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w w w. a s i a n Volume 24 - No. 51 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

.com T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c A n c o m m u n i T y n e w s pA p e r

jaNuary 5-11, 2018 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEw YORk/NEw JERSEY

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Palace: Pres. Duterte not extending term

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

for Philippine President rodrigo Duterte, the idea of prolonging his term beyond 2022 is “out of [the] question.” rather than extending his term, Palace spokesperson harry roque said that Duterte prefers to step down ahead of the expiration of his tenure should the push for a federal form of government succeeded. “the president has no wish to extend his term,” roque told reporters in a briefing on Wednesday, January 3.

“If the Constitution can be amended, to provide for federalism and to provide for provisions that would strengthen public accountabil- DAVAO GUESTS. President Rodrigo Duterte greets Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials who paid a courtesy call at the Presidential Guest House Palace spokesperson Harry Roque

DATELINE

Malacañang photo

USA

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in Panacan, Davao City on Wednesday, January 3.

Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo

The year that was 2017: A review by aSian Journal

Team

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

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

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

All of these, including the upgrade of numerous facilities in the country so that more tourists are able to come and visit the various islands, are part of “Dutertenomics.” for 2018, funding of P1.13 trillion would be allocated for projects under trIP which would cover infrastructure projects for transportation, water resources, sewerage and sanitation, flood management, solid waste management, maritime, social infrastructure, energy, information communications technology and others. the “Build, Build, Build” team of the Duterte administration includes secretary mark villar of the Department of Public Works and highways (DPWh), finance secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Budget secretary Benjamin Diokno, transportation secretary Arthur tugade, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president vince Dizon and NeDA chief ernesto Pernia, among others. together, they announced the administration’s major projects at an investment and infrastructure forum held in manila last April.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Philippines President Rodrigo As far as the Department of tourism (Dot) is con-

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

Both the Philippines and the United states had presidents who became controversial because of their respective leadership styles. Disasters (natural and manmade) also changed people’s lives forever, and continued to the Philippines is among nine countries push for discussions about climate change, violence that can avail of at least $100 million in fund- and gun control. the Asian Journal looks back at the past year’s most ing from the United Nations in 2018 for unpressing news it has covered through this yearend rederfunded or “forgotten” emergencies. the funds will come from the UN Central view. emergency response fund (Cerf), a voluntary fund pool that supports critical relief operations in crises around the world.

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

Aside from the Philippines, the other countries are the Democratic republic of the Congo, Uganda, tanzania, Cameroon, mali, eritrea, haiti and Pakistan.

Under the grant program, the Cerf invites partners to identify projects that could qualify

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Poll: Trump 2nd most favorable world leader for Filipinos

Duterte during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit held in Manila in November last year.

Malacañang photo

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

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

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Trump’s first year in office

The Asian Journal’s yearend report

Philstar.com photo

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

by Klarize

meDenilla/AJPress

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

U.s. President Donald Pres. Donald Trump White House photo trump’s first year as president was nothing, if not, exhaustingly eventful. Whether he was causing a storm on twitter or announcing new policies which shocked the nation (often simultaneously), it’s no doubt that he accomplished many of his campaign promises. finishing off the year with a 32 percent approval rating — a historic low for any president’s first year, according to Pew research Center — the trump administration saw many highlights.

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

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

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

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

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

If Congress can convene by January, Alvarez said the proposed new federal charter can be submitted for referendum simultaneously with the barangay elections in may 2018.

“Pag-trabahohin lang, walang imposible, kayang gawin yun (it’s not impossible if we’ll work on it. We can do it),” he added. the house speaker also expressed optimism that senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel will support the proposed shift as the latter is the president of the ruling Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party, which advocates federalism.

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

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www.TravelTradeConsumer.com Asian Journal’s series of annual events showcasing tourism, trade, and business opportunities in the USA and Philippines.

A

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

january 5-11, 2018 • OC/IE aSIan jOurnaL

From the Front Page

PH can get $100-M from UN for underfunded...

PAGE A1 under CERF’s guidelines for underfunded emergencies.

The CERF defines “underfunded emergencies” as crises that cannot be funded sufficiently by governments and appear to have been “forgotten.”

While local nongovernment organizations cannot directly receive funds from the CERF, they are encouraged to get involved

in the process because they often serve as implementing partners.

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

Protracted crises from longrunning conflicts and the impact

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

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

The fund allocated almost $130 million to help prevent famine in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.

The fund also supported relief responses such as those for Palestine refugees in Gaza, for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, and those affected by hurricanes “Irma” and “Maria” in the Caribbean.

Created in 2005, the CERF is managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (Dona Z. Pazzibugan/ Inquirer.net)

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

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

Palace: Pres. Duterte not extending...

PAGE A1 ity, he has said, he is willing to cut short his term. So the idea of prolonging his term is out of the question,” he added.

The Palace official made the statement in the wake of pronouncements made by Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III that Duterte may extend his term beyond 2022 “if necessary” and “if he is amenable to it” during the country’s possible transition to federalism.

But even if extending the president’s term would be allowed in the new Constitution, Roque clarified that Duterte is

already averse to the idea. “[Duterte] has said it before.

If we can amend the Constitution and provide for provisions that will minimize graft and corruption, he will even resign prior to the end of his term of office in 2022,” Roque stressed.

The Palace official also made it clear that midterm elections in 2019 will push through as mandated by the Constitution.

“The president is the chief implementor of the Constitution and the laws of the land, unless and until the Constitution is amended and ratified by

the people, elections will push through in 2019,” he said.

Malacañang likewise assured the public that the upcoming 2019 midterm elections under the present 1987 Constitution will be “credible” and “honest.”

Earlier, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez floated the idea of the possible cancellation of midterm elections in 2019 if the proposed shift to federalism gets approved this year.

Noting that the senators have different term expirations, the House speaker also remarked that it is only practi-

cal to extend their terms until 2022 for a transitory period.

He stressed, however, that the matter depends of the decision that will be made by the constituent assembly.

Concerning the possibility of prolonging Duterte’s term, Alvarez remarked that the president had already dismissed the idea.

“Malinaw po ang sinabi ng pangulo na yung kanyang termino mag-e-end (The president clearly stated that his term will end) on or before 2022,” Alvarez told DZMM in an interview on Thursday, January 4. n

Charter change, shift to federalism among 2018...

PAGE A1 “This is a question of patriotism kung ano ‘yung tama at kung ano ‘yung kailangan sa bayan (and what is right and what the country needs),” Alvarez said.

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

Noting that the senators have different term expirations, the

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

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

He went on to say, “Yung senators kasi, ‘yung termino nila, ‘di ba hindi ‘yan sabay-sabay na nage-expire. May mag-e-expire sa

2019, may mag-e-expire sa 2022.

In fairness, maganda siguro kung ipa-expire mo lahat sa 2022 para wala ka nang utang (The expiration of the terms of the senators are the not the same for all. Some will expire on 2019, while some in 2022. In fairness, it is probably good to expire all on 2022 so there are no more debts).”

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

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

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

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

Poll: Trump 2nd most favorable world...

PAGE A1 been in office for just over a year, President Trump does not poll so favourably,” GIA said.

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

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

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

On the other hand, Pope Francis recorded the highest level of

PAGE A1

favorability in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, having a net score +80 in the country.

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

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

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

Putin ranked third most favorable worldwide, with 47 percent favorable and 27 percent unfa-

vorable.

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

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

Worldwide, Xi garnered a net score of +6.

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

Trump’s first year in office

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

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

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

Travel ban to make America safe again?

For his major first act as presi-

dent, Trump decided to tackle an oft-mentioned issue of his presidential campaign: immigration.

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

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

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

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

DREAMers react to rescission of DACA Despite previously promising

to protect undocumented youth, the president announced the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in September.

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

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

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

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

As previously reported in the Asian Journal, Congress has agreed to push back conversations on a solution for DREAMers PAGE A3

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Dateline USa

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 5-11, 2018

Trump’s first year in office

Artwork by Jillian PeĂąalosa

The Asian Journal’s yearend...

PAGE A1 cerned on the other hand, it is about getting the tourists from around the world visit the country.

It also launched the Bring Home A Friend project in 2017 in order to entice more visitors as well as enticing all Filipinos to become tourism ambassadors themselves.

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

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

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

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

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

Boracay, Cebu, and Palawan were ranked as the top three best islands in the world, according to Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2017. Boracay was ranked first in the survey, while Cebu and Palawan placed second

and third, respectively. The three Philippine islands bested some popular destinations such as Mallorca and Ibiza in Spain; Cayman Islands; Mauritius; Mykonos and Santorini in Greece; and Bali, Indonesia.

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

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

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

Palawan

tourism. (Jennifer Soriano) PH hosts ASEAN Summit with Trump, Duterte meeting in person for first time Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had his first bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on November 13 in Manila.

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

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

Prior to their meeting, Trump hailed his “great relationship� with Duterte, saying he “really enjoyed� being in the Philippines.

Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lima, Peru and Machu Picchu 0D\ WR 0D\ would go to pick it up himself. That was the news May 21 (Monday - Day 1) Los Angeles/Buenos Aires, Argentina (LA 601 agent Bergoglio phoned when he was elected as the Pope to cancel Newspaper delivery.

LAXLIM 2130 -0750) Finally we will visit San Ignacio de Loyola church, the first adobe church and the most ancient one in May 22 (Tuesday - Day 2) Buenos Aires, it was built by the Jesuits in 1675 and Buenos Aires (LA 7901 0931 1556) Meet our tour escort, panoramic tours on the way to a declared Historic Monument in 1942. He assumed the position of Superior in this Order until he was elected restaurant for Lunch, at EL Porteno Restaurant, located overlooking the river in Puerto Madero then as the Pope. to Hotel. (D) Tango Show with dinner this evening.

