all, we are here on earth to be fulfilled and to be happy. And happiness is not the destination in life.

Happiness is the journey itself.

Let’s enjoy it to the fullest.

Savor Life Let us not hurry to our graves by casting recklessly our fate Not much time to abuse and waste, let all the empty gravesites wait Savor life’s overflowing cup and every second we have left Time pauses not for any man Mortals can’t amend God’s plan.

(PSC Houston 1972) *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is a medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States.

Websites: FUN8888.com, philipSchua. com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com (Advertising Supplement)

Liza Soberano...

From Page SF6 as “The Most Beautiful Face” in 2018.

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

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

Other Filipinas who made it

on the list in 2018 were Nadine Lustre whose rank went up to the 78th spot from the 70th last year, and Jessy Mendiola who is at the 55th spot, 16 places higher than last year’s 71st spot.

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

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

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

speak, this means before your life’s energy goes into ‘low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.

Next week: An idea for The Bucket List … *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc. com. To read past articles, click on the link Online: http://issuu.com/ asianjournaldigitaledition or you can do searches in the least invasive search engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even before google.

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 4, 2019

Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 • Schedule an in-person or phone interview • Submit a driver’s history record from the DMV • Shadow another driver at least 2 times before starting your own shift For more information about volunteering, please contact Stacy Miller at smiller@walnut- The new officers of FACCC which was founded in 1975. creek.org or (925) 943-5899 ext. 2123.

The Bucket List...

From Page SF3 NOT a scenario most people would choose. But we now refer to the bucket list as your TO DO LIST before the end.

You groan, perhaps not because of the thought of dying itself, but because there is just too many in your bucket list, so little time, low levels of personal energy and scant resources. SIGH… There’s also this thing called Legacy – a big word but it only means ‘What do you leave behind?’ Those anointed by grace to live large will have streets and schools named after them, marble statues on a town square or etched on the side of a mountain like Mount Rushmore. But for ordinary people, great memories frozen in still photos and videos and some intangible influence beyond death would be enough.

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

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

people & events

Photo by Cip Ayalin

FACCC, Inc. 2018-2020 officers

SAN PABLO, CA — The new officers of the FilipinoAmericans of Contra Costa County, Inc. (FACCC) for 2018-2020 were installed during their Christmas dinner Dec. 15 at the Rockefeller Lodge in San Pablo.

Hercules Councilman Roland Esquivias was the inducting officer which included the following: Romeo Serranzana, president; Fil Obmerga and Rey Calub, first and second vice presidents, respectively; Adoracion Nues, secretary; Lolit Obmerga, treasurer; Araceli dela Cruz, assistant treasurer; Mandy Villanueva, auditor; Cip Ayalin, public

relations officer. Sgt.-atarms are Rick Llamado, Joe Medrano, Roy de Leon and Fernando Poquiz.

Board of directors are Lito Villanueva, chairman; Victoria Bautista, vice chair; Vicky Calub, board secretary; Rollie Rosette, Ernie dePaz, Nemy Bautista, Flor Malicse, James McCabe and Frank Palomares.

Hercules Councilmember and former Mayor Myrna Devera was the guest speaker who spoke on involving more Filipino Americans into the political process even starting in the commissioner level. She said that she enjoyed her 13

years in the Hercules council starting in the planning commission. She is not running for any office as she is stepping down at the end of this year.

Councilman Esquivias will be the Hercules vice mayor in January.

Fr. Geoffrey Baraan, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Pinole led the invocation. He also mentioned that with a growing Fil-Am community in the area that this group could connect and attract more members to help their immediate community. He was appointed an honorary member by past president Victoria Bautista.

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The As ian Jour na l SF M A G A Z I NE - J a nua ry 4 , 2 0 1 9