May 24 (Thursday - Day 4) Buenos Aires/Lujan Visit the Basilica of Lujan with Lunch Private Services May 23 (Wednesday – Day 3) Buenos Aires Half day city tour of Buenos Aires, will give us an idea with English Speaking Guide - Full Day (8hs 120 kms) about the Demographic,Architectural and Historic Depart from hotel toward the city of Lujan, situated 68 km. from the city of Buenos Aires. This locality, characterisitics of Buenos Aires.

Sightseeing includes the Principal spots of the City, considered sacred, developed around the Sanctuary Like Plaza De Mayo,La Rosada,The Cathedral,Avenue of the Virgin of Lujan, and always a center of 9 of July, Theater Colon, Obelisco, National Congress, pilgrimages. Each year in October, there takes The Neighborhood of “La Boca� with its traditional and place an important pilgrimage of the young in the colorful “Ciminito Street�,Plaza San Martin, Recoleta direction of the monumental church, the Basilica of Our Lady of Lujan, which faces the Plaza Belgrano.

Cemetery And the Gardens of Palermo.

Afternoon tours recreates the life and work of Pope The actual cathedral, with gothic lines, began Francis,during this tour we will discover the real Jorge construction in 1889 but was concluded in 1937.

Mario Bergoglio also known as Pope Francis. He has It’s an impressive architectural example as much always been focused on the simplicity of his way of for its facade as for its interior design. Aside from living .He was born in 1936 in the middle or lower appreciating the majestic cathedral, during the tour class neighborhood like Flores, son of italian worker, expect to visit the Historic Colonial Museum, located in the old church that contains a valuable collection his father was a railroader, a humble man.

Our first stop is at the neo classical San Jose De of arms and uniforms, objects of art history, colonial Flores Church, where he used to pray as a teenager. silversmithing, indigineous and gaucho arts and the Nearby this Church we can find the house where the Museum of Transport that presents a vast collection of Pope and four siblings grew up with their Parents, carriages, airplanes and the first steam locomotive of the country, named “La Portena.� During the course Regina Maria Sivori and Mario Bergoglio.

In this area we will also admire Maria Auxiliadora of the visit, there will be lunch at a local restaurant.

Basilica and San Carlos Borromeo Church where the In the afternoon begin the return toward the city of Pope was baptized Christmas of 1936, here you can Buenos Aires and finally the hotel. (B,L,D) appreciate the font. In the 70th Anniversary of his baptism, the church hung a frame with the copy of May 25 (Friday - Day 5) AM departure Buenos the record of the parish book, where you can see his Aires to Lima, Peru (2428 EZELIM 0750 1050) sacramental record (you will be able to see it during Arrive in Lima. A transportation Service with a guide the evening mass). A curious thing about this church will pick us up from the airport and transfer us to is that Carlos Gardel frequented this church and was our Hotel Lunch, will be in a local restaurant, try the part of the choir at the beginning of the 20th century, delicious Pollo a la Brasa.

After Lunch will start the tour en route to downtown. you can see a memorial plaque.

The Image of Maria Auxiliadora is also important, for We will first go to the Birth house of San Martin De San Lorenzo because Lorenzo Massa was inspired Porres, currently an institution of Social Assistance to by the blue cape of the Virgin to design the team´s the underprivileged that bears his name. t-shirt. This t-shirt was worn by Los Forzosos del There is a small Museum dedicated to St Martin, the Almagro, the first name the team received. These chapel located in the room where he was born and colors have identified the club through history. Then then the dining room, where lunch is served free to the elderly.If you wish to bring any donations, it will be we continue to San Antonio Church.

Heading downtown, the tour passes by the Jesuit very appreciated and welcome.

College of El Salvador, where Bergoglio taught We will visit the Saint Rose of Lima Church. Visit Santo literature and psychology in the 1960s, and Salvador Domingo Convent ,where the first Peruvian Saints are University which he later oversaw. We will also pass Buried: Saint Martin De Porres and Saint Rose of

by Santa Catalina church, which was the first women Lima. Dinner then return to the hotel.

Monastery in Buenos Aires City and one of oldest and May 26 (Saturday - Day 6) Lima Fly to Cusco most prestigious convent.

The tour ends at Plaza de Mayo where we will walk (LA 2043 LIMCUZ 1455-1612) around the area and see Buenos Aires Archbishopric After breakfast, guided tour of both the colonial and where Bergoglio lived until he was elected pope, the modern sections of Lima, City of Kings�. Colonial Metropolitan Cathedral, which looks more like a Lima includes a visit to the Main Square, located in the classical Greek temple than a typical Catholic church. heart of downtown to view the Government Palace, There, Bergoglio eventually presided as the City’s the Town Hall, The “Desamparados� Train Station ,the archbishop. Inside the imposing building there is the old streets with their vice royal mansions and Moorish tomb of the South American independence hero Jose style balconies, the Bishop Palace with its beautiful de San Martin. A new Museum will be set up in one of balconies and the Cathedral of Lima. (Its outstanding the halls to the left of the central nave of the temple, features are the choir stalls, the Churrigueresque the name will be “Jorge M. Bergoglio Cardinal� .The Chapel of the Immaculate, the main altar and a Christ exhibit will include personal and liturgical objects that made of carved ivory). Then walk towards the Aliaga he used during the archbishopric, like ornaments, House – viceregal house delivered by Francisco cassocks and a pastoral staff that the bishops wear Pizarro to one of his captains (Jeronimo de Aliaga) as a representation of their pastoral function. Here you when the city was established – a jewel of colonial will also find the ring that identified him as a cardinal, architecture currently inhabited by family members.

Continue your tour by visiting San Francisco with he decided to give it away to the Cathedral.

Then we will pass by Roverano Passage, the first one its convent (considered to be the most important in the City and where we find Romano Hairdresser’s, religious monument of Lima, built in 1542 in Baroque the one that the pope frequented during 20 years. A style and consecrated in 1673) and the museum short distance away we find the news agent’s where of colonial art, cloisters and catabumbs. Your drive he daily bought the newspaper, and on Sundays he through Lima will pass by several Colonial squares,

churches and mansions, and then you will continue to the Modern Districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, for a glimpse of life in this huge city, as well as its beautiful parks, modern buildings and great ocean views. After lunch transfer to the Airport for the flight to Cusco.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.

In the evening you will be transferred to local restaurant for Dinner show.

Accommodation at Hilton Garden Inn – Superior Room Meals included: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner May 27 (Sunday - Day 7) Lima - Cusco (Pls Schedule Sunday Mass) Early morning, transfer to Sunday Mass.

Rest of the morning Free time. Take the remainder of the morning to nap or relax as you adjust to Cusco high altitude.

In the afternoon your guided tour of the Inca Royal City of Cusco starts in the very impressionable Plaza de Armas, which is surrounded by a beautiful stone arcade. In the Plaza is the Cathedral, with outside façade in Renaissance style is in contrast to its Baroque and plateresque style of its interiors.

The Convent of Santo Domingo was built above the most important Inca Temple, the Temple of the Sun, or Koricancha. Near the City of Cusco, you will visit the Inca Fortress Sacsayhuaman, made up of three gigantic terraces, superimposed in a zigzag form.

Qenqo, was a religious centre formed by a singular flowering of calcareous rock. It has underground galleries and a semicircular amphitheater with a series of stone seats.

Nearby is a Tambomachay, well known as Baths of the Incas, a place dedicated to the cult of the water, formed by aqueducts, channels.

Stop at Pisac Market for a display of colorful native craftsmanship, enjoy Lunch in Urubamba and head for temple of the sun.

Accommodation at Hilton Garden Inn – Superior Room Meals included: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner May 28 (Sunday - Day 8) Cusco - Sacred Valley Your tour will start en route to the Sacred Valley, Where you will visit Awanakancha, a farm of South America camelids and showroom of textiles, where local families show the entire traditional process of weaving and making garments. You will then visit the Pisac citadel, a town shaped as a partridge, which is known for two reasons: for the craft market established between colonial buildings and for housing one of the most impressive complex of agricultural terraces of the valley. The market has scores of stands that exhibit and sell products manufactured by the residents of the area.

You will then have lunch at the agreed restaurant and will arrive in Ollantaytambo, a typical example of the urban planning of the Incas, whose residents still live in accordance with their old traditions. Pachacutec (1438-1471) conquered the town, destroyed it and built a new one, absorbing it as part of his empire.

The Ollantaytambo fortress is a huge archaeological complex which, although it bears the name of fortress, it was actually a tambo, a leisure city used to accommodate the delegations that traveled long distances. Without a doubt, it is one of the most monumental works of the Inca Empire.

Accommodation at Casa Andina Private Collection Urubamba – Superior room.

Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel, Lunch *Important – Tonight, please pack an overnight bag for your journey to Machu Picchu. Due to luggage restrictions aboard the trains to/from Machu Picchu, passengers may only take 1 small bag weighing no more than 5 kg (11 lbs.). The rest of your luggage will be taken to Cusco city and will be stored at your selected hotel. You will retrieve your luggage on May 30

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AJPress photo by Gemma Fabro

Both leaders also lauded the “enduring� alliance between the Philippines and the United States, which they said were “built on a strong foundation of shared values, sacrifices, and history.�

With the Philippines as this year’s chair, MalacaĂąang said it considers the country’s hosting of the 31st ASEAN Summit a “tremendous success.â€? During summits and sideline meetings, world leaders discussed hot topics from economic integration to security issues and territorial disputes. Among the centerpiece of the Philippines’ chairmanship include the beginning of negotiations between China and ASEAN countries for a code of conduct in the highly disputed South China Sea, as well as the signing of signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Hong Kong and ASEAN countries. In his meeting with Duterte, Trump also agreed to consider signing an FTA with the Philippines. (Dana Sioson) Duterte tops TIME’s most influential poll Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s popularity reached the whole world when Time Magazine announced that he topped the 100 most influential people poll on April 2017.

In a survey where TIME MagaPAGE A4

PAGE A2 until January 2018, whether it’s a legislative alternative to DACA or a clean DREAM Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship for all eligible undocumented youth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“President Donald Trump wanted to know the facts. Just let that sink in for a moment,� renowned journalist Anderson Cooper said on CNN on August 15. “If there is anything we already know about this president, is that he does not wait for facts to become clear before speaking. Has any president in modern history lied so fast and so frequently as this one?�

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

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

In a tweet released in July, Trump’s son, Donald Trump, Jr., revealed that during the campaign, he corresponded with a tabloid reporter Rob Goldstone about a Kremlin-connected lawyer who claimed to have damaging information on thenDemocratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton that would secure a Trump win. “This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump,� an email from Goldstone said.

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

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

Marian Pilgrimage France, Spain & Portugal

6HSW WR 6HSW ĹĄ 6SLULWXDO 'LUHFWRU 5HY -RKQ 'X\ 1JX\HQ the sisters of charity of Nevers. St Gildard convent Sept 8 - (Saturday - Day 1) USA/PARIS Transatlantic flight from USA to Paris (CDG )Meals is her final resting place. After she was blessed with the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, serve on board.

St. Bernadette retired in Nevers. She received her religious habit in 1866. Continue to Paray-Le-Monial Sept 9 - (Sunday - Day 2) Paris (CDG) Arrived Paris CDG, Then after we clear immigration for Dinner & Overnight (BB, D) and collect our Luggage,. you will proceed to your hotel and have mass and dinner. Overnight in Paris. Sept 13 - (Thursday - Day 6) Paray-Le-Monial (D) After Breakfast, you will tour Paray-Le-Monial. Your first stop is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and Sept 10 - (Monday - Day 3) Paris Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations here you will celebrate Holy Eucharist. Then you will in the world, also known as the City of Light. Full day tour and admire the Romanesque basilica and see touring with local guide, including visit of the Eiffel the Chapel of Apparitions. After the Basilica, you will tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Basilica of Sacre proceed to the Monastere e la Visitation. Visit the Coeur, The chapel of the Miraculous Medal in Rue de reliquary of Saint Margaret Mary of Alocoque at the Bac is the site of Marian Apparitions and contain the Chapel of Visitation. Still to see and visit after lunch reliquaries of St. Catherine Laboure and St. Louise De is the Park of the Chaplain and the Chapel of St. Marillac. The shrine of St. Vincent the Paul is within Colombiere. Dinner & Overnight (BB, D) walking distance, a few blocks from Rue De Bac, visit the chapel which houses the relic of St. Vincent the Sept 14 - (Friday - Day 7) Paray-Le-Monial / Lourdes Paul. Overnight in Paris (BB/D) After breakfast you will continue your pilgrimage to Lourdes. Lourdes, celebrating 160 Years of Sept 11 - (Tuesday - Day 4) Paris/Lisieux After breakfast, Full day in Lisieux, home of St apparitions of Blessed Virgin to Bernadette. Still one Therese, who at age 15, entered the convent and of the great pilgrimages shrines in the world, visited became Carmelite nun, she took the religious name by thousands of pilgrim’s. Arrive in Lourdes in the of St Therese of the child Jesus and the Holy face. late afternoon, orientation to the shrines and spends The spirituality of her little ways was not about some time in the sanctuary. Dinner & overnight. extraordinary things, but rather about doing simple (BB, D) things of life well and with extraordinary love. She believed and taught that “Everything is Grace�, God’s Sept 15 - (Saturday - Day 8) face and presence could be experienced in every Lourdes person and situation of our lives, if we just attend You will have early morning bath at the healing water with love and expectancy. She died at the age of 24 of Lourdes. Then return to the hotel for breakfast. believing that her life was really the beginning for There after attend Holy Mass at the Grotto. continue God, promising to spend her heaven doing good on the day with a walking tour of the shrines and earth, her promised� shower of Roses� began and places associated with the life of St. Bernadette. have become a torrent in the church ever since. Spend some time meditating on the passion of our Return to Paris, Dinner in a restaurant near the hotel. Lord through more than life size exotic way of the sacrament and prayers. Afternoon will be free time for Overnight in Lisieux (BB, D) private devotion. Dinner/overnight (BB, D) Sept 12 - (Wednesday - Day 5) Sept 16 - (Sunday - Day 9) Lisieux / Nevers / Paray-Le-Monial After Breakfast, Continue your drive to the Lourdes / Zaragoza picturesque Loire valley to Nevers, visit the convent After Breakfast, you’ll continue your drive towards of St. Gillard, where St. Bernadette’s incorrupt body Zaragoza, Spain. Visit the shrines of Our Lady of miraculously preserved since her death in 1879. Pillar, the 2nd most popular pilgrimages sites in At the conclusion of the eighteen apparitions of Spain. See the Magnificent altar in the Basilica, built the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, St. Bernadette lived on site where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to for 12 years as a member of the congregation of the apostles St. James, before her assumption into May 29 (Tuesday - Day 9) Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu After Breakfast Board the Vistadome train and travel through the sacred Valley of the Incas on the way to Aguas Calientes, then Hop on the Bus headed to the Citadel, explore Machu Picchu with a Guided tour and admire the seven Wonders of the World, enjoy exploring the sites.

Upon arrival at Machu Picchu’s Aguas Calientes Station, you’ll meet your guide and will take a 30-minute shuttle-bus ride to Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas�. The ruins are located in a lush jungle and are believed to have been built in the mid-15th century by Inca Pachacutec. Lost in history, it was not discovered until 1911 by the merican explorer Hiram Bingham. Enjoy a guided tour of the fabled ruins.

Now Recognized as a member of the new 7 Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a marvelous and famous citadel which combines the visual and spiritual force of magnificent natural scenery with the natural diversity of a historic sanctuary. Machu Picchu is recognized as a Cultural and Natural Patrimony of the World which rises to an altitude of 7,900 feet above sea level between the Huayna Picchu (young peak) and Machu Picchu (old peak). It lies within the spectacular framework provided by the exuberant vegetation of nearby jungle and the rugged landscape. The ruins are situated on the eastern slope of Machu Picchu Mountain in two separate areas – agricultural and

urban. The latter includes the civil sector (dwellings, canalizations) and the sacred sector (temples, mausoleums, squares, royal houses).

Although the constructions show different levels of architecture, the religious buildings exhibits a high degree of perfection. The construction was generally in stone and the roofs were built of tree trunks and thatched with ichu or straw. The walls lean slightly inward to protect against earthquakes.

Later, board the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch.

Overnight at Casa Sel Sol boutique Hotel – Standard room.

Meals include: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner.

heaven. Dinner/overnight Zaragoza (BB, D) Sept 17 - (Monday - Day 10) Zaragoza / Salamanca After breakfast you will embark on a trip to Salamanca. You will have a short stop and panoramic tour of Avila. Upon arrival in Salamanca, you will visit the Old Cathedral and tour the city. Dinner /overnight Salamanca (BB, D) Sept 18 - (Tuesday - Day 11) Salamanca / Fatima After Breakfast, you will spend the first half of the day touring Salamanca. You will visit the new cathedral with a short stop at Plaza Mayor for lunch. After lunch you will continue to Fatima, the famous Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Upon arrival you will have a short orientation tour of the Sanctuary. Attend the nightly Candlelight procession at the Shrine. Dinner and Overnight Fatima (BB, D) Sept 19 - (Wednesday - Day 12) Fatima Breakfast, then Visit the Museum dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary followed by Mass at the Apparitions chapel, Full day Guided tours includes the Shrines ground, visit of the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta in the Basilica, In Aljustrel and Valinhos, you see the two homes of the shepherds, site of Our Lady’s fourth apparitions. Stop at the Parish church where the seers were baptized, and the cemetery where Francisco and Jacinta were once buried. You will do the station of the Cross. We encourage everyone to spend some time in the Blessed Sacrament, which is open every day. Dinner/ overnight Fåtima. (BB, D) Sept 20 - (Thursday - Day 13) Fatima / Lisbon After breakfast ,you will proceed to Lisbon with stops at Santarem to visit the church of the Holy Miracle containing the Glorious 13th century Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem .Then you will do a panoramic city tour of Lisbon, with a visit to the Basilica of St Anthony de Padua, St Jeronimo’s Monastery and the famous Belem Tower. Dinner/Overnight Lisbon (BB, D) Sept 21 - (Friday) Early AM transfer to Lisbon Airport for flight home to USA Full of wonderful memories of Our Pilgrimage

meters in the middle, on which they placed two large wooden boards. Thus, the Incas could isolate the city and protect themselves by removing them.

Later take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, head to the train station and board the Vistadome train Ollantaytambo station. On arrival, you will be transferred to your selected hotel in Cusco city.

Accommodation at Hilton Garden Inn – Superior Room Meals included: Breakfast, dinner at the hotel *Important – The visits to Huayna Picchu have a restricted access to 400 passengers per day – 200 at 7:00 a.m. and 200 at 10:00 a.m. This entrance is subject to availability and the guests have to choose and inform their preferred scheduled with time in advance. Guests’ information such as complete May 30 (Wednesday - Day 10) Machu Picchu name, passport number, nationality, date of birth and pre payment are required to purchase the to Cusco After having breakfast today, you will meet your guide entrance fee. Entrance fees to Huayana Picchu and at the lobby of the hotel and will enjoy a second visit Machu Picchu are non refundable/non endorsable. to Machu Picchu.

You may climb the Wayna Picchu (entrance fee May 31, 2018 (Thursday - Day 11) End of the included), which means “Young Mountain� as opposed tour, flight schedule as below to Machu Picchu. Its ascent takes approximately an 6:10 am Transfer to airport to board your flight to Lima hour and its top attraction is the “Temple of the Moon�, Cusco - Lima- Lax (LA2054 CUZLIM 0840 1010) a complex of underground constructions probably Upon arrival, connect with your international flight used for the elite. You may finally go to the Inca Bridge, LAX ( LA600 LIMLAX 1220 1900) an amazing stone construction which served to enter Welcome Back home to USA or exit the citadel that has an empty space of several

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

january 5-11, 2018 • OC/IE aSIan jOurnaL

The Asian Journal’s yearend...

PAGE A3 zine has asked its readers who should be included in this years’ TIME 100, an annual list of the world’s most influential people, Duterte received 5 percent of “yes” votes in the online poll, ranking well ahead of all other global political leaders. Accordingly, the Philippine president consistently topped the survey which ran from March 24 to April 16, 2017.

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

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

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

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the tax increases will provide a steady revenue stream for the government’s Build Build Build infrastructure program, which is set to reach P9 trillion over the medium term.

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

by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara.

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

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

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

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

On the other hand, human rights groups, such as Amnesty International (AI) and Human Rights Watch (HRW), have repeatedly condemned Duterte’s “brutal” drug war, citing deaths of around 12,000 individuals, including children. According to AI,

more than 50 children have died in “a wave of unlawful killings” in the Philippines. Critics, even Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo herself, claimed the existence of extrajudicial killings in the country despite the repeated denial of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

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

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

“While [Duterte] is not your typical corrupt leader, he has empowered corruption in an innovative way. His death squads have allegedly focused on criminals but, in fact, are less discriminating,” Drew Sullivan, editor for OCCRP and one of the judges for selection, wrote.

(Dana Sioson) Martial law declared in Mindanao amid Marawi crisis Under Proclamation No. 216, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law and suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the entire Mindanao on May 23, 2017 after the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute terrorist group launched a brazen attack on Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. Duterte’s 60-day proclamation was originally set to expire in June 22, but Congress first extended it until the end of 2017.

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

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

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

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

The school-based immunization program led by then-Health Secretary Janette Garin was launched in April 2016, under the administra-

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

Inquirer.net photo

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

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

tion of former President Benigno Aquino III, despite the risks it could pose to Filipinos since studies on its safety were still being conducted that time, causing health experts to raise concerns. Around 800,000 children have been immunized ever since. Issues about the vaccine’s efficacy, safety, cost-efficacy, and alleged anomalies during the procurement process have surfaced from then.

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

Sanofi claimed that new analysis of six years worth of data revealed Dengvaxia could lead to more cases of severe disease when administered to a person who has never been infected. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III suspended the program, saying the DOH will closely monitor the health of all the immunized children in the next five years. Meanwhile, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee began its probe into the dengue vaccine controversy. Aquino, Garin, former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, and former Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. now face graft charges over the dengue vaccine program implemented during their term.

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

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

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

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

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

Marcos submitted 8,000 names in his list of proposed witnesses of alleged electoral fraud in the three ARMM provinces. The decryption and printing of the ballot images for Marcos’ three pilot provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental began on October 23 but was deferred by PET on November 7.

The recount of votes will begin on February 2018. (Ritchel Mendiola) The year of impeachment: Bautista, Sereno and Morales Three top officials of the country, who were appointees of former President Benigno Aquino III, were subjected to impeachment claims almost simultaneously.

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

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

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

Hearings will resume on January 15, 2018, with more justices ex-

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

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

pected to testify.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

costliest on record.

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

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

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

A couple of federal appeals courts have rejected the administration’s request to put on hold orders by lower court judges requiring the military to begin accepting transgender recruits on Jan. 1, 2018. (Momar G. Visaya) Las Vegas shooting On the night of October 1, 2017, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. Paddock fired more than 1,100 rounds from his suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, leaving 58 people dead and 546 injured. An hour after his last shot into the crowd, he was found dead in his room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“This reckoning appears to have sprung up overnight. But it has actually been simmering for years, decades, centuries. Women have had it with bosses and co-workers who not only cross boundaries but don’t even seem to know that boundaries exist.

They’ve had it with the fear of retaliation, of being blackballed, of being fired from a job they can’t afford to lose. They’ve had it with the code of going along to get along. They’ve had it with men who use their power to take what they want from women. These silence breakers have started a revolution of refusal, gathering strength by the day, and in the past two months alone, their collective anger has spurred immediate and shocking results: nearly every day, CEOs have been fired, moguls toppled, icons disgraced.

In some cases, criminal charges have been brought,” the magazine said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 5-11, 2018

D ateline PhiliPPines Palace credits Duterte for Filipinos’ optimism in 2018

A

PH ranks 3rd happiest country in the world

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

were “reflected in the survey numbers. “ “Hope about the country’s economic prosperity and hope about the new year can be attributed to the palpable change our people have felt under the leadership of [Duterte],” he said.

“Our economy is one of the fastest growing in the region. The local stock market ended the last trading day of 2017 in an all time-high.

Board of Investments-approved investments are record-breaking.

The government decisively liberated Marawi,” Roque added.

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

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

The 2017 bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) also capped off in the positive recordhigh territory after closing last Friday at 8,558.42 points. PSEi racked up a total of 1,717.78 points for the full year of 2017 from the end2016 level of 6840.64.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We Filipinos are known as a happy, resilient people. We even manage to smile amid difficulties.

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

Citing the Philippines’ fastgrowing economic growth, its record-high stock trading and the record-breaking investments, as well as the liberation of Marawi City in October, Roque said such changes Despite disasters, calamities and conflict, the Philippines ranked third among the happiest countries of the world, according to a global polling body.

Inquirer.net photo

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

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

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

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

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

“As a point of information, Attorney Oliver Lozano does not represent any member of the Marcos family or the estate of the late President Ferdinand Marcos,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, January 1, Panelo confirmed that his office received a draft from Lozano proposing a share of the Marcoses’ wealth and properties in

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Congress.

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

It is also a decision to be made

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

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

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

Philippine population to hit 107 million in 2018

by Sheila

CriSoStomo Philstar.com

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

Citing projections by the Philippine Statistics Authority based on the latest census in 2015, PopCom executive director Juan Antonio Perez III said the population was estimated to grow to 107,190,081

by Dec. 31 from 105,377,586 in

2017.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Philstar.com photo

PHILIPPINE SUNRISE. Among the featured images in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA’s) Best Earth-from-Space Photos by Astronauts in 2017 is sunrise on the Philippine Sea. The gallery, which features 18 photos, shows dazzling views of our home planet from space.

Photo courtesy of NASA

Ten justices to testify in Sereno impeachment hearing

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

TEN associate justices are expected to appear before the impeachment hearings at the House of Representatives to testify against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, according to a Manila Times report.

Citing a “well-placed sources inside the high court,” Manila Times said six magistrates are expected to be invited as resource persons on the allegations against Sereno, apart from the three incumbent magistrates and one retired justice who previously testified against her before the House Committee on Justice.

Last December, Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Noel Tijam and Francis Jardeleza, as well as retired justice Arturo Brion appeared before the House committee and testified about the falsification, anomalies and other irregularities allegedly committed by Sereno.

The six magistrates expected to testify before the House of Representatives were Antonio Carpio, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas

Bersamin, Mariano del Castillo, Andres Reyes and Samuel Martires.

According to the report, Carpio and Bersamin will testify on the raffle of the case of the Maute group.

In can be recalled that Tijam previously testified that Sereno allegedly “stole” the case from him, further calling the chief justice’s apparent delaying of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II’s request to transfer the trial of Maute cases from Mindanao to Taguig City as “arrogation” upon herself of the power of the court en banc.

Meanwhile, Peralta, who was the acting chairman of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) when Sereno applied for the chief justice post in 2012, is expected to make clear the issue of psychiatric exam that Sereno supposedly flunked.

The Manila Times also said that Del Castillo will testify on Sereno’s procurement of a “luxurious” P5.1 million-worth Toyota Land Cruiser, while Martines will testify on the reported late release of benefits of the spouses

of the justices who had passed away.

Reyes, on the other hand, is expected to testify on the case of the so-called “Ilocos 6” provincial government employees, who were detained at the House of Representatives in connection with the government’s alleged irregular purchase of P66.45 million-worth vehicles.

Sereno was accused of meddling in the case by going to the Court of Appeals herself.

In a statement, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said the hearings on the impeachment complaint against Sereno would be likely be finished in two months and one week.

He added that the committee on justice will be able to submit its report in time allowing the House to vote on it before Congress starts its seven-week Holy Week recess on March 24.

Lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, who file the impeachment complaint against the chief justice, accused Sereno of culpable violation of the Constitution, corruption, high crime, and betrayal of public trust. n

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January 5-11, 2018 • OC/IE aSIan JOurnaL

OpiniOn

Reason to hope

Features

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sketches

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners of 2017

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That image has helped mute

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 5-11, 2018

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De Lima: ‘Duterte dictatorship is coming’

by Audrey

MorAllo Philstar.com

DEVOTION. Devotees of the Black Nazarene pray during a novena at the Quiapo Church in Manila on Wednesday, January 3. Millions of Catholic devotees are expected to join the procession for the feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9. Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

Fiery Cross Reef transformed into Chinese airbase, says report

by PAtriciA lourdes Philstar.com

VirAy

MANILA — Fiery Cross (Kagitingan) Reef, one of Beijing’s artificial islands in the Spratly Islands, has been transformed into a fortified airbase complete with military installations.

A yearend feature aired by Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television showed an aerial shot of Fiery Cross Reef which has transformed into a big island.

Hong Kong-based news site Asia Times reported that the island now features a 3,125-meter runway for 6K strategic bombers to land.

The island also has a hospital and military facilities including early warning radars and closeproximity weapons systems.

More than 200 soldiers are also stationed on Fiery Cross, accord-

ing to the report.

Telecommunications provider China Mobile and China Unicom have base stations on the island to provide 4.5G communications.

One of China’s “great wall of sand” in the South China Sea, Manila-claimed Fiery Cross Reef is now reportedly the third largest island in the contested waters.

In June 2015, Chinese online news agency Sina first released photos from the Fiery Cross Reef showing vegetable gardens, animals and female soldiers in a bid to assert dominance in the maritime area. The slideshow did not show photos of military structures and radar captured in satellite photos prior to the release of Beijing’s projects in the artificial island.

Beijing first test-landed two civilian aircraft in January 2016.

Aerial photos aired by China Central Television show the completed construction of facilities on Fiery Cross Reef, one of Beijing’s artificial islands in the Spratly Islands. CCTV via Asia Times

Roque: Callamard is no expert in extrajudicial killings

by Audrey

MorAllo Philstar.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“More than 30 states are mem-

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

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

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

According to the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner website, candidates to the position of special rapporteurs and mandate-holders can be appointed by governments, the regional groups operating within the UN system, international organizations or their offices, non-governmental organizations and other human rights bodies and individuals.

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

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

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

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

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

The first visitors of the reef were wives and children of garrison soldiersand officers there.

Since then, the island has become a logistics hub for China.

In April 2016, China’s navy dispatched a military plane to Fiery Cross Reef to pick up injured construction workers.

The Department of Defense then said that China’s efforts of landing a military aircraft on the island were provocative. This occurred before the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a ruling on the Philippines’ arbitration against China, which invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea. n

MANILA — Filipinos should expect 2018 to be the year when the country’s constitutional democracy is replaced with “constitutional authoritarianism” as President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies continue to lay the groundwork for an eventual dictatorship, Sen. Leila De Lima said on Tuesday.

According to the detained senator, Duterte and Congress seemed to be taking the path that the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos treaded when he legitimized his dictatorship in 1972 through a new Constitution.

He said that the president seemed to be bent on keeping his allies and himself in power indefinitely and beyond the present constitutional limits.

“I would like to be optimistic about the new year. But I cannot, since 2018 appears to be the year when our constitutional democracy is replaced with constitutional authoritarianism, a throwback to 1972 when Ferdinand Marcos legitimized dictatorship in the Philippines through a new constitution,” De Lima said in another of her handwritten notes from her detention in Camp Crame where she is currently detained on drug-related charges she claimed were trumped up.

De Lima enumerated some of Duterte’s actions that she said pointed to his “authoritarian project.”

Part of the plan to establish this dictatorial government

was the moves to impeach Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, according to De Lima, who has been critical of Duterte since he was Davao City mayor.

“The weakening of the independent institutions of our system of checks and balance always precedes the coming of a dictatorship,” she said.

Sereno is facing the specter of a full-blown Senate impeachment trial after lawyer Lorenzo Gadon accused her of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution in several of her acts since she became chief magistrate in 2012. The chief justice has denied all the allegations against her.

Morales meanwhile has been threatened with an impeachment case, but none has so far progressed at the House of Representatives.

De Lima said that Mindanao was being experimented on with the extension of martial law until the end of 2018 despite the defeat of Islamic State-inspired Maute group.

She said that this could be used as basis for a nationwide martial law despite the absence of invasion or rebellion.

“At the same time, despite martial law and the constitutional authoritarianism project, revolutionary government continues to be floated as an option, and an open invitation remains for the military to support Duterte as the absolute power

in this so-called revolution,” De Lima said, weeks after the Senate and the House, dominated

by Duterte allies, approved the government’s request for a oneyear extension of martial law in Mindanao.

The president has said that a nationwide martial law is “on the table” if the survival of the republic was already at stake.

The opposition senator also slammed Duterte for his attack on the remaining free and critical press in the country and his supporters’ propaganda “laced with fake news and political poison” on social media.

She also blasted Duterte’s appointment of former Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon to the Office of Civil Defense, Sandra Cam to the Philippine Charities Sweepstakes Office and other individuals to key government posts despite being implicated in irregularities.

“All these indicate the regime’s bravura that it will never be held accountable because it intends to be in power forever.

To assure this, Duterte and his lackeys are preparing to replace our democratic system with an authoritarian one” De Lima said.

She also called on Filipinos to act and prevent this plan from happening.

“Let us all move and act to make this year a happy new year, and a sad year for the forces of evil that still rule over our land,” she said. n

A

January 5-11, 2018 • OC/IE aSIan JOurnaL

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the asian journal entertainment magazine

january 5-11, 2018

may 30-june 5, 2014 www.asianjournal.com

2

january 5-11, 2018

Glitzy celebrations and tragic losses in showbiz director roman Polanski and actor Kevin Spacey, among a long list of other artists, stepped forward From the rise of Donald to tell their own stories of sexual Trump, the North Korean missile harassment. testing and mass shootings to And as always, what happened the battle of marawi, Asean and in the U.S. trickled down to this part miss Universe hostings in the local of the world as social media also setting, the year 2017 lived up to became a tool for young women the characteristics of its Chinese to expose how members of several zodiac sign as the rooster cackled independent bands in the music with the biggest events and scene have made inappropriate controversies worldwide. moves toward female fans. Jensen The entertainment world was and the Flips and Sud were two of no exception to the extremes those bands who have since been predicted to take place in 2017. dropped from their scheduled January in fact saw a major kickoff performances. at the oscars when “La La Land” That is not to say, however, that was mistakenly announced as the showbiz has not had its fair share year’s Best Picture winner instead of good news in 2017. of “moonlight” signaling a colorful The royal Family, considered year in showbizlandia. celebrities with their huge Shortly after came the news international following, was once of couples going to “Splitsville” again big in the news with the in Hollywood, the most notable announcement of the Duchess of of which were actors Chris Pratt Cambridge Kate middleton’s third and Anna Farris whom the world child by Prince William over the expected to last together for a long summer, and just before Christmas, time.

Prince Harry’s engagement to Still over in La La Land, the American actress meghan markle. most shocking news of the year other couples who also carried the hashtag #meToo on announced their engagements social media, which turned into include singer megan Trainor a movement that unmasked the and boyfriend-actor Daryl Sabara alleged sexual misconducts of film and “Game of Thrones” stars Kit producer and executive Harvey Harrington and rose Leslie, just to Weinstein. Later, alleged victims of name a few. reputable anchorman matt Lauer, But of course, the Philippines

by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

Pauleen Luna and Vic Sotto with Talitha Maria

Nikki Gil and BJ Albert with baby Finn

Kaye Abad and Paul Jake Castillo with Joaquin

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

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

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

The following day, Belo looked every bit regal in her blush michael Cinco bridal gown when she exchanged “I do’s” with her much younger groom at the American Church of Paris.

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

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

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

Their family and closest friends—many of them show business personalities such as the bride’s sister Jasmine Curtis, the groom’s sister Solenn Heussaff,

Kylie Padilla with son Alas Joaquin

Chesca Garcia, Karylle Tatlonghari, Georgina Wilson, Isabel Daza, Angel Locsin and Vice Ganda, among many others—witnessed the long-time couple’s big day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Eat Bulaga!” host Pia Guanio gave birth to her second daughter, Brooklyn, with husband Steve mago on may 29.

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

Actress maricar de mesa, meanwhile, gave birth to baby girl

2017: Most beautiful year for the Philippines by arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

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

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

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

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

Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson’s LCS Group of Companies along with DoT and the miss Universe organization (mUo).

Wurtzbach crowned miss France Iris mittenaere as her successor at the end of the show, ending the European country’s 63-year title drought—the longest in the pageant’s history—and the first win from Europe in 14 years.

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

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

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

First to compete was Elizabeth Clenci, who placed Second runner-Up to maria Jose Lora of Peru and Tulia Aleman Ferrer of Venezuela in the 2017 miss Grand International held in Vietnam on october 25. Hosting the event were Filipino celebrities ABS-CBN actor Xian Lim and 2016 miss

2

Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho

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

Alianna Sky on July 17.

Camille Prats and husband John Yambao welcomed their daughter, Nala Camille on September 22, following their January wedding. on November 6, comedian Vic Sotto announced the birth of his and wife Pauleen Luna’s first child, baby Talitha maria For singer/host/actress Nikki Gil and husband BJ Albert, Christmas came early as they welcomed baby Finn on November 20.

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

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

Soxie Topacio, 65 The veteran film, theater and movie actor and director passed away on July 21 after

succumbing to cancer. Topacio is best remembered in directing the highly acclaimed dramacomedy film “Ded na si Lolo” in 2009.

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

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

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

Anne Curtis plays a drug enforcement agent in ‘Buy Bust’

ACTrESS, TV host, soldout concert performer and entrepreneur Anne Curtis has added a new feather to her cap: as an action star.

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

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

“This is the beauty of pekititirsia kali - when you’re disarmed of an actual weapon, you can use anything you can find to defend yourself because you become the weapon,” Anne said in the post, which has, so far, reached over 13,000 Facebook views in less than Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach passes the crown to Iris Mittenaere of France as the new queen in 24 hours.

Manila on January 30, 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Miss Universe photo Working out has become Euphoria still fresh among Grand International First runnerharder for Anne now that she has beauty pageant aficionados, Up Nicole Cordoves. to spend long hours filming for in less than 24 hours, Teresita on November 3 (November “Buy Bust.” Nonetheless, she makes Ssen “WinWyn” marquez made 4 in manila), Nelda Ibe almost sure to warm up every day before history when she became the first shooting the film by running and equalled the feat of Ann Lorraine Filipina and Asian to be crowned Colis as miss Globe 2015, but going to the gym, as preparations miss Hispanoamericana 2017 in definitely improved from Nichole for the intense battle scenes.

Bolivia. Although the number manalo’s Third runner-Up finish “’Buy bust’ is an action film, of delegates was just a third in 2016 when she placed First so it compensates for my lack of compared to the major contests, runner-Up to miss Vietnam exercise!” Anne quipped in a recent the daughter of basketeer-actorDo Tran Khanh Ngan in Tirana, interview with Philstar.com for politician Joey marquez and Albania.

Shiseido Collagen. actress-politician Alma moreno The following day, Karen Anne has been reportedly Ibasco proved that she is the most beat the Latinas in their own turf, working on “Buy Bust” for over so to speak. beautiful and smartest “warrior” a year now. The action thriller is Luck went on lull for the when she bested 85 entrants and director Erik matti’s first full-on Philippines, however, when mariel action flick in years. It follows became the third Filipina miss de Leon failed to enter the semiEarth titleholder in four years, and the timely story of an anti-drug finals in the miss International the fourth since the pageant’s enforcement agency’s two teams debut in 2001.

Continued on Page 4 tasked to investigate illegal drug

A scene from ‘Buy Bust’ starring Anne Curtis.

operations in manila slums. Anne plays as an anti-drug enforcement agent.

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

The movie was submitted to the metro manila Film Festival 2017 as an entry but did not make it to the final cut, resulting in matti’s tiff with the mmFF’s Executive Committee.

Anne, however, has nothing but praises for matti.

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

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

Liza Soberano needs no beauty title or crown

by Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

Soon after TC Candler’s annual “The 100 Most Beautiful Faces” list got posted on YouTube, and the internet went abuzz with the news that it is FilipinoAmerican Kapamilya actress Liza Soberano as this year’s number one, her discoverer and manager ogie Diaz posted on Facebook his own take of the accolade.

“Ang daming nagtutulak sa yo na sumali ka sa Bb. Pilipinas, dahil malaki ang chance mo sa Ms. Universe… ngayong nakuha mo na ang #1 as ‘the most beautiful face’ in the world… anak, para ka na ring nanalo sa Ms. Universe. Choosy pa ba? (Many [people]had been pushing you to join Bb. Pilipinas since they see you have a big chance to become Ms. Universe… Now that you obtained the #1 [spot]as ‘the most beautiful face’ in the world… my daughter, it’s the same as if you won Ms. Universe. Can you remain choosy?)

Congratulations! #ProudManager” The comedian-father-showbiz writer cum talent manager’s post generated more than 5,500 likes and 374 shares, and netizens mostly agreed with the notion that Soberano need not join a beauty contest anymore as she’s already crowned the most beautiful among mortals in this dispensation. not only has the Philippine media took note of the distinction bestowed upon Soberano, but foreign media as well, notably Taiwan news and United Kingdom’s Coventry Telegraph among others.

Past winners on top of the list of Most Beautiful Faces of the Year since it began are models, actresses and singers.

Michelle Pfeiffer was the first Most Beautiful Face of The Year in 1990. She was followed by Meg Ryan in 1991, only to take back the distinction successively in 1992 and 1993.

Isabelle Huppert topped the list in 1994, then by Sophie Marceau for two years in 1995 and 1996. nicole Kidman was accorded the distinction in 1997, followed by Gwyneth Paltrow in 1998, Andrea Corr in 1999 and Jennifer Connelly in 2000. nicole Kidman made a comeback in 2001, Andrea Corr in 2002, Jennifer Connelly in 2003, then Lindsay Lohan topped the list in 2004.

Keira Knightley won it two years in a row in 2005 and 2006, then Kate Beckinsale topped the list in 2007, followed by natalie Portman in 2008, Rose Byrne in 2009, and Camilla Belle in 2010.

The new decade was started

by Emma Watson in 2011, then Emilia Clarke in 2012, Marion Cotillard in 2013, and Korean singer nana ruled for two years in 2014 and 2015. In 2016, the Most Beautiful Face of the Year was Jourdan Dunn.

Those who make it to the list three times are elevated to the Hall of Fame. Soberano placed sixth in 2015 and second last year.

Behind her this year are Thylane Blondeau at no.2, Tzuyu at no.3, Sarah Gadon at no. 4, nana at no.

5 and last year’s no. 1 is no. 6 this year.

Dipping into entrepreneurship Born to a Filipino father and an American mother in California, Hope Elizabeth Hanley Soberano was raised by her paternal grandparents when her parents separated and moved to Manila.

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

Liza Soberano

She was only 10 years old when she lived with her father and relatives.

She was doing print ads until she was introduced to ogie Diaz at the age of 13. Starting with the fantasy-drama-comedy anthology “Wansapanataym,” she next essayed minor roles in the afternoon series “Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo” and the Daniel PadillaKathryn Bernardo movie “Must Be… Love” then in “She’s The one” starring Bea Alonzo, Dingdong Dantes and Enrique Gil. She made a mark as Padilla’s other love interest in the primetime series “Got To Believe” and became sensational as strawberry farmer Maria Agnes Calay in “Forevermore” which created the LizQuen loveteam with Enrique Gil. More movies and “Dolce Amore” and Soberano and Gil became the latest sensational stars in Philippine show business, with their last film “My Ex And Whys” grossing P31.5 million on first day.

She was signed up to do “Darna,” as replacement to the injured Angel Locsin, and earned raves for portraying Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach in “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”

Even before Candler chose her as 2017’s Most Beautiful Face, Soberano has been considered by the local media as one of the most beautiful faces to have ever graced Philippine movie and TV screens, which she humbly countered, “I appreciated it, but sometimes that’s all they notice. I don’t want to them to remember me because I’m pretty.”

She stressed that she’d rather be recognized for her confidence and courage to take new roles in her career … and business acumen on the side.

Before 2017 ended, she entered the wellness industry through her own Hope Hand and Foot Wellness Center located along Tomas Morato in Quezon City, just a few meters away from her home studio.

She revealed that it was her aunt who inspired her to get into the business.

Talking about her venture, she shared her own wellness ritual by using a lot of essential and organic oils to pamper her hands and feet to boost her body and spirit.

ARTISTS in the live circuit had their share of honors when their hard work were recognized by the Aliw Awards Foundation in a musically energized ceremonies at the Mabuhay Pavilion of the Manila Hotel.

Celebrating the foundation’s 40th anniversary, trophies were handed at the 30th Annual Aliw Awards with new additions to its roster of achievers for the year.

Biggest winner of them all was iconic singer-recording artist-stage actress Celeste Legaspi who took the Entertainer of the Year plum, plus Lifetime Achievement Award and Best Actress (non-Musical Play) as Leticia in “Virgin Labfest 13’s Si Dr. Dolly Dalisay At Ang Mga Ladybugs.”

It was the second time for the daughter of national Artist Photo from Instagram/@lizasoberano Cesar Legaspi after 38 years to be bestowed the Entertainer of “Wellness impacts more than meets the eye. It is all about the Year distinction having been declared the third winner in 1979. making us feel better holistically, Singing “Gaano Ko Ikaw from head to toe, body to soul,” Kamahal” in the finale, Legaspi the “Ultimate Crush ng Bayan” thanked Aliw Awards for the triple said. distinction and also made a fitting “I am a great believer that wellness is essential in making us pitch for the Metro Manila Film Festival 2017 entry, “Ang Larawan,” the best version that we can be. which she co-produced with Hope Hand and Foot Wellness friends. Incidentally, the movie Center is the first manifestation adaptation of the nick Joaquin of the Hope Wellness brand. We classic was proclaimed Best want this to be the go-to place Picture on December 27 during for everyone and anyone who wants to feel better. Hope is open the Gabi ng Parangal, making to people of all ages, genders and Legaspi a multiple-awardee across walks of life,” the world’s prettiest entertainment genres.

Another notable winner was woman added. filmmaker Joel Lamangan, who She quoted economist Paul was elevated to the Hall of Fame Zane Pilner who said that the as Aliw Awards Best Actor. Many health and wellness industry people don’t know but Lamangan is predicted to become the already won three Best Actor next trillion-dollar industry trophies for his live performances worldwide, underscored by the as early as 1981 for “Ang Buhay ni trend that spas and wellness Galileo,” which he recently reprised; centers have become a lifestyle “Macbeth,”“Everybody Loves Them for many people around the Filipinos” and “Fake.” He also won world.

Best Stage Director (Musical) for “By putting up Hope Hand “Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag.” and Foot Wellness Center, we do others elevated to the Hall of not only encourage people to Fame were Pinky Amador as Best have their own proper wellness Actress.

She performed “La Vien En ritual but we are also aggressively taking part in what is described as the business of the future,” Soberano further said.

She also mentioned that as much as her time would allow it, she would want to be very handson in managing the operations of her budding enterprise.

“I made sure that I am actively involved from conceptualization to the actual construction of this place down to the services that we offer,” she stressed.

The center offers not just the basic manicure and pedicure but special packages such as Boss Lady, Sugar Spice and Everything nice, Age is Just a number, Hope Signature Wellness Package, The Pro-Active Package, The Chill Chic, and the Little Prince/Little Princess Package.

It’s not far from possibility that Soberano could be entrenched as one of the most successful artist-turnedentrepreneurs not just in the country but the whole globe as well.

Despite her busy schedule, she is bent to finish her online Business Management Course at the Southville International School affiliated with foreign universities.

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

Photos from ABS-CBN

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

naming him “Mr. Blue,” Elaine also notices glimpses of him in all her videos. She then sets on an online/offline quest to find her knight in shining armor.

Both manga stories are connected and in the same setting. The lives of Macy, Eddie, Elaine and Mr. Blue intertwine in the coming books. (Philstar.com)

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Celeste Legaspi is Entertainer of the Year again after 38 years

by Arlo

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

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

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

january 5-11, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

Rose” in its original French lyrics, then in English and Filipino by Pete Lacaba; lawyer-actor-producerdirector Vince Tañada for Best Stage Direction for “Ako Si ninoy” in 2009, “Enzo, Santo” in 2010 and “Katips” in 2016; Ateneo de Manila University’s resident artist-director Ricky Abad for Best Director; and Rockin’ 60s as Best Group Lounge Performers.

The Lifetime Achievement Awards were handed to dancerchoreographer-actress Geleen Eugenio, singer-recording artist Claire dela Fuente, singer Jun Polistico, Spirit of ’67 singing group who were already elevated to the Hall of Fame in 2006, and McDonald’s founding chairman George Yang for his love for classical music and sponsoring scholarships through the Klassical Music Foundation. Yang’s award was received for him by Andrew Fernando. Awardees who were not able to come were Hajji Alejandro and onofre Pagsanghan.

In a short chat with The Manila Times, Aliw Awards Foundation founding chairman and current president Alice Reyes said they plan to bring the award to the regional level this year so as to recognize the abundant Filipino talent in the

Celeste Legaspi

ManilaTimes.net photo

provinces.

The 2017 Board of Judges was composed of Reyes, Rod Cornejo, Harlene Bautista, Joy Belmonte, Consoliza Laguardia, Wanda TulfoTeo, Rema Manzano and Dero Pedero. The Screening Committee was co-chaired by Sonny Valencia and Frank Rivera with members Dennis Aguilar, Arthur Casanova, Aristeo Garcia, njel de Mesa, Joey nombres, Philip Panganiban, Jan Reyes, Tess Tan and Art Tapalla.

Hosting the show was Garie Concepcion who was awarded Best Female Host.

january 5-11, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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Kapuso love teams take the lead in 2018

by Lhar Santiago ManilaTimes.net

Kapuso love teams seem to be taking center stage at the GMa camp as 2018 enters. The hottest team-ups of GMa are not wanting in project. The reunited Derbie of Derrick Monasterio and Barbie Forteza have their big romantic movie shot in Italy and to be shown first quarter of the coming year. The movie is just one of the projects that they will do. GMa is also cooking-up another big television project for the two former tween stars.

Not to be outdone is the loveteam of Gabbi Garcia and Ruru Madrid as they headline one of the new primetime offerings of GMa for 2018. “sherlock, Jr.” is Ruru’s first title role and he just can’t contain his happiness. This is also some sort of reunion for The Gabru loveteam after it was rumored that “Encantadia” was their last project together. Ruru and Gabbi both got busy with separate projects since then which fanned the fire even more. until the network announced that Gabru will star together in a new series which is sherlock, Jr. Crossing over from 2017 to 2018 is the Biguel loveteam of Bianca umali and Miguel Tanfelix.

Their team-up is said to be one of the strongest. Their ongoing series “Kambal Karibal” is doing so well at the ratings game, giving it’s competitor a tough time. Biguel however humbly believes that the story and the execution of the scenes have big roles on the success of their primetime soap.

They are, of course, very thankful that Kambal Karibal is rating high and it rates more as the story progresses.

What’s good with the three Kapuso premiere loveteams is that they have very good working relationship. Derrick and Barbie’s friendship has passed the fire, so to speak. The friendship which started when they were doing the youthoriented show, “Tween Hearts” has remained even after they did separate projects. Both Derrick and Barbie have proven that they can carry shows separately. Derrick’s weekly comedy-fantasy series “Tsuperhero” was a hit among kids

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Gabbi Garcia and Ruru Madrid

and teenagers. Barbie, on the other hand, holds the record of leading the cast of the longest running afternoon soap, “The stepsisters.”

Their team-up also proved to be strong on primetime when they did “anna Karenina” which ruled the ratings on its time slot. and now that they are together again, the two top young stars are happily excited because they work together well. They are so comfortable with each other that they can even tell their secret to each other.

They have finished their shoot in Italy of “almost a Love story” under the direction of Louie Ignacio who swears the chemistry between Derrick and Barbie us still there.

“They have very strong chemistry. They look very good together on screen. Even during the shoot, kitang-kita. I think it has something to do with the way they regard and treat each other. They have this genuine concern for each other, they were taking care of each other while we were shooting and they are very sincere. I think that’s where the chemistry comes from,” said Direk Louie.

In the case of Gabru, the two admitted that they almost drifted apart especially when rumors started circulating that Encantadia would be their last project together. Even if they are together in the weekly sunday show “sunday pinasaya,” the spark was just nowhere. They would just do their segments together treating it as part of their job. affected by the rumors? “perhaps,” Ruru admitted. upon starting the taping for sherlock, Jr., Gabbi and Ruru tried to rekindle the kind of relationship they had when they were doing

2017: Most beautiful year for...

From Page 2

contest in Japan on November 14, dashing hopes for a back-to-back win forever. The winner, Kevin Lilliana of Indonesia (the first ever Big 4 crown for her country) was confirmed to have trained under a Filipino pageant expert.

Four days later, Laura Lehmann advanced to Top 40 in the Miss World pageant in sanya, China but came short making it to Top 25 in the second round. If it is any consolation, the former Blue Eagle university athletic Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali GMA photos association of the philippines (uaap) courtside reporter “Let The Love Begin” but it seems that there was a thin wall between was among the Top 5 Beauty With a purpose finalists, and them. The fire was missing! the humanitarian award was until they went to palawan for bestowed on Filipino priest Father a three-day commercial shoot Marciano “Rocky” Evangelista of for a clothing brand they were Tuloy Foundation. That, of course, endorsing. It was there that was on top of the accolade that they had a heart-to-heart talk.

Filipina Miss World 2013 Megan They talked about their careers, Young hosted the show. There about the two of them. They realized that there was actually no was even an exchange between the priest and Young in Filipino communication between them. onstage.

They admitted that they were so The most awaited pageant of near yet so far. That was when they all was the 66th Miss universe in resolved that they would bring Las Vegas, Nevada on November back their kind of relationship.

They would be more caring toward 26 (November 27 in Manila). strong during the preliminaries, each other and that’s what the philippine bet Rachel peters public, especially their fans, are managed to advance to Top 10 seeing now with Gabbi and Ruru. from Top 16 but failed to make separation is something strange for Bianca and Miguel, not it to Top 5. Had there been a Top 6, she would have equalled the in their vocabulary as a loveteam. placement of Medina in the 65th They are always together in projects. after starring in “Mulawin” edition of the pageant in Manila.

During the send-off party with Derrick, they were given for the remaining three Binibini another primetime series which queens, peters already said that has proven successful. Fans talk about it. social media is abuzz with although she had not checked on the other girls yet, she pointed it. The high ratings proves how to Miss south africa Demi-Leigh strong the show is.

Bianca’s character Crisanta’s suffering at the hands of ill-willed Cheska, portrayed by GMa newcomer Kyline alcantara, has become more pronounced and big credit also goes to Kyline’s effective performance as the villainess.

GMa has indeed found the perfect young villainess in Kyline.

Watching her, one will notice that she really knows her character like the back of her hand. When she raises her eyebrows, when she pouts her lips, when she starts rolling her eyes, one knows that she is a mean character. Now the Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco is happily viewers know why she is dubbed congratulated by her fellow candidates. as la nueva contravida.

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Binibining Pilipinas 2017 winners.

Nel-peters and Miss Thailand Maria poonlertlap as her two strongest rivals. peters must have a very strong discernment and foresight as the south african delegate was crowned as the new Miss universe and the Thai beauty made it to Top 5.

Nel-peters ended her country’s long drought of the crown which was last won by Margaret Gardiner in 1978. Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez was First Runner-up and Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett was second Runner-up. The other girl in Top 5 was Miss Venezuela Keysi sayago.

Rounding up the Top 10 were Misses Brazil, Canada, spain and usa. Completing the Top 16 were China, Croatia, Ghana, Great Britain, Ireland and sri Lanka. sitting among the judges was Wurtzbach, while Filipino slay Models director and founder Cecilio asuncion sat in the panel during the preliminary

ManilaTimes.net photos

competition. on December 1, Filipinoaustralian Chanel olive Thomas made it to Top 10 and voted Miss Friendship in the Miss supranational pageant held in poland. It was won by Miss Korea Jenny Kim, the very first title won by a Korean in a major pageant.

In 2013, Mutya Datul became the first Filipina and asian to win the crown in the Europe-based beauty contest.

Miss Universe 2017 in Manila one Filipino who is as “confidently beautiful with a heart” like Wurtzbach during the Miss universe 2017 proceedings is noted stage actor-entrepreneur Raymond “Rs” Francisco.

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

“Muo Vice president for Business Development and Marketing shawn McClain said they wanted to visit a country as part of the new queen’s responsibility. I told him, whoever’s gonna win I’ll bring her over to the philippines along with Iris [Mittenaere]. That was the night before the coronation,” Francisco told The sunday Times Magazine during the welcome party of the Miss u beauties at solaire Resort and Casino on Teresita Ssen ‘Winwyn’ Marquez is the first Filipina December 5. and Asian to win Miss Hispanoamericana.

Continued on Page 6

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA THESE are the best of times.

These are the worst of times.

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

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

Mindfulness is a skill borne of discipline. It is the mental and deeply spiritual process of laser focusing one’s energy and full attention to the sensations and experiences happening right now.

This skill effectively places all other concerns in the back burner while fully engaged in the moment.

Mindfulness has become a highly valued skill in today’s extremely distracting world seemingly spinning at warp speed.

It is essentially a mental skill

Health@Heart PhiliP S. ChuA, Md, FACS, FPCS What is food poisoning?

Food poisoning is a variety of illnesses caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria, toxins or chemicals. This is more common during holidays and summertime. The symptoms usually include diarrhea, abdominal pains and vomiting.

Diarrhea and vomiting could be so severe as to cause extreme dehydration, which, if untreated and unabated, could be fatal. how does bacterial contamination occur?

Raw food may have bacteria in it or may be contaminated by unsanitary handling. These bacteria then grow and multiply, and when the “infected” food is eaten, the growth and multiplication of the bacteria continue in the stomach or bowel, producing symptoms of food poisoning. This leads to abdominal pains, diarrhea, and vomiting, which are part of the body’s defensive ways of getting rid of the offending bacteria.

The most common bacteria causing food poisoning is Listeria Salmonella, usually from poultry or infected eggs, specifically, duck eggs), Clostridia (contamination by dirt or flies), and Shigella and Escherichia coli (fecal contamination of food and/or water).

What about toxins?

Food that is kept in a warm place, or improperly preserved, can produce chemicals called toxins. One of the commonest is the Staphylococci toxin from

Mindfulness as virtue “Be present.

It is the only thing that matters.

–Way of the Peaceful Warrior that can be honed and developed by consciously tuning out all distractions through the discipline of regular prayer and meditation.

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

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

The advances in communication technology have created a world where we can send and receive information at breakneck speed. The thoughts, the images of anyone, from kings to paupers, from the most profound to the most profane,

from the wisest to the most foolish, from the most beautiful to the most horrific, once formed, can be transmitted to billions of people around the electronically wired community.

Just like the common cold, thoughts and images “go viral…”

The power of a message is now measured by the number of tweets, hits and views it gets.

Many are choosing to live in virtual reality rather than in the real world believing they can safely hide behind a cloak of anonymity.

Disabuse yourself of the idea.

No one remains anonymous for long. No one in the internet is sacrosanct.

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

Food contamination Staphylococci bacteria that can be transmitted by a food careless handler with a boil or infected wound full of the Staph bacteria. Botulism (due to Clostridium Botulinum), from badly tinned or bottled food, is not very common but can be fatal.

When the contaminated food is ingested, severe gastrointestinal symptoms may occur.

Which chemical poisons are found in food?

There are some common food items that contain natural chemical poisons. Some fungi are very poisonous even when eaten in tiny quantities, causing irregular heartbeat, coma or even death.

The green areas on potatoes which have been exposed to the light, uncooked kidney beans, some nuts, etc. contain poisonous chemicals, which can cause symptoms of food poisoning if inadequately cooked. Not properly washing fruits and vegetables that are contaminated with pesticides can also cause food poisoning.

Some mushrooms are poisonous and not edible.

What bacteria grows on cooked rice?

Bacillus cereus thrives and multiples in cooked rice and can cause food poisoning. The bacteria produce a chemical toxin which is very resistant and not destroyed even by high temperatures. The best way to prevent this is by refrigerating leftover rice, which should be consumed within 48 hours. The symptoms of food poisoning usually start fairly suddenly with abdominal pains, frequently cramping in nature and soon followed by diarrhea.

The pains can be persistent for a few days and become worst

before an episode of diarrhea or vomiting. Throwing up may cease after a few hours but diarrhea may continue for days. If the illness is due to bacterial contamination, the symptoms appear about 12-24 hours after ingestion, but if it is due to toxins, the onset of symptoms comes rapidly, usually within minutes after eating the contaminated food. Severe Botulism begins after about 12 hours with vomiting, abdominal cramps, and may culminate in paralysis and coma.

Is food poisoning dangerous?

Obviously, yes, as discussed above. In young children and among the elderly, dehydration is the main danger. Vomiting and diarrhea can result in a rapid loss of body fluids and electrolytes.

This can disrupt the very delicate chemical balance in the body and, if not treated early, can lead to coma and even death. Botulinum and Staph toxins are in themselves dangerous, and the poisoning can be fatal, if not managed in a timely and proper fashion. how do we prevent food poisoning?

Good environmental and personal hygiene, proper food preparation, handling and storage, avoidance of questionable food (fruit or potato salad and dishes sautéed with tomato that have been exposed for more than an hour at a party or picnic under hot weather, mussels and other shelled foods that remain closed after cooking, poultry or meats (hamburgers, etc) that are not thoroughly cooked, and can goods that are of questionable freshness, that are “expired,” or with bulging top, are some basic

Paul Soriano begs off in directing wife Toni Gonzaga

by Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

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

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

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

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

“As a producer, yes, I can have her in my project. But as her director, I prefer to have one who I think could handle her best, like Dan [Villegas of ‘All Of You’] who is very good at handling romantic stories,” he said.

january 5-11, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

wired environment we live in today.

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

The fault, dear tech user, is not in our stars but in ourselves. It is how we define our relationship with technology and use it in our daily lives.

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

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

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

People have become so

preoccupied and distracted by the mind boggling possibilities presented by multitasking that is engendered by a tech-enhanced way of life, that they tend to forget what is important and what truly matters.

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

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

How do we detox? Try going tech free at designated times or for long stretches of time without having to check your phone or your computer for messages that you feel compelled to respond to ASAP. As I have said in another article championing the cause of

living mindfully in the moment, “Log off and enjoy your hot chocolate.”

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

Think of the perks. We get to appreciate the present moment and appreciate and deeply love the people we are with right then and there. We get to “Carpe Diem” and experience joy in real time.

We get to open our eyes and our hearts to the beauty and infinite majesty of just breathing and knowing LIFE IS GOOD– so good you can feel it in your bones.

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

preventive measures that can be taken to prevent food poisoning.

The prudent practice and common sense dictum is: “if in doubt, discard.”

What is the mainstay of therapy?

This depends on the cause of the food poisoning: bacteria, toxin or chemical. But basically, oral and/or intravenous fluid replacement is the key to prevent further dehydration from fluid and electrolyte loss from diarrhea and vomiting, which could be life-threatening. Young children and the elderly can become very ill fast, since they succumb rapidly to dehydration, so medical consultation, or even hospitalization, may be needed

early. Antibiotics may be given where indicated to clear up the infection, but as a rule, they are usually not used because they may sometimes worsen the condition. Fortunately, most of the food poisoning cases respond well to fluid replacement.

Possible botulism patients should be hospitalized without delay.

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

Those who are very ill may need ventilator support in the ICU. An antidote may be needed for fungal food poisoning. All the evaluation and decision of the management are best handled by the attending physician. After surviving the acute stage, the

patient is expected to recover fully with an excellent prognosis.

However, just like most other illnesses, food poisoning is best prevented. In the majority of situations, this is within our power.

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

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

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

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

JA N UA RY 2 1

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

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Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA Paul Soriano won the Best Director award for his film “Siargao” in the Metro Manila Film Festival.

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

Siargao also won Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Theme Song (“Alon” by Hale) and Best Supporting Actress for Jasmine Curtis. Lead actress Erich Gonzales also won Female Star

of the Night during the Gabi Ng Parangal.

Meanwhile, as news broke that “Ang Larawan” was pulled out from theaters on the second or third day due to weak boxoffice sales, Soriano was one of those who appealed to the public to support the movie for its excellent cinematic value.

He said he watched the film the night before and he believes that moviegoers should support it.

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

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

january 5-11, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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2017: Most beautiful year for...

From Page 4

Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza

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

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

“We know how big is Miss Universe here at home, and whether I managed to get cosponsors or not, I was all set for it.

Parang [the visit]is a Christmas gift for the Filipino people,” Francisco interview last December that he will have a birthday special on “Eat related further.

Given the opportunity to Bulaga!” continue MUO’s work with Hope It can be recalled that Maine for Change Foundation, as well took a showbiz hiatus shortly after she posted an open letter to as the chance to give back to the Department of Tourism her fans on Twitter. In a previous [via its “Bring Home a Friend” interview with Pilipino Star campaign]for the agency’s all out Ngayon, AlDub’s “Eat Bulaga!” support during the Miss Universe co-host Vic Sotto clarified that 2016 pageant in Manila in January, Maine was on vacation to spend there was no reason for Shugart Christmas and New Year in and her team to decline. the United States and she was And so, on December 5 until not suspended from the show the morning of December 10, because of the open letter.

While some fans called Maine the Philippines was adorned with international beauties promoting “selfish” for the letter, she has the beautiful characteristic of been praised by other celebrities Filipinos as the most hospitable for the move. Stars like Ai people in the world, highlighting Ai delas Alas, Christine BersolaBabao, Gabbi Garcia and even Vice three major tourist spots of the country – Batanes in Luzon, Bohol Ganda of “It’s Showtime!” called in the Visayas and Camiguin in Maine “brave” for posting the Mindanao. lengthy letter.

The entourage included Since the letter, among Misses USA, Canada, Great Britain, Maine’s New Year’s resolutions China, Russia, Italy, Netherlands, is to become even braver this 2018. In her latest Instagram post, India, Malaysia, Spain, Singapore and Korea. she narrated how she enjoyed Shugart told The Sunday Times skydiving in Miami and among the things in her 2018 bucket list is to Magazine during the welcome party that it was the first time in skydive alone. the history of Miss Universe that “Funny thing, I almost three consecutive winners were cried while sitting inside the together in an endeavor. She also aircraft– incredibly nervous and explained how in her many years happy– because DAMN I cannot as head of MUO since 2001, the believe I am actually doing this!”

2016 staging of the Miss Universe she exclaimed.

Will this New Year spark a new pageant in Manila in January was the “best show” she has seen. start for AlDub or will they finally The fashion show titled “Give part ways?

Maine Mendoza back on TV in time for Alden Richards’ birthday

by Deni

Rose BeRnaRDo Philstar.com

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

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

On Twitter, the hashtags “WelcomeBack MAINE” and “AldenRichardsAt26” became among the top-trending on January 1 and 2, signaling that fans of Alden and Maine’s AlDub love team have been eagerly waiting for the couple’s 2018 reunion.

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

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

Miss Universe 2017 candidates in Camiguin.

Instagram.com/@realkaramccullough

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

According to organizers, Miss Asia Global pageant seeks to find the “most beautiful and talented women from the Asian region.” Crowned Miss Asia 2017 was Miss China while the First and Second Runner-Up were Miss Bashkortostan and Miss India respectively.

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

On October 31, 13-yearold Diosen Llyed Budios was crowned Miss World Tourism in Tokyo, Japan also winning

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

Best in Interview, Best in National Costume, Teen Photogenic and Teen Social Media special awards.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

january 5-11, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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january 5-11, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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